A/N: hey readers, its ya girl. I swear I'm not trying to make every chapter title a memeable song, it's just what pops in my head. I'm also gonna try and stop explaining everything little thing I do and let y'all just form your own opinions :) So just enjoy the drama/jokes/sexual tension and leave a review if you'd like lol
Disclaimer: Hellboy belongs to Dark Horse Comics/Mike Mignola, I don't own anything except the AU and my OC's.
Phyrra was getting chilled. The night was so windy she couldn't spark the flames for a fire. She trembles against the mossy ground. Her new friend would be back soon. Phyrra breathed deep, concentrating on warming herself. She pulled at the earth around her, trying to shield her glow with large leaves. She didn't like using her magic at night, becoming a little beacon of light in a dark forest when she did, it was dangerous to attract much attention. The fire was easier to explain. Hopefully, the little pixie would be back soon with the necessary kindling.
Staring up at the stars. Phyrra was filled with melancholy. It had been so long since she came in contact with something that wasn't trying to kill her.
She had been alone for what felt like forever.
It was nothing really, she would like to think anyone would have saved the creature. It had been an instinct to steal her from the Trolls. She had been tracking them for days, moving her camp away from them as they drew closer. She hadn't expected them to have prisoners. To have a small battered pixie in their possessions. Trolls were simple creatures, hence why she wasn't that worried to have them in her vicinity. It also made it quite easy to rescue the pixie. Trolls were also heavy sleepers.
Naneth had told her to not fraternize with the pixies around. That learning their language would do Phyrra no good. Now that she was gone, Phyrra thought it was a sick sort of irony she had learned Fae so long ago, just to rebel. Not that she didn't enjoy the company of them. The feisty, acute little things.
Movement reflecting in the corner of Phyrra's eyes. It carried a shadow much too large to be the pixie.
Phyrra felt it before it happened. Her world turned completely dark, someone had placed something over her eyes. She cried out in surprise, it had been a long time since she had been ambushed, she was always careful. No one could be perfectly safe always.
She was restrained. Even with all her might, the bonds were too strong to break. She submitted. For the time being. Her blindness continued as she was moved.
"Very good. An elf. How lovely."
They couldn't take her. She had to stay here.
Stay. Stay.
Stay.
There was no drift between dream and reality. Phyrra was instantly awake. Jumping up on her new bed in the more modern setting of the N.Y B.P.R.D division, her mind was racing. She was dealing with a lot of stress. These dreams were occurring every night now as if her brain had been reignited. It scared her terribly, caused her many questions. What happened to her?
It wasn't her only worry.
How many people did she put in danger being here? Trevor had told her that back at HQ, nothing had come in or out of the concrete yet. That didn't mean Elias was still in there, Phyrra knew of his magic. His ability to shift and twist the world around him. Mordecai could manipulate shadows. She didn't believe for a second they were just stuck there forever. The fiends had to be plotting and planning the next move, at the B.P.R.D or already free somewhere.
Rhys had been taken into custody, was being transported to them, she knew he had to be uncomfortable, she was still glad the reports said he was coming willingly. He wasn't speaking to any of the agents, but he wasn't trying to escape either. He expected to be taken to see Phyrra again. Perhaps she could speak with Trevor, get him to understand she needed to be the one to speak to him. If she had swayed the centaur more than it seemed, which she sincerely hoped that was the case, Rhys deserved freedom just as much as she did. Now that she had the B.P.R.D behind her, she would topple Elias's whole world.
She would take everything from him.
Phyrra broke her concentration, running her hands across her sleepy face. Glancing up to Binx's silent questioning gaze.
"Good morning. What did you dream?" She had to get out of this room with her thoughts.
"Do not worry, just a silly nightmare. Let's go find everyone," Phyrra stood up, heading to her closet. Binx didn't believe her for a second but decided to not do any further questioning. The elf girl was so close to remembering, Binx was growing uneasy with every day. Was she strong enough to learn the truth all over again? Binx prayed to the Gods she was.
"I believe Alice said she would come to get you in the morning for some lessons?"
These headquarters were not underground. Quite the opposite, a high towering skyscraper with scaled open windows, it was a nice change. The sun was refreshing on Phyrra's skin as she heading out her room, observing the little ant-like human activity below. She heard her name being called. Phyrra stopped, turning around she smiled as a familiar face approached her.
"Agent Hurse, nice to see you again," The man threw his head back, laughing at her formal greeting.
"I told you to call me Jason."
"Jason." Phyrra tilted her head, "How may I help?" He looked strangely sheepish. Jason Hurse usually had an open, happy expression. He turned his eyes down and coughed.
"I just wanted to let you know. The Professor asked me to escort you around the premises, just for precautions. I won't be in your way or anything, I used to be on the secret service team a few years back. Helped out some foreign dignitaries. I have plenty of experience of being a bodyguard."
Phyrra didn't know how to respond. She appreciated Trevor's idea of protection, she couldn't say she was angry. He was right, after the disastrous reunion of her master, Phyrra knew why he had thought of this for her. Fighting the option would only make her look ungrateful, which she was anything but.
It still wasn't exactly what Phyrra wanted.
"Thank you very much, Jason. I believe you're more than qualified for the job." She smiled kindly to the man, even though internally she was displeased. It wasn't Jason's fault, nor Trevor's. It was his.
"Morning Hurse, what are you doing around here?" Alice turned around the corner, took in the sight of Phyrra and Hurse speaking and instantly became suspicious. Waking up bright and bloody early to wake up the elf girl, only for her to be already up and being accosted by Hurse. It wasn't anything personal, she just had a protective instinct for her girl. What are friends for?
"Hey, Alice. Broom asked me to watch her for a while."
"Oh, hmm... That's good." The way Alice said it told that she did not in fact, think it was 'good'. She hugged Phyrra in greeting, linking arms with the smiling girl.
"Trevor's called a meeting. Let's go, Agent." Phyrra giggled at her new title. It felt strange having a job, a purpose. The handbooks for agents were quite dense, Phyrra would have to study. She had been trying to pick those up, but it had been difficult to balance with the search for her past.
"Well, I'll be around Phyrra, like I said. Won't even know I'm here."
The girls bid him farewell and turned to leave. Once out of his sight, Alice sighed and turned to Phyrra, rolling her eyes.
"I don't think you need a bodyguard. You have Binx. You're pretty much always around one of us anyway, and now I'm not letting you out of my sight. We'll talk to the Professor,"
"It's fine, Alice." Phyrra appreciated her friend's concern, she, however, didn't understand why the medium didn't seem to trust Jason, he was a delightfully pleasant human.
Alice didn't like this at all. Hellboy would never make his move if he found out Hurse was watching her. What the hell was the Professor thinking?
They arrived in the meeting room, everyone already sitting. Trevor turned and greeted them.
"Ah, good morning ladies. Looking lovely as always."
Hellboy could agree with his father on that. The morning light did make Phyrra look lovely this morning. She always looked beautiful, it was very intimidating to be around. Not that Alice wasn't pretty or anything, she would kill him if she knew what he was thinking right now.
She breezed behind, taking the chair beside him. She murmured a soft 'good morning', smiling brightly. His mouth dried up, but he managed to smile in return. He wanted to ask her how she slept, maybe if she wanted to.. See the landmarks or something today. Hellboy liked New York. People walked down the street completely in their worlds. Plenty of dark alleys to travel through. He thinks she would like the sights.
It wasn't the time, as he found as they all focused their attention on Trevor standing in front of the communication screens. He turned from the information to the team.
"Things have been relatively quiet everywhere. We've got multiple agents, including Vasquez and S.W.A.T Team 5 in Northern Russia at the moment, I'll be hearing back from them soon." He picked up an envelope from the table, tapping it with his fingers. "The Banquet is coming up soon. This is our formal invitation."
At everyone's distressed groans, Phyrra questioned what that was exactly.
"It's called the Alumni Banquet. B.P.R.D trains some of the best and brightest agents in the field of paranormal research. The night is dedicated to them and their successes." Trevor cleared his throat in a grandiose fashion and fixed his eyes on his son, "I think it might be beneficial if we all went. As a show of good faith. I called you all here to let you know I've reserved our table."
Alice was the only one to perk up, she reached across the table and took Phyrra's hand.
"Ooo! we'll have to go into town and buy new dresses!"
Hellboy was not pleased. He hated public functions. The stares. He was too big and too burly to be placed in a delicate setting of a ballroom. Dad hadn't asked in a while that he come, he thought the old man had given up finally. He hadn't been so lucky apparently.
"That about wraps everything up. What's everyone doing today?"
"We have plans, right Phyrra?" The elf girl nodded her consent. Hellboy looked between the two new girlfriends. They had been getting real cozy recently, spending a lot of time together. He could hear them from his room sometimes, Alice liked her music loud, she had to be teaching Phyrra about human culture. He felt sorry for her.
It was also dumb, but he was kind of feeling left out, not that he wanted to do all the girly things they were sure to be doing and discussing, but he was the one suppose to be spending more time with Phyrra. Alice was supposed to be acting as his wingwoman. Not stealing her from him.
"Alright, perhaps I'll continue going through this, give you a break, eh?" Trevor sat down, reaching for the cursed thing that was plaguing the elf girl. Phyrra sighed in relief, giving her thanks to the Professor. It was a welcomed change. Alice had many talents, one among them being able to distract Phyrra.
Today she needed to do something else than pine for lost memories.
"Well, I guess that about wrap things up. Anything else, Major?" At Ben's headshake, Trevor nodded, giving a last look among his team.
"Okay, then. Dismissed."
Phyrra watched as Hellboy stood to leave the room, feeling rather stilted he didn't even say goodbye. Whatever he had in his mind, it was certainly important.
Trevor spoke up before Phyrra could give it much thought.
"So what do you ladies have planned?"
"We're gonna go to the dojo, I'm gonna show Phyrra some defence moves,"
Trevor nodded, telling them to have fun as the girls left the meeting room, chatting absently as they made their way into the training room. It was very spacious. Mats lined up along the floor, the walls reflected mirrors. Equipment Phyrra had no idea how to use was set in a little corner. Weapons seemed to be hung on the wall: Staffs and swords. Alice moved to the middle of one of the mats, rolling her neck.
"Alright girly, up you go. Ready to learn? Are you wearing what I told you to under there?" Phyrra stepped up, suddenly nervous plucking at the hem of her long dress.
"Yes, but I must admit it's quite... Tight."
"Well, you're gonna thank me once we get started.."
Alice went to say something else, but stopped short, huffing in exasperation. She turned around and yelled in a general direction:
"Split Hurse. We'll be having 'girl talk' while we do this. Not for your Christian ears." Phyrra smiled with sympathy, watching as a sheepish Jason appeared from behind a screen, she knew he was there as well. It wasn't the man's fault. She knew he wanted to be indiscreet, but with the sensitivity of her ears, it was impossible to not know he was around.
"Alright whatever you say Alice, but I will be outside." Hurse gave one last friendly nod to Phrrya before leaving.
"Perfect. Now…. Let's start."
Hellboy was bored.
He had tidied his room, that was how much there was nothing to do. He didn't feel like sitting around drinking beer another day. He was getting antsy.
He supposed he could go lift some weights or something. Pass the time before Alice and Phyrra finished whatever it was they were doing. He made the short trip to the weight room but was confused as he saw Hurse posted up outside, absentmindedly staring into space.
"Hurse, what are you doing here?" The agent's attention turned to Hellboy, he pushed off the wall and greeted the cambion.
"Oh hey, Red. The girls kicked me out. Maybe you'll have a better shot." The man was interrupted by his own stomach, growing loudly in a complaint. Jason laughed and clutched his abs, looking to Hellboy.
"Actually, while you're here, you mind if I grab some lunch? I'm starving. Thanks, man."
Hellboy's confusion wasn't lifted by Hurse's words. If anything, he became even more baffled. He could only nod slightly, staring as Hurse walked away, before turning around, a funny look on his face.
"Be careful though, Alice mentioned 'girl talk',"
Then he was gone. Well, that was super weird. Hellboy pushed the door open, picking up the sound of shuffling and Alice's voice. What were the girls doing here?
"That's better. You're strong Phyrra, use it. Quit fussing about hurting me!" Hellboy rounded the corner and stopped dead. This was their plan. Alice was serious when she promised to teach Phyrra some moves. They were currently sparring and hadn't realized he walked in.
Both women's expressions were fierce. Alice seemed to be the quicker, more experienced fighter. She gained the upper hand quickly, hooking her leg around Phyrra's, pushing her to the ground. Phyrra retaliated by rolling them. Both shot back to their feet, breathing hard with exertion.
Phyrra had her hair tied back. Hellboy had never seen her like that before and the unobstructed view of her features was more than pleasing to him. She had long hair that always provided her with a curtain to shield her delicate face. She was also dressed in workout gear, a small tank top with tight shorts.
Hellboy hadn't seen her thighs since he found her in that towel. They were larger, more supple compared to the rest of her body. Not that he was complaining.
He's known Alice since she was wearing diapers. He was trying to be a gentleman to Phyrra. He shouldn't be so aroused at this sight. However half of him was hot-blooded male, and he would be lying if he said his eyes didn't snap to the sheen of sweat on the back of Phyrra's neck. He watched as one began to roll from her scalp, down her neck, before disappearing into her shirt.
"Earth to HB! Are you reading!?" Hellboy first looked up to Phyrra's bright, amused eyes. Then to Alice trying to get his attention.
"Uh-..Hi."
"Hey HB. You come to work out?" He simply nodded, not trusting himself to speak yet. He went towards the bench but was stopped by Alice.
"You've got the perfect timing." Alice had the devilish look that said what she had in mind was not going to be good for him. "You could show her that move with the shoulders, you're better at it than I am."
The medium grabbed a towel on the side, swiping at her perspiration. "HB is great at jiu-jitsu. He'd probably be a National Champion if they had a weight class for him."
Alice wasn't wrong. Growing up, his father had told him he didn't have to be good at everything, but he had to be good at something. He liked guns, was good at shooting things trying to kill him, but target practice, skeet shooting had never been his strong point. Fencing, hell no. He dabbled in wrestling and boxing. The right hand and his overall size gave him a bit of an advantage.
Hellboy was beyond nervous as he stepped up to Phyrra. She looked at him with open curiosity, an 'I'm ready to be taught' face.
This wasn't helping his arousal at all. He could only restrain himself so much, and having the object of his recent surge of desires, standing right in front of him, sweaty and panting. It would take a saint to resist the temptation.
"I'll go slow. Try and take me down." He let humour colour his tone, she was just so incredibly tiny compared to him.
He forgot Phyrra's strength.
His breath was pushed out of him with an audible 'oof' as Phyrra rushed him. Instinct kicked in and he ducked out of her grip. He was surprised as she came back at him sooner than he anticipated. They were different fighters, he supposed. Phyrra was much smaller compared to him and used it to her advantage. Before he could blink, she was on him, applying enough pressure to make breathing difficult.
"Good?" She murmured her question to him, their closeness causing their bodies to press together. They were so close, he could feel their breath mingling, breathe in her heady scent. Hellboy felt himself starting to warm up as he struggled in the hold.
Focus
"Y-yeah. Then you can wrap your arms around my neck, or a seatbelt hold is effective."
"Seatbelt?"
"Like what you put on in the car. Grip your hands together like this," Hellboy adjusted her fingers, showing her the proper way. Trying not to think about their bodies touching. Her arms came around in the new hold, experimenting with different grips. Her fingertips just touched, she wasn't long enough to link them in his back, but it was placing them chest to chest.
Phyrra had thick thighs, but her breasts were small. As the two of them grappled for the upper hand, the movement caused them to jiggle freely. She wasn't wearing a bra. Of course, she wasn't, that was his luck.
Logistically, he could likely fit his whole mouth around one of them. Distracted, he didn't notice as she went around him, kicking his knees out from under him. She used the new knowledge to pin his arms, immobilizing him into the ground. She used whatever weight she had to lay against him.
He wanted to kiss her so badly. The grappling had made his blood pump, and boy was it racing through his body. She had such plump looking lips, they were dusty pink and he deliriously wondered if her nipples were the same color….
"Y-yeah, like that. You've got it." The two broke their hold. More accurately, Hellboy broke the hold. Standing, he kept his body shifted from the gazes of the two in the room.
He had to get out of here. Now.
"Sorry guys, I forgot, I gotta-uh...Go do something,"
Alice chuckled as Phyrra's eyes followed Hellboy out. His sweating, heaving back the last thing to see. She was mean sometimes, but that was great to watch. If she didn't love these two like family, she'd be super turned on… Maybe she still was a tiny bit.
"What's so funny?"
"You are. Are you gonna finally admit it?" Alice threw the second water to Phyrra, who caught it. She placed the cool bottle to the back of her sweltering neck, before taking a drink.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"You like him." Phyrra had the unfortunate timing of taking another drink as Alice spoke these words. Phyrra spits up half the water, choking on the rest. She gasped for air as Alice ran up, pounding on her back to help. She caught her breath and wielded towards her friend.
"Alice! Don't speak so loud!"
"Go on. Deny it, I know you can't. You're a shit liar." Alice loved to take the piss, but it was all in good nature. No one wanted the two to get together more than Alice. Her plan was coming together perfectly. She was the one to suggest to Trevor that it would be a great idea of everyone went to the Banquet.
It was like a perfect setting for their own Cinderella story.
"That's why you're always smiling extra hard around him." Alice didn't want to scare Phyrra. But Hellboy knew about his feelings. It was time for Phyrra to realize hers.
"And you kissed him in the chopper. None of the rest of us get kissed for saving you."
Phyrra opened her mouth, but couldn't think of a response, she was struck silent.
Was that it? Did she have feelings for Hellboy? The idea of it was scary, Phyrra didn't know enough of her past to know if she had felt like this before.
Maybe she had been married. Maybe she still was.
"You've got to seduce him, silly git!" Alice laughed lightly and put her hands on Phyrra's shoulders, a comic mocking of a passionate embrace, "just wait till he least suspects it, and snog the life out of him."
"I couldn't possibly Alice. Hellboy means a lot to me, he saved me, has taught me so much, you all have." Phyrra suddenly felt a wave of emotions, tears flooding her eyes as Phyrra looked at the human girl holding her, one who she now called a true friend. The last weeks finally catching up with her, making her realize how long she has been more than just a pet.
"Aw come here, love." Alice scooped the elf girl into a firm hug.
"You have a whole new life, Phyrra. I'm your new B.F.F, sorry Binx. I think you and Hellboy would be the cutest couple, why not give it a shot?" Phyrra simply tilted her head, choosing which part to actually listen to.
"What does B.F.F mean?" Alice cackled and was about to explain before Ben burst onto the scene, looking rather out of sorts.
"Here you are! I've been bloody looking everywhere for you two. The Professor found something in that book!"
The three of them all but ran into the meeting room, where Hellboy and Trevor stood hunched over the book. Trevor held the book out to Phyrra, who took it, waiting to be told what she was looking at.
"It's a map. It's of the earth I'm sure and look at this." Her fingers ran across the worn page, tapping at the chicken scratch that was the writing.
"Its numbered so that the last one ends in New Guinea. And this. Signed by Harrison Dawning. A late 16th-century explorer, he specialized in the migration paths of various creatures. Mostly those who dwelled in green spaces."
Phyrra was quiet. It made sense. The dreams of being outdoors. Nórë-o i taurë. She read the man's words:
The people of the forest are alluding me. Secretive little things. They seem to make their homes wherever vegetation is abundant and human life is scarce. I have attempted to make contact, but they keep to their customs and do not trust humans. They call me Firen, I have yet to find out if it is an endearment or an insult. I have only spoken to a few of them, they are reserved creatures. I have been asking about their markings. Since the night I witnessed the ceremony, it has been on my mind. What caused the glow? What did it do? I can only hope the ones I'm speaking to can continue to visit.
"I believe he might have been charting your people. Shall we go and see what we can find out?"
She took a deep breath and steeled her resolve.
"That is a good plan. Let us go."
This was it. For better or worse, this is what she had waited for.
Translations:
Naneth- Mother
Firen- Human
