Now with real Mermaids (The CaFae) 22/x
CW: Dom Abuse, violence, torture and… sexy times? WTF author?
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May 24
“Wait, the boss slept with you?” Jacob says this far too loudly.
I walk over. “We live together and nothing happened. If you ever blurt out something that loudly again about me and a partner, with guests in the room, you will be cleaning the bathrooms every shift you have. FOREVER. I will buy a toothbrush for you to use.”
“Goblins use the toilets.”
My anger fuels my answer, “And then I don’t have to pay a professional service to clean the restrooms when I can have employees, you specifically, do it, now do I?”
“Ma’am, it will never happen again, ma’am!” His military time always shows up when I remind him of Gunny. Whoever the hell that is.
I turn to my roommate, best friend, and now troublemaker.
“You, office, now.” Jackie whitens at my tone.
She is wearing a skirt that while technically is within dress code, it is doing a lot of work to make you think it isn’t. Bitch is sashaying in front of me as she goes.
We pass Mommy and Connie talking and Connie glances at us with a look of worry. I almost slam the door. I catch a glimpse of someone imagining us passionately kissing. Yeesh. I gotta stop this. Jackie looks up at me expectantly.
“We have a weird situation. I was just your shift supervisor when we became friends. I was your manager when we moved together. I now own this franchise and rent a place from a centaur with you. And I have told you about my darkest moments over ice cream.”
She nods. She looks so worried.
“I love you Jackie and I am not wanting to lose you. You are my best friend and, honestly, an amazing roommate. So, PLEASE, stop saying things that could cause me to lose my license with Corporate.”
Her face reveals total shock. Horror follows it fast. She didn’t think about something like that being possible.
“I am an owner. If they think I am having sex with a shift supervisor, I am on the chopping block, not you. Because I am in the power position. Hell, they might look at your position and think it was due to bias or bribery. Stop saying things like that here.”
“Sorry, I was just unbearably happy. He asked why and I blurted it out.” She looks upset and something I can’t place.
“Sleeping next to my snoring ass that drooled on your pillow made you happy?”
“No. Laying awake nearly the entire night next to you did. Look Pat… I need to…I need to tell you that I am in lo…”
The crash outside interrupts us. I’ll have to ask about this later. I walk out and see 2 customers beating the hell out of each other. One is a human, and he is getting in a brawling match with a hobgoblin. Not a great match up for him. Jacob doesn’t know what to do and Grace is wisely just trying to keep up with drive thru and not get involved as she would get hurt.
At about 6’ tall I am actually intimidating to some people. I go to break them up and the human doesn’t even notice me. I get pushed a bit by the hobgoblin. I feel something hit my foot. The other guy seems to finally notice me now as I continue to tell them to knock it off.
Wait, he just now noticed me? That thing hitting my foot was my charm… Shit!
The human then gets a serious face and punches me in the nose. I feel a familiar crunch. God dammit! The pain is still blinding, if familiar. That is bad enough, but he follows immediately with another to my jaw. He hits like a pro. This was a set up? And he wants me dead; I can feel it. Like the knife attack. My world goes white with pain from that uppercut, and I feel myself falling, I see his fist coming for my face as I hit my head on the corner of the table. Oh fuck!
I hear noises that can’t be human and a commotion. Multiple hands grab me and move me. There’s panic in there. I hear rage and screaming. Is that a cat hissing? And cooking? I can barely open my eyes. The pain from the light is so horrible. People yelling to get her off him. Weird, I am not on anyone. Next thing I can see is Jackie. Her face is wet from tears and blood? She is kind of blurry. She is saying something, but the pain is so much I can’t hear anything above the ringing in my ears. Opening my eyes is blinding. So much light. She holds up fingers in one hand. Why are they covered in blood? I think she wants me to say how many she is holding up on that hand. Silly thing. I mean it is obvious. I blurt out “6.” See? Obvious. The look on her face tells me I was probably wrong.
More hands. More noise. Oh hey, police lights. Cops are here. “We don’t have donuts”. I am sure they will understand. Maybe I should comp them some coffee? We do have pastry, I should offer them some. They look worried too. Is my nose that much of a mess? I can straighten it out. Just need a mirror, good as new. Done it before. I hear a loud “fuck me.” And I start trying to get a good grip so I can straighten it when like 4 sets of hands grab me and make me stop. What the hell, I can’t have my nose any more crooked. “Need to fix it, I’m already ugly enough.”
Crying. Yelling. Another commotion.
“NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!! I WILL KILL THAT FUCKER!!!”
I think someone else just got attacked. Wonder who?
Oh hey, those guys look like EMTs. Oh crap. Someone got hurt. Wonder who? Probably that guy that hit me. Oh crap. That is going to be paperwork and insurance and hey, why is one of them shining a light on my eyes one at a time? Ouch. STOP THAT!!! Oh crap. What is going on? Why is May signing like crazy? She okay? I really think she is perfect for Lemar. Oh wait.. Jackie is really angry. She is yelling at this rather good looking guy. He has kind green eyes. OH!!! “Don’t yell at him, he’s cute. Cuter than Mark. He also has free coffee. He helped me save your life. Look, she’s okay! You should date…”
I just got shushed by her!!! Wow. How brazen! She has her hands on the sides of her waist and is posed like some anime heroine that is going to beat the crap out of a bad guy. Heh, a super curvy and busty Asuka. She’s a Tsundere people, watch out!!
*“*GOD DAMMIT PAT QUIT BROADCASTING!” Jackie’s yelling at me. I hate that.
Oh shit. Sorry… sorry. That better? Heh. They won’t answer it if it is. Heheh. Whoops. Everything is so fuzzy.
The EMT finally gives up. I think he says something about us being a couple. A couple of what? Oh? A stretcher? For the hurt person! Why am I… Oh? Oh. OHHH…!!!
The hurt person is me.
I’m the hurt person.
THE HURT PERSON IS ME?!?!
I’m hurt? Oh. Yea. Makes sense. Got it. Wait. Well fuck. OH CONCUSSION!!! Why didn’t I recognize this? Been 6 years, guess you forget how they feel. Also, my jaw isn’t broken but hurting too. I know the difference. That probably didn’t help. Oh*, and nose. Man, I really am a mess. I really gotta straighten…. Just grab it and…AWWWW COME ON LET ME FIX IT! Why do they always stop me? Gonna stay ugly if I can’t fix it.*
Lights. I see Jackie. She is telling me it will be alright. Of course it will. Not like this is my first time going to the ER…. Hell, not even the first time for going in an ambulance after getting my nose broken and a concussion. If I had a nickel for every time that happened, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it’s happened twice… I need a nap. Why is she crying like that while looking at me? Pity? Oh right, ugly gal with broken nose. Poor girl. I hurt her so much. I need to touch her face, let her know I think I love… a nap…Yea. I need a nap? Oh, a sedative in IV… Nap time.
More lights. Oh hey. I am laying on a bed. This looks like an ER room. See enough of them and they all look the same. Jackie looks pissed and worried. There are pictures, no, X-rays? Yep, that’s my empty noggin. On the wall. The guy in the doctor’s coat is talking with Jackie. Wow. She is really worked up. Thoughts are still a little… yea.
“Yes, she suffered a pretty bad concussion when her head hit the corner of that table after he punched her jaw. Punches like that can knock out the toughest people, so I understand why she went down that hard. Her broken nose is set now. The hit was very hard. If he had hit her a few more times we wouldn’t be here. As I said before, we found some things that are… concerning.“
Jackie seems terrified. “What’s wrong?” I listen.
“I am not sure I can tell you now that she is conscious.” Guess he noticed?
“Like hell you can’t. She’s impaired and I have medical power of attorney. We are both single women and we figured if one got hurt the other would be faster to contact than my out of state parents or her non-existent family.”
“Look, there are signs of abuse… We would like to keep her for observation for the concussion.”
I finally pipe up. “Why? Just stay hydrated, reduce screen time, no real activity for 2 days and then start light duty. Do some puzzles around the 2-day mark as well.”
The doctor looks at me. “Had a few concussions before?”
“Less than a dozen. Probably. Okay, probably not. More than enough to leave him.” He seems to get it.
Jackie inhales sharply. This is still new to her. Still fresh. It is ancient history for me.
The doctor nods. He must have seen the healed fracture lines on my jaw, skull and probably neck. I look at the x-ray. Ah, that’s what healing looks like.
“If we hadn’t had a report of it being caused by a patron that is currently in a coma in the ICU, I would have thought to report whoever was your partner. Although I don’t think it could be this young lady. And those are some old scars though. I see at least 3 jaw fractures, one that required wiring it shut to heal, yes?”
I nod. Jackie keeps trying not to sob. She fails.
“He cracked your C5. Any higher or worse could have led to paralysis. The orbital fractures were done over years… I am certain if we x-rayed your arms and chest we would see multiple fractures that are healed. And then there is also what looks like a sharp force wound that indicates the weapon went through both sides of your arm. Positioning indicates a defensive wound; he was trying to kill you.” Jackie inhales and is fighting the tears. She looks so hurt. I want to hug her.
I WILL FUCKING KILL HIM!!! HE WILL BURN AND SCREAM AND BEG ME TO PEE ON HIM TO PUT IT OUT AND I WILL PEE ON HIM AND IT WILL NOT GO OUT!!!! HE WILL BEG FOR A DEATH THAT WILL TAKE HOURS!!!
Oh boy I heard her broadcasting. Pretty sure it was her. She is seething. The doctor looks at her and gets a surprised look. I think he figured out she knew none of this.
I nod. “None of that is wrong. Wish I had you as a doc 7 years ago. Might have left before the knife. Can I go?”
He shakes his head. “I am still very worried about your pupil response.”
“You have already advised me on proper aftercare for a concussion, technically. I am using up a valuable spot for someone that truly needs it. All those wounds are more than 6 years old, from a different state, and from a person I will never see again. I got out. I wish I had someone that would have pushed like you seem to want to. Really. You noticed things 4 hospitals either didn’t bother seeing or didn’t bother trying to stop. Thank you.”
He shakes his head. He seems sad, and angry. Though that seems to ease his worries. “I am going to let you check out. There are two police officers that want your statement. They got your girlfriend’s statement already.
In unison “We aren’t dating.”
He laughs and waves as he leaves. Fucker blew that off.
Jackie gets my few things and helps me up. I ask, “What would I do without you?” I am serious.
“Get held for days to try and convince you to leave your abuser?” I look at her, puzzled. “Not joking. They were going to use any excuse they could and see if they could find who did that. I almost let them so I could go looking, but I realized I would just be driving around the south because I don’t know a thing about your past aside from Augusta Georgia within driving distance of some strip joints.” The pain in her eyes hurts me.
“Besides, I made the decision for you that you would want and was best for you. Even if I don’t want to make it.”
I love this woman.
“It okay if I lean on you to walk?”
“Can’t get enough?” Her smile is everything.
“Never can, and I don’t want to fall while talking to the cops.”
She laughs. “Let me get a wheelchair. More stable.”
My police statement is simple. “Told the customers to knock off the fight, got sucker punched, blinding pain, heard commotion. Lights, confusion, EMTs. Woke up here.”
Apparently three of the guests jumped the puncher because they thought he was going to finish me off. The “guy” he was fighting was the first to react and probably saved my life doing so.
The cops tell me that he looked pissed that I got in the way. All his anger at the other guy got directed at me suddenly.
The patrons didn’t kill him. But he will be less than happy living, that is if he ever wakes up out of the coma. I wonder who broke his neck.
The police thank me and watch me get wheeled away. I hear one whisper to the other “That redhead has blood under her nails and the perp has looooong gashes on his face that look awfully similar.”
His partner responds, “Witnesses say it was defensive because he went after the vic after she was down and then swung at the redhead when she tried to stop him. Let that one be, I heard from Simmons she told the EMT she would …” The door closes before I find out what she was going to do. Shame. Of course she got a hit in.
“What did you tell the EMTs?”
“I have power of attorney and was riding with you. They said no. I convinced them.”
I change my tone to annoyed mom, “Jackie, what did you say?”
“I would burn Manhattan down starting with their station if they tried to take you from me. The one guy looked at me and then you. Then you piped up about free coffee and him saving me and he got like an ‘AHA!’ moment and he said he” wouldn’t separate the miracle girl and her angel now that the roles of the couple are reversed,’ and he told me to get in.”
I don’t laugh. I am pretty sure she would burn the city down for me. It scares me a little. I can sometimes see the flames all around her just when she is annoyed. She would do it without a second thought.
I debate going back to work. No, probably not. But Jackie should be there. “You should be at work. I can get home on my own.” I am a little wobbly, but I can manage. I get shot down immediately.
“You might have brain damage. I called Lemar, he came in and I will cover for him the day after tomorrow. He got someone to finish your shift as well. He needs a raise. Lucky, I don’t have a shift tomorrow, so I can nurse you in bed all day. We are going home, I am sticking you in my bed, and you are resting.”
I would argue, but I really am tired and all that sounds nice. “Why your bed?”
“Because you will need lots of blankets for warmth and you sleep with like 1 sheet. You will have a space heater that might actually manage to get to sleep tonight next to you because she is exhausted. And, most importantly, my bedroom’s closer to the bathroom.”
“So, you really didn’t sleep last night?” I am gently tossed into the back of a Taxi and Jackie gives the driver our address.
“Not a wink.”
I want to ask why not, but I am going to need to be unconscious for a little bit to be able to get in the apartment. That wins out.
May 25
I wake up in bed. I am wearing my PJs and Jackie is laying next to me, asleep. She looks so innocent. The look lies. She’s wearing conservative PJs. I knew she has them. I almost chuckle. I need to pee. Disentangling myself from her takes a short bit. I stagger to the bathroom, do my business. Wash my hands. Puke. Wow, hell of a concussion. Only ever puked twice before from them. The bruises on my face are a bright purple. They also take up more than half my face. No amount of make up is covering this. I know from experience.
I clean up again and then get a pair of arms around me. She is looking up at me. “You should shower. I can start the water and get it ready for you.”
I am too exhausted to argue and just start stripping. She does so as well. I don’t quite get why until she is behind me and shivering like an idiot because 2 people in the shower is never actually sexy and always leaves someone cold. She sits me down and that is a little better for her and for me. She scrubs my back and gets me cleaned up. She then helps me out and dries me off. All business*.*
I love this feeling of being pampered.
Fresh jammies and I am stuck in bed. She leaves the room and comes back. She makes me drink a couple of glasses of water. She changes into night wear of some sort.
Why is she so good to me?
I nod off as she gets into the bed with me. She says I take care of her…
I wake up and there is a bowl of still warm soup next to me. I gratefully eat it. Stomach appears okay. The door chime rings and Jackie can be heard going to the door.
Voices. Loud. One gets closer. Oberon appears at the doorway. How the hell does he know where we live? Oh yea, he’s been here, damn I am out of it… I am wearing completely unsexy clothes. Jackie is in a black nightie that should NOT be worn in front of him. Oh lord are they going to break the bed? They would have to use my bed or kick me out of this one… He walks up and touches my head. He looks at the left side and I swear I hear a wolf snarling. His hand is shaking. I put my hand on his arm. I think I know what he is about to do. “Don’t!”
He nods. Oh good, maybe instead of killing some guy he will calm down and be a good boy and take off his shirt so I can go to sleep and have nice dreams?
He and Jackie share a look. “Did I say that out loud?” They both laugh. “Yes.”
“I ask you, Patricia Rae Wallace, for permission to assist you…”
I don’t think I can stop myself from saying yes, and I don’t want to anyway. “Sure.”
He starts unbuttoning his shirt.
I don’t get to enjoy the view before I am asleep. Concussions fucking suck.
The bed is cramped. Wait, this is a queen, Jackie’s bed, why is it… OHMYFUCKINGGOD! “OBERON WHY ARE YOU IN BED WITH ME AND JACKIE?!?!!?”
“I was tired. You were wonderful.”
“Puck is the trickster, not you. I know I didn’t do anything with you.”
He laughs. “How do you know that?”
“I am still alive and feel like I am able to walk.”
He laughs at my words. “Got me there. Alright, ladies, I think she is beyond the worst. I shall take my leave. Jackie, if you ever decide to quit, call on me soon after. Cindy complimented your skills and she was impressive herself.”
Jackie is 5 shades redder than she has any right to be. It’s hilarious and gorgeous.
“You’d be the second, maybe third one I’d call.”
He laughs gets up, puts on a thong, and walks out, shirt over his shoulder. Wait. He had to put it on… things were bad enough for me without seeing him in a banana hammock. Again. Wow. And he just put it on meaning…
“Care to explain… this?” I look at my best friend.
“Fae can heal people simply by skin-to-skin contact, remember? Titania did it for me. While he was here checking on you, I mentioned he would probably vibe with you. You did ask him to take off his shirt…” She looks over at me and the happiest smile I have ever seen on her. Oberon will do that…
“Skin to skin…?” I check. I am naked. Of course I am naked. Fucking Oberon. And now Jackie is snuggling up to me. So warm. So soft. So naked. So sweet. Wait…
“Jackie, you do not have Fae healing powers, right?”
“Not at all.”
“So why are you naked in this bed snuggling up to me?”
“Obie said it would help him. It’s warm under the covers and you are soft.” All valid. Why do I feel like there’s more to it. It’s okay, she does make me feel better. Speaking of, my head is fine. I should be in the migraine phase and still wobbly right now. I should also do some puzzles.
I grab my phone. She put it on the nightstand, sweet of her. I work in 4 hours. Hold up, I have been in and out of consciousness for 2 days. I can manage it. I pull up a sudoku and start working on it. Jackie snuggles in more, half asleep, and I have to move a hand that is brushing up where it shouldn’t. I finish the sudoku, decide I need to get moving and get up. Move another hand where it shouldn’t be. Wait, that was there for a while and I kinda… need to stop that thought.
Ugh, the air gets cold this early in the morning, even in late May. Little chilly, I stretch, hear a sigh from the bed, go to grab some clothes and get my hand smacked.
“The fuck you think you are doing?” Wow, she looks mad.
I show her my phone. “I have work in 3 hours.”
“And I have it in 2 for Lemar. The difference is that I will be going to work and you are on bed rest until further notice. I have Beth coming over in 30. She is making sure you don’t do something stupid. Lay down and rest.”
“Yes ma’am.” So sweet.
May 29
I get to work and I am greeted by May and Connie. May is signing at 300 motions a second or something insane and I cannot keep up. I sign for her to slow down because “I am sorry I am not quite this good.” She gets a look and hugs me, crying. She starts over, slowly. “The Hobgoblin is being held until you can go to Court. There is a disagreement over which Court gets to punish him.”
I stagger a little there. “Okay, I will see what I can do after work. Thanks.” My signing has gotten to the point where most consider me fluent. As I go to leave I see her sign to Connie, “Did you see her face? I feel pain looking at it.”
Connie responds with something that chills me far more. “Did you see her arm?” At that moment I realize that for the first time in ages, I am wearing short sleeves to work.
Fuck. I just came in to sign some paperwork I can’t do electronically and because I was bored working at home.
Jackie comes in for her shift and we will be going home together. I see her staring at my arm. I wonder if I have a jacket or long sleeve shirt in my office. It won’ matter, except it will remove the distraction. I can feel her winding herself up as the day goes on. Even at home I wear long sleeves. This is why.
Oberon comes in. Waves. His smile is comically happy. I have been working the drive thru to help and to avoid looks when it comes to my face. I almost went for the kitchen. When he gets in front of the counter Jackie comes and tells me he would like to talk to me specifically for a minute. Walking up I just get it over with. “Thank you.” He laugh and touches my cheek where it is still a little raw.
“I am only angry I could not stop it.” I nod. I know he is likely the reason the Summer Court is pushing to hold the Hobgoblin responsible as it would normally fall under Winter Court because it is an unseelie.
“I have to go.” He grabs my left arm and examines the scar. “This is what I wanted to speak of with you. I saw it while assisting you. I have seen such a wound on a mortal that defended themselves from an attacker with a short stabbing sword.”
I nod. “Good eye, kitchen butcher’s knife. He got kicked in the nuts and I got away, obviously.” He nods. I can feel rage boiling up all around me. I look around. Jackie and Ron are both staring at me. Jackie is still mad. I can feel Ron being sad? Angry? Why? I am just his boss. Guess he is just a good guy. Nice. But this needs to stop.
“Alright, let’s stop this little melodrama. My life is way different right now and I am not going to tell you all my tragic backstory while in the lobby of a coffee shop. Back to work, people.” I clap twice
Oberon grabs my hand. “You are truly a warrior queen. I will see you tonight?” I nod.
Posted Jul 18, 2025, 12:00 PM UTC