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stepintomyworld · 22 hours

Note

Hey there I just wanted to request a Mina x reader where Mina figures out that reader it really scared of thunderstorms and how she would go about conforming reader. I’ve always been really afraid of them and there’s been a ton of them in my area recently. Please feel free to ignore this if you’re busy. Thank you so much :)

Wilhemina Venable x Reader- Safe and Sound

A/N: I am so sorry this took so long 🫶🏻 this request is literally perfect, thank you so much for sending it.

warnings: mention of thunder storms, anxiety, mild panic attack, bit of angst, fluff

word count: 4.5k

taglist:

@lunaticwhittaker, @billiebeanhoward, @lanawinters-ily, @kenzbro, @minaslittleone, @httpfiftyshadesofgay, @whitelotus00, @ninaahs, @vintagepaulson, @isle-of-earle, @paulsonsratched, @stepintomyworld, @grilledcheeseandguavajelly, @lucyintheskywithxanax, @fanfics4world, @mymiraclewitch, @hazard-to-myself, @awritersometime, @ohrwurm26, @wastdstime

The clock on the wall in Wilhemina's office had ticked past midnight a little while ago, however the deadlines loomed over her shoulders, demanding her full attention. The ambient is warm, the glow from her desk lamp illuminating her office further, over her open laptop and the scattered papers on her desk. The office around her was deadly quiet, as everyone had left hours ago, including her idiot bosses who have been piling new projects and tasks on her already busy shoulders the entire week. However, her meticulous nature didn't allow any room for any details or deadlines to go missed.

Outside, the weather had taken a turn within seconds, thunder rumbled in the distance, a low growl that quickly grew louder. The redhead glances up from her screen, her eyes narrowing as she notices the first flicker of lighting through the tall windows of her office. She could tell a storm was approaching, and with it, a sense of urgency gnaws at her focus. She straightens her spine, her back aching from the long hours at the office. A particularly bright flash of lighting lights up the room, followed almost immediately by a loud crack of thunder. For a moment her concentration wavers, as she finally glances at the time, realising she had stayed much longer than intended and unfortunately much longer than she had promised you. Guilt instantly gnaws at her insides, as she glances at her phone, realising the missed text from you two hours ago. ,,Hi Mina, when are you coming home?'' it reads and her eyes close for a moment, feeling terrible for how much she had been away this week.

Her fingers hover over the keyboard again, the screen in front of her filled with data and notes that needed her approval. The redhead finishes the sentence she had been typing before the thunder got her attention, before saving her work. She knows she couldn't call it a day yet with the projects piling up, however she also knew that she had to get back to work within the next five hours, knowing the lack of sleep was going to catch up with her eventually. And the Wilhemina from several months ago, would have easily stayed in the office until the next day, always having a set of clean clothes stacked somewhere, but since meeting you, she had learnt that she needed to take breaks and look after herself.

However, as she closes her computer, reaching for her things before heading into the parking garage, her main focus was you and how you had probably waited with dinner for her, how she had sent you another text explaining it would be a long one. How you would either sit on the sofa with a book, trying hard to keep your eyes open or how you would have fallen asleep in her armchair, snuggling up to one of her knitted blankets. As the redhead begins her drive towards home, her thoughts are filled with you and whether she was doing this any justice. Wilhemina had never been one to commit and it took her a long time to agree to this, to enter a relationship with you, despite her heart undeniably fluttering and beating for and because of you.

She had doubted though, whether she could do this any justice with her demanding career and despite you equally working and caring about your own career, the two of you had very different working hours, you often finishing hours before the redhead and leaving much later most of the days. It worked fine in the beginning, Wilhemina often making sure to take Wednesday afternoons off as they were also yours and you would spent the day together. She would always take the weekends off and if her bosses called, she would remind them of her already illegal amount of over-hours. But lately she had been slipping, getting so used to having you in her home and her life that she slipped right back into her old habits and routines.

Her thoughts are interrupted as she finally pushes the front door open, and as she steps inside, she finds the usual scene in the kitchen and dining room. The apartment was neat and tidy, blankets and pillows neatly folded on the sofa, the clean washing piled neatly in a basket. A meal was waiting for her on the dining table, as well as some water and her nighttime medication and she knew if she was to step in the bathroom, there would be her pyjamas waiting for her as you always did in order to prepare for her arrival. Opening the fridge, to put the food inside as she didn't feel hungry anymore considering the time, she finds a lunchbox ready for the following day with a note. As she picks up the note, her heart breaks a little reading the words ,,Have a good day, remember to take care of yourself- love Y/N''.

Her heart breaks a little in her chest for how thoughtful you are and if it wasn't for the thunderstorm and lighting rippling through the apartment, the storm quite literally having followed her home, she would have probably stared at the note for an eternity, another reminder that she truly didn't deserve you and all of your kindness. Her eyebrows furrow with concern as she realises you aren't in your usual spot and she worries then, never once having found you in bed before when she returned, many times this being after midnight or even later than today. Before stepping into the bathroom, to wash away the worries and stress from work, she peaks her head inside the bedroom, finding no sign of you either and this is when the concern settles on her features, causing for her grip on her cane to tighten.

She checks the bathroom and her office, and after finding no sign of you either, she steps into the bedroom once again, turning on the lights, only to see your shape underneath the blanket. A sigh escapes her lips with relief before she disappears into the bathroom for a moment, quickly finishing before joining you in bed. As she lifts the covers, she finds you asleep already, however to her surprise you are wearing some headphones and with a smile and gentle hands, she slips them off you, setting them aside on your night table next to your phone. After settling into the space next to you, she finds herself relaxing a little, despite her back pain getting the better of her, another reminder she really needed to take it easier with work. After getting into a comfortable position, her arm wraps around you before she closes her eyes, eventually after some more thinking, sleep finally catching up with the hard working woman.

It's about 4am when you wake next, having eventually fallen asleep the night prior, only due to your headphones drawing away the noises from thunder and the blanket over your head shutting out lightening. A loud bang ripples through your bedroom and as your eyes shoot open, you realise that the storm was either back or had never left in the first place. With shaky hands you reach for your phone, quickly opening the weather app and checking the prognosis, only to realise the entire week was pretty much filled with rain and storms and your heart beats a little faster as you had always hated thunderstorms, ever since being a child. Despite Wilhemina's arm still wrapped around you, you feel uneasy, glad to have her beside you but also knowing she was due to get up within the next hour and leave you again and as this was your day off, it only seems to make the whole thing worse.

For a while you debate whether to get up and make Wilhemina some breakfast, despite her never eating breakfast at home as it was too early but you desperately wanting to see her and spend some time with her, having missed her this week due to her busy schedule. However, the fear keeps you in bed, almost clutching onto your girlfriend as you watch over her sleeping form. And despite the soft snores escaping her and watching her chest rise and fall slowly, seeing her asleep being the most adorable thing, you still can't seem to relax, let alone find some more asleep as the storm keeps terrorising you, each bright lighting causing for you to flinch, each thunder causing for your heart rate to increase. You had debated whether to wake your Mina, tell her about your fear but at the same time you knew how busy she had been lately and you felt like you couldn't bother her with something silly as this, especially given the burden she lived with each day and her own troubles on her tired shoulders.

It's about an hour later when Wilhemina's alarm begins blaring through the bedroom and despite the gentle tone of the ringing that she had chosen, never putting the volume all the way up as she never wanted to wake you, she feels you shivering and shaking beside her. ,,Little one?'' she whispers, her voice still hoarse form sleep as she turns to you. Despite your eyes being closed as you had drifted back to sleep a while ago, the storm still has left you shivering and shaking even in your sleep. The redhead brushes it off as a nightmare, after turning her alarm off, quickly finding you relaxing and before she rises from bed, she presses a gentle kiss to your forehead before whispering ,,I love you little one''. Before the redhead leaves home, after collecting her things, including the lunch box you had made for her, she checks on you one more time, finding you asleep safe and sound before leaving for work, wishing for nothing more than to stay with you a little longer and hold you close as she had missed you.

It's about lunchtime when the sound of your phone startles you. So far you hadn't moved, despite knowing you had things to do, should have a shower, needing to do some errands but the fear of the storm had paralysed you, causing you to not want to move and go out there where it would be so much louder, so much scarier than hidden underneath the blankets. As you reach for your phone, still hidden underneath the covers of safety, you glance at the screen, finding both your girlfriends name and photo due to an incoming call. You quickly answer it, as Wilhemina wasn't one to usually call unannounced but then again you hadn't looked at your phone all day either, unaware that she had texted you a couple of times throughout her busy day already. ,,Hi Mina'' you say, trying to muster up your best self and hide your voice still hoarse from a mixture of fear and sleep. ,,Hello little one'' she speaks softly before asking ,,Are you alright?'' and you could hear the concern in her voice through the speaker.

,,Fine Mina'' you lie, not wanting to add anything to her busy plate. ,,What have you been up to today? I texted you'' she explains and you feel bad immediately before seeing the texts of her trying to check in with you hours ago. ,,Just doing some errands'' you lie, not wanting her to know that you hadn't done much other than waste away today while she had probably moved mountains at work already. ,,Are you stopping by the pharmacy by chance?'' she asks and you could hear that she was tense from the sound of her voice. ,,I can yeah, is something wrong?'' you ask, concern instantly filling your features. ,,Fine darling, I just have a prescription that needs picking up and I'm not sure if I can make it today'' she announces with a sigh and instantly your heart sinks as you knew this meant she wouldn't be home early again tonight. ,,Sure Mina, no problem'' you announce before you hear her work phone beginning to ring. ,,I'm sorry little one, I gotta go'' she announces with a sigh and you mumble a quick ,,I love you Mina'' before ending the call.

Despite everything, you manage to get yourself dressed and showered, reaching for your things before leaving the house. At first everything worked fine, you managed to pick up your girlfriends medication, along with some ingredients for dinner. It's not until you walk out of the store when the storm begins emerging again, causing you to get caught in the midst of rain and the loud roaring from the approaching storm. With shaky legs you run towards the car, quickly abandoning all your things in the trunk before getting inside, your chest rising and falling quickly as panic begins to settle inside your chest and bones. You hated this, especially driving in storms and for a moment you debate whether to simply stay in the parking lot, waiting for the storm to pass. However, as you check your old friend the weather app again you quickly realise you'd have to stay in your car for days and after a while you begin driving, blasting the music loudly to draw out the noises from outside, before eventually making it home safe and sound, other than getting soaked a little.

Wilhemina had been determined to finish her deadlines and projects today in order to return home with you at an appropriate time. She had felt bad and guilty for how long she had worked this week and wanting nothing more than to actual have a conversation with you other than quick phone call and some messages. And so after working hard throughout the day, she had managed to finish everything that her bosses had piled up on her, planning to surprise you as she never usually would be home anywhere before dinner time. However, as she had returned half an hour ago she couldn't find you or the car and it had confused her as she thought you had already finished the errands as the call was a few hours ago. Concern gnawed at her insides, which quickly vanished when the front door opened. Almost excitedly she walks towards the hallway, her cane echoing, matching the storm outside as she lays eyes upon you.

In your state you had failed to notice her car in the driveway or her coat neatly on the rack in the hallway. All you can do as soon as you step inside, is lean against the front door, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath, glad to be home but still shaken by the fear of this never ending storm. Wilhemina watches before approaching a little closer, frowning as she sees your wet state. ,,Poor darling, did you get caught in the storm?'' she speaks softly and you jump upon hearing her words, dropping the bags as your eyes shoot open, not having in the least expected her home by now. ,,Mina'' you breathe out and she chuckles a little seeing you so jumpy. ,,Sorry little one, didn't mean to scare you'' she coos, before approaching and pressing a kiss to your cheek. ,,You're soaked'' she remarks, quickly taking the bags and abandoning them on the kitchen island.

,,Why are you home?'' you ask confused before taking your shoes and coat off. ,,I-I missed you'' she states as she begins unpacking the bags. ,,I missed you too'' you admit shily before she smiles warmly at you. ,,Go and dry yourself off darling'' she instructs as she glances at your soaked state again. ,,But I need to-'' you begin to protest but your girlfriend is having none of that. ,,I've got it little one'' she reassures, knowing you were going to protest about unpacking the bags and wanting to prepare dinner. And so you do as you are told, abandoning your wet clothing in the washing before stepping into the shower quickly, drying your hair afterwards and getting into some pyjamas as you had no intention of stepping outside again today. As you return, you find that Wilhemina had already unpacked all the groceries, dinner simmering on the stove and a warm cup of tea waiting for you as she sits by the kitchen table, reading her usual newspaper. The sight causes your heart to swell as you had missed your Mina so much and feeling so grateful that she had finished early for you today.

,,Better?'' she asks softly as she sees you so comfortable in clean clothes and dried off now. ,,Yes thank you'' you admit, almost a little shy before taking a seat beside her. Wrapping your hands around the warm mug, you soak in the warmth, listening to Wilhemina tell you about work a little, the projects she had managed to finish and how she was sure her bosses would swamp her with more tomorrow for taking the afternoon off. ,,Thank you for the sweet note and lunch by the way'' she thanks you and again you find yourself blushing and shily glancing at your girlfriend. ,,Are you hungry little one, dinner should be ready any minute?'' she asks and you nod, after you had forgotten to eat all day. ,,Let me'' you offer, feeling bad that she took care of it as usually you would do these things for her. She allows it, as you grab two plates, setting it on the table neatly, before getting some water for the two of you.

With practiced ease you serve the two of you and set the plates neatly on the table. Before sitting down, you realise that you had forgotten to get cutlery and so you quickly walk over to the draws. Your heart seems to stop as another loud thunder ripples through the apartment, causing you to drop the cutlery in fear. Wilhemina's head snaps towards you, watching you stand frozen for a moment. ,,Oh dear, you're quite jumpy today'' she remarks before you snap out of it and pick it up, wiping it before returning to the table. You try to begin eating, focus on the meal before Wilhemina watches you a little closer, her eyebrows knitted. ,,Are you okay little one?'' she asks, her voice tinged with concern and you quickly nod, trying to muster up your best smile.

As the meal progresses, Wilhemina keeps a close eye on you and she can't help but notice how fidgety you are, your leg bounding up and down underneath the table, a habit she hated and one you never usually show. How you barely touch your food and mostly push it from one side of your plate to the other, how you seem both anxious and lost in your thoughts. ,,Little one?'' she tries softly but she doesn't get a response as you stare into nothingness, the sound of thunder still grumbling in the distance, the lightening having passed by now. It concerns her further as she doesn't get a response and so she tries again, a little firmer this time ,,Y/N''. This time she manages to shake you from your thoughts, causing your whole body to tense as your scared eyes meet her concerned brown ones. ,,Whatever is the matter little one?'' she asks, the concern now evident in her voice, as well as a tone of impatience as she didn't like you keeping things from her, she didn't like watching you suffer and not being able to help.

,,Sorry'' you quickly apologise, trying to focus on your meal and focus on the presence of your girlfriend. ,,What were you saying?'' you ask, pretending like the last five minutes of you blanking out didn't happen. Wilhemina accepts it, brushing it off for now as you clearly didn't want this adressed, before continuing the conversation from before, you actually concentrating this time and engaging with her, almost forgetting about the storm in the distance. After dinner, Wilhemina watches carefully as you clean the dishes, you having insisted on doing them, and after stepping out of the bath and walking back into the living room, she seems to figure it out. The way that you jumped yet again but this time in connection to the storm outside. Suddenly it all makes sense, you hiding underneath the covers the night prior, how jumpy you had been, how scared you had seemed. And for a moment her heart shatters, realising how many storms there had been in your area this week and how she mostly wasn't there for any of it.

Your girlfriend feels the urge to simply hold you close to her chest, to tell you that it's okay but something holds her back. Wilhemina was many things but definitely not one to simply approach you and talk to you about this. After cleaning the dishes, you smile at her, excusing yourself to the bathroom for a moment and the redhead uses this as her chance, quickly fetching some things before sitting down on the sofa. As you return, you find the apartment mostly dark, the only light source the soft glow from the lamp in the corner, as well as a candle on the sofa table. As you step into the room further, you find a tub of ice cream and two spoons, Wilhemina sitting on the sofa, one of her knitted blankets in the space next to her where you usually sit, your favourite movie on tv paused and ready to be turned on whenever you returned.

As you glance at Wilhemina, her eyes are filled with compassion and kindness and your eyebrows furrow in confusion, not understanding what you had done to deserve any of this. ,,Mina?'' you ask in confusion before she remains silent, simply patting the space next to her. ,,Come here'' she instructs and you walk over before she wraps you into the blanket. ,,Why didn't you tell me?'' she asks, her voice turning a little serious with her statement. Your gaze averts hers, thinking about her question and feeling bad for the state you had been in and that it must have been so bad that she had noticed. Insecurity fills you as the whole thing was ridiculous in a way and your girlfriend can tell. Her finger gently travels to your chin, turning it slightly so your eyes meet hers. ,,Tell me little one'' she encourages and you sigh before speaking.

,,I- I don't know'' you sigh, unsure how to find the right words. ,,Because it's stupid'' you mumble into yourself but your girlfriend is having none of that. ,,Hey it's not stupid'' she tells you and you can't help but scoff, the ever serious Wilhemina Venable telling you that your irrational fear of thunderstorms isn't stupid. ,,I mean it'' she tells you truthfully and then suddenly your eyes swell with tears at her kindness. The redhead frowns, seeing you so vulnerable ,,What's wrong little one?'' she asks, her features filled with concern as her hand softly wipes your tears. ,,I'm sorry, I just have always hated thunderstorms'' you admit as she listens intently. And then it kinda bursts out of you as you tell her about your fears as a child, that you had struggled to sleep this week, that you feel bad and didn't tell her because of everything she continues to do and how fearlessly she walks through life. At the later statement she can't help but chuckle sarcastically before she speaks ,,Little one'' she begins, encouraging you to meet her eyes again.

,,Just because I seem tough doesn't mean I'm not scared of things'' she admits and you knew when meeting Wilhemina at the start she would have never admitted anything like this as her walls had been up high before meeting you and remained that way with anyone but you as she trusted you fully. ,,Wait-'' you speak ,,Are you scared of storms too?'' you ask and she can't help but smirk. ,,Yes a little darling but we all have our fears'' she tells you and you can't help but notice the seriousness in her tone and the honesty in her eyes and that she means every single word. ,,And it's okay, it's not stupid or silly'' she tells you and you can't help but shush the voices in your head telling you the opposite. ,,Now come here, I have missed holding you this week'' she tells you before pulling you into her arms as you rest your head gently on her chest. The room fills with silence as your girlfriend holds you in her arms and you find yourself relaxing, the noises from outside drawing out as you listen to her steady heartbeat. ,,Thank you Mina'' you mumble into her chest. She smiles warmly at you ,,Anytime my sweet girl'' she tells you.

After a moment she looks at you before speaking again ,,Now how would you feel about some ice cream and we watch your favourite?'' and you can't help but feel excited about her offer. ,,Yeah'' you mumble shily before she reaches for the remote, starting to play your favourite movie. ,,I found a tub of your favourite'' she smiles warmly before passing you a spoon and gently leading it to your mouth. And in that moment, watching tv with your Mina and her gently feeding you with ice cream, causing you to giggle as she pretends the spoon to be an airplane, you for the first time ignore the lighting and thunder still raging outside as all you can focus on is her beautiful features, her wide smile and how your heart beats just for her, your stomach now filled with both ice cream and butterflies.

,,Little one?'' the redhead asks a few hours later, after the two of you had now long finished the movie and tub of ice cream, as you lay gently and safely in her arms. ,,Hm?'' you hum a little, feeling so comfortable and relaxed in her embrace. ,,I want you to tell me next time'' she speaks softly, despite her statement leaving no room for any arguing. ,,If something is bothering you, if something scares you, you tell me'' and you glance up to meet her brown eyes only to see the seriousness in them. ,,Okay'' you mumble, almost feeling a little shy again. ,,I want to be there for you, just like you are always there for me'' she whispers into your forehead as she presses another kiss to it. All you do is nod into her, wrapping your arms closer around her before mumbling ,,I love you'' against her body. She smiles into you ,,I love you too little one''. And despite the storm outside, you feel safe and sound in the arms of your lover and you know with your Mina by your side, you maybe wouldn't feel as scared in the future, especially not with her right by your side and in your arms.

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stepintomyworld · 2 days

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Chapter Forty-Nine: Sangria.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @mayfair-fleur @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx @notmeellaannyy @rwoolfe @golddustdykes @lovingsarah @slut-for-sarah @geinobinarie (message me to be added if interested!)

At night, Wilhemina caught herself missing the warmth of another body next to her. Floratta Blue lingered in the air only slightly, and Venable wished she could smell more of it. Fear clouded her senses before sleep could, trying to trick her, trying to scare her. Wilhemina closed her eyes and thought about Billie; about the kiss they shared just before she entered her car and drove home that evening. Nothing would change in the morning. Nothing would change in the week. Right?

And so Monday morning arrived, and with it came a very self conscious Wilhemina, whom took way more than usual to get ready for the day. Pants, sweaters, skirts…? Have I ever worn a skirt to work? Venable didn’t think so, but when choosing an outfit the purple, mid skirt was the only thing that made her comfortable enough. So the skirt it was, with a purple sweater up and tucked on the waist and purple boots to finish the look. After placing a small kiss on Purpura’s head, Wilhemina followed to Billie Dean Howard & Co., fingers drumming on the wheel and lower lip caught between pearl teeth. Would Emma already be there? Would Billie Dean already be there? Would anyone know? Well, Jenny knew. Would Jenny say something? Blushing was never an option to Venable.

When the doors of the elevador opened on the seventh floor, Wilhemina couldn’t help but gulp. She walked a little slower than usual, with her head up high as it always were and heels clacking on the marble. Everything felt different. As she entered the main office, there was no sign of anyone there yet, but Venable’s heart had picked up in speed anyways. She took a deep breath and set her things down, coat on the backrest and bag on top of the table. The air was chilly, and the Christmas decorations had already been turned on. Brown eyes watched as the lights on the small Christmas tree right in the middle of the room changed colors, contrasting with the white marble that bathed the rest of the room. I do like how these look. Perhaps Wilhemina would hang a light or two in her house… maybe Billie Dean could help? She has her own life. Venable didn’t expect them to spend every second of their lives together, after all. Hell, she didn’t even know how Billie would feel this morning. I miss her lips already. Shaking the thought off, Wilhemina walked to the kitchen in order to get herself some coffee.

Billie Dean was always hungry, that was no news, but this morning she made sure to stop at a bakery nearby and get both herself and Wilhemina a croissant. When she took the first step into the office, Billie couldn’t help but be somewhat glad she had woken up earlier than usual due to the excitement of seeing a certain someone today. When her alarm went off in the morning, Billie Dean had already been getting dressed with a warm sweater and jeans. Honey eyes lighted up softly when she saw the purple purse on top of Venable’s table. Billie looked around; there seemed to be no one else in the office but the two of them. She bit her lower lip, purse on her forearm and bag of croissants in hand. “Wilhie?” she called softly.

In the kitchen, Wilhemina had already poured two mugs of warm coffee. W and BD. She barely had time to take a first sip before the sweet voice invaded her ears. Suddenly, her heart that had only now started to calm down began to beat fast again. The corners of her lips already arched up, and her skin wanted to turn red. Venable cleared her throat. “In the kitchen,” she called back.

With a smile that nearly went from ear to ear, Billie Dean bit her lower lip and walked that way. She peeked into the kitchen and her heart skipped a beat; how was it possible that Wilhemina looked even prettier than the night before? “Hi,” she said softly. She’s wearing a skirt. Billie tried not staring.

“Hi.” Venable allowed her hips to rest against the counter before setting the mug down on it. Her cane now rested on her thigh, beside her. She looked at honey eyes. I’ve missed her.

Gosh, she’s fucking gorgeous. Billie slowly walked into the kitchen. She placed her purse and the bag of croissants on the table before making her way towards Wilhemina. As she got close to her, Billie Dean found herself nervous; should she kiss her? Would Venable be uncomfortable if she did? I prefer to be wrong for giving her affection than for making her think I don’t want to be around her. That had already happened once, and it was one too many times for Billie’s liking. With palms a little sweaty and giving time for Wilhemina to pull away if she wanted to, Billie Dean reached to caress Venable’s hips. Her thumbs traced the rough cloth of her skirt, eyes glued on dark brown ones. Wilhemina seemed to have forgotten how to breathe, for no air seemed to get in or out of her lungs. Billie licked her lips. “Can I kiss you?” she whispered. Venable nodded and closed the gap between them right away, eyes closing as she savored the cherry she had been craving since the day before. Their kiss was slow, tender, and when they pulled away, Billie Dean felt a hand caressing her own waist back, and another cupping her cheek. She leaned against the palm. Their eyes reconnected. Billie thought she was about to melt with how deep Wilhemina stared at her. “I’ve missed you,” she said without really thinking, for thinking was hard when she had Venable’s lips so close to her own.

The words sent a shiver down Wilhemina’s body. She felt her chest engulfing in something warm, something good. “I’ve missed you, too.” She bit her lower lip, trying to stop a smile from spreading too widely on her cheeks. “You look beautiful.” I can’t feel the tobacco anymore.

“Look who’s saying,” Billie Dean teased. “With that pretty skirt.”

“Oh,” Wilhemina chuckled. Her cheeks tinted as her eyes looked away from Billie’s. I should have chosen the trousers… Her insides wanted to grow with discomfort from being noticed, but how actually uncomfortably was it? To be noticed like that, with a compliment, with loving eyes? Venable wasn’t used to that. “How are you?” She asked, trying desperately to get the focus away from herself. The hand on Billie Dean’s cheek now pulled a strand of blonde hair away from honey eyes, and then it slipped down to rest on the small of Billie’s back, lacing there with her other one. Billie Dean slightly stepped closer in order to get more comfortable. We’re in the middle of the office.

She’s shy. Billie knew she had to take it easy with compliments, but that wasn’t necessarily a natural thing for her to do; Billie Dean valued honesty, and so she was honest, too. “I’m alright, thank you. What about you?”

“Me too.” Venable struggled to keep the blush of her cheeks contained, for it wanted to jump out and crawl all over the skin of her body. I would never allow Emma to kiss me in the kitchen like that. “I’ve poured you some coffee.” Wilhemina looked over to the mug with the ‘BD’ initials on top of the counter; she wanted to pull away and grab it, hand it to Billie, but her hands seemed to fit so well on Billie Dean’s body they refused to move. Billie didn’t seem to mind; not at all, for she stood there comfortably, her own hands resting on Venable’s shoulders and caressing them.

“Thank you, darling.” Billie looked over to the mug before looking back at Wilhemina. She’s always thinking of me. With her lip between her pearl teeth again, Billie Dean stared at dark brown eyes. It feels so good to be here, with her.Her thumbs began to trace soft patterns on Venable’s cheekbones, feeling the warmth that radiated from the skin there. After a second, she spoke again. “Thank you for keeping me in mind.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that, Billie.” Wilhemina’s voice was quieter as well. She gulped, lips tingling from being just inches away from Billie Dean’s. We’re in the middle of the office, the thought slipped in again. I don’t think I care much about it right now. They were alone, after all. “I keep you in mind because you matter to me.” Shut up. You’re talking too much.

You matter to me. Billie would tattoo these words in her heart. Opening a sweet smile, she leaned to peck Venable’s lips, lingering there a little. All of the degrading voices disappeared right there and then inside Wilhemina’s mind. “You matter to me a lot,” Billie whispered, soon kissing Venable again. It was even slower this time, even more tender. Their lips met again and again in a sweet symphony, enjoying each other, savoring the touch. Until heels began to be heard from the main office. Wilhemina was the one to pull away this time, instantly reaching for her cane and standing up straight. Billie Dean got the cue and took a step back. Quick change. She would respect Venable’s ways.

“Sorry,” Wilhemina blurted out, because Billie looked a little lost and because she was not dumb. “I just—I don’t want to embarrass you. We’re at the workplace, after all.”

Embarras me? Billie Dean shook her head. It was not the time nor place to discuss that, though. “You could never embarras me,” she said instead, only to make sure Venable wouldn’t dwell on that until they could actually talk about it. “Besides… I’m the boss. It’s my workplace.” With a teasing smirk, Billie winked at Wilhemina and reached for her mug of coffee. The blush that spread all over Venable’s chest and cheeks was priceless. She let out a chuckle, taking a sip of coffee as she eyed Wilhemina. She did hate me for it back then. What a funny contrast.

Oh. Venable gulped. Again. Her legs got weak for a second, and her lower stomach turned into a puddle of something. She bit her lower lip, failing to stop it from curling up at the corners. “Indeed.” After clearing her throat, Wilhemina reached for her mug as well. I feel… a thing. The coffee didn’t feel as hot anymore.

Just as Billie Dean was about to tease Wilhemina again, chatter and more chatter filled the atmosphere. People had arrived, and so she looked at Venable and quickly leaned to peck her on the cheek. “If you’re hungry, there’s two croissants in the bag,” she whispered and pulled away.

Holding back a giggle, Wilhemina nodded. Her cheeks had grown even redder with the kiss, and she bit her lip tightly so no one would catch her grinning like an idiot. “Thank you,” she whispered back. Billie Dean nodded and took another sip of coffee, lips tugged up. The chattering began to get louder, and so dark brown eyes moved to the door; in no time, Emma and Jenny stepped inside the kitchen as they chatted about nothing at all.

“… but it’s stupid how they made it out to be ab—“ Emma stopped right in her tracks. Emerald oceans stared at Wilhemina, and then at Billie.

“Hi—hi!” Jenny blurted out as her eyes grew to the size of the Moon.

Fuck. Billie Dean felt her hands tightening the grip on her mug. She gulped. Her body suddenly craved for nicotine. “Hi.” From the corner of her eye, she saw how Venable stood up straight, head up high and free hand on her cane, holding it firmly.

Wilhemina wanted to jump on Emma and slap that stupid face of hers, but she was a woman of decency. So she decided she’d just be as far away from her as she possibly could. I can’t leave Billie Dean alone to deal with that. God only knew what Emma would say to Billie, and Venable would not forgive herself for allowing that to happen. Again. So she cleared her throat and took another sip of coffee. Silence had made itself room. Her eyes nearly pierced through Emma as she now focused on her. “Good morning,” her words were firm and collected, as cold as ice. They sent a message. Billie Dean’s body filled with goosebumps: how was it possible that Wilhemina managed to change her posture and mask her aura so swiftly?

“Good morning, Ms. Venable.” Jenny shifted her weight from one foot to another, clearly uncomfortable. Wilhemina hummed back at her.

“Good morning, Wilhemina.” Emma smiled cynically, voice raising in tone as she noticeably meant to mock her. “How is your cat?” Green eyes never once left dark brown ones.

With her knuckles turning white from squeezing the cane so much, Venable felt her molars hurting. Her jaw felt as rigid as a rock from tensing it so much. Who did Emma think she was? To mock her like that, to ask her about Purpura like that? It’s your fault. She’s mocking you and you deserve it for letting her in your life when you know you’re meant to be alone. Her heart picked up in speed. Breathing was becoming hard. “That is none of your business.” Even though her body wanted to start trembling, Wilhemina’s voice was as steady as it always were.

Uh-oh. Billie gulped. From all the things she had expected Emma to do, rub the intimacy she had had with Venable was definitely not something she had seen coming. And for her to use that tone with Wilhemina was expected even less. She eyed Venable. Her muscles are nearly exploding underneath the skin of her neck. Billie Dean feared she’d break a tooth or two. I want to hold her hand. It was not the place nor the time to do so. “Jenny, do you have the pictures you told me about?” She quickly said before Emma could try and answer to Wilhemina.

“Y-yes. It’s in your e-mail.”

“Perfect.” Billie now turned to Emma, whom kept that stupid smirk on her face. “Emma, how is the report I asked you for going? If I remember correctly, the deadline was today.”

“Correct. And it will be on your desk by the end of the day.” Emma nodded, arms crossed and chest puffed out.

“I should go to my desk,” Venable held her mug tightly and began to make her way out of the kitchen. She needed a Valium, and she needed it now. Her mind was starting to grow hazy, and she kept forgetting to breathe.

Something’s off. Billie Dean looked at Venable, watching how she walked as stiff as a wall, nails white on the cane. She wanted to go after her, but would that be the right thing to do right now? In the workplace? With how reserved Wilhemina was? Billie felt herself a little lost. “Jenny, we should—we should get going.”

“Right.” The girl nearly jumped up, leaving the room as fast as she could. Billie Dean followed behind, leaving Emma alone in the kitchen. When the door of Billie’s office closed, Jenny instantly took a deep breath. “She’s pissed.”

“Well, yeah,” Billie chuckled weirdly. “So am I.” Granted, right now she was more worried about Wilhemina than pissed at Emma. With her lip caught between pearl teeth, she reached for her phone in her purse and took a seat. Her thumbs worked swiftly as she wrote a text to Venable: ’Are you alright? Do you need anything? Text me or come to my office if you do.’ When she looked back up, Jenny had already taken a seat as well. “The nerve of that woman…” she murmured after a second.

The girl licked her lips, nodding slowly. “Yeah… I bumped on her at the elevator, so we ended up getting to the office together.” Is she… explaining herself? “She didn’t mention anything regarding you. Or Ms. Venable.”

Setting her phone aside, Billie Dean shook her head. “There’s no need to explain why you were talking to her, Jenny,” she said softly. “The problem I have with her is between the two of us and Wilhemina.” Noticeably, Jenny relaxed a little on her chair.

“I’m your friend, though. Not Emma’s.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be cordial to her.” The last thing Billie wanted right now was for the office to become a war. “Truly, don’t worry about it. Do what feels right to you.” She reached for one of the girl’s hand, squeezing it softly.

With a small smile, Jenny gave her a nod. She squeezed Billie Dean’s hand back. “How are things with Ms. Venable?”

“They’re alright,” Billie chuckled. “Why do you call her like that?”

“That’s how she introduced herself to me, and I definitely don’t want to get scolded by her.”

Laughing a little louder, Billie Dean shook her head. “She won’t scold you.”

“You don’t know that… plus, she might be sweet to you, but she won’t open up to me like that.”

Billie hummed. She crossed her arms and smirked a little. “Are you scared of her?” Jenny’s cheeks blushed. She gasped. “You are!”

“It’s not my fault! She won’t really talk to me or show any emotions, how can I know what she’s thinking?!”

Laughing yet again, Billie Dean shook her head. “She’s harmless.” The girl hummed. “She really is… and very caring.”

“Go on…”

“Hm?”

“Go on, you owe me some details.” It was Jenny’s turn to let out a smirk.

“Don’t we have work to do?” Billie tried ignoring her own hot cheeks, but the corners of her lips kept on tugging up.

“Don’t even try.”

“Fair.” Billie Dean playfully rolled her eyes. “What do you want to know?” Her voice was a little quieter, now.

“Everything! Is she a good kisser? How’s her house? Have you two survived the weekend without sex?”

“Jenny!” Billie covered her face with her palms. The girl chuckled. “Yes, beautiful, yes.”

“What?”

“Your answers.”

“You can do better than that for the person who practically forced you to tell her how you felt.”

Groaning, Billie Dean peeked through her fingers before setting her hands back down. She bit her lower lip as she thought. “Her touches are… very gentle,” she began slowly. “Her kisses taste like wine, her house smells like lavender and so does her skin… she has a cat who’s the sweetest animal I’ve ever met, and she changes completely when she’s comfortable. She’s always making sure I’m not hungry, nor cold, nor uncomfortable… she hates my cold feet,” she chuckled, eyes far away. “And she is… well, she’s everything I thought she was. We’re both not worried about sex… we talked, got to know more of each other… watched Ratatouille,” she chuckled again. “Ordered food, slept in, spent the day in pajamas… cuddled, stared at each other… kissed a few times… and then Monday came, and we met at the kitchen before, you know...” She blinked twice, honey eyes focusing on Jenny again. The girl had a bright smile as she watched her. “Satisfied?” Billie arched an eyebrow.

“Very much so.” With her smirk growing more and more, Jenny kept on staring at Billie Dean.

“What?” Billie’s cheeks kept on getting hotter.

“Nothing,” Jenny shook her head. She let out a chuckle as she looked down and to her phone, starting to type on it. Billie Dean frowned. “I just think you’re in love,” she said after a minute.

Billie Dean hummed. I am. She reached for her own phone as well. There were no texts from Wilhemina, nor had she seen the one Billie had just sent her. I hope she’s okay. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at the girl. “Should we look at the pictures?”

“Sure.”

In the main office, Venable stared at the computer in front of her. Her hands had only now stopped shaking, and her heart was finally going back to normal. She had taken a Valium about ten minutes ago, in the bathroom. From the corner of her eye, she could see Emma on her desk, working as if everything was normal, with her hair perfectly done and makeup in place. I should have never let her in. Was it a mistake to let Billie Dean in, too? Wilhemina nibbled on the inside of her cheeks, trying desperately to focus on the excel sheet in front of her. Will Billie hurt me, too? Venable took a deep breath, eyes refusing to leave the monitor. Stop. Stop it. Billie Dean wasn’t like Emma. She hesitantly began to work on the report, using all of her inner strength to not allow her mind to slip at any dark places. It still did, from time to time, but the thoughts eventually calmed down. And then they became normal again, when the report was nearly done. She kept on working, only stopping when everything was ready to print. Reaching for her cane, Wilhemina got up. She waited for the papers to be done printing and reached for an envelope, slipping them inside before making her way to the hallway. As she had just walked past the kitchen, a voice invaded her ears.

“Wilhemina?” Emma called from behind. With a frown, Venable turned around. Oh, fuck off. “Can we talk?”

Holding back a chuckle at how utterly delirious that question was, Venable shook her head. “No, we can not.” She promptly turned back around and kept on walking towards Billie Dean’s office. A hand reached for her arm, and she instantly pulled away. “What the fuck are you doing?!” she whisper-yelled.

“I just want to talk!” Emma took a step back. “You owe me that!”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“Oh, please.” Emma had that smug look on her face again. Venable could feel her blood starting to boil already. “You were screwing me not a week ago!”

“Shut up!”

“It’s true! But now that you’re fucking the Billie Dean Howard, you can’t even talk to me?” Emma chuckled bitterly. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?” Wilhemina’s words barely managed to find their way through her teeth.

“Don’t play stupid, Wilhemina. Why did you leave me for her? Couldn’t you have the decency to tell me before doing anything?” Venable’s molars were back at hurting. Emma took a step closer, causing Wilhemina to back away. “She’s not good for you,” Emma whispered, eyes nearly piercing through Venable’s. “She’s going to use you, and then she’ll discard you. That’s what she does. She can have any thing, any time.”

“Shut up,” Wilhemina hissed out yet again.

“Do you know what she did to Terry?” Emma waited for an answer, but Venable only stared at her. “You don’t know, do you?” Green eyes kept glued on brown ones. “It started just like that… and then she was fired when Billie Dean was done playing with her. That’s what is going to happen to you, too.” Slowly, Emma reached to play with a fiery lock.

Wilhemina moved her head away. “Do not touch me.” She fought not to allow her eyes to fill with tears.

“Meet me for lunch… I’ll tell you everything.”

With her body as tense as an elastic being pulled too hard, Venable shook her head. “Leave us alone,” she growled and turned around, stopping to walk only when she reached Billie Dean’s office. Taking a deep breath, Wilhemina closed her eyes for a second; matching tears slipped down, and she quickly wiped them away. Once she opened her eyes again, Venable cleared her throat and knocked at the door, posture as neat as always. In no time, Jenny peeked out.

“Oh,” the girl quickly stepped aside. “Come on in.”

“Thank you.” With her breath a little labored again, Wilhemina stepped inside. Her eyes instantly fell on Billie; on how gorgeous she looked, sitting behind the wooden table with her eyes focused on a stack of papers on top of it. As her heels clacked on the floor, honey eyes looked up to meet her. Billie Dean opened a smile, and Venable felt her insides melting a little.

“I’ll go get some coffee.” With a wink to Billie, Jenny was quick to close the door and leave them alone.

Billie Dean couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle as she sat up straight. She doesn’t even like coffee. Her eyes went back to Wilhemina again. She looks nervous. “Hi, darling.”

Darling. Venable bit her inner cheek. “Hello.” She stepped closer, setting the envelope on the table. “The report you asked me for.”

“Perfect.” Billie Dean backed the chair away. “Come here.”With a gulp, Venable walked around the table, standing right in front of Billie. With a smile, Billie Dean got up. They stared at each other, and only now, up close, Billie realized the tiny, almost unnoticeable smears of tears on Wilhemina’s beautiful cheeks. She frowned. “You were crying…” What did that woman say to her? Instantly, she reached for Venable’s free hand and tangled their fingers together. “What happened?”

Wilhemina took a deep breath. She kept her eyes glued on honey ones, afraid to look away. “Nothing happened.” Don’t you dare.

Oh no. Billie didn’t like when Venable lifted her walls like that, for it nearly always meant something bad. “Wilhie…” Her fingers caressed the digits between them, and she could see, behind those dark brown eyes, the inner struggle going on inside Wilhemina. “Was it Emma?” It was hesitant, but Venable nodded before looking down. Billie Dean’s frown grew. “What did she do?” She’s not caressing my hand back. Billie had a feeling she already knew what Emma had done.

Good. Explain yourself, now. Wilhemina squeezed the cane a little harsher. “She just… she asked me out for lunch.” She looked at Billie Dean again. Should I trust her like that? Was it safe to let her in? Would she be another Terry? What had even happened between Billie and Terry?

“What—what did you say?” Does she regret me?

“I said no, of course.” Venable watched how Billie’s chest had begun to move a little faster. She’s nervous. Wilhemina could feel herself starting to grow overwhelmed, and Billie Dean’s fingers no longer felt right tangled in her own. As gentle as she could, Venable pulled her hand away. Billie blinked once, glancing down at their hands. The look that settled on Billie Dean’s face caused Wilhemina to feel even more disappointed in herself. I’m hurting her. But her whole body refused to allow itself to be touched, to be felt, to be noticed as something that existed in physical form. Billie only nodded, waiting for Venable to say something else, anything else. Wilhemina’s jaw was tense again. “B-Billie, what happened between you and Terry?”

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