#riptide fic

WHEN they reach their quarters Daenys put her hand out, preventing Aemond from pushing open the door. Seeing her apprehension he cocked his head to the side, analysing her sudden change in demeanour. 

"What you said about the winter rose..."

"We do not have to go in," Aemond stated, understanding her train of thought. He would not let his uncle cease their last piece of pleasure. He would grasp it if his life depended on it. "Come," he grabbed her shoulders, caressing her arms until he interlinked their hands, pressing kisses to each one. "How ravishing." 

Sparing a look at the guards outside their quarters, he sent a nod, dismissing them. 

"My Prince," they spoke, inclining their heads "My Lady."

Not wasting time, Daenys drew Aemond for a desperate kiss, unclasping his hair in the process, letting his moon-kissed locks cascade, swarming her face. A small whimper escaped her lips when he pulled away, her pleas caused him to grip her hands, pushing them above her head. 

"Aemond," she moaned as his other hand grasped at her skirts, "How tactless, pleasuring your Lady Wife for all to see." A smirk kissed his lips as they descended onto her chest, nipping at the bust and growling into her cleavage. He wanted nothing more than to rip her bodice to shreds, but her dampening thighs called to him. Beckoned him, she lured him like a siren. She gasped at his touch, fingers crawling to where they both desired most. "How perfect, they fit me so well Husband."

He grunted, adding another finger to her core, feasting on the moans pouring from her mouth. 

"My shift, I cannot breathe with it, it suffocates me so," letting go of her hands, he tugged at the front of her shift, revealing her breasts, on display for him to see, and only him. His lips peppered over her nipples, as his pace sped up. "More... I need it, need you closer."

She cried out, uncaring of the maids scattering away at the mere sound of her debauchery. 

"Peak, Wife," he craved it, wanting her release on his fingers. His lips parted and his gaze darkened when her head tossed back against their chamber door. "That's it." Her silent cry of his name almost made him spill in his breeches. Riding the wave of pleasure, Daenys eyes fluttered as he pulled his fingers away, wanting to sample a taste of her sweetness. "Exquisite."

She flushed as he licked every last drop, before smashing his lips against hers, leaving her whining and pleading for more. 

"Our children wonder about our whereabouts, don't you think?"

"You villain," she went to reach for his jerkin. 

"When I check for monsters under our children's beds? Tis indeed shameful. Before they come to join you in our chambers, I will let you return the favour, if that is what you desire." 

She mirrored his smirk.

"Very much so."

Forcing yourself to keep the tears that threatened to spill at bay, you lost yourself in the memory of the last time you saw your boy.

The day you left for this deployment.

--

"Do you really have to go?" Your son whined into your shirt, pressing his small face against the warm fabric. Taking in the comfort it provided as his tears freely fell.

You loved your job, your teammates, and above all else making the world a better place for your mini monster. The smallest and only love of your life.

Holding back tears yourself, you rubbed his small back. Keeping him held close your body as you started the goodbye process.

The part of the job you despised.

"I know bug, but I'll be back before you know it" you whispered, silently cursing your voice for breaking. "You promise to have some drawings and stories at the ready for when I come home?" A small nod, face still pressed into your abdomen.

"Yes daddy." He only called you this when he was sick or you were facing another deployment. "We can put them on the fridge when you get home?" You saw your own eyes staring up at you, filled with excitement that was coated by tears.

"Of course! Pinky promise" you felt his small finger slot into yours, as his sobs slowly became hiccups, then small giggles as he planned his stay with Aunt Kate and Aunt Nat.

The only person related to your employment who knew of this perfect little human being. The only person who knows just how much is at stake everytime your boots hit the ground.

"They said I can bake next time I'm over. Do you think I'll be allowed to?" You smiled widely, listening to your sons hopeful plans for the next month or so while you were away.

--

"Thank you again, both of you" this was about the 15th time you've thanked the duo today for taking in your son.

"Stop thanking us, you two are family. We're happy to have him" Nat gave you a smile, watching as the little boy followed Kate into their shared home.

You had known Kate for most of your military career, you met Nat shortly after. The two becoming an irreplaceable piece of your life, being present for almost all the major events. The latest being the birth of your son, and your recruitment into Task Force 141. You always said Kate's connections helped you along in this aspect; she argued that your work spoke for itself.

"Have you thought about telling John? I'm sure he would love to meet his adoptive grandson." Nat asked, pulling you from your thoughts. It was an innocent question. To anyone on the outside looking in on your situation; it would make perfect sense to tell your team. For yourself and Kate, the reasons against mentioning him were glaringly obvious.

The more people know about him, the more likely he'll be used against me.

The walls have ears, anyone could overhear that information.

Heart stays at home, mind stays at work. No overlap.

"Maybe one day" you shrugged, giving her a small smile. "Too risky right now". She gave you a knowing look, likely the same look her wife recieved.

It will always be too risky. Live your life while you can.

You couldn't deny that it did hurt, keeping the best part of your life a secret from the family you found within your team. The guys would love their "adoptive nephew/grandson", almost as much as he would love to meet the men he hears countless stories about.

"So you're saying Uncle Gaz hung upside down like spiderman? From a helicopter?! He's so cool!!"

"Do you think Uncle Ghost would help me make a cool mask for Halloween? I want to be scary while trick or treating this year"

"Grandpa Price and Aunt Kate are best friends. Aunt Nat told me so"

"Why can't Uncle Soap help clean my room? He's good at cleaning, I'm not" You weren't entirely sure where he got this tidbit of information from. You just hoped it was based off the concept and not the real story behind the codename.

As much as it hurt to know your son may never meet the men he views as heroes; his safety comes first. Above all else.

"There will come a time when it feels right, and you're ready. Whenever that time is you know the guys will be in love with him" Kate chuckled from behind you.

--

"Hey man, you good?" You heard Gaz whisper from beside you. Noticing your obvious change in demeanor.

The video had finished, and now one of your superiors explained that there was no plan for extraction at this time -- not enough intel to make such a risky play against the enemy.

"I'm fine. Thanks for checking in" you deadpanned, brain working to formulate your own plan to save your son and the other hostages.

Working so hard in fact, that you missed the concerned looks shared between your team. As Kate pulled Price aside.

"There's a high value individual amongst the hostages. I'm not saying to break the rules, but if there's any your team can bend to get this ball rolling" she whispered, fingers running through her hair.

He was at daycare, Nat drops him off every Tuesday through Friday when she's working. She's done this for the past 2 years. He's always been safe so far. Why was this time different?

"High value individual and a bloody kid! Poor thing can't be older than 5" Price growled, furious at the fact that children were now getting involved in an adult problem.

4 actually. He's only 4

Kate thought, glancing over at you. Still staring straight ahead, with the light drained from your eyes. Now replaced with fury and pain.

--

"We aren't going to sit on our asses and wait. While they're still negotiating and planning, we have the upper hand of surprise" Price explained that morning as you walked out to the vehicle. Gear hidden in the back.

"Be safe but also be quick. I'm not sure how much time you'll have before they come to an agreement of release or a plan for inflatration" Laswell bid the team off, waiting for the guys to walk up ahead; before casting you a subtle look.

Bring our boy home.

--

"The compound has 2 main entrances, which we can expect will be heavily guarded" Price explained, pointing to the two circled points on the map. You were currently in a small, probably abandoned base, a few minutes from the compound in question.

"Ghost, Soap, you'll take the north entrance. Gaz you're with me on the West" you furrowed your brows, where were you in this op? Why the fuck weren't you going inside?

"Once inside, we sweep floor by floor until we find the hostages, working our way to the control room" You watched as your team nodded. You sat silently, stewing in confusion and frustration. Jaw locked as you attempted to relax, Price's words echoing in your head:

Need you to have a level head before we go tomorrow. Which roughly translates to: I will pull you from this op if I have to, we can't afford to have a loose canon.

Sucking in a breath, reminding yourself of what was at stake. Your career, your family in arms, him.

"And me, sir?" You asked, voice dull as you scanned the layout in front of you. Many different floors, rooms, they could be anywhere.

"You're on overwatch. Ensure they don't start moving the hostages behind our backs" You bit the inside of your cheek, reminding yourself not to react; even if that stung. You wouldn't even be going in to save him...

You heard the other 4 men start discussing their specific plans of attack. Considering your job here was to sit from a vantage point and watch the road to the compound for suspicious activity, your mind allowed itself to wander. Whispering worse case scenarios, while ripping at your heart and soul.

Would he trust the guys enough to follow them to safety?

Will they try to use him as cover? Use him as a bargaining chip to stop our attack?

Whos to say he's still there. That any of them are still here?

What if I never see him again...

You shook your head slightly, pushing the thoughts down.

Keep a level head. Stop panicking. He knows them, even if they don't know him.

--

"There's dad, gandpa Pice, uncle Ghosty, uncle Gaz, and uncle Spoap" your son giggled, pointing to everyone in the picture one by one. He was working on his pronunciation still, but was so proud that he remembered their names.

"Good job buddy. It's grandpa. Gr-ah-nd-pah" you said slowly, watching as the gears in his head started turning.

"Gruhnpa" he whispered slowly, pouting softly. "Gru....graaaaaaaanpa" he looked up at you, eyes lighting up when he saw the smile you wore.

"That's really good! Look at you go" you tickled his sides lightly, relishing in the way he squirmed and laughed.

"Gandpa! Gandpa save me" he squealed, still squirming in your lap as you continued your attack on his sides.

Only a year after you joined the 141, your son already knew these men as family. Even though he only knew them through the 1 or 2 pictures he saw and the stories you've told. It helped ease your conscious, but didn't totally relieve the sting that you wouldn't be the one saving your own son.

"Get your gear on, we leave in 15" Price commanded, causing the team to disperse. "Except you Lieutenant, a word?" You rolled your shoulders a couple times, working to relax the tension rooted in them as you walked over to your superior.

"I know you're proper mad at me, but I need you to understand one thing before we go" Price started, uncrossing his arms as he looked at you in the eye.

"You're too close to this, with someone you love inside. While you're damn good at your job, and all of us would trust you with our lives -- we can't risk sending you in. I'll keep you updated, hell I'll even let you know when we find your person if you want. But the best place for you is in that sniper nest, covering us." You sucked in a sharp breath, ignoring the tightness in your throat at his words.

"Thank you, John. I'll need to see him before I can know he's safe though" you forced a small smile, eyes closing as you were pulled into a quick hug.

"We're here with you. You're family, son. Now let's go get your person."

--

You've been doing this for years, throwing yourself into an assortment of dangerous situations. Your body growing used to the feeling of adrenaline, embracing fight or flight, surviving.

This though? This was new. Your body felt numb, your soul muted as you scanned the entrance to the compound and road leading in. No movement so far, comms were silent.

"Fuck! We have movement, heading toward the north entrance" you heard Ghost yell, advising you to be on the ready.

"Any hostages?" You inquired, shifting to get a better view of the compound. Watching, waiting to see who piles out.

"Negative for now, but that could change" Soap explained. Your heart slamming inside your ribs, you watched as a vehicle tore out of the gate. All black with tinted windows. No way to see who was inside.

Cussing loudly as your first shot missed, and the other grazed the back of the vehicle. Watching as the vehicle disappeared into a cloud of dust.

"They're gone. They fucking took off" you snapped, anger filling your body as you began shaking. Fearing the worst.

"Remain at your post, that's an order" Price's voice broke through the terrified thoughts running through your head. You felt a war rage within your concious.

One side saying obey the order, on the chance that your son was still somewhere in the compound. That they might still try to move him, and you were the last line of defense before they could capture him forever.

The other side saying your son was in the vehicle. No better bargaining piece than a child. It puts a lot of pressure on the military if Makarov decides to go public and threaten a 4 year old.

Tears stung in your eyes, as you focused on the gate to the compound. Hoping, praying, needing your son to still be in that building.

"Hostages found, lower compound. Storage room B" Price confirmed over comms, "move to my position"

Your heartrate increased as you quickly flipped your radio on.

"The kid still present?" You asked, nausea washing over you with your nerves. The seconds ticking by as silence hung over you.

Until the familiar click of comms turning back on.

"It's been hours without anything. Can you blame me?" You sighed, walking to stand directly beside him. Mind racing with all sorts of worst case scenarios. Readying yourself for bad news.

"Perfection takes time, he deserves no less" you nodded, fighting the urge to spiral deeper into your head. Knowing you needed to be as strong as you could for your son. Repairing the physical damage was the easy part, mending the mental and emotional wounds would be an uphill battle for you both.

You heard your name get called, eyes shooting up to the surgeon walking out toward you.

"Normally we meet families in the waiting room" she smiled warmly, before explaining that everything went off without a hitch and what to expect during his recovery.

He'd be admitted for a few nights for observation with a splint. They'll swap this out for a cast before he gets discharged, once some of the swelling from the operation comes down. Then some information about follow up after that you didn't catch. Hell, you didn't catch much more after she told you he was okay.

"If you'd like to see him, we can bring you in" you eagerly nodded, fighting back tears. "Would you want to come too?" She asked, gesturing to where Price stood beside you.

Would he want me there? Do you want me there? His gaze implied.

"Come on Gramps. Let's go see our boy" you chuckled softly, waving him to follow along. Feeling yourself start to shake the closer you got to the room.

"Here he is, you did amazing buddy" the surgeon greeted your son, who gave her a sleepy smile in return. "He'll likely be drowsy well into the night, but should be back to his normal self tomorrow"

You were at his side in a minute, stroking some hair out of his face as you felt tears fall. I haven't cried this much since the day you were born.

"Hi daddy. Hi gundpa" he mumbled sleepily, gazing up at you happily, before reaching his arm out in Price's direction. Who slowly walked over from his spot at the wall.

"Hi Bug" you whispered, pressing a kiss to his hair before wiping tears out of your eyes. "How you feeling?"

"Tired" he rubbed at his face, grimacing when the splint rubbed his cheek the wrong way. "Don't like it"

"It's only until your arm heals up, mate" Price commented in a soft voice, clearly shocked and honored that your son was automatically trusting of him. Something neither of you expected. "It'll be off before you know it"

"Hope so" the boy whispered, blinking hard as he fought to stay awake. "When can we go home?"

"In a few days. They want to make sure you're all better, and put a cast on your arm before we go" You explained, watching his nose scrunch up in confusion. "It's like what you have now, but harder and makes sure the bone heals straight" you clarified.

"Do they make them look cool?" Your son mumbled, slowly drifting into sleep.

"No, not really. But we can make it look really cool with markers and stuff" you smiled, watching as sleep finally overtook your son. Pressing another loving kiss to his hair, you whispered how you loved him and would be here when he woke up. While Price opted for a soft squeeze of his shoulder.

"Go home, grab some things and have a shower while he sleeps" you froze, everything inside of you arguing that you would not be leaving him alone ever again.

"You'll be gone an hour at most. I'll be here, Kate is on her way. He won't be alone" The tone left no room for ifs, ands or buts. You were going to have a shower and collect some things. "Get one of the guys to drive you, then they'll know where to go so we can watch your house"

Nodding slowly, you glanced down at your sleeping son's figure one more time. Heart aching at the thought of leaving him, despite knowing he was in hands you trusted with your own life.

"He's back now, you can breathe again" You nodded, feeling a soft shove as Price urged you out of the room.

--

As much as you hated to admit it, the feeling of the shower was almost intoxicating. The warm water beating down, working to relax the once stiff muscles. Wash the dirt, sorrow and grime off.

Hands pressed against the tile in front of you, you let your head hang forward as the water came down. Letting every emotion go, feeling your fingers curl into fists against the cool tile. You mourned the loss of his innocence. Damned every higher power and fate for letting something so horrendous happen to such a kind little boy; but thanked them for bringing him home safe in the same breath.

You began thinking of the future, the hospital would surely connect him with a therapist. Someone to help him work through the scars you wouldn't be able to see.

How long until he would feel comfortable going to the shops with you again?

When would he be comfortable with visitors in the house? Not that this particularly mattered. You would wait forever if that's what he needed.

Would he be able to attend a normal school one day?

What would you do for childcare.....would you stay in the force after this? After what happened when you weren't around to protect him?

The sound of the bathroom door closing caused you to shoot up out of the water. Now on high alert. Peeking out past the shower curtain you noticed a towel and a change of clothes (sweatpants and a plain tshirt) on the counter. Necessities you forgot to bring in with you.

Shutting the water off, you began to dry yourself. Smiling at the added warmth of the towel, wondering if they threw this in the dryer before giving it to you.

First time in my house and they all made themselves very at home. You laughed softly to yourself.

--

"Do the stars even glow anymore?" Johnny wondered out loud, leaning against the doorway to your sons room. Staring up at the stick on stars across his ceiling; making a point not to pass the threshold.

"I don't think so. Proves me right for buying the cheap ones" you laughed, explaining how from infancy your son seemed to sleep better under a sky of stars. Especially loving the nights when you sat out on the deck, him curled into your chest at night. Listening to you promise every star in the sky if that's what he wanted.

"Need to invest in more then" Kyle chuckled, walking up behind you. "So what do we need to check on while you and mini you are at the hospital?" You quickly ran through the basics of your home, before packing 2 bags. One for yourself, and the other for your son.

While you were busy packing, you missed the look your two teammates shared with smiles on their faces.

"Daddy!" You heard a squeal as you got into the gated yard. Eyes filling with tears, you saw your son. Arm wrapped in a scarf and held close to his little body, but alive.

He's alive.

"Bug!" You cried, placing your rile to the side as you kneeled in the gravel. Arms open as he crashed into you. Both sobbing as you held him as tight as humanely possible. "I've missed you so much" you pressed a firm kiss to his hair, feeling the tears flow freely as his little body shook with sobs.

"Wanna go home. Home daddy please" you carefully hoisted him onto your hip, standing up. Pulling one glove off, you wiped the tears off his face.

It was surreal, all the pain, fear, anger replaced by a floating feeling as you held your son close. Felt his small cheeks and warmth as he was here.

"Let's get out of here, Bug. Let's go home" you pressed another kiss to his forehead.

--

The ride back to base was long, the adrenaline wore off for both of you. Leaving you exhausted and your son in pain. Any movement of arm causing a new wave of cries to escape as he pressed his face into your chest. Begging you to make it stop.

"It's in rough shape, we'll have the docs on base take a look" Price explained at one point, shifting beside you to adjust the makeshift sling. Hoping to provide your son some relief.

Nobody on the team had commented on this revelation yet, which you knew you'd have some major explaining to do later.

"Is that any better, mate?" He asked your son, who shrugged his good shoulder, sniffling against your chest. "We'll be there soon, not much longer to go"

--

"No!" He squealed, grabbing at your shirt. "Daddy don't go again. Don't go" he sobbed. The xray tech was trying to bring him to get the imaging done.

"Am I allowed to go with him?" You asked, eyes pleading. Both you and your son still terrified to be apart given the recent events.

"It shouldn't be a problem" she gave you a small smile, leading the two of you to a dark room.

"Nooooo" your son whined, pressing his face into your chest. "Too dark. Don't like it". You raised an eyebrow, your son had never been scared of the dark up until now.

"It's only for a second, buddy. They're going to take some really cool pictures and make sure you're okay" you explained softly, thumb wiping the tears that fell.

You swore you felt your heart physically shatter when he screamed i'm not okay anymore!

"Can you give us a minute?" You asked the woman, who nodded and stepped into the room. Leaving you two in the quiet hallway.

Pulling your son tight to your chest, you sat in silence for a moment. Eyes squeezed shut as you pressed your face into his hair. Waiting for his sobs to quiet down before speaking.

"It was scary for me too, Bug. I don't think I'm really okay either" you whispered, "but you're back with me. I'm not letting you go for a long, long, long time." You felt his small face nuzzle deeper into your chest.

"You'll be in the dark room too?" Your son whispered, finally agreeing to have the xray done under one condition:

Daddy comes too.

--

You were sitting in his hospital room, lightly petting his hair as he dozed in and out of sleep. The doctors gave him mild sedation 10 or so minutes ago, preparing to bring him back for surgery to repair the break in his arm.

His first broken bone, and it was due to terrorists. Not falling out of a tree, or wrestling on the playground. No, fucking terrorists did this to him.

"He looks as snug as a bug in a rug" the nurse smiled, giving you a sympathetic look. "We're ready for him now" you nodded, standing up as they began wheeling the bed down the hall. Your hand still holding his small one as you made your way toward the OR doors.

"I'm sorry dad, this is as far as you can go until he's back in recovery" your heart sunk at the idea of your son being alone and surrounded by strangers again. The staff had been fantastic, and understanding of your situation. Making exceptions where they could to keep the two of you together. But this? You couldn't fathom the idea of this.

"No!" You growled, "I'm staying with him".

You already let him slip out of your grasp once. It was not happening again.

"Hey, hey, hey" you heard a calm voice from behind you, as a hand rested on your arm "that's enough. Let them work." Tears filled your eyes as you watched them roll him past the double doors marked

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY - STERILE ENVIRONMENT

"He's back now, he's safe. He's okay" you felt your body start to shake, wondering if your legs would give out. "Look at me" Price turned you, sympathy lining his features.

"We can stand outside these doors until they bring him into recovery, we can stay anywhere we're allowed. But you need to let them work. They're on our side, they're watching out for our boy"

We can...our boy

His words broke through the rough exterior, the barricades built when the future was so touch and go. Tears now freely falling, you felt yourself being pulled into a tight hug.

"You'll be alright, son. You'll be alright yet" Sobs shook your body, as you clung to the man. The emotions and fear finally catching up to you in full.

--

"I'm not old enough to be granddad you know" Price broke the silence, the two of you sitting in the same hallway. Sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Tell me that again when you get off the floor" you chuckled, feeling the salt of your dried tears on your cheeks as you smiled. It wasn't until a moment later that you realized what he meant.

"Oh, uh yeah. He found an old team photo one day, I want to say we took it 6 or 7 months after I joined. Was so curious as to who everyone was" you smiled at the memory. "I told him you were sort of like a role model, fatherly figure and he coined the nickname from there. Didn't have the heart to correct him, and with how much you've watched out for me these last couple of years it didn't feel right to" you shrugged. Lowering your head to the wall behind you.

"You're telling me I've had a grandson this entire time that you've been hiding? Dirty bugger" you snorted in surprise as the man beside you chuckled. Internally planning on how he was going to spoil the young boy once he was discharged home.

Prolouge

"Hey" you heard a voice break the silence of your room - causing you to jump and quickly slide the polaroid and drawing under a notebook on your desk. Away from wandering eyes.

"Fuck off you spooky bitch!" You laughed, hand placed against your chest as you recovered from the scare you just got from Ghost. For a man his size, he's silent on his feet.

"What can I do you for?" You watched as he chuckled at your initial reaction, eyes crinkling in a smile. Simon was never the most social person, but slowly opened up to you and the rest of the team over time. You always loved being able to break his stoic facade; and he once told you he appreciated that you upheld an authentic personality.

"I was wondering if you could take a look at one of the recon drones. Calibration seems way off and I can't figure it out" He shrugged, probably ready to throw the damn thing at a wall by now.

"Do you have time now? I can come take a look and see what I can do" you offered, standing from your chair and following the man down the hall.

The two of you were stopped halfway by Price and Laswell.

"Sorry boys, emergency meeting. There's been a situation." Laswell explained, as you turned to follow her. "Mass hostage situation, multiple teams are being involved with this one. They believe it may be tied to Makarov and the alliances he's building globally"

You felt a hand on your arm, followed by a soft request to wait as Ghost and Price entered the room. Allowing yourself to be pulled to the side, you felt your heart sink at the empathetic look you were given.

"Before you go in, I need to tell you" Kate started, causing the adrenaline in your body to spike. You felt your hands shake, your heart threatening to pound out of your chest as you waited for her to continue.

"One of the hostages is your son" you felt your stomach turn, and bile rise in your throat as you dove to the nearest garbage can. Heaving up everything from inside of you, small tears streaking down your reddened face.

No. Nonononononono.