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hirsheyskisses · 8 months

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It Takes Two. (Prologue)

A Shocking Meet

RORONOA ZORO X READER

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Pirates.

They rule the seas, they claim the lands. The elders speak of ruthless men who take what does not belong, of women so cunning and sly they'd take all of your worth right from under your nose.

The mothers spoke of the Captains, who'd hang children and throw them to the seas, who'd slaughter your siblings and take it all away.

The children played games of Marine and Pirate, further settling the idea of what a pirate was.

Scum of the earth, scum of the sea. Some were even rejected by the sea: they'd eaten these magical fruits known as the Devil fruits. 'They have the eyes of monsters.. they have the power of the devil himself. Once you've eaten a devil fruit, there is no sea that will accept you.

So why? Why had you never seen one? Sure, it was unlikely they'd ever find this place, as even a Logue Pose could never lock onto it: this small mass of land was barely more than a hunk of beautiful rock. But surely, there'd be tales of pirates somewhere?

"So this is where you ran off to!"

Your head turned just a bit, smiling at the sight of him. A tall, snow white haired boy stood behind you with a smirk resting on his features.

"Shouldn't have been that hard to find me," you shot back, standing and moving away from the cliffs edge. The sound of the water crashing against the rocks was lulling: you and Killian both knew it.

"So sue me! You switch where you act all deep and wise every other day-"

Killian bumped his shoulder against yours. You raised your hands in defense, grinning. Your thoughts lay forgotten, "act? You forget, I aced the flying tests long before you did!"

"Flying has nothing to do with brains, Featherhead!"

"Oh really? I dare you to recite from memory the proper movements for a barrel twist."

Contrary to popular belief, there were many different forms of a barrel. Sure, the roll itself would always be a tuck and turn, but a twist was erratic. You had to know where and when to pull out and back into it, how fast to do it and how to launch an attack. It was, after all, an offensive maneuver.

"I'll take your silence as an answer, Kill."

"What difference does it make if I can't describe it? I can still do it!"

He glowered, and you couldn't resist a chuckle. "Because we'll have to teach the kids one day. Duh."

"Whatever. I'd make a way better teacher!"

"I'll leave you in the dust!"

"...the usual?"

Your banter quickly turned into the usual: a race. You'd known Killian for as long as you could remember. Both of you being born to a race of halfbreeds - taking on the features of a feathery, winged, tailed beast. There were a few of them on the island: the elders called you Viserons. Long ago, they were known for their speed, being the fastest amongst the dragons. Somewhere along the lines, a devil fruit had come into the picture - Elder Kisu had called it the human human fruit, and thus came fourth the humanoid Viserons.

"Let's go!"

3.. 2.. 1!

Wings flared into the air and a quick snap, both of you dove off the island peak. The wind whipped through your hair as you dove straight for the ocean water, snapping them open the second before you hit it and, with powerful thrusts, came height.

"A second later and you'd be a wet bird!"

Killian came to your side. His wings tips came to touch yours. They were such a beautiful snow white. Your tail curled inwards,

"We'll see who's a wet bird!"

The tufts of feathers in your hair pricked forward, and you continued to gain altitude, Killian hot on your heels. "Going higher won't help you, slowpoke!"

"Oh yeah? Remember that barrel twist?"

The clouds weren't even close to the limit. Breaking the cloud barrier in a puff of white wisp, and then you let your body fall.

Any mind to Killian was lost: falling, falling, falling. It was such a freeing feeling. Tucking your wings in you fell faster. The calculated wing beats not far above you told you Killian was gaining, but that wasn't important, now was it? The wind whipped through your hair, chilled your skin in such a delightful manner: now! Wings snapping open, you caught yourself, right wing extended slightly farther to ensure the real twist. A grin spread upon your features as your body began to even out with the horizon, your other wing snapping out to catch yourself.

"I'm not done yet!"

In a flash of black and white, Killian whizzed past you. A hand was on his hat to ensure it didn't go flying, and the chase was on.

You weren't sure how much time had passed. Could've been hours, could've been mere less than. Usually, the two of you would've turned back by now, but the wind had felt so good to chase away the lingering thought of what truly is a pirate? Your birth island, Shigan, was nowhere in sight. Which was fine- being a Viseron had more perks than just wings - your bodies were drawn to masses of land, and while judging of distance may not always be accurate, the strongest gut feeling was usually the closest island.

Nothing but endless blue water and cloudy gray skies was in your sight.

That was when you realized: where's Killian?

Slowing to a stop, you came to realize: he was nowhere in sight.

"Kill?"

You called out. Now that you'd stopped, you realized one thing. The gray clouds were no longer gray. They were a horrifying dark black. Each powerful pump of your wings was getting met with resistance by the growing wind, the air carrying the scent of rain and the tingle of possible lightning.

"KILLIAN!"

You shouted, head craning as you began to lose altitude. Had he turned back? Had one of you flown so far and lost sight of the other?

No time to worry about that. If Killian was ahead of you, he'd already be in the head of it. If he was behind you, he'd have long seen this so sudden storm.

"Crap.. I can't feel.. any land nearby." You cursed, the wind pushing you off balance. Head for the eye of the storm.

"Got no choice! You've got this!"

As you dove, your body was quickly growing soaked. Thunder roared in your ears, lightning flashed before your eyes.

Dive, twist, rise, dodge. Don't fight the wind, flow with it. Don't become a bigger target than necessary.

Dive away from the strikes of lightning, twist with the wind, rise from the giant waves. There wasn't a moment of peace as you fought against the roaring storm: one wrong move, and you'd be in the sea. It was bad enough trying to fly, with your feathers slowly but surely soaking through.

There was no end to the storm. Your clothes has long since been Soaked through, you couldn't see through the endless torrent of falling water, and to make matters worse, your skin began to tingle.

Well, shit.

You didn't even have time to truly feel the dread before a blinding flash of light sent you tumbling towards the unwelcoming sea.

"She's got wings! How cool!"

"Look at the tail, it's so long."

"She's drenched is what she is."

"I wanna touch her wingsss!"

"Back off, Luffy!"

"Give me some space, please! She's probably suffering from hypothermia.. need to see if there's any other injuries.. sanji! Can you go get some extra blankets? We need to warm her up."

"On it! Oh what a beauty she is.."

I can't recognize those voices. God, am I even awake? I can't feel my body right now.. what happened? I need to.. open my eyes..

It didn't take long for the true unconsciousness to take you once more.

. . .

"Gah.. my head.."

You groaned, hoisting yourself out of bed and rubbing the back of your neck. Shitty didn't even begin to describe how you felt: what happened? Why did it smell so weird in your room, more importantly?

"So you're awake. 'Bout time."

Turning your head, you were met with the intense gaze of a green haired man.

..green hair. Not white hair.

"...WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

It wasn't a face you recognized. In a split second you'd grabbed the pillow and threw it at the strange man's face, wings snapping open as you launched yourself at him.

"woah- HEY RELAX-"

A strong hand grabbed your arm and shoved you against the wall, and you winced in pain, but not hindering your knee to his groin.

Heh.

The man's eye twitched and you could almost see him questioning his very existence, though his grip never wavered. That was fine, you decided, as you clenched your teeth , fangs glinting,

"I'd suggest letting go. I bite."

"Why you little shit-"

"Zoro! Are you manhandling the patient?"

This time, a feminine voice spoke. The man released your wrist and backed away quickly: grumbling something about she attacked first before retreating back to his seat.

"I dunno where I am, but don't think I'll go easy on you! Where's Killian?!"

Your voice was rough, and the female came into view: a rather beautiful young woman with bright orange hair.

"Relax! We're not holding you hostage- we found you drifting on some planks during the storm. You're lucky, aren't you?"

Storm? Right. I remember that..

Your eyes narrowed and you sidestepped to keep both newcomers in your vision, feeling rather trapped. Getting a closer look at the room you were in, it was easy to recognize it as an infirmary. Nursing sheets, medicines, bandages- oh, hey, there's bandages on my head. Didn't even notice until now.

"...I mightve gotten struck be lightning. Or been too close to the strike."

You replied slowly, tail curling around your leg. "That doesn't explain to me who you are, where I am, or why you saved me."

"Of course, where are my manners? I'm Nami, and the brute over there is Zoro. He might be a little scary looking, but he's really just a big idiot."

"Brute? She's the only brute! She kicked me in my nuts!"

You watched Nami inhale a breath, cast a glance at you, and offer the most amused smirk she could. For what its worth, now that you were awake, you felt a little bad. But apologies would have to wait until after you figured out their intentions.

"Of course she did! Waking up to the sight of a strange man can do that. Anyways. You're on our pirate ship, the Going Merry and-"

"..PIRATE SHIP?! YOU'RE PIRATES?!"

You intervened, instantly backing yourself into the wall. Your wings flared open instinctively, feathers Puffing up as you reached for the nearest thing you could throw at them. Currently, said object was a spoon.

"Woah, hey! We're not brutes - well, Zoro is one of the exceptions but- you can calm down. If we were gonna hurt you, wouldn't we have done it already?"

You were completely aware of how fast Zoro had stood and moved closer, and you eyed him warily. She has a point, though.. and you got a strange feeling that if he really viewed you as a threat, you wouldn't have gotten away.

"Hey! What's the commotion abou- GUYS SHES AWAKE!"

This time you were met with a man with a long nose, the door having been thrown open. In an instant, a man with a straw hat and a-

A tiny deer?

"She's awake! She woke up even sooner than you said she would, Chopper!"

The straw hat person practically bounced over to you, and you withdrew quickly.

"HI there! Your wings are so cool! Can I touch them?!"

You pressed yourself further against the wall, wings tucking in protectively. "Touch them, and you're a goner." You threatened, feeling the swordsman- Zoro, Nami said his name was, move closer. You shrank away from him.

"Awhh! No fun!"

"My most humble apologies," you growled, voice dripping with sarcasm, "but I dont trust pirates."

"I guess it makes sense.. you're welcome to leave whenever you like, but atleast let Chopper finish his check-up." Nami stated, offering you a big smile. Your feathers tufts pinned to the side, and your gaze was once again brought down to the little deer.

"If you could.. please sit back down. I'd like to check your vitals!"

Oh my God it's A TALKING DEER- HES SO CUTE-

You couldn't help it. Kneeling down you put a hand on his head, smiling. "You're so cute! You're the doctor?!"

Chopper, as he's been called, flushed. And then started doing.. a weird dance?

"I'm not cute you big dummy! That doesn't make me happy at all~" He was clearly smiling though, and you laughed, shaking your head as you moved to sit on the bed, ensuring you kept everyone within your visual range.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy! The Captain! What's your name?!"

Of course the energetic one is the Captain, you thought, feeling a little weird. Chopper moved closer and began touching and prodding at you, occasionally asking you to stretch a limb or breathe.

"(Name). I'm (Name) from Aero Mountain." You replied, and Luffy, his name was, grinned. "Nice to meet you!"

"...likewise. I think."

"Still though.. why were you out flying during a storm?"

Right.

"I didn't intentionally do it. I was racing my friend and I got caught up in it.. i hope Killian is alright.

"You wouldn't have happened to see him, would you?"

You added hopefully. Nami shook her head sadly, "sorry, (Name). We haven't seen anyone else, in the skies or otherwise. We'll let you know if we do." Your head drooped a bit, but then remembered -

"Hey. Uhm.. Zoro?"

The swordsman angled his head towards you, an eyebrow raised.

"....sorry for kneeing you in the balls. You guys seem.. alright. I guess."

"Tch. Yeah, it was a good reaction. I guess from your point of view it was pretty scary."

Something told you he really only said that because Nami was glaring daggers at him: you also got the feeling she could keep them in line.

"...you guys don't really fit the picture of pirates I've always been told about."

You stated, glancing at the adorable Chopper. You'd always thought if you ever encountered pirates, you'd be met with terror, with large men carrying battle axes and women who'd tear off your head. These guys..

They just felt nice.

They all chuckled at your remark and Nami replied, "these guys really aren't that bad. Rowdy, sure, but bad guys? No. Surely you've met a decent pirate before?"

"Haven't met any, actually. According to the elders, pirates haven't reached our island in almost a century."

"Really? Surely they'd have reached it by now?"

"That's what I thought, too. But Logue poses aren't strong enough to attach onto our island. In fact, the only way to reach it is with a Viseron."

"A Viseron? What's that?"

Luffy perked up and you raised your wings, "I'm a Viseron."

"..that doesn't really answer the question. Besides, having wings and a tail."

Zoro eyed you and, yet again, you shrank a bit under his gaze. Even so, you could see the slightest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Well.. hundreds of years ago, Viserons were dragons. The fastest amongst them, if you will. Elder Kisu said a devil fruit came into the picture, and we eventually became more human than dragon, retaining only certain features." You lifted your wings to prove a point, unraveled your tail, and allowed your feathery tufts on your head to prick back up.

"As far as anyone is aware, the original Dragons went extinct a couple centuries ago. I get the feeling most dragons did."

"Ooooh! So cool! Do you have any special powers?!" Luffy asked, and, with no given warning, his neck stretched. Stretched around your body to look at your wings.

"WH- save that, what are you?!"

"Immm a rubber man!"

"....you get used to it." Zoro stated, and Nami pitched in, "that's everybody's reaction. Including ours."

"Rightttt..."

"..anyways. I can fly pretty fast, I can.. sense- islands? Or rather, masses of land. I'm a Logue Pose that isn't always reliable." You shrugged, "and my feathers are sharp. Don't touch-" you smacked Luffy's hand away.

Chopper finally stopped poking and prodding st you, he'd changed your bandages and took a step back.

"All done! You should Probably take it easy for a bit, the muscles around your wings are pretty strained." Chopper replied, "I don't think you gotta tell me that. ..by the way, how long was I out for?"

"A week."

Zoro stared at you as your jaw gaped a bit, but you quickly righted your expression. "Ah.. Great." I was on a pirate ship for a week. But I guess if they were gonna do something, it would've been done by now..

You stood and bowed, "thank you for taking care of me." You righted your posture as Nami batted a hand, "don't worry about it! I'm glad you're okay." "Yeah! ...so can you carry people while you fly?!"

Luffy asked that. You stared at him and shrugged. "To some extent. I can gain the same altitude or speed, nor would I be able to pull off any offensive or defensive maneuvers. ...but yes, by all technical terms, I can."

"Ohh cool! Take me flying then!"

Luffy practically attached himself to you, and without missing a beat you backed yourself into a wall, though without much force, and crossed your arms.

"I don't give free rides."

"Awhhh! No fun."

Luffy untangled himself from you and backed away, and you shook your head.

"Listen.. if there's anything I can do to repay you, please let me know. Otherwise, I don't want to overstay my welcome."

"Oh please, you're fine! You can always pay us back in berry!" Nami grinned, and you couldn't resist a chuckle.

"Besides, how do you plan on leaving? Chopper said you shouldn't be flying." Zoro questioned, a hand resting on his sword. What was a relaxed posture to him was a rather threatening looking one to you.

"Shouldn't doesn't mean couldn’t." You shot back, feathers puffing indignantly. "You're almost as bad as Zoro with bed rest!" Luffy laughed, and Nami bonked him over the head, "like you're any better!"

"Anyways.. please, you're more than welcome to stay with us. We could even bring you back to your home island!"

Nami glanced at Luffy, who instantly nodded his head in agreement.

"If it's all the same, I'll stay, but I won't be guiding you back to my island. The Elders would exile me for such a dangerous feat, nor do I wish to endanger those I care for. If we settle on the next island, i can fly back to mine for payment. It'll have to be a matter of you trusting me." You explained, part of to you hoped they wouldn't take that personally. The thing is, you just couldn't risk it. You didn't even know if they were actually good people yet, either.

"Thats fair." Chopper piped in, and the other three nodded. "Now cmon! Sanji should be getting done with dinner. You should join us!"

You didn't get much of a choice in the matter, with Zoro herding you out the door and Luffy chanting, meat, meat, meat! All the way to the dining hall.

. . .

It was approaching the middle of the night. Stars lit up the darkened sky, and the sea glistened gently under their shine. Leaning over the Going Merry's railing, you thought on the chaotic events during the day.

During dinner, you'd met Sanji, a .. rather eccentric cook, putting it plainly, and Usopp, the long nose one who'd ran off to inform the others you were awake. He was interesting, and so far, he'd yet to run out of stories to tell you of. Luffy and chopper had been chaotic during dinner, to say the least, and Nami spent quite a bit of her time wrestling them into control, and then laughing along side you. Zoro seemed to spend more time drinking than actually eating, and multiple times he'd gotten into some form of argument with Sanji.

"What a weird bunch.."

"I heard that."

You almost jolted out of your skin at the sound of his voice, coughing as you spun around to be met face-to-face with the crews swordsman.

"GAH! Some noise next time, would ya?!" You placed a hand over your chest, half being dramatic, and half recovering from the fact he almost made you fall over the railing. Zoro snickered, joining you against the railing.

"Pay more attention then, Feathers." Ah, yes. The nickname Luffy had dubbed you over dinner. He seemed to switch between using your actual name and the nickname, which, according to Nami, means he likes you. Not sure what good that knowledge does me, but whatever.

"Oh gimma a break! Traumatic event and all."

He scoffed and looked at the sky, "...any sign of your friend? I'm assuming you're still looking for them."

You nodded your head, feeling a sense of guilt. "Yeah.. I'm hoping I had flown ahead of him and he saw the storm before I did. If he didnt.. well.."

Zoro seemed to understand what you left unsaid, and cast you a swift glance.

"If your friend is anything like you, I'm sure he's fine." He grunted at last, shaking his head. "I don't think anybody can just get struck by lightning-" "don't think I was struck, I was probably just too close-" you intervened, "-yeah yeah. My point is, not everybody just gets struck, and gets saved by driftwood. I bet your friend found some, too, or he didn't get struck at all."

"I hope so."

A silence fell between the two of you, and you leaned farther over the railing, staring down at the water. To some extent, you could see the fish swimming just out of reach, and a smile graced your face as you reached a hand out.

At the same instant, you felt a hand on your back, gently gripping at your shirt.

"Careful now, or you're gonna end up a wet bird."

Huh.. how funny. That's one of the last things Killian told me.

You broke into a fit of giggles, leaning back up to stare at the swordsman. "Wet bird I may be, but I can still swim better than anyone on the crew, I bet."

"Wanna test that?" Zoro responded with a grin, and just as you readied yourself to respond, a rather panicked voice came from across the ship.

"Guys?! Come quick!"

It was Nami. Both you and Zoro ran to meet Nami, while Sanji, Luffy, and Chopper, came a bit slower, still groggy with sleep.

"What's wrong, Nami-swan?"

"Nami?"

Sanji and Luffy questioned simultaneously, while the rest of you waited in silence.

"The Logue Pose.. it won't lock on to an island."

#roronoa zoro x reader #zoro x reader #one piece x reader #roronoa zoro #zoro #x reader #one piece #straw hats x reader #straw hats

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la-fille-en-aiguilles · 3 years

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Dog Tags

Billy Russo x Female!Reader

Request by @nebulastarr : Hey! Whenever requests open up again, could you do a Billy Russo x Reader where the reader liked Billy but doesn’t want to tell him because she thinks he won’t feel the same way

A/N: I was going to wait and get down to writing this once I was finished with my series... But this one has simply hit a little too close to home. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I saw it and I ended up putting a lot of personal stuff in it so I’m sorry if it feels chaotic at times. Thank you for requesting, love, I hope it lives up to your expectations. The Only Living Thing series will be back with its third part next week. The song: Isak Danielson - Power

All you heard was an excited scream, that raised above all of the New York’s past-6-pm commotion, as a slender tall body smashed into you, locking you in a bone-crushing hug. You laughed happily, albeit feeling a little bit uncomfortable in Karen’s strong hold. You knew it didn’t seem that way, but Karen packed a wicked punch in those elegant arms of hers. Those self-defense sessions with Frankie boy that she’s been gushing about over the phone must have been finally paying off.

“Once I am done hugging you, I am so kicking your ass,” she breathed out into your hair as she squeezed you harder, as if reading your thoughts. “You’ve been ghosting me for what, a month now?”

You sighed guiltily as Karen pushed you slightly away, keeping her hands on your shoulders. You watched her as she studied your face, a creeping smile stinging at the corners of her mouth.

Grabbing one of her elbows, you groaned dramatically, pulling her towards the busy road. With your hands locked, you finally admitted:

“I did suck at communicating these past couple of weeks. Work’s been…. hectic”, the lie tasted bitter on your tongue, but this was the best explanation you’ve been able to come up with so far. “Please don’t kill me”.

Trying to keep up with your power walk, Karen let a bubbling laughter leave her lips.

“You’re not the one who should be worried then,” she gave you one of those bright trademark smiles of hers. “Next time I’m going to interview Russo, I’ll…”

You stuttered at her tirade as you walked, and of course it didn’t go by unnoticed. Karen was the best journalist you have ever met during your prominent career. She just sensed that sort of thing.

“I’m getting this ‘I-meant-to-tell-you-Karen-but-I-didn’t-and-now-you’ll-need-to-fight-it-out-of-me’ vibe”, she gave you a scrutinising look. “Want to maybe share whatever it is you’ve been not telling me before I go full interrogation mode on your plump backside?”

You rolled your eyes as you led her to a terrace-ringed Upper East Side high-rise, waving to the doorman through the glass doors. Jackson, a thirty-five year old ex-military with three kids and a labrador, gave you a brilliant smile as he hurried to open them for you.

“Good evening, Mrs Y/L/N!” He bowed his head in a stiff, very army-like manner. “A package arrived this afternoon for you, should I bring it up?”

From the corner of your eye, you caught Karen looking around, confusion written all over her face. You had a lot to catch up on.

“Don’t worry about it, Jax, just give it to me,” you didn’t mean to urge him, but you couldn’t wait to change out of your corporate attire into some comfortable old pyjamas and crack open a bottle of whiskey - that’s right, some habits did die hard. And to think you were a bubbles-kind of girl a year ago when you met him.

You could feel Karen’s blue eyes drill a hole in the back of your head as you took a small, envelope-sized package from Jackson’s hands.

It wasn’t until you both stepped into the elevator that Karen cleared her throat.

“When you said you’d rather have a girls’ night in, I asked Frank to pick me up from Queens, not from…here,” she spoke, her eyes skimming expensive red wood and mirrors. “Did you finally sleep with Russo and moved in with him?”

Whatever it was that Karen expected you to say to that, it definitely didn’t include you spitting out a roaring laugh, as you nearly dropped the package on the floor.

“Quite the opposite, actually,” you informed her after you finally restored your breath. “I left Anvil. And, well, Russo. At the end of last month”.

—

A half-bottle of whiskey for you and a bottle of white wine for Karen later, both of you were sprawled out on the lambskins thrown over the hardwood floor in your living room. Jazz music was seeping out of the speakers by the TV, a couple of Diptyque candles emitting a soft yellow glow.

You stared at the ceiling of your new living quarters, your mind a blur. As you folded your hands on your stomach, you felt Karen twitch as she bent her elbow and leaned her blond head on the palm of her hand, facing you.

“So let me get this straight,” she paused, narrowing her eyes. “After becoming the Forbes’ hottest CSO, concluding what can easily be described as deals of the century - especially the one with Anthony Stark aka Iron Man and his magnificent goatee…”

Involuntary, you giggled at this. This talk brought out some very dear memories that you wouldn’t trade for the world - the way Billy’s dark eyes shimmered in the dim lights of the opera house as he gave you a look that said you did it, ever the perfect team… Or the way he threw his arms around your frame, his long fingers sliding down your back… You knew you looked good in that dress, but the moment Billy saw you wearing it… You felt like the only girl in the world, the way his jaw dropped a tad, his lips opening up in awe…

Oookay, Y/N, can’t go there, your mind screamed at you as you wiped that dreamy smile off your face. Sitting down, you took your whiskey glass, and washed those memories away with a gulp of amber liquid.

Meanwhile, Karen ranted on.

“…you just quit?!”

She jumped to her feet all of the sudden, brushing her blond hair away from her face as she watched you excitedly.

“Jesus Christ, did Billy make a move?! He made a move on you, didn’t he?”

The urge to facepalm was fierce, almost overpowering, but you managed to resist. Slamming your empty glass against the floor harder than you intended, you gave her a bored look.

“No, Karen, why… Why in the world would you think that?” You sounded just a little short of desperate, so you cleared your throat. “I was his second-in-command, that wouldn’t have been appropriate…”

When you were done studying the flame, dancing within the glass walls of one of the nearby candles, you raised your eyes to meet Karen’s. She wore quite possibly the most blatant look of ‘you are shitting me’ on her face.

“So you just quit?” she stared at you in disbelief, unblinking. “No explanations provided?”

“This wasn’t how it happened,” you said, hating the fact that you felt like you had to justify yourself. You brought your knees closer, hugging them tightly. “I…”

—

“…I’m here to see William Russo”.  

With a nonchalant gesture, you unbuttoned your Burberry coat, looking at a red-head secretary behind a desk that screamed power and status with every inch of its epic proportions.

Anvil was certainly new money. With all of those hedge funds injecting their cash into emerging companies, there was no shortage of these - entrepreneurial endeavours that didn’t last long.

You didn’t know that at the time, but you were going to make sure this one would.

“My name is Y/N Y/N/L,” you added, perching your sunglasses on top of your head. “He’s expecting me.”

The red-head gave you a polite smile before checking something on her Mac.

“Welcome, Miss Y/N/L,” she almost seemed shy, as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before standing up. “Mr Russo is indeed waiting for you. If you would like to follow me, please”.

As the redhead led you through the training grounds, packed with fit men and women that looked like they walked straight outta Gym Shark ad, you did notice a couple of vagrant stares in your direction. You couldn’t blame them. You looked slightly out of place; more Vogue than the setting allowed for.

You quit your job as the COO of a global FinTech company just weeks ago, looking for a new challenge. It was an adventure of a lifetime, and while your ex-executive board had literally begged you to stay, once you’d decided something, no promise of a generous promotion could make you change your mind. While you absolutely loved your job, working for one of the most prominent online payment giants in the world, it felt like it was time for you to step down. Due to all the processes and wise investments you’d initiated, the company could make millions of profits without their CEO having so much as to lift a finger.

And you, well, you lived for the hustle. And that’s exactly what you were here for.

You still had your doubts about Anvil’s owner and acting CEO, though. William “Billy” Russo had already become a household name in the financial circles, albeit the company he was spearheading had little to do with the FinTech space. Some said he had the potential to succeed; others badmouthed him for being ruthless and balancing on the very edge of legal limits.

In short, the man had you intrigued. So the very moment he called and invited you to drop by Anvil to talk strategy, you knew you had to meet him.

See the beast for yourself, so to speak.

The first thing you noticed about William Russo as you walked into his office, spacious and entirely transparent, with its glass walls overlooking the training grounds, was experience, for the lack of a better word. It was etched into his every handsome feature, especially into his scruff strong-willed jaw. As he raised his gaze to meet yours upon the red-head’s announcement, his black eyes swallowing you whole, you realized no light reflected on their surface. There was a certain confidence to him as he raised from his chair, his white shirt straining some over his chest, long dark strands of hair falling onto his long eyelashes. This man meant business, as those black impenetrable eyes zeroed in on yours. He almost seemed too flawless - to spotless to be an ex-marine, stained with blood and murder.

All that Hallmark handsomeness was nothing but a cover.

Before William Russo had even got a chance to open his mouth, you were determined to find out what was lurking underneath.

“Mrs Y/L/N”, the hot-shot gave you a polite smile. “Thank you for coming”.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Russo”, you didn’t move an inch. He may have invited you for interview, but he wasn’t the only one with a long set of demands.

You briefly wondered if he knew that.

Before your thoughts could take you further, William Russo made his way to you, composed and calculated. He stopped by your side, albeit for a moment; rolling the sleeves of his shirt further up, he shot the red-head a charming smile (nothing like the one he gave you).

“Olivia, would you please bring a fresh pot of coffee to the conference room? Mrs Y/L/N and I have a lot to discuss”.

When he turned back to face you, you noted unconsciously that he was taller than you expected, the top of your head barely reaching his shoulders. The cool and composed look was back on his face as he motioned towards the doors.

“Would you like to follow me, Mrs…”

“Y/N”, you cut in with a slight raise of your chin. “I’d also prefer to call you William while I tear Anvil’s strategy down”.

His reaction didn’t disappoint. Some tension left his arms, his stung-up body relaxing just enough for a spark of mischief and curiosity flicker its way to his eyes’ surface.

A twinkle of a smile danced across his lips as he bit on the inside of his cheek, nodding ever so slightly in approval.

“It’s Billy”, he said, amusement echoing in his every word. "I don’t expect any leniency, Y/N”.

“Good”, you replied instantly, looking him straight into his eyes. “That’s not what I came here for”.

He nodded again.

And this time, there was liveliness in the quirk of his brow and a touch of insecurity in the corners of his mouth.

Now that was the man you could potentially work with.

—

Working with William Russo was anything but predictable. There were, however, certain patterns to his way of handling things. Whatever the trouble was, Billy was good at seeing the bigger picture - he was usually able to put things into perspective, but there were occasions when he refused to. You dare say that sometimes, you felt like he thought that money didn’t matter - like Anvil’s financial prosperity didn’t matter - as long as his team got not to risk their lives one extra time. You watched him turn down several lucrative deals that you’d busted your ass to put on his table, because it involved sending his men a little too far from home, in a place where he had no strings to pull whatsoever should anything go south. A part of you (the part that wasn’t frustrated as hell) admired him for that - it didn’t, however, stop you from disagreeing with him, time and again.

You may have never been to Iraq, and may have never known the horrors of sleeping with the bombs exploding a mere kilometer away, but you knew a game-changer when you saw it. There were risks involved, there was no arguing about that, but those were calculated, and those kind of deals could make Anvil jump straight to the top of the private military sector overnight.

William and you disagreed.

When William and you disagreed, no voice was raised, no blood was spilt, but Billy usually became distant, cold and just short of snappy when those conversations took place. 

He only crossed the line once.

  You were three months into your job as Anvil’s Chief Strategy Officer when Mayhew happened.

The clock on your desk showed midnight as you paced in your office, on the phone with Rex Mayhew, the U.S. Ambassador in Cairo. A cat-and-mouse game between the Egyptian Armed Forces and the nefarious arms dealer group had become common knowledge since a week or so; the U.S. special forces got involved in the conflict when it’d been discovered that the arms were being transported onto American soil. Rex, an old friend from your Yale days, had let you in on the fact that General Richard Ravelin, in charge of the operation, was looking to reinforce his rangs with private military before “neutralising the threat”. This was a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with a potential governmental recognition in play… and Billy wanted to hear nothing of it.

You were exhausted and barely hanging in there; Billy was categorical and stubborn.

You’ve dropped the phone on your table promising Rex you were going to give him an answer in two hours, tops. Taking a deep breath, you walked out of your office, your bare feet thudding on the parquet floors of the corridor. When you reached Billy’s hideout, you found the man leaning against his desk with a glass of whiskey in his unnerved hand.

“Billy…” you spoke firmly, barely stepping through the doorway. “Rex…”

“Can go fuck himself”.

Oh, okay. No sugarcoating this. Alright.

You saw his lips barely touch the amber liquid as he slammed the glass against the surface of his desk.

“I said no, Y/N,” he wasn’t facing you anymore, leaning on his desk with his hands digging into the wood, his back tense. “Please just go home. Have a good night sleep. We will talk about this tomorrow.”

You could have sworn you felt your head starting to fume. This was the third time Billy Russo was shutting you down. For the third time he was making you feel like an incompetent fool when you were trying to do your goddamn job.

Why in hell would he hire you if whatever vision you had for Anvil didn’t match with his own?!

“You could at least say this to my face, Billy,” you spoke a bit harshly before you could stop yourself. “You know, to my tired and disappointed face, with a mouth that you have been shutting up every time it offers you a deal of the century”.

This sounded so much better in your head.

“Why did you hire me?” you asked almost immediately, trying to soften the impact of the words that had already escaped. “If this isn’t the direction in which you want to take your company, maybe I should just…”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Y/N, just fucking leave already!” Billy snapped like a branch that’s been holding too much weight, the sound of it dry and final.

…maybe I should just rethink the entire plan.

There was no point in finishing that sentence now, was there?

“I was there long before you came along, so I’d think I know a shitstorm in the making when I see one!” Billy was looking at you alright, brushing his hair back, his eyes black and void.

You had wished It would have been new to you - looking in William Russo’s eyes and not seeing him there. But it wasn’t. He was back to his Hallmark version of a man, but instead of playing a hero, he was now putting on his villain guise.

“Let’s get something straight here,” he leaned back on his desk, crossing his arms on his chest, his black eyes narrowed. “While you were making your way to the top of a rich-ass cookie-cutter FinTech company, I was crawling in the dirt in Iraq under a downpour of the Trident D5LE missiles. While the closest thing you’ve come to havin’ your hands dirty was bribing an investor or two, I was fucking beheadin’ people under the direction of the CIA,” his words were cold, measured and rhythmic, like a round of bullets being fired on a range. “You know nothing of what’s it like to be in the middle of that kind of shit show, princess, so when I fucking say no, you listen. Is that clear?”

Bark. Sit. Roll over.

“Crystal. Sir.”, you finally broke the heavy silence hanging in the air, just barely resisting the urge to salute him. “I’ll see myself out.”

Biting the inside of your cheek like your life depended on it, once you turned your back on him, your first thought was don’t you dare cry on his account, bitch and then almost right away wait at least until you’re home.

You could have sworn you heard William call your name in a stranded voice, but you made sure to slam the door somewhat hard as you left his office so you could pretend you didn’t hear him.

If you were to face him now, with all that power and toughness he exuded… You would never admit it, even to yourself, but you’d just end up on the floor, huddled into a shivering little ball.

—

You were grateful that the next day after the shit went down with Mayhew fell on a Friday. When you stumbled into your apartment in Queens at almost one in the morning, you immediately shot an email to the HR department asking for a day off. Once that’d been done, you dialled Rex to decline his offer to introduce Anvil to general Ravelin, washed the makeup off your face and crawled into bed, hugging the second pillow close to your chest.

You didn’t cry, if that’s what you’re wondering.

As you rolled out of bed in the morning at around 8 am, you took a shower and grabbed a coffee from the kitchen before settling behind your home office desk with a heavy head. When you opened up the Keynote presentation with your strategy outlined for the H1, you couldn’t help but steal a glance at the iPhone you left on your couch last night.

You weren’t going to check if you had any missing calls.

There was nothing you had left to say to each other.

…with your chest hollow, you powered up the screen. There were no missed calls and no new messages.

It all looked like you had another strategy to build now. If Billy Russo thought that calling you a rich-ass princess that knew nothing of the world, all butterflies and rainbows, was going to make you resign, then man, was he in for a surprise.

You once heard one of his men compare you to a military convoy, when the guy thought you weren’t listening.

He had no idea.

You spent the morning refilling you coffee cup and rebuilding your H1 plan from scratch. After about eleven calls with the people you knew could get you a foot in the door of the offices of some government officials, billionaires and generals, after typing, deleting and typing again for 5 hours straight, by 2pm you had a solid game plan. You were pretty sure it would still need some tweaking from Castle, who essentially held the role of the Chief Operating Officer, dispatching men and women on missions and planning operations, and, well, from Billy Russo.

The Badass-ex-Sniper-turned-CEO himself.

You kept the email short and to-the-point, sending the document over to Russo with Castle on copy, saying you’d be in the office to debrief on Monday.   Refusing to check whether your email’d been opened, you slammed your MacBook shut.

The rest of the day rolled on uneventfully. You grabbed a coffee with the People Culture Officer from your previous company, who also happened to be one of your dearest friends; then you picked up your dry cleaners and did some shopping, cracking for a pair of new shoes in Saks Fifth Avenue.

Shoes were, indeed, your weakness.

By the time you got home, the tired sun was yawning, stretching its rays in one last effort before rolling into bed. Humming a Dua Lipa song under your breath, you were putting your new Jimmy Choo’s away when you suddenly heard your phone ring.

You didn’t even have to look at it to know who it was.   You checked the time, however, noticing is was two minutes after the official end of the working day.

“Hi, Y/N”, Billy spoke, clearing his throat. “Are you… Um… Any chance you’re available to meet tonight? I would really appreciate it if you could give me fifteen minutes of your time. Please.”

It sounded like the real Billy Russo was back around. Insecure. Rugged. Imperfect.

“Can you pick me up?” you asked softly, “I’ll text you my address. There’s a pizza place just around the corner, I could use a free slice”, you circled the cold coffee cup you left on the counter with your finger. “Free as in you’re paying, Russo”.

A laugh that came somewhere from within caressed your ear.

“Uh, yes, I’m actually… Yeah, thanks. I’m leaving the office now,” even if he tried to hide it, a shocked surprise still seeped through the cracks in between the vowels.

You chuckled silently at his reaction.

“Just one more thing,” you ventured, placing the cup in the sink and making your way to the balcony - your small piece of heaven with a wooden chair, pillows and lavender. As you stepped outside, you put oyour free hand on the railing, just to feel the coolness of it, the evening air and the gentle flower smell stroking your skin. “What kind of car should I be on the lookout for?”

Billy hesitated, biting his bottom lip, running his nervous fingers through the thick strands of dark hair. The setting sun was hitting him just from the right angle, making his sculpted cheeks look like they were made of marble.

“A Rolls Royce Wraith”, he squirmed, rubbing his forehead, probably realising how lame and pretentious it sounded. “I’ll call you once I’m downstairs”.

“Uh-huh”, you smirked, leaning on the railing with your forearms.

You saw Russo pinch the bridge of his nose, sinking his teeth into his bottom lip again.   Your small balcony provided quite a view, when you really thought about it.

“Don’t take too long”, you couldn’t help it, it really was stronger than you. “I’m starving”.

With a wide grin, you dropped the call and went back into your apartment.

You were planning to make him wait for ten extra minutes when he would finally “arrive”.

Just for the hell of it.

—

“That’s a lot of hot sauce for one pizza”, Billy commented, watching you spray your truffles and cheese generously with the piquant olive oil.

You gave him a mischievous smile.

“What can I say,” you shrugged, leaning back in your chair and licking the tip of your finger after you swept a drop of it from the top of the bottle. “I like them hot”.

That startled a laugh out of Billy as he eyed you with something in his irises looking a lot like awe.

Just when he was about to speak, a servant brought a glass of red wine for him and bottle of sparkling water for you.

You thanked the guy with a sweet smile, while Billy eyed him a bit coldly, obviously waiting for him to leave.

When the waiter had finally made himself scarce, Billy softly called your name.

You raised your eyes to meet him, struggling as hell to keep your stare vacant. (Which was hard to do with some foreign tightness in your throat).

“Before we dig in and I hope spend a nice evening as two friends, getting together on a Friday night”, he didn’t even blink? Was he blinking? You couldn’t tell, his black eyes swallowing you whole, again. “I want to apologise. I was completely out of line… It was unacceptable. You don’t need my validation, of course, but I still want you to know that you are doing a terrific job at Anvil, taking us to the heights I never even thought existed. It’s just… It’s hard for me sometimes to be a good CEO and someone who promised to take care of my men at the same time… Everything is happening so fast, I’m afraid to lose my footing.”

You reached out for his hand across the table before you could stop yourself. You didn’t take it, but your fingers brushed his ever so slightly before you realized what you were just about to do. Your eyes widened as you looked at him, searching for a reaction.   Billy remained perfectly still, not taking his eyes off you.

You grabbed a napkin next to his wrist, pretending this was what you had meant to do all along.   “We’ll get there, Billy”, you said, a small encouraging smile blooming on your lips. “We just need some tweaking”.

You weren’t sure if you were talking about strategy at this point anymore.

—

You had a great time at dinner.

(And a whole-hearted laugh as Billy finished your remainders of the truffle pizza, downing a litre of water to numb down the burning sensation in his throat afterwards).

You talked about your respective lives, your ex-colleagues, your hopes for the future… You dared think this who the real Billy Russo was.

And he was incredible.

After the two of you were done with dinner, you offered him to come upstairs to your place and go through the new strategy together. He didn’t hesitate, although you could swear you’d seen something ambiguous flash in the depths of his dark eyes before he nodded.

(You must have imagined it.)

The two of you ended up sprawled out on your soft faux fur carpet talking game plan, bouncing ideas off each other. You watched Billy frown, as he rubbed his mouth with his long fingers, smile in excitement and shake his head in awe when you voiced your ideas - you felt proud and appreciated, and you wouldn’t trade the sensation for anything in the world.

A couple of hours later the two of you had finally decided that it was enough brainstorming for one night, and you rose to your feet to go and make Billy a coffee before he got behind the wheel. As you pushed the start button on your coffee machine, you heard him speak over the noise.

“You know I’ve done four tours - three in Iraq and one in Afghanistan”, you popped your head up, only to see him play absentmindedly with something on his chest. “And every time I’m considering a mission for Anvil, I find myself back in there again… A part of a death squad.”

You carefully picked up his cup of coffee and made your way back to him. You didn’t say a word as you leaned lower to hand it over to him, encouraging him to go on.   Billy thanked you in a whisper before clearing his throat.

“Every time I have to send them somewhere, especially overseas, I force myself to stop and think… Is this really worth it? Is a fat check really worth putting the lives of my men and women in danger? And most importantly - you may think it’s stupid…” he avoided your gaze, staring into his coffee cup, a miserable smile on his lips. “I think, will it make a difference? If one of them dies on a mission, I have to at least know they made a difference… it’s selfish and it’s more about the peace of my own mind, but it is what it is, you know?”

When he looked up at you, his eyes were full, full to the brim. There was so much emotion in them, hatred, misery, hope, adoration, all whipped in a wild mix that was Billy Russo’s dark, velvet eyes.

“I carry these at all times,” the fingers of his free hand dropped to his chest, as he got a hold of something hanging around his neck. A necklace? “When in doubt, I just look at them - they help me remember where I’ve been and what I’ve done - and I just know if it’s worth it or not. The answer is usually no, by the way”.

He smiled again, the curve of his lips looking less haunted this time, as he sipped on his coffee.

Dog tags. Those were Russo’s dog tags.

“So they’re your reminder that, even being a badass CEO of a private military company”, you couldn’t help but feel some kind of zero gravity settling in your lower stomach as you saw him chuckle at your words. “…you still have a heart”.

“How poetic”, Billy teased you without missing a beat, putting the empty cup on the floor next to him. “But yeah. Sort of, I guess”.

As you fell asleep that night, you dreamed about explosions, piquant olive oil and holding Billy Russo’s dog tags in your hand.

—

The time flew by after that. In 8-month time (after some tweaking) Billy Russo and you became a team. It sometimes felt like nothing could stop you, as long as you were together.

It should not have come as a surprise that the two of you earned yourselves a catchy nickname - at first, it was spoken solely behind your backs, but soon enough it became some kind of a title, more powerful than that of the CEO or the CSO.

Anvil’s men and women (and especially Frank - the fact that he invented the nickname secretly tickled him pink) - were now calling you Bonnie and Clyde. The ultimate partners in crime, against all odds, doing the impossible.

The two of you also settled in an almost homely kind of routine. Ever since that Mayhew fiasco and the day that followed, Friday had become the non-spoken partners in crime day. What it meant in practice was exchanging Friday jokes on Anvil’s internal communications suite…

(Billy once attacked you with a “would you look at this, just found the actual footage of your interview @ Anvil”. Before you even got a chance to answer, he forwarded you a cheesy meme with two old women speaking to each other, one of them saying “We need someone who can do the job of two men”, and the other responding “oh, so it’s only a part-time job then”. When you shot him back a message asking whether he really considered himself an arthritic old woman, that seemed to have shut him up).

…grabbing a beer in a bar nearby…

(you sometimes invited your colleagues to join you, plus it was an unspoken rule that Frank and Karen were to be there as well)

…you making fun of Billy Russo’s eating habits…

(It was honestly a nuisance to have a lunch with him. The list of things he refused to eat went on and on: no asian food, no food chain restaurants (even high-rated), no soups, no cheesecakes… He sure was settling well in that peaceful life he earned after spending all those tours living off canned food).

…and just overall enjoying each other’s company.

By the time the ninth month of your being Anvil’s CSO had rolled in, you couldn’t imagine not seeing Billy Russo every day. Not noticing him rolling his eyes at a smart-ass comment you or Frank made, or his orbs lighting up every time you told him the deal with that or this decision maker had gone through. You simply could not understand how you managed to live day in and day out, and think you were genuinely happy, before you actually met Billy. Everything before him just faded away somehow, your memories lost their colour and spike in comparison to the life you were living now. You kicked ass at your job, your career thrived, but most importantly, you were feeling like this was exactly where you were meant to be, braving the obstacles by Billy Russo’s side, knowing he would catch you should you fall.

He would, wouldn’t he?

It was your usual Friday night outing, the seven of you - Billy, Frank, Karen, Curtis, James from legal, Ashley from mine clearance and yourself - occupying your usual table at Whimsy, the bar that must have made 90% or their revenus off of Anvil’s folk. It was just around the corner from the headquarters, after all.

The overall mood of the evening was rather nostalgic. It’d been four weeks since you’d lost a team member in a crossfire in Falluja, Iraq. After everything was said and done, his loss still hung heavy in the air, and it felt right to get one more drink in Jasper’s honour. The conversation flowed easily, even though the topics you’d spoken about were anything but.

“I remember how I felt when I lost Andy”, Ashley nursed her beer as she stared into the distance. “I just literally had the weight of the entire world on my shoulders, pinning me to the ground, I just couldn’t move on”, she finished her bottle in one go and motioned for the bartender to bring her another one. “Sometimes, I just ask myself, what would have I done if I’d known he was going to die the next day? Would I have stopped him from going? I think I would,” she thanked the bartender as he put the beer in front of her, her eyes a bit foggy. “Yeah, I definitely would have.”

Frank grasped Ashley’s shoulder and squeezed it hard in a comforting gesture; Karen gave her a tender look.

You didn’t know why your mind had gone there, but all of the sudden a memory of Billy sitting in his office chair, laughing his ass off at some offhand comment you’d made flashed before your eyes; it quickly got replaced by the recollection of his hand brushing against yours during the Zoom meeting you’ve had with general Warren Singer; then you remembered him putting his hand on the small of your back, staring daggers at some army brat wanting to join Anvil, eyeing you like a piece of meat (you learned later that day that the man’d been thrown out before having a chance to introduce himself); until finally, your brain stopped dead at the picture of Billy running his nervous fingers through his hair as he called you from his car, telling you he was only leaving the office.

What would you do if you knew he was going to die tomorrow?

Your heart sunk at the thought as you gulped hard, ducking your head and staring at your hands folded in your lap.

A soft touch enveloping your elbow had you facing the man of the hour, his black eyes shimmering with concern.

“Are you okay?” he half-whispered, half-mouthed, not letting go of your hand.

No.

Nothing is okay, Billy.

I’m so happy that I met you, but you’re scaring the hell out of me.

I never wanted any form of eternity until now, I never saw the point…

So stay. Please, stay forever, and feel something for me, too.

“Yes. I’m fine,” you whispered back, staring into his eyes, hypnotised and helpless. You watched him turn away from you as if in slow motion, the warmth of his hand leaving nothing behind but emptiness in your bones.

“Here is to always telling the things that matter to the people who matter”, Billy spoke firmly, raising his beer. “Here’s to never missing a chance to open up to the people we love”.

Well, if this was his way of crossing the t's and putting the dots to the i’s regarding his feelings for you, he couldn’t have been clearer.  

As far as confessions of love went, this one was non-existent.

—

You tried, time and again, to convince yourself you had to go. You learned the hard way that your unrequited feelings were feeding on a sort of inadvertent parasitic relationship where every moment of your day depended on the level of Billy’s unintentional emotional indifference. Your days were spent questioning his every move - every look and every touch; until, the grown-ass woman that you were, you’d commanded yourself to stop second-guessing everything - stop feeling - and decided your best course of action would be… to work yourself into the ground.

If Billy ever noticed anything, he didn’t show it - your were still you, after all, working hard, laughing when he said something funny, calling him out on his bullshit when needed. He didn’t notice slight change in your eyes, when their icy surface cracked at every other compliment he threw in your direction (and there was no shortage of those). He didn’t realize the smile you gave him was different from those tightlipped signs of appreciation you gave to Anvil’s potential clients, he didn’t think twice about the reason for which you glowed around him, your every move softening, your every gesture emanating warmth.

Because Billy hadn’t really known you until you started to have feelings for him.

You knew this couldn’t go on forever. This entire situation was bound to result in some explosion of nuclear proportions, and then all hell would break loose. You needed to get yourself out of this situations, but you just… couldn’t. You couldn’t imagine your life without Billy Russo. You couldn’t leave him.

Even if being friends with him meant tearing yourself apart and suffering in silence.

  Long story short, you waited with fear in your bones for someone to walk into your life and to get you out. You’ve had no fight left in you to do it yourself.

Your salvation came in the form of a phone call on a Friday evening, when Billy was on a recruiting mission in California.

You were typing back a response to his cheeky message when the call cut in half-sentence.

Billy Russo: Please remind me to take you with me instead of Frank next time? He’s driving me insane trying to set me up with the ladies from the Organising Committee. Any ideas on how I can calm him the fuck down?

You: Sorry, Billy, but recruiting is out of my mission scope. As for the calm down part, try bondage maybe? :)

Billy Russo: I’m going to pretend you did not just suggest I engage in sexual practices with Frankie. Karen will have my balls.

Billy Russo: But perhaps you’re right. Taking you with me is probably not a good idea. Wouldn’t want my new recruits’ brains to turn into mush because of how beautiful you are.

You: The flattery will….

“Hello? Y/N speaking”, you brought your phone close to your ear, your cheeks still a lovely shade of pink. If you were going to feel miserable when Billy came back, acting like nothing happened, you were sure going to make the best of that fuzzy feeling in your chest right now.

“Miss Y/N/L”, a smooth deep voice greeted you, and you could have sworn you’d heard it many times before. “I hope I’m not interrupting?”

Frowning in an attempt to remember, you urged:

“No, not at all. How can I help you?” you stared into the screen of your Mac, wheels turning in your head as you silently catalogued all the men you were in discussions with regarding a deal. “I didn’t catch your name…”

“Oh, how rude of me”, the man chuckled but there was no mockery in his voice, more like self-depreciation. “Tony Stark, from Stark Industries”.

Your mind went blank. Did you hear his last words correctly?

“Uh… Mr. Stark”, you quickly got a hold of yourself - well, as quickly as you could. “I appreciate you reaching out to me directly. What can Anvil do for you?”

You did a pretty bang-up job trying to mask your amazement with polite cheerfulness, and Stark had caught on that.

Tony Stark just called your cellphone number. What in the world?…

“We don’t really do alien invasions”.

Ohyourgod, did you just say it out loud?!

His uproarious laughter took you by surprise, reverberating through your entire body. It took every ounce of your self-control not to giggle in response.

“That’s a good one, I love it”, Stark finally said, restoring his breath. “And the better question would be, Y/N - can I call you Y/N? - what you can do for me”.

Before your brain could take you into some naughty direction, freaking Iron Man cleared his throat.

“Okay, this came out wrong,” he admitted with a sense of self-irony. “I um… I’m looking for the Co-Chief Executive Officer for Stark Industries. Well, Virginia Potts is actually looking for a Co-CEO, I’m just her errand boy. And my missions apparently include recruiting…. Anyway,” it was a bit of a challenge to follow Anthony Stark’s train of thought, but you were also still shocked, so that could explain it. “…I think you are the perfect fit for the job”.

You just stared into the screen front of you, your breathing barely audible.

“Mrs Potts and I would love it if you could swing by the A-Tower, let’s say, on Thursday? You’ll be surprised, but I can also whip up a mean cup of coffee…”

Say something.

Fucking hell.

Say something!…

“Thursday sounds great,” you blurted out without thinking. “Let me just shuffle my schedule around… I could stop by after lunch?”   Your hands were slightly shaking as you clicked on your mouse, opening your schedule window.

“Whatever works for you, Y/N”, you could hear Stark smile. “Not to sound like a creep, but I’ve been following your career for quite a while now, and I think that the work you've done in such a short span of time for Anvil is outstanding, even though you still don’t offer protection from alien invasions”.

That made you chuckle, pushing you halfway out of your stupor.

“I’ll put that on the list of things for us to consider”, you promised.

"Tell Mr. Russo I sent my best,” Stark added, and you felt your heart drop to your stomach. “I actually might have some ideas for how we could collaborate. Let's discuss this on Thursday, too, shall we?”

After you said your goodbyes, you fell back in your chair, dropping your iPhone on the table.

You: The flattery will….

...get you nowhere.

You never finished that message, leaving Russo on Read.

—

Starting with that evening, things were moving fast - too fast for you to keep track.

After a three-hour long coffee and the tour of the A-Tower, Virginia Potts, the acting CEO of the Stark Industries, had offered you the job - just like that - and asked you to come back to her executive assistant should you wish to take the job, with your salary expectations and the information about your notice period. You thanked her for her time and promised to get back to her as soon as you made your decision.

Virginia Potts was a brilliant woman; but running a company like Stark Industries while being equipped with a vagina was certainly no walk in the park. Sexism was still very much present within the Boards of the Tech Businesses. You understood perfectly well why she wanted a woman in her corner - it would have been a massive slap in the Board’s face, but it was also about having someone to lean on, who just understood.

In any other circumstances you would have peed your pants in excitement. It was an opportunity to work for Stark Industries - no, scratch that - it was an opportunity to step in as a Stark Industries co-CEO. The idea of it still made you dizzy.

…but as you looked at Virginia’s email sent to your personal address thanking you for stopping by, your eyes were swimming with tears.

You weren’t ready to leave Billy.  You just couldn’t.  You couldn’t leave him.   There was no epic finale to your story. There was no big revelation, no closure, no moment of relief, no acceptance, nothing. Only a fat-ass what if.

And you didn’t know how to let go of a what if with Billy Russo.

And that was exactly why you had to do it.

You heard Billy come in the next Monday earlier than usual. He was positively humming Usher’s Yeah! quietly as he made his way past your office’s doors straight into his own.

You took a deep breath, closing your eyes. You’ve been psyching yourself up during the entire weekend, telling yourself it wasn’t a big deal, we wouldn’t even flinch when you were going to tell him.

You had to tell him.

As you stood up from your chair, straightening you skirt with the palms of your hands, you suddenly heard the footsteps coming back in your direction. You froze in place like a deer in headlights when Billy swung open the door to your office, a box of Pierre Hermé macarons in his hands.

Your goddamn favorite Pierre Hermé macarons.

“You’re here!” Billy’s warm smile illuminated the room. “So much for a surprise, huh?”

He shook the box carefully in the air. You stared at it, dumbfounded, every single thought leaving you.

You couldn’t breathe.

In the hazy morning light seeping through the windows of your office, Billy looked beautiful and dissolute, shirt open at the collar, longer strands of dark hair falling into his eyes.

He was going to be the death of you. It really wasn’t fair.

“Billy, I have to tell you something.”

Was it you who spoke those words? They seemed distant and cold, so uncharacteristically detached.

Blood roared in your ears.

“What’s wrong?”

Billy’s reaction was instant. In three decisive steps he closed the distance that separated you, leaving the macarons on your desk. He stood still just mere inches away, and just like during your very first meeting, you had a fleeting thought cross your mind: you really were tiny next to him, the top of your head barely reaching his shoulders.

You bit the inside of your bottom lip, trying to keep your composure. He stared at you unblinking. He wasn’t touching you, but it felt like his eyes were looking straight into your soul, undressing you, blowing that wall you built around yourself into dust. They were taking you down, piece by piece, determined to see what you’d been keeping from him.   Because, of course, he knew. He should have known something was going on. Hence the surprise this morning.

He had no idea what it was though.

“Maybe you should sit,” you said, making a physical effort to tear your eyes away from him, feigning sudden interest in the buttons of his shirt.

  That chest…

  …was going to be just fine. He didn’t feel the same way you did. He would just find someone else to fill your position. With brilliant women stalking him - in cooperative packs - that would not be a problem.

“You’re leaving, aren’t you”.

You squeezed your eyes shut as soon as his words reached your ears.  Fucking hell, you should have done that by phone. Or with other people around. You should have…

“You’re leaving”, you heard Billy repeat as his voice broke a little. He stepped away, burying his face in his hands as he dragged them down his jaw and neck, staring into the ceiling.

“Billy, listen, I…”

You were the one to close the space between the two of you this time, and before you could think too much into it… You threw your hands around his shoulders, burying your face in his neck.

The sensation struck you like a bolt of lightening when you felt his hands cross behind you back and pull you closer.

He smelled heavenly. Like a forest fire, a hint of smoke with oud and pine. You inhaled deep, deeper still, losing yourself in his comforting touch.

In his arms, just for a second there, you felt home.

“You… The company doesn’t need me anymore”, you nearly choked on words, screaming internally at yourself to keep the waterworks at bay. “It’s thriving, there’s not much else I can give you. My job here is done.”

I need to leave because your indifference is destroying me, and when I think I’m ready to let go, all it takes is one look from you, and I’m back to wanting you, to settling for anything you give me, like a goddamn fool.

“What the hell are you talking about, Y/N?!” Billy exclaimed, his hands grasping your shoulders as he distanced your bodies just enough for him to look into your eyes. “I nee- The company needs you! I was… You know, I was planning to make you the CEO of Anvil in a couple months time,” his smile, as earnest as it was, did not reach his eyes. “Yeah”, noticing your eyes go wide in shock, he let his hands slide down your sides. “You’re so much better at it than I ever was. I was going to join Frank and just manage operations… under you”.

You just stared at him, dumbfounded, not feeling a stray tear escape your eye and rolling down your cheekbone.

“These are the tears of happiness, I hope”, Billy added, and you barely registered his touch as his thumb wiped the salty drop off. “Well, I guess Anvil will have to settle for the little old me. With my best girl going places."

You gave him a strained smile before you carefully wiped your cheeks, just taking a moment to look at him. To try and read him.

Billy Russo was a goddamn ceiling. Plain white, cool and unattainable. In all of your time working for him, you have never seen this Hallmark version of him before. Which one was it?  

Oh wait, you guessed you knew. The happy-for-you friend.

“So where are you going?” Billy asked, his eyes empty. “Who snatched you away from m- Anvil?”

The stutter was so subtle you barely noticed. You were finally tired of reading into shit.

“Stark Industries. I’ll be their co-CEO”.

—

Before you left Anvil you promised yourself you’d get the deal with Stark Industries up and running. There was no one in the world you trusted more in terms of security than Billy.

(The fact that you couldn’t keep your heart safe from him didn’t really count, did it?)

As a matter of fact, Billy and you were going to shake hands with Anthony Stark on the deal on your last night of being Anvil’s CSO. It was happening in The Metropolitan Opera and required both Billy and yourself to dress for the occasion.   He promised to come pick you up at 6pm sharp; you were putting on the Jimmy Choo’s you’d bought a coulee months ago in Saks Fifth Avenue when you heard a low knock on your door.

Straightening up, you threw a quick glance at your reflection in the mirror. You decided to go with a long Marchesa black velvet gown with a rather deep V-line, a pair of long diamond earrings and an elegant half-up half-down hairdo, soft curls in the front framing your face.

“I’m coming”, you yelled out, picking up your leather jacket (because why the hell not) and your purse from the kitchen counter. Sharply opening the entrance door, you realized moments later that you didn’t even take time to prepare yourself for seeing William Russo in a tux.

If you weren’t already half in love with him, the sight before your eyes would have sealed the deal.

God-fucking-damn, like he needed any help being unforgettable.

With a black jacket thrown on a crisp white shirt with a couple of buttons undone and the tie hanging loosely around his neck, Billy was here to make a statement, to leave a mark. His hair was coiffed back in his usual style; honest to God, he looked like he just stepped out of the Man of the Year special GQ edition…

Just when your thoughts were about to switch to the way you must have looked next to him, ridiculous in your simplicity, like you refused to make an effort…

…Your eyes met his.

And the way he looked at you was so intense, his big black eyes with galaxies in them probing into yours, his strong jaw slack. There was beauty and tragedy reflecting in those orbs, but only just for a second - just for a second, he looked at you the way he probably looked at the sky he could never reach. Just for a second, he looked at you the way that made your heart beat twice as fast, like the world could crumble all around him and he still would not have blinked.

Would not have taken his eyes off you.

“Wow, Y/N, you look… You look beautiful”, he finally said. “I just can't spot a part of you that beats the other.”

Something in your chest exploded silently.

“Thank you, Billy,” you smiled at him - a genuine and happy smile, because you felt on top of the world with his adoring eyes on you. “You’re quite a catch yourself”.

Before you could scold yourself for your choice of words, you stepped out of your apartment and locked the door behind you.

“Shall we?” Billy offered his hand to you, without hesitation it seemed.

“We shall”, you replied instantly, slowly sliding your hand into the crook of his elbow.

And, just like always, you were going to enjoy it while it lasted.

—

The crowd in the opera was so posh, the looks all the women had been throwing you first made you question your choice of outfit. It’s after overhearing their conversations that you realized, the reason they stared daggers at you was the man that kept by your side no matter where you went.

Virginia and Anthony welcomed you at the buffet with sun-stained sincere smiles. After a short small talk, Anthony Stark informed you both that he had signed the contract earlier today, thus officially giving Anvil an exclusive security deal with Stark Industries. As of now, Anvil was the only company allowed on the Stark Industries’ premises in the quality of guards and protection officers.

The look Billy and you exchanged spoke volumes; while your eyes were sparkling with excitement though, screaming “we did it!!”, his bottomless black eyes were whispering “thanks to you”.

The four of you then shook hands and went through rounds of gratitude and appreciation; when a pleasant woman’s voice announced the imminent start of Onegin, inviting the guests to go to their seats. Virginia immediately took you hand, leading you straight into the Opera house, saying something about leaving men to finish their drinks. You threw Billy a laughing look over your shoulder, mouthing “come join me” before disappearing out of his sight.

“So on the scale of one to ten, how pissed at me are you, Mr. Russo?”

Billy turned his head sharply to a side, leaning on the high table, and spotted Anthony Stark himself, nursing a glass of whiskey. “For taking your queen away from you? Excuse the chess metaphor, but that woman”, Stark took a sip of his whiskey and savoured it before swallowing it down. “Is a goddamn queen.”

Billy chuckled, straightening up, digging his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

“That, she is,” he whispered, his eyes still piercing the spot in the crowd where your smiling face was mere minutes ago.

—

When the opera ended, both Billy and you couldn’t be more relieved - because both of you hated it with passion.

Exchanging meaningful glances in the dark during the singers’ performances now and then, you had to bite your tongue in order to not just ask Billy if you could maybe sneak out. Russo proved to be more stoic than you, carefully covering your hand with his in what was meant to be a comforting gesture.

You didn’t look at him once after that, afraid to say or do something that would make him remove his hand.

How much more pathetic could you get?

When the performance was over, Billy led you out of the opera house without saying a word, his hand hugging carefully the small of your back.

His silence was unnerving. You didn’t know what to make of it. Should you have shaken his hand off back in the darkness of the concert hall? Or should you have caressed it with your thumb?

Your mind was spinning in circles by the time he opened the door for you and you slid into the front passenger seat of his Rolls goddamn Royce.

When he got in the car and gripped his steering wheel, you reached out and placed your hand on his whitening knuckles.

“Billy,” you spoke softly, barely audibly. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” he whispered back, turning his head to a side to face you. His black eyes stared into yours, looking hypnotised and helpless. “Everything is fine.”

It didn’t take a degree in Psychology to see that he was lying. You could feel his gaze on you as you turned away from him, taking your hand away at the same time.

Billy started the car. The revving engine filled the silence, loaded with the unsaid words.

—

“…he then walked me to my door, we exchanged our goodbyes. And that was it,” you finished lightly, looking back at Karen.

Her eyes were red as she stared at you, unblinking.

“Unbelievable…” she whispered. “So you never told him?…” her lips barely moved.

You sighed.

“Have you ever felt like you’re potentially in love with someone? Like, you don’t actually love him, you know you don’t, but one day you realise that you could? You realise just how easy it would be for you to fall in love with him? With all the teasing and the banter, the play hitting each other, calling each other names, just…. You start to pick up on little things - like if you listen closely, in every shut up, there’s a barely-there ring of I could love you.”  You shifted on the floor a little, and Karen watched your memories transport you somewhere else again. While physically your were here, in your apartment - with your fluttering eye-lashes, uneven breathing and loaded expression - mentally, you were somewhere else.

“….You probably don’t notice it at first, but your body is drawn to him. Every accidental or absentminded touch…” you continued quietly. “And there’s that twinkle in his eyes when he looks at you and it messes you up, because - what’s going on with you? What the hell does it even mean? Are you imagining shit? You’re trying to make sense.”  

Karen didn’t interrupt, still staring at you as if she were seeing you for the first time

“I mean, he didn’t ask for any of it, you know?” you finally raised your foggy stare at Karen, as if searching for confirmation. “Maybe he just did something dumb one day, smiled at you or said something that seemed important and then all of the sudden you’re full on Looney Tunes, seeing stuff that isn’t there?”

Your words barely audible, you swallowed hard, before continuing.  “…I just kept looking at him with what ifs, and could haves, seeing all that goddamn potential. It’s so fucking twisted. Over-analyzing everything? Waiting for a sign?…” you chuckled bitterly all of the sudden. “…I was so fucking scared of reading too much into it, of crossing that line, because… It would be so easy!… Falling in love with him would have been so easy.”

Oh sweetheart, Karen’s eyes glowed with comfort as she reached out for your hand and squeezed it softly. But you already are in love with him.   

A loaded silence ripped through the air in your living room. The sound of an engine revving somewhere close squeezed its way through the slit of an opened window, and it seemed to break the trance.

Both Karen and you shuddered, and as you took in the realisation Karen’s eyes just bestowed upon you, you pinched the bridge of your nose.

“It’s pretty late,” Karen spoke up, reading you like an open book. She knew it was her cue to leave the stage. You needed time to process. “Frank is in a bar nearby with Curtis, let me just give him a call, okay, sweetheart?” she gave your hand one last reassuring squeeze. “You know where to find me when you need me”.

“Yes”, you responded, blinking tiredly. “Thank you so much for coming, Karen. I didn’t mean to unload on you like that…”

“Shut the hell up,” the blonde advised, raising her eyebrows. “But honestly, Y/N, please call me once you… come to terms with things, okay?”

You nodded.

When Karen left, leaving the sweet and pleasant smell of her perfume behind, you closed the door behind her and turned around, leaning on the cold wood and metal with your eyes closed.

It’s been a month. This was supposed to pass by now. Billy was supposed to stop inviting himself into your dreams. You were supposed to heal.

You may have just realized you were in love with the man instead.

Letting out half a moan, half a groan, you peeled yourself from the door slowly, and brushed your hair back, wanting nothing more than to fall face-first into bed.

After you at least cleaned up a bit and put out the Dyptique candles, that is.

As your eyes scanned your living room in an attempt to asses the size of the job at hand, you stopped mid-way, zeroing in on the box Jax gave you earlier in the evening. It rested silently on the kitchen table.

Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, you made your way to the kitchen area. Grabbing the package, you turned it around, looking for any indication of the sender.

The package wasn’t even stamped.

Curiosity getting the best of you, you took a moment to grab a knife from one of the drawers, and carefully swished it between the two cardboard sheets.

Flipping over the envelop, you heard something fall out of it before you could actually see it. A small sheet of paper floated in the air before falling on the surface, partially covering whatever fell out of the package.

Your heart squeezed the second your brain identified the object, attached to a worn silver chain.

With trembling fingers, you slid two metal pieces from under the paper, covering your mouth.

Finding their home in the palm of your hand, Billy’s dog tags shimmered in the dim candlelight.

Squeezing them in between your fingers, you grabbed the paper with your free hand, your eyes staring at one single sentence scribbled on its surface.

“You took my heart with you”.

#billy russo x you #billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo angst #billy russo fanfic #billy russo story #the punisher imagine #billy russo imagine #the punisher story #billy russo request

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lepusrufus · 3 years

Text

Double edged scalpel ch.10

Ch1 ch2 ch3 ch4 ch5 ch6 ch7 ch8 ch9

Summary: scary moms are scary

---

Nicole stilled.

Moms.

Well this just got a million times worse.

Surprisingly enough, Nicole could count on her fingers the times she had crossed paths with either of the Ladies. Lady Dimitrescu was often busy and not bothering with the staff. Most things that needed communicated went through the Steward. Mistress Esteria was, as some would call her, a ghost. She preferred her solitude or time with family so it wasn't unheard of for new staff members to take months before they even see her around the castle. Paired with Nicole's job that had her in the dungeons almost all the time, she never got an actual introduction to either of them.

Not that she complained. It didn't take a genius to realize that both women were to be feared.

I think I'd like to bleed out now.

"What about?" Her voice was barely audible, due to fear or pain was anyone's guess.

"... I don't know." Cassandra's quiet voice mimicked her own.

"Should I assume it is about your um… choice of partners?"

The realization that, to anyone outside Cassandra, she was little more than a maid turned butcher hit Nicole almost as much as the bullet that until not long ago was wedged into her flesh. Would they forbid Cassandra from seeing her? Or perhaps decide that Nicole has committed an unspeakable offense to their family and punish her? She gulped and Cassandra's reply wasn't of much help either.

"I don't know," she repeated.

Nicole sighed, a slow drawn out exhale, all too aware of the pain it would cause otherwise. "When?"

"Soon. They told me to let them know when you wake up."

Nicole just nodded and laid back into the cushions. May as well be comfortable before facing death. But Cassandra didn't move. Instead, she interlocked their fingers and brought Nicole's hand to her lips, leaving a kiss on bony knuckles. They stayed like that, silently, for a full minute before Cassandra got up and, with a be right back, exited the room.

Left alone, Nicole looked down at herself once more. To say she looked awful was an understatement. Definitely not going to rely on appearance to make a good impression. The painkiller was also yet to do its job and any movement still shot jolts of pain through her body. Wonderful.

It wasn't long before the door opened again and Cassandra came in followed by Lady Dimitrescu, her trademark hat making her look even taller and more intimidating than she already was. Immediately behind, Mistress Esteria took light steps, her long white hair flowing behind her like a silky mantle.

They looked so in contrast with each other, and it went beyond the almost opposite color schemes. While the Lady had the expression of a mother about to scold her child for carelessly running up the stairs and scraping a knee, the Mistress looked about to take out the bandaids. Her eyes, blue and gray, looked at her with something akin to kindness.

"What's your name dear?"

God her voice sounded like rivers deep in the forest. Flowing and ancient and just as powerful as she probably was.

"Nicole," she gulped.

The Mistress came to a stop right by the bed, tall frame bending down and grabbing Nicole's chin between two fingers. She moved her head from one side to the other and hummed.

"My my, what a pretty face. You've always had quite the taste in women, love." She looked at Cassandra who only nodded stiffly.

Then, she was up again and moving towards the other matriarch, who by now was sitting in an armchair. The Mistress leaned on the armrest, opting to ignore the many other places to sit and Nicole had to wonder for a moment if they were the clingy type. What an oddly human trait.

A long drag of a cigarette was drawn out before golden eyes finally fell on Nicole and the Lady spoke.

"I was actually surprised to learn about how… deeply Cassandra cares about you. To actually come to me and ask for help saving your life." She narrowed her eyes slightly, just enough for it to be a clear warning. "I sure hope such kindness was not wasted on you."

Sensing where this conversation was going, Nicole groaned internally. Of all things, she would rather not have the break my daughter's heart and I'll break your legs conversation with Cassandra's mothers while a damn hole in her abdomen was still sending waves of pain through her body if she didn't move just right. In her defense, the painkiller was yet to kick in and there's only so much holding her tongue she can do while in pain.

"With all due respect my Ladies, I'd rather throw myself off the highest tower in this castle than pretend to love Cassandra. Have you met her."

That got a snort from the brunette, who quickly masked it with a cough. The Mistress however laughed. A melodic laugh that, in another situation, would be the most soothing thing.

"Oh dear. While the reassurance is appreciated, we do trust Cassandra's judgement."

"For the most part," Lady Dimitrescu added, eyes still narrowed.

"And we would love to have you for dinner soon," the Mistress went on, ignoring the small glare from her wife.

Another drag of the cigarette. "Well anyways. We didn't come here for a welcoming party. We'd like to make you a proposal."

Judging by Cassandra's furrowed brows, she probably knew as little about this as Nicole did. A proposal from Lady Dimitrescu could either be wonderful news or a death sentence. She couldn't help a gulp when the Lady continued.

"Contrary to popular belief, I do care about my staff. At least those who prove themselves useful." The cigarette was finally done and now Nicole had the luck of having her full attention. "And, as you may have guessed, medical training is not particularly common around here. I do happen to want a castle physician, a position that could be filled by someone skilled that also has a good reason to do a good job and be loyal to my family."

Wait what-

Nicole blinked in confusion, an expression mimicked by Cassandra. Did she mean…?

Lady Dimitrescu raised an eyebrow. "Do you accept?"

"Y- yes." The words spilled from her mouth without a second thought. And why would she have second thoughts after all?

Lady Dimitrescu watched her for a long moment. Then, when she seemed pleased with her findings, she rose to her feet.

"Very well. We will discuss the technicalities once you're in a better state. Now try not to bleed out before you even start your job. And," she sighed, "you are expected at dinner as soon as you're able to join us."

The last part caused her wife's lips to turn into a warm smile. The Lady simply turned around and ducked out of the room while Mistress Esteria lingered by Cassandra. She whispered something only the brunette could hear and then leaned in to kiss her forehead. The Mistress had a couple inches on Cassandra, which meant she was towering over Nicole. Then, with a smile in her direction, she too was out of the room, leaving only the two of them to stare at the door in disbelief.

"Well that went… well."

"Oh for the love of Mother Miranda," Cassandra sighed in relief, hands running through her hair.

Her shoulders lost their tension when she came to sit by Nicole's side, a smile now present on thin black lips.

"Your mothers seem… lovely women."

"Shut up you were scared shitless."

There goes Nicole's attempt at being polite. Not that Cassandra was wrong by all means, but part of her wanted to be on good terms with her lover's family. Maybe it was simply due to her relationship with the brunette, maybe it was due to how her own family never seemed to care much for each other. Not the way the Dimitrescus did, despite how they were seen as monsters by most outside eyes. She didn't let herself dwell on it, instead she took one of Cassandra's hands and started to play with slender fingers.

"Are you hungry? I can ask Cynthia to fix something for you."

Nicole smiled at the effort to make her feel better. She would never get tired of seeing Cassandra's caring and gentle side, especially when she knew how ruthless she could be otherwise.

"In a bit. I'm waiting for the painkiller to fully kick in so I can actually sit up."

Cassandra nodded and looked to the side, seemingly lost in some kind of thought. Nicole wanted to ask what got the brunette pensive all of a sudden, but before she could, golden eyes snapped back to her.

"Also. Don't you dare jump in front of a bullet for me ever again. It wouldn't have hurt me anywhere near as much as it hurt you."

There was a subtle growl in her voice that would have scared any other person. But Nicole recognized how the anger was just veiled worry at how much worse their situation could’ve gotten.

"Sorry. I just saw him with the gun and panicked." There was a reason she didn't pursue her father's idea of becoming a surgeon after all, and pissing him off was only part of it. "And I'm glad you didn't get hurt at all."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes, but her expression quickly softened. The big bad sadist couldn’t stay mad at her lover and Nicole almost teased her about it, but a gloved hand slowly caressing her cheek stopped her.

“I’m just happy you’re alive.”

#cassandra dimitrescu x maiden #unhinged maiden™ my beloved #lady dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu x maiden #fanfic #double edged scalpel

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imjustthemechanic · 3 years

Photo

The Price of a Soul

Part 1/? - Agent Russel Part 2/? - The Letter Part 3/? - Miss Lake Part 4/? - The Stewardess Part 5/? - An Assassination Part 6/? - Fallout Part 7/? - Face to Face Part 8/? - Deals, Details, and Other Devils Part 9/? - Baggage Part 10/? - Private Funding Part 11/? - Just Passing Through Part 12/? - Party of Four Part 13/? - Resolute Part 14/? - The Wreck Part 15/? - Body Snatchers Part 16/? - Out of the Frying Pan

Out of the frying pan, but into the fire would be a worse mistake than Peggy knows.

Part of Peggy’s mind was flying. How had Masters found out about this? Thompson would have let him know when Kay escaped, but wouldn’t have had any idea where they were going because Peggy hadn’t told anyone about the coordinates except Daniel and… well, there was Russel, who could probably guess the significance of them but would not have known that Peggy was planning to actually investigate. She’d only mentioned them to him once. Had Kay left a note? Or was her initial theory correct, and he’d just overheard Jason’s radio message to Stark Industries? What had Jason actually said?

Another part was doing its level best to clamp down on the urge to punch him in the face.

“Agent Carter,” he said. “Fleeing the country upon finding out you’re under investigation doesn’t look good at all.”

“I had every intention of returning, which you would know if you’d asked my landlord or my employer,” Peggy replied.

He was not impressed. “And what’s your explanation for assisting in the escape of a known Soviet agent – again – and attempted theft of US Government property?”

“Don’t insult me,” said Kay. “I escaped by myself.”

Masters glanced at her. “From full-security police lockup under the noses of the entire East Coast SSR and the CIA?”

“What? Like it’s hard?” asked Kay, in a mock ‘dimwit’ voice, wiggling her head and shoulders to cement the implication that any floozy could have done it.

“What government property are you referring to, Mr. Masters?” Peggy asked. She had a feeling she knew the answer, and she didn’t like it a bit.

Masters turned to her again. “You know damn well I’m referring to Captain America and his equipment. The shield is the world’s entire known stock of Vibranium, and his body is the only hope we or anybody else have of recreating Erskine’s serum. And you were about to sell both of them to the Russians!” He looked her over in disgust. “Were you already planning that when he was alive, or is it that now he’s dead his wishes don’t matter anymore?”

This time Peggy very nearly did punch him – she actually raised an arm before she managed to get herself under control, leading Kay to grab her around the shoulders to stop her, and several of the soldiers surrounding them to aim their guns at her face.

“They certainly don’t seem to matter to you,” she said through her teeth, shrugging Kay off of her. “Steve would not have wanted to be an object of study after his death.”

“Captain Rogers wanted us to win the war,” Masters replied. “We’re fighting a new war now and he’s gonna be our key to winning it.” He stepped back. “I want these two put in the brig, Captain Lewis – and don’t take eyes off them for a moment. They’re slippery.”

The man who must’ve been Lewis nodded. “Do it,” he told the men. “And get the Captain straight down to the morgue to thaw out. The scientists are waiting.”

Peggy and Kay were taken unceremoniously by the shoulders and frog-marched inside.

It took a few minutes for the red haze at the edge of Peggy’s vision to fade away and her fists to unclench before she could think about this logically, and when she did, she began to realize she was in very serious trouble indeed. All this time Masters had nothing on her but suspicions and circumstances, but now she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, so to speak. Who would believe her story that she and Howard were just bringing Steve back for burial when they’d been so secretive about the whole thing? Perhaps Kay would testify in her defense… but who would believe her when she was an admitted spy and a murderess?

The soldiers put them in a cell in the brig, far down in the belly of the ship, and left two very large and imposing men to watch over them. Peggy and Kay sat down on the little cot in the cell, and their guards sat down on either side of a small table outside, and dealt themselves a hand of cards. How ironic, Peggy thought with a barely-suppressed sneer.

Kay had said nothing since mocking the SSR’s security out on the deck. She did not look particularly inclined to say anything now. She merely sat looking at her watch.

“Have you anything to say for yourself?” Peggy asked her.

There was no reply. Of course there wasn’t. Kay had never explained anything and there was no reason for her to start now. Instead of trying to talk, Peggy decided to try to think.

What were their options at this point? They could sit here and be taken back to the States for trial – that would most likely end in a guilty verdict and imprisonment, if not hanging, for both of them. They could try to escape. Peggy could probably pick the lock on the door but the guards would see and hear her doing it, and she doubted she could take both of them. Perhaps Kay could take one, but that would just be further evidence that the two were in cahoots. What a silly-sounding word cahoots was. Where on Earth had it come from?

If they did escape, where would they go? They were on a ship. Peggy could not fly a plane or a helicopter, although she wondered whether Kay might be able to. Their only options would be to take a lifeboat or to jump into the water. The former would be easily pursued, and the latter meant death by hypothermia. The same fate Steve himself had suffered… also nicely ironic.

They could try to escape long enough to go get Steve’s body back, but what would they do with it? The options seemed to be destroying it or dumping it overboard. The second was not a good idea – it might still be retrieved. But the former was deeply distasteful. Peggy couldn’t imagine cutting him up or… or burning him? The ship would have huge furnaces to keep the crew warm and provide steam for the propellers. Those would certainly make a fine crematorium… could she bring herself to do it herself?

Maybe she could, if she were desperate enough. At the moment Peggy had nothing to lose… but that still left the question of how to get out of this cell…

“You stupid bitch,” said Kay suddenly.

Peggy’s head snapped up. “Excuse me?” she said. Her companion had said nothing at all for what must have been ten minutes at least, and now was offering insults out of nowhere?

Kay shot a glance at the guards, then glared at Peggy. “You had no plan, did you? Here I thought you were coming out here knowing what you were doing, but you had no idea and now we’re in here!”

Ah. “Why should I have a plan?” Peggy demanded. “I didn’t think we were going to find a bloody thing up here except ice and snow! Did you really think I was taking your word for something so important? How can you be smart enough to escape from Thompson and yet stupid enough to think I would trust you?”

“You didn’t need to trust me! You just needed to have a backup plan!” Kay gave Peggy a shove.

“Don’t you dare touch me, you daft Russian whore!” Peggy shoved her back, and the two of them rolled off the cot to grapple on the floor. Having fought with Dottie more than once, Peggy knew the Russian women were ruthless and skilled, but now Kay wrestled like a child who’d never been in a fight in her life, grabbing and pinching and pulling hair. Peggy did likewise. If this were going where she thought it was going…

“That’s enough, you two!” a male voice announced. Keys jingled. Peggy didn’t dare look up as two pairs of heavy boots approached – the men were going to try to separate her. For an instant she caught Kay’s eye, and saw a smile on the other woman’s face.

Then a pair of hands grabbed Peggy’s shoulders. She wrapped her legs around the man’s boots and twisted – he fell against the cot. Before he could right himself, Peggy was on her feet and grabbed him by the hair to smash his face against the wall repeatedly. By the second impact his nose was bloody, and by the fourth he was limp in her hands. She let him drop and turned around. Kay had gotten a hold of the second man’s tags and twisted them tight around his neck. Peggy was just in time to see him turn blue and pass out.

“Well done,” Peggy said, as the soldier collapsed at Kay’s feet.

“Letting them think you’re stupid and emotional is always your best weapon,” Kay told her, brushing off her hands.

“I have some experience with that myself,” said Peggy. “To the morgue?”

“Obviously.”

They helped themselves to the unconscious soldiers’ guns, and Peggy took the keys off one of their belts and locked the cell door on them.

The ship they were on was a Casablanca-class escort carrier. Peggy had never been on one, but she knew that on large military ships both the brig and the morgue were deep in the interior, far from anywhere the rank and file sailors would normally go. Left to her own devices, it probably wouldn’t have taken her very long to find the one from the other, but she didn’t have to. Kay appeared to know exactly where she was going. She headed down a flight of steps, and then paused in the stairwell, putting an ear to the doors. Peggy crept up next to her.

“How’s he doing?” a male voice asked.

“He’s free of most of the ice,” a woman replied, “but still pretty solid.”

Peggy put her eye to the gap between the two doors. Two doctors in white coats were talking to a brunette nurse, just to the right of a solid door labeled MORGUE. The door was closed and apparently locked.

“We can’t wait too long, or the blood will start to clot,” said the shorter of the doctors.

“We’ll still have the bone marrow,” the first man reassured him. “Can you give me an estimate, Miss Harper?”

“They’re saying at least another hour,” the nurse said, and turned to unlock the door. All three people headed through.

Peggy and Kay exchanged a glance to make sure they were still agreed as to the plan. It seemed they were, so they both burst out of the stairwell and took the trio from behind. Peggy clocked the taller one on the back of the head with the gun she’d taken off her jailer. He dropped to his knees, holding his bleeding scalp. Kay vaulted onto the shorter one’s back and knocked him forward into Miss Harper, spilling both of them onto the floor. Miss Harper tried to scream, but Kay kicked her in the face, and then drove her knee into the second doctor’s jaw. He fell.

Inside the morgue room, two more doctors and three nurses were standing around the gurney where Steve’s body was now lying. They were, for the moment, too shocked by this sudden and violent intrusion to react to it, which gave Peggy and Kay the advantage. Peggy grabbed the nearest equipment tray and hit one of the doctors in the face with it. The first blow appeared to merely stun him and he just stood there blinking at her. She hit him three more times, until he fell. One of the nurses tried to flee, and Peggy pushed the doctor’s body into her.

While Peggy was occupied with that, Kay had shoved the other doctor into the open drawer that had been waiting to receive Steve’s body. She shut it and turned the lock, then she and Peggy both pulled out their guns and trained them on the two nurses still standing. Both women put their hands up.

Kay twitched her chin towards the first two doctors and Miss Harper, all lying on the floor in various states of unconsciousness. “Get them out of the way,” she ordered the nurses.

The women didn’t move.

“We have had a very upsetting day,” Peggy warned them.

Terrified, the nurses went to start rolling the bodies of their co-workers away from the door. Kay kept her eyes and a gun on them, while Peggy took the brakes off the gurney. There was a white drop cloth over the corpse. Peggy knew it would be a terrible idea to look beneath it, but she told herself that after all this trouble they had better make sure they had the right body, and lifted it for a peek.

There he was. They’d cut his uniform off him, leaving him quite naked. Bruises and scrapes he’d gotten on his last mission were still there. Peggy recognized one on his arm where a bullet had grazed him. She’d bandaged that herself, because he’d been too sunken in depression from the death of his friend to do it. And the cut on his cheek, just beneath his left earlobe. She’d kissed that. The memory, buried for three years, was suddenly as fresh as if it had happened moments ago.

She reached to touch the place, and quickly drew her hand back upon finding his skin was wet and still icy cold, feeling more like frozen meat than human tissue. How was he still pink? As he thawed the blood ought to start pooling in his back and buttocks, like it always did on dead bodies. Maybe those parts were still frozen.

“Peggy!” Kay barked. “Is that him?”

Peggy quickly dropped the cloth and wiped her wet fingers on her coat. “It’s him,” she said.

“Follow me,” said Kay.

“Where are we going?” Peggy asked, as she wheeled the gurney out of the room.

Kay led the way up the hall with the longest strides she could take. “The boiler room,” she said.

“Oh, good,” Peggy nodded. Had Kay’s mission perhaps been to either secure Captain America’s body for her own people or, failing that, to see to it the Americans didn’t get a hold of him either? Peggy decided she didn’t care anymore. Whatever the reasons, they were going to do right by Steve, and after that, if Masters wanted to hang her, she would go to the gallows with her head held high.

#fanfic #captain america #agent carter #peggy carter #steve rogers #steggy #fix it fic

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amirajones · 3 years

Text

Forbidden love: The Pirate and the Pirate Princess pt. 4

Pairing: Amira White x Killian Jones (hook)

Word count: 1535

Killian never let go of my arm as we walked which made me curious on what was going on. Then I noticed a place we were passing that seemed like one of those houses women work in. I realized then why he was keeping hold of me the way he was. I looked at him seeing him looking forward as we kept walking but out of the corner of my eye I noticed a man who looked like he wanted to approach but did not.

I realized quickly if Analise and I had been on this trip by ourselves we would have had problems. Killian's grip didn't lose until we were far passed the man watching. I felt him loosen his grip yet he still held me close. I wondered if this what it was like to be close to someone. When we suddenly stopped and he took something out of his pocket. I looked seeing it was a necklace with a hook on it.

"Put this on." Killian said

"Ok" I asked Killian got behind me as he put it around my neck as I felt it clasp as he let it go around my neck. Analise had a worried look but I ignored it since I didn't know what she was paranoid about. The men were again whispering among themselves. I had gotten used to listening to whispers in the palace.

"The necklace, he said the one he would give it to after Milah would be his choice of his next girl." One of the men said "He may just be using it to protect her." Another said his next...girl? What happened to the last one? Amira thought

"Now if any man sees you with that around your neck, they'll think twice before ever approaching you if you're alone." Killian said "What do you mean?" Amira asked "well princess, since you're not dressed royalty right now. It shows you're part of the crew." Killian said

I knew he was probably not going to try to claim me as his girl in front of the crew. We were not really anything to each other but still I was glad that he seemed to care about my safety. I knew what I was going to figure out something but he just put his arm around me again as he led me around. Till we came around a market and our next task happened.

"Alright ladies time for you to figure out how to do this." Killian said We had to watch the first few times and it was up to me to figure out my own way. I had to built my confidence but when he had us try it seemed Analise struggled as we made it back to the group. Killian seemed to be curious as we opened our hands. In mine was jewels and a ring while Analise didn't fair so well.

"Impressive." Killian said I put a hand on Analise's shoulder knowing this wasn't what she signed up for. She signed up to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. Here I was indulging more into the pirate life every moment we were among them. I could tell she didn't like it one bit but had kept her mouth shut the entire time. Killian took most of the things from us except the ring I'd gotten.

"A reminder of your first success." Killian said "What's next to learn?" I asked "All in due time Luv." Killian said

I felt in some way he was holding back against me due to my royal status. He didn't even test me with sword skills yet but that was something that would be discussed sometime. He led us around still avoiding my questions but I stopped walking which made him look at me. "We need talk." Amira said "Very well." Killian said motioning for the men to go but Analise stayed since she was with me. "What's on your mind Luv?" He purposely took me somewhere where we could just talk the two of us but he knew Analise was to watch me so there would be three people. I had to find out some answers before going any farther with this. Was he truly just being nice to me or was there more to this than I was reading into.

"Who is Milah? Who lived in the cabin you gave me?" Amira asked

"Where did you hear that name?" Killian said a bit defensive, "Who told you?" "The men like to whisper, I used to sneak around my home to hear what people didn't want known. It's kinda stuck with me since I was young." Amira said and touched the necklace "this isn't just something you give someone for their protection and the men were whispering among themselves. She clearly was someone important for them to be talking." "Aye, Milah lived in the cabin you're staying in. She was my first love." Killian said

His first love? Well that makes sense why it's a touchy subject and he got defensive. Amira thought

He touched the necklace he put around my neck for my own protection looking at the necklace before looking at me. Analise seemed on the lyric of his next words. I was wondering what his next words were going to be. "I told the crew the person who wore this necklace would be my next love." Killian said as he removed his hand "But I admit you're way out of my league princess but using that necklace has another thing. I did give it to you merely for the protection it will give you nothing more. Unless you make the decision other wise." I was a bit in shock to hear that the necklace to the men had the purpose they were whispering about. His truth on why he gave it to me made sense more than the rest of anything else. I was merely going about this like everything was fine and here there were people looking for weak open women. I hated the fact women had to sell themselves just to survive it sickened me.

"We're out of your kingdom so there is nothing you can physically do to help them." Killian said "You chose to come with me to see the world you longed to see." He knew what I was considering before I even considered it fully and I gave a sigh of defeat. I questioned why he didn't protect Analise like he protect me but I had a feeling it all came down to status. I looked at Analise with the way things were she was more of a target for these men than I was now.

"You gave this to me but what about Analise?" I asked "She is seen with you, it should protect you both." Killian said I knew he was right that she was always by my side but that still didn't mean I was approving of all this. I questioned how much he was planning ahead when it came to the fact that he was in charge of making sure that I was in safe hands. I noticed him put an arm around me and the back of his hook behind Analise leading us away. I wonder where he's taking us now. I thought

Turns out it was a bit darker than I thought so we all walked in the tavern. I noticed the men were sitting there with drinks ready as he walked us over to the table. I took my seat as I was thinking over things but the men just went about like normal.

"Captain we see you're back with Selena and Analise." One of the men said "Aye, Selena had a few questions and I have to answer them." Killian said

He was right I did have questions, I still had some questions left to ask but not now. I knew all in due time still there was a good thing to all this. We ended up having drinks for the rest of the night again Analise didn't drink but one drink but I let loose a bit again. I noticed this tavern had a dance floor which caught my attention as I was drinking my drink. Killian stood up from the table offering his hand to me which made me look at him. I wondered what he was up to but then here was an opportunity to dance with him again. I put my hand in his as we went to the dance floor with him. It was nice dancing close and I noticed some people looking at us.

"They're looking at you Luv." Killian whispered "why me?" Amira asked quietly "You're dancing with the ruthless Captain Hook." Killian whispered

I got a little snarky a bit as I whispered in his ear "You don't look so ruthless to me." Amira whispered

He twirled me a bit but I had to admit it was good to do something different. I was enjoying the dance as I noticed someone coming to approach. I questioned my next move as women all over seemed to want to flirt with him. He wasn't mine but he was showing me a good time.

#Colin O'Donoghue #killian jones #killian jones x reader #captain hook #captain hook x oc #once upon a time #Ouat #fanfic

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barnzbucky · 4 years

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reach for the moon - chapter 1 (Ivar x Reader)

Pairing: Ivar x reader; Hvitserk x reader (but barely)

Summary: 5 years have passed. Hvitserk finds out something Ivar did behind his back. The reader returns to Kattegat, and meets the man she longed to see the most.

Warnings: ableist talk (if feels unlike Ivar to not mention his condition when he gives his self loathing speeches, but it’s strange to write it); mention of arranged marriage; mentions of war; mentions of unrequited love; canon divergence; oc characters; fictional city; uncanon light hearted characters; cuteness at the end, but it made me feel guilty; (please, let me know if I missed something)

Word count: 2k

A/N: Hi!! Thank you so much for all the feedback in the prologue, I was beyond happy. My classes have just returned, and I also work, so I only have time to write and edit during the night, and I was supposed to edit this chapter yesterday, but I stayed up the whole night binge watching The Circle, and got nothing done 😂 Well, I hope you like the first chapter, I’m pretty proud of it 😂 please, tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy this ❤️️❤️️

masterlist | series masterlist

As the last citizen walked into the throne room, Ivar almost sighed in relief. He was most serious about his position as king, but he truly felt like everyone was working hard to make his job unbearable. He used to be known as the least patient man in Kattegat, and now, no one minded bothering him with meaningless cases. Sat in a throne, from morning to evening, listening to people talk his ear off about stupid ordeals, like neighbors stealing sheeps, or loud noises animals made during night, was not what he had in mind when he took over the city.

Battle plans and strategies were the only thing he was interested in, trade and economic deals weren’t too inconvenient, but having to deal with his subject’s complaints, no matter how insignificant, made him wonder if it was worth it.

However, Ivar knew he had to work harder than any man to earn the respect and admiration he longed for, and for a while he thought war was the only way, but life and the Gods were quick to teach him pointless conflict, in the longer run, brought only pain and loneliness, and fear was quite different from respect.

So he settled for making Kattegat the most prosperous city in Norway, a trade reference, with advantageous alliances, and satisfied citizens who had nothing to complain about. But they had become too spoiled, and complained about everything to their heart’s content.

Still, as bored as he was, Ivar could finally say he proved everyone who doubted him wrong, and he imagined his parents would be proud of him.

When the man finally left, he wasted no time, but before he could get out of the throne to eat his dinner in peace, Hvitserk stormed in looking almost angry, with Ubbe after him, unbothered.

“Would you care to explain what is this marriage nonsense?” his brother asked, almost laughing, as if it was a joke he didn’t quite understand.

Ivar merely raised his eyebrows and looked away from him to Ubbe, “I take it you told him, then?”

Ubbe told Ivar it was a bad idea to make the deal without telling Hvitserk. If he refused, the king would be angry and they would go to war. But his younger brother was so sure nothing was going to go wrong, and refused to listen to him. Now, a confrontation he didn’t want to be a part of was happening right in front of him.

“I’ll let you talk, I have nothing to do with this,” Ubbe didn’t hesitate to leave before he was forced to take a side. None of the other men bothered with him.

“I am not going to marry Tove just because you want more warriors at your disposal.” Hvitserk looked frustrated. He knew this would happen eventually, but not that soon, and certainly not without being consulted first.

“The alliance also includes fur and food,” Ivar had a mocking smirk on his face. It was funny to him, and almost insulting, that his brother thought he would force him to marry for something as meaningless as men and gold. “And I thought you liked her, Hvitserk! Surely, she is a beautiful woman, and a princess. I imagine you know her very well, what is so bad about this?”

“I like many women, brother, and I don’t need a wife!” he crossed his arms and lifted his chin, defensive and defiant at the same time.

Ivar’s hands tightly griped the arms of the throne, and he took a deep breath, trying not to get mad. His brother had chosen the worst day to do this. He was tired, hungry, cold, and in pain, and all that just made him angrier, “Good alliances are not made out only of a man’s word, Hvitserk, don’t be stupid. King Fredrick wanted his daughter to marry, and I offered him that. We all need to make sacrifices for Kattegat.”

“Why don’t you marry her, then?” the question made Ivar’s smirk return and he chuckled.

“A wife is of no use to me, yet. I have too much work to do. Any woman would be miserable to be left aside by her crippled husband in benefit of battle councils, and meetings,” he explained, still amused by his brother’s question, “All you need to do, brother, is to humor the king until the marriage is complete. After that, I’m sure you and your wife will come to an agreement.”

Hvitserk shook his head and sighed. He knew he wouldn’t be able to change Ivar’s mind, and now the arrangement was made, it was too risky to break it. He supposed Tove wouldn’t be the worst bride, and doubted she would ask him to be faithful to her if she wouldn’t be the same. He knew her well enough to say she probably wouldn’t, “I’ll think about it.”

Both knew he wouldn’t think about it. It was already decided. But Ivar could let his brother win the argument if that meant he would follow through with the wedding. So he just nodded.

After Hvitserk left, finally he had time to rest.

It took you two entire days to arrive in Kattegat.

The heavy set of fur was only vaguely familiar, heavy over your shoulders. You almost wanted to take it off. Maybe the unmistakable cold of your hometown would make reality sink in faster.

If you squinted your eyes, you could see it. The enormous coast, filled with more ships than you could count, the white, icy fog over the docks, and people coming and going at the beach. Soon you would be there, and your heart ached in your chest when you remembered how things used to be five years ago.

You laughed, remembering you didn’t want to go to Gleðiborg in the first place. If you only knew then, how wonderful and warm and comforting that town was.

Gleðiborg provided you the best years of your life. It taught you to actively live and make the best of your time in Midgard, instead of watching it all go by from afar.

You felt beautiful, confident, and happy. So unlike the person you were before, lonely and invisible.

You blinked to get your mind to calm, and focused again in the city ahead of you. Before you got into the ship, you promised yourself not to let your bad thoughts and memories control you. And you never broke a promise, even if self-made.

No matter how much you changed, your biggest wound was not yet healed. Prince Hvitserk still held your heart.

But regardless of how nervous you felt, you were as ready as you would ever be to face your past.

You thought about your last night in Kattegat, so long ago, but still so clear on your mind.

The usual heartache of seeing Hvitserk holding and kissing another woman felt worse, you never wished so bad to be in his arms as in that last time you saw him. That night, he only gave you one of his friendly smiles and politely asked you how you were. You could almost hear him saying your name.

Then, prince Ivar trusted you to his feelings and showed raw vulnerability… everything that proved he was more man than beast, you secretly promised to keep to yourself. It made you feel special and comforted that night, to be useful and needed, even knowing it only happened because you were the only one there. You were sure he didn’t even know of your existence before.

You hoped he was better. You supposed so, he was the king now. You were happy he had made it through his insecurities and finally got what he wanted.

Sooner than you thought, your ship arrived at the docks. You took a deep breath before daring to look at the city streets.

When you only had warm and sunny Gleðiborg to compare to, it was dark and cold. The sun was hidden behind the clouds and the wind hurt your skin and made your eyes burn. The smell of fish was so strong you were almost certain it was impregnating your clothes, and your head ached from the loud noise of people talking and shouting.

It wasn’t the best.

But you remembered how Kattegat looked like when you left. And this was completely different from your memory.

Back then, because of the upcoming war, everyone was rigid, tense, and more violent than usual. The city could barely hold that many people, and the food was too expensive for the poorer citizens eat more than a small meal a day, at best. Now, it seemed to be doing much better.

The market was full of people, children, the older folk, artisans, non-warriors, all vulnerable and glad, like it wasn’t before. This was far from how you imagined a place ruled by a man they called a “ruthless monster”.

When your parents visited Gleðiborg, they told you about an unforgivable king when it came to criminals and traitors, intolerant of the people’s silliness and drama, who never engaged in commoner’s celebrations like his brothers, only the ones held in the Great Hall, and was extremely impatient over everything else. But who still prioritized food and warmth over war and luxury for himself and took the time to find and make it better the problems of his kingdom.

Snapping from your thoughts, you stepped out of the ship and searched for your father in the crowd. You expected him to be there, it had been a while they announced there were people coming.

You hoped you wouldn’t have to wait for too long.

Unknown to you, you had drawn attention, standing there in perfect posture, right beside your bag. The furs around your body didn’t hide the vibrant yellow of your dress, a refreshing contrast before the gray sea.

While distracted searching for your father, someone lifted your baggage from the floor.

You turned back to see who it was and your heart almost failed you. Of course, the first person to greet you was the one you were most nervous to meet again.

Hvitserk had in his face a specific smile you had seen many times before, but never directed at you.

You almost gasped. He looked as attractive as you remembered, with the years difference, and all.

“May I help you? These seem too heavy,” his voice was comforting, and the flirty tone had you melting.

You opened a wide smile and fixed your posture, finding your new confidence self again, and didn’t bother hiding your excitement, “Hi, how are you?”

“I’m fine, how are you?” He crooked his head, as if he was confused, but the smile didn’t falter, “Who are you?”

“Who am I?” you chuckled, clearly amused. You knew you looked different, but not to the point he wouldn’t even remember who you were.

“Am I supposed to know?” he still looked confused, but had the same flirty tone and big smile.

Thinking about how no one, not even you, would have expected you to look as confident and liberated as you did now, it was shocking. You didn’t even feel like the same person, and until now, you haven’t realized it.

You couldn’t blame him for not recognizing you. You used to be friendly with each other, but being unable to look into his eyes whenever you talked, and standing in the light corners of every outing made you invisible.

“No, I supposed not,” you shook your head and laughed some more, “And yes, you may help me! Would you be so kind to walk me home?”

He held a hand out, the other holding your belongings. You stared at it. “Well, let’s go. Show me the way.”

You took his hand and started to walk to your home holding him behind you, occasionally glancing at him over your shoulder and giggling, until he had enough and decided to walk by your side. His cheeky smile made it almost impossible not to sigh.

“What is your name?”

tags: @luvjiminssi ; @ryukjin ; @hecohansen31 ; @heavenly1927 ; @youbloodymadgenius ; @ace-fiction ; @poisonous00 ; @jzr201 ; @rose1729 ; @shestrying2write ; @zuxiezendler ; @learninglemni-blog ; @didiintheblog ; @the-jess-life (if you’d like to be tagged or to be removed from the tag list, just send me a message/ask, no problem ☺️ if I wasn’t able to tag, please check if your blog is available to show on search)

#ivar x reader #ivar the boneless #ivar imagine #vikings imagine #vikings fanfiction #ivar's heathen army #ivar the boneless imagine #ivar fanfiction #vikings #vikings x reader #reach for the moon #barnzbucky

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grither55 · 3 years

Text

The Princess and the Peasant - (An Azula Epic) - Chapter 107 - The Advent of the Emperor

"I'll be taking my project back now. And your little friend as well." Nero stated remarked in a monstrous voice as he advanced forward while Elle shook in renewed fear.

"Princess…" Elle mumbled as she shivered while Azula pushed her behind her tall armored back.

While the ruthless princess coldly stared the smiling scientist and his squad of soldiers down.

All the while as the three noblewomen stood defensively in the blazing ruins while they never took their eyes off the approaching man.

While the bomber glanced about with an unpredictable look in her eyes.

"Your little experiment lost. We won. That means that both now belong to me." Azula spoke in a victorious voice while she glared up at Nero while he just smiled back at her.

"Be careful Azula…he is stronger than he looks." Mai stated in a quiet voice with her blades in hand while her leader stoically stared the man down.

"It is difficult to find worthy test subjects in a land where infants are not born with awakened energy. Or as you call it chi. However, I devised a scientific method to awaken it with my invention." The geneticist announced in a vastly proud voice with his malevolent eyes gazing back at the bewildered faces of Team Azula.

"Your invention?" Zoe questioned with her hazel eyes widening in revulsion while she turned to gaze back at Katsu.

While Mai and Ty Lee stared on with a look of growing horror in their eyes.

While the princess listened with her hardened golden eyes expressing little pity for the man's unfortunate test subjects.

"Y-you! You did that to Katsu!" The handmaid hollered with unnatural anger in her voice while the man smirked back at her.

All the while as her friends stood glaring the insidious researcher down.

"That scar is the mark of my core implant! Once implanted it is a device that forcibly awakens the depths of one's inner potential. The only flaw is that most of my subjects do not survive the surgery." Nero declared as he stalked forward while the group listened with horrified expressions in their eyes.

It took a great deal to render the entire team of ruthless women speechless.

And it went without saying that hearing this demented man boast of twisting what they saw as a natural aspect of birth into a twisted scientific experiment managed to do just that!

While Katsu stared on with her feral golden eyes almost seeming as if she was untroubled by the man's admission.

"The surgery is so intense that the weak are weeded out and only the strong survive. To date…I have only had four children survive the procedure. The agony is so great that even the strongest willed of individuals have a tendency to bite their own tongue out." The geneticist explained in a monstrous voice as he encircled the stunned Team Azula with a savage grin on his lips.

While his heartless crimson eyes still gazed back at Elle's young horror-filled face.

All the while as the older girls slowly but steadily recovered from their state of shock.

"Monster!" Ty Lee called out with her brown-gray eyes glaring back at the man as she watched him carefully.

"H-he's…pure evil. Just…just like Felix." Elle stammered with emotion flashing in her sensitive amber eyes while Mai also glared at Nero.

Just as Zoe took a step forward while she coldly stared back at their new enemy.

While Azula turned to glance at her warrior with golden eyes once again expressing surprise to see the woman show fury at the mention of children facing torture.

"You depraved freak. You hunt children because you lack the strength to go after those old enough to fend for themselves. I bet that's why you never came after me. Does that sound about right to you?" The captain spoke with her katana pointing back at the remorseless scientist while her hazel eyes took on a focused death glare.

While her companions listened with their eyes also never leaving the monstrosity of a researcher.

All the while as the ominous man still smiled cruelly back at them.

Before the princess let out a dismissive scoff while she unfolded her arms from her plated chest.

"So, you cut into defenseless peasant children. So what? That doesn't make you strong." The princess scoffed in a callous voice with her tyrannical eyes staring imposingly back at the smirking man.

Although inwardly she was unable to deny that it was astonishing that this man was able to create such a mighty firebender.

Even though the girl was as dull as an unpolished sword.

She was still one of the most powerful firebenders that she has ever seen.

And to think that the girl was a combustionbender on top of that!

And not a second later after that she was pulled from her thoughts when she gazed back at the researcher's injured face.

It was right then at that very moment that the entire team stared on in shock when they saw that the wounds on his face were slowly healing!

Azula's golden eyes widened ever so marginally in disbelief while she watched a visible cut vanish from Nero's smirking cheek.

All the while as he let out a sadistic cackle while he continued to stalk around the stunned group with his crimson eyes still gazing back at their surprised faces.

"H-his face…the wounds that Katsu gave him are closing up!" The handmaid exclaimed while her princess gazed on with her golden eyes agape in incredulity.

"I may not be the strongest Azula. But I am much older than you and with my enhancements I am more than capable of taking down three exhausted firebenders whose flames are burning out like a fading candle!" Nero replied in a malicious voice as his crimson eyes flashed with sadistic intent while the princess glared furiously back at him.

While the three noblewomen readied themselves for battle alongside their leader.

All the while as they gazed between the predatory researcher and his approaching soldiers.

And then right back to the bomber in uncertainty while the wild girl watched the squad move forward.

"We'll just see about that! You're a fool if you think that my flame is anywhere close to burning out!" Azula hissed in a murderous voice with her boots sliding back in the rubble while her young admirer shivered behind her.

While she glared all around her at the encroaching soldiers with her teeth ground together in a domineering snarl.

And then not even seconds later the team turned around in surprise when a blast of combustionbending went off behind them.

All the while as they now watched a soldier fly away screaming in pain after a green bomb detonated in his face.

Yet it did nothing to deter the researcher from smiling viciously as he stalked around them in an unnerving circle.

While Katsu rubbed a finger against her ear as she smiled back at the frightened soldiers.

"Blah blah blah! More big words! Like fire lady, you talk too much. Thanks for the power that you gave me but I don't want or need you anymore. I already have all that I need." Katsu spoke with a bored growl while the highborn women gazed back at her in bewilderment.

All the while as the princess cruelly rolled her eyes in poorly hidden mockery.

"Ugh! Those aren't even big words you idiot!" The princess snorted with another roll of her haughty eyes while her childhood friends cast her exasperated stares.

Only for her elegant brow to raise in interest when the bomber generated another glowing light in between her cupped palms.

All the while as Katsu began to grin wildly with her face taking on an increasingly frightening green tint.

"And that's bakudan!" The bomber yelled out as she sprang into the air with her palms alight while the flames from the fires accented her visage.

While Team Azula exchanged wary looks with each other before they sunk into combat stances.

All the while as they locked eyes with the grinning researcher while he cackled maliciously once more.

Before they watched in alarm when a dark aura flared from the man's uniformed body while he gazed back into Elle's fearful amber eyes.

And then the scientist jumped into the air with his ghostly white hair blowing in the wind before his bloodthirsty red eyes.

All while as the highborn women glared furiously back at him as they all sprung forward into battle!

Only to find themselves gazing on in surprise when the scientist unexpectedly froze in his tracks with his palm extended before the princess's taken aback face.

While the puzzled team listened to the sound of a high-pitched beeping that was coming from underneath the man's coat.

All while they watched in confusion as Nero gazed down at the source of the sound with his crimson eyes seeming to widen in apparent alarm.

While Azula still glared back at the researcher's strangely aggravated face just as she heard an explosion go off in the far-off horizon.

Just as all of Team Azula turned around to gaze up into the sky only for their eyes to widen when they saw what appeared to be two separate armies approaching from over the snow-covered landscape!

While the sounds of weapon fire continued to rumble into the air as the clashing forces fired upon one another!

All the while as Katsu landed on her feet as she gazed around with a confused look in her wild golden eyes.

While the soldiers observed the engaging armies from underneath their helmets with fear in their eyes.

And up above them Naoki stood with her right gloved hand lingering over her sheathed sword.

While her scarlet hair blew before her eyes as she halted in her attack.

Only for her brown eyes to marginally widen in recognition when she turned to stare back at the two battling military forces.

"Rieko." Naoki spoke under her breath as she stood with her clothing blowing in the northern winds.

While Team Azula stared off into the distance with weary expressions in their eyes as they shared an uneasy glance with each other.

"That…is a big army." The markswoman muttered while she warily gazed out at the approaching air force.

"Azula…this doesn't look good." The acrobat stated in a worried voice as she shivered in the winds.

While the princess turned to scowl imperiously back at the face of their new distracted enemy.

All the while as they continued to listen to the foreboding beeping that only grew louder and louder.

While Nero still stared down at the device with his red eyes conveying a sudden sense of urgency as he seemed to completely ignore his puzzled enemies.

"There is only one person I know with that energy reading! It has to be…" The geneticist exclaimed with something akin to fear in his voice while the team listened in grudging interest.

All the while as the princess and the captain's eyes now shone with curiosity as they studied the man closely.

And not a second later they watched in surprise when sparks erupted from the device hanging from the researcher's coat.

"Rieko!" Nero hissed with frustration seeping from his voice while he clenched his gloved fist before his incensed face.

While the Fire Nation women recovered as they gazed on with rising intrigue in their eyes.

As Elle's amber eyes now grew wide while she stared up into the cold skies with her golden hair sweeping about before her shivering face.

"H-Heika…Heika's coming." The handmaid stammered in an apprehensive voice while her princess gazed on with glowering golden eyes.

While the group listened in bewilderment as the soldiers began to murmur and mutter amongst each other.

"T-the God Emperor is approaching!" A soldier hollered in a frightened voice while his fellow soldiers quickly grew equally alarmed.

While the highborn women stared on with disbelieving expressions in their eyes to hear that the enigmatic woman that they have heard so much about was dubbed the 'God Emperor'.

Just before they all turned to their young friend's fretful face for an explanation.

"Elle…they call this monarch the God Emperor?" Zoe questioned in a fascinated voice as she gazed back at the younger girl's shivering face while the teenager nervously bit her lip.

"T-that's one of her titles. She earned that title because no one has been able to halt her conquest to this day." Elle explained in an anxious voice with her amber eyes peering up into the distant sky while her friends listened keenly in growing interest.

All the while as the princess's ruthless golden eyes flashed with another lip of intrigue as a cold wind blew through her hair.

"Really? Is that so? How unfortunate for her then. Because I look forward to showing her the power of a true conqueror." Azula spoke with a proud smirk forming on her regal lips while she gazed ahead with domineering golden eyes.

All while Ty Lee and Mai shared an uncertain look as they shivered in the chilling artic winds.

Only for her merciless eyes to spark with a trace of renewed fury when the researcher let out a derisive scoff.

Before her frigid eyes glared on in slight surprise when the scientist turned away to glare up into the horizon.

"A-and that's not all Azula-sama. They also call her the world's strongest aberrant." The handmaid admitted in an unusually serious voice while a profound look of shook over took her four friend's eyes.

And that was all it took for Team Azula to stare back at their young friend with stunned expression in their widened eyes.

And even the bomber tilted her head with a look of childish interest flashing before her golden eyes.

"The world's strongest Elle?" Ty Lee inquired in an astonished voice while her little sister quickly nodded her blonde head.

"That's so oneesan. As in widely considered to be the undisputed most powerful fighter on the planet." Elle stated with an uncharacteristic graveness in her voice while the older girls stared on in awe.

All the while as the princess and her captain now stared on with an unmistakably competitive gleam in their eyes.

"How dare she intercede in my research! She must seek these firebenders as Apostle recruits. She has some gall to think that every resource in the world belongs to her!" The geneticist ranted with anger seeping from his voice while he gripped a gloved fist at his hip.

While the firebenders in question glared back at him for daring to state that they were resources.

"Apostle recruits?" The captain pondered in a searching voice as she watched with guarded hazel eyes while the soldiers were distracted by the arrival of the approaching armada.

"The Apostles. The emperor is creating an elite fighting force composed of only the world's strongest warriors." Nero answered with a snap while his crimson eyes turned to eye the astonished group while another cold wind swept through the air.

All the while as the Fire Nation women stared on with piqued expressions in their eyes.

While Elle's innocent eyes flickered with recognition as she recalled the words that Rieko said in the recording that she listened to back on the island.

I will show you how to get rid of the rot…and together with my Apostles. We will build a better world.

"She…she mentioned the Apostles in the recording that she left me." Elle muttered in a mousy voice while she stood behind her princess's tall back.

All the while as Azula's cold eyes gazed on with noticeable captivation in her eyes as she mulled over her young servants' words.

'An elite fighting force comprised of only the strongest benders…' The princess thought with her callous eyes taking on a calculating stare.

Only for her tyrannical eyes to narrow once more when she saw Nero turn to regard her girlfriend with a sadistic gaze.

And then seconds later the entirety of Team Azula tensed up while they never once took their eyes off the seemingly inhuman man as he started to stalk towards them once more.

While they held their ground with the small girl shivering in anxiety behind them.

All the while as each of the four older girls glared at the monstrous man while his hesitant soldiers flanked him from behind.

"But that doesn't matter right now. All that matters is that you are coming back with me." The geneticist commented in a malicious voice as the teenager's eyes flickered with fear.

While the highborn women glared daggers back at him.

"No, she isn't." Mai stated in a determined voice with her cold knives in her tightened fists while her companions sunk into combat stances.

While Azula now stared back at Nero with terrifyingly imposing golden eyes that made the soldiers hesitate in their steps.

"You're scared of Heika…aren't you?" The handmaid inquired with a sudden spark of bravery in her voice.

While the four highborn women now turned to their petite friend in surprise by the unexpected taunt.

All the while as the researcher now halted in his tracks with a simply furious glower now adorning his pale complexion.

"What did you just say to me brat?" Nero responded with venom in his voice while his crimson eyes honed in on the girl's shivering face.

While the teenager tried her hardest to refrain from showing any sign of fear.

"It's just as I said. You seemed so content to take your time toying around with us and ever since you noticed that she is approaching all of the sudden you are in such a hurry to leave." Elle quipped with a nervous expression on her uncertain face while her friends stood quietly studying the now enraged man closely.

While Nero took another menacing stop forward as he stared the small girl down.

All the while as the princess and her subordinates cast cold glared back at him and his soldiers.

While Azula listened attentively to her young servant's words while her frigid eyes never left the man's outraged face.

All while she held her burning fists at her hips with her lips entrenched in a ferocious scowl.

"If Rieko is the strongest where does that put you? I'm guessing that you aren't number two or three judging by that underhanded stunt that you pulled on Ty Lee." The handmaid spoke in an uncharacteristically firm voice while she met the scientist's infuriated gaze.

While the older girls stood speechless by her show of bravery.

All the while as the wild bomber stood on the sidelines with her golden eyes gazing back at the younger girl in surprise.

"Strong enough to rip your and your exhausted friends apart! You little whelp!" The geneticist hissed in a monstrous voice with his evil eyes glaring into the teenager's wavering amber eyes.

Only for the princess and the captain to take a warning step forward while they glared back at his enraged countenance.

All the while as the teenager clutched the straps of her backpack with another flash of bravery overcoming her eyes.

"I bet if you tried to use that stun gun on Heika she would break everyone bone in your freakish body! Am I wrong or am I right?!" Elle shouted with her voice carrying over the cold winds while Team Azula stood in a taken aback silence in front of her.

While Nero stood with his teeth clenched together while he trembled in unfathomable rage.

All the while as it became apparent to each of the Fire Nation women that the man would have long since attacked the girl if they weren't present to protect her.

"You are not Rieko! And you do not possess the power of Subzero! You have no comprehension of the agony that is in store for you if you continue to run your little mouth! I'll show you that your brother's games are but a trifle compared to the torment of my laboratory!" Nero snarled as he stalked ahead with his malevolent crimson staring mercilessly back into the girl's shaken eyes.

While the faces of the three noblewomen contorted into that of immeasurable disgust over the horrific threat.

All the while as the mighty princess held out two fingers with lightning beginning to generate at her fingertips.

While the soldiers hesitated in fright as they lingered beside their deranged leader.

'The power of Subzero….' Azula thought with her elegant brows furrowing in contemplation.

While she glared Nero down with her icy eyes studying her new enemy closely.

While it was clear that the man was by no means a normal human.

It was already apparent that this Rieko was an even greater force to be reckoned with.

Only to find herself turning back to her girlfriend once more with her golden eyes flickering in astonishment when the girl's energy faintly sparked to life at her clenched fists.

All the while as the team stood gaping on with expressions of pride in their eyes.

"Well what are you waiting for then! Come and get us!" The handmaid called out as she shook a small fist in the air while her friends gazed at her in bewilderment.

While Nero's red eyes brimmed with murderous wrath as he stood glaring back at the emboldened girl.

All the while as the acrobat placed a supportive hand on the teenager's shivering shoulder.

"You go Elle! You want us! Here we are!" The acrobat yelled out with her braided hair blowing behind her.

"My sentiments exactly." Zoe stated in a stony voice with her ruthless hazel eyes glaring at the scientist.

"Mine as well." The markswoman agreed in a scarily protective voice while she stood eying the man's snarling face.

All the while as the princess's lightning crackled before her terrifyingly possessive face.

While her golden eyes took on a horrifying death glare that made the researcher hesitate to come any closer.

"Yes, please do. I look forward to seeing how your enhancements handle my lightningbending!" The princess bellowed in a voice that was as frigid as the winds while her eyes narrowed into bloodthirsty slits.

Just before the entire team turned around when another loud combustion blast made their ears ring once more.

While Elle peered back at the bomber with a moved expression in her eyes to see Katsu's fists glowing brightly.

All the while as the bomber stood with her brown hair blowing wildly about as the feral girl stared back at the intimidated soldiers.

And right into the seething face of the scientist as he glared back into her rebellious eyes.

"I am free now! Free to pop your head like a grape and make you go boom!" Katsu announced in a delightful voice with her palms glowing before her face as wicked grin pulled upon her lips.

While the researcher sneered back at her with a cruel look in his eyes.

All the while as he gazed from one target to another before he turned back to Elle's defiant face.

Before he started to take another step closer as he raised a threatening hand in the air while the Fire Nation women glared a hole through his skull.

"Fool! But you won't survive long enough to gloat about it! I am going to cut you apart one atom at a…." The geneticist threatened only to trail off with his crimson eyes when he felt an unspeakable chill travel down his spine.

And just like that he felt a titanic aura wash over him while he turned to peer over his shoulder.

Only for his eyes to grow even wider in pale realization when he saw a war plane approaching over the distant sky.

While the highborn women and their young friend froze up as well as they turned to gaze in the direction of the plane.

All the while as the older girls stared on in awe over the sheer difference in architecture in comparison to Fire Nation military machinery!

While Elle's amber eyes grew as wide as can be when she realized that she was able to sense a tremendous source of energy from aboard the plane.

It was just like before when she was able to sense the location of the sage.

But this…was a much bigger power than that of Mava!

There was no doubting that it could only be Rieko!

"I-I can sense Heika…she is on that plane." Elle stuttered in a meeker voice while her friends gazed in the direction of the plane in fascination.

"You can sense her Elle?" Ty Lee questioned in an unnerved voice once more while the teenager numbly nodded her head.

While Azula glared in the distance with her brows furrowing in thoughtfulness.

It was just like when the girl located the old hag.

'Elle can sense the location of powerful chi users before they arrive?' Azula thought with her lips while a look of curiosity came over her cold eyes.

Only to find herself turning to Nero in surprise to see that the man was raising his hand in the air for his soldiers to desist.

And that was all it took for the team to watch with disbelief in their eyes as the evil researcher shook his head in aggravation.

"I will not be baited into wasting anymore of my time quarreling with a diminutive teenager. Let's go." Nero snapped with a scowl as he turned away while the older girls stared at him in astonishment.

"I-I'm not diminutive. I'm just a late bloomer…" The handmaid mumbled in an adorable voice as her shoulders slumped while the acrobat fondly patted her shoulder.

While her friends glanced at her with momentarily humored looks in their eyes before they turned to glare after the retreating man.

"That's it then? You're leaving? How pathetic." The princess sneered as she placed a fist on her womanly hip while she stared coldly at the researcher's back.

"I have no more time to spend on lesser threats. The emperor demands my full attention. Besides…" The geneticist stated in a cruel voice as he briefly paused in his step while the princess and the captain stared on with their eyes boiling in offense.

'Lesser threat! He dares call me a lesser threat!' Azula thought with absolute rage taking over her tyrannical eyes while she gritted her teeth in her fury.

Although as much as it enraged her to admit it.

She knew well enough that even the strongest firebender would be rendered weak the very moment that these fires died out.

And then in that very instant the seemingly inhuman man turned to smirk deviously back at the guarded faces of the group.

All the while as his predatory eyes passed over from fighter to another before his unnerving gaze finally settled on the trembling Elle once more.

"Time means nothing to me. I can wait to dissect you girls another day. Be it one year…two…five or even ten. If one of you should prove optimal for my purposes…I will return for you." Nero spoke in a sadistic voice as he gazed back at the stunned faces of the group.

And it was all Ty Lee and Mai could do to shudder with returning fear traveling down their spines.

'Dissect…by Agni what a beast! He really is serious about experimenting on benders!' Mai thought with her tawny eyes taking on a revolted countenance.

While Azula and Zoe now glared back at him even more murderously than before as they clutched at their weapons.

All the while as they shared a calculating look through the corner of their eyes.

"What makes you think that we are just going to let you leave?" The captain demanded in a glacial voice with her hazel eyes glaring daggers back at the smirking man.

"What choice do you have?" The geneticist chuckled as he stood gazing back at the two furious firebenders.

While Zoe and Azula warily watched the two armies continue to clash in the distance.

All the while as one side rapidly began to dwindle as many burning aircraft plummeted from the skies.

And it began to become increasingly apparent which side was going to come out on top.

"In any event…you and I will be meeting each other again in the future Elle Turner." The geneticist purred with his crimson eyes staring back at the young girl's quivering face while the older girls stared furiously back at him.

"M-meeting again?" Elle squeaked as she swallowed with her sensitive eyes staring after the smiling man.

While Azula stood at the front with her savage gaze never leaving the man's deviously grinning face.

"One day you will come to me in search of knowledge that only I can give." Nero commented in a purposefully ambiguous voice before he turned to walk away.

All the while as Elle stood there with a baffled look on her young face while her friends stared after the man's back with boundless distrust in their eyes.

"C-come to him? Why would I come to him?" The handmaid asked in a confused voice while the princess cast a monstrous glare after the scientist's retreating back.

While the four Fire Nation women stared after the man with looks of profound violence in their eyes.

And it was clear from their gazes alone that if not for the frigid arctic climate that they would fight until they were certain that the man was destroyed.

"What else for but to find the Primordial One." The geneticist spoke over the roaring winds while the team stared after him with speechless expressions on their faces.

All the while as Elle's innocent eyes grew wide in returning fear at the mere mention of the mysterious creature's name.

While the older females stared after Nero with disbelief in their widened eyes as they realized that the man knew more than they thought.

Just as Azula pursed her lips into a frightening scowl before she imposingly stomped her boot into the smoldering rubble.

"Come near the girl again and I will personally torture you in a dark cell for the rest of your days!" The princess roared much like a raging dragon while the teenager shook in appreciation.

All the while as Nero just chuckled while he sauntered away with his soldiers through the waning inferno.

Until they soon faded from sight and the unsettled team could see them no more.

"Azula-sama…" Elle whispered as she held a hand over her heart while a shy smile returned to her lips.

While the older woman turned to scowl down at her with her arms folded imposingly over her armored chest.

All the while as she found her fears swiftly fading away under the beautiful woman's dominating stare.

And soon enough her heart began to flutter pleasantly once again while the princess snorted a puff of fire from her angered nostrils.

All the while as the princess glared through the corner of her eye at the army approaching over snow-capped horizon.

"We should get going princess." Zoe stated with a trace of unusual urgency in her stony voice while Azula scowled deeply in agreement.

"Zoe's right. I think we really need to hurry." Mai commented in a wary voice as she shivered in her robes.

While her cold tawny eyes still glared after where Nero had vanished.

All the while as she wondered what the man had meant.

And how he knew about this supposed creature to begin with.

"That…sounds like a good idea." Ty Lee muttered as she held her arms over her chest while she too glared after the vanished man.

Before Azula just shrugged her plated shoulders while she briefly regarded the bomber whose face now looked like that of a disappointed child.

"Fine. We're finished here for the time being anyhow." Azula spoke in a dignified voice as she removed the map from her pocket while she began to walk through the encampment.

While her subordinates moved to follow after her.

All the while as Elle turned to gaze back at Katsu's lost face while the combustionbender's eyes adopted a bummed-out gaze.

"So…. does that mean that we're not going to play again?" The bomber pondered in a clueless voice with her disheveled hair blowing in the wind behind her.

While the highborn women stopped to gaze back at her and their lingering young friend.

All while the princess and the captain stared over their shoulders at the girl in surprise that the girl was already craving another round.

"Come back with me Katsu, and serve me in my royal army. And I will play with you as much as you like, all you have to do is obey my every command." The princess purred with a smirk returning to her lovely lips while she gazed back at the bomber's excited face.

While her two childhood friends shuddered in pity for the wild girl's wellbeing.

All the while as the captain also smirked back at the teenager's oddly eager face as the girl gazed from one face to another.

Before Katsu turned back to Elle while the small girl smiled up at the much taller princess's confidently smirking visage.

While Elle's smile grew even wider as she gazed back at Katsu's excited face.

Only for all five members of Team Azula to gaze on in surprise when a scarlet blur dropped down in front of the bomber.

And that was it that was required for Azula's smirk to transform into a furious glower once more.

The redhead landed with her right arm held out in front of the bomber while she now gazed back at the princess's already scowling face.

While Elle once again felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach as she gazed back into Naoki's machinelike brown eyes.

"That is not going to happen." Naoki spoke in a nearly mechanical voice with her brown eyes gazing back at the taken aback group.

"Naoki!" Katsu exclaimed with recognition in her voice while Naoki gazed back at the group.

"It's time to go Elle." The assassin remarked in an unfeeling voice while the princess golden eyes now grew wide in boiling rage.

While the three noblewomen stared back at the girl with hardened looks in her eyes.

Only to turn to their young friend when they saw the petite girl push her way past them

"C-come friends. We need to get out of here before Rieko shows up." The handmaid stated in a shaken voice as she quickly walked away while her friends immediately moved to follow after her.

All the while as she felt the redhead's haunting gaze continue to pierce her back.

And not to mention once again the saddened stare of the bomber.

"Elle! Wait! Come back!" The bomber cried out in a distraught voice while the redhead coldly stared after the blonde's retreating back.

While the princess stared over her armored shoulder with intimidating golden eyes.

All the while her murderous gaze conveyed a possessive gleam that served a silent promise of the pain that was to come if the girl tried to take her companion.

Before she turned to stomp through the rubble with her fists clenched at her hips while she kept a close watch on her young girlfriend through the corner of her ruthless eye.

While the three nobles also gazed warningly over their shoulders at the face of the emotionless prodigy.

"Sumimasen Katsu." Elle mumbled with sadness in her voice as she shivered underneath her coat while her big sisters gazed at her in concern.

"Get back here Elle." Naoki ordered in a merciless voice with her icy gaze watching while the small girl padded off.

While as the princess glared back at her with a violently narrowed glare.

All the while as each of the four highborn women each walked on a different side of their sensitive friend to ward off any attacks that the redhead may make.

Until the dainty blonde disappeared in the smoking flames with her four aristocratic friends vanishing alongside her.

All while Katsu gazed on with an uncertain expression in her vibrant golden eyes.

And Naoki stared into the direction that the blonde went with a strikingly chilling look in her eyes.

Mere minutes later…

A painful wind blew through the burning military encampment while the exhausted girls made their way through the increasingly blinding landscape.

All the while as they shielded their faces behind their elbows.

And soon enough even the ruthless princess and the stoic captain were starting to shiver.

"I…I think I see what looks to be a garage up ahead! There has to be vehicles inside! There is no other way that Felix would have been able to escape this place on his own!" The handmaid exclaimed over the winds as she stumbled with her teeth chattering violently.

And just before she hit the ground she gasped when two mighty womanly arms seized a hold of her!

While she fell forward with her face pressed into the underside of her princess's armored chest.

All the while as she felt the older female wrap what remained of her coat over her shivering body.

And then the princess began to make her way through the cold with the smaller girl carefully cradled against her breasts.

While Azula glared ahead with viciously protective golden eyes as she felt the teenager cling to her body.

All the lips as her unforgiving lips pursed into an imposing scowl.

While the three noblewomen stared over their shoulders at their Crown Princess with stunned expressions in their eyes.

But they knew better than to comment on their leader's show of romantic affections.

Most definitely not when they knew that the young girl could die if she were to succumb to hypothermia.

And soon after that the sound of a collapsing door being broken down resonated into the air.

All the while as the five increasingly frantic girls gazed into a progressively burning military garage to see many vehicles caught afire.

Only for their gazes to be drawn to one in the corner that looked as if it had not yet joined the blaze!

"Over there!" The captain bellowed as she bent the flames out of their path while her fellow nobles rushed after her.

"Will that one do Elle?!" Azula shouted in a commanding voice as Elle surveyed the military truck while she stormed towards it.

"I-I think so. We just need to find a way to break the door lock." Elle answered as she held onto her girlfriend while the statuesque woman advanced toward the armored truck.

And not a second after that the sound of a padlock being cut in half resounded into the air.

All the while as the rest of the team watched the captain break the lock in half with one swing of her katana.

While the four Fire Nation women shared a quick glance as they each made their way to hop into the foreign vehicle.

While Azula moved to seat herself in the driver's seat as she gazed down at the controls with amazed golden eyes.

And Elle scrambled in to sit down beside her.

As Zoe sat down on the passenger seat before she closed her door behind her while Mai and Ty Lee did the same as they quickly seated themselves in the back.

All the while as the three noblewomen now also gazed at the controls in wonderment.

"How do we operate this thing Elle?" The markswoman questioned from the back with her fascinated tawny eyes still glancing the interior of the military truck over.

"I'll give it a try! Move Azula-sama!" The handmaid ordered as she pushed her annoyed princess aside.

While Azula's golden eyes flickered with displeasure over being given an order by her own serving girl.

All the while as the nobles watched from their seats in shared amusement.

"I suggest you remember that you are our servant Elle! Not the other way around!" The princess huffed as she sat in the middle seat with a scowl on her lips.

Only to glare over her through when she heard her subordinates snicker behind her.

"It would seem as if you have been dethroned princess." Zoe commented with mirth in her voice while Azula turned to cast her a venomous glare.

"Since you four haven't familiarized yourselves with nonbending vehicles yet…it's better if I operate it." Elle explained in a rushed voice as she hurriedly turned the ignition switch.

While the sound of the engine cranking resonated into the air.

And not even seconds later the large truck starting up while the motor rumbled into the awestruck ears of the four highborn women.

Just as the teenager flipped another switch to turn the heat on while they watched in fascination as the windows began to clear up.

"Amazing Elle! And you say that it isn't powered by bending right?" The acrobat conversed from the backseat while her little sister nodded her head.

"That's right oneesan! No bending!" The handmaid answered as she hit the gas pedal.

While the powerful princess surveyed the vehicle with a hidden impressed gleam in her cold golden eyes.

"I wasn't aware that you had mechanical expertise Elle." Azula remarked with her arms folded over her breasts while she observed in fascination as the truck began to move.

All the while as her ruthless eyes kept a close watch out through the window as the two armies engaged in the distance.

While the three noblewomen watched with a mutual expression of intrigue in their eyes when the truck pulled out of the burning garage with its rumbling motor still emanating into their ears.

"Oh! I don't! I have never done this before!" Elle confessed in an adorable voice while her four friends fell back into their seats in comical disbelief.

"What do you mean you have never done this before?" The princess inquired with an aggravated edge to her voice just before she was flung back in her seat when the girl accelerated the truck.

While her eyes began to twitch when the large truck began to swerve with poor control throughout the blazing encampment.

"I mean that I have never driven before! This is my first time driving Azula-sama!" The handmaid cried out with excitement in her voice while she steered the truck.

All the while as the four older girls sat gazing at their young friend with comically uncertain looks in their eyes.

"You mean to tell me that you have never operated a machine like this prior to today?" The princess demanded in a moody voice while she glared down at her companion's grudgingly adorable smiling face.

"No, I haven't Azula-sama! But I have played Mario Kart! Which is close enough to the real thing!" Elle chirped as she bit her lip while her friends gazed on comically in their seats.

And Azula now held her hand over her annoyed forehead as she groaned under her breath.

"Elle. Give me the controls." Azula commanded with her strict eyes gazing on in irritation while the girl made a poor effort to steer the truck.

"B-but I want to drive Azula-sama." The blonde-haired protested in a timid voice only to let out a lovable squeak when the princess shoved her aside with her hip.

"I said move peasant!" The princess barked as she seated herself with her hands on the wheel while the teenager sunk into a pout alongside her.

"Azula. You don't have to be so harsh on the poor girl." Ty Lee chided in a sisterly voice while Azula rolled her golden eyes from the front seat.

And Mai just let out an exasperated sigh as she sunk back in her seat.

And Zoe for her part just gazed on with her usual stoic expression in her hazel eyes.

"I-I was really hoping that I would get a chance to learn to drive for real…" Elle mumbled while Azula rolled her eyes once more.

"I'm sure you'll get other chances to learn kid." Mai assured with her arms folded over her chest while Elle perked up with a smile on her lips.

Just as the princess withdrew the map once more while she gazed down at it with icy golden eyes.

While the captain studied it from where she sat on the other side of the teenager's shoulder.

All the while as the princess quickly took to steering the armored truck away from the blazing encampment.

"It appears that the gateway is that way princess." The captain stated as she pointed at the map while her ruler scowled in understanding.

"I see that Zoe." Azula spoke in a cold voice with her golden eyes staring down at the various controls in still present fascination.

While she maneuvered the truck towards the hills along a previously driven path.

All the while as the vehicle effortlessly plowed through the snow.

While tall flames from burning underground gas lines burned for as far as their eyes could see.

And in the far distance they could see a faint familiar light emanated over the frozen landscape.

'That has to be the gateway.' The princess thought with her regal brows furrowing as she relaxed in her seat.

Just before she gazed over her shoulder when she heard the sound of distant gunfire explode in the skies behind her.

While the three noblewomen and their young friend quickly followed suit as they gazed over their shoulders in worry.

Just as more burning planes crashed into the snowy landscape.

While they watched as the apparent larger force now completely overwhelmed the smaller force.

All the while as they warily listened to explosion after explosion pepper the distant skies.

"It's a shame that we can't stick around to fight with this Rieko. It sounds like she would make for a worthy opponent." Zoe remarked as she leaned against the window while Azula smirked in agreement.

While Mai and Ty Lee stared on with uncertain looks in their worried eyes.

"Yes, I suppose it is. I must admit that I am curious to see if she lives up to her reputation." Azula commented with a confident smile on her crimson lips.

While she savored the warmth of the heat vents that served to allow her muscles to recover from such a long time in such a frigid climate.

Only for her golden eyes to turn to her young girlfriend in annoyance when a look of fear overcome the girl's face once more.

While the others gazed on in concern at their little sister's apprehensive expression.

"T-trust me friends. You don't want to face her in the Greenland climate. It would be suicide. If you must face her. Force her to come through to the other side. But no matter what do not do it here." The handmaid advised in a meek voice while her highborn friends listened closely.

"Elle makes a good point. If this woman has power over the cold. Then this is the worst place for a firebender to fight her." The markswoman stated in a monotone voice while the acrobat nodded beside her.

While the two firebenders just gazed on with prideful looks in their eyes.

But they both knew that the girl spoke the truth.

And not a moment after that the royal woman was snapped out of her musings of war when she felt a pair of lips kiss her on the cheek.

While the princess turned in surprise to find herself gazing back in her young girlfriend's bashfully retreating face.

All the while as she swiftly fought to squash the sliver of a blush that was forming on her regal cheeks.

While the acrobat now let out a gush from where she sat in the backseat.

"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama…for warming me up." Elle stammered as she leaned into Azula's much taller body while the woman released a haughty scoff.

"Aww! Now that is pink Azula." The acrobat spoke with a smile on her lips while the princess rolled her eyes.

"Don't overthink it peasant. The only reason I carried your pitiful body is because the last thing I need is you having one of your little breathing spasms in the snow." The princess snorted in a tone of feigned cruelty while a tight scowl graced her lips.

All the while as the teenager still smiled sweetly as she sat with her face now resting in the older female's ceremonial armor.

While the three noblewomen stared on with unconvinced looks in their eyes.

"You are such a natural romantic Azula." Mai remarked with a snort while Ty Lee still grinned from where she sat beside her.

"I understand princess." The handmaid responded in a soft voice as she hugged the older female's belly while her princess glared through the windshield.

"This weakness will not stand Elle. I am going to train you to become stronger." Azula announced in a tone of absolute authority with her ruthless eyes gazing ahead.

While she gazed around in interest as she took in the vast mountains that began to become visible upon the horizon.

All the while as the fires from the broken gas pipes still blazed all around her.

"Yes, Azula-sama." Elle agreed in a devoted voice as she held onto Azula while her girlfriend gazed down at her with cold golden eyes.

But the aloof princess did not push her away.

And so, she allowed herself to momentarily push her worries aside.

And simply take solace in the warmth that was coming off her caretaker's body.

And with that the military truck drove across the snowy pathway and towards the faint light of the gateway that served to guide their way.

Meanwhile.

Naoki stood staring into the distance with an utterly emotionless gaze while resisted the urge to curse the pacifistic girl.

"Elle!" Katsu called out as she broke out into a run while the redhead watched her run off with machinelike brown eyes.

While the prodigy held her scarf over her mouth as she moved to follow as she trudged through the rubble.

Only to find herself pausing in her footsteps when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her.

All the while as she turned to gaze over her shoulder with expressionless brown eyes to find herself gazing back at a woman in a brown uniform.

"Greetings Naoki. I am Communications Commander Victoria Cromwell of Lord Rieko's battalion. I have been sent to speak with you by the Lord herself." Victoria greeted in a businesslike voice with a smile on her lips while the teenager briefly stared back at her.

While gun shots echoed throughout the air as the emperor's soldiers fired upon what the overwhelmed enemy army.

"Whatever you have to say. I am not interested." Naoki responded in a curt voice as she began to walk away while the woman smiled back at her.

"Lord Rieko would like to offer you a position in the Apostles as her student." The communications commander announced in a proud voice with her hair swaying in the wind behind her.

While the redhead's brown eyes flashed with slight surprise to hear that the emperor was offering to train her.

"I already told her that I had no interest in joining her group." The assassin spoke in a frigid voice as she continued to walk away while the woman briefly lost her smile.

But the officer was quick to compose herself.

"What if I told you that we could help you find Sayomi Saito? And Strados as well?" Victoria questioned in a smooth voice with her smile returning to her lips.

Before she watched in delight when the supersoldier paused in her step.

While Naoki now gazed on with her brown eyes marginally widening in recognition.

All the while as her gloved fists hung at her hips as she stood unmoving in the cold air.

Just as she turned to gaze back at the woman's smiling face.

"I have no need for your group. I am more than capable of finding my targets on my own accord. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to." Naoki stated in a dismissive voice as she turned away once more while she swiftly strode through the snow.

All the while as the officer still gazed after her with a small smile on her lips.

"Of course." The communications commander replied in a cool voice as she held her head high with a smirk adorning her lips.

And then not even seconds later the girl vanished in a flicker of a red blur.

While she smiled all the while.

All the while as the two forces continued to savagely engage one another.

And on the other side of the camp…

Tanks and armored trucks were gathered in the snow while several helmet-covered soldiers were seen pulling a man from the burning rubble.

While they now gazed down in disbelief to see that their commander had seared off the burning stump that used to be his right hand.

All the while as Reynolds knelt with his unimaginably enraged blue eyes glaring down at his now deformed arm.

Before he slammed his furious stump into the pile of debris while his lips shook in a vengeful snarl.

"They will pay for this! All of them! Get them all! But above all! Get that little shit Number Three! I want that monster dead!" Reynolds roared in a livid voice as he leaped to his feet in a frenzy while his soldiers hurriedly nodded in terror.

While he stormed his way towards an armored truck as he ground his teeth together in his rage.

All the while as he listened to the sound of the emperor's rapidly advancing army.

'I may have lost my right hand! But I will not be defeated! My plan will succeed! As of this moment I may be on the losing side of this war! But there is still time for me to change sides! I will recapture them all! Then I will offer them to Lord Rieko as a show of my loyalty just as I planned to do right from the start! And then I will negotiate a position of high rank at her side!' The colonel thought with the veins in his eyes almost bulging out in his fury while he jumped onto the back of the armored truck.

While his blue eyes now had grown wide in an expression of borderline insanity as he pulled himself up with his only remaining hand.

And then he leaped in with his soldiers jumping in right after him.

And soon after that the heavily armored vehicles rolled into the snow while the sounds of continuous fire rumbled into the air as the battle for the gateway raged on.

While many military vehicles from the opposing army were now rolling into the encampment.

Just before they came to a stop while a lone woman now stood in front of them with her arms held up over her head in a show of surrender.

"Don't shoot! I surrender!" Cynthia shouted in a frantic voice while she stood motionless as soldiers leaped out to apprehend her.

And not long after that the emperor's soldiers surrounded her.

While the former aide now walked silently with her hands behind her back.

All the while as she continued to listen to the sounds of gunfire as those that refused to surrender screamed as they were killed in retaliation.

Elsewhere.

The stolen military truck now sat parked at the base of a looming mountain of ice.

All the while as frigid winds swept through the mouth of the ice cavern.

While the light of the portal cast a blue glow upon the walls of the cavern as Team Azula made their inside together.

Only to find themselves freezing in their steps as they gazed up at the shining portal in disbelief.

Standing at the top of the hallowed stone steps was none other than Naoki!

Naoki now gazed back down at the stunned group with an utterly heartless expression in her emotionless brown eyes.

Before her gaze settled on Elle's stunned face while the small blonde shook beside her now enraged friends.

While Azula took a step forward in front of the younger girl.

All the while as she stared back up at the redhead as her golden eyes transformed into an unbelievably wrathful death stare.

While Zoe hardened her hazel eyes in a stare of her own as she stepped up beside her princess.

While Mai and Ty Lee took on defensive stances on each side of their shocked little sister.

All the while as Naoki still gazed back down at them with a chilling gaze.

And with that all four Fire Nation women once again steeled themselves for yet another battle.

And back at the ruins of the destroyed fortress.

Nero stood frozen in the snow with his crimson eyes widening as he stared up at the person gazing down at him from atop an overlooking hill.

While the few soldiers that remained began to back away in pure unadulterated terror.

All the while as Rieko gazed back down at them with her hair swaying in an elegant pony tail behind her.

While the emperor now stood head to toe in a black plated combat armor.

All while her blue eyes gleamed with a predatory stare as she surveyed her cornered prey.

While the inhuman researcher took an intimidated step backwards as an expression of fear flashed before his monstrous eyes.

All the while as the emperor's lips curved into a cruel smile.

"Lord Rieko." Nero spoke at long last as he mustered up his usual smile in an attempt to disguise his fear while the tyrannical woman gazed down at him.

"Nero. What an unexpected surprise meeting you here." Rieko remarked in a voice of limitless confidence with a domineering smirk pulling onto her lips.

While she let out a soft chuckle that betrayed her sadistic intent as she took great delight in the scientist's fear.

And that was all it took for the cruel researcher to know that this encounter would not end well for him.

#Azula #avatar the last airbender fanfiction #ty lee avatar #mai avatar #femslash fanfiction

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xxcorndogxx · 4 years

Text

Sandor Clegane x Reader||Chapter Twenty Four

After a while, I ride on his back again. He doesn't mind. Says I'm light as a feather. Sandor stops to tie his shoe and picks me up again. Tormund approaches.

"You're the one they call "The Dog."

"Fuck off," Sandor grumbles.

"They told me you were mean."

"Damn right." I laugh.

"Quite, little dove."

"Also told me you got a soft spot for this one here." He points to me.

"Aye." Sandor nods.

"So, where you born mean or you just hate wildlings?"

"I don't give two shits about wildlings." He turns to him. "It's gingers I hate."

"Gingers are beautiful." He argues.

"We are kisses by fire, just like you." He points his finger at the scar.

Oh boy. Sandor smacks it away.

"Don't point your fucking finger at me." He grumbles.

I giggle lightly on his back. He's so sensitive about it. He walks us away form Tormund. But he follows.

"Did you trip into the fire when you were a baby?" He teases.

This isn't a good path to go down.

"I didn't trip I was pushed." He says, letting me down off his back.

"And ever since you've been mean."

I walk between him and Tormund.

"Will you fuck off?"

"I don't think you're truly mean. You have sad eyes." He does.

Sandor stops. I stand behind both of them facing each other.

"You want to suck my dick, is that it?"

"Dick?" He questions.

I giggle.

"Cock," I explain.

"Ah, dick. I like it." He says.

"I bet you do." Sandor jokes as he resumes walking.

"Nope, it's pussy for me. I have a beauty waiting for me back in Winterfell. If I ever get back there. Yellow hair, blue eyes, the tallest woman you've ever seen. Almost as tall as you."

That sounds like.. I put my hand out and stop Sandor.

"Brienne of Tarth?" I ask.

My brows furrowed.

"You know her?"

"You're with Brienne of fucking Tarth?" I ask getting in his face.

He looks down at me.

"Well, not with her yet. But I see the way she looks at me."

"How does she look at you?" Sandor asks. "Like she wants to carve you up and eat your liver?"

"You do know her." He smiles.

I turn around shaking my head.

"We've met."

I cuddled up next to Sandor's side. His arm around me. We resume walking once more. My fingers laced with Sandor's.

"I want to make babies with her. Like you and yours." He points to me.

"Don't fucking point at her either." He smacks his hand away once more.

"Think of them, great big monsters." He daydreams. "They'd conquer the world."

"How did a mad fucker like you live this long?"

"I'm good at killing people."

After a few minutes of walking my feet grow sore and my legs grow tired. I lag behind Sandor.

"Love," I call.

He stops and turns to me. I raise my arms.

"Please." I pout.

He walks back and lifts my legs around him.

"Come along now, little dove."

We stop.

"That's what I saw in the fire." He points to the mountain ahead. "A mountain like an arrowhead." He explains.

"Are you sure?" Thoros asks.

Sandor nods at him.

"We're getting close." He says.

He resumes walking. I rest in his arms with my cheek to his chest. My hand clutching the fabric his shoulders. He scoots me up and I lay my head on his shoulder. I look at the pretty boy. I motioned my finger to him. He takes one glance at Sandor and lightly shakes his head.

"Love, put me down would you?"

He gently lets me to my feet. I walk back to him.

"So, pretty boy, tell me about yourself." I smile.

"I'm Jon Snow."

"Ah Ned Starks son."

"Bastard Son." He corrects.

"Who cares, either way, you're his son." I elbow him. "I'm Lady Y/n of H/n."

"Your kingdom is the second richest in all of Westeros. Known for its beauty, be it women or clothes."

"Aye, that it is."

"How'd you end up with him." He nods to Sandor.

"Well, he always intrigued me. He mysterious large man like that how could he not. One day I was out for my evening walk with my handmaiden and I ran into a little girl who was being chased by some men. They tried to rape me but luckily my husband was in the area. He saved me, took me back to his chambers, and watched over me for the night. Ever since I've felt uneasy and afraid without him." I take a breath. "He once told me he's ride half of Westeros to protect me. He's watched over me, fed me, held me. I confessed to him after Joffrey made him spank me with his sword. He hated hurting me but I made him do it, I didn't want him to get in trouble. We found Arya after we left Kings Landing, during our travels he was almost killed. Made me leave him. But soon I found him alive. He bedded me and soon after we got married. Before we got married he found out I was with child."

"What do you think it's gonna be?"

We start to walk downhill a bit.

"Help me would you?"

I hold his arm and he guides me down. I look up and see Sandor glancing back at me.

"So, What do you think it'll be."

"Well." I huff. "Sandor says he really wants it to be a girl, says he wants to be the only man I love."

"That's a little selfish don't you think?"

"No, I think it's sweet." I pause. "He's such a hard man, but not to me. He can be so gentle and kind. When I offered myself to him the first time he said no. I was a virgin, he didn't want to hurt me, said he's not a gentle lover." I mock his deep voice. Jon laughs. "I do love him, he's a tortured soul. Being treated like a ruthless dog by everyone. He's not a dog to me."

After a while, I walk with Sandor.

"Have fun?" He asks.

"What?"

"With pretty boy." He grumbles.

"Are you jealous?" I tease.

"No."

"Sandor if I wanted a man for his looks I wouldn't have married you. You're not hideous, love, but you're not the prettiest. However, I love you because you're you, Sandor." I smile. "You're all I could ever ask for."

I kiss his gloved hand.

The wind has picked up and you can barely see in the snow. Sandor walks with his arm around me holding me close.

"Are you alright, little dove?"

"I am, love."

There's an animal in the distance.

"A bear. Big fucker." Sandor says.

"Do bears have blue eyes?" The boy says.

The man ahead comes running back and the bear catches him in his jaws. Sandor holds me tighter. We run over and his body is gone. I manage to get Sandor off of me despite his protests.

"I can handle myself damn it!" I fuss.

We draw our swords. We all look for the bear. We stand in a defensive circle. Finally, the bear comes crashing in attacking. Sandor takes the opportunity to move me behind him. The fire priest and Beric set their swords ablaze. They pursue the bear and Beric sets it on fire. The bear turns to us. Sandor doesn't move. I look between him and the bear. I take a deep breath and move past him. I get a good stab in him before he knocks me down. I do my best to block his teeth with my sword. His jaw clenched around the blade. Tormund charges and swings at him. The bear now turning to him. He knocks Tormund over and turns back to me. Shit. I cry out in frustration as he clamps his mouth around my blade once more. I struggle the best I can.

"Sandor!" I cry.

The realization hits him that he needs to save me. I think he was shocked by the fire. I cry out in fear as the bear rips the sword away tossing it aside. His teeth lock into my coat, cutting into my chest as he moves his head side to side dragging me across the ground with him. I swat and kick at the bear as he does. Jorah rushes past Sandor, Sandor pushes past him, taking the glass from his hands. The bear lifts its head and opens wide to take a bite out of me. Sandor plunges the dragon glass into the bear. It cries in pain and falls. Sandor quickly picks me up off the ground. His hand brushing over my chest.

"I'm so sorry, little dove."

"It's alright, I'm okay." I place a hand on his face. "You saved me, better late than never." I smile.

He overcame his fear for me. The men have him set me down. The move to open the fabric ripped over my chest.

"Hey," Sandor shouts.

"Relax," Beric says.

It doesn't hurt but there are two gashes on my chest. Nothing serious just cuts. Not deep. Probably won't even scar. They wipe the blood. I didn't realize but the bear got Thoros. After a bit I've gotten a new shirt and layered back up we head off. Sandor carries me. He holds me so tight.

"I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have had to do that. I should have been protecting you. That should have been me."

The weather has calmed. Tormund stops us. He walks up over a little hill. We follow and look down. Men. Dead men.

They stop at the small fire we set up. This ambush is risky. We charge out to fight. John shatters the leader and the rest fall. All but one. I catch my breath as they close in on it. Tormund punches it and we capture it. It screams and Sandor places his hand over its mouth. The skin rips away from its bone and he pulls his hand back. He groans and try's to flick it off. Jon looks around.

"Jon?"

The walker cries out. He's calling, for help.

"Shit."

He bags his head. Sandor holds the walker over his shoulder. He grabs me by my hand and pulls me to him. Jon sends the boy off.

"Take Y/n." Sandor orders.

"No, I'll only slow him down," I argue.

"I'm sorry, Clegane, but she's right. We need him to get there as fast as possible. We've all seen how tired she gets." Jon defends me.

Sandor looks so conflicted. He obviously doesn't want me here with the white walkers closing in, but he doesn't want me to get left behind in the snow by the boy. He just shakes his head. We run out across the ice. The ice starts to crack and we freeze. We're not too far from the middle rock. The white walkers closing in. We run as fast as we can to the rock. The walkers following. We get to the rock and draw our swords. One of the men is taken out. He was too far behind. At some point, the walkers fall into the water. I stand by Sandor. We look out at all the chaos closing in. He's already set down the walker.

"Sandor." I gulp.

"Yes, little dove?"

"I love you."

I take his hand and squeeze it.

"I love you too."

He squeezes back. Soon enough we place our hands back on our weapons.

We stand there for ages. The sky falls dark soon. I stand with Sandor. His arm tightly around me. I shiver as he holds me.

We find ourselves all sitting together. The skylight again. This can't be a healthy environment for the baby. I sit between Sandor and Jon. I find my self resting my head on Jon. Sandor gently pulls me over to rest on his shoulder.

"Sandor," I mumble.

The walker is loud. It won't shut up. Sandor walks to it. We all stand as he kicks it. Thoros died last night. Poor bastard. Sandor kneels by him.

"They say it's one of the better ways to go," Sandor says.

Sandor takes his flask as he stands. He opens it and takes a nice swig.

"Lord of Light, show us the way," Beric says.

I elbow Sandor. He doesn't even argue against letting me take a swig. Before I can Jon pulls it from my hands. I glare at him. He just nods in apology.

"We have to burn his body."

Jon pours it over Thoros.

"We'll all be close behind him."

"Don't say that. Don't speak that reality into existence you cunt. Even now I'll still say I think we'll make it. Maybe not all of us but at least one of us." I announce.

"Unless the Lord of Light is kind enough to send us a bit of fire. It's a very real possibility."

Beric draws his sword and lights it. Sandor turns to rest his chin on my head as Beric sets his body ablaze.

"Lord of Light, come to us in our darkness, for the night is dark and full of terrors."

He extinguishes the blade in the snow. I wrap my arms around him. He does the same. He rubs his hands against my arms. Sandor holds me to his chest as we stand with Beric.

"No one else. Just us." Beric says.

"Did he do it to watch us freeze to death?"

"Careful, Beric. You lost your priest. This is your last life." Sandor warns.

"I've been waiting for the end for a long time. Maybe the Lord brought me here to find it."

"Every Lord I've ever met's been a cunt. Don't see why the Lord of Light should be any different." Sandor grumbles.

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deviationdivine · 5 years

Text

Deviant Heat • Connor x Reader

DBH After Dark Series

8.2k words

tw: language, smut • rated m/explicit

a/n: 1st full dbh after dark one-shot for 300 followers celebration. This milestone is past but finally have something for it. Thank you loves. Also this includes a nod to an original aesthetic idea used exclusively in a discord server rp involving a murder case detailing the Detroit Ripper. This original story line might creep into other fics down the road. Are you ready for some sin?

“Everything is secure.”

Officer Miller gave the android the all clear despite their sporadic correspondence throughout the day. Let’s say he heard some things while holding down the fort. After their officers left harbor docks, Chris was saddled with evidence compiling. He and a few of the others had to deal without the major detectives especially the RK800.

“Nothing on the inside as you know. Looks like our killer just left that unpleasant surprise on the door.”

Connor’s brows knit together. Surprise is inadequate to describe having evidence smeared on his door. This killer came too close. Imagining you home without him sends a ripple of stress through his tall frame. He holds composure stiffly. His shoulders are tense, eyes fixing on open door. Cleaned by forensics he understands you wished to handle the process in the lab but he already handed it off to someone else. This is far different.

“Has there been any more reported correspondence from them?” he tilts his head as he ponders aloud.

The last message he personally received pointed to him not able to protect for long. A taunt made to illicit a specific reaction. Nothing will prevent him keeping you safe.

Connor’s posture is wound, defensive while in wait. Resembling that of a rearing lion, only the ruffle of a mane shows his inner protective instincts. Churning inside, a blip of fire clouding LED and the android will circle in a predatory thrall. The need outweighs any other parameters as he constructs his own. He will stay up tonight, forego stasis and make sure nothing gets through. As long as you sleep soundly, hopefully you will not worry then.

“Nothing new,” the officer responds with a shrug. “Been quiet since –”

Miller scratches under his cap awkwardly. “Hey, Connor. How’s the lieutenant? I mean really?” He heard about the accident. Spread pretty quickly through department but it’s Gavin who decided to shout it from the rafters. Was anything else to be expected? Reed has a big mouth.

“Hank is doing as well as can be expected.” Explaining the lieutenant’s condition, Connor cannot help but feel responsible. If only he had been there. This murderer will not get away with this. Injuring his partner is only one small step towards the RK800’s true defensive nature.

Deviant or not he still carries those instincts pitting him against his foes with the utmost proficiency. He will forever remain a skilled killer with combat prowess. There is no turning back the tide on what he is. He was made this way. However, he is also very much alive. Even as he debates this internally, realizing that he wishes to tear this killer apart piece by piece. Connor’s attention is elsewhere, distracted. This is no good for him. He needs to focus.

Life is different for him following the revolution. Deviancy is a blessing but can also be a curse. Emotions are an intricate web. Each one threads as a silky string stronger than it appears. Tendrils glittering, holding weight of emotional surges as dangerous as a tight rope act.

Still this sensation sparkles anew, fresh with those revitalized days since fracturing barriers. His wall is no longer keeping him at bay. Lost in a sea of free will, thought and drive pushes him beyond intricacies of code. It pushes him to you.

He inhales, nodding his head to Chris Miller as he wraps up with the few remaining DPD personnel. They have been coming and going through this high rise all day. Luckily they live on the bottom floor.

Connor finally enters. Shutting and locking door, the android presses palm against security scanner. Skin melts away revealing white plastic, his eyes blinking in succession with panel connection; he primes it for added protection, gaze softening at you near window.

Seemingly staring at nothing in particular through pane, everything is tense around your figure and it pulls him away. Moving up behind, sliding his bare fingers in a glide against your neck, his head drops down breathing beside ear.

“Y/N.”

Smooth white digits, his husky voice make you shiver into him. Already sweeping arms over waist, he tugs close to hold you safely and full of this burning need. He always wanted you but most importantly he needs you. Tonight you need him it is abundantly clear.

“Everything will be all right.” Whispering close allows lips to brush warm skin.

Data analysis screams out your anxieties and his arms tighten, snug, a warning to that fucking killer; Connor’s jaw tightens, falling into his deviant emotions, ruthless edge of negotiator presents itself at full light. His can be a blind side as he turns to those machine instincts. They will complete his mission.

He vows as certain as emotional ignition sparking his system anew. A way to fix, prevent these grisly murders gripping Detroit. Anyway he can and stopping this Ripper will end this.

“Please, calm down,” he advises, processes data compiling. “Your stress is far too high.”

It riddles him too but he masters a determined expression, a brave face. As the humans are prone to say and Connor kisses your jaw, massaging long fingers down against hips. A huff of breath lurches up his throat in a cradled pull of synthetic heart.

Sensors are high in his artificial epidermis, digging deep below its pale tissue. Even unto the wholly plastic frame hidden beneath he is a living being. Sentience is more than what is built in him. Adaptable to environment as he and transmutes solely of machine, biocomponents to particles of his humanity. Subatomic in system, unknown to naked eye but inside he feels them grow. As true, alive he grows since revolution’s end.

“Nothing can hurt us together, love.” Oaths are still new to him. Even as he understands, learns to accept this deviancy. “I will never let anything happen. I love you. And no murderer will change that. I will tear them apart before I let them hurt you.”

Shelter. It is the best way to describe how Connor's arms feel encircling, protective and full of unparalleled affection. Amounts are light at times. A gentle breeze cresting through windowpane and he is that natural airy scent that comes with it.

Others are electrified turning him into that whirlwind that swept his way through DPD. Little did you realize when he first came but then – How naïve is that when first seeing him you felt a thud in your chest? Just his cute little bobs of head while contemplating, brows furrowing, and the proverbial puppy dog look. You knew now how spontaneous it was for him. He never truly knew how well that expression would make someone cave. Honestly, you recall a little incident with him and Hank during one of their early cases. Connor needed more time. There came the puppy dog look of doom. He obviously knows now. There is so much more humanity in him.

You shiver oh so pliable to him. Clay to mold and your body does transform upon each touch. Feeling his unique warmth, innate husk and lips move in a promise against flush skin. Sounds are sweet and real as real as these vows spoken between you. Vows never once expected in your life but with him - oh with him this is beauty. He is beauty, in physicality and soul, in a dark world. Yes a soul because they are mated, entwined in one cradle.

Soul mates, he told you early on he admired the concept. Now he says he breathes it. Your Connor is alive. To hell with anyone who still thinks otherwise. It never mattered that he was an android. Never in your heart and it never will. You just want this to be forever. In Connor's arms eternity blooms colorfully fragrant in his petals caressing even with a murderer stalking the city.

Biting bottom lip at his fingers running in a slippery caress, you inhale sharply. Nestling your back to his firm chest, his body cages around and locks you away from this. It only could.

“Connor.” A quick breath, cherishing his gentleness despite his other violent skill sets, you pull away. Enough to twist around and face him now, eyes train up onto his: a sea of chocolate, steamy coated in luscious caramel. His eyes are burnish hues, loving but also hardened in worry. He wants to kill this Ripper. That you understand. Just from a look both soft in his love but also smoldering. He is forever made to kill.

Connor was originally meant to be Cyberlife’s killing machine and becoming deviant didn’t erase what he’s capable. Instead he became a hero. He freed his people; he-he became a friend, lover.

You swallow now thinking of the Ripper’s agenda. Android-human couples and those two women they were both married to their respective android partners. One of the androids she was murdered too. How easily could this person do that if they too did not have an advantage? Could they be dealing with an android that kills?

Shaking your head you are unable to hide these thoughts twisting in the mind. How can you hide from an advanced boy like him? He reads it easy. He scans always making sure that you’re OK. But when do you get to make sure he is too? Just like when you first met. When he was still trapped?

“How can everything be all right, Connor?” Huffing at him, clear about how messed up this is, you cross arms over chest. “When that fucking maniac came here! They were here, Connor! And we didn’t even know it! What if they’ve been here before? How many other times and we didn’t know?”

Before he even attempts to reach out you move away from the window. Picking up a few digital magazines left sitting on coffee table distracts. You should just clean up some anyway. Not that there’s much to clean. Connor’s pretty pristine that way. Besides the fact he’s an android but it’s not exactly known that he’s messy.

Occasionally clothes will be strewn in extra piles. That’s when you can’t wait. The urge to claw at each other, rip off accessories and… another huff, more intimate as this begins to burn, setting those data pads in a bookcase. A mix of new tech and old physical books nestle together. You study spines of those paper copies seemingly so ancient compared to new technology. Funny how quickly items become so obsolete in a short period of time. Nothing in this can be antiquated. Never these in a moment of pure terror but subtly you sink, twist to look at him.

He cocks his head, lips drooping as his mouth does that crooked thing you love. This time it doesn’t do anything to paint a smile to your face.

“I haven’t been this scared since…” A heavy almost sad breath tinges verbal thought. “When I thought I lost you, Con.” Softer than a feather it falls. Briskly you feel it run down deep to your core. Those memories paint a profound image. Who needs perfect memory when it is one strand in a timeline full of pieces? They all connect. Everything is always connected.

“Jericho. On the news. When they raided, that explosion,” trailing slightly, it is a strong case. Admitting it is too easy because it was the only truth you knew. “I thought you were gone there.”

Shaking your head it’s something discussed before. All of it, everything because opening up was another part of him adapting to his emotions. You never felt so full, so whole until he came into your life. This fear brought it all back. “But that wasn’t anything compared to Cyberlife Tower or-or that fucking program. Trying to take control of you, to hurt you again!”

Tears glisten, cascade in a torrent of ache moved beyond. Surviving all of that to potentially lose what you fought to keep to some maniac – hurts. Watching innocents terrorized, lives taken for who they wish to be with stabs you just as deeply. It is personal because you are like them. You are with him and you squeeze eyes shut. Naturally your body leans into his when he is there.

Quicker than anything he’s always here. As you were for him, reminding each time that he is so worth it. He only ever deserved to be free and happy. Connor is everything in a vast expanse of the world. Your world is much more colorful since him.

“Con.” Breath staggers at his touch. Thumbs rub affectionately against your cheeks. Displacing unwanted, angry tears you shiver at the colder digits of white. The skin of his right hand remains deactivated but feels so right, good against human skin.

Tilting your face into the smooth palm, you slide fingers atop his large hand. Kissing at his thumb, pushing his fingers close for your mouth, a tiny moan creeps up throat as you begin sucking on his index. Swirling tongue between his fingers, leaving a glistening sheen of saliva on smooth plastic, your body presses into his.

Leaving wet trails over the stark beauty beneath his synthetic palette, you grind hips knowing how it feels without. All over his body, you’ve experienced raw desire as himself. He was worried the first time because he didn’t think it would be comfortable.

Oh but was he wrong. With skin, without skin, he fucks you to the moon and back.

“Connor,” a whisper, pleads for him as he holds you tightly by hips. “I want you. I need this. I need you, Con.”

Kissing up at his jaw sets his body tense. Moaning that nickname now, you fall into his strong grab. Sliding arms up over his broad shoulders after he slides off and drops jacket to floor, your legs find a way to wrap around his waist. A sharp exhalation slithers past lips when he hoists you up with ease.

Tangling fingers in his hair, lips fuse together as you give into his prodding tongue. Allowing him entry, tasting his otherworldly tang it is intoxicating. His tongue slides, caresses wet and hot metallic. Filling your mouth up with quick darts, sensual flicks, you feel it bubbling. A sweet burn in your stomach is a confessional. To every part of him you demand to be against every part of you.

Connor forces you against the wall. The push is smooth but direct in where he wants you. Still attached to him, legs clench as it hits in a wave. You whimper at the hot pulse. Already needy in a shiver his muscled body rubs up against your softer flesh.

Digging into the nape of his neck, you drag another hand to savor him. Beneath white buttoned shirt his toned body is a godsend. All it does is warble senses. The haze is thick just as thick as him grinding, straining to free himself. You just fucking want him out of those clothes.

“Connor, yes.”

You encourage his move to remove your shirt, gasping into his mouth at the rip he tears at the fabric. Sucking in a breath you lift arms to get the article off. His mouth is there. Kissing atop exposed skin Connor buries his face into the crook of your neck, his large hands brace against wall. Purposely he keeps you upright with the feral, hungry press of his body. Instantly your head drops back, lips parting to suck in breath at his grinding.

“Please, fuck me, Con.”

Connor’s groan is a sharp answer. Building up from deep in his chest it unleashes this carnal side. A scalding fire broils in his stomach. He feels every part of you in his deviant skin, shell and all matter in between. Thriving on pleas, digging his wires deep into bones of your vessel, he lifts his head. Hair is a mess. Rebel strand flops greedily for your fingers. Twisting and tugging at his strands, he engulfs lips with his. Muffling pants drawn up his throat and sighs slipping out from you, Connor deepens the kiss.

The android slides tongue slowly mimicking the passionate tango of lovers. Data blinds him momentarily. Tasting what makes up your DNA, sweetened and ethereal; he gasps equally ravenous, hips pressing hard into your groin.

“Love,” he whispers, cupping face to force those lively eyes of yours onto him. The way they light up in a covetous spark.

Warm brown darkens to devour every last piece in return. Begging him to take you in this mess of emotions, stress and anxiety, Connor cannot deny. He never has denied you anything not since he first walked through those DPD doors.

As much as he strives to hold together, not allow these murders to cripple his levels, he needs this. He needs you. Connor aims to show each time why he became deviant. While he mastered through the first stages of it there are still times of overwhelming battles. You become too upset. He never wants to be the reason you shed tears. Even for his life in danger.

No. You will be happy. He vowed to make it so because you have made him feel this blossom of emotion. That is all he could ask to be accepted despite what he truly is.

Seizing you in a burning gaze, Connor haphazardly unbuttons shirt and rouges shoulders to get the constricting clothing off. A new pile begins. He reaches for your thighs. Squeezing them in a maneuver to unwrap them from his waist, he catches you to steady balance when feet return to the floor.

Tugging buckle loose, Connor pushes jeans down and indelicately kicks shoes from feet. Matching frantic actions to shed every last stitch, he helps in this task as he unbuttons yours, pushing them down past hips and undressing in a complete flux. He follows your exposed form now with hands, skin stitching back over fingers.

“No,” an immediate protest quivers through separated lips. “I want to feel your fingers without.”

Connor swallows. Arousal grows tight. Processing needs, analyzing to satisfy, he will give whatever you want. An act of love bonds you further into each other’s worlds. Existences twine, nurture and build together. He makes love to someone so humanely warm, so alive that the RK800 forgets for a moment that he is a machine. With you he is no longer sent by Cyberlife. Past and won in their favor, Connor always looks to the future with you in his arms.

The moment he first kissed you surrounded by new fallen snow, crisp winter air the android found his meaning in humanity. With his friend, soul mate, love of life he is a man. Somehow even he can believe that.

Lifting his hand, twisting fingers to draw your eyes, Connor deactivates his skin up elbow. He leans in close. Gliding and gripping with the plastic of his fingers grants him natural, raw possession of you.

Hoisting you back up to him, bodies plastered together intimately, Connor carries you through apartment. Squeezing eyes shut under the soft moist touch of your lips, he backs blindly into couch. Jolting a bit, his arms tighten their hold.

You simply gasp. Expelling sweet breath into his mouth makes him lightheaded in circuits.

Connor thrusts you against the corridor wall, pinning, writhing together with your form glued to him, limbs wound to tie him to your softer body. He groans in appreciate of how you feel. “I am about to wreck you.”

Growling, tapping into his negotiator side, the one that still drives him in work, the RK800 aggressively bites into your neck. Scraping, licking over teeth marks and Connor sucks at the tender flesh. Nibbling at that sweet spot sends a rush down to his groin. His cock pushes against boxers aching. He aches to be inside of you. No longer can he wait and from those stuttered gasps neither can you.

The bedroom door bursts open in frantic movement. A tangling kiss crashes hard as your bodies drop. Bed creaks beneath the sudden drop of weight; Connor falls sideways to prevent his heavy frame crushing. That would not be romantic in the slightest nor pleasurable.

Pushing you up and back down atop soft coverlet, white and black patterns of trees stitch in quilt. A bright aesthetic decorates this room. Tall sheer curtains cover windows in an off white flutter. Equally soft is the sheer hanging twisted at each point of four poster bed.

Already you’re a mess atop pillows, chest heaving from his ministrations. He relieves tensions, paying attention to the quiver of skin beneath his lips. Kissing along the length of your neck provides him with a moment of calculation.

Spontaneity is still something he is working on. What can be more spontaneous than fucking you during a serial murderer case? Possibly not the best thing to analyze while preparing to, as he has heard from some colorful people, fuck you senseless.

A torturous glide brings hand down, sticking his bare white fingers into his mouth. He narrows eyes onto you while sucking. Letting you watch while getting rid of his boxers in one shift he moans around his slick digits. A shudder of relief unmakes his sturdy frame as he springs forth. His cock twitches at the sight of you arching upon the bed, licking and biting your lips.

Resting palms atop each knee separates them. Immediately he lurches forward to give a lick between thighs. Data streams in a nibble on inner thigh, biting hot skin but your jerk of hips stops under his strong hand.

Connor smirks. Knowing your body all too well it’s the quiver in anticipation for him instead of a human man that does things to him. You chose him as much as he chose you. No, he was blessed with this, with you and these sensations.

Leaning atop your supine figure shifts his hair across forehead. A messy chocolate oh how you want to eat him like a Hershey Kiss. Better yet rich Swiss chocolate creamy and smooth as his pale skin shimmers in freckle highlights. His torso is like a bust chiseled out of marble. Artistic and delicious are the adjectives of love. Tonight he is all those things. All of this dies in a fog of lust when his hand thrusts between your thighs.

He rubs, swirls and strokes, eating your moans. He builds a bridge with the rise of your body. The bone of your human structure strengthens to his craftsmanship. As quick as he erects this empire he burns it down in your honor.

Teasing further along, Connor stops to lick the plastic digits clean. He moans at the taste. Hovering above your awaiting, burning body, lithe and muscled, he dips his head to suckle warm skin.

A symphony of gasps moans, scratching of nails into synthetic skin eggs him on. How he craves your marks. Littering him until healing wipes them away but Connor loves them as much as he loves giving them returning the favor. When he sheds all of his skin and you press kisses all over the white shell of his body; Connor gasps, gripping himself in hand as the fantasy manifesting in his processors produce a leak of precum.

Dots of light blue stain the bed between you. He kneels in front, positioning to slide his cock in sweet friction. Hips grind atop yours searing, pulsating drawing your arousal to its peak. A soft whine is already out of your mouth. Verbally begging him now the impatience is beginning to kill you. Connor readjusts. Sliding the thick head in a tease, he watches your lips separate, parting to release a string of sharp breaths, eyes on his. He runs his tongue along his bottom lip lowering eyes and you follow.

You watch, rubbing against his length with fingers formed in a V, biting lip; haze of sex floods his sensors. Natural perception overtakes every impulse in his hovering frame becoming an archway above your quivering foundation. Witnessing the hungry look on your face but it’s your eyes becoming heady; lids droop in a canopy of need as that beautiful cock snaps to action. He thrusts forward.

“F-fuck.” Connor curses, gripping onto your thighs and holding legs up, yanking you down to fit himself all the way. He cannot go any further, cock twitching in the squeeze of you hugging him in a loving embrace.

“Y/N...” His head hangs back, pale neck stretched as far as it is functionally able. He remains that way a minute allowing time to adjust but your needy whines bring the android back to life. His current mission is set: fuck you until you cum the way you deserve. The android does just that.

Moving hips, pulling back to slide back out, Connor pivots waist for the next thrust. Rearing up with a deep growl ripping from up his torso, he pulls your legs up to prop them against broad shoulders, snapping hips hard. The gasps slipping up your throat make him shiver in a pleasant glitch. His LED is scarlet, wet gush of flesh sinking, swirling together filling audio processors. And Connor finds himself no longer part of his body. Connected with you, digging nails to hips, scratching and claiming the RK800 transcends being a machine. As he fucks to the rhythmic tune of his and your moans, he is alive in your universe.

“Connor!” Whipping head back to pillows, twisting covers in fingers, your eyes squeeze shut lost in the building ache. Fluttering in the pit of your stomach it grows, spreading fire through extremities. Each thrust fills, bottoming out in his luscious raw power. You are so full of him. God. Please.

Craving how good, thick and beautiful this man’s cock is sends you somewhere else. Yes, a man. He is yours, your sweet, romantic Connor. Balancing out his cool, killer instinct paints him as a complex being. There are two parts two him. Different sides of a coin and tonight he shows his humanity. A single look from those gentle brown eyes makes you feel like you can travel the universe. He ignites as a supernova. For him you burn as a glittering star and he swallows vast, endless in his love. With each snap pushing his hips flush you fall at his mercy pushing to claw up at him. You need to touch him.

“C-Con…” Oh how sweet that nickname. How fluid it breezes past your lips glistening as tongue swipes across your bottom. Muscles scream out in tiredness, legs going completely lax propped up against his shoulders. The position strains muscles but it’s a sign of raw lovemaking.

Nights can be soft, sweet but others-others are like this. An oncoming storm battering your fragile shelter and Connor is that gale that first blew into the DPD. He is everything made to be perfect, efficient but in your eyes? He wasn’t a mere construct. You fell in love with him for who he truly is. He deserves all that love. After being shunned by society, hurt by some evil master program; you’re happy to see him accepted. Watching him get actual praise for doing his job? No longer seen as a tool but an active member of the DPD?

It’s a pleasant flutter in your stomach. Connor is one person who deserves everything. Yes, he is person, he is so alive.

Moaning his name, rolling your head lazily atop pillows, you huff as he allows your legs to shift off from his broad shoulders. Falling down against you, chest squished under his, breath stutters at the friction of synthetic skin rubbing against your hot flesh. It’s a sensitive but delicious sensation. Trapped beneath his muscled frame, pale skin a starry painting and each freckle you longs to kiss. Of course you already have.

Exploring him that first time was just as good. It was more than sexual. Every emotion pours from him when he connects with you in the most intimate ways. This is all still new for him but being deviant opens up avenues he originally denied.

Of course you realize this but each day makes him just a bit more human. What better way than showing, sharing as you consume every part of him as he’s done to every inch of your body. You both know each other like no one else. This never changes. You always come undone, surrendering for him.

The deep glide of his cock forces your back to arch. Planted between thighs now, legs full of needles from his slamming strokes, he rears his body above now, feral and growling. Those inhuman sounds are enough to make you shudder.

Fuck. That husky snarl!

Immediately you grab onto him. Raising knees up beside his hips, you squeeze them against his body. Nails scratch into his chest as he pushes up now. Blue trails etch under clawing passion. The same motion along his exposed white arm simply scrapes without leaving marks on stark plastic but he shivers all the same. He perceives underneath the epidermis with every sensor going off in his body.

“Connor,” a whimper, eyes hazy, walls clenching down as he fills you all the way again. “I want to see more…of you.” Sharply those breaths invade the room.

Silhouettes tango in rhythmic shadow, the android arching his back as he fucks you the way he knows you prefer. No one could ever make you howl with such need. No one could fulfill, morph you to complete putty in their hands like Connor.

Everything transforms in his possession. Nothing compares and you know this with each fiber of being.

“Oh, Con…”

Taut, sinewy his muscles ripple in synthetic harmony, body sliding against yours. Blue floods veins pumping consistently at the friction between you both. Connor groans sharply. His eyes lock down onto yours glittering in a wave of sin. An ocean he drowns in but ultimately skims along calm seas.

A gasp spills deliciously up throat. Trembling beneath his frenetic energy is an urgency to have him connect on a deeper level as it paints stars in your eyes. Long fingers interlock through yours. They curl over to clasp atop knuckles his large hand engulfing your own. Pushing your arm down holds it there but still your free fingers trail up against Connor’s back. Following the curve of his spine, digging nails this time, you rake scratching glowing blue in a pattern to his lower back. Finding purchase upon his ass gives a squeeze. Toned perfection that he is drives wild desire.

Encouraging his hard thrusts, sticky flesh melding, sinking his cock, so snug, completely stretching out it draws tears corners of eyes. You bite down trying to stifle the obscene sounds lurching up throat. Yet it’s too late. Each moan every gasp grows louder, catching in your throat and keening in luscious waves.

How does a body become a tidal pool? A sensual stream of water shifts in a ripple beneath him. How deep does he dive? Enough to submerge into your abyss he sinks to the deepest trench. Dark and hidden it is more when you are together.

Your voice becomes a filthy soundtrack to his husky groans. Listening to him lose control, peeking up through half lidded eyes, it’s the sight of his handsome face twisted in love and lust that builds you to completion. Seeing your Connor shed his collected demeanor and become that fearsome negotiator, unleashing the strength he knows he holds but never would he hurt you.

Even when you want him to just rail you without consequence, craving that internal bruising that leaves you wrecked for days. Connor makes sure there isn’t any lasting damage. You can have hard, rough sex or just slow loving. The options are endless. This is endless.

You want him every which way. He wants you the same. Each time with the RK800 is like the first and he, this beautiful boy you love more than the whole universe always will shatter your resolve. You’ll always want this.

He shares this with you. Never questioning emotions because they are his now. With you he can be himself. Disabling skin, smooth layer disappearing stitch by stitch leaves stark white entwined you’re your human digits. The warmth of you is still tenfold. Even more Connor feels whenever showing his true self. He will only ever show this to you, he only ever has.

The android moans into your lips. Soft and boyish and everything you crave. He gives it willingly. Just as he as craves and needs you, Connor devours those sharp breaths. His lithe frame shudders, grinding hips against yours and it begins driving you crazy how slow he’s going now.

Desire swells up his torso. Fingers produce a soft glow against yours in another bind of this union. It’s hue is beautiful. He is so beautiful: with or without his skin it doesn’t matter. Connor is Connor. He’s the only thing that makes you happy. Why deny that? Why deny something so real even if others view him as not?

Huffing desperately snaps hips up into his to make him move faster. A cry falls so sweet impaling yourself up onto his cock. His is animalistic. Yet, he still gives you his gentle loving side.

Caressing your cheeks with his thumbs, swiping off those tears of desire, you smile, listless. His return smile makes your heart pound. Even as he fucks you senseless he cocks his head, rebel strand of hair flopping cute and innocent like his expression. Soon it twists again, hungry as he drives himself deep.

“Please,” you beg, cupping his face in your hands. “I’m so close.”

Sensing it already, it doesn’t take you revelation. He knows your body more than you know it yourself. Moaning into his lips as he kisses you deeply, sensual stroke of tongue invading mouth, your kiss is wet, passionate. Your whole body trembles. Feeling his cool thumb rubbing down between the snap of his hips; without skin it’s slippery, sliding and circling in time with the plunge of his cock hitting all of those glorious spots.

You squeeze legs around his waist, wrapping them, threading ankles together to clench tightly. Arms wind around him to hold on as your body shivers, thighs rippling despite their lock. Beside your head Connor growls viciously, a sharp rip right next to ear.

The fabric fall loosely against your neck tickling but you ignore what your android lover did to your bedding. Instead you fall, in a quaking mess; neck stretched back with head dropping back, crying out his name in that glorious snap that floods vision. Everything becomes a low roar washing away all feeling. Momentarily blinded, eyes shut in your release; the knot finally dissipates as everything floods.

You gasp at the warm gush. Hot, full and creamy, Connor follows through soon after and he pushes to the hilt a final time keeping himself snug.

The sensation of his cum soaking, spilling every last drop he dribbles out between legs. Always you want him to finish sheathed inside. Needing his cum desperately, leaking out in a beautiful hue of light blue; your lips are moist as you kiss, his cock pulling out slowly.

Heaving in sharp breaths, fingers still attached to his white arms, you watch his head dip down to watch the spill of his artificial seed leak out. A genuine fascination he always gets, eyes alight in that boyish curiosity. He looks so cute it’s melting you on the spot. A big contrast to how dominant he was railing you against your bed.

You stretch fingers up to his chiseled cheekbone and his eyes snap up from studying the delectable mess he made in and around your inner thighs. This time he leans forward into your lips and your arms snake around his neck kissing him just as soft.

A quiet moan gives away Connor's true feelings even after becoming liquid above you body. His inorganic frame melts against yours. Balancing himself with palms flattened to mattress, he squeezes eyes shut to savor the sweetness of your mouth. He groans rougher the deeper it crests mingling with his orgasm.

Coming down from the shiver of human physicality leaves the android spent of energy. He can easily make love to you multiple times over but he reads the exhaustion. You are content holding on and caressing him both synthetic and his bare plastic.

Focusing on his skin activates the cells in a wind. Covering his arms once again, he cups your face with his fingers just as they return to their human state. He leans to nibble on your bottom lip. Tugging the plump flesh with teeth ends in a smirk. Sharp breaths and thudding heart sends him a beautiful analysis. You are stunning. “I told you I would wreck you, Love.”

Connor's barely there smile is teasing. A natural aesthetic makes his smooth face livelier if only for a brief moment. He leans his cheek into the warmth of you. As you reach up to stroke, trace his cheekbones your heart races. An equal smile if not in its full flavor but loving and gentle from his love thrums deep in chest. His synthetic heart, the thirium pump that regulates his tempo chugs in sync.

“I love you,” he whispers husky beside ear. “No one will hurt you. I won’t let them.” Connor's tone is firm in his determination.

Taking you now to show, to share what keeps him grounded in this life he chose; he needed this as much as you did. A reminder to what you both overcame and no fucking murderer will touch you.

Sensing worry return as you hold onto him, he trails fingers down your side. Rubbing soothing circles against thigh, Connor shifts. This time he straightens up in a seat edge of the bed. His eyes narrow on the shredded pillow. During his loss of control he tore the fabric sheath. He cocks head back to you. His hand folds atop yours where it rubs up his forearm.

He teases next, “I will draw a hot bath for you to soak in. If you so require.”

Caressing flush skin with his thumb he means to keep you occupied from everything. The glow of his LED shifting from calm blue to processing amber shows where his mind is. Deviancy grants him everything he will never want taken from him. It also compromises the android exactly what this Ripper is hoping. Their killer knows more about androids than they realize.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

protect while you can droid...

A flutter blooms, flashing from internal messaging system. Forcing Connor’s eyes to pop open out of a short bout of stasis draws his head up from pillow. His jaw tightens.

Receiving the unexpected transmission leaves a bad taste. If he could readily taste beyond data analysis; his arm shifts from around your waist. Your body nestles beneath coverings in a spooning embrace from his protective caution. Now he breaks out of low power mode with another taunt from their killer.

The android gauges your current status. Breathing softly, finally asleep after a long bath, he soothed whatever worries you had left. They are not completely gone. His stress spikes now. It is enough to protect. He fought to protect during the revolution. Even when he was still machine each thread of instability attached itself to you. You were courageous. Anyone who wishes to risk well being for something not alive is brave beyond a doubt. He is alive. He has you and Hank to thank for that.

Connor untangles from you. Sitting upright, narrowing eyes on open door, his defensive protocols activate. He leaves the bed, quickly striding out of the room.

Lights illuminate the central space of expansive apartment. His steps are bare, determined to check entrance. Calculations suggest their killer will not make another appearance. After the hospital but – can he be sure?

Listening to percentages is not always the correct answer. If he had listened while chasing the deviant on the roof, Hank may have fallen to his death.

Deactivating security lock, Connor sidesteps through door. Corridor lights illuminate his pale skin, exposed in a state of half undress. Even then he would tear this fucking Ripper apart.

Everything in his system screams out in stress. As the senior deviant detective he is better acquainted with emotions. Threats against those he loves cripple the android’s composure. He already lost his temper at Reed. This investigation must be completed. Before more lose their lives –

Connor reenters, securing your home. He knows that you would like to live in a house. It has been a dream of yours. Ever since opening his eyes he has shared this. His gaze shifts across living room. Falling on curtains covering glass, he inhales unnecessary but inspects quickly.

Tugging them open, scanning, all he sees is an empty night. The wall is glass pane, an aesthetic you found pleasing allowing natural light inside. All the android can see it as is a weak point.

His head cocks to the side, audio processes picking up click of door. He drops the curtains in place and frowns. “You should be sleeping.” Connor’s eyes snap onto your bare legs, trailing up to the buttoned shirt you hastily put on after bath. One of the android’s shirts - obviously.

Funny that he'd say that. You'll sleep when you’re dead. The idea squirms in stomach. Bad choice of words lately. All of this is just...

Forgetting for a while being completely entwined with him made you feel safe. He only ever made it that way even when he was struggling. It makes you somewhat happy to have this much peace. Can't have too much apparently. Look at these murders, everything falling apart and…

“Well, I woke up cold.” You tease him. Putting on a smile is equal to having a brave face. Slinking over to Connor, you slide a palm flat against his bare chest. Leaning up on toes to meet him closer as he dips his head down, you brush lips sweetly into his. A pair of strong hands clutch at your waist. You huff pleased with his touch and tap tip of a finger against his chin.

“I was waiting for a certain android to turn up his system heat.”

Smiling up at him, a sigh escapes, swallowing after shifting back from him. Pretty obvious what he's up to. Doesn't take a rocket scientist. Being with him might've been blissful but waking up alone like you did, half asleep, you thought something – happened.

Never mind what you thought. He's here. One thing you’ve known ever since they met is he'll always be here. “Con, I know what you're doing.” You slip back and sit down.

Curling up on couch, you idly run a hand against the creamy upholstery. “Don't think you can hide it from me. Think I've had a good grasp of your quirks since the first time I saw you at the DPD. And do you want to know what I thought? That you were the cutest thing. For a badass detective.”

Connor cocks his head with a smirk. “Am I not still 'cute' for you, Love?” Joining your bundled perch it is easy to read. You are deflecting. He understands why. Hiding his actions has become less successful. He only does so to protect, alleviate whatever worries there are. You went through just as much because of this relationship. Falling in love with someone like him but he fell in love equally. There is no one else he will ever want to hold, cherish in his arms. The message from the Ripper only pushes this parameter in his protocol.

Missions are his to own in deviancy. His mission is to serve and protect. Most importantly he will do everything in his power to shield the one he has come to love.

The android swirls his thumb atop exposed skin. Dragging fingertips along your leg, you stretch out, sliding limb to hang over his knee. It draws you in a close cocoon with him. Comforts of home are shattered after the vandal. He knows you are afraid.

“You know what has happened as well as I do. As much as I want to shield you from this I also know how strong you are. You made me see. When my people were hunted down, captured and-and I will fight for you now.” Connor leans close, fingers sliding down your neck, pressing forehead lightly against yours.

He inhales the scent of you in a sense of feeling. “You caught me, Y/N. I was checking the apartment. My stress levels have been higher.”

Never can he lie. You have opened up so much to each other. You are soul mates in ways that even he could not initially comprehend. Connor bathes in your words, christening him a beautiful soul and the RK800 believes you. He believes in this because it makes him alive with every artificial breath, every synthetic beat of his heart. Nothing will take away what you have built, continue to build together.

“And I have done something I shouldn't have.” Connor confesses his stress. It is strange for him still to admit all of these emotional surges but he owns them. “I lost my temper with Reed. While I should be the one keeping everyone calm, focused. I lost my focus. All of this discourse in the DPD will only make it easier for this murderer.”

Swirling a fingertip along the circumference of his indicator is a sign of acceptance. Oftentimes you brush lips to his temple. Kissing the very android part of him shown outwardly to the world; you slide fingers through his rich coffee strands.

Massaging his scalp, pecking little kisses all over his face, caressing each mark of beauty he was constructed with. Freckles paint his entire body and make him so uniquely handsome.

“Connor, please don't worry so much about me. If it means raising your stress... You know it scares me when you mention that.” A light laugh breezes past lips despite the confession. Is this you trying to remain calm or at least distracting? It sounds ridiculous that's all. Of anyone Connor can handle anything. He's strong. Always has been but losing him now will utterly destroy. You won't be able to.

“Con,” you whisper, pressing forehead back to his. “I doubt losing your temper with that asshole is the end of the world.” No surprise to you because Gavin has that effect on people. “After what he tried to do to you? Don't you even think you did something wrong. Besides, everyone wants a shot at him at some point.” You smile. Brightly this time but – “What's happening, Connor? Why? This maniac loose in the city. Why would they do this?”

One of your friends is dead. This monster came back to finish the job! That wasn’t all. This murderer has killed androids too. The idea of Connor winding up that way hurts. Cupping his cheek against palm, you lean up, brushing lips in a sweet lock. He's the only one that would ever hold the key.

“I can't imagine being left alone. I can't imagine anything without you.” Holding it in streams this fear. It shivers right down to the core. Even as Connor pulls you flush against his chest nestled in his strong embrace; he rests his back to couch arm. You shift atop him. Resting in a tangle, cheek pressed beneath his chin and you plant a kiss onto his synthetic skin.

Nibbling up along the pale column of your lover’s throat, sliding body atop his firm muscled frame props you up to reach his lips. A sigh slips out at his cinched arm hugging tightly.

“I love you, Connor.” Your breath hitches. “I just want to wake up from this.”

“I love you.” Softly he confesses. Just as the first time following his break into deviancy he gives you this. It is what you deserve, what you both deserve. All the love he can muster and Connor craves. He longs, needs you as he needs thirium to power his biocomponents. You are the calm in his storm. A safe harbor for him to rest his weary mechanical bones after grueling days, cases pushes his stress.

Connor is not one to complain. He has adapted easily in this free will, shedding Cyberlife, escaping Amanda via emergency exit. All of it led him back to your arms. Jericho was the moment he knew. Listening to Markus' words made him snap. Everything he said was real. Just as being alive is real and Connor holds you close.

“Shh. Be still, My Heart.” Whispering husky, comforting, he holds no answers to why. Why do murderers terrorize the innocent? In this dark time in Detroit you will never be alone. He made that oath when he first told you his true human feelings.

Twining fingers with yours now draws your ring up for his lips to touch. The gold band on his melds in harmony as fingers engulf in his large grasp. “Sleep, Y/N. You need it for tomorrow.”

Making a choice to stay here, stroking your back, he listens to your breath grow shallow. Connor's eyes shift to ceiling as you fall asleep lying atop him on couch. Guilt flutters in a scarlet blip as he keeps this killer’s message to himself.

Anything to protect and this time you do not need to hear tonight. He simply watches over you.

tag list: @your-taxidermy @tropfenlady @catastrophes-light @justashamwithwastedpotiental @tommy-10-k @dreamyby @etherealcel @clussysposts @queefsofsilence

#connor x reader #dbh connor x reader #rk800 x reader #dbh rk800 x reader #connor rk800 x reader #dbh after dark #after dark offerings #300 followers are since past but here we go #spicy connor is spicy

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the-wonderful-jinx · 3 years

Note

2, 7, and 20 for the writer ask thing!

2. Tell us about what you’re most looking forward to writing – in your current project, or a future project.

Of the Hart Valley project, I look forward to the ‘remixes’ -- where I take previous stories and rewrite them with a twist in them. For Parable, the plot and character’s stay the same, but they’re stuck in a Groundhog’s Day time-loop.

7. What do you think are the characteristics of your personal writing style? Would others agree?

I only noticed this because someone else pointed it out, but a lot of these stories feature women fucking up a dude because he refused to take no for answer. It’s not a bad one, at the very least.

20. Tell us the meta about your writing that you really want to ramble to people about (symbolism you’ve included, character or relationship development that you love, hidden references, callbacks or clues for future scenes?)

I’ll be here all night if I said everything, so I’ll list the choicest bits:

Reflections/Shadows: Penny and Petey are reflections of each other in some way or another, right down to their names and appearances. Penelope ‘Penny’ Lourdes Rivers and Peter ‘Petey’ Leo Niles. Penelope the with her shoulder length black hair and blunted bangs, her warm brown eyes, and dark-brown skin; Peter with his wavy brown curls, baby-blue eyes, and pale skin. When they were dating, they were always mentioned together ‘Petey and Penny’, near impossible to separate the two. Penelope has an uncanny knack for visions and predictions, Peter is blind, literally in that he needs some serious prescription glasses and figuratively that he refuses to see/understand that Penny has moved on. Penny runs from her problems and her past; Peter chases Penny down and wreaks havoc in her neighborhood. Penelope at first flourished when she left Hart Valley, when the story starts, she is fading with her dead-end job, but content with her lot in life -- she’s independent, first and foremost. Peter languished in Hart Valley after Penny left, but he too grew when he managed to leave, a new job and roommate, only regressing when he finds Penny again. Both are passionate people with a mean streak if pushed ; both are loyal and steadfast to their causes and beliefs to the point of death (for better or for worse....)

Weapon of Choice: Penelope uses a traditional bolo knife her uncle’s husband made specifically for her -- it’s not the prettiest thing, made for practical gardening work, but it’s tough, rugged, and withstands a beat-down -- just as Penelope does when Peter comes knocking. Peter resorts to his mother’s Damascus steel kitchen knife which he stole before he left town -- beautiful, expensive as fuck, and a symbol of the domestic life he always dreamed of when he and Penny were dating.

The Shrike: One of the three gods of Hart Valley. The Killing God, The Giving God. What will you do to ensure your own survival, the livelihood of your family and friends? How far will you go to protect everything you love and hold dear...? Penelope has the more noble aspect of The Shrike, giving life and reviving one of Peter’s victims, fighting only in self-defense; Peter is the more violent side -- going on a ruthless killing spree for his own selfish gains. Though it’s only seen until the very end, The Shrike’s presence is everywhere -- from the taxidermized shrikes in her uncle’s apartment, the shrike mask she wears at the Midsummer celebration, right down to her and Peter’s matching attire: white blouse and black skirt for her; white button down and black pants for him. Hart Valley and its gods are always watching, no matter how far it’s people may stray...

Name Meanings: I’m a self-indulgent writer, i love me some names laden with symbolism and meanings.

Penelope Lourdes River: ‘Penelope’ being a nod to Penelope of Odyssey, often lauded as a symbol of fidelity and patience; ‘Lourdes’ refers to the Marian apparition, Our Lady of Lourdes, and the town’s grotto which is supposed to cure any ailments if one drinks from it; ‘River’ is exactly what is says on the tin, but it is also anglicized. The family’s original surname was ‘de Rivera’. Her last name is a fun nod if you’re filipino, but for those no in the know, tagalog is the name of a regional language/ethnic group in the Philippines, it’s derived from ‘taga-ilog’ which means ‘river dweller’. Funnily enough, Penelope and her family are not ethnically Tagalog, they are Visayan.

Peter Leo Niles: ‘Peter’ is a reference to Saint Peter (of ‘being the first pope’ fame, but also patron saint of fishermen, sailors, and butchers to keep the list short); ‘Leo’ refers to the star sign and those born under it are often seen as “dramatic, courageous, arrogant, charismatic” (TV Tropes) which fits Petey to a T; ‘Niles’ obviously referring to the Nile River and the classic joke “denial isnt just a river in Egypt...”

#shut it jinx #oh jesus this got away from me #long post #imitationgirl

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ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes · 4 years

Text

Roguish Women Part 2

Summary: Kate Rosseau is an American who fled to Paris to escape her past life. Now she's dancing and playing the part of a courtesan at the Moulin Rouge. There she meets Tommy Shelby who thinks she can be useful in expanding his empire. But has he been blinded?

Part 2: Tommy and Kate debate and reach an agreement.

Tommy helped Kate out of her fur coat upon entering the hotel suite. The luxury of the ornate room wasn’t new to her. She had spent plenty of time in lavish rooms being spoiled by expensive food, fine wines, and Egyptian cotton. The black, white, and gold embellishments of the Art Deco style was familiar to her. She was used to the light of glittering chandeliers and passing by her reflection in the many mirrored surfaces.

Although the expensive decor wasn’t any comfort to Kate. Not when she had to fake affection and love. In fact, the atmosphere of hotels had begun to make her nauseous. She knew what was awaiting her.

But it still wasn’t exactly clear if those were Tommy’s same intentions. He had expressed interest in what she knew but not her services. Still, he was a man. A man who had become accustomed to the finer things in life and that no doubt included expensive courtesans.

Kate had changed out of her stage costume before departing with Tommy. She left under the guise that he was an expensive client who wanted to take her somewhere a little more intimate. To complete the appearance, she left in a seductive jade colored dress. The one made of silk that left little to the imagination and had a scandalous open back.

Tommy noticed this very quickly as she walked over to the sofa. The silk shifted with every movement, clinging to her body and revealing the curve of her hips. He cleared his throat and hung her coat up on the rack by the door. He was careful to maintain his appearance of business by leaving everything on but his coat. This wasn’t a situation to be comfortable with. He still knew very little about this woman.

“Drink?” Tommy asked while moving to the liquor cart by the large windows. He looked down on the lights of Paris still sparkling in the night.

“Do you have wine?” Kate settled on the plush sofa, grateful to be off of her sore ankle. She reached down to take off her heels and inspect the area. Luckily there didn’t appear to be much swelling.

“Merlot.” He answered after inspecting the lone wine bottle among the liquor.

She made a face. “I prefer Chardonnay. Don’t particularly like red. I’ll just have gin.”

Tommy poured her a glass of gin and whiskey for himself. He walked over with the glasses and set them down on the table by the sofa. He took a seat across from her so they could talk.

“Do you have someone back in England, Mr. Shelby?” Kate wondered. It seemed unfathomable that a handsome and wealthy man like himself wasn’t married. But perhaps he’d simply taken off his wedding band while he was in the Moulin Rouge. Some men did that, some didn’t seem to care and left them on. Kate wasn’t sure which was a worse sin.

Tommy’s mind went to the blonde barmaid he left behind in Birmingham. Grace had captured his attention but it had been a long while since he’d allowed himself to succumb to love. He hadn’t opened his heart up since he lost Greta. But he was getting dangerously close to that territory with Grace. “I’m not married.”

“Hm.” Kate didn’t remark on his answer. But it led her to believe there was someone. It was anyone’s guess why he was keeping it a secret.

“Tell me what you know about the Americans.” Tommy redirected the conversation.

She took a drink of the gin and grimaced at the taste. “I don’t understand why Europeans like their gin so bitter.”

He crossed his arms over her chest and stared at her. For a moment, he doubted his decision to bring her back to the hotel. She could’ve been reading his reactions and telling him what he wanted to know. Could this all be a ruse to get something out of him? Blackmail? Maybe she wanted a free ride to England or even back to America. What if she didn’t know anything?

Kate raised an eyebrow at his expression of displeasure. “Are you always so serious, Mr. Shelby?” She asked.

“I asked you a question.”

“And I asked you a different one.”

Tommy’s jaw tightened. “I’m not here to play games. Either you know something or you’re wasting my time.”

Kate looked slightly amused despite his intense tone. “I grew up in South Boston. They call us Southies. There’s a group there that runs all of the bootlegging operations.”

“The Gustin Gang.” Tommy nodded as this wasn’t news to him. “I’m aware. I’ve done my share of research.” It was necessary to do such investigations if he was really going to expand overseas.

“Then you’ll know that they’re weak. Easy to take over if you’re strong enough.” Kate leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “But if you’re so smart, Mr. Shelby, then you won’t need my assistance.”

He balked a little. Yes, he knew about most of the active gangs that controlled the smuggling operations on the east coast as well as Chicago and Detroit. But he didn’t have enough intel to know how they operated or what their weaknesses and strengths were. “I brought you here to give me information.” He replied without explicitly saying that he needed her help. Admitting that would only give her power.

“There are Italians in the North End, lots of them. It doesn’t matter what city you’re in, Boston, New York, Chicago, the Irish hate the Italians and vice versa. Neither of them like to share control. They’re looking for allies, strong allies.”

Tommy considered what she was saying. It was much like London, various gangs all pushing and shoving each other for a larger piece of the pie. Would the Americans find a relationship mutually beneficial? Could he even trust them? Could he trust that Kate wasn’t looking out for her own interests?

“That’s very vague.” He responded.

Her confident demeanor wavered a little. “Well, more in-depth information could get me in trouble. I don’t want to risk that for a man I don’t know very well.”

So they were at a stalemate. Both of them standing with their backs against the wall so neither of them could stab the other when they weren’t paying attention.

“You were in the war,” Kate concluded.

He eyed her for a moment before nodded. “Yes.”

“Where?”

“Here. Northern France.” The break in the conversation gave Tommy a chance to find his cigarettes and light one.

Kate watched him. Each movement deliberate and firm. He was a man who hid his weaknesses well. But that didn’t mean he didn’t have any. All men had a weakness. So did women. “You must hate America for coming so late.”

His blue eyes didn’t meet hers as he lit the cigarette. “There were many people to blame. I’ve got more important things to deal with now.”

Little did he know, the woman in front of him had been through trauma. No, she hadn’t been in an active battlefield but she’d fought her own personal wars. Came across enemies who were ruthless. Suffered enough to warrant building up her defenses.

Tommy decided to throw her an incentive. He wasn’t there to talk about the war. “You want to get out of here. If you can’t go back to America would you want to come to England.”

Although she perked up, Kate was suspicious about his intentions. She hadn’t given him enough information to warrant a reward. He’d been vague about his relationship status. Maybe he wanted to bring her along as some sort of toy. “I don’t want to be a whore.” She replied. “Not here, not in America, and not in England.

“What else are you good at?” Tommy replied callously even though he didn’t intend to come off so harsh.

She scoffed, her eyes widening in disbelief. “You mean what am I good at beside fucking men?” Her voice was incredulous.

“I didn’t-”

“I’m not an object, Mr. Shelby, I have plenty of redeeming qualities. Or do you have your head so far up your own ass that you can’t see that?” She demanded.

He subtly rolled his eyes. The woman was testing his patience. “Are you using me?”

“Are you using me? ” She retorted.

Another stalemate. Neither of them looked away or softened their glare. It was as if the world had never seen such a dramatic clash of personalities. A mysterious woman who held valuable information, although it was questionable how she acquired it. And a man who wanted nothing more than to rule an empire but had severely lost his trust for others.

Kate decided to break the tense silence. “Mr. Shelby, you must understand that I fled America for a reason. I’m not looking to stir up the pot again and have them out for blood. They have no issue sending men to come and find me. If I give you information that can be traced back to me, then I have a problem.”

Tommy prided himself on being a good judge of character. He rarely trusted anyone that was outside of his immediate family. It was easy for him to pick up on tells that someone was lying. And he saw the hint of fear hidden behind Kate’s slate-colored eyes. He cleared his throat and stood up to pour himself another whiskey. “Say I were to trust you. You gave me the information I want and in exchange, you come to Birmingham with me. I can give you work at my company. Legitimate work.” He clarified before she argued with him again. “If your information checks out and is valuable, you’ll be compensated. And if there’s a threat on your life, you’ll be under the Peaky Blinders’ protection.”

Kate fidgeted and was a little uneasy with the proposition. But it was the only lifeline she had to get out of Paris. She had men promising her large sums of money before. Enough cash to leave the Moulin Rouge and find a life of her own. But they were hollow promises that were never kept. They promised to bring her home and provide her with everything. But what was expected from her in return made her sick.

Tommy could be holding out. Maybe he would break his promise once he got what he wanted. Maybe he would bring her to Birmingham and still treat her like a whore. Still, the walls were closing in on Kate. She didn’t have another option. It was a calculated risk, but it was a risk for Tommy as well. Maybe that was why she stood up and reached out to shake his hand. Sealing the deal.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Tommy was quite the picture sitting outside of a cafe. Sat at the small table, he was enjoying the Parisian sunlight while nursing an espresso and smoking. He stretched out his legs a bit to keep comfortable. Activity bustled around him, men in fine suits, women dressed in the highest fashion, and mothers lugging along crying children. The romantic allure of the French language enveloped him and strangely eased his tension.

Tommy assumed that coming to France would only trigger negative memories from the War. The rapid-fire foreign tongue that mixed with English in the trenches. The scent of their cigars. But the city was different enough to make him forget. Well, at least push the thought aside for a moment. He could never forget.

A bright lilac covered cloche hat caught his attention. Tommy didn’t know whether the peacock feather stuck in the hat’s band was real or not but it certainly looked the part. Tightly wound blonde curls peeked out from underneath the short brim of the hat.

Her blue eyes found his before he saw her hat. Kate walked towards him, maneuvering through the passing crowd. “Mr. Shelby,” She greeted and plopped herself down at the cafe table across from him.

“You can call me Tommy.” He replied.

I pegged you for more of a formal man.” Kate dug into her black purse for her compact mirror and lipstick.”

Tommy watched her pull out the mirror, a small disk embellished with emerald stones. Most likely they were fake, and some were missing from the circular pattern. Her lipstick was a dark red. She flipped open the compact mirror and began to apply it. He saw her eyes poking up above the edge of the silver-plated mirror. That’s when he noticed the shadow under her right eye and the knot on her forehead. Injuries that certainly hadn’t been there when they’d spoken the night before.

That morning, they had met in the lobby of the hotel the Peaky Blinders were staying in. Kate informed Tommy that she would be going to the Moulin Rouge to speak with her employer. He offered to go along with her but was turned down. Kate didn’t trust the British man yet. There was no need for him to be involved with her resignation. Mostly because she knew it would be ugly. Her boss, not the owner of the club but the manager, had a strong temper and often lashed out at the women. Especially women who were trying to escape their lives of night entertainers.

“Who did that to you?” Tommy kept his tone even. He didn’t want to make it a spectacle of pointing out her injuries, lest she clammed up and denied anything happened.

Her eyes flicked over the rim of the mirror to look at him. “Do you care?” The hand applying her lipstick paused, her lips parted slightly.

“Yes.”

Kate sighed and finished touching up her makeup. With a snap, she closed the mirror and shoved it back into her purse along with the tube of lipstick. “Some people don’t like to take no for an answer.”

The cryptic answer didn’t satisfy Tommy. “Who did it?” He repeated firmly.

A bitter smile crossed her face. “What? Are you going to act the knight in shining armor for me?” She accused. “Rest assured, Mr.-Tommy, I’ve met my fair share of men who had no issue roughing up a woman. They call it equality.”

Tommy frowned. “That’s not how I operate.”

The dark conversation about abusers appeared to amuse Kate in a twisted way. Perhaps she had become so accustomed to the brutal nature of some that she expected it. It simply became a way of life. Either she fought back, which was appropriate in some cases, or she expertly covered up the marks with powder the next morning. She didn’t fight everyone who aggressed against her. She chose her battles wisely.

“How do you Brummies operate then?” She inquired.

“If someone lays a hand on you then they lose their hand,” Tommy replied bluntly. “That’s what being under the protection of the Peaky Blinders entails.”

“Why’d you call yourselves that?” She dismissed his explanation of his policy regarding abusers.

He raised an eyebrow but reached up to slip off his flat cap, passing it over to Kate. “Razor blades sewn into the brim.”

Kate examined the gray cap and gently pushed back the seam to see the blades hidden. She lightly pressed her thumb against the sharp edge, making an indent across her fingerprint. “Huh, so you blind people.”

“When it’s necessary.” Tommy took the cap back from her and placed it back on his head.

“So, what work do you have for me?” She folded her hands on the table, leaning slightly forward to address him.

“It’ll all be explained once we get to Birmingham.” He answered and reached into his pocket to pull out a few coins for the coffee. “Until then, you should start compiling all the information you’re going to give me. I’d rather not leave a paper trail but if you must write things down to remember, then you may.”

“How gracious of you.”

He continued talking, skipping over her snarky remark. “Until then, I’ll have you meet me brothers and a few of my men who are here. For now, you’re simply my new hire. They won’t need to know you’re an informant.”

“You keep secrets from your family often, Tommy?” Kate tilted her head to the side with a simpering glance. “That doesn’t make for good business.”

Again, Tommy chose to disregard what she said. “I’ve already bought you a ticket for the ship. We’re leaving tomorrow morning at eight.”

Kate waved over the waiter and ordered a coffee in French. She crossed her legs and picked up Tommy’s silver tin of cigarettes without asking. He didn’t stop her, instead just pulling out his lighter and offering it to her. After a few drags, she smiled coyly. “You must be excited to return to your sweetheart back home.”

Tommy knew that he’d left his relationship status vague. He’d done so intentionally. “I don’t have anyone back home.”

“I think you do.”

“Is that so?”

Her smile grew a little as he teased her. It was as if he wanted her to show off her intelligence, to prove herself. “You have a past; anyone can see that in your eyes. I also know you’ve had your fair share of whores. So, when you’re alone in a hotel suite with one of Paris’s finest and you don’t try anything, it usually means you’re holding out for someone. It’s honorable.” She shrugged. “Not many men have your...restraint.”

He frowned. This wasn’t the conversation he was looking to have. But he figured it wouldn’t bode well if he arrived from Paris with a woman in tow. Grace would surely have a few questions. “You’ll meet her once you’re in Birmingham. She works at the bar I own.”

“What’s her name?”

“Did your boss do that to you because you said you were going to leave?”

Kate smiled. It was fairly entertaining to her, the mental games that Tommy seemed to play in conversations. The man clearly liked control even when simply talking to another person. “So, what if he did?”

Tommy pondered the idea. Would he be willing to risk getting revenge for a woman he hardly knew? Would he let a man who worked with vulnerable women get away with hurting them? It seemed like a good job for Isaiah and Finn. Get their feet wet a little bit. “Then he’s a bad man.”

“Were you like this before the war?”

“Like what?”

His composure fascinated Kate. At the Moulin Rouge, men didn’t like when the women asked questions. There were several reasons. He was a high profile man who was risking a lot to have a little fun at the club. He felt talking interrupted the show. Or he simply didn’t see women as humans. Sometimes it was all of the above. But Tommy didn’t seem to mind the questions, even if he never answered them.

“Like you want to make sure every bad man pays for his sins.”

He exhaled a stiff snort of laughter and let his eyes wander out to the street. “I think I know how you came by all this information you claim to have.”

Her lips quirked up into a smile. “Oh?”

“You don’t drop an issue.”

Kate grinned. She thanked the waiter who came over with her order. “Merci, I am on his tab, and make sure he leaves you a generous tip.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Tom, of all the bad fucking ideas-”

Tommy waved a hand at the liquor cart. “Take what you’d like and sit down, brother.”

Arthur grimaced but did pour himself a drink before going to sit where Kate had been the night before. After a hearty swig, he held his hands up as if waiting for Tommy to hand over the explanation. The explanation of why suddenly a French whore was joining them on their return journey to Birmingham.

“She’s got information about the Americans. Things we can use against them once we expand overseas.”

“Expand overseas...hang on when did we discuss this?” The eldest Shelby demanded.

“I’ve been playing with the idea. We’ve got the ability and we shouldn’t limit ourselves to Birmingham or London. Shouldn’t fucking limit ourselves to the continent.”

Arthur frowned and finished his drink. “Think you’re biting off more than you can chew, mate. We’ve just done a deal here, why can’t we fucking focus on what we’ve got in Birmingham for the time being?”

“You can focus on Birmingham, but she’s going to give us good information. I’m not saying we’re going to make a move on America tomorrow. It’ll take time.”

There was obviously no point in trying to talk Tommy out of his decision. “Right, so what is she gonna do? Just sit ‘round your office talking? How’d you know we can trust her?”

“We can’t.” Tommy admitted coolly. “But I’ve offered her a job in the company. One that’ll test her loyalty.”

“So you’re risking our family and company because she might have some information on people we ain’t even fucking fighting with yet?” Arthur was appalled at the idea.

Tommy leaned over the back of a chair with a glint in his eyes. “Yet. Arthur, yet.” He smiled slightly. “But when we do start fighting, we’ll be ten steps ahead of them. They won’t know what fucking hit them.”

The desire for power in his brother’s eyes wasn’t unfamiliar, at least not in recent months. It seemed more than ever Tommy was itching for any opportunity to grasp more power. And it was far too late to try and cool him down. “You’re a fucking madman, Tom.”

“And yet you keep following me into battle.”

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officialleehadan · 5 years

Text

A Gift of Old

“It was my grandmother’s,” Helena said as she opened the lowest drawer of her jewelry box. It was an old jewelry box, carved of beautiful polished wood, and older than Helena herself. A gift from her father, back before her human life ended and her vampiric one began. The item she was looking for lived at the bottom, tucked in among jewelry that, if she ever sold it, would each bring thousands at auction for their age alone. Seven hundred years was a long time, after all, and her grandmother lived to a ripe old age even then. “Careful. It’s sharp.”

It was a fine-edged dagger. Forged of steel, it bore runes in silver, gold, cold iron, and copper. The sheath was a single piece of carved crystal that fit the blade like a second skin. More runes marked the crystal, and the whole blade smelled heavily of magic.

Helena had been very, very careful never to draw it since she became a vampire. She knew when a blade was made to kill the inhuman. All the same, she kept it all these years out of fondness for the woman who, long, long ago, taught her to spin.

Owen took the little dagger when she offered it to him. It looked odd in his hands, more a women’s weapon, designed to hide in a sleeve, or down a bodice. All the same, it wasn’t so small as to be unusable.

Helena took a cautious step back when he eased the knife out of the sheath for the first time in centuries. Owen would never dream of using the ancient weapon on her, but the magic on it was overpowering.

“It’s beautiful,” he said after getting a feel for the weapon. “Wait, your grandmother’s? I can feel the magic in this. Who was your grandmother?”

“She never spoke of her younger years,” Helena admitted, and took a seat on the white leather cushion that dominated most of her perfectly-organized closet. Ranks of expensive shoes filled one wall, and displays of jewelry, new and old, glimmered on another. “I was… I suppose I would have been about fifteen when she died. I always thought she must have been a sailor, or something like. She told us stories of the world, when my sisters and I were young. The writing is Arabic, but I’ve never had a knack for the Middle Eastern languages.”

“This was designed to kill just about everything,” he told her, and studied the runes carefully. “It’s not Faerie magic. I’ve seen that on some of Gramma’s older things, and it’s not like my axe, either.”

“It is a last-chance weapon. One I cannot use,” Helena said, and risked taking the blade back to sheath it. It buzzed in her hand, an angry hornet caught in a too-small jar. “And as you said, it will kill anything. With the threat to our city being what it is, I cannot, in good faith, send you to fight without a weapon that will protect you from not only your enemies, but from our allies.”

“You have concerns about our allies?”

“I think after the betrayals we have already suffered, I cannot say we will not suffer another.”

The memory of he fellow Elder, Wilhelm, turning on them, was still fresh. Not that he and Helena were ever friends, or even allies, but his loss was still a blow to their already fragile defenses.

Owen looked between her and the little knife, no longer than his hand, and rolled up his sleeve. He always wore a holster there, with spell-inscribed pins in half a dozen different metals. Standard, for any monster-hunter. The dagger fit beneath the holster nicely, and Helena smiled when he rolled his sleeve back down, hiding the weapon completely. When he was done, he sat beside her and looked out over the wide courtyard below. Her Coven was there, preparing for the coming war. Her Coven was entirely made up of vampires, of course, but she encouraged relationships with the magical community. Many of her vampires had lovers and spouses who had come to the Covenhold for safety. A few even had children, either those of their partners or adopted.

Helena reached for Owen’s hand and curled her fingers into his as she looked over her Coven, heart heavy. There would be deaths in the coming war, and she was not like the other Vampire Elders of the city. Her Coven was small compared to many, and she was close with every member. Each death would be sorely felt.

“There is a battle coming,” she said, thinking of past wars fought and won, or fought and lost, in her lifetime. This one would be smaller, a battle for this single city, but it felt bigger. A storm on the horizon that she couldn’t yet see. “If my long years have taught me anything, it is that this will change us, for better or worse.”

“I know,” Owen murmured and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and listened to the steady thump of his heartbeat as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s going to be a fight for our lives, and for the lives of this city.”

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HGE - Blood and Passion:

Helena is one of the most powerful Elder Vampires in the city, and known for fairness, and ruthlessness in equal measure.

She did not expect a bleeding Hunter to seek her out as his last, best hope.

Feeding Frenzy

White Marble

First Negotiation

Blood Summit

Blood Claim

CovenHold

Wolf Club

Blood-Traitor

Shared Blood

Long Past

In the Ring (Subscriber Only)

Ancient Ballroom (Subscriber Only)

A Weapon of the Old Age

Lightning Axe

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