SYNOPSIS - Mordecai x fem reader, but you're a new recruit for Marigold.

Hair fell into your face as held the small pistol up to level with your eye. The target was simple enough - a wooden board, maybe 20 meters or so away. You blew out slowly and squinted. Then you pulled the trigger.

"...Adequate." Mordecai's voice made you jump - you'd almost forgotten he was there, blended into the soft sounds of the earth playing it's daily tune.

"I hit it. Bullseye." You said, flicking your hand at the near perfect shot and grinding your heel into the dirt with frustration. Unsettled by the sound of the gunshot, birds flew screaming in the air, looking for a safer perch. It was very unlike the birdsong you woke up to each morning. It sent a cool wave of empowerment down your spine, despite Mordecai's less than encouraging comment.

"Yes, that is correct." Mordecai said, brushing a bit of dust off his sleeve, "But you are doing it wrong." You were close to startling again as Mordecai's shoulder brushed against your own. He was silent when he moved. It was unnerving.

You lowered your arm, biting your tongue to keep from saying something you shouldn't. You held out the gun. "Show me."

He did. To say the least, it was... humbling. His form was flawless. He was a like a knife through butter when he turned towards the target, his breathing slow and calculated, ears pricked, hand steady. You marveled at his grace. With subtle twitch of his paw, the crack of the bullet shot through the lemony air and Mordecai exhaled. He'd hit the center, too.

"Did you discern any difference?" He said, handing back the pistol.

"Admittedly... no." You couldn't help but feel stupid. Mordecai didn't seem to care.

"Elbows." He didn't elaborate further than that. Slinging his coat over his shoulder which has been resting on the branch of a tree, Mordecai began tramping back to the car. You quickly followed.

Mordecai had taken you out a little ways off the side of some rural road for something - you just weren't quite sure what that something was yet. It seemed to be some sort of test of your skill, but about half an hour ago, sitting frigid in the backseat as Mordecai drove you into the unknown, all you could think about was your body being dumped in the woods. It seemed like a silly imagination now, but considering who you were dealing with, it hadn't been so crazy to assume. Your heart still raced with the image of it in your mind.

Marigold was notorious for the Reapers housed within. Mordecai, you knew, was one of them.

"What was the meaning of this?" You worked up the courage to say, "Why did you bring me out here?"

Mordecai made no recognition of your question.

You plowed on. "I thought I'd already signed the contract. What was the purpose of testing me if the higher ups had already attached me as one of their puppets?"

Mordecai sighed, hands running over the steering wheel. "That was not a test."

"Oh." You sunk back into your seat. The car was going now, but the pretty view of the forest from the window was not enough to keep you satisfied.

It was silent apart from the rumble of wheels on road for a while. When the city was in sight, Mordecai said;
"You won't want to wear that tonight. A proper dress will do you good."

It was quiet again until the car pulled to a stop.

.

The dress felt like an extension of yourself. A second skin that fell upon your body and enticed those around you, a reflection of your beauty. You'd always liked dressing up - you could remember, at a young age, you'd gazed longingly at window displays, and watched with even more envy as girls your age walked laughing inside. Now that those very outfits were upon your own body, you felt lucky; and dangerously pretty.

Mordecai had said to meet in an alleyway a little ways from your target - two rum-runners from an opposing speakeasy. It felt uncouth to off another man's rivals, but something about doing it with Mordecai made the deed feel clean and refined. The killing felt less like a merciless slaughter and more like an extermination. Better, that way.

Taking a deep breath, you ventured into the alley Mordecai had described. It practically clung to you, barely having room for two persons to stand shoulder to shoulder. It was damp and dark. Dark enough to hide watchful eyes - which, you realized with a cold sensation, you were sure you could feel on you just this moment.

"Y/N, do not look so tense."

Immediately, relief flowed through your and your shoulders relaxed. It was just Mordecai.

"You mustn't sneak up on a poor girl like that. It just isn't proper."

"Oh, it's nothing you cannot handle, I'm sure. And nothing about tonight is proper."

Mordecai melted out of the shadows. Your back was pressed against one wall and his to another, so your noses brushed together and your steamed breath intertwined.

He inspected your dress. "There was a sensible woman hiding under all those thorns after all." His eyes slid over yours. You blushed.

"You're not so bad yourself." You muttered. He did clean up well, that was certain.

"Let's get this over with shall we?" said Mordecai, brandishing his gun. You thanked god that he was clueless when it came to the kinds of emotions that were so blatantly splashed on your face. You were way too obvious.

"Let's." you repeated, pulling out your own.

Your breathing immediately slowed, the pistol becoming yet another extension of yourself. Despite the near empty streets, keeping this quiet was important - raising any suspicion wouldn't bode well. Mordecai slipped past you, his tail snaking over your ankles, and nodded.

He knows you know. So, you let him lead.

He, merely a piece of the night, snuck up on the targets with ease, you following close behind. Quickly your weapons were lodged between their chins and their throats, and you lead them back to Mordecai's car. You kept them quiet without a scuffle - bags over the heads and rope around the wrists did their job well.

You watched the scenery pass by through the misty car window. A dull sense of shame settled heavily on your skin. How had you been so stupid as to let your heart be influenced by Mordecai? Only a fool would play with danger like that - not that he'd ever be interested.
You glanced up at the rear-view mirror. Mordecai stared back at you, but quickly looked away.

Eventually, the vehicle shuddered to a stop.
"Here. You can just chuck them out and end their incessant whining quick as you please." Mordecai sighed. "Well.. hm. Maybe there is an opportunity for a bit of practise."

Confused, you let Mordecai handled the captives. You watched him carefully, trying to figure out his plan before he told you himself. This time, you managed to - as your eyes adjusted to the dark, familiarity was all the clear. This was the same place Mordecai had taken you to earlier today. The wooden boards still sat waiting in the grasp of the woods.

Mordecai tied the men up on the boards. They writhed like snakes. "You ready for some target practise?" He called, returned to your side.

"Like you said - there's nothing I can't handle." You smiled at Mordecai, and he did, too, and then you both looked back and pulled your triggers.

A/N not the best but oh wellll
Also got this -

;)