священник.

[acef48]

[sonya0728]

twisted clingy

[apllecrash]

gulp

[fawncon]

added a new yoshikaru drabble post-episode 7 to my drabble collection! read on ao3 or below the cut:

for all yoshiki's knowledge, he had no idea what ヒカル had actually given him. at first he'd thought he'd just compounded part of the writhing mass inside him into solid form, like a cloud of candyfloss hardened by the moisture of his breath. but the more he looked at it, the more he was convinced it was something organic.

"it's a bone, from some place in my chest," ヒカル had answered nonchalantly as he'd rinsed the blood from his hands, and only once yoshiki researched it on his phone that night did he identify it as the xiphoid process, a small cartilagenous protrusion at the end of the sternum.

he sets down the phone and looks at the pockmarked bone in his palm, rubbing a tentative thumb over its surface. it has a pleasantly rough texture, especially on the edge it was torn from the rest of the sternum, where yoshiki can feel the honeycomb-holes of its marrow scratch against his fingerprint. the larger hole hewn into its center, a natural occurence according to his research, makes it feel all the more unique, something only his body could make.

it awes him to think that this little plate had protected hikaru's heart before it stopped beating, and then ヒカル's once he started it anew. what he'd given yoshiki was a piece of them both, a duet of body and soul, singing of promise.

it feels wrong to leave it sitting out alone without the shelter of a body to warm it, so yoshiki brings it to bed with him, keeping it curled in his fist above his heart. there his half of ヒカル can rest peacefully, knowing yoshiki will protect it with every beat of life he has left.

[savage-rhi]

Duality

Chapter 1: The Hacktivist

Read Here On AO3

Summary: Sawyer Kiddo has walked a razor's edge as a hacktivist for several years, driven by the loss of her family in the Raccoon City incident. Haunted by past choices and fueled with desire for vigilante justice, Sawyer's work takes an unexpected turn when she ventures to Spain and crosses paths with Luis Serra—a man with blood on his hands long thought to be dead. Together they unravel a web of corruption and face an impending bioterror threat, fighting not only monsters but also the darker elements of their humanity. As they delve deeper into each other's pasts and the conspiracy at large, Sawyer begins to sense something unsettling about Luis—something that might be even more dangerous than their mutual enemies.

The sound of a heartbeat flickered in and out of Sawyer's ears while she ran. It was the only noise she could register. The pulse grew louder with every strained step. She ignored the ache in her calves while pushing past the ICU doors, winded with a crazed look in her eyes that had the nurses at the station immediately take notice. 

Sawyer's mind went on autopilot. Her mouth spilled so many words that her brain heard it as gibberish nonsense. Mere noises that only a scared animal could produce at the height of fear. It didn't matter that the nurses understood what she said, nor the fact one came from around the desk to put his hands on her shoulders to calm her down. She needed to run again--to numb her legs to the point they'd fall off. 

Sawyer blinked. 

“She’s stable right now but lost a lot of blood from the wreck. We’re keeping her for one more night in the ICU. Her assigned PCP will be in tomorrow, and they’ll go over additional treatment options and aftercare with you. At some point, you may be questioned by a government agent that’s been assigned to this floor--standard stuff like your name, address, and all of that. If you run into any problems, just go back to the nurse's desk and we’ll help you.”

Confused, Sawyer blinked a few more times. Her eyes strained after briefly looking up toward the fluorescent lights that illuminated the hall. 

“Now when you go into the room, make sure you remain five feet away. This is to keep you and her safe. Since the incident happened, and all those horrid stories we’ve heard…” The nurse's voice trailed off. His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat while the tips of his fingers on each hand trembled, as if his soul would leave his body at that very moment. When he noticed Sawyer staring at him, he felt his cheeks burn. 

“The hospital is taking every precaution,” he finished gently while pulling himself together. “Do you have any questions for me?” 

The realization she had been walking side by side with the nurse to the unit finally dawned on Sawyer. The hushed tones of medical staff walking by, the heavy chemical scent that hung in the air, and the rhythmic beeping of life-saving tools drifted against her ears. The first noise she heard in several hours that wasn’t her breath or beating heart.

Too startled from her lapse in time, Sawyer shook her head at the nurse’s question. There was nothing left to discuss. She needed to see her, to have visual proof that she hadn’t been lost like the rest. Five days of uncertainty--of terror--needed to be vanquished. 

Sawyer could feel her stomach drop as she slowly entered unit 690. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit room, noting how uncomfortable the subdued atmosphere was. It made the situation at hand more grievous. Her eyes then fell to the bed at the center. A network of tubes, wires, and IV bags surrounded the mattress like bouquets along a casket. She made a fist. The urge to run over and crush the body lying in the bed with an embrace was overwhelming. It took every fiber of her being to remain in place as Sawyer recalled the five-foot rule. 

The patient hadn't noticed her visitor. Her eyes were hollow--cheeks stained with residue from crying for hours without respite. There was no spirit behind her weary gaze while she stared at the ceiling, counting all the speckles she could see in the texture. It was a mindless little game. A band aid solution keeping her mind from spilling over. 

“Carmen,” Sawyer’s voice cracked. 

She stopped counting the speckles and froze. 

With trepidation, Carmen weakly adjusted and leaned her body up from the bed. Her vision blurred in and out as the figure near the door began to materialize. She locked her gaze with Sawyer's, and time came to a grinding halt. The weight of shared history hung in the air. She watched Sawyer take a step forward only to stop herself at the last second. A flood of emotions spilled into Carmen's psyche. Her bottom lip quivered, eyes welling up with tears that threatened to overflow at any second. She ignored the pain that throbbed in her body despite its subconscious pleas to lie back down and rest. 

The relief Sawyer had began to fade little by little as an unspoken tension grew.

“Carmen--” 

“Where were you?” Carmen’s voice broke. 

“I was--"

“Where the fuck were you?” Carmen pleaded. Her voice was so scratchy that she could barely choke the words out. "Mom and dad...the whole family." 

Goosebumps littered Sawyer's skin. "What do you mean the whole--"

"Gone! Everyone's fucking gone!" Carmen shouted. She glared when Sawyer flinched. "T-they ripped Pete apart! They ate our dog! My mom was eating my dad's face! Oh god, Sawyer--where the hell were you?! God damn it, where were you!?" 

Carmen’s anguish grew louder, echoing through the halls of the ICU. The heartbreak spread like a virus as Sawyer could hear other patients nearby beginning to cry out. Her own emotions struggled to consolidate as she tried to find the right words to offer Carmen solace.

Before she could utter a single noise, the hospital staff--downed in biohazard suits--had rushed in. The urgent footsteps punctuated the rawness of Carmen's pain as they attempted to soothe her, but their attempts fell on deaf ears as Sawyer watched on as Carmen cried harder and tried to rip the IV needles out from her arms. She was restrained, and a call for a sedative was made. 

While the staff intervened, Sawyer’s resolve began to crumble. It felt as if invisible chains rendered her powerless to react. She couldn't even lift one damn leg. Her knees went numb, and she quietly sunk to the floor while her body shook. 

Carmen's cries gradually subsided, replaced by hushed murmurs of the hospital staff. Sawyer remained on the floor as Carmen's words hit her like bullets. One after the next piercing her gut. She covered her mouth as the sobs came, seconds away from throwing up. 

The memory clung to Sawyer's consciousness as she stirred from the depths of her nap. Blinking against the harsh glare of the overhead lights, her heart still raced despite the dream being over. Slowly she began to piece together her surroundings. The hum of the plane's engine provided a faint anchor to reality, and with a shaky exhale, Sawyer closed her eyes and focused on her breath. 

That’s right…I’m on a plane…

The panic began to ebb away, replaced by a resignation she had grown accustomed to over the years. Not even the noisy passengers aboard could snap her out of the silence. 

Gracias por volar con nosotros, llegaremos a Madrid en breve. Por favor, permanezcan sentados mientras nos preparamos para el aterrizaje. 

Sawyer furrowed her brows when an English translation wasn’t followed up. She slouched into her seat and sighed, wishing she had reviewed Spanish before leaving the States. At the very least she understood they'd be docking soon. She pulled her phone out from the right pocket of her pants, scrolling through downloaded emails. Her eyes scanned for last-minute details she missed before the flight. 

“VITA,” 

Sawyer turned her head, face to face with an older gentleman who was sitting next to her. She quickly minimized her phone gallery. 

“Excuse me?” 

“You work for them?” The man grumbled, gesturing to Sawyer’s phone after he had seen a logo briefly flash on the screen. “My grandson told me there’s mixed feelings about your lot. Some kind of…hacker group, right? You guys meddle with everyone and everything. Always getting into trouble, that's what the news says.” 

Sawyer wasn't in the mood for a confrontation, especially with jetlag involved. She decided to take a passive approach, giving a shrug while she smiled warmly. 

“It pays the bills!”  

The old man scoffed, although he chuckled at her enthusiasm nonetheless. He waved her off while making a face, going back to reading scripture from a King James bible. The tattered cover reminded Sawyer of that phase in early childhood when her parents thought sending her to Sunday School would be a good idea--although they weren't religious themselves. "It'll help you build character and make friends!" as her mom once said. Sawyer wanted to laugh. Despite showing up for two years straight from the ages of six to seven, she couldn't quote scripture to save her life. 

Here's to hoping no one uses that against me...she snorted and looked out the window. The thick clouds began to shrink, and Sawyer caught the first glimpse of the city. From above, Madrid looked like a patchwork of ancient and modern architecture. As the plane descended further, she noticed some landmarks such as the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor and found the juxtaposition against towering buildings nearby to be interesting. Whatever awe she had dwindled as Sawyer reminded herself she'd only be in Madrid for a few days before getting shipped back home--such was the nature of working for VITA. There was no time to savor moments like this. She felt the reality of the situation hit her once she arrived at the terminal and went through the motions. 

This would’ve been a perfect getaway...

Walking through Madrid was a feast for the senses. The air was alive with the cadence of Spanish chatter, melodic noise of street musicians and tantalizing aromas of local cuisine wafting from bustling establishments. Sawyer made a left on one of the main streets, leading past ornate architecture where grand cathedrals stood as a testament to history. It seemed that every corner held something new to behold. She felt the temptation to indulge, to say fuck it to the operation and have something to eat after a twelve-hour flight. It didn't help that there was a sense of warmth and hospitality emitting from locals, almost as if she was being invited to forget why she was here in the first place and everyone was in on it. 

Moving past another crowd, Sawyer found a hidden plaza that was adorned with a lively market teeming with colorful wares. She stopped to observe the area. Many things stood out to her, but not the establishment where she was supposed to meet her fellow members of VITA. She began to wonder if she had taken a wrong turn. She didn't see anything resembling a tavern nearby. Before she could check her phone for directions, a sharp whistle immediately captured her attention. 

“Hey Kiddo, over here!” 

Sawyer turned her head to the side, squinting briefly as a middle-aged man waving her down came into view amongst the crowd. Grinning from ear to ear, she sprinted over to him and two exchanged a long and tight hug, laughing in between grunts and playful bantering as they squished against one another. 

"Samuel!" Sawyer muffled against his chest, thankful he decided to let her go so she could breathe again. "I didn't think the higher-ups were going to send you over! Didn't you have a sting operation in London?"

"Already taken care of," Samuel's smiled broadened, taking a step back from her. His crows feet became more clear as he continued. "The dealer I lured was an easy target. Didn't even put up a fight when the cops bagged him." 

"Eh, you got off lucky." Sawyer remarked with an envious sigh. "It's only a matter of time before we all slip up." 

"I heard about the incident in Colorado," Samuel's eyes dimmed. "I heard you almost got jumped by your dealer before the BSAA agents arrived with the police. Were they assholes like everyone says?" 

"I prefer the term jack assess myself," Sawyer laughed. "But all things considered, they did keep me safe." 

“Didn’t those same jack assess throw you in jail for hacking and conspiracy to procure bio-organic weapons?” 

Sawyer’s face twisted into a wry expression at the snort Samuel made at her expense. “Briefly, but I got bailed out or I wouldn’t be talking to you.” 

“They're bastards. The lot of them.” Samuel muttered, shaking his head before motioning for Sawyer to follow him. "We do the world a service luring bioterrorist creeps into traps, and this is the thanks we get?" 

"To be fair, we aren't exactly handling things legally on our end." Sawyer quipped as she fell into step beside Samuel. "It's not surprising entities of the government would think we're up to no good since a quarter of us are networking with the black market." 

"So how did you get out of the pit aside for VITA footing the bill?" 

“I handed over all phone and virtual records of my conversations with the dealer to the agents. Then they got a subpoena to get a hold of my hard drive. I couldn’t contact anyone on the VITA network to get rid of it before I was arrested.” 

“Aw, shit!”  Samuel exclaimed. “They took your dealer list?” 

“Yup,” Sawyer huffed. “Along with information about VITAs future tasks, and intel on some of our fellow hackers.” 

"I’m shocked the higher-ups didn’t yank you from Madrid with how much you compromised.”

“Trust me, they wanted to!” Sawyer laughed. “But I got this guy eating out of the palm of my hand so bad, he wouldn’t speak to anyone else who tried posing as a buyer. When I get back to the States, I’m going to be on probation. At least until shit blows over with the BSAA.” 

“What are you going to do during your break?” 

Sawyer shook her head. His question stumped her in more ways than one while she combed a hand through her tousled hair. "I honestly don't know. I feel like a dog getting put down despite doing a great job sniffing out the bad guys for everyone."

Samuel scoffed, his lips twitching with a hint of amusement, “You’ve always had a way with words.”

“And you have a way of not telling me where the hell we’re going!” 

In between shared laughs, Samuel gave Sawyer a friendly pat on her left shoulder--offering a silent reassurance amidst the uncertainty she was facing. 

“It’s good to have you back in the EU, Kiddo,” Samuel remarked warmly. “Your sarcasm has been sorely missed.”

“Well, maybe if you didn’t insist on living in the UK, we'd hang out more!" 

“I love you Americans for all your spunk, but you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to uproot and deal with the tomfoolery over there.” Samuel said as a matter of fact. 

Sawyer's smile softened, and a moment of sadness traced her eyes. “I’m sure it will get worse. I give it twenty years tops before the country falls apart. ”

“Eh, lighten up a little bit.” Samuel attempted to ease the tension with a teasing grin. “It’s only 2006. You have plenty of time to become a citizen over in the UK if you get fed up with the rat race.” 

Sawyer raised an eyebrow, and a playful glint crossed her face. “Would you let me couch surf if I took up that offer?" 

“Don’t push your luck!” Samuel laughed. "I know for a fact you suck at paying your rent on time." 

“Hey, that shits supposed to be classified!” Sawyer teased. Her eyes looked ahead, noticing more of the crowds were thinning out. As much as she was enjoying catching up on life with Samuel, she knew they had to be getting close to their debriefing location. 

“So, who else from VITA is joining us aside from the two members of the National Police?” Sawyer's asked, her gaze returning to Samuel as they continued their conversation.

“Kari from Peru. She goes by Rebus on the black market web," Samuel replied, his tone shifting to a more serious note as he delved into the details. "And then there’s Mobley, aka Atom."

"I've heard of Rebus," Sawyer remarked with admiration. "She's...quite formidable from what's been said in passing."

"Kari is very no-nonsense, but she makes up for it with how much she adores her cat." Samuel chuckled. He spoke further, echoing Sawyer's earlier sentiments. "I worked with her one other time. In late 2000, we tag-teamed against a cartel member who attempted to smuggle T-virus variants for a drug lord named Javier Hidalgo. Believe me when I say, she lives up to her reputation.” 

“Hidalgo,” The name of Samuel’s former mark struck a chord in Sawyer’s mind. “Isn’t that the guy Anomaly reported gaining power in South America’s black market way back when?

“The one and only,” Samuel confirmed, his voice a mix of bitterness and relief. "Luckily for us, he’s not in the picture anymore. I believe your government sent agents to dispose of him. His last activity was reported in 2002.”

Thank god for that… Sawyer thought as further gratitude echoed in her mind. “And what of Mobley, have you ever worked with him before?” 

“No,” Samuel shook his head. “I hadn’t heard of his moniker until recently. I’m assuming he’s either new to the VITA gang, or he’s been around for a while--we just haven’t had the opportunity to get acquainted on an assignment yet.” 

“That’s kind of… suspect , wouldn’t you agree?” 

Samuel raised a brow at the remark, his expression thoughtful as he considered her words. “Why would you say that?”

“Our chief executive Maestro is normally stingy about us knowing who’s who when we go into the field, even with anonymity being emphasized to the highest," Sawyer explained, a note of frustration creeping into her tone. "I didn’t even get a memo you were coming, much less Rebus and Atom. It would've been nice getting a heads up.”

“True,” Samuel acknowledged with a nod. “But to be fair to the chief, he’s up to his neck in shit from what happened in Colorado, so maybe he’s punishing you by making you fill in the blanks yourself.” 

The mention of her recent ordeal brought a pained expression to Sawyer's face. “You think?”

Samuel's chuckle cut through the tension, his laughter a welcome relief. “It wouldn’t surprise me,” he admitted, offering a small shrug before gesturing toward their destination. “We’re here. Los Golosos--The Sweet Teeth.”

Sawyer couldn't help but laugh at his attempt at Spanish. “I think you mean The Sweet Tooth?” 

“I thought your Spanish was horrid last I checked?” Samuel countered.

“That remains a bitter truth, but I'm not entirely braindead." Sawyer retorted with a grin. 

Samuel chuckled. “Well, we best not keep our comrades waiting any longer,” he remarked, the anticipation of the meeting ahead evident in his tone. He opened the door, letting Sawyer venture into the establishment before himself. 

In the blink of an eye, hours slipped away as Sawyer absorbed the final scraps of information the police were willing to share. The uncomfortable tension that always accompanied interactions with law enforcement lingered. It was a rare occurrence for authorities to aid VITAs operations, given the murky legality of their cyberattack exploits—even when it was in pursuit of combating bioterrorism.

Sawyer was aware that any form of assistance from law enforcement came with significant risks. She remembered a case years back involving FBI agents who had gone to great lengths to protect hackers' anonymity from the US government. Several VITA members had orchestrated a doxxing campaign against BOW buyers in North America. When it was revealed that a US senator and a Canadian bank CEO had been funding bioweapon research and accepting hush money during an election campaign, the information was leaked to the public. The agents assigned to investigate and arrest the hackers responsible for the leak intentionally sabotaged the case. One of the five agents had lost family in the Raccoon City incident, and knew the government was lying about its prior knowledge of bio-organic weaponry. Sawyer could still remember the cold expression on his face while he was being taken into custody on television. How he openly declared his defiance was out of retribution for, "...the hell that was unleashed in 1998." The agents were severely punished, all for daring to stray from the prescribed narrative the US wanted to keep.

The wildfire of conversation ignited by the ordeal was enough to thrust Raccoon City back into public discourse and significantly bolstered public perception of TerraSave. The doxxing campaign demonstrated how easily average tech users could breach government security systems, and left opinions on TerraSave's actions divided. It was the final straw that broke the camels back among the groups civil war on how to combat bioterrorism, and thus VITA was born to answer the call for members who didn't agree with TerraSave's passive actions.

Sawyer couldn't believe at one point everyone from VITA was once a part of TerraSave--herself included. The weight of these decisions and her own actions preoccupied the back of her mind as she privately acknowledged the sacrifices being made by the two cops seated across from her. She didn't know the law too well in Spain, but God forbid if they were caught assisting VITA members.

"As I was saying," one of the cops sighed, reaching for the folder that Samuel had just finished examining. "You'll be provided with your get-out-of-jail-free cards. That should serve as sufficient proof. No one will bother you for passports back to your home countries."

Samuel made a face and shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "Excuse us for being thorough."

"It's nothing personal," the other cop interjected.

"And neither was me taking my time to read the fine print," Samuel countered sarcastically. 

"Gentlemen, please," Kari interrupted, casting a side glance at the three men and shaking her head. "The jetlag to get here was already torturous enough. We don't need any additional weight." 

Approaching her mid-forties, she exuded an air of authority. Her sharp cadence matched the precision of her eyeliner, which accentuated the bags under her eyes. Sawyer could envision Kari always being perpetually tired even without jetlag getting in the way. Like an old work horse, she was strong in face but stubborn to a fault. 

“Onyx,” Rebus gestured at Sawyer. “Do tell us the area where you'll be encountering your buyer and your plan of action.”

Samuel wasn't kidding about the no-nonsense bit… Sawyer leaned forward and began to point out locations on a map spread across the table. 

"We're meeting at Plaza Hermanas Gemelas at 10 on the dot. The sellers name is Jean-Jaques Clouet. He goes by Soldado on the black market. His specialty is mystery bags, so I'm not entirely sure what contents I'm going to encounter, but the price tag suggests a T variant sample. I've already completed half of the payment transfer before leaving the States. There's no reason for him to suspect foul play or that I'm not going to show up." 

The older cop grumbled under his breath. "That sounds a bit reckless, not knowing exactly what you're getting into." 

"Give her a chance to explain, she knows what she's doing." Samuel defended.

Sawyer nodded appreciatively at Samuel's support as she continued, pointing out various locations on the map. "There are three points of entry and exit from the plaza. After the exchange, I plan to take the South exit. I can meet up with one of you officers there to hand over the sample, and you can call for reinforcements to apprehend Soldado before he leaves the plaza."

Kari let out a contemplative sigh before adding, "There are two large buildings nearby with decent reception. If Soldado attempts to call for help or use any wireless technology against us during the transaction, we should be able to jam his signals. We can also use our equipment to expedite the arrival of other entities if necessary. You officers need only give us the word.” 

The police exchanged a glance, their eyes tracing over the map with precision, ensuring every detail was accounted for. Breaking the silence, the younger officer voiced his concern. 

"Shouldn't we consider having military backup on standby in case there's a risk of an outbreak?"

"If you're keen on risking our operation and your careers, be our guest." Samuel's response was swift as he gestured toward the taverns exit to emphasize his point. 

“That’s putting it mildly!” Mobley's first words of the evening were met with a short, nervous giggle that drew everyone's attention. 

Sawyer observed him closely, noting his partial balding and unkempt beard. He had a subtle tic that caused his head to occasionally twitch. These little nuances wouldn't have been bothersome had it not been for his general demeanor being snobbish throughout the evening. It was enough of an issue to where Sawyer was thankful she was sitting between Kari and Samuel, and not him.The unease grew in Sawyer's gut as he pointed his left index finger at her. 

"The decision lies with Onyx here. She's the one getting up and close and personal with a viral substance, so it's only fair she gets to pull the trigger on calling in the big boys if necessary." 

The older officer muttered a skeptical comment under his breath, expressing doubt about Mobley's apparent enthusiasm for the situation.

"Atom has spent years cataloging BOW lists for anti-terrorist agencies in Europe and Australia," Kari cleared her throat, coming to Mobley's defense. "He doesn't get out much, so forgive his eagerness." 

Sawyer briefly side-eyed Kari. If that's what you want to call it...

"It's settled then," the older cop affirmed with a nod, sensing the weariness settling in after three hours of intense discussion. "Once Onyx leaves the plaza and gives us the sample, you four will head South of Madrid until you reach Toledo. Lay low there for the next twenty-four hours. We'll reach out when it's safe for you to make your flight back home."

"And if we don't hear from you?" Samuel asked. 

"If forty-eight hours pass without contact, consider yourselves on your own. Choose to return to Madrid at your own discretion." Came the concise reply. “There’s not much we can offer after that. We have to pretend this conversation and meeting never happened.” 

"And you gentlemen get to go home as heroes even if we don’t wrap this little bust-up in a nice bow for you,” Mobley concluded with a grin. He seemed to take pleasure in how that statement unsettled the younger cop, maintaining his gaze on him as he and his partner rose to depart.

"We shall see you all tomorrow. Señores y señoras, buenos noches." the older cop replied with a curt nod to the quartret. He gestured for his partner to move along, nudging him when it seemed the young man was inclined to start another conversation.

As soon as the duo exited the establishment, Samuel let out a sigh. He shook his head while watching the cops disappear into the night through the window. "With the way they were acting, you'd think they'd want to call this whole show off. Quite the far cry from how they were behaving in the network chats."

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kari remarked. Her fingernails gently clanked against a bottle of beer she had been nursing on throughout the meeting. “They’re frightened. It’s only natural given these boys have never dealt with a bioterrorist face-to-face before. They've been lucky Spain hasn't been a profitable place to set up shop until Soldado rolled in. Onyx, you ran their background checks before you left the states. Did anything alarming turn up?" 

“Nadda,” Sawyer answered happily. “They’re both clean, save for the older fella getting a DUI years before he joined the National Police.”

“And speaking of DUI’s,” Mobley licked his lips as everyone’s gaze fell on him. He studied Sawyer with curiosity. “I couldn’t help but notice as I was going through your records before our meeting--Ms. Kiddo--that you had your fair share of demons of that ilk. 1999 and 2000 were not kind years to you."

Sawyer made fists under the table, while her eyes stared intently at Mobley. "What's the punchline, Atom?" 

“There’s no punchline," Mobley shook his head while keeping his eyes locked on hers as if trying to win a staring contest. "Only a curiosity of sorts.” 

"By all means, enlighten me." 

“We’ve been at a tavern for hours discussing life-or-death scenarios and handling outbursts of anger. Surely, you can see where my concern is coming from.” Mobley added, his tone almost mocking.

“That’s quite enough out of you,” Samuel firmly voiced as he came to Sawyer's defense. "I'm sure you've done enough self-harm in your time Mr. Mobley, to warrant the three of us taking a gander at your past." 

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sawyer pushed back her chair and rose to her feet, her movements slightly shaky.

"Kiddo--"

"Excuse me," she said tersely. "I need some air. This bar--like this conversation--is getting too stuffy for my taste. I’ll be back in fifteen after I go around a block.” 

Without waiting for a response, Sawyer made her way toward the door. She could already hear Samuel berating Mobley while Kari attempted to mediate between the two. There was a part of her that almost felt guilty for leaving Kari to handle Samuel's temper and Mobley's crass, but she knew her limits. This wasn't the time nor place for someone whom Sawyer barely knew to be prying into such intimate details of her life. The whole situation took her aback. It was an unspoken rule to not be privy to the personal lives of fellow hacktivists within VITA, but that didn't stop people from probing if they truly wanted to snoop. 

Outside on her lonesome, Sawyer became enveloped in the brisk embrace of the Madrid night. The temperature was fairly cool, a stark contrast from how warm it was earlier in the day. As she walked down the street, she could hear the gentle hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter coming from crowds enjoying the local nightlife. The noise created a rhythm that matched the beat of her troubled thoughts. She stopped as a sudden breeze carried with it a familiar scent that tugged at her nose. The unmistakable aroma of damp earth, and fallen leaves had her blink in confusion. For a moment in time, she felt like she was standing in the park at Raccoon City during autumn. Memories flooded as nostalgia took hold of her: the laughter of children at the harvest festival, the serene beauty of the city bathed in the warm glow of sunset, the final BBQ her mom and dad would make at the end of Summer, and the lackluster routine of picking up her cousin from work every Friday. She felt nauseous as she continued to walk, but with more urgency. The beeping of hospital monitors bounced in her mind, intermingling with Carmen's screams that could cut through glass. She felt like she was being engulfed by an invisible flame, one that wanted to be quenched and put out by liquor. Mobley’s earlier remarks added more fuel to Sawyer’s desire to drown herself, and she was grateful to have the foresight to leave the tavern before either her anger or addiction locked talons in battle. 

“Count to ten, sober again,” she murmured to herself, clinging onto the mantra like a piece of rope that was keeping her from falling off the edge of a cliff. With each step, she felt the impulse recede like trinkets being put back into a box and shoved away. She continued to repeat the words for a while, until arriving at the entry of a small bridge. 

Sawyer realized she had taken a wrong turn somewhere during her walk. Glancing around, she noted the absence of any other souls in sight. The dimmed lighting lent the scenery a romantic air that couldn’t be ignored. The gentle rush of the water under the bridge provided a soothing backdrop, and she envisioned this was a spot where lovers of all kinds would meet away from prying eyes. A small smile tugged at her lips. It wasn't everyday she'd entertain such whimsical thoughts-- especially given her nature--yet this moment provided a welcome distraction. Perhaps it was the medicine she needed right now aside from smoking. She seldom if ever had cigarettes on her. That was always Carmen's vice, and as painful as it was to reminisce about her, Sawyer felt a memory of her high school days begin to bloom. 

It was spring of '94. She remembered her cousin's infectious laughter after they decided to play hooky, and sneak off campus to indulge on a pack of cigs and treats. The pair made their way to Joe's, a little corner market that was hanging on by a thread, kept alive because of students wasting money on overcharged goods.  In the suburban area of Raccoon City, food choices and entertainment options were limited for teens, but the cousin’s managed to make their own fun. Sometimes to their own detriment as Sawyer nearly gagged on her second cig. She could still taste the harsh smoke from the previous one, and choked after accidentally inhaling too quick--much to Carmen’s amusement. As they made their way back to campus, Carmen was still recovering from her fit of giggles. 

“When’s the due date for that paper? Y’know, the one where we interview a person in the field we want work in?” Carmen asked, trying to regain her composure. 

“Beats the hell out of me,” Sawyer replied, taking another drag from her cig. “I thought you were interviewing that guy from Umbrella. The one your dad hooked you up with, what’s his name?” 

“Dr. Cartwright?” 

“Yeah, Dr.Catwhite!” Sawyer laughed. 

“Sawyer, really?” Carmen made a face. 

“Not in the mood for jokes, cuz?”

"At the very least not yours," Carmen muttered, though she couldn't suppress a smile. “I did finish my interview, but I haven’t written the paper yet.” 

Sawyer's eyes were bright with interest. “What was it like meeting a professional scientist?” 

“Eh,” Carmen shrugged, her expression nonchalant. “He was just an old man who happened to be smart. It was kind of boring to be honest with you. He spent twenty minutes ranting about over-the-counter drugs someone at Umbrella developed that were yanked before production. Apparently, he was looking forward to taking it himself. I never caught the name of the brand or what it did.”

“What, was it a miracle pill for erectile dysfunction?” Sawyer cackled, her laughter echoing through the street.

“Sawyer, Jesus!” Carmen exclaimed, glancing around to make sure no one in public heard that. 

“C’mon!” Sawyer teased.

“No way!” Carmen laughed, shaking her head.

“Hey, you never know! They might be working on something like that!” 

“Sure, when pigs fly!” Carmen retorted.

“Not with that attitude!” Sawyer quipped, her grin growing wider as she threw an arm around her cousin’s shoulder. “C’mon, we both know between the two of us you were probably thinking it way before me. Everyone in the family thinks I’m corrupt. Little do they know you’re the brains behind that operation. I mean look at you, you got me to smoke and skip class against my will…again!” 

“It helps to look girly and cute,” Carmen teased, nudging Sawyer playfully. “You should try it sometime, instead of dressing up like you just rolled out of bed. Maybe your mom and dad would get off your back and quit making assumptions that you’re a delinquent.”

Sawyer scoffed. “As if! Mom always thinks I'm up to shit even when I'm doing the right thing. There's no point in changing my wardrobe for that." 

The two stopped at a crosswalk, and Sawyer suddenly let go of Carmen. They both watched with unease as a large semi-truck with the Umbrella Corp logo drove past. The imposing vehicle disappeared down the road as quickly as it came, and Sawyer frowned while her eyes followed its trail.

“That’s the third one this month,” Sawyer murmured. “Did you ask Dr. Cartwright about the trucks coming in and out all the time?”

“Yeah,” Carmen nodded, her expression troubled. “He said Umbrella got a bigger budget, so they’re upgrading their lab equipment. I know he’s telling the truth because my dad said he saw them unpacking while he was cleaning the main offices, but there’s something…”

“Eerie?”

“Yeah, eerie about seeing those semis.”

“That seems a bit much for lab tools. Sure, once a month a truck might roll in, but almost every week now? They gotta be onto something big. Maybe a cure for cancer?” Sawyer looked at Carmen and sensed she wanted to change the topic. She decided to lighten the mood and smirked.  “You should ask your dad about sneaking us one of those prototype ED pills, y’know, being a janitor and all!”

“Sawyer, god damn it!” Carmen shoved her playfully. 

“While we’re at it,” Sawyer laughed. “Do you have any deodorant left? I need to hide the tobacco smell on my skin like a soldier hiding a war crime.” 

“Because I like you, I have just enough!” Carmen smiled. She took her backpack off and began scrounging through her belongings, eventually tossing the container of deodorant to her cousin. “By the way, I heard they’re discontinuing the musk one you love so much.” 

“Oh c’mon! I finally find a scent I love, and now I can’t have it?” 

"Same luck you have with boys I'm afraid!"

"Fuck you!" 

"You first!" Carmen laughed. 

In the present Sawyer was trying to hold back tears as she laughed to herself. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she let out a deep breath. There was no going back to simpler times, and she felt silly for allowing such sentiment to cloud her. She looked up and felt another chill of the wind blow past, and decided to take this as a sign that she needed to retrace her steps and head back to the tavern. 

"Sam's probably looking for me..." Turning away from the bridge, a looming shadow emerged from the right--hands seizing Sawyer and slamming her against a nearby wall with brutal force. Pain erupted through her head and lower back upon collision with the textured surface, the wind knocked out of her. Before she could process what was happening, her assailant struck again, and again. 

The dim light obscured his features, but Sawyer--senses reeling--instinctively took a defensive stance in between hits. Summoning her strength, she landed a firm blow to the intruders nose. Satisfaction fueling her as he stumbled backward with a pained yelp. She wasn't a fighter by trade, but her line of work had honed her in escape and self-defense. She knew she needed to get out of the area and fast. Taking her shot while her attacker was distracted, Sawyer evaded only to feel the sharp pinch of a vice-grip seizing her neck before her face met the ground in one fell swoop. Debris filled her mouth as panic surged. That’s when she felt a weight on top of her body, and her arms pinned behind her back. She snarled and kicked, trying to break free then a low inhuman growl echoed by her ear and she froze. 

There was no way a person could make the noise she heard just now--unless they were drunk. Even then, it was so animal like she scarcely doubted an inebriated guy could pull it off. The thought of being assaulted by a person was terrifying, then the intrusive thought of facing a BOW began to worm its way into her mind, chilling her to the bone. Whoever or whatever compromised her didn't matter in the end. The reality of the situation was that this person or thing was going to rip her limb from limb, and there was not a damn thing she could do about it. The horror of the what ifs was indescribable. 

Sawyers eyes closed. She hoped it would be over soon, but nothing came. Not for several moments.

Time stalled, the silence deafening while her attacker hesitated. Then, a gentle touch brushed through Sawyer’s hair, almost out of an affectionate curiosity. The intimacy behind it unsettled her as she felt his weight adjust, hearing him mutter something intangible. Sensing her chance, Sawyer twisted free--flipping onto her back, adrenaline coursing through her veins. With a surge of last minute strength, she delivered two powerful kicks to the attacker's abdomen, crawled to her feet and fled. Heart pounding and gasping for breath, the world around her became a dizzying maze of indistinct forms, each merging into the next in a disorienting blur. 

She ran for what felt like ages, then without warning, Sawyer collided with a solid mass. She stumbled backward in shock. With a gasp, she looked up to see the familiar face of Samuel and didn't know whether to belittle him for scaring her or to thank him for showing up when he did. 

“Kiddo!” Samuel's joy quickly changed to one of concern as he glanced over Sawyer, noting her disheveled look and the light bruising on her face. He didn't hesitate to reach out to her, his hands upon her shoulders to stabilize her quaking form. "Good lord, what happened?" 

"Oh, you know, just a little run-in with a local drunk," she replied, her voice strained while forcing a smile, attempting to brush off his concern. 

“Sawyer-”

"Nothing I couldn't handle myself. I mean, takes one to know one, right?" she added. Despite her efforts to downplay the situation, the lingering ache in her body and the fear in her eyes betrayed the true severity of her ordeal. Sawyer gently guided Samuel's hands off of her, needing to take space for herself. 

“I hate to call you out on your bullshit, but I’m afraid I’ll have to insist.” Samuel retorted. Concern and anger painted his brows while he glanced over their surroundings, shooting a glare toward people walking by. "Did you get a good look at the asshole?" 

“No, it happened too fast.” Sawyer breathed. She shook her head. “If the bastard was going to hurt me, they would've done so. I wouldn't stake too much of your time on this, Sam." 

"I've told you before, I don't appreciate it when you shorten my name to calm me down." Samuel grumbled, a slight frown creasing his brow.

"But it's working, isn't it?"

"Maybe a little," Samuel conceded. There was no point in arguing with her, not when she was worked up and not when he was angry on her behalf. Being enraged wouldn't help the situation, the perp was probably long gone by now from the looks of things. His gaze softened as he reached out to brush a speck of dirt from her shoulder.

"It's a good thing I found you when I did. Kari and Mobley turned in for the night after I managed to quiet the weasel in question. He really shouldn't have stirred the pot like that, bringing up your baggage. You never would've gotten hurt out here if he kept his mouth shut." 

"As much as I hate to admit it, he had a point. Fuck, I could've handled him better." 

"Hey, the Kiddo I know isn't a pushover." Samuel smiled, gazing over her with a frown. "Are you going to be okay?"

"The Kiddo you know can also be a horses ass..." Sawyer quipped. She nodded at his question, feeling her body calming down further. "I think so. Yeah, I'm good." 

Despite Samuel's urge to delve deeper into what happened and track down whoever harmed Sawyer, he knew time was of the essence. They only had ten hours to rest before the operation tomorrow, and the nerves were already starting to set in. "We should head for our accommodations. Tomorrow's going to be a rough one." 

"Tell me about it," Sawyer muttered. "It's already been one hell of a night."

"That's Madrid for you," Samuel sarcastically remarked, though his amusement hinted weariness. "Listen, about earlier in the bar...if your cousin came up--or Raccoon City, you can talk to me about--"

"I'd rather not right now," Sawyer cut him off. "I appreciate it Sam, but now's not the time." 

"Right," He murmured. Disappointment that spanned years crossed his features before he masked it with a faint smile. He shook his head, unable to hold his tongue at a remark despite his efforts. "I often find myself yearning for the days when I could seek my wife's counsel on how to help friends without kicking the hornets nest." 

"Tanya," Sawyer frowned. He hadn't mentioned her in a long time, not since they worked an assignment a year ago in Canada. She hesitated to speak on it any further, but it wasn't everyday Sam gave her an in like this. "She passed in the first wave of the outbreak, right? When you both used to live in the States." 

"Hmm hmm," Samuel confirmed with a heavy nod, letting out a breath. "Yeah, just a month after she finished her residency. She died at that godforsaken hospital in Raccoon City, trying to quarantine people left and right...trying to understand what the hell was happening. I remember our last phone call. How she wanted answers. I kept telling her to leave. To get her ass on a plane and come home. Alas, she never liked taking orders. Like someone else I know." Regret laced Samuel's voice as he chuckled softly. The memory brought a bittersweet smile to his lips as he thought of his late wife. 

"Why are we talking about this now?" Sawyer genuinely asked. 

Samuel laughed. "Why do we talk at all?" 

"Sam--"

"Kiddo," An uncomfortable silence settled between the two, heavy with the weight of shared sorrows and losses. He was the first to break the quiet.

"I know you've heard it countless times, but...you're not alone in this. It's why we're here. Why we do what we do, why we take huge risks--so that others don't have to experience the same heartbreak. We can lean on each other, y'know?" 

“I know,” Sawyer swallowed. “I’m just...I’m not ready for that, Sam.”

"I know..." Samuel understood that some wounds were too raw to expose, even to people who were close. When they both exchanged genuine smiles toward each other, silently acknowledging the bond they shared as close friends, did he finally speak. "I'll be right here when you're ready. Even if it takes years." 

"Promise?" 

"Cross my heart." Samuel chortled. He gave Sawyer a gentle nudge, and gestured with his head. "C'mon. Let's grab a quick bite before we catch some shut-eye and get you patched up." 

Sawyer followed Samuel, her steps falling into sync with his. Before leaving the area, she paused and glanced back from where she came. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease, lingering on who or what attacked her. She was never a religious type, never one to pray--but she hoped this wasn't an omen of things to come. 

Turning away, she followed Samuel into the night. 

Notes: 1. Gracias por volar con nosotros, llegaremos a Madrid en breve. Por favor, permanezcan sentados mientras nos preparamos para el aterrizaje. (Thank you for flying with us, we will arrive in Madrid shortly. Please remain seated while we prepare for landing.)

To be transparent, updates on this story and my other fics will happen sporadically from this point forward. It all depends on how crazy my schedule gets, if I run out of spoons, or if I have the mental bandwidth for certain subjects. This story in particular might change as I develop the plot further, or may be subject to revision.

Thank you for understanding! 💙

[ztudiolaire]

What a relief no one else wakes up during that one Durge cutscene, huh?

[crowlixcx]

THE ASSEMBLY 1.02 "David Tennant"

[fennecfoxdavid]

Day #1071 of David Tennant as a Fennec Fox!

[princeloww]

my soul might have left my body

^ david tennant reacting and responding to my message (he looks slightly concerned i promise he wasnt) (it was very normal)

[captainfantasticalright]

Good Omens 2 filming locations in Edinburgh.

[boborock789]

10th Doctor + Blue

[stdismas]

Astarion Ancunin in Baldur's Gate 3 (2023).

[madspeed]

sleepy

[mizgnomer]

David Tennant + pets/animals - Part Two

[ Part One ]

With thanks to Abandonaditos7 for the peacock video

...and the obligatory photo of David with his own pets, Myrtle and Bernard (care of Georgia's Instagram)

[yanderestarangel]

anon requested: "Virgin Tomas and virgin reader first time headcanons? Pls"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

୨♡୧ ─ 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐌𝐊1 | 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍!𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐕𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐀 𝐗 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍!𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

TW : ftm reader, afab anatomy, praise, unreviewed, smut, virgin concept, soft!dom tomas, oral (f!re), blood.

♡ - Tomas was a shy man, and unfortunately, so were you... In other words, neither of you two had enough attitude to give in to the carnal desires that threatened to eat you both alive. Tomas, before any sexual contact between the two of you, would masturbate a lot, always thinking about you, just touching your soft thigh was enough to make him extremely hard - to the point of feeling pain in his dick because of the erection in his pants.

♡ - He would be so flushed and red, imagining the dirtiest things with you, how beautiful you would look beneath him, you knew he suffered from being in need of you... Which made you even more shy. You were two virgins with normal young adult insecurities... But each time, each time you touched each other too much in the 'innocent' kissing sessions - it was a mess of soft moans and drunk's - hard cock against your body, whispering how. You were beautiful, how I loved you... Nothing but praise, however, the ninja's sea-colored eyes reflected your hunger and his, the hunger to explore the unknown together.

♡ - Tomas would soon rub his throbbing length against your entrance, both still clothed, but the thin clothing couldn't contain the air of lust already built there. You two looked like two time bombs... About to explode - and the fire was activated by Smoke's words in your ear. "-You love me, don't you? I can't take it anymore, I want you dear.. Fuck you make me so hard."

♡ - He leaned forward once more, placing a tender kiss on your neck before trailing downwards towards your nipples, sucking and nibbling lightly on each one, eliciting tiny moans from you. Meanwhile, his free hand continued its sensual assault on your sensitive areas, probing deeper into your wet folds, circling around your clit, teasing it just enough to keep you on edge but not quite satisfied. "-Tell me if you want me inside you little boy," he growled, his breath hot against your ear, again."-Do you trust me?" Tomas moaned in agreement, his big hands finally reaching under your shorts and panties, feeling the warm, soft flesh of your pussy. His fingers traced slow circles around your entrance, teasing you mercilessly as he enjoyed the sounds of pleasure escaping from your lips. "-Good boy...," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. "-Now, spread your legs wider for me." He waited patiently until you complied, watching eagerly as your thighs separated, revealing more of your body for him.

♡ - Smoke would stay between your thighs, smelling the sweet, inexplicable scent of your arousal, tasting your juices as you could feel him grunt and moan softly against your clit, sending waves of pleasure with every flick of his tongue against you. Incoherent words full of desperation for release would be heard by both of them, outside the confines of the room. He would be a trembling mess when he felt you cum on his tongue, he had already cum in his own underwear from the friction of the mattress beneath both of you, apologizing quietly for such an act, begging for the two of you to finally make love, taking each other's virginity once and for all - something you accepted, dizzy and too shaky from the orgasm he had given you with his mouth. Both of your clothes fell around the room, while Vrbada took off his pants and fuck... He was so huge and thick down there, with little white hairs growing in his groin, his cock proud and begging for any part of your body, He stood up and pulsed with each kiss Tomas gave you - he was aware that he was a huge man, who could break you in half, but he had to be patient for you, so he won't demand that you return the favor and suck his dick... Not the first time.

♡ - The sight of Tomas on top of you was breathtaking, he was whimpering in low murmurs, tears were falling down his face, out of joy and pleasure, as he clasped his hand in yours. "-Is this okay, baby? I don't want to hurt you. Let me know if you want me to stop or if you want me to continue." he manages to speak between broken moans, increasing the pace slightly, taking you to heaven and hell at the same time. His dick filled you completely, even if he hadn't even put it all in - "You're such a good boy...", "Oh god... I'm gonna cum soon sweetheart...", "God... you're so beautiful...", "You're going to make me cum so hard..." - These were some of the several phrases he directed at you, his boyfriend. With each thrust, he took you to the rhythm of a second orgasm you had that night, milking his cock with all his might. Tomas holds himself back from cumming, but from the moment you cum it becomes even more beautiful for him... he will scream your name - releasing his load inside your uterus, grunting and shaking, bending down to capture your lips , crying even more after cumming whispering "-I love you, I fucking love you" as he continued to fuck your pussy, even after you had cum, without caring about the blood from your hymen, coming out of you and dirtying your thighs, his hands explored your body - the two of you were going to stay all night exploring each other.

©𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 2023

[anininas]

Cleon but make it angsty by putting them in Saw (commission for @lechiita-miilk !!)

[belovedcloud]

Treats

pairing: leon kennedy x fem! hybrid reader

✎ REQUEST: I love you for your fluffs, literally marry me, I don't really know if it's a dark cw but can you make fluff about hybrid!reader and like an owner Leon but in a sweet way? We warm up to his, just a little slowburn if you squint. Pls pls pls psklsplfpd<3333

✎ synopsis: his mission to alcatraz took way too long for his liking. he couldn't wait to come back to see you - to walk in seeing you all teary eyed, he had to make this reunion perfect.

✎ notes: thank you so much for the request and sorry for taking so long to do it! i hope you like it :) also this isn't proofread so i'm sorry if there are any mistakes! this is so short ffs

➤ WC: 1.3K

➤ CW: kisses, cuddles, basically all fluff, owner leon, reader is sensitive, very sweet tho, baking (kinda)

You didn't understand why Leon was taking so long to come back from wherever he went. He never could tell you what he was doing but he always said it was top secret! No fair. Although you weren't his for that long, you seemed to warm up to him well. Well, at least you thought you did.

Days went by with a simple message from Leon, pinging your phone just to alert you that he was still breathing but it wasn't enough. He brought out a side of you that you thought wasn't even real. The shelter he got you from discarded you away, made you feel inferior to the other hybrids that were accommodated there. With Leon adopting you and becoming your owner, the level of clinginess shot through the roof. Every step he took, you would take it too. If he was making a coffee, you would stare at him with pleading eyes. How come he was paying more attention to that damn coffee machine instead of you?

So now that your irregular but regular routine was disrupted due to his departure. It felt like step one all over again. You would have to slowly warm up to him, trust him, love him.

Leon's time over at Alcatraz was one of pure misery. His main mission being discarded due to the sheer amount of chaos occurring in the four walls that surrounded him and some people he knew long ago. Although it wasn't really a dream reunion seeing Claire or her brother Chris - alongside Jill, it was still nice seeing them all in great shape. Minus the infection but they were all still fine right?

Wrong.

Perhaps physically Leon was fine. The minor cuts and bruises he accumulated was common practice at this point. 'Unavoidable' as he would say. But this was the first mission where he would be coming home to someone. It wasn't an ordinary visit home to drink yourself to sleep like past years. His home had a new essence to it; a new being. His mental state was one of excitement and nervousness.

He left you with enough food right? Or maybe the thing he should be concerned about is your wellbeing.

It pained him that he couldn't tell you what he worked as. Bioweapons would just confuse your pretty little head and he definitely didn't want to make you panic for when he goes out to embark on such tasks.

So the footsteps he took from his car to the front door were heavy. He missed you. He missed his girl so so much. Leon promised to himself he would spoil you rotten these next few days to make up for the time lost. His fingers twitched in his jacket pocket, the smooth leather feel contrasting the calloused pads of his fingers. A slight jingle erupting from the keys as he lassoed them out.

Flicking through the multitude of keys, something caught his eye. It always caught his eye when he looked at the key circuit. A picture. A mini picture of you and him stuck in resin. Your sweet smile with his hand on your head, petting your ears softly. Leon could remember the day vividly in his mind. Your nimble fingers twitching to take the picture on his phone with giggles leaving your soft lips. A fat smile plastered Leon's lips, those blue eyes boring into the image - more or less burning it into his mind.

Snapping out of it, the front door key scratched at the lock, twisting the door open. His hands shaky; matching his breathing pattern as he took a step inside. Leon scanned the hallway, peering his eyes to try and find you somewhere near. Nope, you weren't in the kitchen, living room or downstairs bathroom. His footsteps echoed the silent house as he approached his bedroom.

The silence he once knew faded away as he heard sniffles coming from his room. A frown automatically made way to his lips as he thought about you crying. What could be wrong?

Walking in, all he could see was a fat lump under his duvet - the cover shaking every so often. Leon didn't want to alert you in your cry sesh, so all he could come up with was a hushed whisper with his hand slowly tugging the blanket.

"Sweetheart?" Oh that pet name you oh so loved. Your bunny ears twitched to the sound of his voice whilst your head popped out of the little blanket fort you had made for yourself. Blinking to try and see him properly, clumps of tears fell from your eyes landing onto the cover. Staining it with a deeper colour. No words left your lips, it was impossible to speak after seeing Leon again.

"Why are you crying sweetness?" The rough skin of his fingers wiped the tears from your wet face. All you could do was look up to him with sorry eyes. You felt almost... guilty. Here he was, comforting you and all you could do was sit there silently still moping about.

Leon wanted to know what was wrong. His pretty girl sobbing was not a sight he wanted to come home to. Especially after such a long mission. His relationship with you was more than a pet and an owner. He saw you more important than just some hybrid animal he adopted.

He would make sure you would know that too.

He managed to get you to speak even if it did take 20 minutes and a cuddle. You seemed to look a little happier in his arms - though he had a small feeling you still weren't up in your spirits. Looking down at you, your eyelashes enchanted him. The way they fluttered as you blinked whilst your head laid on his chest.

"Love?" A deep voice rumbled in your ears. Shooting your head up, you managed to smack Leon in the cheek with your fluffy ear. A giggle erupted out of you as you responded, "yeah?" Seeing him chuckle whilst giving you a heartwarming smile made you twitch in excitement. "How about we treat ourselves tonight?" Leon mumbled out, kissing your forehead.

Treat? Treat. Maybe not a treat for Leon but definitely a treat for you. Cookies! Now, yes you would make these with pure love but you wouldn't dare clean up the mass amount of flour on the countertops or on your clothes. That was Leon's treat.

Looking down into your mixing bowl, you grab the chocolate chips on the side. Leon's arms wrap around you, leaving a few pecks on your cheeks. "You're making all this mess on purpose baby, is this my punishment for going away for a long time?" He questioned, watching you mix the dough into a good consistency.

"Well... you shouldn't have left for so long!" You huff out, though your bratty behaviour isn't kept up for long when Leon tickles your sides. "Yeah?" He continues his attack on you, making you giggle and squirm under his touch."

"Stop!" The snickering word escapes your mouth as you gasp out for air. The flour is everywhere at this point. On the floor, counter and on your face.

"Look up at me." He stares down at you, awaiting for your head to turn up. Your nose twitches as you feel something touch it. Looking up at Leon and squinting at the reflection of the window - you see a dollop of wet dough on your nose.

Leon's arms around you leave your sides as he takes a step back, chuckling at the sight and snatching his phone from the countertop. Before you could say anything, a quick snap of his phone alerts your ears. "You look so silly." He laughed hysterically.

"Hey!" Your fingers paw at the pile of flour next to your bowl, without thinking - you throw it on Leon. His eyes widen and blink rapidly whilst he registers what you've done.

"Oh you're so done."

likes, comments and reblogs are appreciated! thank u for reading :)

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