Midway City: Swirling Ring of Trash in the Sky
Inclusion of my OC Suzanna Walker AKA Fade into the Suicide Squad. She is a former colleague of Rick Flag, a childhood friend of Harley Quinn, a former member of the Joker's gang after his escape from Arkham and Harley’s transformation and now a member of the Task Force X team. She will also be getting up close and very personal with our favourite Aussie, Captain Boomerang.
Follows the events of the 2016 movie after the Joker’s interference
I think every member of the Suicide Squad is a warning all by themselves but to be clear there will be violence, swearing, a complete lack of morals or ethics of any kind at times. Spoilers!
It was a sombre group that made its way back down to the lobby of the building, in yet another crazy turn of events Harley was gone and so was her Puddin’. As Fade had predicted the Joker had come for his queen, no one and nothing was going to get in his way. Lawton had surprisingly come through for his new friends, refusing to kill the woman even as she flew away from them. Fade was grateful but it hadn’t been enough to save her from Waller’s wrath, the fact that the woman’s chopper went down minutes later was poetic justice, but just meant that this never-ending nightmare of a mission wasn’t over.
Fade wasn’t even aware of the tears rolling silently down her cheeks, she only knew that her heart was broken over the loss of her oldest friend.
Digger wrapped an arm around her shoulder keeping her close as they made their way out onto the street, she was grateful for the warmth and the comfort. The man had pulled her to her feet and forced her to keep putting one foot in front of the other, without it she felt she might keel over at any moment.
The rainfall mirrored her misery beautifully, the water falling on her face to wash away her grief leaving an open wound gaping in her chest. She was so lost to it that she didn’t hear Digger quietly saying her name or notice that he was pointing to something a short distance from them until she heard a voice calling out “Hey guys’ I’m back! Did you miss me? I missed you all so much”
Eyes snapping round to the source Fade broke away from Digger, bolting towards the soaking wet and shivering blonde perched atop the black car. Jumping up onto the hood as Harley slid down the windshield into her waiting arms, each woman clutching the other to her.
Fade relieved to find her friend still alive, Harley seeking comfort against the sting of loss.
Rick paused wanting to give them a moment, but they needed to keep moving, catching his eye and nodding at him over Harley’s shoulder Fade pulled back, the women breaking apart with a quiet sniff and reddened eyes. Digger reached out a hand to help Fade down, not trusting her footing in her current state, rewrapping a protective arm around her once more as Lawton pulled Harley into his arms and set her gently on the ground “We’re glad you could make it”
Digger offered the woman a small smile as he attracted her attention “Hey craziness” tossing her the bat he’d snagged from the roof.
Fade held out her hand to the woman Harley lacing her fingers through hers, falling into step with the pair of them, as a trio they wended their ungainly way along the street following the course Rick laid out for them.
Fade wasn’t sure how long it took to find the downed chopper, but she was feeling far more herself by the time it came into sight, though a lot wetter than usual. Digger was no longer wrapped around her but had checked she was ok before he moved off, now walking with Diablo and Croc a short distance ahead. Her friend had merely raised an eyebrow when he’d left them alone, but not asked any questions. She was intrigued to understand what was going on, if anything, between her friend and the big Aussie, but it was all too painful to think about when she’d just lost the love of her life. Fade was grateful for her silence on the subject, she wouldn’t know how to answer her questions anyway. She couldn’t deny she found the man attractive, and he’d made it clear he thought she was too, but what intrigued her was that while his personality was abrasive on the surface, there seemed to be something more underneath. He was definitely a puzzle, but one she would have to figure out another time, right now her friend needed her.
Harley hadn’t said anything about what had transpired after she left them on the roof, but Fade knew that just meant she was still processing it. Just from the simple fact that the woman wasn’t gambling about like a bunny on crack told Fade she was hurting, especially as she hadn’t let go of her hand since they’d left the building behind. Fade kept her silence too, letting Harley deal with it in her own way but squeezing her hand gently from time to time to remind her that she was there, an answering squeeze telling her that she was doing the right thing.
They hung back as Rick and Alpha team inspected the chopper with Lawton, declaring Waller missing and moving out once again. Once again Lawton and Rick seemed to be disagreeing about their next course of action, though she felt he had a point this time. Heading directly to the source of the swirling ring of trash in the sky did seem blatantly idiotic, but they were also out of options.
The rain bucketing down out of the sky was obscuring visibility and generally making things more miserable than they needed to be, thankfully the rain itself wasn’t icy but being drenched to the skin wasn’t a pleasant experience. Faces screwed up against the driving rain no one noticed that Lawton wasn’t with them until the binder hit the car next to Rick, the clearly incensed man shouting at him to tell them all the truth.
What was left of Alpha squad and the task force gathered curiously, even Fade finally locating some interest in this evening’s events.
She watched Rick closely the man looked ready to snap, more defeated than she’d ever seen him before, stepping towards him his gaze snapped up to hers. The concern etched on her features finally breaking through to him, nodding he cleared his throat, a long overdue explanation finally forthcoming.
“Three days ago, a non-human entity appeared in the subway station. Waller sent me and a woman with incredible abilities… a witch. See nobody could get near this thing but the witch could” Fade frowned, the man looked on the verge of tears but she didn’t understand why, he had a personal stake in this that was yet to be revealed, that much was clear to her “Needless to say…” he continued “The whole thing was a bad idea, that’s how she escaped from Waller” He gritted his teeth glaring at Lawton levelling him with a ferocious look, sneering at the man “So now you know”
Fade looked at Lawton the man nodding along as Rick spoke eyes on the floor, finally lifting his head to declare “You can just kill me right now…” looking round he pointed to the building next to them, Fade glancing up to see it was some kind of trendy wine bar “But I’m going to have a drink”
He strode away without a another look in the soldier’s direction, Rick shouting after him, almost pleading with him “Deadshot I need your help!”
“No sir” Deadshot called back, pausing on the threshold to look back at him “You need a miracle”
Entering the bar, he disappeared from view, Fade looking to the others for their reaction.
Harley curtsied deeply and flounced into the bar after the assassin, Digger shot Rick a contemptuous smile before following, Diablo pulling Croc along with him as he too left.
The remaining members of Alpha squad shook their heads and continued along their path, they were soldiers after all and this was their mission, whatever their personal beliefs might be. Rick looked to Katana hoping for some support, but she wouldn’t or couldn’t meet his eyes, turning and heading into the bar after the criminals, a move Fade would have never expected. Leaving her alone in the rain with her former CO, Rick looked to Fade eyes dropping to the floor defeated. He’d been treating her poorly all evening, whatever his motivations might have been, he didn’t expect any support from her.
She sighed heavily, stepping forward to place a hand on his shoulder, the man’s head snapped up hope flaring in his eyes only to be extinguished a moment later as she too walked away.
Entering the bar, she found Harley playing bartender, pouring shots of whatever she’d laid her hands on first and handing them round. Lawton and Digger were propping up the middle section of the bar, Diablo at the far end, Croc taking up residence in one of the booths nearby. Pulling herself up onto the bar Fade swung her legs over placing her feet on the bartender’s side, she could see everyone from there and reach the good liquor on the top shelf.
Waving away the shot glass Harley held out to her, she instead reached up and grabbed down a bottle of single malt, cracking the top off and swigging directly from the bottle. It burned on the way down but in a pleasant way that reminded her she was still alive and helped shake off the chill of the rain permeating her very bones.
Even Katana accepted a shot from the pretty psychopath pouring drinks, but she refused to toast to honour among thieves as declared by Lawton, stating she wasn’t a thief and walking away from them, Fade sniggering at her reaction.
Lawton didn’t take it personally though he mocked her lightly, clinking his shot against Harley’s blue umbrella’d concoction and Digger’s can of beer before downing his shot.
As had been her way most of the evening Fade found herself zoning out, occasionally swigging from the bottle in her hand, half aware of the conversation but not really paying attention. Lawton was holding court for the most part, but then Diablo spoke up. He’d been the quietest out of them all so far, hanging back not wanting to get involved but based on what they’d seen back in the building he was also the most powerful amongst them. Judging by what he was telling them about his past and the groups reaction to it, he probably had the one of the most tragic backstories too due to misuse of the same powers, it certainly explained his reluctance to use them.
Fade couldn’t help but see the irony, she was sat in a room full of thieves and murders, herself included, even Katana couldn’t say her hands were clean whatever her reasons may have been. Yet none of them were comfortable with the thought of hurting women and children, she didn’t doubt some of them had killed women, when required, they’d probably even justified it to themselves as a necessary evil but the thought of killing an innocent bothered them all.
Fade eyed Croc as Diablo spoke, he was the only one she wasn’t sure of in that regard considering the man or beast, whatever he identified as, was a self-confessed cannibal. Perhaps he too drew the line at kids but then again he might consider them a delicacy.
It was Digger’s quiet question that brought her focus back to Diablo “and the kids?”
Harley the one to respond her voice shaking “He killed them” the horrified look on Digger’s face surprised Fade but because his eyes were watery too betraying the big Aussie’s bleeding heart for all to see. Scooting sideways along the bar slightly she leant forward reaching over to place a hand on his shoulder, offering and the same comfort he’d given her this evening. He looked up at her, blinked a couple of times and pulled her hand from his shoulder to hold it tightly in his own. Fade was distracted but looked up when Harley shouted at Diablo, his own eyes tearing as he thought of his family, confessing his sins to the rest of them. The blonde continued to have a go at him though the volume of her voice dropped, Lawton attempting to get her to leave him be, but she ignored him. Fade frowned Harley had a sharp tongue at times but this wasn’t her, this was her grief talking, her mouth running away with her before her brain could catch up.
It was Digger that was the one to silence her “Why is it always a knife fight every single time you open your mouth” he demanded coldly, glaring at her across the bar Harley’s eyes widening at the challenge, but refusing to back down considering the way he was talking to her.
Fade didn’t exactly blame him, but she extracted her hand from his immediately, not that he noticed. Letting her go without sparing her a glance as he continued, a nasty edge to his voice “You know outside you’re amazing but inside… you’re ugly”
Harley bit back straight away declaring in a whisper “We all are… We all are” her voicing rising as she repeated her words driving her point home.
Digger opened his mouth to argue some more but Fade cut him off testily, a look of loathing on her face as she defended her friend “That’s enough”
The Aussie raised an eyebrow at her shocked by the look of blatant hostility on her face, a nasty snarl gracing his own as he opened his mouth once more, eyes flashing with anger locked on hers.
The sound of the door opening attracted everyone’s attention, whatever retort Digger was going to make dying on his tongue as they watched Rick enter the bar.
Fade watched him walk across the room settling on the stool between Diablo and Lawton unsurprised, he wouldn’t have just walked away from them, they were assets and his responsibility, it would be his ass on the line if he just let them walk away.
It was Harley that addressed him first, shaking her head at him “We don’t want you here”
Rick looked up to her face and then around to the rest, the truth of her words reflected back to him everywhere he looked, even by Fade.
“Did you get to the part in that binder where I was sleeping with her?” Rick admitted his attention on Lawton. No one else had seen the binder but no one reacted to the new information, it made sense when you thought about it now she had the last piece of the puzzle, but the hypocrisy of it was what pissed her off.
“Unbelievable!” She muttered swinging herself from the bar and dropping down to the floor, adding “I need some air” for whoever might be paying attention to her.
Striding from the bar into the street she was relieved to find it had stopped raining at last, she never intended to go far but she needed a moment alone. Eyeing Alpha Squad who had apparently returned to wait for their CO she turned, disappearing into the small alleyway that ran between the bar and the next building, dropping down onto her haunches her back against the wall.
Shaking her head, she fumed quietly to herself at the man’s gall, the way he’d been talking to her all night grated on her. He’d been treating them all as freaks and degenerates, but yet whole time he’d been sleeping with someone just like them. Acting like he was somehow above them, but the whole time he was no better, a murderer for his country rather than money but a murderer, nonetheless.
The sound of hurried footsteps pulled Fade back into the present suddenly aware that she was somewhat exposed and on her own, which given the current situation could be potentially hazardous to her health.
Standing and peering out into the street she was astonished to see Digger march swiftly past “Hey Digger!” she called out as he moved out of her eyeline. Backtracking he arrived back at the entrance to the alleyway moments later, an apprehensive look on his face considering they’d been on the precipice of an argument when Rick had entered the bar.
Fade shrugged waving her hand indicating she’d moved on instead cocking an eyebrow at him “You trying get your head blown off? You know Flag won’t hesitate right? He proved that earlier if you remember”
Digger nodded at her acknowledging the wordless dismissal of their almost disagreement with a small grateful smile, explaining “Flag said we were free to go”
Fade hummed in response “Seems unlikely?”
Digger laid a hand on his chest over his heart, the other palm up in front of him “Swear on me mums’ life. Smashed the gadget that makes our heads pop right in front of us and everything”
She scoffed eyebrows flying up to her hairline in shock “Well shit. Didn’t know he had it in him, the explosive is still embedded in your neck though” she pointed out.
He nodded with a smile “I know a guy back at central city” frowning slightly he appeared to be considering his next words, finally opening his mouth his decision made “Fancy comin along for the ride?”
That took Fade aback, it was quite possibly the last thing she expected him to say, “You want me to come with you?” she clarified, wondering if she misheard.
He shrugged “Why not?” downplaying the request he continued “Someone with your skill set could come in handy in my line of work”
Fade smirked at him “Oh I see it’s my skill set you want to take advantage of… nothing else”
Chuckling he stepped into the alleyway away from the interested eyes of Alpha squad, crowding her to the wall “If there’s more on offer Darl, I won’ be saying no”
“You want to get up close and personal, do you?” Fade teased as he grinned down at her “How close were you thinking?”
Stepping firmly into her personal space he placed a hand on the wall either side of her head leaning down his lips a beath away from hers “Reckon this is a pretty decent start alright”
Pausing he waited for her to decide, he’d made it clear what he wanted but she needed to decide for herself. It was only a few seconds that they stared at one another, but it felt like an eternity until Fade leant forward connecting their lips her hands flying up to wrap around his shoulders pulling him to her and pressing her body against his tightly.
She felt him smile into the kiss, pushing her back against the wall, crushing her between the brick and his bulk, arms dropping to wrap around her, holding her tightly as their mouths moved in sync.
His lips were insistent on hers demanding the surrender she was only too willing to give with the way his hands were exploring her body. When one large hand slipped underneath her jacket, she gasped his hands cold on the warm skin of her back.
Chuckling at her reaction he slid his other hand under the jacket as well sighing he used her as a hand warmer, Fade squirming under his touch. Slipping his tongue into her mouth while she was distracted the kiss turned heated in a heartbeat. Plundering her mouth, he tangled his tongue with hers enthralled with her taste undercut with the whiskey she’d been drinking moments earlier.
Fade knew she needed to stop him, she was rapidly getting punch drunk on his kisses, if she allowed this to continued much longer, she suspected she’d agree to anything he might suggest.
Placing a firm hand on his chest she pushed him away from her, stifling her own whine at the loss of contact, the world rushing to them the stillness of the night buzzing in her ears as loud as the pounding of her heart.
Digger blinked rapidly appearing a little dazed himself, recovering himself enough to grin down at her “That a yes love?”
With a deep and somewhat regretful sigh she shook her head, stepping out of his arms as his face fell “You’re really going back?”
She paused at the entrance to the alleyway “I made Flag a promise, besides I can’t leave Harley”
He nodded disappointment and resignation on his face “Shame. You and me coulda had some fun. Reckon I coulda shown you a real good time” He leered at her, his roguish charm coming as easily as breathing.
Chuckling she nodded, but not willing to say goodbye completely “Maybe you still will sometime” a grin spreading across his face when he realised, she wasn’t saying no, just not now “See you around Digger”
“Later Darl” he called after her as she exited the alleyway leaving him behind.
Returning to the bar, sad that Digger was gone but not believing for one second that it would be the last she’d ever see of him, she reached for the door just as it opened from the other side. Lawton nearly knocking her on her ass as he exited the building “You running too?” she quipped, but the man shook his head “Nah we’re gonna get this shit done”
Fade smiled when Harley appeared behind him moments later a answering wide smile on her face and a determined look in her eye.
Rick exited next, stilling when he saw Fade surprised “You’re still here?” he asked disbelieving, despite her presence in front of him.
She shrugged “Couldn’t leave Harley could I”
“I can take care of myself” the blonde countered at once slightly put out.
“Oh, I know that” Fade retorted turning to look at her as the others filed out of the building behind Rick “I was more concerned about how many of the others you’d get killed in the process” She added sweetly, motioning to them with an incline of her head, Rick snorting and then quickly covering his laughter as the woman scowled at him.
Regrouping with Alpha Squad who were actually pleased Rick had managed to talk them round, they left Rick standing awkwardly in front of Fade, a hand scratching at the back of his neck betraying his unease.
“Look Suz..” he started but she cut him off not needed the apology “It’s Fade now… and don’t worry about it”
Rick smiled tightly but nodded relieved he was getting off so easily, he should have known better.
“You know I don’t judge” she winked at him turning to join the others.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He called out hurrying after her and falling into step at her side, the group moving out with a nod of his head.
“So you’ve got a bit of a taste for the bad ones now” Fade continued, causally checking over her guns and reloading them as they walked “I don’t blame you, heart wants what the heart wants” She added slapping a fresh magazine into place with a reassuring click. Turning to look at him with a grin spreading slowly across her face she added “Then again we could be talking about something slightly further south of your heart” she dropped her gaze pointedly to his groin with an accompanying wink to finish off her point that had him barking out a loud laugh, several of Alpha squad looking around startled by the noise.
Stifling the noise quickly he grinned at her, more the man she knew right now than he’d been all night “I haven’t missed you” he declared.
Chuckling she nudged his shoulder with hers “Yeah, you have. Now come on let’s get this kamikaze mission underway”
Lawton snorted at her comment looking over his shoulder at her to ask, “In a hurry to die or something?”
Fade shrugged “I’m wet, cold, tired and let’s be honest, more than a little bored of traipsing around this damn city. If I die, well at least I know hell will be warmer than this” she finished with a smirk on her face, in no doubt where she’d end up if this mission ended badly for her.
Chuckling Lawton called over his shoulder “Meet you down there?”
“You’re on” she called back, turning to Harley as she fell back from the others to talk to her
“Where’s Boomer?” she enquired, looking over her shoulder as if the man would magically appear at her words.
Slotting her now reloaded weapons back into her holsters Fade explained with a small pang of disappointment, not that she blamed him “He took off”
Harley watched her friends face closely, spotting the flicker of emotion, a small smile springing onto her face in response, it had been a long time since she’d seen Fade interested in anyone. Even though he was gone she considered it progress “That’s a shame” she murmured still smiling even though Fade was now rolling her eyes at her tone.
Looking around sharply, at the familiar but unexpected voice Fade smiled in welcome, shaking her head. Harley merely shooting him a knowing glance as joined them, finishing his beer and tossing the can over his shoulder.
“You came back?” Lawton called out, acknowledging the return of the Aussie with a note of surprise in his voice.
“Yeah well, the crazy bitch is trying to destroy the world” Digger hollered back “So I figured I was screwed either way, might as well go down swinging”
Fade snickered as Rick tensed as his words “Hey that’s his girlfriend you’re talking about” she admonished him, earning a glare from the soldier “Could you not?”
“There’s no accounting for taste” interjected Lawton the disgust in his voice evident.
“Hey!” Rick reared up defending his love “June’s a good woman”
Lawton snorted at his misunderstanding “Hey I got no dispute it’s her taste I’m questioning, she went slumming with the likes of you”
“He’s got a point” Fade laughed out loud, grinning good humouredly.
“Shut up” Rick growled but couldn’t seem to prevent the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Getting to the swirling vortex of death hadn’t been a problem strangely, with no sign of any more of the bubble headed creatures that used to be people. Rick informed them when asked that Enchantress’ brother Incubus feeds on a person’s lifeforce, suggesting that with the city evacuated he might be snacking on their own army. Fade scrunched up her nose in disgust at the thought, though it did mean less bad guys overall it also meant the big guy was likely to be hungry by the time they got there. Despite having scuttled away as soon as he was free to do so, now Digger was back with them, he was actively participating. Producing some sort of surveillance boomerang when they were discussing how to best find out what was going on in the station without putting anyone in danger, up until that point the best suggestion was for Fade to go have a look, something she wasn’t too thrilled about.
She was impressed when he revealed he’d made it himself, not taking offense at her amazement he just smiled at her “I might talk rough love, but I’m not as stupid as people think”
Shooting him a quick smile they followed the others to the closest subway entrance, with the intention of retrieving the demo charge that Enchantress had come so close to blowing up Rick with earlier, but found the tunnel flooded.
Luckily for them it turned out that GQ and the remaining three members of Alpha squad were Navy seals before they joined ARGUS, I quick call back to base and their scuba gear was on the way, the four of them dashing off to the rendezvous point.
Now all they had to do was sit and wait, which was easier said than done, everyone was running on adrenaline by this point amped up and ready to go but instead they could only busy themselves with checking their gear. Fade handed Harley one of her spare Mags the blonde popping out the bullets one by one transferring them to her six shooter. She went to tuck the rest of the magazine into her bra but Fade just frowned at her and snatched it away, slipping it back into her vest securely with a shake of her head. It wasn’t as bad as tucking a loaded handgun into the waistband of your trousers, but it wasn’t exactly sensible either.
Fade checked over her guns repeatedly thumbing the safety on and off, ensuring it wouldn’t jam and then reloading. It was a nervous habit she’d developed over time, something she didn’t even notice anymore but the near constant clicking of her weapons had Rick chuckling, the sound drawing her attention. Snorting with amusement as she realised what she’d been doing, the woman checked over the guns one last time and holstered them with a smirk, but now she had nothing to occupy her hands or her brain.
Watching the others instead, she found they all had their own rituals, Rick and Lawton checking over their guns as she had been, though slightly less obsessively. Digger sharpening the already razer sharp edge of a Boomerang with a small whet stone and Katana talking to the smoking sword in her hands in hushed rapid Japanese, the emotion clear in her voice.
Fade already knew Katana’s backstory, but it was no less sad hearing Rick explain it to everyone else, somehow it hit different today. They might be nothing but a bunch of morally and ethically grey criminals, but none of them had to be here each of them had chosen to take on this fight, to protect something or someone. A quiet had settled over them that bordered on uncomfortable, each lost in their own thoughts. It was Digger that broke first, unable to bear the tension he made a snarky remark, as was his way “Yeah well… you know what they say about the crazy ones”
Fade chuckled looking up at the man to find he was staring at her, a strange look on his face that she couldn’t place, but she offered him a smile that he returned as Harley called “Huh?” making them all laugh quietly.
“Good to go” GQ called into the entrance they were clustered around, Rick responding back with an affirmative, motioning for the group to follow him with a clipped “Let’s move”
Entering the main hall of the train station through the devastated subway beneath they were able to witness first-hand the damage Incubus could cause. Dead bodies and ammunition casings littered the floor, while more of the black spikey substance they’d seen earlier hung from walls and the ceiling.
Moving quickly but quietly up the stairs, they darted behind the stone pillars surrounding the open area usually full of commuters, but today only containing Enchantress and her weapon.
The light show they could see outside was emanating directly from her like glowing smoke it was mesmerizing to watch her body undulating ceaselessly as they watched enthralled.
“Hey, everyone can see all this trippy magic stuff, right?” Harley murmured quietly, a nervous edge to her voice.
Lawton nodded as Rick asked, “Yeah why?”
Harley smiled at him relieved but still not entirely convinced, explaining “I’m off my meds” something that had Fade stifling a snort of laughter.
The sound of Enchantress’ voice calling out to them was strangely unnerving, despite speaking softly her voice not raised, each of them could hear her as clearly as if she was stood next to them.
“I’ve been waiting for you all night. Step out of the shadows I won’t bite”
Fade raised an eyebrow, did the witch seriously think anyone of them would fall for that, the next second biting back a yelp of surprise as Harley deemed it a perfectly reasonable request and trotted off towards her.
"Harley!” she hissed, lunging for her almost out of cover, but Digger wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her back, holding her against him as Lawton did the same to Harley.
She stopped struggling to get to her crazy friend settling for shooting her an aggravated look that just had Harley shrugging.
“Why are you here?” the witch continued undeterred “Because the soldier led you? and all for Waller. Why do you serve those who cage you? I Am your ally and I know what you want, exactly what you want”
Fade shook her head as a strange buzzing sounded in her ears her entire body prickling all over but not unpleasantly. Closing her eyes, she felt a warm breeze on her face the warmth of the sun on her skin, a feeling of peace in her soul with only the sound of the sea surrounding her. Confused she blinked, opening her eyes to see the endless expanse of the glittering blue ocean before her, leaning back and twisting she realised she was stood on the deck of a massive sailboat, completely alone. The quiet comforting rather than fear inducing as she’d been trained to expect, she leant into the feeling, turning back to the water, and gazing over the wide expanse with a deeply satisfied sigh.
The sound of bare feet padding across the wooden boards drew her attention, but she didn’t turn, a pair of strong arms wrapping around her from behind, warm lips caressing the skin of her neck “So where to next Darl?”
The familiar cadence of Digger’s accent broke her from the trance, shocked that he would appear in what she guessed to be her most deep-seated desire. Jerking forward as she awoke from the witches’ spell, Digger’s arm still caging her dragged her back, his face buried in her hair as he muttered to himself with his eyes closed.
Looking to the others they all seemed to be locked within the spell, dazed expressions across their faces only Diablo was fighting, his face screwed up against the onslaught. A pained shout ripped from him as his eyes snapped open “Can’t change what I did and neither can you!”
Breathing hard he looked around, seeing only Fade awake and staring at him, she could only guess what the shaking and angry man had been shown. Pointing at Digger and Katana he turned to Lawton, Rick and Harley “Wake them up”
Twisting in Digger’s strong grip she fisted her hands in his jacket the best she could do in the confined space, shaking him roughly “Wake up!” he didn’t react, continuing to murmur to himself. Fade felt almost guilty waking him, his expression was so peaceful she didn’t want to tear him away from whatever he was seeing, but that wasn’t something she could allow him right now.
Reaching up she gripped his chin harshly and shouted again, louder this time but still nothing. Frowning unsure what to try, a wicked thought stole across her tired brain, if this didn’t work nothing would.
“Oh my god Harley! Put your shirt back on and stop kissing Katana” she all but screamed in his face.
Jerking awake so quickly it was almost comical Digger’s gaze cast wildly around, finally coming to rest on her upturned and grinning face. She expected a harsh rebuke or a furious complaint for tricking him, but he just gazed at her confusion clouding his eyes, hands bunching into the fabric of her jacket at her waist, seemingly unwilling to let her go.
“Digger?” She whispered gently, hand coming to rest over his chest, his heart beating wildly and erratically under her palm as he calmed slowly.
“You looked lovely in that dress” was his quiet response, Fade’s mouth falling open in surprise at his words “What dress?”
Her words and shocked expression seemed to clear the lingering traces of the spell from the man, shaking his head he let go of her abruptly, stepping back quickly and then around her. A pink tinge climbing his cheeks as he followed Diablo down the stairs into battle.
Groaning Fade sat up too quickly the tiles appearing to jump up and smack her in the face as she almost collapsed back down onto them. The last thing she remembered before everything went dark was being lifted up in the air, every nerve ending screaming her body taut and rigid feeling as though she was being ripped apart.
“Woah there love, steady now”
A familiar voice broke through the fog, warm hands propping her up against something just as warm but hard like the floor she was sat on.
“Feels like I got hit by a truck? What the fuck happened?” She muttered rubbing her face, peeling open her eyes and blinking rapidly up into Digger’s concerned face, confirming that she was leaning against his chest, propped up between his legs.
“She did something to ya darl. Stopped ya phasing or some shit, and then chucked you across the room” he explained, Fade nodding along it sounded familiar she just couldn’t remember it happening.
Looking slowly round Fade took in the darkened room, the earlier light show absent, chaos and devastation all around them “Did we win?” she murmured eyes straying to the panicked desperate witch surrounded by the others, Rick towering over her with her heart in his hand.
Moments later a devastated Rick crushed the heart he held in his hands falling to his knees and sobbing unashamedly, for the second time tonight Fade’s supposedly non-existent heart broke. She wanted to go to him, but her legs felt disconnected from her body, instead she leant into Diggers warm embrace, a single tear falling for her friend.
The man was surprisingly comforting though he’d had plenty of practise already this evening, making quiet shushing sounds to sooth her as she cried, she wasn’t sure why he was being so gentle with her but was too tired to question it.
A commotion by the steps drew their attention back to their fallen foe, only to see Rick rush forward with a surprised sob, pulling his lost love into his arms.
It took a moment for Fade to stop crying relief, making her tears fall even harder but it gave her enough time for her head to clear. Wondering how she had come to be tucked between Digger’s legs, in a far corner of the training station surrounded by debris, she frowned up into his tired face. “Did I land on you?” the only conclusion she could draw from their positioning.
“Sorta” he confirmed with a small wince rolling his shoulders, his aching joints cracking with the movement.
“What do you mean sorta?” she muttered still trying to make sense of what was going on
“He caught you babes” Harley announced, having bounced over to check on her now that June was once again up and about, lost love restored.
“You caught me?” Fade peered up into Digger’s face surprised.
Grabbing her friend under the arms Harley attempted to haul her to her feet, she was surprisingly strong, but Fade had to help her, pulling her shaking legs under her as Harley responded to her question matter of factly.
“Well, he cushioned your fall more than anything else, but otherwise I reckon you’d be splattered across the floor about now”
Standing upright on legs that still felt like jelly Fade raised an eyebrow at the Captain commenting “That was surprisingly selfless of you”
He barked out a laugh “What can I say sweetness I’m a nice guy”
“Yeah, I’m not buying it” Fade snorted a grin on her face as she held out a hand to help him up.
Miming an arrow to the heart he clutched at his chest “I’m wounded Darl”
“No, you’re not” she shook her head at him waving her hand in his face “Come on gimme your hand”
Reaching for her they were all surprised when Digger’s hand passed straight through hers.
Frowning Harley watched her for a moment as Fade stared at her own hands, watching herself fade in and out but without control.
“You ok babes you’re kinda flickering” she murmured taking a small step back from her, as though she was a bomb that might go off at any moment, instead holding a handout to help Digger clamber to his feet.
“Well, that’s irritating” she muttered still staring at her hands “Hope it goes away”
