a little pride month self indulgence:
There's an 'au' of sorts I play with where the only real change is I get to write Alan as Transfem.
She figures it out sometime post canon, because she wanted so badly to be one of the boys that she ignored the possibility for years, and just figured that she must be doing something wrong when it never seemed to click for her. It doesn't really come loose until she's an adult and actually looks at the fact that it's kind of.
Not necessary? To try to force herself to fit into a box that no one else asked her to? And that she was a part of this family no matter what being herself meant.
She goes throw a couple of names before landing on one she actually to keep, coming back to Allie in between.
She ends up getting the name Kathryn from Scott of all people..
Because it used to be his name, and he doesn't need it anymore, hasn't used it for years. Surely, it'll make his sister happier than it ever made him.
First proper fullbody piece, received as a gift from @viridian-snow!
And then this was the first properly piece of her period, drawn by @xsilverberryx!!
The red stripe serves a purpose I promise. (I like it and also she was playing with her hair by adding extensions and why not play with color at that point.)
More stuff copied directly from discord under the cut:
^^^ First things first, a chat between me and Silver from when Scott helped her figure out her name finally...
Side note: Yes, Jeff has feelings about hearing this name again. Not only did he get to indirectly help Kat with her name change... Lucille did too, from well beyond the grave.
May have been part of the reason Kat latched on to the name so hard
... Meanwhile Gordon thought picking on his sister by making silly nicknames was the next step when he was told.
Self Explanatory.
I will probably inevitably come back and post more when I think about it but I want to throw her into the void for people to look at.
International rescue is called as building collapsed, Scott gets caught in the second collapse
Warnings: character death, blood warning, crying, author going to be blown up soon.
——————
Scott grimaced, feeling the steel cut through him like butter, his fingers trembled as he gripped the rebar.
he gasped out a winded breath, feet just brushing the floor as blood oozed down staining the steel bar and down his legs, dripping down to the cracked floor below him, as he pratically dangled in the little air pocket he found himself in before the building collapsed
He wheezed swallowing thickly holding onto the bar, that's stabbed through his side, trying to stop himself from sliding further down, hearing the faint rumble around him as the building steadied, cloud of dust surrounding him and little flakes of concrete settling on him
"Thu-zrrt-bird one?' He heard Virgils worried tone breath through his helmet, he wheezes as blood filled his mouth and coughed splattering red on his visor
"V-virgil"
"Scott, stay with me-"
He wheezed feeling the strength in his arms loosing the fight to keep himself from sliding down the steel rod, slick with his own blood, adding to the growing puddle around the base of the rod, a slick squeltch as he inched further down the debris with a muffled gasp of pain, he blinked rapidly, gasping weakly trying to with a free hand push himself off it, with very little improvement of his situation
"John-"
"I have read on his suit Virgil. It..." He heard John voice go quiet as his pulse rushed in his ears, he knew they'll never make it to him in time, he just knew, he inhaled a shakey gurgled gasp
"Virge..." Scott swallowed what blood was trying to drown him, as his fingertips numbed, the cold slowly curling around him like a blanket
"Look-look after em y-ya hear-.." He breathed out shakely
"Scott, hold on were coming, just hold on" Scott would have smiled at desperation in his brothers tone, the bite of tears that he knew would be threatening to spill for his Virgils eyes
"John...steer em...right...dont..dont let em loose th-their way"
His fingers shook as his fingers opened Channel to all his brothers
"G-gordan...don-dont stop..jok-in...ya h-ear"
His vision clouding in
"S-tay...stay in-in schooll...Al...Alan..." his world slurred as his grip failed him and he felt his head thud, a cloud kicking up a little as he gurgled, he swallowed thickly breath raspy
"I...lo-ve y-you...all..."
Hearing a muffled choke sob from one of his brothers, a roar of emotions as the world caves in, pulling him under.
———
Virgil managed to find the remai- no...no not remains...his big brother, that was his big brother laying there in the debris.
He bled out under the collapsed building, his right side peirced with metal rebar, blood still slick around his form, staining the front of his gear into a deeper blue
Virgil snapped the bar with the jaws of his exo, lifting up Scott's form, like hes done countless times before this
Getting into Thunderbird 2, settling him down on the medical bed.
Just looking at how peacful his big brother looked, apart from the blood staining his gear blood around his mouth and dust...he just looked like he was asleep, like he would usually be when Virgil carried him to bed.
He hesitated bringing over the scanner, he knew the answer way before the scanner finished
Dead
His hands shaking as tears started falling he backed away as a sob wrecked through his chest, glancing at his blood stained hands as he dropped back pressing to the wall of thunderbird 2 hull
Hiccuping as he curled up blood stained hands over his mouth as he tried to stop the whimpers leaving his lips eyes never leaving Scott's form just laying there like he was asleep
———
John stood, tears bubbling at his eyes, he watched as Scott's vital flatlined, unable to do anything about it, he barley heard EOS worried voice, just the low flat beep in his ears, knowing his big brother was gone
His throat closed up, trying to stop the choked the sob that was threatening to break through his form, break down the walls he has around his emotions, trying to keep the mask of the collected international dispatcher everyone knew, he wiped his eyes, breathing hard, to try and keep the control, which was a vastly loosing battle, as he started to think about he did nothing and watched his big brother die
And he was powerless to stop it
And his mask he wore shattered into a million peices as he dropped against the gravity ring curling up into a ball as choked sobs broke free
———
Gordan slid into Alan's room who blinked at him eyes wide, tears falling down his face
"He-hes alright right?"
Gordan swallowed feeling the bile bubble up, his insides twisted looking at his little brother
"Alan-"
"He-hell be here? He's joking right?" More fear flooding the youngest Tracy as he stood watching his baby brother, his own tear falling now
"G-gordan?"
Gordan breathed out a whimper, bottom lip trembling and Alan staggered over, grabbing his brother in a tight hug, Gordan pulled him closer hiding away his head in the smaller frame, feeling his knees buckling, shirt becoming soggy from Alan's crying into his chest.
Scott Tracy, was gone
And they were all left to pick up the peices he left behind
WIP Wednesday but its all the blackbird boys suits and functions because I'm very excited to start writing the main fic and the visual diary is proving harder then expected.
Small blackbirds gear rant under cut
Virgil specifically has connections from the gloves to his helmet in which gives him a fake voice when he puts in certain tap patterns to the watch.
Alan has the most advanced suit being the youngest and last made
Specifically Gordon’s and Scott’s more finalised versions of their suits (pictured above) differ from the original suit designs when they went to avenge Virgil
Each helmet has a voice modulator
Helmets have a 'mask' design which spans across their eyes like a band. Mouth and some warpaint designs are still identifiable
Helmets when in the 'mask' have a green ‘target’ symbol over the right eye. This turns to red if one of the vital readings within their suit aren’t normal. Quick and efficient way for the other Tracy’s to know who’s down without outsiders knowing
Where any ‘IR’ branding would have sat upon helmets is their alias. E.g, Scott’s would read Turbo instead of IR.
Examples of the helmets and the mask feature
Anyways rant over I love blackbirds feel free to ask questions.
This is still a giant WIP
Since the slipstream 3 crash, John has held a mild grudge with the man who crashed it, he understands why he called, but also saw it as a waste
Maybe John is a little jealous of Zayne before they started dating
——————
"- annnd, I'm joined by Thee, Mark Anderson jr on today's program" there was applause and cheers as the man in question, walked onto the set smiling waving before sitting down on the sofa beside the presentor
"Thank you for having me Willford"
"Now, a few weeks back, you found yourself in trouble with Slipstream...what's the number again?"
"Slipstream 3, the engine bugged out on the return flight"
"Ahh, and you had to call International rescue"
Zayne nodded "Had to, would have been a lot more damage if I didn't"
Wilford the TV presenter laughed "of course, of course"
"I have to owe a lot to em, specially to the dispatcher, Thunderbird 5, I respect hi-"
John turned off the TV much to his younger siblings groan if dismay
"come on bro, it's thee Mark Anderson" Gordan scowled
"Junior!" Alan piped in
"He could have fixed his own issue instead of pulling attention to himself...he didn't need to call."
Gordan rolled his eyes "Your just bummed down cus he's cute-"
John glared at his second youngest brother, who immediately went silent
"John come on, what's so bad about him?"
John opened his mouth and then closed, before standing
"I'm going to the office"
He left his two younger brothers to laugh, just catching the TV turned back on hearing Zaynes voice almost mock him, he know both of his younger brothers, specially Alan looked up to Zayne, he saw Alan's poster on his walls of the man, Alan has read most interviews and watched anything with him, he was nearly as young as Alan when he started his training to go to space
It just made John more jealous of the man that his younger brothers didn't look to him as much as Zayne.
———
He sat in the space Elevator, watching outside the window as he broke free of Earths atmosphere
"You really don't like Anderson?" EOS chimed, john sighed
"He's an intresting man, astronaut, pilot, engineer, businessman rolled into one" he sighee "...I have nothing against him..."
"But?"
He stopped as the gravity ring spun steadily, he looked up at the EOS's camera, knowing well EOS knew him too well
"Can we drop the subject EOS?"
"Of course John"
The truth was, John felt threatend by Zayne, he was everything that John wasn't, confident, his smile and charisma in public....and all John is sit in a space station...he shook his head, he didn't need these thought right now...people needed help
———
John floated up into the command center, moving his wrist, eye brow raising as he looked at the scan
"Huh...that can't be right" He scanned it again, before calling the GDF
"This is Thunderbird 5" He said
"Read you loud and clear thunderbird 5, what's wrong?"
"The GAIA station has become active..."
"Huh.." the GDF officer hummed "that's odd...Anderson-"
"Anderson?" John echoed, anger bubbled up slightly just hearing the man's name, he breathed out trying to cool it
"He's the GDFs space operator, Thunderbird 5, this isn't an emergency with all do respects...but if that station is somehow powered on-"
John rubbed his eyes nodding "I'll see to it, thank you"
Great, Anderson managed to activate a Global Conflict era station. Damn thing supposed to be decommissioned...
He floated towards the space pod
"EOS-"
"Already relayed message to Tracy island, stay safe out there john"
He flew towards the station.
———
GAIA station, was a operation command center during the global conflict, fitted with weapons to detor anyone who wasn't there own, it was after the war decommissioned, and sent deeper towards the moon orbit so it wouldn't affect passing freighters, the GDF check it often, incase od pirates stealing the tech, and to make sure she was powered off.
John spotted her solar array open, collecting the sun's rays, light slowly turning on as he flew closer in the pod. John spotted URSA tethered to the outside of the station, he moved towards the station airlock, docking the pod, clambering out, he stumbled as the artificial gravity pulled him down, oh right...powers on, he walked towards the main hub.
Seeing the man in question under the command desk cursing, something about "station shouldn't be active" and "damn junk"
"Anders-"
There was a thud and the desk jolted, Zayne banged his head, sitting up, glancing towards the other space moniter "wh-oh..."
John raises an eyebrow
"Let me guess, you detected the power coming on.."
John nodded
"Been trying to cut the power. Power surge I don't know from where..."
"You checked the solar panel battery's?"
"Done"
"The emergency power?"
A wince
John rolled his eyes, a rookie mistake
"We need to turn those back up battery's off and we can later worry about how it turned on"
He watched as Zayne stood
"Yeah..."
———
John lead the other astronaut, cutting through the main storage dock, before the door slammed closed behind and ahead of them, trapped them in the storage dock
"The-"
The airlock opened and both astronauts yelped sucked outwards towards open space
John twisted just as a large canister flew towards his head
A thwack-
Everything went black
———
He heard his name being called just getting Johns attention over the ringing in his ears, and he stirred, opening his eyes steadily, wincing at how bright it was in the cockpit, eyes meeting green and he inhaled deeply, headache pulsing behind his eyes
"John"
He groaned wincing
"Wha..."
He sat up and immediately regretted it as his vision blurred and went static, he was guided back down
"Easy...slowly"
A water bottle offered and John took it, feeling how cold it was through his gloves, he pressed it against his head, having some relief from the bruise steadily forming against his brow, eyes on Zayne who kept checking outside the portal window of URSA towards station
URSA...how the...
"What happened?" He repeated the question with a croak
Zayne glanced at the other man
"You got bashed on the head by debris, while we were being sucked out the air lock."
Of course, John exhaled, nodding slightly as, but didn't let himself ease with the information, what ever was in control of the station, didn't want them to stop it
The realisations that Zayne had to have followed him outwards and get him back to saftey...by himself...
"GAIA-"
"Already planning on heading back in-"
A hand stopped him from getting up, and John looked back up into the other astronaut face in dismay
"With out your aid Johnny-"
"Don't call me johnny."
"My apologise, But your staying here"
"I'm inter-"
"There is no one on thay station John, and your hurt. Your staying here"
John stood and wobbling using the back of the chair to try and get up
"Hey, sit your butt down. Your staying here."
John watched the astronaut in purple turn away grabbing his helmet, and John glared
"Oh and what you going to do?"
He watched the other pause, before turn around
"I'm gonna turn the damn thing off because that's my job." He glared "you may have the international rescue, but right now you are suffering from a mild concussion. You are staying here and I overrule that."
"On whos-"
"As chief of the space board that's who's orders."
John went silent, and sat down in the copilot seat, he was right Anderson did have more authority compared to international rescue, it just made his gut twist
"Thank you." Zayne breathed out putting his helmet on
"I'll keep talking so you know I'm still alive in the station."
He stepped to the cargo bay and the door shut behind the astronaut
John scowled watching seeing the man go by the window, chewing the inside of his mouth.
This was stupid...
———
He watched the scanners as suddenly the station started to loose its power, watching as the solar panels started to close steadily before disapearing, glancing as Zayne floated towards the ship, disapearing around the back, air hissed into the cargo bay and the door slid open as Zayne sat in the pilot seat
"This is Anderson to GDF"
"Go for Anderson"
"GAIA station is off line, someone was pulling power, but I want a fill sweep and increased watch duty over her, incase they come back"
"AYE sir"
The coms flickered off, as they flew
"I'll drop you by Thunderbird 5"
John nodded but didn't respond, to upset and angry at how this turned out, but he had a good while to cool off in Marks space ship to not be so upset at the man
"I'm sorry for pulling ranks.."
John glanced towards the other man
"It's fine.."
He saw the glance but John was happy Zayne didn't push further
John exhaled rubbing hus eyes
"I should be the one apologising...I...I didn't realise you were capable at doing your job...I'm so used to saving people..."
He saw the look over, eyes big in suprise
"I...its alright, its nice at times to have a second person watching your back in space..."
John nodded slightly, it helped ease the tension in the cockpit, but not fully
"Ander-"
"Mark or Zayne is quite fine John"
John swallowed
"Mark...I..I want to thank you for saving me..."
"Don't need to thank me John..."
"But I do...I was intimidated by you, your capabilities...your so much better then me and-"
"Wow...hey..." He glanced over seeing Zayne now looking at him
"Who said anything about I'm better then you?"
John paused, before speaking
"You run an entire company, you build rockets, have a seat on the space board with the GDF-"
"And your Thunderbird 5"
John stopped, eyes widening slightly at Zaynes bluntness, as the other man continued
"You have an amazing and highly important job up here, to spend majority of your time in space, away from family, keeping a cool head as peoole are at their lowest and yet you don't break, that is inspiring John"
John sat silently seeing the station in question slowly join them as URSA docked, Zayne unbuckled
He allowed Zayne to help him up, and John saw it, what his younger brothers see, and what other people see in Zayne, the care that this man had the empathy as he guided him through back into Thunderbird 5, the gravity ring spun and John stumbled as the other astronaut caught him
"You may need to rest with that concussion John..."
He sat nodding slightly
"Zayne..."
He crouched down to meet his seated height
"Mm?"
"Thank you for this..."
A soft smile and a pat to his shoulder
"If you need a hand up here John...you know who to call alright" He watched as zayne walked back towards URSA, he watched as the ship undocked flying back to thr big blue marble
"John?" He glanced towards EOS who moved towards him on her rail
"I'm all fine EOS...I'm just..processing"
———
He found himself back on Tracy island, sat down in the main room, Ice pack pressed to his bruised brow, reading through one of Zaynes interviews before he felt the goblin leaning on the sofa behind him
"Ooo, I read this one" Alan grinned sitting beside his older brother
"This one's about Zaynes helping with building of Global one"
"He built it?"
Alan nodded quickly "He's like one of the best engineers for space stuff...well closely behind Brains that is"
He had no idea that he helped build it, he watched Alan look towards the icepack and the bruise
"What happend to you?"
"Canister hit me in the face when we were getting shot out an airloc-"
"Wait wait...we?"
He sighed "Zayne was the-"
"ZAYNE WAS THERE? AND YOU DIDNT ASK FOR AN AUTOGRAPH FOR ME-"
he winced head hurting more, from his little brothers squeak of betrayal
"Alan-"
"Sorry- sorry" He looked sheepish "ill get painkillers-"
He watched as his younger brother stand and scurry to the kitchen and he move the ice pack over his eyes, with a sigh, still feeling the pat on his shoulder and he couldn't help but smile
Guess he could get used to seeing more of Zayne up in space with him
Would be nice to not be the only astronaut who knows what he's doing up there
Summary: In the weeks after a mission that left the relationship between Jeff and Nirvana tense, Jeff invites Vani to the ranch for Christmas. While she would prefer to spend the holidays alone, she agrees. This is the first time she’s seeing Jeff since then, but also meeting all of the Tracy brothers. How will Vani fare letting people in, and better yet, how will she go being in a healthy family environment?
Nirvana Jansen
Previous Fics
First Impressions
-🟩🟢🟩–
Vani had never seen snow before. As beautiful as it was blanketed over the vast expanse of land, she hoped after today she would never have to see it again. It was too cold for her liking. Who willingly enjoys such frigid weather?
Walking up the long driveway, she glanced up to the large house in the distance. She wasn’t sure if it was the cold, or her own hesitation, but Vani found herself frozen still, unwilling to move. Coming here was a mistake, she thought to herself. Why would he invite you if that was the case? Her rational brain argued. True. But then again, the last time they had seen each other, things didn’t end on good terms.
-🟩🟢🟩–
“Sir, our pilots have lost control of their crafts and are descending without any sign of recovery.”
Jeff and Nirvana had been called to the USS Truman, where the Navy was sent to scout an area recently flagged as an active zone. They needed two extra sets of eyes to provide reconnaissance, while the Navy pilots focused on a potential maritime seizure. What the Colonel and Cadet had found was nuclear weaponry made illegal after the global conflict. If it were to detonate, it was capable of wiping out most of the Eastern seaboard. Having returned to the ship, they waited in the operations centre, watching many monitors as pilots took off. Vani had observed them all day, and every time they launched, she got goosebumps. Jeff even commented on how much more epic the view would’ve been if Danger Zone had been playing.
They watched as the pilots flew into the flagged airspace, only to be struck with projectiles that emitted a potent gas into their cockpits and electrified their systems. They were sitting ducks to further attacks, if not certain death.
“Sanchez, Klein, Ahmed - PULL UP NOW!” The commander roared into the microphone. The silence that emitted from the speakers was chilling. Engineers and crewpersons looking blankly at each other, confused, concerned. Vani looked to Jeff, whose stoic expression told her enough. Those three pilots were unresponsive. They weren’t surviving.
Vani once again looked at the engineers. Looked at Commander Hoffsteader. Looked at Jeff. She had an idea, but it was a costly one. Without a second thought, Vani ran forward to the desk where the secondary controls for the aircrafts had sat. Unfortunately, they were blocked by an engineer. So naturally, she had to move him aside.
“Hey-”
“Cadet! What are you doing?!” Hoffsteader roared, approaching the desk.
“Acting.” Vani responded.
“You pull away Cadet or-” The commander spat, only to be stopped.
“Give her a chance.” Jeff encouraged.
“She’s acting out of line Tracy!”
“I’m saving their lives,” Vani spat as she pulled wires out and reconnected them, before giving the desk a good old Jeff-Tracy-Fix. As the system regained control, she slaved the systems of all three aircraft to a singular joystick. “You’d let them die.” She glanced venomously at the older man, whose reddened face looked as if it was about to explode.
“That insubordinate woman will endanger us all. If she screws this up-”
“Officer Jansen,” Jeff began firmly. “Is simply trying to regain control. Let her.” Jeff watched as the Commander exhaled sharply, and ran his hand over his sweaty face.
“I’ll have you both if this goes belly up.”
“Can I focus please?” Nirvana growled, watching the monitors. Cutting the engines, and toggling the flaps, Vani glided the planes down on an angled approach. The tension palpable in the room, Vani held and watched as the ground grew closer. Warning signs blared, alarms screamed, and the all familiar ‘Danger’ ‘Terrain’ rang in her ears. At the very last second, Vani jerked the joystick to the right and towards her, controlling the crafts in a hard turn. As they spun in the air, she drove the throttle forward, and the sudden spark fired engines and propelled the pilots away to safety. The room erupted into cheers, Vani exhaling and using the computer to direct the craft on an automated flight path back to the ship.
Stepping back, two officers grabbed Nirvana by the arms and escorted her out of the control room. Nearly throwing her into the wall, the officers retreated back into the operations centre, as the Commander advanced on Vani. “You got some nerve Cadet.” Hoffsteader growled. “Disobeying direct orders from your superior officer? You get off on being a pain in my ass?”
Vani glanced briefly past Hoffsteader to Jeff. Only for her mentor to look at her with a rare, angered expression. Vani felt her stomach drop - she wasn’t usually on the receiving end of this expression. And now that she was, she wanted to curl away in the farthest corner of the universe. She was alone on this. Just like she always was. Returning to meet Hoffsteader’s gaze, she tilted her head up and put on a brave face.
“I simply wanted to try and save my fellow pilots.”
“You could’ve killed them!”
“If I wanted to kill them, I would’ve followed your orders.”
“You disrespectful little brat-”
“Well guess what Commander, because of my ‘disrespect’” Vani held up her fingers and did quotation marks to emphasise the point. “Three pilots come home safely and back to their families. I’ll be sure to salute you when they all thank you.” Hoffsteader clearly wasn’t used to someone arguing against his authority, and so glared at the young woman with disgust and a burning anger. Vani stared up at him with a cool, challenging expression.
“The only reason I don’t rip those wings off your shoulder, and throw you off my ship is because Jeff happens to be a good friend of mine.” Nepotism - how convenient. “Get out of my sight Cadet.” Hoffsteader growled, turning on his heel and shoving past Jeff. Once he was out, Nirvana spun on her heel and left. She sincerely wished Jeff would stop chasing her, stop calling for her as she made her way out through the maze of winding tunnels.
As she opened the bridge door and stepped onto the deck, she felt a hand clasp her arm and spin her on her axis. But she refused to meet Jeff’s gaze. She couldn’t handle seeing that expression again.
“You want to explain to me what the hell that was back there?” Jeff pushed, with a commanding tone.
“Oh please as if you wouldn’t have done the same thing-” Vani defended.
“You practically threw an engineer to the side.”
“A head wound on an engineer is more damning than the loss of three pilots?!” She threw her hands up, scoffing. “I acted on what I thought was right-”
“Nirvana, do you realise the consequences of your actions? You could be thrown out of the Air Force, blacklisted.”
“Hey you’re the one that asked me four months ago what I thought the Air Force’s biggest weakness was!”
“And I said to acknowledge it, not to act on it.”
“That’s the same thing!”
“No it’s not!” Jeff raised his voice, and Nirvana admittedly cowered. “You may be sticking it to the man, but you have to think about what happens to those pilots, and those who aren’t the man! You can’t be a self-sacrificing idiot if you ain't considering what’s gonna happen to those you’re sacrificing for.”
“Jeff, if I didn’t intervene, they would’ve died! What if that was Scott?”
“I know what you’re getting at. I admit, it was the right call.” Jeff sighed, and Vani felt her body slump slightly. “But the way you approached it was dangerously reckless Nirvana, and I’m incredibly disappointed in you.”
Jeff regretted the words as they left his mouth. The way her eyes shook, trying to be stoic but hurt, he wanted to hold her and apologise. But it needed to be said, as harsh as it was. Inhaling sharply, Nirvana pulled away and made her way down the bridge, far away from Jeff.
-🟩🟢🟩–
Stepping onto the porch, Vani relished in the heat radiating from inside. She rapped her knuckles against the door, hoping someone would come soon and pull her out of the cold. She was one minute away from racking up a breaking and entering charge. A moment passed before the door opened, and a refreshing wave of warmth hit her. She looked up half expecting her mentor. But instead found a man nearly a head taller than her, taking up the doorway in a green flannel. She couldn’t help but let her gaze roam over his form. His black hair, long and ruffled, brown eyes soft and inviting. Mouth open slightly in awe, Vani gave an awkward smile. “Hi.”
He seemed equally as confused, staring at the woman who appeared at their front door. He knew Jeff had invited his mentee to Christmas dinner. But that was as much detail as he gave all of his sons. “Hi.” Was all he could say, too taken aback by the sight of her. The flush at her cheeks, a beautiful deep pink on her olive skin, contrasted against her hazel eyes. Snow ran through her reddish-brown curls, and he yearned to reach out and brush it away, to touch the soft ringlets.
“Any chance you could let me in? I’m really fucking cold.” Vani chuckled awkwardly. Snapping out of his trance, the man nodded quickly and stepped aside.
“Sorry, sorry. Please come in.” Watching as she crossed the threshold, he quickly closed the door. “May I take your coat?” He offered, trying to act chivalrous.
“No thank you.” She hummed, undressing. God, the sight of her taking off her winter wear shouldn’t be as hypnotising as it was, the man mused. Placing her coat, scarf, beanie, and gloves aside, she turned to the man before her. “Sorry, I should probably introduce myself. I’m-”
“Vani!” A familiar voice called out. Turning to it, Vani smiled as Scott walked over in a grey sweater, jeans, and a cheesy red apron that joked how the recipe didn’t consider one’s opinion. “I see you’ve met Virgil already.” He smiled, and Vani glanced at the green clad man.
“Virgil.” She smiled, and he felt his cheeks flush red.
“Vani.” He returned, with a bit more sheepishness than he’d like to admit. With his arms outstretched, Scott invited Vani into a hug and she relished in the warmth. “Christ, you’re cold.” Scott huffed, gently brushing the snow out of her hair. Virgil had never felt jealousy before, and yet seeing his brother do exactly what he wanted to do first, sent envy through him.
“I get cold easily, you know this. Remember Ottawa?” Ottawa?
“How could I forget? You refused to break away from my side.” Scott purred down at Vani, and she shoved his arm.
“Don’t read too much into it.” Vani scolded, but her smile said otherwise.
“Hmm, I’ll do as I please.” Scott winked and turned to Virgil. “Nirvana is dad’s Air Force Mentee.”
“Well, if dad invited you home for the holidays, he certainly has a lot of respect for you.” Virgil commented. He wished he didn’t announce it with such a big smile, as a brief flash of hurt crossed her expression.
“I don’t think that’s the case, but even so I appreciate the invite.” Vani gave a small smile. Damn it, he struck a nerve, Virgil mused.
“A Tracy Christmas is certainly something.” Scott intervened, flourishing to the doorway towards the lounge. “Come on through. Now I’ve gotta go tend to the gravy, but dad’s out the back, and our brothers and sister are somewhere.” As Scott and Virgil started to make their way to the heart of the home, Vani followed a few steps behind and admired the walls. Family photos, abundant with smiles and loving energy painted each one of them. It was a foreign feeling, but she couldn’t help but stare at them. The way Jeff and Lucille held their children with such love, such admiration. Is this what Alex could’ve been? Impossible, Vani thought. That man only acknowledged you, when you gave him something he wanted. A figure in her periphery, Vani stood to attention and turned, seeing Virgil look at her curiously.
“Admiring the family pictures?”
“It’s odd to think Jeff has five sons.” Vani admitted.
“Named after five of the Mercury 7 space pilots.” Virgil pridefully added.
“He’s a good man, and from what I’ve heard,” Vani faced Virgil. “Raising good sons.”
“Funny how dad told you about us, when he hasn’t told us anything much about you.” Virgil hummed.
“I suppose there’s not much to share.” Vani shrugged. “I’m just a pilot with a laundry list of bad choices.”
“And yet, dad chose you among so many pilots.” Vani frowned at his words. “I’ve learnt long ago to trust the decisions he makes. He wouldn’t have chosen you to mentor if he didn’t think it was worthwhile.” Virgil watched her, slightly hurt at the disbelief that painted her face. Such beauty should never wear a plagued expression.
“Sometimes I think he’s an idiot to have done so, I seem to cause him a lot of trouble.”
“Well Jeff Tracy loves trouble, so I think you’re doing him a favour.” Virgil countered, and Vani let out a chuckle. It was natural, and she smiled a little at the ease she felt.
“I hope you’re right. Otherwise tonight’s going to be really awkward.” She looked up at the man, who drew closer to her. If she thought Scott was warm, Virgil was hot. In all regards. The heat he radiated was soothing, and Vani wanted to bury herself into his arm and absorb it. And there was this smell, like toasted coconut and pine. It was soothing, calm - like a forestscape. They both watched each other for what seemed like an eternity, only to be disturbed by a sudden shriek emitting from the kitchen.
“Gordon, I told you not to touch the gravy!” Scott growled.
“But I’m hungry!” A younger voice whined. A sigh from Virgil told Vani enough.
“We should probably go see what that racket’s all about.” Vani suggested.
“We should, but more so to stop Scott from killing our little brother.” Virgil huffed, leading her down the hall. As they rounded the corner, Vani was greeted to the sight of Scott holding a teenager under the kitchen tap, near drowning him in water. Well, at least that was one childhood experience they had in common.
“Scott, it’s not that bad!”
“Gordon, you dropped scalding hot gravy on your collarbone.”
“You’re waterboarding me!”
“False, I’m giving you basic first aid.” Scott huffed, and splashed the child with water. Vani could’ve sworn she saw a brief smirk of satisfaction on his face.
“I hope you know Scott, this is my first impression of the teenager you’re currently wrestling.” At the sound of a new voice, the shaggy haired teen's head whipped up and stared at the woman before him.
“Honestly, probably one of the few good first impressions he’s given.” A new voice behind Vani interjected. Jumping, she turned to see another brother nearly as tall as the door appear.
“Vani, meet John” Virgil motioned to the red-headed brother, who waved in greeting. “And, Gordon.” Virgil sighed, looking at the teenager who finally freed himself from his eldest brother’s hold.
“Scott, I didn't realise your girlfriend was coming to dinner.” Gordon teased, and Virgil nearly throttled Gordon at such a thought.
“Oh you’re the troublemaker.” Vani confirmed, squinting her eyes slightly. This child was definitely Jeff’s - she could tell by the outrageously bold Hawaiian print shirt he wore. With shorts. And sandals. In this fucking cold?! Vani screamed internally. Gordon squinted back, and put his hands on his hips.
“And you’re someone.” He pointedly said.
“She’s dad’s mentee, you squid bastard.” John murmured, as he walked past them into the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
“But dad never invites his mentees home.” Gordon looked back to John and Scott, then back to Vani in disbelief.
“Seems to be a rare event.” Vani joked, putting her hands on her hips. “Do I get a gold star?”
“Why do you want one?” John looked up with a serious willingness that threw Vani off. Virgil leaned down and whispered.
“John helps teach grade school science as a volunteering stint.”
“Well in that case, I’ll take one.” Vani hummed, John nodding and walking off. “So, now I’ve met four of the five Tracy boys. Where’s the other one?”
“Alan’s upstairs playing games with our adoptive sister Tannie.” Gordon hummed. “To which, I’m returning to. Nice to meet you, Dad's Mentee.” He saluted and jogged upstairs, just as Scott scolded “Her name is Vani!”.
“Speaking of your father,” Vani started, looking to Scott. “You said he was outside?”
“Yeah, cutting some firewood outside.” Great, back outside she goes. Noticing the distaste in her expression at the thought of breaching the cold, Virgil walked to the front and grabbed his own winter jacket.
“Here,” Virgil returned. Vani looked up at the man before her as he held out the thick winter jacket. “This might be a bit warmer for you.”
Vani’s gaze softened at the gesture, giving a small smile as she reached out. “Thank you.” As she took the jumper, electricity hummed and shot between them as their fingers grazed each other. She could’ve sworn that his fingers moved towards hers. Draping it over her shoulders, Vani was enveloped in a thick warm blanket of fleece, bundling her up before she even zipped it up. As she flipped the hood over her hair, she made her way outside. Virgil watched as her form retreated, walking towards his father.
“Scott” He heard his little brother start. “I think Virgil’s got a crush.”
“That he does John, that he does.”
-🟩🟢🟩–
Swing, crack, split. The repetitive notion kept Jeff’s mind off the biting chill that ate at his face. He was finishing up, and hopefully he would return to the warmth of his home soon. He heard crunching footsteps in the snow, most likely Scott coming out to check on him.
“Need a hand?” The soft voice nearly made Jeff lose his balance. Spinning on his heel, he looked down at the woman he hadn’t heard from in weeks. A sudden wave of relief washed over him, and Jeff smiled widely.
“You came.”
“I did.” Vani nodded a little.
“Listening to me for once? Very unlike you kid.” Jeff joked, his breath smoking out like a dragon.
“Every part of me wanted to not come.” Vani admitted. “I thought,” She bowed her head, like a scolded child. “I thought after Truman you wanted nothing to do with me. I shamed you, embarrassed you, put you in the firing line-”
“Whoa whoa whoa, honey.” Jeff put the axe down, gently holding her shoulder. Vani looked up at the sudden contact, and Jeff’s heart wrenched at the sight of her glossy eyes. It sent him back to that day on the ship. “You did nothing wrong. You did what you thought was right.”
“I disappointed you.” Her voice cracked, bottom lip quivering. And for a brief moment, Jeff saw a vulnerable child afraid of being left behind because of failing to please those she considered a friend. A father. A loved one.
“I said that out of worry, sweetheart, but I didn’t mean it.” Jeff cooed, as he drew Vani into his chest and held her close. Shoulders shaking, Vani buried her face into his jacket as she began to breathe quicker and more shaky - trying to stop herself from crying. “I was afraid you were going to lose everything you worked so hard to get. Hey,” Gently pulling back, he met her gaze. “I was never disappointed in you, and never will be, you hear me?”
“You promise?” Vani whispered.
“Swear on my life.” Jeff assured, gently wiping tears from her face. “I am so proud of you Nirvana. You’ve grown into a wonderful young lady that I’m proud to call my daughter.” Seeing her crumble, Jeff pulled her close as Vani broke into sobs, relief flooding her.
“I’m sorry Dad.” Vani whimpered, and Jeff wrapped his arms tighter around her.
“It’s okay, baby girl. I got you.” Jeff comforted, rubbing her back. “I’m glad you’re here tonight.”
“I am too.”
“Well, more so to tell you the good news.” As Vani looked up at Jeff, he smiled down at her. “I spoke with the General. He commended you on your efforts, and chastised Hoffsteader for his handling of the situation. Especially given the eyewitness statement.” Vani knew the eyewitness was Jeff himself. After all - he had quite an influence. She felt a rush of satisfaction at the knowledge that Hoffsteader got some sort of heat for what happened.
“He’s lifting your authorised leave, and you’re coming back into the field.” She was going to be flying again. And with Jeff too. Excitement filled her body, but an air of unease did as well. She was only returning because of Jeff’s influence, nothing else. Like everything else she had been given, it was because she knew Jeff by association.
“He only gave me back my position because of who you are.” Vani pointed.
“And what if he did? I think you should take it and run.”
“But-”
“Nirvana.” Jeff firmly stated, holding her shoulder. “Come back into the field, and fly with me. That’s an order, Cadet.”
Looking up at him, Vani inhaled a little and nodded. “Yes sir.”
“Good.” Turning his attention back to the logs, Jeff picked up the axe.
“So you met my sons.”
-🟩🟢🟩–
Sitting at the large dining table, Vani watched the boys act like…well boys. It wasn’t helpful that Jeff encouraged their behaviour, and was equally as playful. She managed to meet the youngest brother Alan, who was more than happy to learn more about Vani’s adventures as a pilot. Even though Scott was right there. She also met their adoptive sister Tanusha. One of Jeff’s oldest friend’s daughter, was living with them while her father was on a work trip. In reality, it was deep covert ops. Vani supposed Jeff wanted to keep Tanusha ignorant to preserve her childhood. He was good like that. The girl was polite and shy, seeming to stay close to Alan, who was the same age as her. Vani smiled at the sight, sympathising with her shyness. But she was also longingly reminiscing about her brother and her so many years ago. Before everything changed. A hand on her shoulder drew her out of her thoughts, turning to Jeff.
“Would you like some, hon?” Jeff asked.
“Sorry?”
“Sticky date pudding, Virgil made it.” Jeff held up the dish.
“I’ve never had it before, but I’d be happy to try it.” Vani gave a small smile.
“What were you raised under a rock?” Gordon quipped, who then cowered slightly at the look Jeff had given his mischievous son. “Sorry.”
“No, it's quite alright.” Vani held up a hand. “I grew up sheltered, and so naturally as an adult I didn’t really try to experience new things.” While she was adopted by a Navy cop at nine years old, it was the two of them for many years, until he soon died in action. At that point, Vani was able to be emancipated, and lived in the house as if nothing changed. And so tonight was the first time Vani got to experience a family dinner this intimate. A long forgotten memory.
“Well we’re happy to show and experience those things with you.” Virgil smiled at her, as he sat beside her. Vani admittedly found herself gravitating towards Virgil as they sat for dinner. His calming presence was helpful in reducing her nerves, and consequently giving her the confidence to talk with the others. Conversation struck up, and they quickly fell into a rhythm and dynamic, as if they had known each other for years.
As Jeff scooped the dessert into a bowl with some vanilla ice cream, he placed it before Vani. The buttery, spiced scent wafted, and made her mouth water. Virgil watched in anticipation as Vani took the first bite, chewing slowly then pausing. She turned to the man sitting beside her, and smiled widely. “I think this is my new favourite dessert.”
A flush of red crept on his face, and he smiled shyly. “Really?”
“Yes - this is amazing.”
“I’ll make it as many times as you’d like then.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled. As she took another bite and looked amongst her friends, Nirvana felt a sense of calm and belonging. Maybe the snow wasn’t as bad as she thought it was.
I finally drew my boys! First time Neil and Rigel appear here I suppose.
(Left to right) Sirius, Neil, Rigel.
Rigel made some cruel joke about Neil or something
Sirius just wants a break.. in the morning it was Jeff and Jay and now its these idiots.
dededos
blakekathryn
areudirty
janainaart
snowghoul
baratheonpilled
kaledo-art
vaporwave
