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hardcandycigarette · 1 year

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Lady and The Scamp Part Two

Well, Harry is doing quite well working for Y/N, but he's got the hots for his boss. Uh-oh. A/U set in 1925.

Word Count- 2k

Warnings- Smut (masturbation)

It had been a good day, Harry reflected as he helped Y/N clean the restaurant after closing. In the afternoon there was no rush to open for customers, no sleep clouding his thoughts like first thing in the morning; just the two of them- tired but satisfied with another successful day. They shared laughs and stories. He couldn't help but feel a connection to her. He wanted to share more with her, to get to know her better. It was nice to have someone to talk to after the restaurant emptied. It made the dreaded end of the day easier to accept. It was his favorite part of any day. Y/N had an infectious laugh that echoed in his ears long after they went their separate ways.

He resigned himself to never having a chance with her. He had to be content with the moments they shared, and nothing more. He felt his heart sink at the thought. He walked across the dining room. He needed space between them. His leg hurt today, which always made his limp worse. He hoped she didn't notice. He knew that someone as beautiful and smart as Y/N would never be interested in a man like him. He was painfully aware of his shortcomings, and he was sure that she would never look twice at someone with a limp or a man who had nothing to offer but kind words.

"Say Harry," Y/N called from across the room.

"Yes."

"Can you come here for a moment?" Y/N asked.

Harry nodded and walked towards her. "How can I help?" he asked.

"I've been thinking. This place is getting busier. It's to the point I'm gonna need to bring in some more help. What do you think if I hired a gal to help?"

"Sure." Harry nodded. "Whatever you think is best. I trust yeh judgment."

The word had spread that Harry was one hell of a cook with delicious recipes, some new to patrons. He was proud of the impact he had made with his cooking and wanted to continue to make more people happy with his recipes. Maybe he'd found the kind of job he could do the rest of his life, maybe get a job at a fancy hotel someday.

"I could train her up in no time and she could help out with the lunch rush. Plus, it would free up some of my time so I can focus more on the kitchen side of things."

"Are you not pleased with the way I've been doin 'thin's in the kitchen?"

"Oh, heaven's no doll. In fact, it's because you've been so wonderful that I think you need an extra pair of hands in there. Nothing more." She took his face in her hand. "You're wonderful." Her gaze lasted longer than normal. "What do you say?"

He smiled at her, relieved. "Yes, I think that'd be great." And he certainly wasn't going to argue if it meant more time with Y/N.

She stepped back and nodded approvingly. "I'm glad you agree. I'll find someone who can come help out."

Harry agreed. "Sure. Yes."

"Okay, then that's settled."

Harry grabbed a broom and began sweeping. He hummed a tune as he worked. Harry once again in his own little world. He'd found life easier if he kept to himself.

"Say that's a pretty little song. Where did you hear it?"

Harry shrugged, shy at the thought that Y/N heard him. "Oh, just somethin' I made up in my head."

"Really? Well, it's really nice. Does it have words?"

"Yeah, yeah it does, but I don't sing 'em or anythin'."

"Why on earth not? If I say anything it's that people should share things they create."

"Haven' ever had anyone wanna listen." Harry walked back to the front of the restaurant, closer to Y/N.

"You should share it anyway," Y/N replied. "You never know who might be listening."

Harry smiled as leaned on the counter. "Thanks."

Y/N gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and said, "You never know, it might be just the thing someone needs to hear today." She picked up some items from the counter and walked to the kitchen.

Harry nodded again and smiled.

"Go ahead. I'm listening," Y/N called over her shoulder.

Harry remained silent.

She returned to him and leaned on the counter before lighting a cigarette. He looked away from her, She exhaled a cloud of smoke, watching him carefully. He shifted uncomfortably, his gaze still averted. "Go on."

"Nah I couldn'."

"Harry, I want to hear the song. You don't have to sing the whole thing, just a few lines."

He cleared his throat and looked at the ground. "Okay ready?"

"Yes." Y/N smiled and nodded. "Go ahead, baby."

His heart skipped a beat when she said 'baby'.

He cleared his throat again. "Okay. Sunflower" His voice cracked. He looked away as he gripped the broom still in his hand.

Sunflower

My eyes, want you more than a melody

Let me inside

Wish I could get to know you

Sunflowers

Sometimes

Keep it sweet in your memory

I was just tongue-tied

He moved his fingers, playing with a ring his father had left him when he died. His eyes remained focused on the ground, his face growing hot. He remembered his father's words of encouragement, that he could do anything he set his mind to, always encouraging him. He wondered what advice he would give him about Y/N.

I don't wanna make you feel bad

But I've been trying hard not to talk to you

Sunflower (Sunflower, sunflower)

"That's really pretty. Who's the girl? The sunflower?"

"Dunno." He wasn't ready to say "You. You. Y/N."

"Oh, you know. You don't say words like to no one. Well, whoever she is she's really lucky. That's so romantic. My John wrote me a little poem one time and I thought he hung the moon, but a whole song? Well, that's a lucky girl"

"Thank you. Think I'm gonna go lie down. Legs bothering me," he said, then dropped the broom and dashed off.

"Oh okay. Well, rest well. See you in the morning." She watched him go, a little smile on her lips. She thought of the girl who had inspired him to write that song. Whoever she was, she was special indeed.

"Thanks." He hurried to the rear of the building and upstairs to his little place.

It was unlike him to hurry off before Y/N gave him the go-ahead, but she didn't question him. She sighed, wondering if she would ever have someone who felt that way about her deeply enough to write a song. She returned to her work, with her heart heavier than before.

Later that night

Harry sat down on the edge of the bed and grabbed his glasses. As the last moments of sunlight filtered through the curtains, he took a deep breath and smiled, grateful that he had a job, a comfortable place to sleep, and was making friends in addition to some money in the bank. He was content with his life and felt on the right path.

In the tiny apartment above the restaurant, electricity was not always reliable, especially at night, so he usually relied on candles and lanterns. But he never complained. He was grateful for what he had and determined to make the most of it. He was confident that his hard work and dedication would eventually lead to a better future.

With the lantern alight, he grabbed his book and read. He'd been excited since the librarian brought him a copy of A Passage To India. Despite not being particularly intellectual, Harry enjoyed reading and had heard some people, especially those with higher education levels, discuss the book. By page five, Harry had lost focus. His thoughts drifted to the other books he had. He placed the book on the nightstand and stood, then walked to his closet. On the top shelf, in a small leather satchel was reading material he shouldn't even own. He removed the worn pages and returned to his bed. He was soon lost in an entirely different world. It was full of filthy, pornographic words. Women with women, two women with one man at the same time. Cunts, cocks, and sex abounded on the pages. Things Harry could barely imagine happening were happening in this book. The craving was too overwhelming to deny. He quickly turned the page, wanting more of this forbidden world. His heart raced as he read the words, feeling a strange thrill as he imagined himself in the scenes he was reading. He quickly closed the book, realizing he had gone too far, but feeling strangely liberated by the experience.

He placed the book on the ground after the lantern was out, and he crawled under the covers. While praying for forgiveness for the sin he just committed, but he kept picturing the scenes in the book. As the words and images repeated in his head, the longing grew.

Harry touched the erection that was slowly growing in his cotton underwear. He felt a surge of excitement as his fingers massaged the throbbing length of his arousal. He had to move the garment down from his hips until his engorged cock was finally free. He gripped the base, then began to stroke himself, feeling the heat and stiffness beneath his smooth skin. After spitting into his hand, he returned to his needy, ever-growing erection. His hand wasn't wet enough to bring the pleasure a woman's soft, warm walls could, but for now, it was all he had. He closed his eyes and imagined what it would be like to be touched by someone else. In the past, his thoughts were always about a girl back home or a former lover. Now, his thoughts were focused on Y/N. She was beautiful, with her plump bottom, small waist, and beautifully full breasts. He could almost feel her sinking down on him, rocking slowly, using him as a mere tool until her cheeks were flushed and her breath quick and heavy as she brought herself to the heights of ecstasy. He tensed as desire radiated through his penis, hips, and through his legs down to his toes. He moved faster and harder bucking his hips at nothing. His heart raced as thoughts ran wild and his body moved to the rhythm of the visions in his head. He sighed as he got closer to the end. His breath escaped rapidly. With one final stroke, he moaned as he reached his climax. The thick warm liquid erupted from him.

As soon as the euphoria waned, and he returned to reality, he felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He knew he shouldn't have done this, but he couldn't help it. He scurried to put his undergarment back on, after wiping away the evidence with a small cloth. He felt embarrassed and ashamed. A virtuous Christian man would never think such dirty, disrespectful thoughts, much less touch himself in such a way. Over time though it seemed a woman's touch was no longer his to be had. He knew he couldn't let himself get carried away like that again. Y/N was his boss, and at most she was a friend. It was wrong to think of her in such a way. And she was more than just an object to his fantasies. Y/N was lovely, sweet and funny. He promised himself to stay in control from then on. He wouldn't get carried away with or distracted by his lustful thoughts.

*****

Several days later, Harry was again cleaning up after the lunch rush. Since they closed, Y/N had been working in the back, so he hadn't seen her. In the midst of carrying the last load of plates to the back, the door to the kitchen flew open.

"Ah there he is my right-hand man," Y/N said.

Harry's heart fluttered when he heard her. A smile spread across her face, which he could not help but return. As soon as he felt his cheeks flush, he turned away, returning to his duties. Harry looked back to her as it hadn't registered when he first saw Y/N. Immediately following her was a beautiful, petite girl. She had captured his attention so much that he couldn't concentrate, and he couldn't help but stare at her. There was something delicate about her, which her big brown eyes and short dark hair highlighted.

"'ello," he said.

Her small voice answered. "Hello."

"Harry, this is Jenny. She'll be helping out around here."

Harry couldn't believe how lovely she was and he was completely captivated.

#harry styles fanfiction #harry styles new #harry styles fan fic #harry styles smut

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satansxlapxcat · 1 year

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Motivation. Who is she and where can I find her?

Lately, I'm not sure about you, but my timeline has blown up with content around getting your body in shape for summer.

"We're only eight weeks away from getting our bodies outside! Get that waist teeny and that ass tight!"

I mean, yes, hell yes, I want to be the baddest babe out on these Seattle lakes this summer. The thing is though, where on Earth do I find the motivation to get going balls to the walls in the gym?

Two years ago (omg - two whole years), I was in great shape. Going to the gym three times a week and watching what I ate - When I think back to that time though, a lot was different.

First off, things were only just opening back up as long as you masked up. Second, my job required almost no thought for me because it was a low level RC job at one of the big Seattle tech firms. Third, I was in a relationship where my boyfriend did most of the cooking. I didn't have many plans with friends because we were still sticking close to bubbles, I wasn't burnt out after work, and I didn't have to worry about making dinner and could come home from the gym, kiss my boyfriend hello while he was cracking into dinner, shower up, and that'd be it.

Long story short, I had more time.

At the beginning of this month, I started a new (and so far the easiest) planning ritual. I color code activities I do either on a weekly or monthly basis, plan out what days I will do what, and that's my schedule for the month. It's been great so far for everything! Everything except, you guessed it, working out.

While I do still somehow make time for the gym twice a week - barely - it's likely not on the days I've 'scheduled'. And even then, I am absolutely dragging or figuring out a way out of it.

Today for instance, I got amazing news from work (a director in my org sought me out for an open position and while my VP said she'd 'cry her eyes out' if I left my department that she'd welcome it if it meant growth in my career), so I decided that I'd skip the gym and let myself celebrate a bit. Celebration meaning having a glass of wine, poured to the brim, up on my rooftop in the chilled but sunny Seattle early evening, and reading more of a book I'm stuck into.

Why on earth would I celebrate wonderful news (being highly regarded at work - wow) by going to the gym?

Honestly, I wish I was more like my dad in this regard. His coping mechanism is going to the gym. He goes. Every. Day. That's how he deals with anything - by doing something active. If I would've grown up in his house instead of my BPD mothers maybe it'd be easier for me to dig up the motivation to go to the gym more often...

But this also isn't just a difference from my situation two years ago versus now or how I wish working out was my coping mechanism, I think deep down it's a difference in how I feel about my life.

Two years ago, sure, I had more time and a boyfriend who did wonderful things like cook dinner most nights. What I failed to let sink in at the time was that I also felt that I had lost all direction in my life and had no control over what was happening to me. Classic pandemic vibes, right?

I'd lost my (still favorite) job in the entertainment industry which was an industry I wanted to be in forever and made a career plan for, I had been unhappy in my relationship for months, and everything felt like it was crumbling around me and I'd never be on solid ground again.

Here comes the obsession with my weight... ⚠️ TW ⚠️

The only thing I could control was how I looked. What I ate and how hard I pushed myself at the gym were the only things I had absolute control over. Not my feelings (I had only just started therapy at that point), not my career (pandemic, remember?), and certainly not how my boyfriend wished I was someone I am not (maybe I'll talk about that another time).

So I went for it. I counted every calorie, only drank on Sunday's because football and even then made sure to count the liquid calories, I tracked all of my workouts and did cardio until I almost couldn't breathe - I let it consume me.

As the pounds came off, I was happy I was reaching my high school weight, my tummy was flatter, I had a thigh gap for the first time ever in my life - I felt accomplished, but in the end it didn't actually make me happy. I was still in a dead end job, still unhappy in my relationship, and still not able to see my friends the way I used to.

Honestly, I am not sure if it's a lack of motivation so much as how much I really feel like I need to make my waist smaller and my ass fatter. Certainly, no one has ever turned me down before. Do I wish I had a flatter tummy and slimmer facial features? Sure. But that's between me, societal beauty expectations, and my own inner critic.

I mean I'm not out of shape, hell I climb 160 floors on the stairmaster and kick ass in a boxing class every week, but I know that I don't want to go back to the mental place I was in to get the body I had two years ago. She was boarding on an ED with the way she would try to compete with herself to eat less calories than she was allotted that day.

I don't want to be her again, but it would be nice to find a way to get the motivation to maybe look more like her.

#motivation #workout #fitness #mental health #body neutrality #body image #summer body

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nikosasaki · 3 years

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“i wish people liked me more” + finn!!!!

I am very slowly making my way through these lol writers block is kicking my butt but these prompts really help!! thank u so much again for sending them!;

Finn Bennett x Gina Porter

'I wish people liked me more.'

Finn Bennett had never felt more uncomfortable than right that moment, sitting on her own bed, in her own home, with Gina Porter right across from her.

"Thanks again for running lines with me," Gina said with a bright smile, though her eyes betrayed her - the uncomfortable atmosphere had not escaped her either.

"Yeah it's no - no issue, really," Finn nodded. "though I'm not - I don't think I'm the right person. For this job, I mean,"

She leaned over and grabbed the script from inbetween them, idly flipping through the pages as she pretended not to be hyper-aware of the fact that Gina was on her bed currently, holy crap.

Finn was the poster child of composure, really.

"Why not?" Gina asked, very poorly acting like she was oblivious.

"Oh, y'know," Finn said in lieu of a real answer. She was still deeply focused on the pages she wasn't really reading. Her eyes were looking at the words, certainly, but the only thing her mind could say was that Gina looked really pretty today - like really pretty, is that top new? Should I ask? Should I give her a compliment? No, that'd be weird -

"Well, a double thank you, then," Gina replied after a prolonged silence, almost making Finn jump out of her own skin. "I can't stand running lines alone,"

Finn had never been very good at figuring out when others were dancing around a subject - she was never a very good dancer to begin with.

"Why don't you run them with the cast?" Great question, idiot. It wasn't like Finn had missed the way that the others seemed to avoid Gina, or the way that they never really seemed to listen to her during practice - Gina didn't fit in, and Finn felt bad.

"Oh, well..." Gina trailed off, now suddenly becoming very interested in her own script. "I don't -"

"Sorry, stupid question, I'm - you don't have to answer, I shouldn't have asked, let's just -" Finn scrambled off her bed with the script clutched in her fist, painfully trying to jump ship on the conversation entirely. She wasn't stupid, she knew Gina did not get along well with any of their classmates - there really wasn't a worse question she could have asked.

"No, it's fine, it's fine," Gina assured, smile growing as Finn aggressively tried to backtrack. "I mean, I might as well vent to someone, right?"

Finn was stunned for a moment, slowly nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, you can always vent with me,"

Oh my god, okay, don't panic. She's just confiding a personal detail to you this is fine, holy crap.

"Thanks," Gina smiled still, holding Finn's gaze for just a little too long. "I uh, I don't know. I feel like I just have a hard time fitting in - since we move around so much I don't really want to do all this effort to make friends, you know. But if I don't, people won't like me. I just, I wish people liked me more,"

"I like you,"

Finn wanted to die the moment the words left her. She wanted to sink through her bed and let the earth swallow her whole.

That was such a damn quick response, she's going to think you're an insane person. Shit, shit, shit -

"You do?"

When did she get so close? A second ago Finn could have sworn Gina was on the other end of the bed and know their knees were touching. Finn felt like she was going to die, either from the fact that she couldn't breathe or the fact that she was sweating so damn much, how much liquid can the human body lose before it gives out?

"Y-yeah, I mean, you're cool," Finn stumbled, aggressively pretending like her cheeks weren't burning hot. "You're nice, funny, and good at theater, and pretty -"

Shit.

"Pretty?" Gina raised an eyebrow, still smiling but expression absolutely unreadable. She almost seemed amused with watching the hole that Finn was digging for herself. She was torturing her for sure, whether she meant to or not.

"I - well, you know, just, like if I were a guy - I mean -"

Finn hardly realized she'd fallen silent, much less that Gina leaned forward - the feeling of a pair of lips on her only really got through to her once they were already gone.

"Shit," Gina leaned back, face paling at the expression on Finn. "I, I got that all wrong, I'm so -"

Gina kissed her.

Gina had leaned forward and put her lips on Finn's, and they were soft and warm and so, so nice and -

Finn had no time to panic.

Gina wanted to get up, and Finn came to her senses just in time to pull Gina back down to her. She didn't grant herself time to freak out over anything that just happened, the only focus being to get Gina to stay.

"No, no! You didn't, you - uh. Wow," Finn took a moment, looking down at her own hand still holding Gina's. "I really like you, like that,"

Gina took a moment as well, visibly relaxing and smiling down to her hands before looking Finn right in the eyes.

"I like you, like that, too,"

send me a prompt from this list + an oc and I'll write a little oneshot for it!

#asks #my writing #ch: finn #witchofinterest #rlly cant thank u enough for these! 💕#💌#finn x gina

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themadauthorshatter · 3 years

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GUESS WHO'S BACK? BACK AGAIN WITH TOPPAT!CHARLES!?

Man, I do not know how long it's been since I last made a post on Toppat!Charles, but it's been a while!!!!

If you haven't read the previous parts, you can find them here:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3: https://themadauthors-bitch.tumblr.com/post/634320381188161536/i-dont-know-if-tumblr-showed-it-or-not-but-here

Part 4: https://themadauthors-bitch.tumblr.com/post/634769620050558976/welcome-back-one-and-all

Part 5:

Part 6:

As usual: RECAP!!!

Henry acts on his plan to rescue Charles, said plan being to use the location of the clan's next big heist to get info or Charles himself. The plan went awry with the heist succeeding, Ellie getting severely injured, and Henry getting the snot kicked out of him by none other than Charles himself, who had given up on the notion that he would be rescued and stepped up to join his captors. Confused about and torn apart by Charles's and Ellie's words, we left Henry alone and guilty over the night's events.

HEAVY recap, I know, but one more thing before we truly begin: Two of the clan's previous leaders make an appearance in this chapter.

We good with all that? Great!

ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!!

We start off in the dead in night, in the middle of the dessert. Quiet and still as the moon shines high in the night sky.

Terrence Suave sprints on the sand as best as he can, panting heavily because he hasn't been full-fledged running in an eternity. CCC trucks are speeding behind him, but there is a bank truck ahead that just started driving and like hell Terrence isn't getting on it, especially if the truck is heading towards the city.

Nets and tranquilizers are being shot at him to retrieve him, but a lot of the darts keep bouncing off his augmentations and thankfully missing him and lqnding in the sand.

The CCC trucks are catching up, but Terrence continues running, tired and sore; his lungs burning and the stumps of where his arms and leg used to be are sore, not the metal, though there is a phantom limb feeling going on and it is not a good feeling to have right now; even if one of his legs are metal, the other is sore as hell.

He gets closer to the bank truck as its speed increases, Terrence letting out a yell as he jumps and snatches the latch of the door and hops on, holding on for dear life as he sees the CCC trucks slow and eventually turn around.

He heaves and breathes very fast and heavily as he watches the sky, noting the orbital station.

"Right," he says raspily, "you sorry son of a bitch."

CUT TO HENRY!!!

We find him watching with a hollow expression as Ellie is doing some physical therapy to help her leg; Charles is surprisingly one hell of a shot.

The two partners haven't spoken since the plan backfired and while Ellie waves at Henry, Henry only keeps his expression.

It's hard to live life when you can't stop living.

The words have had plenty of time to sink in.

Ellie and Henry are the same.

And Henry feels dumb for not noticing sooner.

"Whatever happened between you two, you better patch it up before that CCC guy gets here."

Henry looks over his shoulder to see Galeforce walking to stand beside him.

"Bill Bullet called. Even though the mission... didn't go as planned, he still wants to bring you into his facility."

Henry turns back to Ellie in time to see her trip and fall down, her leg shaking. She's been walking for maybe an hour and, while she has gotten stronger, she is also tired and needs to rest.

'Only if Charles came back here safely. That was our agreement.'

"Guess he can't wait."

Henry continues to watch Ellie help herself into her crutches.

CUT TO THE ORBITAL STATION!!!

Charles is standing in that cafeteria area that Right was in in the Free Man ending and staring at Earth.

The heist was a success. The clan got the sapphire. No one got arrested.

But Ellie got hurt.

Sure, she wasn't there to help him, but she was still busy taking care of the toppat, and she got injured, so there's that.

"Like the view, kid?"

Charles doesn't look at Right when he walks up to and stands beside him.

"Reg always talked about wanting a view like this. 'E really liked the sky. Night, day, didn't matter. 'E jist didn't want to be stuck on the ground."

Charles turns his head slightly. "How close were you two?"

"Closer than you and those two criminals were."

Charles looks back at the window, content to let Right keep talking.

"The clan was in shambles after the last leader took over. Reg 'ad some big shoes to fill, and 'e knew that. Didn't stop 'im from stepping up." Right leans forward on the glass with his arm, his head against forearm. "'E was better than the other leaders. Smarter. 'E got the clan back on its feet. Never met a toppat leader who took good care of the clan."

Charles doesn't look at Right, but imagine if this was a game cutscene or movie or something. We'd have Right be closer to the camera and in better focus with Charles beside him, but seemingly behind him, with how the shot is framed, and out of focus.

Charles is back in focus as he asks, "He was that good, huh?"

Right only nods, not looking away from Earth.

"If that's the case, he should've been more careful, then. None of this would've happened, if he was."

Quick as a flash, Right grabs Charles and smashes him into the window by his collar.

"Careful, pilot. You might be in the toppat clan, but no one 'ere'll stop me from throwing you out there."

Right glares at Charles for a second longer before letting him go and leaving the room with no more words spoken.

Charles resumes staring at Earth.

Sorry, Ellie.

CUT BACK TO EARTH!

Back to Henry sleeping in his bed. I know, I'm so original, right?🤪🥴

Don't worry, this time is different.😉

While Henry sleeps, someone quite rudely bursts into his room, waking him up.

Before he can draw the gun under his pillow, one cybernetic hand grabbing his mouth while the other holds down the hand that's going for the gun, and a normal, human knee digs into his stomach.

"Sorry to wake you up, but this is important."

Henry's eyes adjust and and he sees Terrence Suave over him, sweaty, ragged, and shaking from running for miles on end.

Henry stares at his father with wide eyes before using his free hand to write a message on Terrence's forehead: 'What. The. Hell.'

"Just stay quiet, okay? I have an idea on how we can get your friend back and keep you out of-"

Henry shakes his head and writes another message.

'It didn't work. He got away with the sapphire and won't let is help.'

Terrence sits back on his heels and pulls Henry up into a sitting position. "What happened?"

Henry looks at his feet and signs, 'We tried hijacking the heist they planned. I think they were expecting us. They got the sapphire and Ellie got shot. Charles was with them.' Henry starts choling up and his signing becomes rougher. 'He won't come back. He shot Ellie. He shot us both. He's one of them now.'

Terrence lowers his head and runs his fingers through his hair at the news. "That's... I... I'm so sorry." After a second, he asks, "How is she? Your friend Ellie?"

Henry shrugs before signing, 'Getting better. We aren't talking right now.'

"You should," Terrence states matter-of-factly with a scowl. "She's the only friend you've got left and she's going through something that'd be easier to deal with with someone there for her."

Henry glares back. 'She's been through worse. And what do you know about being there for others?'

Terrence rolls his eye. "We're really getting into this right now? What did she even do? The clan took the sapphire and not her, right?"

At this, Henry nods, slowly and shamefully.

"Then quit being a baby and man up. Don't you two want to get your friend back?"

Henry doesn't respond for a second, after which he signs. 'What was your plan?'

Terrence's face stretches into a smile. "You might want to throw some clothes on and wake up your girlfriend."

Henry blanches at those words, but doesn't get anything out as Terrence leaves the room.

Nonetheless, he gets up and meets Terrence and Ellie outside, the latter using crutches because her leg isn't strong enough yet.

Remember, neither have talked since the night of the heist, so both are silent before Ellie asks, "So, um, who's this?"

"Terrence Suave," Terrence replies as he ahakes Ellie's hand. "Although he won't admit it, I'm Henry's father."

Ellie's eyes widen as she looks between the two. "Huh. I can see the resemblance."

Henry shakes his head and signs, 'Plan.'

Terrence gives Henry a withering look. "All work and no play, huh?" When neither Ellie or Henry answer back, Terrence sighs; we're done playing around now.

"You remeber that Wall place you were held at?"

"How hard is it to forget?" Ellie groans back.

Despite the unnecessary amount of salt, Terrence continues, "I have a friend there that has connections with the clan."

"As in he got arrested?"

"As in I sent him there to spy so I could plan a heist on the treasury. Guess Reg and Right forgot about him." He gives a chuckle and rubs the back if his head. "And you give me snark for leaving you," he says to Henry.

Henry glares at his father before the gears in his head start turning and he starts smiling.

'I think we need to pack our bags.'

Ellie joins him in this smiling, as does Terrence.

CUT TO THE WALL!!

It is a LONG trip to get to The Wall, and a long process of explaining that they're only there for visiting, not arrest.

It certainly didn't help that Dmitri and Grigori had CCC guards and Bill Bullet at The Wall.

At the sight of them, Terrence quickly rushes Ellie and Henry into a nearby office and locks the door behind them.

"What was-"

"Okay," Terrence says slowly and under his breath, "change of plan. We're not doing this."

Where Henry rolls his eyes, Ellie bristles.

"Why not?"

Terrence mumbles under his breath, but both Henry and Ellie hear him say something along the lines of, "I kinda escaped, and now everyone's sort of looking for me."

Ellie cuts in, "You didn't think they'd look there first?"

"Give me a break, Red," Terrence barks. "I figured they'd be looking somewhere else by the time we got here."

Henry slinks past them and cracks the door open enough to look out into the cafeteria.

No wonder they overthrew you.

Henry watches Dmitri and Bill continue talking, the latter nodding at the former's words. When Bill looks over Dmitri's shoulders, Henry slips back inside and shuts the door; there are now more eyes than ever.

"What do we do?"

Henry gulps and shrugs before leaning back.

Terrence, however, is busy looking at files on a computer, specifically looking through the inmates that were arrsted during the time of Infiltrating the Airship.

I know. Great team dynamic, right? Best team ever, 10/10.

"Good news, I found Reggie."

Both Ellie and Henry turn to Terrence, who is very proud that he used a computer after so long and having only one eye.

"Twelfth floor. Just four levels down. If we're careful, we can take the stairs."

Henry shakes his head and points up to a vent, not in the ceiling, but close to it, on the wall.

He begins signing, but Ellie only looks confused as Terrence shakes his head.

"Not a good idea. You can crawl through just fine, but what about me and Ellie? How are we supposed to crawl around with this-" He points to his cybernetic leg, "-and that?" He points to Ellie's injured leg.

"What's he saying?"

"Apparently, our only option is to crawl our way to Reg through the vents, which is going to be impossible."

Henry signs agian, more frustrated now.

"We can't afford to be safe at the moment, if you haven't noticed." Terrence shakes his head and stage whispers to Ellie, "Close minded, just like his mother/father". (YOU decide if Henry's other parental figure was a man or a woman; I know toxic masculinity states men can't have emotional breakdowns that lead their kids into growing kleptomaniac tendencies, but I say FUCK TOXIC MASCULINITY).

Back on track, the comment APPALLS Ellie and makes Henry raise a fist, ready to swing-

"HEY!"

All three turn as the guard bangs on the door.

"HEY! WHO'S IN THERE!? OPEN THE DOOR!"

With no more options, the three climb up into the vent, Terrence and Henry helping Ellie before Henry and Terrence climb in, just getting into and closing the vent as the guard, Dmitri, and Bill enter.

"Strange, I thought there was someone..."

As the guard trails off, Bill takes a look at the computer and then the vent as Dmitri yells at the guard; the warrant's reputation has suffered enough already with Henry's and Ellie's escape.

Ellie is wide eyed as she covers her mouth, Terrence is scooting backwards as slowly and quietly as he can, and Henry only stares back at Bill.

"Is there something wrong here, Corporal?"

Bill is silent as he and Henry continue to stare each other. Neither move or blink.

"No," Bullet says after a long couple of minutes. "Nothing at all."

Dmitri turns his heel and leaves the room with the guard following.

Bill takes a second, though, and closes the page Terrence was on.

With a wink and nod to Henry, he leaves the room and shuts the door behind him. "Don't be so hard on your guards, Dmitri. Rookies are allowed to make mistakes."

No one in the trio speaks for a little while, but Henry gives Ellie a smile. 'We're gonna be okay.'

With her leg still healing and his body being more than half metal, Henry is alone as he retrieves Reginald Copperbottom.

CUT TO OUR FRIEND, THE PREVIOUS TOPPAT CLAN LEADER HIMSELF!!!!

Currently, Reginald is lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling of his cell, bored and hungry because the guards lost track of time again.

To say living in The Wall was bad is an understatement. Honestly, Terrence has had it better than our boy Reginald because at least the CCC crew cared about Terrence's well being and mental state. (They don't want Terrence going insame and causing chaos.)

The time alone has also made him incredibly lonely and made him realize just how much he's taken for granted. Having colleagues doing stuff for and with you being one. Privacy is another.

Mostly, though, he misses Right, not having him AS his right hand man, but just having him around.

But he's gone.

He remimds himself of that a lot, but that doesn't stop his mind from wandering back to Right.

Henry kicks the vent open and bursts into the cell, throwing himself to his feet like a badass.

At the sight of the guy who got him arrested in the first place, Reginald presses himself against the wall, getting as small as he can; he has no weapons, no one to defend him, and it's only him and Henry in the room.

"Wait! WAIT! Don't-"

Before he can finish, Henry grabs him by the collar and points to the vent.

"What? What are you saying?"

Henry groans and rolls his eyes before writing on Reg's hand with his finger, like he does with Ellie.

'Want to get out of here and see the Right Hand Man again?'

Reginald is silent for a second, feeling the world stop for a second.

"He... He's-"

'He's alive, yes! And he has my friend Charles!'

Reginald purses his lip and pouts as he 'hmphs' and turns his head to the window. "I'd say it serves you right, given what you did to the clan and my right hand man."

Henry slaps him for that one.

'It doesn't matter now. Do you want to stay here or see him again?'

On the intercom, Grogori announces, "Attention, everyone. There are intruders here in The Wall. Keep an eye out and report to the warrant once you find and apprehend them."

It makes Henry pale and Reginald smirk.

"GUARDS-"

Henry smacks a hand over Reginald's mouth and writes, 'LAST CHANCE. I WILL LEAVE YOU HERE, IF YOU DON'T AGREE TO COME WITH ME RIGHT NOW.'

As guards run closer, Reginald looks between the door and Henry, who hasn't broken eye contact ONCE.

This is his only chance of freedom, and, regardless of who's offering it, it is something he is going to look over.

Reginald nods and replies, "Alright," behind Henry's hand.

Both are gone when the guards arrive.

Inside the vent, Reginald groans in disgust as he crawls. "When do you suppose these were last cleaned? Is there no regard for good conditions here?"

Henry groans again and punched the back of Reginald's thigh.

CUT TO OUTSIDE THE WALL!!!!!

Ellie and Terrence are sitting outside as guards run around like ants, simply watching as they have acquired a truck. (HURRAY!!)

"What's taking him?" Ellie ponders as she rests her head on the steering wheel. "I hope he didn't get caught."

"He'll be okay," Terrence replies, much to Ellie's surprise because of his earlier comment. "He's smart. Knows what he's doing." He turns to her, noting the slight bags under her eyes. "You two really care about each other, don't you?"

Ellie shrugs. "Well, yeah. Honestly, Henry and Charles... are the first real friends I've ever had." She sits up and tips her head as she smirks. "Ever tried having a game night with a heist partner?"

Terrence hisses and winces at that as he leans against the truck. "Try having a party with FIFTY of them. Don't know what got stolen from my room, but I never got it back."

Ellie chuckles. "Some loyal toppats."

Terrence can't help but snicker back. "Indeed."

Ellie's smile drops as she remembers what Henry told her, and the earlier comment. "Did you... Did you know about Henry before he visited you?"

"Of course I did," Terrence replies, more than a little offended at the question. "He's my son. Why wouldn't I?"

Ellie turns to the road they'll have to start driving on and rests her chin on the steering wheel. "He's just... confused on why you picked the clan over your family."

Terrence chews on his lip at that, more specifically the word Ellie used.

"He said you told him life is for living."

"I did," Terrence agrees. "Guess we have different opinions on what 'living' is."

Ellie nods, though she's more agreeing with Henry's 'living' than his father's.

"And I didn't pick the clan. I chose it."

Ellie scrunches her nose. "Same thing."

"Picking is what you do in an icecream shop when you want cookies cough or mint chocolate chip. Choosing is when you decide whether or not you want to be somewhere because it makes you or everyone happy. Picking is what you do in a shelter when you look for a cat or a dog. Choosing is figuring out what cat or dog you want to take home and take care of. Picking is me jumping form person to person just so I can get what I want from them, valuable stuff of any kind, money, skill, you name it. Choosing is me staying with what I see as having more value that I could use at any given time. Make sense?"

Ellie nods after a second. "Was it worth it?"

Terrence points to her leg. "Was that worth meeting Henry, Mrs. 'Living with many lives?'"

Ellie narrows his eyes, and Terrence holds up his hands.

"Easy, girl. No. It wasn't worth it. And I know because I chose wrong. I literally remind myself every day that I chose wrong. Won't change a thing, though." He turns to The Wall, watching the guards. "If he messes this up, it's all over."

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL!!!!!!

Henry and Reginald sprint towards the truck, Ellie and Terrence waving them over.

The sight of the cybernetic male halts Reginald in his steps.

"T-Terrence... Suave!?"

Terrence glares at Reginald and crosses his arms. "Hey, Reggie."

"Y-You... But, I-... You-eh..."

Henry taps them on their shoulders and points to the truck, signing, 'Save it for later! Let's go!'

Before Terrence or Ellie can ask why, the four hear motorcycles approach, Dmitri riding one as a passenger and aiming a gun at the truck they're commandeering.

Ellie starts the truck and gets it moving as Terrence skids into the shotgun seat as the truck picks up speed.

Soon, Henry and Reginald are both sprinting as fast as they can behind the truck with both doors open. Having had more training and in the time between FtC and this timeline of CtM, Henry can better keep up with the truck, but Reginald is falling behind fast. Henry grabs Reginald's hand and pushes the former leader into the back of the truck.

"Don't stop!" Henry shouts as he grabs a bit of leather or cord hanging off the truck's back door and pulls it down, closing it and surprising Reginald.

As the truck speeds away, Henry makes a turn and darts into the woods.

The motorcycles follow, however, though they're on a path and not through trees.

Henry is ducking, diving, and constantly zigzagging as he's being shot at while trying not to run into a tree. For a while, he does okay, good, even, only getting scraped by stray branches and grazed by bullets, one in particular hitting his cheek.

But we know all good things must come to and end.

Henry looks behind him when he doesn't hear motorcycles behind him, only to look in front of him and get a tree branch to the face, not enough to knock him out but he does see stars.

Dmitri gets off the motorcycle he's on and gestures for the others to stay where they are, circling Henry as he tries to stand up.

"I knew you were here the moment that guard found the office door locked. Clever of you." Dmitri kicks Henry in the ribs and sends him back into the ground. "But not clever enough."

Henry expects another kick when he gets on his hands and knees, but it doesn't come; a punch does when he manages to get on his feet, one right into his nose that sends him spiraling back to the ground.

Remember, Henry just ran for maybe ten or fifteen minutes and got hit in the face with a tree branch.

There would have to be a miracle for Henry to win this fight.

"How long has it been since you and the girl escaped? A year? Two years?"

"Not long enough," Henry groans to mostly himself.

Dmitri slams his boot onto the back of his head for that one, earning a wince from some of the guards.

"Sir," one asks, "shouldn't we hold him up in maximum security?"

Henry's brain kicks into hyperdrive, already showing him how he could possibly escape such a situation, but a hard stomp on his hand snaps him out of it, making him scream because with his mind living another life, his body went numb, like he didn't have those injuries or they healed. The stomp just make every injure ten times worse.

"You've all seen how slippery this one can be," Dmitri shouts, grinding the sle of his boot into Henry's hand. "He escaped before, he can do it again."

Henry tries pushing off Dmitri's boot as he suddenly realizes what's probably going to happen to him; normally he wouldn't be worried because we've seen him come back from getting shot, but with Bill Bullet around there's a chance they can make sure he dies and doesn't come back, with all the CCC lniws already about Terrence.

Dmitri notices this and drives a really hard kick into Henry's teeth, sending him backward before stomping on his face, ribs, and legs.

"You've ruined everything I've worked for since the day I saw you, Henry Stickmin!"

Dmitri kneels down and grabs the hair on either side of Henry's head, smashing him into the ground repeatedly as hard as he can.

Before you start thinking I'm being too unfair to Henry during this scene:

Henry swings possibly the best punch ever and knocks out some fake acrylic teeth Dmitri had to get put in. It catches tolhe warrant off guard, and gives Henry the opportunity to kick him away.

With some more punching, hair pulling, and head smashing, THE FIGHT BEGINS!!!

Even with a busted hand, Henry does okay, mostly relying on right hooks and kicks to fight. Dmitri, however, is able to use simple punches, jabs, and hooks to knock out Henry.

It's something like a stilted dance, as in there's a little bit of a pause before the next attack.

Bith men beat each other bloody, but it ultimately ends with Henry kneeing Dmitri in the side and kicking him back, AND DMITRI CHEATING BY HITTING HENRY WITH A ROCK. (NO FAIR, DMITRI! YELLOW CARD AND FIVE MINUTE PENALTY!!!)

When Henry's down this time, though, Dmitri wastes no time driving his knee into Henry's stomach and slapping his hands around Henry's neck. The action makes Henry gasp because of the sudden air loss, having the wind knocked out of him before getting his air cut off, and start thrashing around, gagging and making all those gross choking sounds that make your stomach flip.

"Look at you," Dmitri spits as Henry tries to break free, kicking the ground and scratching at Dmitri's wrists. "All you rats are the same, but it was you that did all this! You cost me everything! You made me lose everything!" Dmitri tightens his grip on Henry's throat, making Henry gasp loudly. "Allow me to return the favor!"

On the ground, Henry is very quickly blacking out and can feel it as he tries hitting Dmitri off of him.

His movements slow and his eyes roll back as his hand drops.

BANG!

Dmitri falls back as the guards take aim at where the shot came from.

More shots are fired, a some guards are taken down while the rest chase down the shooter, one ordered to take Dmitri back to The Wall.

Terrence climbs out of the trees and shakes his head at an unconscious Henry.

"Stupid, stupid idiot," he mumbles as he picks up Henry and slings him over his shoulders. "What were you thinking? What the hell were you thinking?"

Terrence walks through the trees as he carries Henry, silent all the way until he reaches the edge of the woods.

Bill Bullet stands waiting for him.

The two stare each other down, but Bill only stands with his hands in his pockets.

"You coming to take us back? We're a little busy right now."

"I can see that." Bullet sees Henry stir a little on Terrence's shoulders and fights the urge to smile; for someone who is so dangerous, he's so cute when he sleeps. "I guess genius over there has another plan?"

Terrence shakes his head. "It started off as my plan, but he had other ideas."

"Credit where credit's due."

After another silent stare down, Bill sighs and stands aside.

"He said he wanted his friend back safe before we brought him in. Better make this plan count."

Terrence nods as he seriously fights a smile and runs to where Ellie had left the truck, waiting for them both to get in so they can make like a banana and split.

#henry stickmin #completing the mission #toppat!charles #ellie rose #swearing tw #slight violence #HEAVILY implied Copperright

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megthemewlingquim · 4 years

Text

Doubts

Summary: You and Loki have a serious conversation about what you believe in.

Pairing: Loki x Christian!Reader

Warnings: Christian beliefs, absolute blasphemy, mentions of God, feelings of inadequacy and doubt, one or two thoughts related to suicide, hurt/comfort

Prompt: Drown by Tyler Joseph. Lyrics from the song will be in bold.

A/N: This is for @kitkatd7 's writing challenge! She's such a sweetheart. The prompt is listed above — it's honestly one of the saddest songs I've ever listened to, and it certainly was a challenge to write this. I can identify and relate to the reader. I basically put you in my shoes. I hope you like this!

All is quiet, but you want to scream.

You feel like you can't breathe, your breath caught in your throat and your wet eyes shut tight, tight, tight —

Though the world around you, including the lover by your side, is silent, your own thoughts attack you. They are not loud but they are frequent.

Do you really think God cares about you? He left you a long time ago. He likes to see you suffer from loneliness and anxiety. He likes it. You don't matter to Him, not at all. Your sinfulness is too great for Him to forgive.

You bite down on your hand to silence your sobs. You barely make a sound — you don't want to make a sound.

You want to die.

You don't want to kill yourself. Dear God, no.

But, hey, if you died right now, and you could escape from your doubts and fears, that'd be fine —

"Don't. Don't say that. Don't even think it."

Oh. He's up. And, even better, he's listening to your thoughts.

"I thought I told you not to do that," you say weakly, not looking over at him.

"They were too loud. Too desperate," Loki whispers. "Turn around, love, let me see you." He's pleading with you.

You comply, turning over in one fast, almost careless motion to look your lover in the face.

"Why — why — why are you thinking like this?" Loki's dumbfounded, stunned. Teary eyed, he tugs you to him, and suddenly you can't keep your sobs away or your arms from gripping onto him for dear life, your knuckles white. You shatter in his embrace, sobbing helplessly.

Loki makes a sound in his throat, a combination of a sigh and a whimper. He grips you to him as well. "What's the matter, my heart? Tell me everything..."

You can't, though you want to. You can't find your breath. All you do for a while is cry as Loki holds you, grateful that he is there.

"Whatever you're thinking," he says quietly, his voice causing low, comforting vibrations in his chest, "all I want you to know is that I love you. I adore you, sweetheart, and if you left..." He draws in a shaky breath. "God, I wouldn't know what I would do... But for now, I will listen to you. All you have to do is talk to me. I can't help you if you don't do that."

You nod, your sniffles becoming more frequent than your cries.

"Now, can we dry those lovely eyes? I can't stand to see you cry." Loki strokes your head, your shaking torso. "Take deep breaths now, love. That's it... Can you talk to me now?"

"Yeah — yeah," you stammer. You're calming down a little, your breaths becoming more even and your thoughts becoming less loud and crushing. It helps some to have Loki's embrace, his kind words and his gentle touches. It helps you know that you're not alone right now, it helps you to know that there's someone next to you to love.

"Okay. Go on. What's the matter with my darling, hmm?" Loki lets go of you a little, holds you a little less tightly. His body remains just as close to yours, though. You, in turn, let your hands fall to the mattress and raise your head a little to look into Loki's eyes.

"I've... I've been having some tr—trouble praying. And — and sleeping. Mostly praying..."

Loki's face softens then.

You were the one to try to help him believe in a God bigger than his world's. Yes, the Nine Realms existed, and they came into being the way he knew, but to you, Earth was created by your God — Who would also have existed as some form of Norse god that Loki knew.

Which is what you tried to tell Loki. Tried.

(Yes, it's confusing, but it's not the issue here...)

Loki was open to believing almost anything, so he listened to your versions of the Bible stories you remembered. He admired the fact that you believed in a very personal God, one that came to Earth to suffer and die for humanity, then defy death and rise again. Fully God and fully man, that's a concept that Loki never understood. But bless him, he tried.

"Oh..." Loki muses. "Why's that?"

"Er — it's just that... on some days... I feel. I feel... lost. I feel... I feel like —" You take a sharp breath. "I feel like God doesn't want to hear from me."

There's a pause. A very uncomfortable one.

"Why — why would that be?" he asks, and he sounds genuinely confused, concerned.

"I don't know," you mutter. "I just think it. I just think that God has turned away, that He doesn't want to be with me and that he doesn't forgive me for anything I've done."

"That's — that's awful," Loki says sadly. "And... I'm sure that's not true... But go on. Anything else that's bothering you?"

"It's just that I do so much, I try so hard to be better, to be what He wants me to be. I wanna be a lot of things. And I fail. I feel like I'm failing miserably, drastically. And then I crash dramatically into a wall I've hit a hundred times before. I fall back into the same mistakes. Then I go to God when I've failed with my choices.

It feels like He doesn't want to forgive me. And I've read stories about how sinning physically hurts God. Like I'm causing him pain. I draw blood. I still ignore the dark red blood stains on the floor. But... I want to go up to Him and ask, "Is the blood mine or Yours?" I'm confused and lost and scared..."

You say all of this slowly, trying to make this as descriptive as possible, for both of your sakes. So that you can better process it and so that Loki can better understand it.

"I don't want to do this anymore," you say blankly.

"It's the guilt," Loki says. "The guilt of sinning."

You nod. "I've just been feeling so alone, so distant from God lately. A part of me just... isn't there. I'm hollow."

"Well, isn't God always with you? That's a thing you told me... He told his followers, 'I am always with you, until the end of the age.'"

"Yeah," you say. "But that's not how I feel. Not all of the time. Sometimes, I'm alright. Other times, I feel so numb and that everything around me is so dark. I'm screaming submission and I don't know if I am dying or living."

"You're speaking in metaphors, love. But I understand. You feel empty. Depressed. Alone."

You sniff, his words sinking in again. The tears resurface.

"All I want is — I want Him to drown me. Dr—drown me in His love. But I never — I never feel worthy of it."

"Oh, no, no, love... No more tears," Loki whispers. "Please, no..." He grips you tighter again. "Sweetheart, I need you to understand something.

"God is with you always, and He sees your pain, okay? You're never alone. Never. And I think what He'd want you to do is talk to Him about it. And... it's good that you feel like you're not worthy, because you're not."

Those words are not what you are expecting to hear. You look up at him, shocked and hurt. "What?!" Your voice tremble.

He gasps, guilt crossing his face. "I didn't mean it like that. What I meant was... you're not worthy, but God doesn't care. Because He died for you. He gave you his grace by that act of love — suffering and dying at the hands of the Romans and the Jews, yeah? He did that for you."

"There's — there's a quote by C.S Lewis that I remember," you say, regaining your mind and emotions. You're starting to feel better, calmer, more helpful. "'When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you'd been the only man in the world.'"

"That's a wonderful thought, my love. Take heart in that. Believe it."

He draws you closer then, kissing your temple. "You're going to be alright. All God wants is to be with you. Don't let your thoughts tell you otherwise. He loves you. He loves you, He loves you, He loves you. And I love you. Oh, my darling, I love you to the ends of the earth. And that is all you need to know."

You sigh, drowsiness suddenly taking you over. "Thank you," you whisper, feeling much better.

"You're absolutely welcome, dear heart. Remember... you're never alone. And God would want you to keep living. Stay alive, because He has better plans for you than this. I promise."

#loki of asgard #loki (marvel)#loki fanfic #loki #loki x you #loki fandom #loki x reader #fluff #hurt/comfort

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hardcandycigarette · 1 year

Text

It had been a good day, Harry reflected as he helped Y/N clean the restaurant after closing. In the afternoon there was no rush to open for customers, no sleep clouding his thoughts like first thing in the morning; just the two of them- tired but satisfied with another successful day. The two shared laughs and stories. He couldn't help but feel a connection to her. He wanted to share more with her, to get to know her better. It was nice to have someone to talk to after the restaurant emptied. It made the dreaded end of the day easier to accept. It was his favorite part of any day. Y/N had an infectious laugh that echoed in his ears long after they went their separate ways.

"Say Harry," Y/N called from across the room.

"Yes."

"Can you come here for a moment?" Y/N asked.

Harry nodded and walked towards her. "How can I help?" he asked.

"I've been thinking. This place is getting busier. It's to the point I'm not sure I can handle the dining room alone anymore. What do you think if I hired a gal to help?"

"Sure." Harry nodded. "Whatever you think is best. I trust yeh judgment."

"I could train her up in no time and she could help out with the lunch rush. Plus, it would free up some of my time so I can focus more on the kitchen side of things."

"Are you not pleased with the way I've been doin 'thin's in the kitchen?"

"Oh heaven's no doll. In fact it's because you've been so wonderful that I think you need an extra pair of hands in there. Nothing more." She took his face in her hand. "You're just wonderful." Her gaze lasted longer than normal. "What do you say?"

He smiled at her, relieved. "Yes, I think that'd be great." And he certainly wasn't going to argue if it meant more time with Y/N.

She stepped back and nodded approvingly. "I'm glad you agree. I'll find someone who can come help out."

Harry agreed. "Sure. Yes."

"Okay, then that's settled."

Harry walked over to clean the last table for two near the window. He hummed a tune as he worked.

"Say that's a pretty little song. Where did you hear it?"

Harry shrugged, shy that Y/N heard him. "Oh just somethin' I made up in my head."

"Really? Well it's really nice. Does it have words?"

"Yeah, yeah it does, but I don't sing 'em or anythin'."

"Why on earth not? If I say anything it's that people should share things they create."

"Haven' ever had anyone wanna listen." Harry picked up the plates and walked back to the front of the restaurant, closer to Y/N.

"You should share it anyway," Y/N replied. "You never know who might be listening."

Harry smiled as he placed the plates down on the counter. "Thanks."

Y/N gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and said, "You never know, it might be just the thing someone needs to hear today." She picked up the items from the counter and walked to the kitchen.

Harry nodded again and smiled.

"Go ahead. I'm listening," Y/N called over her shoulder.

Harry remained silent.

"Nah I couldn'."

"Harry, I want to hear the song. You don't have to sing the whole thing, just a few lines."

He cleared his throat and looked at the ground. "Okay ready?"

"Yes." Y/N smiled and nodded. "Go ahead baby."

His heart skipped a beat when she said 'baby'.

He cleared his throat again. "Okay. Sunflower" His voice cracked. He looked away.

Sunflower My eyes, want you more than a melody Let me inside Wish I could get to know you

Sunflowers Sometimes Keep it sweet in your memory I was just tongue-tied

I don't wanna make you feel bad But I've been trying hard not to talk to you Sunflower (Sunflower, sunflower)

He moved his fingers playing with a ring his father had left him when he died. His eyes remained focused on the ground, his face growing hot. He remembered his father's words of encouragement, that he could do anything he set his mind to, and the warmth of his embrace. He wondered what advice he would give him about Y/N.

"That's really pretty. Who's the girl? The sunflower?"

"Dunno." He wasn't ready to say "You. You. Y/N."

"Oh you know. You don't say words like to no one. Well whoever she is she's really lucky. That's so romantic. My John wrote me a little poem one time and I thought he hung the moon, but a whole song? Well, that's a lucky girl"

"Thank you. Think I'm gonna go lie down. Legs bothering me," he said as he rushed away.

"Oh Okay. Well rest well. See you in the morning." She watched him go, a little smile on her lips. She thought of the girl who had inspired him to write that song. Whoever she was, she was special indeed.

"Thanks." He hurried to the rear of the building and upstairs to his little place.

Y/N sighed, wondering if she would ever have someone who felt that way about her. She returned to her work, with her heart heavier than before.

Later that night

Harry sat down on the edge of the bed and grabbed his glasses. As the last moments of sunlight filtered through the curtains, he took a deep breath, and smiled, grateful that he had a job, a comfortable place to sleep, and was making friends in addition to some money in the bank. He was content with his life and felt on the right path.

With the lantern alight, he grabbed his book and read. He'd been excited since the librarian brought him a copy of A Passage To India. Despite not being particularly intellectual, Harry enjoyed reading and had heard some people, especially those with higher education levels, discuss the book. By page five, Harry had lost focus. His thoughts drifted to the other books he had. He placed the book on the nightstand and stood, then walked to his closet. On the top shelf, in a small leather satchel was reading material he shouldn't even own. He removed the worn pages and returned to his bed. He was soon lost in the pages of an entirely different world. It was full of filthy, pornographic words. Women with women, two women with one man at the same time. Cunts, cocks, and sex abounded on the pages. Things Harry could barely imagine happening were happening in this book. The pleasure was too great to deny. He quickly turned the page, wanting more and more of this forbidden world. His heart raced as he read the words, feeling a strange thrill as he imagined himself in the scenes he was reading. He quickly closed the book, realizing he had gone too far, but feeling strangely liberated from the experience.

After the lantern was out, he placed the book on the floor, then crawled under the covers. He mumbled a prayer of gratitude and forgiveness for the sin he just committed. But he couldn't sleep. He kept picturing the scenes in the book. Desire grew in him as the words and pictures played over and over in his head.

Harry touched the slowly growing erection in the cotton underwear he was wearing. He felt a surge of pleasure as his fingers massaged the throbbing length of his arousal. He had to move the garment down his hips until his engorged cock was finally free. He gripped the base, feeling the heat and stiffness beneath his smooth skin. He spit into his hand before returning to his needy, ever-growing erection. His hand wasn't wet enough to bring the pleasure a woman's soft, warm walls could, but for now, it was all he had. He closed his eyes and imagined what it would be like to be touched by someone else. In the past his thoughts were always about a girl he'd known back home or a former lover. But now his thoughts focused on Y/N. She was beautiful, with her plump bottom, small waist, and beautifully full breasts. He could almost feel her sinking down on him, rocking slowly, using him as a mere tool until her cheeks were flush and her breath quick and heavy as she brought herself to the heights of ecstasy. He tensed as desire radiated through his penis, hips,and through his legs down to his toes. He moved faster and harder bucking his hips at no one. His heart raced as his hips and hand moved faster. His thoughts ran wild and his body moved to the rhythm of the visions in his head. He let out a deep sigh as he got closer to the end. His breath escaped rapidly. With one final stroke, he moaned as he reached his climax. The thick warm liquid erupted from him.

*****

"Ah there he is my right-hand man," Y/N said.

A flutter of excitement filled Harry's heart when he heard her. A smile spread across her face, which he could not help but return. As soon as he felt his cheeks flush, he turned away, returning to his duties. Harry turned back to her as it hadn't registered when he first saw Y/N. Immediately following her was a beautiful, petite girl. She had captured his attention so much that he was unable to concentrate, and he couldn't help but smile at her. There was something delicate about her, which her big brown eyes and short dark hair highlighted.

"'ello," he said.

Her small voice answered. "Hello."

"Harry, this is Jenny. She'll be helping out around here."

Harry couldn't believe how lovely she was and he was completely captivated.

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