Would it be cool TFP wavewave met TFE wavewave???? I bet the Soundwaves would get along

Oh both Soundwaves would definitely get along! TFP Soundwave would be inspired to have more babies minicons. TFE Soundwave might be a bit unsure about TFP Laserbeak at first but quickly realised he was just as affectionate as his own Laserbeak.

I can’t say the same about both Shockwaves though. When it comes to science they might either get along or become rivals of logic. Sadly TFE Shockwave knows he’s beaten when it comes to appearances.

He becomes depressed after. Thankfully his Soundwave still loves him the way he is and wouldn’t change a thing.

I didn’t bother drawing TFP WaveWave cause TFP Shockwave will always be out of my league but Shockwave would ramble on and on about how excellent TFE Shockwave is, while Soundwave make a simple request of starting a family having more minicons.

Just the thought of walking in on harry as hes stroking his thick cock and his eyes are shut closed and hes biting his lip one had behind his head. Fuck me up

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Based Off Of This Ask

A/N: I was having brainfarts all day and all night long on what to write. Like I've been going back and forth on what concepts to write and I've been distracted with this election mess. Buttt...I was able to find something that I rlly liked and could actually write for you guys right now. So I hope y’all like it...crappy ending and all! Enjoy🙃 

Harry was alone and in his subspace. When he woke up, you were not by his side in bed. The house was completely silent with not even the slightest trace of you being there. The shower wasn’t running, there wasn’t any noise coming from the kitchen, and the simple feeling of your presence was absent for Harry. The only thing left of you for the time being was a little note on his bedside table telling him that you had to get an early start to your day, that you’d be back soon, and that you loved him. Other than that, Harry was all alone and left to his own devices. And that was the worst thing that could possibly happen when in his subspace. He needed you and only you to take care of him and make him feel good.

Now when he began to wake up, Harry was softly pushing his lower half down into the bed as he transitioned out of his sleep. He was becoming more and more aware of his hard cock and he was instinctively moving to relieve himself. This is when he began to slip into his subspace. As he continued to rut his hips into the bed, Harry was reaching out towards your side of the bed and feeling around for your warm body. But instead of feeling you, he was met with the cool sheets on covering the bed. And from that point on, Harry was fully awake and needy. Now despite the fact that Harry’s cock was throbbing and he was a squirming mess in the bed, he still tried his hardest to not touch himself. He knew that his hand would never compare to your soft hands or your velvety walls, so he did his best to hold off on touching his cock and he stuck to digging his hips into the mattress. His hips were uncoordinatedly and quickly pushing back and forth into the bed to give him some relief. As he does this, he is also a whimpering mess as he clutches onto the pillows and whimpers into them from the pleasure. Those whimpers and moans are very shaky and higher pitched at times as he tries to take care of himself without any help from his hands. 

But just like always, the pleasure was beginning to catch up to him. By using the bed to relieve himself, he was only intensifying his need and pushed him to use his hands. And that was what he inevitably did. After no more than 10 minutes, Harry was dying to feel some type of skin on skin contact with his cock, even if it was just his hand. He wasted no time shoving his boxers down his legs and flinging the comforter off of him so that he could have his cock exposed. And just as expected, his girthy shaft was standing proudly in his lap. The head of him was a bit swollen and his slit was even beginning to bead with his precum. Harry was also very sensitive. He was so sensitive that the exposure to the cooler air around him in the room caused his cock to twitch a bit in his lap. Before wrapping his hand around his throbbing shaft, Harry bring his hand up to spit into his palm a bit. He does this because he wants to feel something that can feel somewhat close to the way your mouth or cunt would feel. It’d never do you any justice, but for the time being, Harry needed to have a release or get himself close enough in hopes that you come home in enough time to take care of him the way he needs. He then finally goes in and wraps his hand nicely wrapped around his shaft, keeping it a bit loose for some movement but tight enough to simulate the same tightness, even in the slightest bit, of your hands and walls.

Even though Harry swore up and down that nothing could and would ever compare to you, he had to admit that his hand felt pretty good. As he tugged and tugged, Harry could feel himself melting into the bed and really feeling good. He was also very whiney. He’s so caught up in moving his hand back and forth and up and down his shaft that he couldn’t stop the loud and pleasured moans from tumbling out of his mouth. What also helped was what Harry was envisioning in his mind. His legs were spread and his eyes were closed as he brought his mind to the times where you were between his legs taking care of him in some shape or form. He remembered back to those times where you had your mouth on him and just made a mess of his cock. You just slobbered all over him and took him down your throat as you pushed him into a release. He also thinks back to all the times where you used your hand to pleasure him and make him spill all over your hand. He lived for how rough your were at times and how delicate you were at others. You managed to use two different techniques that were able to catapult him over the edge right into a blissful release. And of course, Harry couldn’t stop thinking back to the times where you masterfully rode his cock and bounced your body up and down on him, moving your pussy up and down on his shaft and sending him into the depths of your body the entire time. His mind ran through all of those explicit memories as he tugged at himself. But as he thinks back, he remembers one detail that he can’t get enough of. Whenever you took care of him, whether he was in subspace or not, you always played with his balls. You liked to cup and squeeze them in your hands and just roll them a round in your palm a bit.  And when you were physically between his legs, you’d go as far as to suck them into your mouth, mostly one at a time given that they were pretty sizable. In addition to that they were always heady and warm, and Harry was incredibly sensitive down there. Whenever you messed around with them, his moans always got louder and more plentiful as he received the bonus pleasure. And because of this, Harry doesn’t even think about it before he’s bringing his free hand down between his legs as well to cup his balls into his hand. When he does this, Harry’s moans become louder and more frenzied as he adds onto the pleasure that he’s giving himself. 

Harry continues to multitask and plays with his balls while tugging and teasing his cock. As he goes on with this, Harry becomes overwhelmed and wrapped up in taking care of himself. So wrapped up that he doesn’t even realize your presence in the house. After a little over 2 hours of running around and doing what you needed to get done, you were ready to get back to Harry and relax. You don’t even bother putting things away. You simply peel your jacket and mask off, wash your hands and make your way right upstairs to the bedroom to see Harry. You aren’t even down the hall and in the doorway of the bedroom to hear his moans. To you, they were more like whines. It sounded like Harry was fighting with the immense pleasure he was giving himself and the lack of your presence to give him the overwhelming pleasure that you never failed to deliver. Simply hearing his moans caused you to put some pep into your step and you were practically rushing down the hallway so that you could get in there and see what was going on. And once you did, there was an immediate shockwave that went right between your legs. He looked so desperate to cum and you could see how bad he needed help. Harry was bucking right up into his hands and trying his best to bring himself to the edge. After inconspicuously standing in the doorway for a little while, you finally step into the room and you make your way over to Harry’s side of the bed. Instead of going right in between his legs, you come up to where his head was resting against the pillows and you bring your hand down to his forehead so that you could push back the hairs that were clinging onto his sticky skin. When you do this, Harry instantly jumps. He has mixed feelings of excitement and need for you now that you were here and able to take care of him.

“Need you so bad mommy!” He whines continuing to move his hands between his legs.

“Aww baby, you feeling subby today? Do you want some help?” You coo, continuing to stroke his forehead and cheeks. 

“Mhm!” He whimpers loudly, begging for you to take control.

“Well mommy gonna take care of her baby.” You reassure, leaning down to press a kiss to his cheek and parted lips. You then make your way down the bed, quickly kicking your shoes off before crawling between his spread and bent legs. Once you’re between them, you can really see him bad he needs you. His hands were gripping onto his balls and cock for dear life and he was very swollen as well. You could tell that he needed to just let go of the mounting pleasure and feel good. “Now let go of that pretty cock so mommy can take care of it baby.” You remind, bringing a hand up to pull his hand away from his shaft. As soon as he relinquishes control (well the little bit he had since you were still in control a bit despite you actually being there) you wrap your smaller hand around his shaft, resulting in an immediate gasp from Harry. You give him a little squeeze before dragging you hand up and down his shaft, eventually bringing your other hand to his balls. His cock looked so pretty when it was all swollen for you. It was nice and big and extremely sensitive. No matter what you did, he was going to be in shambles.

Harry was on cloud nine right now. He was finally getting pleasured the way he needed. Your soft hands and mouth on him as you play with and dote on his cock. He felt like he could cum right then and there from how good you felt. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. Right as he was settling into the pleasure of your hands, you put your mouth on him. Pursing your lips around his head and suckling on it. This causes him to begin shaking and moaning even louder than before. Harry can feel a very familiar warmth spreading throughout his entire body, signaling to him that he was approaching his release. 

“Please mommy! Need t’cum!” He cries bucking up into you. 

Instead of replying to him, you decide to just push him so close to the edge that he can’t stop himself from cumming. So you push your head down, taking more and more of him into your mouth and down your throat while squeezing and tugging at his warm balls. For Harry, this was a deadly combination. He couldn’t hold himself back no matter how hard he tried, and without warning he begins to spill his seed into your mouth/throat. 

“Mommy!” Harry yells out, feeling the waves of his release crash down onto him. He couldn’t describe how good it felt to be pleasured by you and to cum because of you. Rope after rope Harry empties himself into your mouth to which you gladly swallow. Even though he always cums a lot, you noticed that he came even more when in his subspace. And you absolutely loved it. 

Once he’s completely done, you pull your mouth cup from him and you lick any remaining cum oof of his cock before crawling up the bed to check in on him. 

“How you feeling baby?” You ask softly,  cupping his cheek to calm him sown a little bit more. 

“Really good.” He slurs, relaxing into your hand and calming down some more. “M’sorry.” He continues on softly. Harry was now, slowly but surely, coming out of his subspace.

“You have nothing to be sorry for baby!” You coo sadly, bringing your face down to press kisses all over his face. “Being subby is perfectly fine. You’re just a man who’s in his subspace who wants kisses and his cock played with. And that’s perfectly fine! I’ll give you kisses and play with your cock and anywhere else for that matter as much as you want sweet boy.” You reassure him, making sure to look him right in the eye ass you say it. 

“I love you.” He mumbles with a little pout. 

“I love you too baby.” You hum sweetly, giving him another kiss to the lips.

“Can we cuddle for a little bit?” He asks shyly.

“Of course, do you want a toy inside too?” You ask him, to which he feverishly nods yes. “M’gonna need you to turn on your side for me and I’ll be right back.” You instruct before getting out of bed and making your way to the closet. 

Masterlist 

An Unexpected Outcome

Hello everyone! I'm really excited to participate on the first Wavewave week, I'm new to the fandom but this pair is really cute and I've been wanting to write for them for a while. Apologies if I get some details mixed up, it's been a while since I've seen the series in full. Hope you like the fic!

Continuity and timeframe: TFP/RiD continuity, after Soundwave is taken into custody for trial.

@wavewave-week

Wavewave Week- Day 1- Reunited

Shockwave was not expecting any kind of visitors at all. His labs were scattered precisely so that he could move around without being discovered, but now that could change.

His security system only detected the presence of a single mech, and if it was who he was thinking of, then perhaps there's be no danger in letting him in, especially in such a critical state.

As he walked the cold halls of his labs both uncertainty and worry began to build within him. If his visitor was as injured as he looked, he might not have much time. But then again, had survived the Shadowzone.

Finally, Shockwave reached the door. He decided to take a chance and open it. His single red optic locked into a deep gaze with his visitor, Soundwave.

The mech looked different. His frame had changed, along with some of his color, yet Shockwave could still recognize the blank faceplate which said so much with so little.

"Shockwave-"

He had never heard the other mech's voice before, it was soft and musical, just like him. Soundwave collapsed into his arms before he could say anything else. Laserbeak was with him, and immediately separated from it's host.

The mini con seemed to be silently pleading to Shockwave. He nodded.

"I am not a medic, but I shall help your host. Come, we must hurry."

He picked up the mech in his arms, ready to operate on him, hoping it would be enough.

***

Soundwave woke up to the sound of voices and rain. It took a while for his vision to return, but he could hear Laserbeak beeping along with Shockwave's voice.

"I've told you, I'm not upset, merely puzzled. I guess there's a first time for everything..."

Laserbeak spoke again, even in his critical state, Soundwave could understand the mini-con. He deduced Shockwave could understand him too via translator.

'Soundwave knew you were the only person we could trust. The others are lomg gone, and Megatron is still missing. We couldn't risk getting captured again.'

"That I can understand, little one, what puzzles me is the fact that you'd be so certain I could assist you."

'Soundwave thinks highly of you, that's probably why he came here after our escape.'

Before Laserbeak could say more, Soundwave sat up and tried to get out of the berth. Both bots noticed.

"Soundwave, you're still injured. Remain seated."

He obeyed, staying still in hopes that it could make the room stop spinning. The scientist walked towards him, looking over his condition.

"It seems you're recuperating adequately. Your vitals were very low when you arrived. We thought you might perish."

Soundwave nodded. "I thought so too. Sorry for coming unannounced, but you're the only mech I knew wouldn't return me to them."

"Yes, Laserbeak has told me. You were taken into custody by the Autobots... I'm assuming they've told you what happened to the cause, and to the others."

He nodded again, not bothering to hide his anger. "Most of them are dead, Knockout betrayed us and Lord Megatron is missing."

"The last time I saw him he went into self impossed exile. I haven't been able to track him. My apologies."

Soumdave looked at the scientist. "How did you know I was looking for him?"

"You were the most loyal among our ranks. It is only logical that he'd be the one you seek out first upon escaping the Shadowzone."

"Guess I am really predictable." He chuckled blankly.

He thought the Autobots had been lying about this. That Megatron was still out there rallying forces for the Decep to rise again, but now he knew he was wrong. If Shockwave confirmed it, then it must've been true.

"Aside from us, is there anyone left?"

"I cannot say, I've been changing laboratory locations frequently to avoid being tracked, and the only other con I know to be alive has made no effort to contact me."

"Other con...Starscream? He's alive?"

"As far as I know, yes. We lived together for a time when we thought Lord Megatron had perished, then he returned but soon went into exile, I haven't seen him since."

Soundwave didn't know what to make of that story, or of the seemingly saddened tone Shockwave's voice had. Was he sad that the seeker had left? He was certain those two hated eachother. Perhaps things had change during his time in the Shadowzone.

It quickly dawned on him that what Shockwave seemed to hate was the loneliness. There were no predacons or vehicons in the lab, no other cons or even mini cons to keep him company. Even someone as closed of as him coveted some company.

"Where are we?"

"Earth, I relocated when you found me. We're deep in a rainforest on the Caribbean islands. No human or Cybertronian shall be able to track us here."

Soundwave laughed. "As expected you're always prepared for the worst."

"It's only logical that I do that. Especially now since I'm certain all of Cybertron is looking for you."

"That's true...I was hoping I could stay here with you, if you'd allowed me to."

Shockwave was surprised, it was an expression he didn't see often. Eventually he spoke.

"You may stay with me, but I have a condition."

"Sure, what is it?"

"You shall provide me with information about the Shadowzone once your health improves."

"It's a deal then. I'll tell you everything you want."

Soundwave felt himself grow tired, even if all he had done was talk, Shockwave seemed to notice. In a gentle manner, which was uncharacteristic for him, he helped Soundwave lie down and even covered him with a blanket.

"Recharge, we can speak more later."

"Gotcha..Shockwave."

"Yes?"

"I'm not leaving, not unless you tell me to."

That was all he managed to say before falling asleep again.

***

"Not a word." Shockwave glared at the avian mini-con who silently observed and listened to the entire conversation.

'I haven't said anything.'

"All the same. Stay quiet. I'm... going back to work. You should recharge with your host."

Laserbeak obeyed, going back to his place upon Soundwave.

Shockwave observed them for a while. As the tapping of the rain grew louder it seemed to numb his thoughts.

Why had agreed to let him stay? Surely housing prisoner would put a strain on his plans, not to mention that he hadn't been particularly close to him before. Yet one look at the sleeping mech immediately answered that inquiry.

He was probably growing soft. It wasn't something he liked, but the thought of having someone else around didn't bother him. This outcome was unexpected, but Shockwave planned to make the best of it. With one last look at his new housemates, the purple mech left the room, deciding it was time to continue working.

Even with his best efforts however, he couldn't stop about the last words Soundwave had spoken to him today.

If you're still taking requests, maybe IDW Megatron breaking his vow and punching TFP Megatron to protect Autobot!TFP! Starscream?

“How many chances have I given you, Starscream? And this is how you betray me?”

Megatron stopped in his tracks when he heard that voice. A voice very similar to his own. He turned toward the direction it was coming from and saw his counterpart, along with Starscream on the other side of the cave.

“Megatron!” Starscream cried out in a high pitched voice. “I-I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“No, but I was expecting you.” He walked closer toward the Seeker, causing him to take a few steps back.

“Did you really think I’d just allow you to join the Autobots without consequence? That I’d let you to turn traitor once again?”

“I... Starsream stuttered. “You threw me out! What else was I supposed to do?” He flared out his wings as wide as possible, but his shaking gave him away. “The Autobots offered me energon and a place to stay. If I didn’t go with them, I would’ve been dead!”

“You say that as if it wouldn’t be the preferable option,” Megatron growled. “I have given you countless chances Starscream. Even after your multiple attempts on my life, even after conspiring against me, I spared you. I see now that that was my mistake,” Megatron punched the Seeker in the abdomen, causing him to crumple to the ground.

“I’m taking you with me back to The Nemesis, where you will be put to death in front of the rest of my soldiers to serve as an example,” he grinned. “And don’t expect it to be a simple shot to the spark, either. I hear Shockwave’s beasts have developed a taste for Cybertronians, and they’ve been quite hungry these days.”

“No, please!” Starscream shrieked as Megatron grabbed him by the wing. “I’ll do anything you say! I have top secret information about the Autobots, they trust me now! I can be the key that will help you win the war!”

“Funny how the first thing you think to offer is another act of betrayal,” Megatron said. “I don’t care about any information you have, it’s most likely all lies anyway. What I want is you out of my way, permanently.” He pulled the Seeker close to his face and grinned.

“You’re going to die Starscream, just like you should’ve done a long time ago.”

Without a second thought, Megatron rushed his counterpart. A brief flash of surprise appeared in his optics before he punched his counterpart square in the face.

“Wha-” was all he managed to say before he collapsed to the ground, knocked out. Starscream let out a cry of surprise as he fell on top of him.

“Come on, there’s no time! He could wake up at any moment!” Starscream looked up at the alternate Megatron, his eyes wide with fear. 

It only took a moment for Starscream to focus again. He immediately transformed and blasted out of the cave. Megatron wasn’t too far behind.

“Ratchet, we need a groundbridge, now!” He yelled into his comm. “Hurry!”

***

Things were awkward back when they got to base. After Starscream got a quick check up to make sure he didn’t have any serious injuries, he locked himself away in his room. Megatron was the one who explained to Optimus and the others what happened, causing the Autobot leader to congratulate him.

“You saved a life today, Megatron. I hope you know that.”

“No offense Optimus, but when you’re saving someone from yourself, it doesn’t really count.”

Optimus gave him a sympathetic look. “You are not him, old friend.”

“Maybe not anymore, but I used to be.”

***

Megatron was surprised when he heard a knock on the door to his room. The Autobots tolerated his presence for the most part, but none of them went out of their way to talk to him when they didn’t have to.

He was even more surprised when he saw that the bot who was visiting him was Starscream.

“Come in, take a seat,” He gestured to a chair at the far corner. Wordlessly, Starscream took it.

“You didn’t have to save me, you know,” Starscream said. He crossed his arms, looking down at the floor. “Frankly, I don’t know why you bothered. I’ve been nothing but rude and snappy since you got here.”

“You have your reasons, and I don’t begrudge you for it,” Megatron said. He took a seat on his berth. “You don’t have to like me Starscream, or even be civil. But I’m still not going to let you die, especially at his hands.”

“So this is what it’s about? You feel guilty?”

Megatron couldn’t deny it. “Immensely so.”

“The Megatron I knew never felt guilty about anything. At least, not after the first few centuries of the war.” Starscream risked a glance at his former leader’s counterpart before turning his optics back to the ground. “Did you tell Optimus about... about the deal I tried to make with Megatron?”

“I didn’t think it was important. You were clearly saying it under duress.”

Starscream nodded, a slight bit of tension released from his shoulders. “Well, that’s all I had to say. I’ll let you continue with whatever you were doing before I arrived.”

As the Seeker headed for the door, he hesitated. He looked back at Megatron in uncertainty.

“Megatron?”

The former warlord looked up. “Yes?”

“Thank you. I...I’m glad you were there today.” He looked down again, his faceplate heating up. “Enjoy your evening.”

longing - adam du mortain x detective

An unexpected visit from Adam to the Detective’s apartment brings both of their feelings to the surface.

“And all I've seen since 18 hours ago is green eyes, and freckles and your smile.”

words: 1620 | warning: swearing

Requested by @goldenforever17

The detective sat on her couch, a patterned blanket draped around her whilst a pile of papers and case files were strewn across her coffee table. It was supposed to be her day off, but the detective couldn’t relax knowing that somewhere, there was a young girl terrified, wanting to be back in her parent's arms. The mug of tea on the table had been left untouched due to the Detective's attention being fixed wholly on the case. Not only was a young girl missing, heartbroken parents and a supernatural culprit, but the case also had little evidence to go on and Bobby had been incessantly harassing her for details. A faint ache had plagued her head for days accompanied by heavy eyes. Her eyes fell onto the mug on her table, which she quickly took a swig off before grimacing at the cold liquid hitting her throat. She groaned as she slammed the mug back onto the table, her body sinking back into the couch. Why couldn’t anything go right recently? She cursed herself as she could feel the emotion bubbling inside her and the lump that was slowly forming in her throat. She rubbed her head as a single tear of frustration fell from her cheek before she snatched the case file from the table, opening it up to see a picture of Addie smiling up at her. She just wanted to find the young girl and bring her back home.

There was a knock at the door. The detective lifted her head up and peered over to the door with a confused frown. She wasn’t expecting anybody today and Rebecca would have called if she was going to visit. The only person she could think of that would be bothering her on her “day off” would be Bobby. The detective groaned as she moved the case file off her lap, forcing herself to walk to the door.

“Bobby, if that’s you, I’m gonna lose my shi-” Her words fell short as her gaze travelled up to meet the icy green eyes she had not stopped thinking about since she last saw them. “Adam?”

“Detective.”

“O-Oh. I’m sorry. I thought you were Bobby.”

Adam’s lips slowly turned into a disgusted grimace. He wasn’t sure whether it was because she mistook him for someone as incompetent as Bobby Marks or whether it was the reminder that Bobby was her ex. “It’s just me. I came to see if you were... alright.”

The detective rolled her eyes. “Did Rebecca send you? She knew I wanted a few days to look at this case. I love her and all but she doesn’t need to check up on me, or send anyone else to for that matter.”

“Rebecca didn’t send me... I came on my own accord.” His voice was soft. The admission shocked the detective for a split second before the shock turned into a small smile on her lips. He had come all the way to her apartment just to check on her. She quickly moved out of the doorway, gesturing Adam to come inside. Adam stepped in, yet again, inspecting her apartment.

“How is the case going, Detective?”

“How many times have I told you to call me by my name? It’s Adaline, in case you forgot.”

Adam’s jaw clenched slightly at the sarcastic tone in Adaline’s voice, but it wasn’t enough to hide the amused smile appearing on his lips. “How’s the case going, Adaline?”

Adaline laughed out loud at Adam’s attempt to be funny as he purposely said her name with a hint of sarcasm. She liked when he loosened up from his usual stoic expression.

“It’s... not,” she sighed. “There’s barely any evidence to go off. I just want to save this poor girl and bring her back to her parents.” She slumped back onto the couch, throwing her head into her hands in frustration. Adam’s gaze followed her to the couch. He moved over to sit beside her before he even realised what he was doing. He looked at his hand, a silent battle in his mind on whether to put his hand on her back to comfort her. The urge to do it won as he gently placed his hand on her back.

The sudden touch of Adam’s hand on Adaline’s back sent her heart into overdrive as her breath hitched. Just his touch alone was enough to make her feel alive. Her head slowly rose from her hands, before lifting up to meet Adam’s green eyes. The space between them was barely there, and Adam’s emerald eyes felt as though they were looking into her very soul. All she wanted to do was kiss him. Her hand moved to his arm, her voice a breathless whisper in her now silent apartment. “Adam..”

The gaze was interrupted by an awkward cough from Adam who quickly jumped up from the couch, almost knocking Adaline over in the process. Adaline frowned as she felt pricks of pain in her chest. Every time Adam moved from her touch, she could have sworn her heart broke a little each time. It was draining. She yearned for his touch. She looked back up at him before snapping her gaze away, shaking away the need to let tears spill.

“I’m getting really tired of this, Adam.”

“Of what?”

“Of you, I’m tired of-”

“You’re tired of me? Then I will leave.” He hissed through gritted teeth as he turned around and walked towards the door.

“You didn’t let me finish! I’m tired of you denying what we feel for each other.”

He shook his head, refusing to turn around. “I don’t.. I don’t feel anything.” As soon as the words left his lips, he regretted them.

The detective laughed to herself, shaking her head. “You can keep lying to yourself, Adam. But that won’t change how you feel. What we both feel.”

Adam finally turned around to meet her gaze. The words of Sanja still playing in his head after all this time. That fall will crush you both. He stayed silent. He turned again towards the door, putting his hand onto the handle before feeling a harsh hold on his arm.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” Adaline yelled, the anger from his silence and ignoring what she had said bubbling over the edge. Adam’s eyebrows shot up as he turned around, before frowning angrily at the Detective.

“I told you. I feel nothing.” He barked.

“Fuck you, Adam. If you’re not going to be honest, then I will. Cause I’m tired of acting like your touch doesn’t send shockwaves through my skin. I’m tired of acting like your eyes aren’t all I dream about and I’m so damn tired of wanting you!”

The words left Adam speechless. His eyes searched her face as his mouth fell open.

“Tell me you feel the same, please,” Adaline pleaded. “Or just leave.” There was another moment of silence. Adaline looked at him one final time, before shaking her head.

She should have known better than to think Adam would actually care for her in the same way she did for him. She wiped a quick tear away from her cheek as she turned around from him, unable to look at him in case she broke. She waited for the sound of the door opening and shutting behind her, knowing that once she heard that, she could finally break down. But she didn’t hear it. Instead, she felt Adam’s fingers delicately on her arm and his presence behind her. She turned her neck slightly to see him stood behind her, the space between them only a few inches.

She could hear Adam’s nervous breathing against her neck, the shaky breaths warm against her skin. Adaline slowly turned around to face him again, their faces the closest they’d ever been. She looked into his green eyes and could see the fear in them. Not fear of her, but fear of what was about to happen next and what it could mean for them both.

His hand slowly traced up her arm to rest on her cheek, the touch causing Adaline to close her eyes. Adam’s thumb grazed against the skin of her cheek ever so gently, and to Adaline’s surprised, she felt his lips close to hers. Their lips hesitated against each other for a brief moment, unsure of whether they should go any further until a sigh of relief escaped Adaline as their lips melted into one another. The kiss was gentle, as though both were trying to savour every second of each other. It felt like time had stopped as their tongues slid against each other before the months and months of yearning came to a grinding halt as their kiss became more fervent as though they had both wanted this moment their entire lives. Adam’s other hand draped around the detective’s back, pulling her closer as his hungry kisses trailed down to her neck, before moving back up to her lips, missing the feel of them against his already. Adam moaned into the kiss, breaking the space between them as Adaline’s arms moved over his shoulders and wrap around his neck as her heart pounded against her chest.

Suddenly, Adam pulled his lips away from Adaline with a small frown on his face. Adaline moved closer to him as though it was instinct before realising he had pulled away, a small disappointed look washing over her face. The only sounds in the room were the unsteady breaths of them both as they tried to catch their breath. Adaline could feel the tingle on her lips left by Adam, bringing her fingers up to her lips to feel them as though she wanted to savour the feeling just a little longer. Adam’s eyes followed her fingers to her lips before meeting her eyes again. Their gazes never wavered for each other as they both realised that they crossed the line they never thought they would.

The Battle of the Pirate Galleon

Stellaris Story.

Captain's log, Star-date: September 22, 2301

Location: Erak System

The blasted thing wouldn't die.

We hit it with munitions the size of a bus.

Our fighters have been dogfighting for days with the pirates.

We've lost 3 destroyers and 5 corvettes.

Our 2 artillery cruisers are battering the beast while the other 2 line cruisers stand with the rest of the fleet of 7 destroyers and 9 corvettes to battle it and the Old Veterans in close combat.

Admiral Donner and Admiral Reginald are nowhere to be seen, as well as their fleets.

But Admiral Sera and the Torque fleet is nowhere near finished. How we get here, well...

When humanity took to the stars, we were ecstatic, thrilled about what lay beyond. We were young and naive, unknowingly walking into a dangerous universe.

We had just colonized our third planet in the Charlie system when they attacked.

The Young Bloods. A pirate fleet filled with corvettes. They attacked Charlie planet, and we couldn't get reinforcements to them until they were 80% devastated. But as soon as we got their, we cleaned up the rag-tag fleet and the survivors emergency jumped. To where, well, we'd find out soon enough.

One of our science ships found the pirate hideout in the Erak system. They were dumbfounded by what they found, and barely escaped with their lives. A whole pirate battle station, sitting just 4 jumps away from our home planet. It housed 2 fleets.

The Young Bloods that raided Charlie and an Old Veteran fleet that the brass figured was in charge of defending the system. They thought this since the fleet never went on a raid ever since it was discovered.

But the real monster, the real threat, was the Galleon. While the other 2 fleets sported ships no more threatening than our own corvettes and destroyers, this thing was different. The size of a planet, it had so many guns and fighters, no one could overpower it without significant numbers on your side.

Command decided that we would have to expand around Erak and deal with the raids when they came around.

After 100 years after our people went to space, we had formed the borders with the alien neighbors. Our claim was pretty sizable (36 systems), with 3 planets and 4 colony's, with 2 avenues in and out in our northern and southern borders.

Our Klanaxian neighbors of the north had just struck an alliance with us, and a lot of treaty's came with it. They started trading some of their military tech and strength for some overabundant resources and farming tech we had.

With this, Admiral Sera was one step closer to the Erak Raid.

It was a raid that our fleets had been preparing for the past 60 years. Strategies. Positions. Maneuvers. Maintenance.

We had 2 fleets of our own. The Torque fleet, commanded by Admiral Sera, and the Engine fleet, commanded by Admiral Donner.

The Engine fleet was the first fleet of our planet. Made up of nearly 50 corvettes, it has been well maintained for 100 years of service. Commanded by Admiral Donner for 50 years, this fleet has kept watch over Earth, and defended it successfully during the Kor'vur Assault.

The Torque fleet, the one I serve in as captain of a destroyer, was made up of 15 destroyers and 20 corvettes. Commanded by Admiral Sera for 15 years, our fleet has been in charge of guarding the southern border from the Kor'vur empire.

My destroyer, the S.S. Silver-lance, was a lazer/kinetic hybrid ship. Not the fanciest, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

During the war with them 12 years ago, we took planet after planet while Donner held off their assault. We won after they surrendered.

I'm getting off topic.

Admiral Sera, I, and the other captain's were walking though mission command during a retrofit run on Alpha station, next to Earth. Donners fleet was also there, getting retrofit as well.

The 2 admirals and the captain's gathered for a meeting with command.

In the room was command and some greenhorn officer, Reginald.

He was being promoted to admiral and is to be given a fleet. Our navy size could be expanded since our facilities grew and out tech got better. Brilliant, we all thought, a third fleet.

But the news was even better. The egg-heads had designed cruisers for our empire, based on some tech the Klanaxian's gave us. Far bigger than the destroyer I currently sit on.

Command wanted us to reconfigure all three fleets to better suit all needs, but Donner and Sera refused. They felt more comfortable with the ships they've served with for so many years. Very well. But a few ships we're still exchanged.

Donners fleet became 46 corvettes and 1 artillery cruiser.

Our fleet became 10 destroyers, 14 corvettes, 2 artillery, and 2 line cruisers.

Then the third fleet, the Nitro fleet, was made up of a total of 8 cruisers, 4 destroyers, and 10 corvettes.

One destroyer, the S.S. Trident, from our fleet was volunteered to be removed from the formation and given his own task in the raid. Brave S.O.B.

Why am I bothering with all these numbers, you may ask? It gets important down the line.

After all was settled, Admiral Sera asked command if they were going to accept her request. They did. The Erak Raid was on.

It sat right in the middle of our space, constantly attacking planet Charlie and it's star-fort. Even assisted the Kor'vur attacking it.

Soon, we would eradicate it. But it came with risk. After all, even with our new cruisers and upgraded equipment, we only now match them in battle power.

But the two Admirals have been preparing for a long time. They taught Reginald and his captain's their plan.

It was supposed to be a three way assault. First, the S.S. Trident would swing by the 2 pirate fleets and get their attention with a few pot shots.

He would them pull them to the jump point, away from the enemy star-base and the galleon, in which Reginald would hop in to the point and attack them. It was expected the cruisers would carry enough firepower for the job.

Donner would then hop through a second point and charge the star-base and take it out, then swing around to Reginald and rout the pirate fleets.

Sera's task was to engage the Galleon and keep it's attention all through the battle until all of the fleets joined and eliminated the Galleon. Yay for me.

It should have worked. It was so easy. But we should've known. All plans go out the airlock upon first contact.

On the day of August 17, the Erak raid began.

The Trident took the pot shots and was leading the Young Bloods and the Old Veterans away, then the Torque fleet hopped in and engaged the Galleon. It was so much bigger than I could have imagined.

I hear the order to fire. I ordered all gunners to fire, all fighters from my hanger to engage, and all crew to battle stations. It would be a long haul.

We get reports that Reginald has engaged and that Donner is approaching the base. All good so far. Until it wasn't.

Reginald's fleet loses a corvette. I knew their captain, good man. It was rough, but it was war. These things happen. However, Reginald panicked. He went off the book and ordered his cruisers to fall back while his smaller ships kept them engaged.

Command would not look upon his cowardly actions with mercy. Especially with what happened next. Donner had just engaged the star-fort when the pirate fleets descended on him. The Torque fleet could only watch as the Engine fleet is caught between the anvil and the hammer.

This earned some harsh words from Admiral Sera, telling him not to do it. But he ignores her advice. By the time his cruisers are in position, he's lost all 10 corvettes. The fool lost the lives of several of my friends with his incompetence. I'd have shot him myself if I had the chance. Then the enemy starts circling his cruisers, firing all they can.

If he had remained calm, he would have won. He was still battle ready. But Admiral Reginald ordered a full emergency retreat of his fleet, despite his objective unfulfilled.

Donners fleet still did well. They destroyed the Young blood fleet and shut down the star-fort. But before he could escape, Admiral Donners cruiser was destroyed by the Old Veterans. All hands lost.

Then the pirates turned to us.

Which brings us to today, 25 days into the Erak Raid. 8 ships are down, 20 still standing.

My ship has sustained some damage, but it has already healed thanks to our regenerative armor. The majority of the fleet is still engaged with the Galleon. I'm leading a battle-group of 3 destroyers, flying though the Old Veterans Fleet, trying to hit their flagship. After this attack, it should be done.

Weapons ready they tell me. Fire, I order.

I watch out the window as the mentions travel, hitting the side of the Pirate Flagship. It explodes with splendor. Must have hit a ammo storage unit.

After this, the Old Veterans Fleet turns tail and activates emergency jump measures.

Then, me and my battle group turn back to the Galleon, covered in craters. The fleet is circling it like wasps to a giant. We join the fun. Admiral Sera commends us on our small victory, avenging Admiral Donner.

Shells fly, impacts all over the ships shields, the corpses of our fellow ships haunt the space around us, but we press on.

So many volleys of lazer-shot, you'd think it would melt of pure heat from the guns. So many missiles, you could almost hear them explode in the vacuum of space. We were even running out of fuel and ammo for the fighters.

No one knows which shell it was. Whose fighter. Whose lazer-shot. But the massive ship explodes into a flurry of fire and scrap. Our ship shakes and several officers fall out of their chairs due to the shockwave. It quiets down and we look upon the scrapyard that used to be the Galleon.

We clap. We cheer. We jump with joy. It's over. We won.

The construction ships jump into the system to build the mining stations and the star-base.

We pick up the survivors of the destroyed ships of our fleet. Then the Torque fleet heads back to Alpha Station to be repaired.

Unfortunately, only 3 corvettes of the Engine fleet survived the battle. Admiral Donner is confirmed dead.

Reginald's fleet arrives the next day.

He is immediately stripped of rank, dishonorably discharged, and sent to the brig. As for the Nitro fleet, Admiral Sera recommends me for the position.

I accept, with one condition. The S.S. Silver-lance will be my Flagship.

a year later

a/n: remember the person who asked for whiskey and pendants part two? and i told her no? well i was wrong. i made this a 5SOS and Shawn Mendes crossover LOL don’t killme 

@mendesficsxbombay​ hope i didnt rip too hard

One year. They’ve been broken up for one year as of today, not that anyone was counting. Y/N couldn’t be bothered to count the number of days since the supposed love of her life broke her heart into pieces and left her hanging by a thread. She had better things to worry about. Like how she was on her way to an album release party for 5 Seconds of Summer, in her favourite scarlet red dress, the fabric clinging on to her body and hugging the curves she was once too shy to show off. Her hair was now cut short, the messy waves of her hair doing wonders to frame her face. She got a tan from her recent trip to Bora Bora, figured that she would go even if Shawn wasn’t the one to take her there. It was a solo trip to foreign land, scary yet exhilarating, and somehow in-between her time in Bora Bora and the party that she was now on the way to, Y/N found herself. She started dating again, no surprise one of the 5SOS band members, Calum. But she also finally knew how she wanted to live her life by her own rules, to play the game her way. She let herself love in the ways she hadn’t done before, and honestly, she was making good progress. Y/N was happy, so fucking happy and content with her life.

“We’re here” the driver announced as the car came to a stop. Y/N thanked him before stepping out of the car, making her way into the building. She met with her friends at the rooftop bar, nursing a cocktail as they caught up and discussed the album tracks. The band had greeted her with a wide grin on their faces, throwing around too many inside jokes they had made during the course of curating the album. She then shared the deepest, most loving kiss with her boyfriend and then left him to party the night away with his brothers. Y/N was having a good time, dancing to the songs that she had painstakingly produced. That was until he sauntered in.

One of her friends nudged her slightly, turning her attention to the entrance where Shawn stood, exchanging hellos with the band. She would’ve guessed he would be here, after all he was friends with the band before she worked with them. There was a pang in her chest when she actually took in his appearance. He had an acid wash denim jacket on, signature white T-shirt with black skinny jeans, not forgetting his worn out Chelsea boots. He looked fresh as hell she wasn’t going to lie, his hair styled perfectly and the smile on his face as wide as when he first locked eyes with her. Before she could even react, Shawn’s eyes were scanning the crowd. It was as if he knew she would be there, and of course why would he not know? Her name was on the record for God’s sake. She quickly turned to face the bar, her friends providing the adequate distraction as they went on about their lives. Though it wasn’t long before a hand landed on Y/N’s shoulder, and the look on her girl friend’s faces was enough to tell her who it was.

“Hey” She breathed out. He had a beer in his hand, cheeks flushed from the influx of alcohol. Shawn grinned stupidly, babbling out a response to her. Y/N got off the bar stool, turning to face him.

“Nice to see you again.” A genuine smile was on her face now, because it was really nice to see him again, and the fact that he looked happy was good.

“I almost didn’t recognise you with your hair, and wow, this dress.”

“Thanks.” Y/N said shyly. The confidence that she brewed over the past year was now gone in an instant while she was under his eyes. She cursed at herself mentally, standing up straighter in her black stilettos. He never saw this side of her before and to Shawn, it was absolutely stunning. An awkward silence fell between the both of them, the chatter of the rooftop bar insufficient to fill the air. Y/N played with the rings on her fingers, hands still wrapped around the half empty glass.

“Can we talk? Maybe somewhere quiet?” Here we go. Y/N nodded, grabbing her glass off the table as she followed behind Shawn. They made their way through the small crowd, stopping to greet mutual friends every once in awhile. Shawn let them to a corner with less people, and a view overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. It felt like their first meeting all over again just that this time, her heart was in different place and the feelings between them far from mutual.

“This is nice isn’t it?” Shawn sighed, letting the cool wind brush his face. She hummed in response, watching the lights sparkle below them.

“I’m sorry for that night, Y/N” He tilted his body to face her. Throughout their two year relationship, Y/N was like an open book and Shawn knew her every move before she even thought about it. But right now, the book was closed, and he was trying really hard to read the words that weren’t there.

“I am too.” She turned to face him as well, and that’s when she noticed the pendant sitting on his chest. The one that she left on the floor of his apartment lobby, the one that brought them together and broke them apart. Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt Shawn grab onto her hand softly. There was no more spark, at least for her, it was just a shockwave sent through her system as she quickly pulled her hand back. Y/N watched as Shawn’s face dropped, him nodding understandingly.

“I just wanted to say I miss-“

“No, please don’t do this” She ran her hand through her hair, the messy curls now a disheveled mess.

“Let me apologise, Y/N. Let me fix this.”

“What for?”

“For the sake of our love.” Y/N let out a humourless chuckle at those words. This was some cliche scene straight out of a movie and right now, she wasn’t having it.

“For the sake of our love? Are you out of your mind, Shawn? There was no love between us the moment you led that stupid blonde chick- Sarah, come into our life. There was no love the moment you left me to clean up the pieces of that broken glass that afternoon.” Her voice was raised ever so slightly, earning the attention of some people nearby. She turned to face the skyline again. It felt like a sick joke to Y/N - now that she was happy, he wants to come rolling in? No God damn way.

“We both had a part to play that afternoon, Y/N.” Shawn stated as a matter-of-fact. Two can play this game.

“Yeah, but I didn’t have a part in sitting on your lap throughout the party that night.”

“I just wanted to apologise, why do you have to make this so hard?” Shawn sighed. Now Y/N felt the anger bubble in her chest. She slammed her cocktail down on the ledge to make a point.

“Do you think I had it easy? I look put together yes, but the scars from the heartbreak are still here, Shawn. I was hurt but I’m getting over it, I’m happy. As much as you would like for us to kiss and make up, I can safely tell you that it’s not going to happen. I’m not the same person anymore.” As if on cue, a six foot tall Australian made his way to Y/N’s side, hands wrapping around her waist protectively.

“Everything alright, love?” Calum kissed the top of her head, looking at her then at Shawn. Y/N could only smile and nod though the hurt on Shawn’s face was evidence that nothing was right. Calum acted oblivious to the situation, pulling her in even tighter. 

“Then is it alright if I steal her away from ya for a minute?” Shawn nodded with a tight lipped smile as he watched her cuddle into the Calum’s side.

The rest of the night felt like a blur to Shawn. Y/N disappeared with Calum after the encounter with him to the other side of the bar so she could calm down. Once she emerged in the crowds again, Shawn had his eyes following her as she jumped from group to group with her boyfriend, if not she was stuck to the side of his bandmates or their girlfriends. He wanted to get to her, explain everything and let her punch him if she must. He wanted to tell her he was sorry, and how much he loved her. He wanted to show her the pictures of Aaliyah’s graduation, the new song he wrote a couple of weeks ago that he thought would be perfect for her to produce. And most importantly he wanted to show her the ring he meant to give her that night a year ago. But he couldn’t.

She looked too happy and confident in her own skin that he couldn’t bear stripping that away from her. She was in love, the glow of her skin and look in her eyes as she stared at her boyfriend didn’t keep anyone guessing. A loud laugh erupted from her lips while she stood next to one of the band members. Her eyes found Shawn’s and she looked for a brief moment before returning her attention back to the group.

“If you’re going to stare, at least be more discreet, mate” Calum said as he took the seat next to Shawn. Shawn stayed silent, eyes still following her as she leaned on the shoulder of one of the girls.

“I know you still love her.” Shawn looked at Calum who was undoubtedly a little drunk, but he was right, even a blind man could tell Shawn was still head over heels for her.

“I do.”

“But you’re in love with the old her.” What the fuck was this man talking about? Shawn thought to himself. He downed the last shot of tequila, wincing as the alcohol slid down his throat. Shawn wanted to get up from his seat and bolt out those doors, but Calum’s next words glued him to the bar stool.

“I know this is stupid, and trust me mate I can’t believe I’m talking to my girl’s ex-boyfriend, but yeah Y/N’s changed.”

“In what way?”

“In the smallest as well as the largest of ways.” Calum took a swig of his beer, “She no longer drinks whiskey like how she did a year ago. Made me get rid of all my whiskey glasses.”

Calum didn’t know it was a low blow, but Shawn felt the knife stab his heart. He waited for him to continue, “She’s so confident of her work now, and she’s one of the most creative people I know. She’s comfortable in her own skin, she’s happy-“

“You don’t know that.” Shawn cut him off but Calum could only smile to himself as he set his bottle down.

“I do, she wasn’t like this a year ago in that club.” Both their eyes flickered over when a large chorus of laughs came from her and her friends. She was dancing and twirling around, something she would never have done with Shawn.

“I get why you still love her, Shawn. But that’s the old her you’re seeing. This is a brand new Y/N, I hope you know.” Calum pat Shawn on the back before joining his friends. He watched as she kissed him softly on the lips and pulled him to dance with her. She was happy.

Shawn could only push the tray of shots back to the bartender as he made his way to leave the bar, to leave the woman he once called his own.

The Tickle Monster Always Wins

Hey hey, a very happy birthday to @phantomtickles! I hope you have a great day, the prompt you sent me was so fun to write. I hope you enjoy!

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Ship(s): Platonic Royality

Characters (lee/ler): Ler!Patton, Lee!Roman, background Virgil and Logan

Word Count: 3,217 words

Summary: Roman really shouldn't have doubted Patton's skills as a ruthless tickle monster. He was really in for it, now.

[ao3 link]

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Patton was soft. Patton was gentle. Patton was squishy. Patton was kind.

Really, Patton was anything except adjacent with what Roman had been doing all day, which just so happened to be destroying every other side in the mind palace with tickles. Every other side, except for Patton, that was.

Which is why he was going to be the next victim.

He wanted to lure Patton into a false sense of security, so he waited until the four of them had gathered in the commons for some post-lunch quality time together, spent watching some Netflix.

“You’ve been on quite the spree today, kiddo,” Patton remarked, settling back into the cushions next to Roman, while Virgil and Logan settled on Patton’s other side. “It sounds like a lot of fun!”

Roman grinned, sensing the perfect opportunity to strike.

“Indeed,” Logan commented, “you’ve been almost as successful at destroying us as Patton is.”

Wait. What?!

Roman laughed out loud. “Patton,” he said, wheezing the name out through chuckles. “An evil tickle monster?” A fresh wave of laughter washed over him as he settled a hand on Patton’s shoulder. “Sorry, Padre, I love you, you know that, but you are no ruthless tickle monster.”

Patton raised an eyebrow in his direction as one corner of his mouth ticked up in a smirk. “Keep telling yourself that, kiddo,” he joked. “You wouldn’t be able to handle me.”

Roman scoffed. “Is that a challenge? Sorry, Popstar, but I’m not all that scared.”

He heard Virgil snort from Patton’s other side and mutter, “Your funeral.”

Roman barely had time to furrow his brow before he was pushed onto the couch, back hitting the cushions and shirt getting pushed up as far as it could go. Patton settled his entire body weight over his legs, laying along them like it was the most comfortable thing ever (which must’ve been a weird angle for him seeing as they’d gotten tossed over Virgil and Logan’s laps), and grinning up at Roman from his position, cocking his head to the side.

“I bet,” he chirped excitedly, “that I don’t even have to really tickle you to destroy you. I bet I can have you begging for me to actually tickle you.”

Roman smirked. He doubted Patton could keep that up for long. “Still not sacred, Patty-Cake, do your worst.”

Patton’s cheerful grin shifted until it was almost predatory, shocking Roman to his core (he didn’t even know Patton could make that face!), as he said, “Oh, Ro, sweetheart, I don’t think you could handle me at my worst. Sorry, jellybean.”

Roman scoffed again, but this time it was a little less sure. “Please,” he said. “How bad could it be? You’re just a puffball of preciousness, there’s no way you could destroy a prince such as I. Perhaps Logan and Virgil are just weaker than I am.”

Patton hummed, leaning down and brushing a soft kiss against Roman’s waistline, making the muscles and skin underneath him twitch. The smirk returned. “I think I better just give you a fraction of my worst this time, how does that sound? I mean, I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with my preciousness.”

Patton’s lips dragged, barely-touching, to the other side of his waist. They left a maddening tingling in their wake that left Roman holding in a gasp. He could not show weakness.

That all flew out the window when Patton pressed three more feather-light kisses against his waistline as a mirror of the other one, right on his side, a mini-sweet-spot. He couldn’t help the sharp breath he drew in through his nose. Patton’s sharp gaze immediately found his, locking him in eye contact he for some reason couldn’t escape, but made his face burn.

“Oh, Ro~,” he sang softly. “Am I winning yet?”

“Absolutely not,” Roman said haughtily, though his voice wavered slightly. “I was just… sighing. Because I was bored.”

Virgil snorted and Roman almost jumped. He’d forgotten the others were there. He didn’t dignify Virgil with a response.

“Bit of a backwards sigh there, kiddo. Anything… bothering you? Something making you a little… nervous, maybe?”

Roman cleared his throat. “Nope. Nothing.”

Patton hummed a disbelieving hum and went back to barely trailing his mouth against Roman’s skin. He pursed his lips and blew out a cool stream of air near the bottom of Roman’s ribcage, making Roman flinch. He didn’t even bother speaking to Roman that time, he just moved on while making eye contact again and chuckling lowly.

The sound sent shivers up his spine.

Roman could quickly feel his desire to tickle others beginning to fade into something a little… different. He fought to hold onto his ler mood, unwilling to be defeated. He desperately wracked his brain for teases he could use against Patton, both to throw him off his game and to keep himself in the lead.

He came up blank when Patton cut his train of thought short by giving a quick nibble to the rim of his belly button. Roman squeaked and had to hold his breath to keep to squeak from turning into a full-on squeal.

“See, Roman?” Patton cooed. “It’s really not that hard, when you get down to it. Really, it’s cute that you think you can hold out. Virgil and Logan thought so, too.”

He paused in the middle of speaking to quickly dip his tongue into Roman’s belly button and pull it back out, causing Roman to squeal out a, “Gross!” that was bordering on a giggle.

“You’ll give in soon enough, little giggle bug. They always do. Why not make it a little easier on yourself and just give in now? I might have mercy, if you do.”

Roman took a second to steady his breathing, still determined to win this thing. “You’d never get me good enough for me to need mercy anyway.”

“Your tone of voice at the beginning of this situation started out so strong,” Logan called teasingly from the other end of the couch. “I wonder what could have happened to make it sound so small and flustered.”

Roman scowled as his face burned once more, (gently) kicking at Logan. “Stay out of this, you nerd, it’s not your fight.”

“Even your skill with nicknames is starting to fail you,” Virgil mused, smirking down at him. “What ever could be causing it?”

Roman resisted the urge to squirm, as even teasing was sending tingles through his body, now. “This doesn’t concern you, Virgil.”

Patton pressed another feather-kiss on the patch of skin below Roman’s belly button before speaking, letting his lips brush against Roman’s skin with every word. “Now now, sweet tarts, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little revenge. After all the tickling you put those boys through. Targeting all of their worst tickle spots to make them wail.”

Roman couldn’t stop the whine that escaped his throat. He squirmed lightly.

Patton stopped in the middle of his tease to give him that toothy, predatory grin again. “Oh? What was that, candy button?”

“Nothing,” Roman ground out, though he wanted nothing more than to wail, stop saying that word already!

Patton’s mouth moved so his teeth could lightly nip at the tip of one of Roman’s hipbones, causing another small gasp. He shifted down and let his lips brush against the divot as he spoke, “So it had nothing to do with anything I was saying? Not even that one extra special word? Maybe I should say it again, just for you, hm?”

Roman resisted the urge to shake his head frantically, trying to push away the butterflies in his stomach by thinking about ler things. It wasn’t working. All he could think about was how ticklish Patton’s mouth felt against his skin, even when it was hardly even touching.

“Ah-tickle-tickle-tickle-tickle! Hm? Does that make you all tingly, tootsie roll? Does it make all those cute little butterflies tickle you from the inside? I bet it does!” He nipped at and around Roman’s hipbone for a few moments. “You know, you could make this all end by just asking me to tickle you real nicely. Though, since you didn’t take my offer earlier, I can’t promise that I’ll be nice while doing so.”

Roman shook his head and brought his hands up to hide his tomato-red face. He whined once more, again out of his control.

“Aww, is Ro-Ro a little flustered?” Patton fake-gasped against his pantline, sending ticklish shockwaves through his skin. “Is Ro-Ro losing his own challenge? Oh, poor sugarbean, I tried to warn you! I wonder how long you’ll last before all those begs and pleas come spilling out.~”

“They won’t,” he ground out, flinching as Patton mouthed across his pantline to nip around his other hipbone.

“I think they will,” Patton murmured between teasing touches. “Sorry, sweetpea, but no one can face me and win. After all, the tickle monster always wins.”

“I’m the tickle monster!”

“Sorry, jolly rancher, not anymore. I think you’re a little too keyed up for that now, hm? Come on, royal smiles! Can you really deny how much you’re starting to ache to be tickled? Based on your squirmy little torso and that adorably flushed face of yours, you can’t honestly deny that I’m not winning.”

Roman was barely aware of Logan and Virgil slipping out from under their bodies. They wiggled their fingers at him as they walked past to leave the room, devilish smirks and smiles overtaking their expressions. Roman squeezed his eyes shut and made a tortured noise deep in his throat.

“Gonna stop being so proud, kitkat? It’s just us now, you don’t have to save face. Just give in. You know you want to.~”

Roman didn’t even know if he could speak anymore. His body was covered in maddening tingles, desperate for a ticklish touch. His face was more vibrantly red than even his sash. He was more flustered than he thought he had ever been in his life.

But Roman was nothing if not stubborn. So he went against every self-preservation instinct he had and shook his head once more.

Patton let out a heavy breath through his nose, sending the air across his skin and making him squeal. “You know, sweet skittle, I’ve given you plenty of opportunities to give in. I think I’ve been very nice about it, actually. But you, tsk, you have been very difficult. Really, it’s rather rude.”

Oh no, Roman thought. 

Patton mouthed across his waist again before sitting up fully, and Roman had to hold in yet another whine. “Really, now, sour patch, it’s been quite a long time. Maybe I should just let you stew awhile, let you think about this. Truly, if you haven’t broken now, I wonder if you will.” Patton’s voice was light, airy, unconcerned.

He started to stand. Roman realized he was just going to leave him there, now far too deep in a lee mood for anything to save him from it. He reached out and snatched Patton’s wrist.

“Please,” he murmured.

Patton huffed at him, raising an unimpressed eyebrow, though Roman could see a secret smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Please what, Roman. Truly, I’ve given up, you’ve won.”

Roman threw his head back, making some sound between a groan and a whine, and forced out a, “Please, tickle me.”

Patton settled his weight down, straddling Roman’s legs again. “I see. Well, it looks like I win, then, huh, sugar snap? But allow me to remind you, I only said I could get you asking for it. I never said it would end with me tickling you.”

Roman covered his face again and whined, long and drawn out and embarrassed.

“And you’ve been so rude, should I really reward you with what you want? You’ll have to ask really nicely for me to even consider giving you any tickles, now, gigglemunch.”

Roman cursed himself for being so prideful. He knew Patton was just toying with him, just trying to key him up even more before he truly swooped in to destroy him, but he couldn’t help the desperate little thought that whispered what if he just left you like this to torture you, left you in this lee mood to suffer and tease you until you would do anything for even the smallest tickle.

He couldn’t deny that this deep in, the thought was almost appealing. But he couldn’t be that patient, today.

“Please, Patton,” he begged. “Please tickle me, I’m sorry for being so difficult, please just wreck me already, I need it. You were right, you’re the biggest tickle monster, you win, please.”

The predatory grin stretched across his face once more. “One more time for me, starburst?”

“Please tickle me, Pat, please, I’m begging you.”

Patton smirked and spidered his fingernails down the fleshy parts of Roman’s sides with barely-there touches. Roman made some sound that was a mix between a whine and a giggle.

“Since you asked so nicely, I’ll have a little mercy on you.”

Oh, Roman thought. This is what he meant by mercy earlier. Not going easy on the tickling, but actually tickling me. He should’ve given in sooner.

Roman, hoping to entice Patton to tickle him more, looked away and lifted his arms up, gripping onto the armrest above his head.

“Oh, how sweet of you to cooperate. Maybe you deserve a little reward for that.”

His touch got a little firmer and he wiggled his fingers around Roman’s stomach. It was finally enough to drive Roman into light giggles and he squirmed a little at the maddeningly soft touch.

“What do I have to do to get you to wreck me?” Roman cried out through his giggles.

Patton cocked his head, toying his fingers gently around Roman’s sensitive hips. “Hmmm. Say that I’m the best tickle monster that has ever and will ever exist--”

“You’re the best--”

“And,” Patton cut him off with an evil smirk, starting to skitter his nails up Roman’s ribs, “you have to tell me your absolute worst spots in the whole wide world.”

Roman clamped his mouth shut and squeezed up his face in consideration. He hated admitting weak points and, even though he wanted nothing more than for Patton to target those exact places and make him scream, it was extremely difficult for him to talk himself into actually saying it. He took a deep breath. 

“Patton, you’re the best tickle monster in the world, the best there ever has been or ever will be. Your skills are unparalleled.” He hesitated.

“Aww, you flatterer!” Patton cooed. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

Roman took another deep breath, practically throwing the words up. “MyWorstSpotsAreMyArmpitsAndThighsPleaseTickleMeThere!”

Patton left one hand still slowly moving up his ribcage, while the other came up to cup his ear. “Hm? What was that? I didn’t quite catch that?”

“Armpits and thighs,” Roman ground out.

“What about them, snickers?” Patton asked cheekily.

Roman squeezed his eyes shut again and dug his nails further into the couch’s plush armrest. “They’re my… worst spots.”

“And which is absolutely worst?”

“A-armpits.”

“Thanks, kiddo! How nice of you to tell me!”

And Patton’s hand immediately redirected back down his ribs, much to Roman’s disappointment. “We’ll save that for later, hm?”

And suddenly there was squeezing at his sides and Roman finally broke into laughter, the titters left behind in the dust. Then, Patton leaned down and started kissing and nibbling playfully at his neck and ears, making nomming noises. Roman squealed through his laughter and tried to scrunch up like a turtle, but Patton’s head prevented him from any sort of protection.

“P-Pat!” He shrieked.

“Ro-Ro!” Patton mocked. “What’s wrong, I thought you wanted this?”

Roman didn’t answer, just let himself laugh. His laughter kicked up a notch when Patton started switching between kneading the slight pudge on his stomach and pinching at his hips, all while blowing tiny raspberries around his neck.

Eventually, Patton pulled back slightly and smiled down at him. “How badly do you wanna be wrecked, laffy taffy?”

Roman whine-giggled and buried his face in his arm, still not lowering them even to cover his face better. “Really bad.”

Patton scooted back on his legs so he was straddling near Roman’s knees, leaving him unable to bend them for protection. Roman gasped, both regretting and rejoicing that he’d worn shorts that day for maximum flexibility when wrecking everyone. Patton tweaked the tops of his thighs and Roman bucked with a loud shriek.

“Ooh, this is a good spot,” Patton chirped, smirking up at Roman.

He held his wiggling fingers up for Roman to see and started slowly lowering them towards his thighs. Roman tried to bounce them in anticipation, but with Patton sitting around his knees, he couldn’t make his legs budge.

“Here come the wiggly, tickly claws,~” Patton sang. “They’re coming for you, tickle bug.~”

Roman squealed even though they weren’t even touching him yet and started giggling hysterically.

“These little claws are gonna…. Getcha-getcha-getcha!”

“Pat!” Roman shrieked, watching the descending hands as they got slower and slower.

“Yes, sweetums?”

Roman made a sound akin to an audible keysmash, at which Patton actually had to pause and laugh.

“You’re too cute, sweet cheeks.”

Roman pouted at him.

“Oh, alright,” Patton teased, and his hands touched down.

Roman shrieked and immediately started cackling as Patton’s hands vibrated and squeezed and kneaded and wiggled all across and in-between his sensitive thighs. It took all of his willpower and concentration to keep his hold on the armrest and not bolt up and try to stop Patton’s hands.

Out of nowhere, Patton scooted up and buried his hands into Roman’s underarms. Roman’s eyes bulged out and he laughed harder than he can remember laughing in his whole life. He didn’t remember normal tickling ever, well, tickling this much. He was barely keeping his arms up, at this point.

It was awesome.

After tormenting his armpits for a while, Patton switched it up again. One hand reached back to torment a thigh, one hand stayed torturing his armpits, and Patton’s mouth went back to nibbling, kissing, and blowing raspberries all over his stomach, sides, and hips.

Roman was laughing so hard, there were tears of mirth streaming down his burning cheeks. His laughter went from frantic, to hysterical, to silent, and his arms came crashing down, gluing themselves to his sides.

Patton stopped. Roman panted, giggling still.

“Whaddya say, kiddo?” Patton asked cheerfully, ruthless tickle monster persona dropping instantly.

Roman giggled a little hysterically at the change. “I’d say you all were definitely right. No one beats the tickle monster that is Patton Sanders.”

Patton giggled, helping him sit up and grabbing a water bottle off the coffee table for him. “You doing alright?”

Roman grinned. “I’m doing spectacularly,” he said, before gulping down the water greedily.

“Cuddles?” Patton offered, arms open wide.

Roman’s smile softened and he snuggled down into Patton’s chest. “Cuddles,” he agreed tiredly, energy suddenly sapping out of him as soon as he connected with Patton’s warm body.

“Take a nap, almond joy, you earned it.”

Roman didn’t have to be told twice. He was out like a light within minutes, soothed quickly by Patton’s breathing and heartbeat, and the TV droning on uselessly in the background.

Luigi's Mansion 3 - Tickling Drabbles (Part 6)

Luigi/Kruller: Security Check  Expect for some small noises like the humming of security cameras, the squeaking of a chair and some pages of a book being flicked through, the room was entirely silent.  When Kruller wasn't doing his usual patrolling around the mall, he would be sitting in his office and absentmindely read a book during his break, sometimes even giving a glance towards the green tinted screens, the occasional flicker dividing his attention away from the string of words that the security guard was holding in his hands.  Currently, the first beams of sunshine were making their entrance in the morning sky, which meant that most guests of the Last Resort were either having their sips of coffee to properly wake up or going back to the realm of dreams, depending if they were an early bird rubbing the sleep from their eyes, or a night owl believing that sleep is for the weak.  As a result because of this, only a handful of tired ghosts were strolling around the shopping centre, most of them making themselves comfortable on some chairs outside the shop and holding small talk with another one of their kind, the casual giggle ringing through the air here and there.  Nothing could seem to break this quiet and calm peace...- until out of nowhere a sudden knock on the door pierced the silence, giving the security officer a small shock, since it caught him off-guard.  "Come in."  The door was opened and a familiar face stepped into Kruller's workplace, holding a plate with a donut and cup that contained what seemed to be freshly made coffee.  "Mornin', Kruller. Steward was a lil' bit-a busy, so I thought-a I lend him a hand and-a bring your breakfast to you-a, instead.", announed the green clothed plumber leaning against the doorway, who has decided to expand his vacation with his friends in this hotel a little bit longer, since a peculiar 'incident' interrupted them at the beginning of their visit. "Ah, that's very nice of you. Steward probably appreciates your help, even though he's an workaholic and would rather done it by himself, as I know...him..."  Laying his book aside him, Kruller stared at Luigi in a skeptical way - something was off about the plumber today, he just couldn't put his finger on it.  That's when the watchman noticed said something, however.  The former ghost hunter's speech was kind of slurred, his movements were rather sluggish and executed in a shakingly manner, which could be observed while he was putting down the tableware on the desk, and the most notable point are the big dark circles that had appeared under his eyes. While Kruller might not be the brightest when it comes to a lot of things that were more or less complex, it didn't mean that he wasn't attentive and mindful when specific subjects were being displayed right in front of him, especially those that he had certain past experiences with.  "Had a nightmare?"  "..."  Propping himself against the doorway and using it as a support for his drowsy body, Luigi stopped dead in his tracks, taking a moment to formulate a response in his head, a particular guard waiting patiently and watching him.  "...'s nothing, don't-a-worry about it."  "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it, not even a little bit? I do not want to pressure you to do anything that you don't want to do, of course, but sometimes it's just...relieving to have someone hear about your thoughts and worries, you know?"  "..."  Sighing, the green plumber slowly closed the door behind him, taking a chair out of a corner from the room and positioning it in front of the table in such a way so that he could rest his arms on top of it.  "Well, you-a-see..."  Luigi took his sweet time describing in detail what had happened in his nightmares and what bothered him, although he stammered and mixed his words up quite a lot along the way.  Meanwhile, Kruller silently listened to the poor boy's worries, which went from 'King Boo tried to capture everyone again', 'Everyone hated and abandoned me' and finally to 'I even killed my brother in one dream, because I was brainwashed'.  At the end, a sympathetic expression has made itself clear on the purple spectra's face, due to some mentioned aspects being fairly relatable and also stirring up some past memories within him.  "...I guess you were-a-right, it was kind of-a-relieving to talk about it. I'm-a feelin' better, thanks..."  Sure, to any outsider's eye, Luigi's statement could have been taken as nothing but the truth.  The years of paying close attention to behaviours and certain cues from people and being watchful in general, however, told the slightly overweight guard that this was not the case at all. There was still this lingering feeling of guilt and melancholia that was emitted by the plumber's eyes, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it.  Letting Luigi leave in such condition was out of the question, no doubt, but what exactly was the best method to cheer up a grieving plumber?  Kruller took a second to ponder, making an effort not to take to long to hatch a plan in case the former ghost hunter was getting impatient, which luckily didn't appear to be the case at least.  As soon as an idea popped up inside of the watchman's head, he could've sworn that if he was in a cartoon, a light bulb would have certainly flashed above his head.  "Hey, uh, Luigi, if you don't mind, how about we play a little game?"  "...Why?"  "Ah, well, I don't get a lot of company around here in the morning and nothing interesting happens in that time period anyway, so I thought we could kill some time together."  The green plumber seemed to be considering the offer, having his head drowsily raised from his arms a bit in a curious manner.  Please let this work.  "What-a-exactly is this-a-game called?"  "Oh, uh, it's called... 'Security Check', right."  "And what do I-a-do in this-a-game?"  "Well, for starters you have to stand up and spread your arms out in a T-Shape."  Standing up, the green hero followed the named steps, albeit doing it somewhat sluggishly, while the taller spectra, who was now floating behind the tired boy, assisted him to some extend.  "Okay, what-a-do I do next?"  "Laugh."  "...Wait wha-hahahahahat?!"  Before Luigi could even process what was happening to him, ghostly fingers were already being scribbled into his sides, sending shockwaves throughout his body and making the plumber clamp down his arms out of reflexes. "K-kruhuhuhullehehehahahar, w-w-whahahahahat ahahaharehehe-ahahahaha y-yohohohuhuhuh doho-hahahaha-dohohohoihihihihihihng ahahahahaha?!!"  "What does it look like? Performing a security check on you, silly."  The redeemed ghost hunter was immediatly torn out of his fatigued state, wobbily pushing against the bigger spectra's wriggling hands but to no avail, his feet weakly pounding against the ground. "Pleheheheheh-hahahahahah-heheheheahahahasehehehehe, nohohohohohahahahahat ahahahahahahaha-hehehehehehehehehehe t-thehehehehehrehehehehehehe!!"  "Not there? Got it." Deciding the sides were becoming a repetitive place to drill his fingers into, Kruller instead went on to work on the fidgeting plumber's ribs, gaining him now a more high pitched chuckling instead of giggling.  "Ahahahhaha-AHAHAHA K-KRUHUHUHLLAHAHAHA W-WHAHAHAHAHIHIHIT, NOHOHOHOHOHOHO-HAHAHAHAHA!!!"  "Sir, please stop squirming so much. I have to ensure the safety of every citizen around here, after all.~"  "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA S-STOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO-HAHAHAHAHAHAP!!!"  A giddy Luigi attempted to flee from the mischievous spectra's grasp, but was instantly restrained by one arm and punished by the other hand who had snaked his way into his armpit and was currently spidering said area, causing the poor boy to blush in a deeper shade of red.  "Ah, ah, ah.~ Has no one ever taught you to not disrespect the law? Since you dared to resist an officer's instructions, I now have to take proper action to ensure no further resistance.~"  "W-WHAHAHAHAHAHAHIHIHIHIHIHIT-AHAHAHAHAHAHA; I-IHIHIHIHI AHAHAHAHM S-SOHOHOHO-HAHAHAHAHAHARRYHIHIHIHIHI!!!!"  "Tell it to the judge."  "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Realizing that escape was futile, the writhing ghost hunter let himself lean into the spectra's body which in turn promptly earned him squeezing against his belly and light scratching against his neck, making him shriek and wheeze with bubbled up laughter even more. "EHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA N-N-NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"  "I'm sorry sir, but depending on your actions you have to suffer the consequences for it.~"  "WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE S-S-STOHOHOHOHOHOHA-HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" After switching from spidering against his neck, squeezing against his sides, scribbling away his ribs and basically tickling every tiniest laughter out of the plumber, Kruller noticed the tears that had formed in Luigi's eyes, prompting him to seize all attacks, giving the blushy and shivering mess of a plumber finally a chance to catch his breath.  "Ah, uh, I...I didn't overdo it now, did I...?"  Having eventually revovered to a degree that he was able to talk again, the green ghost hunter who had still a hint of red in his face quietly gazed at the worried ghost before finally answering.  "Hey, Kruller. You said-a-this was-a-game, right?"  "U-uh, yeah, I did...Why?"  "Well, that would-a-theoratically mean that the roles of-a-the players can be switched up, right?"  The ghost of the security guard, who was backing up into a wall behind him, didn't like where this was going, especially that playful glare and smirk that the plumber was giving him.  "I-ah u-uh, I t-think I've got t-t-to go!"  "Before you do-a-that, I still have-a-one question to ask-a-you."  "...Y-y-yes?"  Luigi was now standing in front of a very flustered Kruller, his blue eyes piercing the spectra's very being and his fingers wriggling teasingly towards him. "Are-a-ghosts ticklish?" Ah, well. At least Kruller was able to cheer Luigi up.

Bitter Night

Hello everyone! Sorry I'm late again but sad fics are hard to make and I was slow 😅 Anyway have this small angsty prequel to my previous two entries. Hope you like!

Continuity: Fan continuity. Prequel to 'Mutual Enduring' and 'Sweet Torture'

@wavewave-week

Wavewave Day 6- Alert/Escape

The sound of alarms filled his head, still Soundwave rushed through the dark corridors of the building.

The last distress signal he'd received from his beloved came from this very place, and if things were as he expected then Shockwave was in great danger.

Soundwave finally reached a room. The metallic doors were locked shut, but that didn't stop him. Without any weapons he tore through the door. Only to be at the reciving end of a blaster.

He recognized the golden gaze he loved so much, although this time one of the eyes was dulled, and the scent of blood was strong. "Shockwave?"

At the mention of his name, Shockwave lowered the weapon. His expression was blank as was his tone. "Soundwave, is it you?" The scientist started at him, as if he didn't know him well.

"Yes it's me. What...what happened?"

"I was taken prisoner by the Senate and given to their scientists, they've experimented on me. I do not know the full effects of their machinations but regardless I've eliminated the ones responsable."

In the dimly lit room he could see blood upon the walls and mangled bodies on the floor. 'This- this isn't anything like him! Shockwave's not a violent man...'

This strange personality frightened him, but there was no time to think about that. Soundwave could hear people heading towards them. He took Shockwave's hand, it was icy cold.

"We must escape, Shockwave prepare to fight."

"Understood."

Shockwave never fought, not if he could help it. And when he was forced to he tried to end things without shedding any blood. Instead of acting that way now, he simply cut through to the lines of sentinels that came for him and Soundwave.

While this meant they could make a cleaner escape, it did nothing to lessen Soundwave's worries. His beloved was still covered in blood, scarred on both his face, arms and neck, likely tortured to the brim of insanity. Worse so, he might've been a victim of shadowplay.

The moonlight was faint, as rain clouds covered the night sky. Mere meters away from the entrance of the building, Shockwave collapsed.

"Shockwave!" Soundwave quickly went to assist him, even if the scientist protested.

"I think the blood loss is getting to me. Perhaps it's best if you leave me."

"Like hell! I'm going to carry you!"

"We need to be alert, this might prove a liability. It's illogical for you to carry me."

"Though luck, but I'm not leaving you!"

The sound of sentinels got close, but Soundwave was determined to escape.

Shockwave didn't protest further. Having to sneak around carrying someone was difficult, but Soundwave's experience as a spymaster was enough to get them to safety.

The Deception base was empty save for Megatron and the group of medics. He made sure to hand Shockwave off to them before reporting to Megatron.

His boss listened to every detail, trying not to wince at what he was hearing. "We'll have to wait for the medics to tell us what his condition is for certain. But I fear it could be indeed shadowplay."

Yes. He was almost certain too. And it broke his heart. The way Shockwave spoke to him so coldly, his empty expression, the bloodlust, the complete disregard for anything that wasn't logical, it was more than enough proof that the mech he loved was likely gone forever.

Monochrome came through the door, her eyes said everything he needed to know. "I'm sorry." she apologized. "Not even a neurosurgeon could reverse the effects now without killing him. This...it's beyond vile. At physically he'll heal but remain scarred and his right eye is gone for good."

Soundwave didn't say anything even if both Megatron and Monochrome were calling his name. All he could hear was static filling his ears.

Megatron left the room, to speak with Shockwave while Monochrome stayed with him. She led him to a bench and sat by his side, gently stroking his hair. "Sweetie, please speak to me. Please tell me where it hurts."

"Everything hurts! Chromie, he's gone! It's as if he was dead!" Soundwave couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "My Shockwave is hurting and I don't know how to help him!...I was too late."

"No sweetie. This isn't your fault. I'm certain Shockwave dosen't blame you. Besides if you had arrived earlier it's likely you would've been tortured as well. This as horrible as it is, was the best outcome."

Even with Monochrome soft touch he couldn't be comforted. Soundwave reached into his pocket, retrieving a small box. "I was going to ask him to meet today, to go stargazing...then I was going to give him this."

He opened the box to reveal a silver ring with a blue topaz and amethyst encrusted on top.

Monochrome gasped and her eyes began to water. Understanding what her friend had planned. "Oh...Oh sweetie. I'm so sorry."

He cried again. Thinking about the life they were going to miss out on. "He was my whole world. How am I supposed to go on."

"He's still here Soundwave. You can still go on. If you're willing to endure for his sake."

She was right, this was a silver lining however, his dear Shockwave was still alive, and wether he loved him or not, Soundwave would keep on protecting him.

The doors were opened again. Megatron came in, with Shockwave close behind. "Shockwave has pledged alliance to the Decepticon cause once again, he'll remain here for the time being."

Looking at his sparkmate like this still made his him uncomfortable. Now that the blood had been cleaned and his wounds were patched up, there was a glimmer of similarly between this Shockwave and the one he loved. 'Stop, even if he's like this, you still love him.'

"If that's the case, he can stay with me. Would you be okay with that, Shockwave?"

"That seems agreeable."

"Then, I'll show you to your room."

He bid both Megatron and Monochrome goodnight before leaving with Shockwave. It was strange to walk beside him without holding his hand, but Soundwave resisted the urge to do.

"Soundwave, have you been crying?"

"Yes. Don't worry, I'm fine now."

"Emotions can be a hindrance, but I suppose now that we're safe it's best you unwind."

It hurt to hear him say that, when he was often the one to dry his tears and reassure him. But Soundwave hid his pain behind a smile.

"I suppose you're right. I'll keep that in mind. We're here."

The room of the base had two beds, even if Soundwave didn't have a roommate. Ravage was sleeping on his cat bed while Buzzsaw and Laserbeak were perched on their bird cage.

"The pets won't bother us. They sleep in early."

"That's fine. Animal companions are useful. It's logical to keep them happy."

"Glad you're fine with it. Goodnight Shockwave, if you need anything just let me know."

"Thank you. Goodnight to you as well, Soundwave."

The lights went off, and Soundwave had never felt so alone being in the same room as his beloved.

***

He couldn't sleep, not when he was supposed to stay alert. The people who'd nearly killed him were still out there, and while trusted Megatron he still had suspicions that this base wasn't the safest place to hide.

Shockwave heard groaning coming from the other bed. Soundwave was fussing in his sleep. His eye fell upon the blue haired man, the only person he could properly remember.

Everyone else was a blurr, but Soundwave's name, voice and face he remembered vividly. Even now, he felt as if he could act on instinct in regards to his roommate.

Shockwave got out his bed, kneeling down in front of Soundwave's. He gently stroked the blue locks that covered Soundwave's face, and kept on doing so until Soundwave calmed down.

"Shockwave? Are you alright?"

"Yes. You seemed to be in distress so I wanted to calm you."

"That's nice of you. It was just a nightmare. I'm fine just a little restless."

"It is logical to be restless after such a harsh night. I haven't been able to sleep myself."

"Would you like to stay with me? Maybe that'll help us stay calm."

It was an odd suggestion but he found himself accepting. He climbed onto the bed beside Soundwave, who fell asleep almost immediately after. Shockwave felt tempted to get closer to him. Soundwave radiated a warm calm energy that he felt drawn to.

Maybe one day he'd figure out what this man truly meant to him, but for now all he wanted to do was rest.

Bird in a Storm 15/17

My Writing Fandom: Arrow Characters: Laurel Lance, Oliver Queen, John Diggle, Quentin Lance, Captain Stein, Lucas Hilton, Frank Pike, Moira Queen, Thea Queen, Roy Harper Pairing: Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen Summary: The confrontation between the Hood and SWAT on the roof of the Winick Building goes differently, altering the course of Laurel’s career, relationships and efforts to save her city forever, the shockwaves of such an altered path making themselves felt throughout her family and friends. *Can be read on my AO3, link is in bio*

Laurel was still having trouble processing what had happened at the memorial.

On some level, she knew Tommy’s dislike of the Hood wouldn’t mean good things if he ever found out Oliver’s identity, but to hear the words that had come out of his mouth that day had been another thing entirely. Where had that boy with the devil-may-care smile gone? Had she done this to him?

Laurel wasn’t naive enough to assume she was the only reason for Tommy’s new outlook and attitude. Her friend had always had an anger under the surface for what had happened to his mother, what his father hadn’t been able to be for him. There wasn’t anything she could have done to change those things, and so she had let it be. But maybe that had been wrong. She and Oliver had failed to be there for him, no matter their reasons for it, and now he apparently didn’t want or need their help. Who did they have to blame for it but themselves?

She was tackling Oliver’s salmon ladder today. The nice thing about his setup down here was that there was plenty of new things for her to learn that weren’t in the classes she had taken in self-defense, from Ted or with Anita. She was going to keep learning whatever she could get access to, because if she couldn’t help her friend then she would do everything she could to be ready to help others.

Oliver and Diggle sparred down below on the mats. After giving her a demonstration and watching her get up onto the first rung by herself, Oliver had left her to it. She liked that about them. One good thing about the distance they had had the last few months and her suiting up on her own was that he’d already realized she could handle things. For her part, Laurel knew that if she couldn’t, he and John were ready and willing to help out.

Laurel breathed in and out once on the top rung, her legs swinging back and forth in a slow, controlled manner, before she prepared to head back down. A beep from the computers distracted her, even more so when Oliver called out a halt to Digg and headed over.

She exchanged a look with the other man before hurrying to get back down, almost missing the last rung with the bar. She grabbed her water and towel and walked over. 

“Something about Athena turn up?”

“No,” Oliver said with a frown. She could tell it was bothering him, the lack of information on this woman who had replaced them both as Tommy’s confidant. “It’s the worm I sent into the SCPD’s computer system.”

Laurel felt both eyebrows raise. “You infiltrated the police’s computers?”

“Not the first time we’ve hacked them,” Diggle informed her.

“In my defense, this time was on your father’s orders,” Oliver added. “He’s worried about corruption and asked me to look into things.”

She was torn between laughing or screaming. “Okay, so my father, who had me surrounded by a SWAT team for asking you to help me on a case… wants you to help him on a case.”

Oliver blinked. “Uh… yup.”

“I can’t believe him!” Okay, maybe the anger was winning out. “He is such a hypocrite!” Even if she was at peace with how her life turned out, it wasn’t like it had been fun to get shot with a rubber bullet and lose her job, all for the exact thing her father was doing right now. It wasn’t like she wanted those things to happen to him, too, just some acknowledgement that maybe she hadn’t been wrong to do it. That there was a need in this city for vigilantes.

That he might not be angry if he ever found out what she was doing now.

“Trouble is, looks like he’s right,” said Diggle, who had taken possession of the mouse and was clicking through some of the data this data worm of Oliver’s had been collecting. “Look at this stuff from Nudocerdo’s time. Missing or deleted files on police misconduct, no records of disciplinary action, which means they either didn’t discipline anybody or they don’t want people to know if an officer’s been disciplined.”

“Lucky for us, it looks like Nudocerdo’s personal devices were connected up to the police systems at some point before he was fired. The worm got into them, too. Let’s take a look at his campaign finances.”

Laurel stopped pacing in order to come stand at Oliver’s side. He rubbed a hand up and down her back once in a show of comfort which she appreciated, especially since she was sweaty so it couldn’t have been very pleasant.

“You seeing what I see?” John asked a minute later.

“Yep,” Oliver answered grimly. “Tempest.”

“And what is Tempest exactly?” Laurel asked.

Oliver blanched, and Diggle sighed and looked down. “We should’ve told you this…”

“Told me what?”

“The reason Oliver agreed to interrogating his mother as the Hood,” Digg stated. “It was cause we found out she’d recovered the Queen’s Gambit wreckage, and it proved the boat wasn’t destroyed in the storm. It was sabotaged.”

Laurel felt her mouth drop open. “Sara wouldn’t have died out there?”

“Not if the boat hadn’t been targeted, no,” Oliver said quietly. “I’m sorry.”

She stepped back, trying to reconcile this was the anger and grief and the slow sense of a new normal she had been building for herself. Her sister had been murdered. Not intentionally — in fact, she probably hadn’t even been a thought in the perpetrator’s mind. But she could have come home. They could have had it out, the betrayal and all it had done. So much could have been different; maybe her whole life. Sara would have had a life.

“Laurel?” Oliver was hanging back, clearly unsure what he should do given the subject.

“It’s fine,” she said out loud, even if it wasn’t. But they were here to work. She could deal with her feelings in her own time. “What’s this got to do with Tempest?”

“It was the name of the shell company she used to pay to have the boat moved and stored somewhere. It’s been destroyed since,” John added before she could ask. “And it looks like Tempest also made regular contributions to Nudocerdo while he was Commissioner.”

“So he wasn’t just bad at his job, he was dirty,” Laurel concluded. “What about the other cops? The detectives, captains? How many of them can we tell are on the take?”

“I’ll have to comb through the files the worm grabbed. It’s gonna takes while,” Oliver said with a grimace. “I don’t think I can patrol tonight.”

He had gone out the last couple with her as she had been showing him her own method. Looking for crime as it happened rather than setting out for a predetermined target. Laurel couldn’t tell if he liked the imprecise nature of it or not, but she didn’t think he was saying this to get out of it.

“Maybe we could see if Felicity wants back in now that we know Tempest is still involved,” Diggle suggested.

“It’s not about Walter, so I don’t see why it would interest her,” Oliver replied. “And I’d rather not risk her feeling pressured.”

He’d been touchy about the amount of people who knew his identity and what they might do with it since the memorial. Laurel couldn’t blame him. It had to feel like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“It’s okay, I can do a solo one tonight.”

She started to walk over to her bag where she’d stored the black, gray and dark blue clothing she typically fought in, though Oliver called out to her.

“Laurel, are you gonna be okay?”

She looked back at him. “Yeah, Ollie. Just as soon as we figure out what Tempest really is and what they’re up to.”

Just how Mrs. Queen was mixed up with them? Was she Tempest or was she under their thumb? Laurel couldn’t get a read on Oliver or what he might be thinking about his mother. Did they need to question her again? And if they did, should Oliver really be the one in charge of it? She didn’t doubt he wanted the answers as much as she or John, but this was his mother. It would be hard for anything to think objectively in that situation.

She went into the back to change and headed out for the streets. Oliver had indeed upgraded her motorcycle, which had been quicker for him to do than the suit he claimed he was getting her custom made from a few different sources in order to avoid it being tracked. In some ways, she felt a little miffed that her version of things was being deemed inadequate, but Laurel knew that was pride over practicality. This was dangerous work, and it was better to have the best quality tools and materials available. 

And it wasn’t as if the stuff she had put together on her own was going totally to waste. She had kept the bike she had bought for cheap for her day job, which made getting to work quicker and also opened up the possibility for her to make deliveries. Pam had been delighted by the suggestion; a couple of her older customers couldn’t always find someone to drive them to the store, and this way new seeds, pots or plants could be delivered straight to them.

She refocused on the present as she came across a mugging, quickly driving off the attacker with the roar of her bike and her collapsible staff.

“Where were you trying to get to?” She asked the boy who had been held up. He was pale with dark blonde hair kept fairly long, sort of a bohemian-type.

“My apartment. It’s just up that way,” he said with a nod. “But thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Laurel kept up her patrol, sending a couple men running from a car parked on the street they’d been trying to jack. She was finding that with her swift approach on the bike, it tended to increase her intimidation factor. That or her reputation was growing. Maybe it was a little of both, and that thought made her grin. She had gotten her own police sketch, after all, she’d been amused to find out when John told her. That made her pretty official.

It also made her her dad’s problem to target. Assuming he was even doing that thing anymore. Dirty cops or no, this sort of thing he was doing with the Hood was so beyond what she ever would’ve thought him capable of.

Or what if it wasn’t? What if it was just another ruse, an attempt to lure Ollie into a trap? That sounded more like her father. He would never ask a vigilante for help; he’d deal with the dirty cops situation on his own. What had even caused him to realize it? Maybe he’d been making it up, only for Oliver’s computer virus to lend credence to it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp whistle. Laurel glared at the mirror before catching sight of the red hoodie in its reflection. Her annoyance disappeared as she pulled the bike around and followed Roy Harper into an alley.

“Nice ride,” he commented. “Pretty sure it’s out of your price range.”

“Yes, well the Hood and I have come to an agreement of sorts.”

Roy’s eyes widened. “You’re not just working for him now.”

“We’re working together. I thought you’d be happy about this,” she remarked. “The more the Hood and I work together, the better chance I have of bringing you in on things.”

“Yeah, I mean, I do want in,” Roy agreed, scuffing his shoe on the ground. “But people need you here, you know? Stopping the small stuff. The things he doesn’t always notice.”

Laurel hesitated. She had heard more than once from people in the Glades that while they may have no objections to what the Hood did, that it wasn’t really reaching them where they lived. They weren’t exactly wrong, but there was so much about the situation they couldn’t know, that she and Oliver and John didn’t even fully know yet.

“I think he’s noticing more all the time,” she finally answered, which was the truth. Whatever her own indignation towards her father, Laurel couldn’t have imagined the Oliver of two months ago let alone last year getting involved with systemic corruption in their city’s police force. “But don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. And I did ask him about you. He’s thinking about it.”

“Thanks,” Roy said. “Guess I should get out of here before anyone spots me with you.” He pulled his hood down further over his eyes and slipped back out into the main street. Laurel sat back on the bike seat to wait a while before heading back out there herself.

Roy’s words remained on her mind, however. What did she look like to the people who had noticed her in the Glades, zipping around on her top-of-the-line bike? Some kind of sellout? As much as she appreciated Oliver giving her access to better equipment and gear, she didn’t want people to think she was losing sight of what she had set out to do.

“That’s really what people think about me?”

She jumped, one arm already pulling back to deliver a punch before her mind caught up to the familiar voice. Laurel blinked at Oliver in surprise. “I thought you weren’t coming out tonight.”

“I ended up showing John what to look for in the files. He said he could handle it.” Oliver walked closer to her. “He also thought I should see how you were really feeling about everything.”

Laurel sighed, leaning forward on the handlebars. “What do you want me to say? I already knew my sister was dead. Now I know someone was indirectly responsible. Are you ever going to ask your mother who?”

He looked down, the hood he wore hiding his eyes. “I should. I just… something has been off about her ever since I came home. And especially since we got the news about Walter. I guess I’ve been afraid to find out what that is. I already know my father wasn’t who I thought he was. If my mother…”

Laurel reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. In a way, she understood. After losing her mother all those years ago, she had been desperate to keep the peace with her father and probably put up with more warning signs than it was worth instead of forcing them both to acknowledge his problems. “Our parents are going to disappoint us at times. Sometimes in a bigger way than most people go through.” She doubted many people had to deal with their father using them as bait for a SWAT operation gone wrong, after all. “But it doesn’t mean the things you know about them suddenly stop mattering. Whatever else, your father loved you. Your mother loves you. And if you still want her in your life, I think you can make that happen. But ignoring the problem isn’t how to do it.”

He nodded with a sigh. “Soon as I help your father, I’ll take care of it.”

“You don’t have to do it alone.”

His lips pulled up in a half-smile. “Maybe not, but it isn’t exactly a part of your mission.”

“My ‘mission’, if we’re calling it that, is to help people. And you fall under that category,” she reminded him with a prod to his shoulder. “You’ve been doing things my way the last couple of nights. It’s only fair I return the favor. And that starts with my dad’s thing.” If he thought she was sitting on the sidelines while her dad got involved in all this, he had another thing coming.

Oliver was silent for a moment, which had her narrowing her eyes. “What?”

“Your father… he’s hoping by resolving this issue, it will mean the city won’t need people like you or me. That things can go back to normal.” He frowned. “But seeing how widespread the corruption is, everything with Tommy and my mother, I don’t know how it can.”

“And normal isn’t exactly a good thing,” Laurel pointed out.

They both looked up at the sound of a scream from what sounded a few blocks away. A depressingly normal sound in the Glades.

“No, it isn’t,” Oliver agreed grimly. He raised his bow and fired a grapple arrow. Laurel gunned the engine of her bike, and they each took off toward the sound.

Whatever came next in their personal lives, acting in the face of injustice had become their new normal. And as far as Laurel was concerned, that was definitely a good thing.

---

Quentin started in his chair early that morning when a phone in his desk drawer started buzzing. It was the vigilante phone, which meant he really shouldn’t answer it inside. He quickly stood, doing his best to avoid Hilton’s questioning look as he headed out of the bullpen and out into the back alley. He was lucky enough to find it free of anyone on their smoke break. Finally, he answered the call.

“Yeah?”

“I have the information you requested, Detective,” the archer’s modulated voice spoke. “When and where can I deliver it to you?”

He had a feeling the vigilante wouldn’t react well to an immediate request, considering how light it was outside. Harder to hide in the shadows when they weren’t nearly so deep. “Uh… tonight. Down by the docks. Eleven?”

“I’ll be there.” With that, the line disconnected.

Quentin let out a breath. Tonight. He would know just which members of the force he was part of were dirty and which weren’t. He could take the information to Pike — at least, he hoped his gut was right that Pike was one of the good ones — and they could start cleaning house and getting this city back on track the right way.

He went back to his apartment to sleep off the night shift, showered and got some food in him. Then it was all down to waiting, which felt like an eternity rather than the few hours he knew it logically was.

Quentin took his own car rather than one of the squad cars, seeing as it would attract less attention. He kept his badge tucked away for that reason as well as he made his way down to the docks. He found a stack of crates to wait by that kept him mostly shielded from the lane trucks traveled up and down picking up or dropping off shipments. Not that there was much of that going on just now, but better to be safe than sorry.

Quentin kept checking his watch. He’d shown up early, sure, but it was already five past and no sign of him. What exactly was going on here?

“Seems your friend isn’t showing, Quentin.”

He startled as a flashlight beam hit him and straightened up. “Captain Stein.”

His superior raised a hand, the signal, he realized, for a number of SWAT lead by Warner to move in, surrounding him. Quentin raised his hands; he’d be a fool to reach for his gun now.

“Just what is this?” He knew he hadn’t been followed, so where had all of them come from?

“Ever since one of the copycat’s arrows disappeared from evidence, I knew we had a leak,” Stein stated, an underlying smugness in his tone. “And given your possession of a phone with a direct line to the Hood, you were the most obvious candidate. So I ordered Brock to take it out of your desk to have Crosby in CSU put some additional spyware on it. You could say your maneuver with your daughter inspired me,” the man added with a smirk.

Quentin’s blood ran cold as he noticed Brock standing there with his weapon raised alongside Hester, Lopez and — least surprising of all — Daily. These weren’t really his people, not besides Warner, and given the harsh glare she was directing his way, he didn’t think he’d see any leniency from her. The lack of Hall, despite her recruitment to the anti-vigilante task force nearly two months ago now, told him that this was Stein’s own hand-picked crew.

“We weren’t able to crack the encryption to follow the calls back to their source, unfortunately,” Stein continued on. “But I’ll consider bringing you in just one step closer to bringing down these vigilantes.”

Denying what he had been doing would get him nowhere, so Quentin didn’t even bother. “Look, I am trying to do the same thing. By tackling the problems that created the Hood and those like him in the first place. Bringing him in by force wasn’t working.”

“Because you lacked the conviction to do what was necessary. It’s why I had Daily join the Winick Building raid.”

Quentin’s breath stuttered in his chest. “You put him there so he’d shoot my daughter?” The younger officer was smirking where he stood, and if there weren’t a dozen guns pointed at him, he might have gone for the cocky bastard.

“You’ve failed to handle the situation objectively, Detective. Things were running just fine before this vigilante menace showed up, and I intend to see it return to that no matter who gets in the way!”

“Because your backers at Tempest have an interest in seeing it return to business as usual.”

Quentin had never been so relieved to hear the vigilante’s altered voice. Apparently the guy hadn’t pulled a no-show after all.

Two flechettes were thrown into the wrists of Warner and Hester, both of whom dropped their weapons. There were a couple grunts as Quentin caught movement near the back-left of the group; two of the men had fallen down. A few more of them turned, and it was this break in the formation that allowed him to glimpse a woman standing up from a crouched sweep kick, her fists raised. Dressed in black and dark blue with a mask and long, blonde hair, Quentin knew this could only be the Woman of the Glades.

This break in the formation gave the Hood time to rappel down from the roof of the warehouse he’d been waiting on top of, though Quentin didn’t watch to see where he landed as he was busy ducking around the crates to avoid Stein’s gunfire.

He quickly got out his own handgun and raised it, peering around the side to locate his enemy. Stein had moved back, out of reach of the Hood’s blows as he engaged both Daily and Lopez at once. 

The Woman had gotten possession of one of the SWAT shields and was using it as a battering ram on one side while she swung a staff with her free hand, throwing men twice her size to the ground. Quentin watched, however, as Cutter — the department’s first ever female SWAT member, battered the Woman back with her own shield. The Woman stumbled but kept her feet, her head giving a dazed shake for a moment. The two then circled each other before each charged.

Quentin circled around the other side of the crates, doing his best to crouch low in the hopes of getting the drop on Stein. The captain noticed him at the last second, forcing Quentin into a drop and roll as he fired on him.

“Attacking your own, Lance?”

“Trying to put a stop to this before anyone’s seriously hurt!” He called back. These people would have had enough evidence on him to arrest him at the station, but they’d waited to stage a sting operation with the clear intent of getting him and the Hood, and he doubted they’d stop at the Woman, since she’d been good enough to show. There weren’t rubber bullets in those guns, either, and judging by Stein’s attempt on his life just now, the order was shoot to kill.

An arrow sailed through the night and hit Stein’s gun, making him drop it. Quentin charged forward, knocking the older man to the ground and rolling him onto his chest. He wrenched Stein’s arms behind his back and got out his cuffs.

“If you’ve been listening to that phone since the Winick Building, then you could’ve shown up to catch him at Merlyn Global. But you didn’t, because it wasn’t personal yet, was it? You got nervous when I asked him for help rooting out corruption. Well, I’m gonna look through the evidence, find out just what this Tempest is and then it’ll be over for you and them!”

He looked up to take stock on the situation. Officers were either knocked out or tied up with those cable arrow things. The Hood was lifting Cutter up and away from the Woman, who had a split lip. She hauled back and punched the SWAT officer right in the face.

Quentin stood up. “Hey!” He didn’t need them doing that!

The Woman startled and looked away from him, her shoulders hunched. There was something almost sheepish in the gesture. He could also see a small tear in the shoulder of her jacket.

The Hood placed Cutter back on the ground considering she was knocked out cold. Then he walked over towards Quentin, his head ducked to avoid showing much more than his chin.

“This flash drive contains everything you’ll need.”

Quentin took it with a nod of thanks. He couldn’t help noticing that the Woman was already retreating back towards where he could just see the handlebar of a motorbike sticking out from the shadow of a building. Even less talkative than the Hood, apparently. Though that didn’t match the scant reports about her they’d gotten.

Before the Hood could take his leave as well, Quentin gestured towards her retreating form. “So is this, uh, a regular thing now?”

“It won’t be easy cleaning up the corruption and its effects on this city, Detective. You’ll need people like me and her for a while yet.”

It was the opposite of what he had wanted to hear tonight. But the one comfort he could draw was that the Hood sounded far from smug about it. He likely longed for the days when this city wouldn’t need him, too.

“Alright. I better call this in.” He turned away to get out his radio and heard the Hood depart. Now what the hell was he going to say about all this exactly? Best thing to do, request Hilt and see what he thought.

Predictably, his partner felt Quentin had landed them in a whole heap of trouble. “Even if what’s on that flash drive is a hundred percent genuine, you did agree to meet with a vigilante to get it, Quentin. What are we supposed to say to Pike about that?”

“Pike’s gonna have to accept that cops on some special interest group’s payroll is a bigger problem.”

Sooner than he would have liked, they had more officers on the scene to help get the injured parties treatment and to bring Stein, at the very least, in. It turned out he hadn’t put this little raid on the books, so it wasn’t only Quentin who would be answering some awkward questions.

To his great relief, Kelton took the flash drive. He made the CSU promise to guard it with his life. Quentin didn’t doubt that Crosby or someone else in on all this would love to make it disappear.

He sat waiting inside Pike’s office for the rest of that night, waiting for his direct superior to go through all of the evidence and question who he needed to. Quentin knew this probably didn’t look great for him, but he also knew he had done the right thing, and if he could just convince Frank of that, then maybe he might walk out of here a free man.

His real phone buzzed with a text just as the early light of dawn was creeping in through the window. Quentin glanced at it, saw Laurel’s name, and sat up to rub at his eyes. It read how’s everything?

He felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Somehow his girl always knew when to check on him. He considered it a good thing Laurel was actually reaching out considering they’d still only made a few halting attempts each to patch things up. Quentin wrote back, long night, but fine. At least he hoped it would be. But considering he hadn’t been hauled into a holding cell yet, he had hope.

Like a summons, the thought was immediately followed by Pike opening the door to his office and coming around to his side of the desk. A large folder was under his arm that he set down and opened.

“Quentin,” his long-time superior sighed. “This would’ve been easier if you would have just come to me.”

“Maybe, but sir, I did point out my concerns about Daily in particular to you, which you said you couldn’t do anything about. Now we both know why. Stein was protecting his man.”

“But a vigilante? The same vigilante you told me you didn’t want to give up hunting even when I scaled back the taskforce!”

He winced. “Things… changed. I realized I needed someone independent to look into what was going on here. What did Kelton find on that flash drive? Did it say what this Tempest is?”

“I already know what Tempest is,” Frank answered.

That caused his mouth to snap shut for a moment. “What do you mean, ‘you know’?”

“I mean I was informed about this Tempest just this past evening,” the Lieutenant clarified. “If I’d known it related to the vigilante case, I would have called you in.”

Quentin sat back. “Well, hang on, what is it really about?”

“It appears there is a group of the city’s most wealthy who got together to form a bloq,” Pike explained. He passed over the file, and Quentin took it, flipping through. The bribes were there, though not just to the SCPD. As he continued reading, he also came upon a record of property purchases in the Glades. “They’ve been behind a lot of the decisions made in the last several years, deciding what they think is best. And I have to warn you, Quentin, their end goal is… I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around it.”

He flipped another page and came upon schematics. Bomb schematics.

“What the… what the hell were they doing with this?”

“Nothing, yet. We were informed about this with enough time to do something. Now that you and, well, the vigilantes, have taken care of the people on the inside here that were working for them, we’ve got the upper hand. Now my source has identified the ringleader of this high society club, and I’m sending you and Hilton with backup to make the arrest.” Frank leaned forward. “You pull this off, Quentin, and no one’s going to care who you’ve been enlisting off the books. We’ll be heroes.”

He opened his mouth to tell his superior to get on with it and tell him who they were bringing in, but then he turned the final page. Quentin froze, his eyes widening.

“I’ll be damned…”

He should have known.

---

Thea relaxed on her bed, taking full advantage of the day off from community service. She was enjoying CNRI more now that Joanna was back and they occasionally actually did stuff, but she wouldn’t be a normal teenager if she wanted to work every single day. Besides, she had a kind of special event planned.

Thea was finally introducing her newly-christened boyfriend Roy to her mother. Thea had never bothered running her previous relationships past her mom, partly because she’d thought she hadn’t cared and partly because Thea hadn’t wanted it to be anyone’s business but hers. But if Walter’s loss had reminded her of anything, it was that you never knew how long you had with family. And truthfully, she thought it might bring her mom some comfort to know that Thea had someone special in her life.

She’d bullied Ollie into promising he would actually show for this since he had a bad habit of ditching family functions at the last second. It had helped that she had pointed out he and Laurel had ditched them at Mr. Merlyn’s memorial, and thus she and their mom hadn’t had the chance to catch up with what appeared to be a rekindling of their own relationship. So Oliver was supposed to be bringing both Laurel and Roy over to the manor.

Thea heard the sound of tires on the drive, so she quickly got up, checked her hair in the mirror and then raced out of her room and down the steps. Just as she reached the foyer, she heard a knock on the other side of the front door. That was weird, unless Ollie was making Roy knock in some stupid big brother intimidation routine.

She wrenched open the door, the smile freezing on her face when she found not her boyfriend, brother and his girlfriend waiting for her, but Detective Lance and his partner Hilton. Both officers grimaced at the sight of her.

“Is something wrong?”

“Where is your mother, Miss Queen?” Detective Hilton asked calmly. Thea couldn’t help noticing, however, that there was another car and two more officers waiting further down the drive.

“She’s, uh—”

“I’m right here.” When she turned around, she saw her mother descending the stairs in an outfit she called her ‘casual best’. Thea had already told her Roy had never had much money. “Can I help you with something, officers?”

Thea watched as Lance gave a shake of his head. “Let’s not drag this out in front of your daughter, alright? You’re coming downtown with us.”

“Wait, what?” Thea asked, only to be forced back as both Lance and Hilton pushed their way through the door, Hilton taking out a pair of handcuffs.

“You must be very mistaken,” her mother said gravely, though Thea couldn’t help noticing how very pale she looked.

“Not unless the thing we found them building at Unidac was actually a piñata,” Lance quipped. “Moira Queen, you’re under arrest for kidnapping, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hiring an assassin, and conspiracy to commit mass murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

“Murder?” Thea echoed, somehow both hoarse and shrill at the same time. “No, no that’s crazy.”

“Miss Queen, if you could stay back,” Detective Hilton requested, gently buffeting her aside when she tried to move towards her mother, who had frozen in shock and only started moving when Lance marched her along with one hand under her arm.

“Mom!”

“Stay- stay in the house, baby,” her mother called over her shoulder.

Thea followed them out to the front stoop, her hands pressing to either side of her head as she watched them put her unresisting mother into the back of a squad car and drive away. The other two officers came inside and went up the steps, heading in the direction of her mother’s office.

How could this be happening again? Was she going insane with her life just repeating itself in circles? Her dad dying, Walter dying; Oliver being arrested for murder, her mother being arrested for murder. And how did that make any sense?

What was she supposed to do? Did she call Jean? Ollie? Thea sunk down onto the front step, her knees to her chest as cries were choked out of her.

How could everything have changed so fast and so horribly?

The Encounter (Day 5: Komahina Week)

((Thank you all for your support, likes and reblogs. Thank you to sunflower_8 for betaing this chapter for me, I cannot ever stress it enough how much you do for me)).

Prompt: Fantasy/Hope/Healing

Rated: T (Hajime has a mouth)

Summary: Komaeda walks into a city thinking he’s just going to pass through for the night. However, the cycle of good and bad luck prevents him from leaving as well as a man with an eye red as blood and a eye green as leaves

You can read it underneath the cut or find me at my A03.

It began with the sound of a coin being flipped up into the air. It twisted and turned, glinting gold in the sunlight before falling down into the man’s fingerless gloved hand, and quickly slapped on the back of the other. A bird sang in the distance and the trees rustled with an invisible force as there was no wind to feel on his skin. The vast open sky that was upon him was cloudless and the sun was beating down on the earth with no mercy to its heat. He looked at the coin and grinned as he looked at the sign posts that were in the middle of his way. The fork of the road split into two different directions. One trailed up to the left, winding into a deep forest, pitched black with only little sunlight for comfort. The other was straightforward through a valley of hills and open fields filled with flowers and little trees to take shelter from the unbearing heat of the sun. The man put the coin back with a soft whistle and started walking towards the hills. If luck told him to go this way, then something should be on the other side.

Silence was a common friend for Komaeda. He was used to the isolation, and he didn’t mind it all that much. The birds singing joyfully to each other was usually drowned out by conversation, loud tavern music among other things. It was nicer to be able to enjoy nature for what it was, than to try to keep a conversation flowing. Not many people wanted to converse with him either, and he couldn’t blame them. His curse was well known throughout the region, and he wondered if he was even going to be welcomed in the next town that he came across.

The roads of the hill weren’t very steep, which was a lucky venture as Komaeda had been growing weary of climbing. If anything, the roads were well taken care of and were used frequently enough that potholes were filled with more gravel and were easy to spot so that he could walk around them. With the freedom to be able to take care of such roads meant that the next town wouldn’t be a town but a bustling city. That would be in his favor, as he was in need of new clothes. His tunic was fine, it was mostly dirty and needed a good scrubbing in the river, but his pants were starting to show holes and mending spells just weren’t cutting it anymore.

Then again, Komaeda wouldn’t doubt that his mending spells were subpar to most of those who could do magic. He wouldn’t doubt that his luck would be awful enough to fray the threads so that they wouldn’t hold up well to weather and washes. It didn’t bother him too much, but he would have to decide if maybe he needed to, once again, be walked through the steps of how to even do a mending spell.

The trek took him most of the day. The sun glided through the sky without clouds to interfere with its path. The warm rays beat against Komaeda’s skin well enough that it was starting to turn pink underneath its torture. Komaeda was aware that there was a spell that could help prevent his skin from being exposed to the sun’s abuse, but he wasn’t sure what that spell could be. Knowing his luck and how it would work, he was also aware that if he even knew what that spell was, it could just backfire and allow the sun a chance to make his skin blister. A small burn was a better price to pay than agony, if Komaeda had any say in it.

The sun reached the western horizon with violet purples, bright pinks, and soothing oranges and yellows melted and blended together and the first bright star sparkled in the sky just as Komaeda reached the imposing walls of the city.

With the silhouettes of the night starting to creep across the sky and the earth, the gates would be closing soon. They were already magicking fire into the torches and the gate would soon be closed. Komaeda quickened his step and hurried over towards the gatekeepers to keep them closing the bridge and gating the city. “Hello there!” He called out to them. “Am I too late to seek entrance?”

“If you had arrived five ticks later, you may have been.” The guard told him, a little stiff around the edges. Komaeda couldn’t blame him. A late customer is not what someone wanted to deal with. “You better hope a tavern has a room for you.”

“I do not mind it if I have to sleep outside.” Komaeda grinned as he walked through the gates. “So far my luck has been good. Of course, bad is always sure to follow.”

“Strange lad.” The guard muttered, probably thinking that the man was out of earshot. Komaeda just grinned, and continued through the cobblestoned path.

The city was marvelous. He could only assume what it could look like during the day. Plenty of houses and shops were built around here. He could hear music and rambunctious laughter bounce through the silence of the city. The houses and the buildings all shared a warm yellow glow that intinced a sense of comfort and home as he walked down the paths. There were plenty of taverns that he could enter, but they were all so loud and full of people. He didn’t want to ruin their good cheer with his impending swing of a down-ward spiral of luck.

Instead, Komaeda allowed the city’s infectious jubilation to remind him that everyone was doing their best to spread their hope in a dark period of despair. The cloud of it hadn’t reached the peaceful providence, and Komaeda wasn’t sure if it ever would. If their hope could shine as brightly as the lights in their home, then the cloud shouldn’t begin to be able to touch them. However, Komaeda was also aware that he could be jinxing his luck to follow through with such a claim. The Lady was quite fickle when she wanted to be and when she wanted something terrible to happen…

The memory of his parent’s burnt bodies in a carriage ride was enough of a reminder of how that worked.

He realized quickly however that being lost in thoughts meant that he would be lost in the city as well. He must have walked too far and too quickly to realize the echoes of the taverns were now behind him, and while the buildings still beckoned with a sense of home and warmth, there was an artificial chill to the air that made the hairs on Komaeda’s arms stand up.

This must be where the darker magic users laid. The taste of copper and metal was heavy against Komaeda’s tongue, as well as the taste of blood and bone. No, this wasn’t where he wanted to be found today. So far the streets were empty. Turning around now would be in his best interest. He quickly turned on the ball of his foot and started walking away, hands deep into his pockets.

Unfortunately for him, terrible luck indeed was about to face him. Perhaps not in the way of a cloud of despair, but he felt something sharp stick deep into his back. He turned around swiftly, a spell of ice on his fingers as he tried to aim. His assailant was cunning, ducking low and toppling him over onto the cobblestones. The knife plunged deeper into his back, and Komaeda gasped in pain. The shock of being stabbed made his body react with a surge of adrenaline and he knew that trying to defend himself wasn’t going to end well. He needed to run and get out of this side of the town.

He got up to his feet with a graceless fumble and started to try to run off. His assailant was quick to be upon him, and tossed him back onto the ground. Komaeda’s head rang with pain and a sound of a bell as he crashed back into the stones. He could feel the man frisk him and he laughed. “Oh this is terrible luck.” He could feel the blade being pulled out of his back and was plunged into him again, clearly telling him to shut up. He groaned weakly as the person continued to frisk him, muttering curses before grabbing him by the collar to shove him against the wall.

“Where are you hiding your coins?!”

“Coins? Dear fellow, I am but a traveler. I have little in the way of money.” Komaeda explained.

“Fucking…” Komaeda’s jaw immediately bloomed with pain and he could feel the blood starting to pool into his mouth. The man tossed him aside, muttering angrily about not having any sort of money on him.

Komaeda knew better than to hand over his wallet. Even though the man was magic, he apparently wasn’t skilled at a seeking spell. Perhaps his luck with magic was better than he had thought after all.

“Jesus fuck, are you alright?”

Komaeda looked up a little dizzy from the assault to see a man standing before him. Not just any man. This man had an aura that surrounded him in a way that Komaeda had never

before. His eyes were a mismatched red and green, moonlight wasn’t a kind friend and the shadows even worse. He couldn’t see what he was wearing, let alone what the color of his hair was. “Oh.” He whispered with reverence. “You have such hope.”

“Okay, so you’re not okay.” The man didn’t sound too amused. Komaeda chuckled weakly and the man started to frisk him. “Jesus you were stabbed and...no, no matter. I can stanch the blood now, but I’ll have to drag you to Tsumiki.”

“Who?”

“Oh god, they really went after someone that didn’t know this place.” The man groaned. “Okay, that’s fine. Just...sit still.”

Komaeda braced himself for the cold wash of a healing spell, but instead was surprised to see the man shrug off his outer tunic as fast as humanly possible. He pressed all of his weight against the wound, causing Komeada to whimper underneath the shockwaves of pain. He didn’t realize the man was actively tying his tunic around his body as tight as he could to keep the blood from flowing. He also was being careful to not remove the knife from it’s second entry.

“Ugh I know I’m not supposed to move you but…” The man groaned. “You’re gonna be in a lot of pain so grit your teeth.”

“A stability spell should not be too hard to conjure.” Komaeda wondered if reminding this man of magic would help him get some of his courage together.

The man froze and he looked at Komaeda curiously before shaking his head. “I’d...rather not touch my magic.” He said and Komaeda found it odd. Odd in a way that it was rather funny. Perhaps the blood loss was getting to him, but he giggled at the sentence. “Yeah yeah I heard it all before. Now I don’t feel so bad doing this.”

He picked Komaeda up as though he weighed nothing more than a feather. Komaeda was well aware that his weight was heavier than such and wondered if the man before him was one of the rare ones that could only magic a spell at a time. It would make sense that he would save a healing spell for someone that had more of a pool of magic than he did. He bit back pained noises as he was jostled while they headed away from the darkness of the city.

“What were you doing down at Gilded Way?” The man finally prodded.

“Ah is that what that side of the city is called?” Komaeda asked, trying to put it in his memory so he could at least call it a name. “I was trying to find a place to sleep, but must have lost my way.”

“You decided to see if you could just keep going straight.” The man sounded as though he was rolling his eyes. Komaeda tried to focus his vision, but pain was blurring everything to bright colors and dark shadows. He could still make out the red of his eye and the brown of his other one. “How about we don’t let you go down that way again.”

Komaeda let out a shrill laugh. “What do you think that I would go down there willingly? Sometimes my feet just carry me to places and I go with whatever luck that follows. Will it be bad luck? Or will it be good luck? So far I am grateful that my luck has been kind to me.”

“I wouldn’t really call this good luck here.” The man argued. “You’re stabbed twice, you must have lost a lot of blood if you’re this delirious. You got punched in the face."

“Ah so that is why my jaw hurts when I talk.” The man let out a frustrated noise that Komeda found endearing. The bright aura that surrounded him hadn’t diminished at all, and it made Komaeda grin. What

to be found by him. “For someone that speaks so negatively, I am shocked that you hold so much hope within you.”

“Yeah. You said that the first time.”

“My apologies, I know that I can be quite a handful and a bother. I should have told you earlier, but I did not mind if you just left me there. I know that I-”

“Please don’t make me drop you to prove a point.” The man sounded as though a cat was being strangled in his throat. The way his voice cracked and suddenly went high was a little startling to Komaeda. He hadn’t been thinking that his “hope” would also mean good will and charity.

Komaeda decided that it was in his best interest to not say a word now. Less for thinking that the man would get upset with him, but more of it was getting harder to see and he was starting to feel drained from the fight. He could attempt to use his magic, he supposed, to help out a little, but his luck already took most of that away. The shock of pain and the agony of his head easily forced magic to feel more nauseous and it was hard to call it forth. Knowing that he was later going to have to give a proper apology, he allowed himself to go limp in his savior’s arms.

It’d just be his luck if the man turned out to be more despair than hope.

                                                              X

A soothing scent of lavender and vanilla gently greeted his nose before the smell of cooking meat and a sound of sizzling graced his other senses. He could feel a heavy weight on his body and the feeling of silk against his skin. Komaeda’s eyes fluttered open and he was surprised to see himself in a room. It was clean of clutter. The curtains and windows were open to encourage a breeze to come through the room. The fresh air was a welcomed friend and he felt more energized and rejuvenated the day prior.

He noticed that someone had changed his clothes for him. A white linen shirt and pants were on him and he could feel tight bandages around his chest. Was he in a home of a traditional healer? He knew some magic users had a strict belief that magic should only be used when the situation was dire. If he was in the home of such people, well, that would explain why that man’s aura was so bright with hope!

The door opened and Komaeda felt a flush rise to his cheeks. The man in question was...beautiful. The aura hadn’t diminished in the slightest and if anything made him appear to be angelic. He had messy brown hair with a stubborn cowlick that looked like a hook. He was well built like someone who was a farmer or had to do a lot of physical labor. He dressed sharply with dark brown pants, a loosely fitted white inner tunic, and a deep green vest that was tied together by two belts. There was a sword that hung on his hip and a carrying pouch.

If anything, Komaeda could believe that this man was a traveler once himself. “Good, you’re awake. I thought you died, but Tsumiki told me that it was just from blood loss. She got upset with me that I didn’t carry any potions to help keep you from getting that way. Sorry.”

“No. My luck was that you were just in time to get me out of the situation.” Komaeda grinned.  “If anything I should be apologizing to you. Fainting on you like that had not been my intention.”

“Well...don’t think that’s your fault, but I’ll let you have this one. You’re a weird man, talking about luck like that.”

“Ah I am told that I am a bit strange.” Komaeda replied wistfully as he watched the man stride into the room. “So am I going to get the name of my savior or am I forever doomed to come up with a name for you myself?”

“Hinata. Hinata Hajime.” Hinata said.

His name reminded Komaeda of flowers that could endure a harsh winter and bloom strong and prettily in the summer. “Well, my name is Komaeda Nagito. It is wonderful to meet you.”

“Sorry that it had to be you almost dying.” Hinata said, and Komaeda laughed. “Tsumiki’s busy making breakfast, and she told me to tell you that even though your wounds are healed and she thinks you’re okay, she wants to keep an eye on you. I told her that you got punched in the face, and head injuries are no laughing matter. Even with detection spells and healing waves, an injury to the brain can appear miniscule only to be a serious matter later.”

“Ah I understand. So I am here for awhile.” Komaeda sighed, “Oh, what luck. Well, I suppose that means I get to enjoy the city for a little longer.”

“Enjoy? If anything, you should be planning a way to get out of here. You wouldn’t last long if you decide to stick around.” Hinata frowned.

“For someone with amazing hope, you certainly lack a lot of faith.” Komaeda mused.

Hinata stared at him for a moment. Komaeda wondered if he lost him. It would be a shame, but...not everyone understood. Sometimes Komaeda didn’t want them to try. “Who are you, Komaeda?”

“I am me.” Komaeda replied and he watched as Hinata’s expression twisted into one of frustration. It was almost cute, but Komaeda knew that if he wanted to survive, he was going to have ease up on the teasing. “Forgive me, I could not help that. I suppose you will have to be more specific on what you want to know, Hinata.”

Hinata pursed his lips together. “You talk about luck and hope a lot.”

“I do.” Komaeda agreed easily. “What about them?”

“Why do you hold them in such regard?”

“Ah. One is a curse I am afraid. Always bound to be a cycle of bad and good. What good will come, bad shall follow and what bad shall come, good shall follow. It has always been that way for me. My parents were firm in the belief that my curse was my blessing, but...well...I know a lie when I see one. They knew it was a curse too. My mother tried to steer clear away from me. Only talking to me when I was located in another room. My father could not bear the sight of me. It was a hard life, but...they had met their demise at the hands of a carriage accident during the night. The fires of the horseman’s torches caught them on fire. The horses and the horseman and the other couple inside the other carriage managed to escape. My parents were trapped inside and burned alive. A terrible ending, but on the good luck side, I came across an inheritance and I now am free to travel where I wish.”

Komaeda looked over to see that Hinata had grabbed a chair when he was talking and had pulled it to his bedside. His legs were crossed and he kept his posture open and inviting towards him. Despite the casual appearance, there was a conflict that was playing on Hinata’s face. If Komaeda didn’t know any better, he would say that Hinata was warring with the need to feel pity and the need to stomp that down as fast as he could as there was no need for it anymore.

What won apparently was another question. “What about the aura of hope?”

“Oh! Hope?!” Komaeda beamed brightly and he grinned as Hinata looked as though he was starting to regret asking. “Hope is...a shining future that is just waiting right outside the horizon, Hinata. It can bring so much joy and fruitation to a desperate situation. Hope is going to be the ending of the cloud of despair that lingers over our hearts and minds. Not to mention the physical entity of said cloud!”

“The Cloud of Despair?” Hinata echoed before something clicked. “Oh. You...are a traveler so I guess you wouldn’t really know huh?”

“Know?” Komaeda blinked.

“The Cloud of Despair isn’t going to appear here.” Hinata said and held his hand up before Komaeda could respond. “....Actually now that...I think about it…” He looked at Komaeda carefully. “You...look kind of familiar to me.”

“Really? I cannot imagine why. I have never seen you before.” Komaeda mused thoughtfully. “I would remember such a sparkling hope and you yourself if we had met.”

“Okay, besides my aura, there’s literally nothing special abou-” Hinata broke himself off. “Okay no, you’re right. It’s just not something I’d like to...address.”

“I understand, we all have our secrets. Though I must say, your eyes are very unique.” The jolt of surprise was amusing and Komaeda grinned at the small blush that was appearing on Hinata’s cheeks. Maybe it was a little rude to flirt with his savior, but he couldn’t help it. Hinata made it easy to tease.

Before they could continue the conversation, Tsumiki came in bearing a tray in her hands for a fine breakfast display. Her hope wasn’t as big or as bright as Hinata’s, but there was still a shining glimmar that made Komaeda excited. His luck definitely had turned from bad to good, and he knew to expect the downward swing at some point. She was a beautiful woman with a timid personality, just from the way she was so careful to set the tray down in front of him. Her hair was cut unevenly and she had such kind eyes. “I ho-hope you’re, um, you’re not over exerting yourself. You still nee-need to res-rest.” She told him firmly. “Yo-you could have, uh, have died if Hi-hinata-kun didn’t thi-think to come t-to me.”

“I am very grateful that Hinata even decided to burden himself with the likes of me to begin with, Tsumiki-san.” Komaeda agreed wholeheartedly. “Just as I am very grateful to you for giving me such fine food. I would have been happy with just a piece of bread.”

The horror that was painted on their expressions was a little alarming. Komaeda struggled to figure out what he said that was wrong. Hinata and Tsumiki exchanged a look and he watched as tears started to form at the edges of her eyes. His stomach plummeted a good few inches down his body, basking his veins in a ice cold wash.

“Pl-please don’t s-say that.” Tsumiki pleaded. “Yo-you are-aren’t a bur-burden. I-I kno-know that if yo-you are then I ce-certainly am one too.” Her voice cracked a little. “Yo-you need to eat.” She said firmly before leaving the room.

“Did I...say something wrong?” Komaeda asked, looking over at Hinata.

“I think it’s less that you said something wrong, and more like you believe it.” Hinata said after a moment. Komaeda wasn’t certain what Hinata was trying to say. “You have...an interesting way to look at the world Komaeda.”

Komaeda just grinned. “So I have been told.”

                                                              X

Underneath Tsumiki’s strict gaze and Hinata’s constant company, Komaeda healed incredibly well. There were no scars to showcase the incident, and his headaches were less than none. Of course, where there was good luck, bad luck was certain to follow. One night, with Hinata out of the room, Tsumiki checked him over one final time before clearing her throat. Komaeda gave her all of his attention. “I...don’t….know ho-how to tell you this but…” Tsumiki looked nervous. “It was proba-probably a good th-thing Hinata-kun ca-caught you whe-when he di-did.”

“Oh? I know that my luck can be good and bad, but pray tell why is this such a fortunate experience?” Komaeda questioned.

“Ther-there is a sickness tha-that is going th-through you right no-now. I th-though that my po-potions were defe-defective and I had to ask a frie-friend to te-test them. Your blood is attacking each other...attacking you.” Tsumiki clasped her hands together worriedly. “There is an a-abnormality in your bo-body that is….going to qui-quit functioning.”

“I see. So that was my bad luck.” Komaeda mused. “How long would you say I have to live?”

“I don’-don’t know.” Tsumiki admitted, tears starting to slip down her cheeks. Komaeda felt his own heart break in sympathy. It had to be so hard for her to give such bad news, but for her to stay firm with it….that was extremely hopeful. Maybe there was no cure, and Komaeda was going to live with a body that would be broken down, but...the hope she was shining through was enough for him to be satisfied. “Ye-years? Tw-two at the mo-most.”

Two years. Komaeda took a breath in and let it out slowly. Two years. Well, there was not time like the present to actually start making a bucket list, he believed. Besides, knowing his luck, he would outlive the two year diagnosis only to die maybe ten years later, or if misfortune was to befall him...he wouldn’t even see the next sunrise. “Do you know what might’ve caused it?”

“Al-all I can th-think of is you we-were in the mid-middle of the des-despair cloud.” Tsumiki fidgeted nervously with her hands, trying to gather her courage to tell him such an awful story. Komaeda couldn’t remember being anywhere near a despair cloud, but...if what she was said was true, then perhaps that was how it happened. “Hin-hinata-kun thinks so any-anyway. He’s cer-certain he sa-saw you there. I did-didn’t tell him yo-you we-were sick. I to-told him th-that you we-were exhi-exhibiting sym-symptoms of a ba-bad head injury. Wh-which is true!”

“Saw me there?” Komaeda echoed. “Did Hinata somehow defeat a despair cloud?”

“Th-that’s no-not my story.” Tsumiki immediately backpedaled and Komaeda didn’t press her for more information. This was truly a twist in the story that Komaeda didn’t see coming. How fascinating to hear that such a strong ray of hope had defeated, no was a part of a despair cloud! How intriguing! He was going to have to see if he could grab Hinata alone and badger him to lay the story to him. After all, Komaeda told him his stories. It was only fair for an even trade. “Pl-please do-don’t force Hina-hinata-kun to te-tell it. He st-still has nigh-nightmares.”

Komaeda blinked at the admission. “It is okay, Tsumiki-san. I will not hurt him. I promise. I will steer clear from the topic for as long as I possibly can. If he brings it up himself, I will not stop him.”

“Th-that is fair.” Tsumiki agreed, her shoulders finally relaxing from their tensed up state. “I sh-should let you get some rest.”

The conversation from that night was still fresh in his memory as Hinata walked with him through the city. Komaeda didn’t have any qualms telling Hinata of his limited time, and decided that if he was going to be a part of the city, it was best to start showing his gratitude. Which meant Tsumiki sending them on quests and chores. Some of it was relatively easy. With Komaeda’s luck and Hinata’s fast conversation, they were able to bargain for what they needed. Sometimes, luck was not on their side and they would have to go forge. Which unfortunately was today’s plan.

“It’s so weird.” Hinata grumbled as they walked, heading away from the bustling streets of different people trying to get to places. Komaeda could hear the haggling prices of the vendors and of the customers going back left to right. The city during the day was definitely more lively and colorful.

Unlike before when he first entered, Komaeda noticed that there were some flags that were hung on buildings that were pitch black with an intricate magic symbole dyed in red. He wasn’t sure if it was the city kids idea or not, but there was a hamster face in the middle of these circles that baffled and amused Komaeda endlessly. He didn’t have the heart to ask too many questions, as the knowledge wasn’t going to do him much good anyway. However, he had to turn his attention back to Hinata after realizing that he spoke. “Hm? What is weird?”

“That the town has run out of lavender. That’s one of the most common ingredients for healing magics and potions. I just can’t wrap my head around the shortage is all. I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to get out of the city and actually be away from people, but still. Just weird.” Hinata explained.

“Hinata has not told me much about himself, but you do not like the city much. Were you a country boy?” Komaeda asked curiously.

Hinata made a soft clicking noise. “No, I definitely lived in a city too. I guess when you’re...forced out into the wilderness, you begin to appreciate what nature can give.”

“I would never take you to be a druid in training.” Komaeda commented.

“Shut up. I’m not.”

“Oh? You spoke like a druid just now. These cities are ruining my nature and I do not appreciate it.” Komaeda mocked, causing Hinata to snort in laughter.

“Okay maybe I did sound a little bit like that, but you get it, don’t you? You travel.”

“Ah but I’m not one to go around preaching to people about nature versus society.” Komaeda teased. “I am not that confrontational.”

“No you’d be the type to know exactly what was happening, but let everyone else suffer because why not.” Hinata agreed.

“I am almost insulted.” Komaeda gripped his chest mockingly. How long has it been since he had freely been able to banter with another person? A deep pang in his heart reminded him that Hinata most likely belonged to Tsumiki. Getting his hopes up that he could be offered more was just...asinine. Not to mention the death that was slowly lingering behind his back now, would put a damper on all of their moments.

A bittersweet taste, if Komaeda was so keen to say it.

“Can’t be insulted by the truth though, Ko.”

But moments like these ones, Komaeda was eternally grateful for. “Perhaps it is my turn to ask you a question, if I may ask.”

Hinata raised an eyebrow at him before his attention was stolen. He waved to some of the guards as they headed towards the forked road. It would take them to the sun setting, so conversation would have to be easy. Tensed arguments made for poor travel companions, and Komaeda wanted to enjoy this journey as much as he possibly could. “Are you going to ask?” Hinata pressed.

“It is not my business, but I noticed that there is no ring on Tsumiki’s finger.” Komaeda said after a moment. “You are very close to her, and it just…”

“No. No. No. No. No.” Hinata immediately shot down, he didn’t speed up his pace thankfully nor was he throwing a fit about it. Komaeda was taken a little aback by the velmance that was in his tone. “Number one: Tsumiki-san is like my sister. I’ve known her for years and she’s been my friend since….” He trailed off. “Anyway, loving me would ruin her chances with the bard that sometimes comes by the city.”

“Oh, a summer romance! A fleeting love! No wonder her hope is always shining so brilliantly, I thought it was because of you!” Komaeda laughed, clapping his hands together. “How wonderful to hear that she has found something so grand!”

“......You are a lot more excited than I was.” Hinata admitted dryly.

“What was your reaction to her love if I may be so bold to ask?” Komaeda titled his head.

“That the bard probably has enough women climbing on top of her and that she probably only sees Tsumiki-san as a fling. Believe me, I ate those words almost immediately.” Hinata sighed. “But I thought it was a valid concern.”

“What is wrong with one night stands and loves that only last from the sun’s last rays to the dawn’s bright light?” Komaeda huffed softly. “I do not think you understand how romance works, Hinata.”

“I think I have a good idea how romance works. I just wouldn’t want it to last me a fucking I think I already got enough of those as is.” Hinata groaned. “People...like to think they want to know me and when they do...it’s never what they think.”

“I see. So you are the type with many broken loves. I am sorry to hear that. For your hope to be so bright, I had wondered.” Komaeda mused thoughtfully. “So if it is not a love life that makes you glow, what is your hope?”

“I don’t…” Hinata trailed off for a moment. “Komaeda, a question for you instead.”

“I do not mind.” Komaeda gestured lightly. “Go on and ask.”

“How are you able to see hope’s aura? Have you always been able to see it?” Hinata said slowly.

“Hmm.” Komaeda mused thoughtfully. There was a smell of rain that was lingering on the air, despite that there were no clouds that were rolling across the sky. The sun’s warmth that usually was hot and would redden skin was subdued, shrinking away from the earth as though winter was fast approaching. He wondered if someone was trying to do a weather spell. Usually it was inadvisable, when if it was a child who was just learning how magic worked well...a sudden downpour wouldn’t be too bad. Though a tornado would definitely be the worst outcome. “You know now that you mention it, I do not recall the first time.”

“Really?” Hinata blinked.

“No. I do not think I have always been able to see it. I know there was no hope around my mother or father.” Komaeda mused. “Hmm. I know that seeing it around people is rare. There are few people in this world that could actively claim that they are indeed part of hope. They can have hope, do not misunderstand me, but...to actively embody it? It tells a story. A story of a lot of agony, of great loss. Depression.”

Hinata looked away, and Komaeda noticed that there was a furrow that was pinched between his brows. His lips were grimly set in a thin line, and Komaeda kind of wished that he could take back his words, if only his companion would be more at ease.

“Hinata told me that we met before.” Komaeda said slowly. “And I told you once that you and I could not have. As I would have remembered an aura as bright as yours.”

“Yeah. I remember that conversation.”

“Tell me your memory?” Komaeda asked softly. “Share me your vision of me?”

“Version of you? What? Like you’re some type of dream?” Hinata grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled them both to a stop. He yanked so that Komaeda had no choice but to look at him. His different colored eyes blazing with the same type of defiance. “I knew you weren’t a dream.”

“Hahaha. I am truly sorry for upsetting you like that, Hinata.” Komaeda held his hands out in a kind surrender. He hadn’t meant to rile him up. Maybe this was what Tsumiki meant when she pleaded not to bring it up. “We can drop the-”

“I remember you in the Despair Cloud because you were the one that had that aura first.” Hinata immediately cut through. Komaeda felt his breath hitch and he lowered his hands slowly. “You were so torn between...you were called Servant at the time. I was called Izuru. I was considered to be the Despair Cloud’s only hope.”

“I do not-”

“You had a choice. I let you make it. It was a risk that I had to take but you were the only one that could make it. All of us who were in the Despair Cloud had done some terrible,

things and I told you once... I told you as Izuru that there was a chance for hope to shine. I told you to prove to me hope wasn’t boring.”

“I-”

“You pushed all of us out of the cloud. We all scattered like winds to different cities and countries. Slowly we started to band together again, a healing mess.” Hinata grabbed his hand. Komaeda felt as though the world had just been ripped from underneath him. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to answer this. “Some of us lost our memories of the time of the cloud. Some of us remember it so well we still can’t bring ourselves to talk about it. Some of us abandoned our magic in hopes that we’ll never be hunted. In hopes that we’ll never be sought out. The bard that I spoke of? She was one of us.”

“A bard? What could a ba-”

“She was one of our best ones. She could make music that forced people’s ears to bleed. She would mock them for not being able to handle her style. Paired with the dancer’s ability to hypnotize people into a trance and make them dance themselves to death, you had a hell of a duo. It was ironic that instead of falling for a dancer, the bard in question fell for a healer that used her magic as a warlock instead. She used to be covered in bandages, but now she’s able to walk around without feeling the taint.” Hinata continued.

Komaeda was entranced by the story that Hinata was weaving. All of it sounded so far out there, so false, that it was hard to keep a straight head around it. At the same time however, Komaeda could feel a scratching at the back of his brain, a seeping memory that begged to come through. A face marked with symbols that obscured his features along with a collar and a chain that went with it. Servant indeed.

He carefully dislodged his hand from Hinata’s cool grip. The wind picked up slightly and he could feel the cool breeze rush across his skin and play against his hair. He looked over at Hinata and saw the storm clouds rolling close towards them. The scent of rain was heavy on the sky and they had nowhere to take shelter.

He wondered if it was truly weather magic, or if something else was on the brink of happening. Meeting Hinata had been the best luck Komaeda could ever be given, but now he was hearing that not only had they met, they had met twice. Once in a form of a despair cloud.

“I wish I could say I remember.”

“I’m glad otherwise.” Hinata shook his head. “It means better memories. We should continue. We’re going to get rained on.”

“There is a way to make it so that the rain bounces off of you, Hinata.” Komaeda reminded.

“Remember how I said some of us abandoned our magic? I’m one of them.”

“You truly are a strange man. You think that magic can taint you?” Komaeda asked curiously.

“I don’t want to be trapped in another despair cloud.”

“Ah so you do not know how despair clouds work!” Komaeda laughed. “Well, it does not matter. Magic or not, your hope is as bright as the sun when it is high in the sky. I have no qualms that one day I will see you use your magic once again.”

Hinata shook his head fondly. “That may be a while.”

Komaeda thought about the time that he no longer had. He thought about Hinata and how they must have met before. He wanted those memories back but at the same time he wanted to be around that ever glowing up that was around him. “So then I suppose I stay until you do.” He decided after a moment.

“It can be a long time.”

Maybe luck would be his final irony. If the day Hinata shows his magic would be the day that he was to perish. It would be a nicer ending than the ones he was thinking of. “I believe I can wait.”

                                                           X

The rain starved off until they reached the way station just at the mouth of the forest. The thunder rolled across the sky, and the first drops fell into a downpour. The dirt path that led through the thicket was flooded. There was no feasible way for the two of them to try to climb out of the way station and continue on their journey; the mud alone would be a heavy hindrance to their legs. Despite the bad luck of rain, Komaeda and Hinata’s good luck was that someone had been wise enough to restock the station. While it was common courtesy to do so for travelers, Komaeda’s experience had led him to believe it was somewhat rare for someone to remind others that would come after.

The chill of the rain made Hinata huddle close to the fire, and instinctively draw himself closer to Komaeda. Not that Komaeda was complaining. He rested his head against Hinata’s, giving into the lullaby of the raindrops and the soft thunder that drummed above them. On impulse, and for whatever reason instinct, Komaeda brought his arm around Hinata’s shoulders and tugged him a little closer, trying to provide more warmth to him and in the fire.

“You said I didn’t know how the despair cloud works.” Hinata murmured after a while, breaking the silence of the waystation. The cackling of the fireplace echoed the statement. Hinata threw another twig half-heartedly into the fire. The flames caught to the end, swallowing the offering as though hungry for more.

Komaeda stared at the flames for a moment. “A despair cloud,” Komaeda said after a moment, rubbing gentle circles on Hajime’s shoulder, “is not about tainting your magic, Hinata.” The long pause was broken by another drum of thunder. “It is about what you fear inside your soul, and having it push out to the surface. Magic has nothing to do with the despair cloud. You can be the most-”

“Ordinary person in the world.” Hinata agreed. “But you can get your magic from the despair cloud.”

“Oh, now that I was not sure of. I never heard of anyone getting their magic from a despair cloud.” Komaeda mused. “So that is the actual reason why you don’t use it. It was a gift given to you from despair. Oh, but look at how much of a hopeful aura you have! I will not pressure you to use your magic if you do not want to, Hinata. But you have to admit, you have something amazing.”

“No I...am aware. Tsumiki wants to heal and so she’ll use her magic to heal. Mioda wants to play her music and Saijoni wants to dance. Who am I to tell them to stop?” Hinata shook his head. “Their powers were all enhanced by the despair cloud. We can only strive to make sure that it doesn’t...ruin us.”

“Hmm.”

“Servant though, you….” Hinata trailed off. “You told me it was luck.” He looked at Komaeda. “Is your luck magic based?”

“I never understood it.” Komaeda tried not to shrug so that he didn’t disturb Hinata too much. “I just know it is a blessing and a curse. How...close were you to Servant?”

“Why do you ask?”

Komaeda wasn’t sure how to respond to that. The orange and red glow of the fireplace casted a familiar facade on Hinata’s face. If he had longer hair, Komaeda was certain he would be able to determine for sure if his memory was false or accurate. For now, the rain continued to try to lure them into a slumber, and the entrance to the waystation was pitched black as a cave. “Because I feel as though you miss him.”

“I’d rather miss you.” Hinata shrugged. “I know that we only spoke when you were in bed and you were probably dying to go outside, and I also know that first meeting...that was a terrible introduction but...I want to miss you.” He paused. “I know why you’re sick. Everyone in the despair cloud didn’t just get gifted with magic or enhanced with magic. Everyone carries some sort of scar from it.”

“I see.” Komaeda murmured. “Then, pray tell, what is your curse?”

“....I’m literally two people, Komaeda, in one body. I’m both Izuru.” He slowly got up from his shoulder, and Komaeda found himself missing the warmth and the comfort. Hinata turned to face him, covering his green eye. The red alone was enough to send shivers down Komaeda’s spine, and remind him that it was cold outside. The rain’s soft mist that gently managed to carry itself into the shelter was enough of a reminder. “I’m also Hinata Hajime.” He covered the red eye and the green reminded him of the rolling hills that lead to home. “Izuru remembers you. I know we never met.”

“So that is why you have the memory that I do not.” Komaeda mused thoughtfully. “I do not think Izuru had much of an opinion of me.”

“He thinks everything’s a bore, yes.” Hinata said, not at all afraid to shame his other side. Komaeda watched as Hinata brought himself close. “But I have an opinion of you. I think you think too lowly of yourself.”

“Hahah. Oh, you are certainly going to hate me then if you decide for some reason I am your chosen one.” Komaeda snorted.

“Not understand you, maybe.” Hinata corrected. “But I don't think you could get me to hate you Komaeda. Not when I’ve massacred a good amount of towns in the name of despair, and had you by my side watching it.”

“And now you wish for me to watch by your side for hope.” Komaeda mused. “Despite that, I myself may not live that long.”

“Or you could.” Hinata shrugged.

“Or I could.” Komaeda agreed after a moment, remembering that he thought of seeing Hinata’s magic, and how it would be ironic if it was the last thing in his sights. It sounded about right. “My luck is a curse, Hinata. It can bring you harm.”

“My magic wouldn’t let me die because of it.” Hinata shook his head. “I know that’s hard to believe, but the truth is the truth. I’m not going to force you though, Komaeda. I know I’m asking a lot of you after just a week or two knowing you. Even if nothing of it comes from it, I like us to remain friends.”

“Friends first.” Komaeda agreed. “If you can handle my luck and all of the ups and the downs that come with it, then we may talk about standing by each other’s side. Closer than that. Though, in my honesty, Hinata, you make it hard for me to be rational and say no.”

“Impulses suck.” Hinata shrugged and Komaeda laughed softly. “Let’s do something in the city that doesn’t require you to get stabbed and talk more. Maybe Mioda would be there and you can hear her sing.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea. First, however, the lavender.”

“....Yeah Tsumiki would slaughter me if I forgot.”

Komaeda’s laugh echoed with the rain.

Of Tater Tots and Tiny Tots

(Eddie/Venom) Symbrock x Reader

Summary: Venom and Eddie can't wait for their sweetling to give birth to their baby, and they take pride in caring for both you and their little one as you're due any day now.

Rating: Mature, as there is a birth scene mentioned.

Word Count: 2275

“Good morning sweetling,” you heard the familiar soft growl say as you open your eyes.

“Morning Venom,” you smiled before you turned over slowly in the bed.

“Oh hey, morning sweetheart,” Eddie spoke up suddenly, rubbing his eyes sleepily; he leaned over and kissed you on the lips softly, making you smile.

You placed your hand on his cheek and pulled him closer, he moved himself over you and hovered a slight distance away so as not to squish you, you felt a small movement from your stomach and grinned.

You pulled away and looked down to your stomach, “Boys, the baby is kicking again,”

Eddie eagerly placed his hand to your belly and rubbed his thumb gently over the area where he could see the baby kicking, Venom was quick to extend himself out from Eddie’s hand and he spread himself across your belly, and settled himself around it as if to protect it like an egg.

“Good morning to you too little one,” he chuckled in delight.

“Our little one is very strong, we can feel it,” Venom practically purred.

“Are we amusing you sweetling?” Venom’s form across your stomach extended out to form a smaller version of his head.

 You smiled at the pair in front of you, seeing how excited they were to be fathers made your heart feel all warm and fuzzy, they both felt you staring and turned their attention back to you.

“Very much,” you propped yourself on your elbows before moving yourself to sit upright on the bed, your stomach grumbled and your cheeks turned pink. “So, uh, what’s for breakfast?”

“Anything you want Y/N, whatever you’re craving, we’re cooking,” Eddie smiled lopsidedly in that way that you loved, and your mind instantly told you that something sweet and unhealthy was on the menu today seeing as how you had managed to stay on your diet for some time.

“Tater tots and chocolate sounds pretty good right about now,”

 When you had first heard from Eddie that this was Venom’s favourite treat you were initially disgusted at the notion, but as soon as your pregnancy really kicked in then you had scoffed them down without regret.

“Of course I do, I have you boys don’t I?” you grinned and Eddie chuckled before getting up from the bed.

 “Our sweetling has good taste,” Venom grinned making you laugh, you felt another kick run through you and then you rubbed your belly where Venom gave you room to, he curled around your belly and then your hand making a deep purring sound all the while.

“C’mon V, Y/N’s breakfast isn’t going to make itself,”

“Just one more minute, please?” he pleaded.

“Fine,” Eddie sighed and stood near the edge of the bed.

“When is our little one due?”

“Any day now,” you patted your belly and felt a responding kick, “But the doctor said if nothing happens in the next two weeks he’ll have to induce the labour process,” you scrunched your nose at the thought.

“V, c’mon, let Y/N rest for a bit,” Eddie tugged at the tendril that extended from him.

As much as you were excited about being a mother you were still annoyed by the fact that for a few months now, you couldn’t see your own feet, your stomach swelled out so much and if it weren’t for that then it would have been your bust blocking your view.

                         After some time passed and a good few cursing and clanging sounds later, you decided that you needed to go help them, you swivelled your feet over to the edge and pushed yourself up slowly and stood up.

Not that any of this bothered Eddie or Venom, in fact they’d been even hornier since you discovered your pregnancy all those months ago, you often had to slap a roaming tendril or finger away for the first few months, other times you caught them staring at your belly, or watched you as you waddled around the apartment.

You waddled to the kitchen without having to pause once, somewhat of an achievement for you, and coughed from the smoke that filled the room. You waved your hand in front of your face in an attempt to clear the air around you.

Eddie turned to you and immediately glared at the little black head hovering above his shoulder, “Venom insisted he could do it himself this time,” the symbiote grinned, in what you assumed was meant to be in a sheepish manner, though it didn’t show through his sharp teeth.

 “What the hell is going on here guys?”

Eddie managed to place the pan of tater tots on the stove top and threw the kitchen glove to the side, sighing as he looked down at the charcoal like treats, before returning his attention back to you.

“Sorry Y/N that was the last box, unless you’re willing to wait for us to get some more?” he asked with soft eyes as he walked over to you and cupped your stomach in his hands, rubbing the sides gently, in the way that made your heart melt.

“I can wait,” you smiled, until a sharp kick and a popping sensation happened all too quickly inside, you felt a little liquid trickle down your thighs and you looked to Eddie with concern, “I don’t think the baby can wait though,”

He chuckled, “Why, did your water break?” then the information registered in his head, “Oh my God - your water broke!” he put his hands on his face.

“Water breaking? I don’t understand, why do we not just call a plumber?”

You chuckled and gently patted the symbiote’s head, “No silly, it means that the baby is coming,”

“Then why are we still standing here? We must take you to the hospital,” he cocked his head before his form disappeared back into Eddie, then Eddie’s arms unwillingly moved to your backside and under your knees to scoop you into his arms.

 Instantly Venom left Eddie to reach his full form, being attached only by a tiny tendril, his large hands cupping around your belly tenderly.

“Easy there big guy,” you laughed and patted Eddie’s chest, “I don’t have to go anywhere until my contractions are at least five minutes apart,”

“Contractions?” Eddie’s head cocked to the side now.

“Did you even try to pay attention at the birthing classes V?” you asked.

“No,” he admitted.

You shook your head and smiled, “Can you put me down now?” you asked, he obliged and you wobbled slightly, their arm moving protectively around you. “All we can do is wait for now.”

They let out a deep sigh, “It’s going to be forever,” you smiled sweetly and sat on the couch, patting the space next to you for them to join.

                                                          * * *

A sharp pain moved from your lower back all the way up your spine and you closed your eyes and cried out, trying to focus on the breathing techniques you learned from the classes, you cursed under your breath about how stupid they were for not being much help with the pain.

 You were still seated on the couch, now hunched over your huge belly, breathing through yet another contraction. They still weren’t close enough, and this made them anxious. They were pacing around the apartment as you waited for another contraction, each time you moaned from a contraction they snapped back to reality and kneeled to your side, rubbing your back soothingly.

“Sweetling, we must take you to a hospital-” Venom insisted.

“And I keep telling you that the hospital is only going to take me in once my contractions are five minutes apa- AHH,” you clutched at your belly, “Fuck, shit, fuck,” those were the only words you could remember to say out loud in the moment.

They cocked their head and stared at you, “That was only two minutes,” you gave them a look before another shockwave of pain rushed through you.

“Oh shit- shit!” you yelled out again, “I think the- I think the baby is coming, now,” you looked to them with wide eyes.

“Our little one’s head is definitely pointed downwards, and they are kicking violently,”

 They kneeled in front of you and cupped your stomach, Venom’s tendrils moving over it, he stayed this way for a while before he retracted himself.

“Yeah, no shit,” you say as you struggle to take in deep breaths, then it dawns on you that the baby is coming now, and that you needed to guide them through the birth. “Boys, I need you to listen to everything I have to say alright? It’s important,”

“Of course,” Eddie nodded, still kneeled by your stomach.

You were utterly uncomfortable as they examined between your legs, trying to get an idea of how far the baby was along, you didn’t wish for either of them to see you so vulnerable, nor did you wish for them to see you give birth like an animal in front of them. But you had no other options, as an ambulance would take too long and a taxi cab would never dream of picking you up to take you to a hospital in your state.

 You quickly listed the things that you needed, and then he disappeared from the room while you tried to breathe through yet another searing contraction, and within minutes he was back and scooping you into his arms, before taking you to the bedroom and lying you down on the soft mattress, he removed your pyjama pants and underwear before gently spreading your legs.

“Oh God, that means I have to start pushing,” you propped yourself onto your elbows and immediately they sat on their knees next to you and touched your shoulder softly, it was meant to comfort you but you still looked at them worriedly. “I-I don’t know if I can do this,”

              “We can see the top of a head,” they informed you.

The fear suddenly hits you- what if you’re not strong enough to push the baby or what if the baby unexpectedly got stuck? You weren’t anywhere near a hospital and neither Eddie nor Venom knew what they were doing, scratch that, none of you knew what you were doing. You were going on a limb from the vague details you remembered from your birthing classes and hoping that everything would turn out okay.

I should have just gone to the hospital when Venom told me to, you thought irritably.

“Hey, hey it’s alright Y/N, just breathe,” Eddie’s voice came out clearer to you, bringing you back to the present moment, you only looked up to him and nodded quickly.

You took a few deep breaths before the next contraction came in, Venom curled himself around your belly which comforted you somewhat and Eddie grabbed your hand and let you squeeze it tightly, you closed your eyes and focused all your energy on pushing the baby out.

                                                         * * *

“Are you comfortable sweetling?” the soft rumble drew your attention away from Eddie, you could only manage a nod in response. “You must rest sweetling, Eddie is taking good care of our little one, do not worry,”

 Within the next hour you had managed to push out the baby, you breathed rather shakily while Eddie cleaned the baby, Venom’s form draped itself around you and you felt soothed, he gently tugged you backwards so that you rested against some pillows in an upright position.

“I know, I know,” you mumbled, half closing your eyes as you returned your gaze back to Eddie, the baby was still crying loudly and had it not been for your body feeling so exhausted and Venom holding you down you would’ve jumped out to comfort them.

“It’s okay see, here’s mama, don’t cry,” your eyes opened wide when you realised Eddie was bringing the small bundle to you, you eagerly reached out your arms as he placed the baby slowly down, your arms instinctively curling protectively around them.

Eddie couldn’t contain himself, his smile was as big as Venom’s as he sat down next to you and wrapped his arms around you to hold you, he nuzzled his face next to yours and spoke softly, “Isn’t she just gorgeous?”

“She?” you looked to Eddie and he nodded eagerly, “You are so gorgeous,” you gently stroked a finger on the side of her little cheek and she squirmed at the touch. “You’re just the most beautiful baby girl in the world,”

“Our little one takes after her mother,” Venom agreed, his tendrils moving to rest on your arms, his head hovering on the opposite side like Eddie’s.

“I could just eat you up,” you gushed at the baby.

“Eat? Why would we eat something so beautiful?” Venom asked worriedly, “Our little one is perfect we can’t-”

“V- V, calm down man, it’s just an expression,”

“Oh, I see,” he didn’t seem very impressed, “Well it’s not a very nice one, very misleading,”

“I love you boys so much, you know that?” you smiled at them with watery eyes.

 You laughed, shaking your head slightly, knowing the two beings you loved were by your side as you held your baby that you had made and brought into this world, and you knew things could only get better for you all.

“We love you too sweetling,” they purred, you leaned back into Eddie’s arms, your daughter already dozing peacefully safely in the three pairs of arms holding her. You smiled at her, your heart feeling so full that it might explode, before closing your eyes and letting the tiredness you were feeling take over.

_________

Plot: When Thomas is feeling a little ‘amorous’, the sides do too. 

Ship: predominantly logicality

Warnings: nsfw (18+ only)

They were supposed to be watching movies. But as though in sync, the four of them jumped a little at the warm feeling in unison, eyes glued to the TV screen in avid hope that what they thought was happening, was not happening. It wasn’t the first time it had happened but somehow over the past decade or so of Thomas’ life they had managed to avoid the catastrophe of it occurring whilst they were all in the same room together. 

Logan tugs his knees up to his chest, resting his head on his hand, the least affected it seemed by the situation, whilst Virgil was hugging his blanket to his chest with red cheeks and an anxious expression, glancing at the other sides. Patton had audibly sighed, squirming slightly with a mutter of “Not this again,” the least bothered by the fact it had happened whilst in the company of the others. Roman’s cheeks were as red as his crimson pajamas, bringing his knees to his chest with a little squeak. 

Patton scratched the back of his head as he looked over at the other three, being the least embarrassed it was easy for him to ask the question “Are all of you feeling that?” He blinks through wide and innocent eyes behind his casual wide-rimmed glasses, pushing them up the bridge of his nose. Logan mutters a ‘yes’ because either way, he couldn’t really care less, it’ll go away eventually. Roman buries his face in his knees with a small squeak and Virgil shakes his head rapidly. 

Patton doesn’t really understand why two out of the three others look so red-faced and embarrassed and glances at Logan whose eyes are glued to the screen. But, from here, Patton can see a slight reddening of his cheeks once he realizes there’s gaze on him. “It will go away when Thomas reaches his...”

“And that’s enough out of you,” Roman mutters, fidgeting “I don’t want to think about it, and I don’t want to know,” Logan nods in response. The moral facet still, however, is trying to understand why this is so embarrassing to the silent Virgil and bright red Roman. 

“Why is this so...awkward for you?” He finally asks, his innocence shining through as well as his inability to comprehend boundaries. Immediately he goes into worry mode when he sees other’s are uncomfortable “Would you like to leave? Should we all leave? Is there a protocol for this?” His gaze drifts absentmindedly as he wonders if there is, indeed, some sort of protocol for this.

“They’re embarrassed because socially speaking, it is uncomfortable to be aroused when in the presence or company of friends, likely because of the insinuation, which is interesting and strange because these effects can occur even when one is not...aroused, so...”

“Logan, shut up,” Virgil mutters, his gaze glaring from the logical facet’s blank expression, and then softens when he looks at Patton “We should probably just leave and...take care of it,” He muttered, his fight or flight reflexes begging him to run far away from this situation. 

“Agreed,” the princely facet adds, in a rare declaration of agreeing with the anxious side. Virgil hugs the blanket to his chest as he scurries to his room, Roman heading towards his own. Logan and Patton are left alone, blinking at each other. Patton opens his mouth and then closing it again, worried he’s going to say something wrong, but up until this point, Logan seemed to be the only one who didn’t care about his questions. 

“I’m a little confused,” Patton’s face scrunches slightly, eyebrows furrowed as he tries to make sense of everything. “Usually Thomas has a partner, and we tend to just avert our gaze on the matter, but I don’t really understand why, if there’s only us here then how come we never take care of each other? Is there some rule I’ve missed?” 

Logan’s lip quirks a little, stretching his legs slightly, Patton’s eyes catch the bulge there and he tilts his head slightly before his eyes go back to Logan’s face. “Admittedly, I am possibly the last person you should consult on societal issues, they tend to be founded in emotional reasoning and not always are logical, but generally humans perceive sexual intimacy as something to be shared with a select few, not necessarily a romantic partner, but someone who you won’t feel uncomfortable with afterward,” Patton bites his bottom lip as he digests this, before nodding “So it’s possible that Roman and Virgil simply don’t feel comfortable sharing that kind of intimacy with anyone else, they prefer to do it alone and that's perfectly normal, in fact, there are many people that prefer to never have a sexual partner,” 

“Sometimes I wonder what it’s like, it gets tiring having to do it by myself sometimes, and Thomas gets to go out and find someone and I...don't,” Logan blinks, his turn to be confused, he hadn’t actually thought about this previously, he hadn’t cared. But Patton enjoys caring for people and having people care for him, sexual intimacy would not be any different. 

“If you would like, I have no aversion to giving this particular experiment a try,” Logan gives a small smile and Patton’s face lights up. “It couldn’t do any harm, I’m sure, if it’s consensual and okay with you, too that is,”

“Oh, please! I’d finally get to know what it feels like,” Patton doesn’t know what to expect really, but he shuffles down the couch to Logan, the skin of their arms brushing against each other tensely. He’s seen movies, he knows somewhat how this is supposed to go, although he knows very little about how it’s supposed to go for two men. But he leans to capture Logan’s lips in his own, the feeling so alien to him, but he likes the way the other’s lips taste; the bitterness of coffee running over something sweeter, like jelly.

The moral side clambers a little clumsily into Logan’s lap, a quiet giggle on his lips brushing lightly between them. He feels the logical side smile just a little at this, his hands resting on the hips of the elder. Warmth spreads between them both at the feeling, physically and mentally, but their biology was demanding more before they even started so Logan pulls Patton closer and shifts his hips against the other man’s ass. 

The quiet gasp that escapes the elder at this is almost stolen by the silence but it’s enough to have Logan grinding up against him again, the little noise sending shockwaves of heat through his body. Patton whines this time, pushing down against him to feel the hard outline of the other’s cock, he can’t tell why it feels so good but he does know that it makes the muscles in his abdomen tense. 

Logan’s hand wanders, not wanting to keep Patton waiting as he squeezes the elder’s cock through his pants gently, moving his hand to give the other the friction he desires; the noises that are elicited due to this are something unholy and they have Logan’s pants tightening further. He’s not the sort of man to react as his biology tells him too, but he’s also never heard a noise like that in his life so today is a day for firsts. 

Pushing the innocent man down onto the couch, Logan grinds his hips down against Patton’s, listening to the untethered sounds of a man experiencing pleasure at the hands of another for the first time, and being unabashed about it. as Logan looks up, he can see flushed and freckled cheeks, hair splayed out and glasses askew, feeling the other push up against him, hands gripping his shirt as if silently begging for more. 

And it just would not be logical to keep him waiting. 

Logan’s quick and deft fingers unbuckle Patton’s belt, sliding it off and unbuttoning his pants before he’s pushing them down his waist. He’d never done this to someone else before but he was also no stranger to the world of porn because he harvested half the world’s knowledge on sexuality before Thomas had even worked out he was gay. 

He wraps his mouth around the tip, hearing the high pitched and breathless whine, fingers playing with his hair gently but urging him to continue at the same time. He recalled the information he’d learned on the matter, tucking his teeth behind his lips before he takes Patton down his throat, moving in a slow rhythm. 

Patton gasps and whines, before settling down a little, adjusting the hot wetness of Logan’s mouth, hands carding through the browns strands of hair belonging to the man between his legs. The moral side can note every sensation even though he’ll forget later; the warmth, the feeling of Logan’s tongue moving and darting against the head, the squeeze of fingertips where his mouth can’t reach. It’s overwhelming and wonderful, it takes less time than it takes him alone before his grip is tightening, his loud moans and whimpers and begs to Logan not to stop echoing around the room. 

Logan swallows, wincing slightly at the salty taste. Patton looks completely wrecked underneath him, a blissful and tired smile on his lips. “Would you like me too...” He reaches out, hand brushing up against Logan’s inner thigh. The feeling has the logical facet shivering just slightly. 

There’s a little worry at the back of his head, however; he doesn't want Patton, someone invested in emotions, to become attached to the idea of having a partner, or at least, him as a partner. Sex is only logical to him when it doesn’t involve emotions, and Logan worries there might be a conflict of interest. 

Then Patton’s curious hand is squeezing his cock and his head falls back, a gentle gasp ripping from his throat. He allows himself to fall back, Patton moving between his legs, careful with untucking his shirt and unbuckling his belt. It’s sweet, the care that he demonstrates, so sweet that Logan isn’t sure how he feels about it. He doesn’t have long to think about it however because soon Patton’s slightly clumsy but gentle hand is wrapping around his cock, stroking with a firm grip and steady pace. The way Morality looks at him is something that elicits a warmth in his chest, careful, calculating, making sure Logan is okay. 

He cares. 

Of course he cares, it’s Patton, but the look is something that no textbook could prepare him for. Deciding to ponder this later as warmth coils in his abdomen, he focuses on Patton’s touch, on the sparks in his nerves, until he’s shifting his hips into the other’s grasp, moans tumbling over his lips with quiet curses. 

And Patton watches with something else in his emotions now. Used to seeing Logan so calm and well put together, calculated articulate. It was hard to believe the man he’s watching right now is the same person. Head tilted back, a sheen of sweat on his face as his eyes screwed shut and lips gasp out Patton’s name, he’s shaking. It’s heavenly to watch. To know that he did that to Logan. 

The moral facet conjures some tissues to clean off his hand, but Logan’s shirt is something that’s probably not getting salvaged. “That was fun!” Patton grins as he sorted out his clothes, the logical side does the same with a small smile on his face. 

“Yes, I do suppose it was,”

Even when Thomas isn't feeling so amorous, the two invest in this as a sort of stress-relief hobby. But it’ll be a while until Logan mentions that there may be more than sex in it for them both.