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elysiashelby · 4 years

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In Another World - T. Shelby Imagine Ch. 3.2

Paring: (Eventual) Thomas Shelby x Aliena Welsh (OC)

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Word Count: 3, 449

WARNINGS: Cursing, Depictions of PTSD panic attacks, Hints of Self-Harm

Summary: Aliena Welsh has been living in the universe of the show Peaky Blinders for 7 months now. She’s beginning to heal after the incident, but when she hears Arthur having troubles while sleeping- she can’t help but intervene. How will the rest of the family take it? Will she listen?

MASTERLIST CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER 3.3

A/N: This chapter and 3.3 are both considered extras. You can move onto chapter 4 without really reading them. I honestly wrote chapter 4 before 3.2 and 3.3. So, that will explain why Ch. 4 is a little different. THANKS FOR READING!

Month 7 with The Shelby's

It's been a month since the incident. We don't really talk of it and it's better that way. If I got one thing good out of it, it's that Tommy now trusted me. He trusted me with a lot.

I was in charge of teaching the kids how to read and write. That included Finn which diverges from the original plotline 'cause Finn wasn't supposed to know how to read. He's a good lad, though. He really wants to impress Tommy.

I did the groceries for everyone, but I doubt that I’m gonna be doin’ it for John much longer. I caught him and Lizzie Stark making out outside of the house.

Anyway, I finally got a hang of UK currency. And Tommy told me that at the beginning of next year, I'll be expected to collect the money from some of the shops. It was gonna be family owned stores, nothing that would put me in danger.

I was glad that I was trusted so much. It just solidified me routine even more. I trusted Polly the most though, especially after that night. Whenever we had a chance to just relax, she would always style me hair. It was really boss.

It was nighttime and I was having some trouble sleeping. I discovered that this body had more talent that I originally had back home. See for some reason this body could draw. I can't explain it. But I can just draw whatever I like now. Before, I was just a really good storyteller. Mind you, the only affirmations I had were from family and friends. So, I never knew if me writing was actually any good.

I was trying to draw a red spider lily flower. I bought some colours with me money.

So, it was going just fine even though I was supposed to be asleep. That was until I heard a big bang. I jumped at the sound and I slowly got up from me chair. There was another bang. It was so stupid of me! What the hell was I going to do about it, right? So, why the hell did I decide I was gonna check it out?

I put on a robe and walked into the hallway. I followed the banging sounds and found it was coming from Arthur's room. I inched towards his door and slowly opened it.

Arthur was thrashing around. The banging sound was actually him punching the wall from time to time.

I remember that I read something about helping people with a PTSD attack, but it's not coming to me!

So, I just rushed to him, grabbed him, and started to tell him he was alright. But instead, I triggered him. His eyes flew open and his hands wrapped around me neck. He rolled us onto the floor and his body hovered over me. It was hurting a lot and I couldn't breath.

He kept screaming 'No!'

I tried to peel off his hands, but immediately realized that wasn't going to work. I unwrapped me hands around his wrists and placed them on his face. I used me thumbs as I was slowly caressing him. He flinched but looked back down as I called out to him. Me voice was extremely hoarse and strained. I tried to smile at him. I tried giving him a very sweet, non-threatening smile.

I saw the exact moment he realized this wasn't his dream anymore. He gasped for air like it was him who was being choked out.

"Aliena?" He shouted.

Arthur practically launched himself off of me and huddled into a corner.

"What are ya doin' 'ere? Huh? What the fuck are you doin' in 'ere!"

I rolled over to me side and started coughing harshly.

"You… You were punching the wall. I just wanted to help you."

"I coulda killed ya! I coulda-!"

"But you didn't. It's alright now." I shuffled closer to him, but I made sure not to reach out to him.

He had his knees pulled to his chest. He just looked overall vulnerable which I hadn’t seen before. I've seen it in the show, but he hadn't shown me firsthand yet. He was crying so much.

I just felt so bad that I stood on me knees and held open me arms. He looked at me up and down before going straight into me arms. I stroked his back vertically while combing his hair out of his face. I even started rocking us back and forth after a while.

He sobbed into me stomach. We stayed like that 'til he calmed down. He separated us and looked up at me.

"Is your neck alright?" His fingernails ran over me neck.

I had to bite my lip to control the twitch that wanted to happen. I smiled as I whispered. "Yes, I'll be fine. Will you be? For tonight, I mean."

He nodded. We both got up and he really did tower over me. He hugged me again and it was my turn to be suffocated (again). I found that he was perhaps an inch or two taller than Tommy. I separated us after a while. He sat down on his bed and I bid him goodnight.

I was barely out the door when I was given my 3rd scare of the night. Me hand flew to me chest as I saw Tommy leaning against me door.

We met each other and he immediately started to inspect me throat.

"'m fine, ya know. Hardly even hurts."

Tommy raised an eyebrow. "That's a fucking lie 'n you know it. C'mon, we need to get it iced before it gets noticeable."

He tugged me downstairs and we iced me forming bruises. I was really just sitting there. He was the one that did all the work.

He sighed before speaking. "You shouldn't have done that, you know? His fits aren't gonna go away."

I looked away. "I approached him the wrong way is all. His fits won't go away, but I can teach him how to deal with them."

Tommy leaned back with a scoff. His smile was tight. He rubbed his chin while shaking his head.

‘He didn't like what I just said.’

"You think you can cure us of what we have, eh, Aliena?" He asked. His tone, it was scary. I knew he was trying to scold me.

"No. No, I can't do that. That's up to you and Arthur. And even youse can't fully cure yourselves. It's just not gonna be possible. But, you both can learn to deal with it."

"We are-!"

"In healthy ways, Thomas! It's not healthy to be drinking that much, either of youse! You can get alcohol poisoning or fuck! You'll both damage everything in your bodies. Your mouth, esophagus, pancreas, brain! Your fucking brain, Tommy! Liver-!"

"Enough!" He yelled while slamming his hand down on the table.

I jumped and cowered. He yelled at me. I felt me eyes sting and the tears were blurring me vision.

"Don't yell at me… " I didn't even let him say anything else. I got up from the chair and ran to my room. I didn't want him to see me cry.

When I woke up the next morning, I checked me neck in the mirror and sure enough, I had light handprint bruises. I ran me fingers around me eyes, exhaustedly.

‘I can already tell this day is not gonna be good...’

I waved me hands ‘round before deciding to stop spazzing out. I began to get ready for the day. I looked through me collection of dresses and luckily, Polly had the good sense to buy me a dress that was a turtleneck.

I did me hair in a bun like Polly taught me, put on me boots, then headed downstairs. I had to start on breakfast.

When I rounded to the kitchen, I was only half surprised when I saw Polly standing there looking at me, expectantly. I sighed loudly as if I was already admitting defeat. She had a cup in her hands and she just stared at me.

“So, what’s the damage, then?” She asked.

“Bruises.” I walked over to the stove and started it. It wasn’t gas-fueled, I knew that much. But I didn’t ask who turned it on in the morning or how. I figured it was someone else's job, or Polly did it herself.

After me reply, she said nothing. That did not ease the tension in the room. I knew what she was doing. I wasn’t gonna fall into her trap. Today, everyone will be eating egg on toast. I was letting the egg cook when I went to see if we had any bacon for meself. I grabbed it from the ice box and went back inside. I put it on the counter then went to flip the egg.

Slurp!

Me left eye twitched. Slowly, I turned me head back to Polly. She slurped again, louder and longer. Sadly, on reflex, I began giggling. It was a nervous giggle.

‘I broke. Stare-down is over. She won.’

“It was the banging,” I said. “I went to check on Arthur. I didn’t really realize what I was doing exactly, but it happened. I spooked Arthur while he was ‘aving an episode. It was entirely me fault. And don’t worry, Tommy already scolded me.” I looked back at her, gave her a small smile, then placed the egg on top of the ready toast.

I turned me head back and heated up the pan for the bacon.

“Ali, it’s not safe to be doing that. It’s better to let them ride it out. They’ll get better over time, love, but on their own terms. We’ll be there when their fit is over with, but it's best to not interfere while they’re having it. Okay?”

I nodded. I understood. I knew that men could help other men because they were less likely to get pinned down. Like Tommy is gonna do when Danny Whizzbang has an episode in the pub when the plotline starts. He and Freddie managed to calm him down ‘cause they overpowered him. While I was pinned to the floor by me neck.

“It’s just that… It was so sickening seeing him like that. I couldn’t stand seeing him in pain like that.” Me voice was strained by the end of it. I shook me head as if that would prevent me from crying.

The chair scraped against the floor. Polly pulled me into a hug. I held her tightly. She rubbed me back and rested her cheek against my head. It lasted until footsteps came thundering down the steps.

Throughout the day, I managed to keep the bruises a secret from everyone else. I wouldn’t be able to bear it if they kids managed a glimpse ‘n decided to ask about it. When I had to give the boys their lunches, the only normalcy I maintained was with John. He brought it up, but he was very brother-like about it.

Said that he figured it was gonna happen, he just betted that it’d happen with Tommy. More like hoped, he said. After that he cracked a few jokes with me.

Then, I went over to Arthur. He couldn't even look at me. He asked how I was, I told ‘em. He nodded and left it at that. I figured that was for the best.

Finally, it was Tommy’s turn. I was rather hesitant, to say the least. I acted very childish in front of him, and I was trying so very hard to avoid that! I knocked as always, went in, put down his plate, and in a last minute decision I decided I didn’t want to deal with confrontation today! I barely turned ‘round to walk away when he caught my wrist. His chair scraping against the floor as he sprang up to do so.

Me gaze was locked on him, but he was staring down his paperwork. I took in the sight.

On the outside, I was keeping a composed face, but on the inside I was fangirling.

I swallowed and waited for his words.

“I- uh,” he said, “I’m sorry. Shouldn’t ‘ave yelled at you.”

I hummed and nodded. He gently let go of me wrist and I went about me way.

Thomas Shelby was never one to apologize, I’d say it was because the man was as stubborn as a mule. But this past month, that’s all he’s done.

So, everything was normal after that. I gave Finn a lesson while preparing dinner, I did all the chores, and yeah.

I appreciated that he apologized, but that didn’t make the funk I was in disappear. With every strain on me neck, it hurt— stung. I’m sure it would have been unbearable if Tommy hadn’t iced it. But there was this sick part of meself that kept putting pressure on the bruises.

The pain was there. The pain made me feel.

When night came again, I still wasn’t asleep at a proper time. I was standing at the mirror. With the back of me fingers, I brushed over me neck. There was almost pain this time, I was just tracing over them. I was fixated on them.

‘My sheltered life is truly over.’ I thought. ‘Parents aren’t here to coddle me anymore.’

I was safe in me suburban home back in California. I mean I had different dangers. Superficial dangers now that I think ‘bout it. I was now in a time that if I was taken advantage of, law enforcement would do nothing about it. If you weren’t from an affluent family who could kill the bastard, it was better to just adopt the mindset of “get on with it.”

I think the only reason why I’m even slightly okay with what happened a month ago is because I’ve already accepted the fact that was going to eventually happen to me. Being in 1920’s Birmingham just upped the stakes, that’s all.

I exhaled with puffed cheeks as I dropped me hands from me neck.

“God, I want a ciggie, right now.” I whispered to meself.

I roughly rubbed me face before I picked up my hairbrush. Me hair was really thick and the length of it didn’t help me at all. It was at me mid-back. Me ma’ wanted it to be long. I’ve always had it short or mid length ever since I was a kid, but since she wanted me hair to be long, I caved.

I was never gonna see her again. So, I might as well do everything that will keep her with me.

I was still brushing me hair when I heard something. It wasn’t a bang or a thud. It was more like a whisper or a mutter. I stilled and waited. It was still going on. Gently, I placed the brush down then I crept over to the wall.

The wall that separated Tommy’s room ‘n mine. I pressed me ear against the wall ‘n the mutterings got louder. He was having an episode. I put me hand over me mouth and me other on me chest. I clutched on for dear life.

I wanted to help, oh, how I desperately wanted to! But, should I? After he told me off, after Polly told me. I don’t care. I still wanted to help him.

Me hand flew to me neck and I squeezed. Pain, I felt a lot of pain. Me eyes stung with tears. I stopped when I felt the pain begin to numb me thoughts ‘n rationale. That’s when I rushed to Tommy’s room.

I didn’t care to put on a robe. I just ran out me room. When I got to his door, I slowly turned the knob, and slowly closed it behind me. He was having the sweats and muttering. I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but I knew he was dreaming about the tunnels.

I stayed by the door and called out to him. “Tommy! Tommy, wake up!”

He didn’t wake up.

“Tommy, you’re just having a nightmare. Wake up!” Despite my best efforts, I dived nearer to his bed. I had to be at least two feet away from him, I think. I didn’t even know what two feet away was!

“Tommy, you’re home. You’re not there anymore. Tommy, wake up!”

With a gasp, he woke up. Tommy’s eyes were blown wide as he jumped into sitting. Slowly, his eyes focused on me.

“Aliena?”

“Yeah.”

“What are you doing in here?”

“You were talking in your sleep. It worried me, so I came in ‘ere.”

His chest was heaving up and down, his eyes wider than I’ve ever seen— in the flesh at least. I tried thinking of ways to calm him down.

“I told you-!”

“Smoking opium, Tommy? You’re killing yourself. Killing yourself with all the booze and smoking! You want to talk sense into me like a child, I’ll do the same. Me job is to take care of the lot of youse, so that’s what I’m doing!” I stood up.

“You plan on doing Billy Kimber over, there’ll be consequences to that even ‘til Finn is old and grey. So you’re gonna listen to me and we’ll find out some other vices for you to turn to so you can at least sleep at night.” I started waving me hands a lot.

“I can’t babysit you during the day, so to hell with that. But, while you’re within me sight and grasps, I swear by everything that’s holy- I’ll be counting every cigarette and drink you have. I can’t very well overpower you, but don’t doubt my power to be annoying! I will annoy you and I will convince Polly to join with me if you plan on getting rid of me.” I crossed me arms while leaning on one hip.

“You want to be the leader of the family, Tommy? Take care of yourself so that you will never become a liability even when you’re old and grey. So, what do you say, huh? Are we gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?”

He was surprised, to say the least. He had an eyebrow arched with his mouth hanging open. He closed it then looked away and ‘tsked.’

“For the amount I pay you, I shouldn’t be getting this kind of lip from you.”

“Take it up with management, then.”

He scoffed while shaking his head. “All right then, how are you going to put me to sleep?”

I sat on the ground and looked at the floor. “You could help, you know? One of the steps is for you to tell me how to help you, not the other way ‘round.”

He scoffed again. “Will you go fetch me a drink?”

“Nope.”

“Right.”

I pouted. I knew some ways I wanted to try out, but I didn’t want to embarrass meself.

‘Fuck it! This isn’t supposed to be about me!’

“How about I talk to you? You know, it’ll be like you’re me living diary. Or I sing? Or I hold your hand? For some people, it gives them a sense of comfort, but for others it makes their skin crawl. Or I could just be by you ‘til you fall asleep? Yeah, that’s all I got. The rest of it that I read about is…for couples.”

Tommy hummed. “All right, we’ll try it. But, you have to promise that if this fails, you butt out. No more bugging me and Arthur about this, ever.”

“I promise! Now, what are we trying?”

“All of it.”

“All of it?”

“Yep, never done this before, so can’t tell you what will work. Go on, talk the night away.”

So, I did. I talked to him about me family and some of me past. I told him all about me rocky relationship with me ma’ and how me da’ was an absolute genius. I told him about the embarrassing things I did as a child that I regretted. I told him a little about how the future would be. It didn’t matter if he believed me or not, still would be me talking.

And I made sure to not tell him any historical events!

But neither of us really paid attention to the fact that at some point, his hand was holding mine. I had to have talked for at least three hours before he fell asleep. All that talking made me tired too. I was yawning so much that tears were running down me face and me nose was runny.

I fell asleep that night sitting at his bedside with our hands entwined.

TAG LIST: @amirahiddleston @nemesis729

#thomas shelby imagine #thomas shelby x oc #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby fanfic #in another world #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby x oc #tommy shelby x reader

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atlafan · 4 years

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Take it Slow - Part Thirty-Eight

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: Fluff and Smut.

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

Harry keeps an arm around you in the back of the uber as you head to Niall’s. You both knew you’d be drinking again. Niall’s place was already packed with people when you got there, and you were on the earlier side. You put your coat and Harry’s in the closet. He snakes an arm around your waist. He was grateful you didn’t wear a scarf or anything. Your hair slightly covered the marks on your neck, but if someone really looked at you, they’d be able to see them.

“Damn, Y/N!” Rachel says, giving you a hug. “Haven’t seen you wear that dress in years.”

“It was in the back of my closet, looks good right?”

“Looks great!” She looks Harry up and down, squinting at the way he’s clutching at her hip.

“Is Lora with you?” You ask.

“Yeah, she’s in the kitchen making us some drinks. You guys want anything?”

“Maybe in a minute. Where’s Niall?”

“M’right here, keep your shirt on.” He says chuckling. You give him a hug with Harry’s hand moving to the small of your back.

“Harry and I brought some extra wine.” Harry hands it to him.

“Thanks! I’ll put these in the kitchen.”

“I can do that, I’m going back in anyways.” Rachel says taking the wine. Sarah comes walking up.

“Hey!” She hugs you and waves to Harry. “You look so pretty!”

“Thanks, so do you.”

“You get your hair touched up?”

“Yeah, just this afternoon.”

The girls chat, and Niall pulls Harry aside.

“How was the rest of your night?” Niall asks.

“Good, she passed out on me.” He laughs.

“Sarah talked my ear off all night.”

“’Bout what?”

“All that threesome shit.”

“I forgot all about that.” He looks back at you. He watches you throw your head back as you laugh at something. “I still can’t believe Y/N has had one.”

“I’m shocked you didn’t ask her a bunch of questions about it.”

“Not somethin’ I needed more information on. Plus I didn’t want her askin’ me anythin’. Do you think Sarah’s curious?”

“I have no idea, but I made it clear I wasn’t in the business for doin’ them anymore.”

“There he is!” Harry looks over and sees Louis coming towards him. They practically jumped into each other’s arms. Eleanor says hi to you.

“I’m so glad you made it!” Harry says breaking their embrace. “This is gonna be a good party, three of us together for another new year.”

“Hi, Y/N.” Louis says hugging you.

“Hi, good to see you again.” You blush, not expecting the hug.

“Same to you. Alright, who needs a drink?”

The guys all go into the kitchen and make up drinks and come back handing out glasses. Harry made you a vodka tonic, your favorite. You hang out with your friends for a good chunk of time, glancing over at Harry occasionally who was sucked into conversation with Louis. The two were laughing hysterically about something.

The night went on, and you found yourself dancing with your friends. Many other people were dancing as well. You were feeling really good.

“Mate, Y/N, looks really good tonight.” Louis says to Harry. Harry looks back at you and smirks.

“Yeah, she does. I’m a lucky bastard.”

“So you’re all moved in then?”

“Yup, we’re going to look at a bigger place in a couple days. Right across the street from here actually.”

“That’d be convenient.”

“Yeah, I like the idea of having Niall so close by. It’s nice knowing if I had to travel for work or something she could just come here or whatever, she wouldn’t be alone.” He takes a sip of his drink. “We were thinking once everything settles we’d come see you guys.”

“Really?” He perks up.

“Yeah, we’ve wanted to come sooner, but the holidays really took up our time.”

“How was she meetin’ mum and Gem?”

“It was great! They were super welcoming. I spoke to mum the other day, she raved about her. I was so glad they liked her. She fit right in with Mitch and Sarah too.”

“That’s great. Your pictures looked amazing.” Harry takes out his phone and shows Louis a few he didn’t post.

“She’s just so cute, lad, I can’t stand it.” Louis chuckles at his friend.

“Never seen ya so taken with someone, it’s nice.”

“It’s made me realize I’ve never really been in love before.”

“’S’how I feel about El.” Harry and Louis look over at you and Eleanor. “She fits right in with ‘em. I’m glad Y/N’s friends are so nice.”

“They really are a cool group of girls. They’re all really open, no prudes. I’d say Sarah’s the most innocent out of those three.”

“Isn’t there a fourth friend?”

“Yeah…Kate. They sort of stopped talking to her a few months ago. Lotta drama there.” Niall walks over to them.

“Great party mate.” Harry says. “As usual.”

“Thanks! Everyone seems happy. Think you idiots’ll pay any attention to your girlfriends tonight?”

“Oi, I resent that.” Louis says. “Just catchin’ up with the lad here.” Harry laughs, and looks back over at you.

He was almost afraid to go over to you. You looked so fucking sexy, moving your hips around, and that red lipstick. He would need to be taken care of instantly. You were both pretty buzzed at this point, so there was no telling what might happen.

“They’re all havin’ fun, don’t think they miss us.” Harry says.

“Rachel’s dancin’ with Lora.” Niall says.

“They’re a cute couple.” Louis says.

You look up and see the guys all watching you and your friends. You bite your bottom lip as you make eye contact with Harry.

“I’ll be right back.” You tell them, and walk over to your boyfriend. “Hey stranger.” You say kissing him in front of his friends.

“Hi.” He says, a little surprised, but delighted with your public display. He knew other people had been checking you out.

“Niall, this party is so much fun.” You say to your friend.

“Thanks. How’s Sarah?”

“Good, think she’s missing you though.” You nod towards her.

“Better go fix that.” Niall goes over to dance with his girlfriend.

“Louis how long are in town for?”

“Just til tomorrow love.”

“You and El should come over for lunch or something. We’re a bit cramped at the moment, but it would be great to have you over either.”

“Sure! I’ll ask her. Thanks.” He smiles at you. Louis had a really nice smile. He winks at Harry and makes his way to his own girlfriend. You look up at him.

“Hey.” He says.

“Hi.”

“Havin’ fun, angel?” The pet name sends a tingle up your spine. You wrap your arms around his waist and press yourself to him.

“Mhm. You?” You look at him through your lashes. Before he can say anything, your lips are on his again.

His free hand cups your cheek. You swipe your tongue along his bottom lip, and he opens up for you. Your tongues goes into his mouth, in search of his. He tastes like vodka, and you loved it. You suck his bottom lip into your mouth and he groans, tugging at the hair on the back of your head.

Niall and Louis look over and see what’s happening.

“Do ya think they’re gonna go shag?” Louis asks.

“Maybe.” Niall shrugs. “Just hope they lock the door if they do.” He laughs.

“Apparently they can’t keep their hands off each other.” Rachel chimes in.

“That’s how Niall and I were when we first got together, remember baby?” She looks up at him.

“Hey, it’s still like that.” He pouts.

“Sure, but remember how hot and heavy it was. They’re just going through that phase now since it’s all still new. It’s cute.”

“Alright, let’s stop looking at them.” Lora chimes in. “Who needs another drink?”

You and Harry break from your kiss. You look at him with dark eyes. Your pupils had completely blown out. You take his hand and lead him down the hallway. Niall’s place had two full baths, and a half bath in the hallway. You go into the guest room, and lock the door. But you weren’t done there, you lead Harry into the guest bath, and lock that door too.

“No one’ll hear us this far back.” You say.

“And what exactly do ya plan t’do with me in here, hm?” He smirks.

You connect your lips to his again, and tug at his hair. He lifts you up onto the sink counter, not caring about whatever it was you knocked over in the process. His hand slips up between your thighs and you practically growl at the feeling.

“Fuck, I want you so bad Harry.” You moan when his teeth sink into your collar bone. “Please, baby, fuck me.” He wanted to tell you it would be much easier to take you from behind. He felt bold, so he asked.

“Can I take ya from behind, your ass just looks so good in that dress.” You swallow hard.

“No, I wanna be able to look at you.”

“Got a mirror in here.” He nips at your jaw.

“Harry…” You look at him.

“Alright, this way it is then.” He gives you a reassuring smile. You kiss on the exposed part of his neck and reach for his belt buckle. His hands move up to tug your nylons down.

“No time, just rip the crotch.” He looks at you, eyes wild.

“Really?”

“Do you want me to do it?”

Harry reaches both of his hands inside your dress, and tears the crotch of your tights open. His fingers graze against you, and he can feel how wet you are already.

“Just move them to the side.”

He tugs your dress further up, so it’s bunched at your hips. He lowers his pants and boxers just enough to take his dick out. You scoot closer, and help guide him in while he pushes your panties to the side.

“Mm, fuck.” You moan, clutching at his shoulders. He felt so good. “Feel so good Harry.”

“Gonna have t’fuck ya quick, angel.”

“Just be careful, okay?” He nods, and begins to move in and out of you.

“Feel so good around me baby.” He says into your ear. Your legs wrap around him.

The whole situation was so erotic. You were close just thinking about where you were, and how you were doing it. You start to clench around him.

“Gonna come f’me already?” You look at him. How did he know? “I can feel it.”

“Harry.” You moan.

“Go ‘head, come for me, come all over my cock.” You bite down on your lip hard to stifle the loud noise you desperately wish you could let out. “That’s a good girl, listenin’ t’me.” Your eyes flick up to his.

You kiss him, and hang onto him for dear life while he fucks up into you, hitting your g-spot. He was moving faster and faster, but you could take it. You felt safe in arms. More so, you were coming towards another release, and could feel his coming soon too as his movements got sloppier.

“Can I come in ya, or do you not want me to right now?”

“God, please, come in me Harry, fill me up.” You groan.

“Fuck.” He moans as he releases, you come again as well at the pure feeling.

You both sit there for a moment before he pulls out. You clamp your legs together, trying not to make mess. He helps you off the counter, and fixes himself up. You grab a tissue and wipe under your eyes. The skin on your chest had turned pink, and you had a fresh bruise on your neck.

“Turn around.” You say to him as you pull your tights and panties down, and sit on the toilet. He chuckles as you use the toilet to clean yourself up. You pull everything up, and pull your dress down.

“All set?”

“Mhm.” You loop your arm through his. “Don’t leave me for the rest of the night, please?” You both walk into the bedroom. You lean in closer to him.

“Feel shy?”

“Yeah.” You look up at him and he kisses your forehead.

“Don’t worry, Harry’s here.” You smile at him and walk out of the bedroom.

You peak your head out to make sure no one was around. There were other couple’s making out in the dark hallway, so no one gave you any weird looks. Harry stays with you like he said he would. Your hand never leaves his. Even when your friends want you to dance again.

“Twenty seconds!” Someone yells to signal the ball was going to drop soon. Niall turns the TV station to one of the live feeds.

Your friends all gather near each other. Harry pulls you close to his chest.

“5.”

“4.”

“3.”

“2.”

“1!”

“Happy New Year!”

Harry dips you slightly and kisses you. You can’t remember the last time you had a New Year’s kiss. You giggle when he puts you back up straight.

“Happy new year babe.” You say against his lips.

“Happy new year, love.” He kisses you again.

People start to trickle out of the party a little after one in the morning. You had drank a decent amount, everyone had. You were able to find a spot on the couch now that some people had left. Harry sits with you, and pulls you onto his lap to make more room for others. A few of you get into a game of cards against humanity.

You lean into Harry, and pepper kisses on his neck every few minutes. He loved when you were like this. He would never admit this to anyone, but he craved constant attention. And when he got it, he was addicted.

Around 2:30 in the morning, things had really dwindled down. Harry was off talking with Louis and Niall. They were all piss drunk. Sarah was passed out in the corner of the couch. Rachel and Lora were on their way out, and Eleanor had gotten herself set up in the guest room. You get up and shuffle over to the boys. You press your forehead into Harry’s chest, completely interrupting them. He places a hand on the back of your head, and strokes your hair. You wrap your arms around his back while he continues to talk to the guys. You can barely understand them, you just want to go home and get into bed with your baby.

“Harry.” You say looking up at him. You move your arms to wrap around his neck, getting his full attention. “Can we go home soon please?” He smiles at you.

“Sure, couldja order the uber f’me?”

“Mhm.” You hang on him as you open the app on your phone. He continues to talk to the guys.

“Babe, you wanna grab our coats?”

“Okay.” You turn around and go to the coat closet. You come back and hand him his.

“Thanks.” He looks down at your feet. “Gotta put your shoes back on, love.”

“No.” Louis and Niall look at you, then back to Harry.

“Your feet will get cold.”

“But my feet will hurt if I put these back on.”

“Y/N.”

“Harry.” You put a hand on your hip. Your phone dings. “It’s here.”

“Lou, I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

“Yeah, just text me when you want us there.” They hug. “Night, mate.” He says to Niall.

“Take it easy on her.” He winks at Harry.

“We’ll see.” Harry looks at you. “Really not gonna put your shoes on?”

“Nope.” He sighs, and before you know it, he’s picking you up, and throwing you over his shoulder.

“See ya lads.”

“Bye Harry.” Niall and Louis say in unison.

Harry adjusts you so he’s carrying you bridal style. You nuzzle into his chest. You felt cozy and safe. You feel him put you in the uber, and he also carries you up into your apartment. He sets you down and helps you take your jacket off. He takes off his own and looks at you.

“You know…you really shouldn’t say no to me like that in front of m’friends.”

“My friends too.” You pout. “I didn’t do anything on purpose. My feet just hurt so bad, Harry. I physically couldn’t put those things back on.”

He puts a hand on your shoulder, and walks by to go to the bedroom. You follow him in. Your reach up under your dress to take your tights off. You start laughing.

“What?” You hold them up.

“Forgot you ripped these.” You toss them in the trash. “Was pretty hot.” You slide your panties off and toss them in your basket. You reach inside your dress and remove the tape from your boobs. You sigh with relief.

Harry takes his shirt off, and tosses it in the basket.

“That dress is so sexy on you.” You saunter over to him. He wraps his hands around you and squeezes your butt.

“Wanna take it off?”

He tugs at the hem of the dress, and lifts it up over your head. You undo his belt buckle, and make his pants drop to the floor. You drop to your knees and tug his boxers down.

“What are you-“

“Haven’t had you in my mouth in so long.”

You wrap your lips around his tip, and suckle on it. He hisses at the feeling. His hands go into your hair, softly.

“Fuck, Y/N.” His eyes roll into the back of his head.

You take him deeper down your throat. You taste his precome all over your tongue. His hips thrust forward, and you nearly gag on him.

“Shit, I wanna be able to fuck you.” He pulls your face back. You look up at him with big eyes. He helps you up. “C’mon, let me fuck that tight cunt.” Your pupils fully dilate.

You practically jump on him, you both fall onto the bed. He rolls you on top of him. You were soaking wet, so you guide him in immediately. You grit your teeth as you get used to him. Your nails rake down his chest as you grind on him.

“Feel so good, angel.” His hands reach up to knead your breasts.

Your hands slide up and down his chest, one of them sliding to his throat. Your thumb rubs over his Adam’s apple.

“Is that okay?” You say in a grunt. He nods yes, and you apply a little more pressure as you move up and down on his dick.

“Can I do it to you?”

“Yes, but lightly.”

His hand slides up to your throat. His rings feel cold, but in a good way. Your head tilts back as he thrusts up into you, hitting your g-spot. You were panting. Harry’s hand moves to the back of your neck, and pulls you down to him so you’re chest to chest. He thrusts in and out of you, and there’s so much friction against your clit that you lose yourself.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck.” You pant and moan against his neck. “Come in me baby, please wanna feel it.”

“Yeah, you want me to fill you up?”

“God, yes.”

Harry shoots up into you, filling you to the brim. You tighten around him as you feel yourself come again. You kiss him before getting off of him to go to the bathroom. Harry gets up to get two glasses of water.

“Please don’t make me drink that.” You pout.

“Y’need to baby girl.”

“But I don’t want to.” You whine.

“You’re gonna have a headache tomorrow if ya don’t. Look, I’m drinkin’ mine.”

“Alright.”

You take slow sips of the cold water. You put it on the side table next to the bed, and climb in. He climbs in next to you.

“Harry?”

“Yes, love?”

“Happy new year.” He chuckles.

“Happy new year.”

“Can I lay on your chest?”

“Course.”

You scoot closer to him and rest your head on his chest. He plays with your hair, and feel yourself drift off.

Your eyes flutter open around 10:30, your stomach feels like shit, but at least you didn’t have a headache. Harry was laying on his stomach, with an arm and a leg draped over you. His head in the crook of your neck. You would never get tired of waking up next to such a beautiful man. He feels you shuffle a bit, and slowly opens his eyes to look at you. He turns over, and you do the same so he can spoon you. You loved being encompassed by his scent, the warmth from his body.

“Mornin’.” He coos.

“Morning.” You grab your phone and look over the pictures you and your friends took last night. There was a really cute one of you and Harry. Damn, you did look good last night. “Mind if I post this one on insta.” You lean over and show him.

“We’re kissing in that one…”

“Yeah, someone snapped it at just the right time. I was going to post this one with it so it’s not the first one people see. We just look so cute.”

“Sure, I don’t mind.” He plays it cool, but he loves the idea of you wanting to show off your relationship. Just another reminder to everyone out there that you were very much taken.

“We should probably get up soon. Don’t want you to be crunched for time with Louis.”

“It was nice of you to invite them over today.” He snuggles into you.

After a quick shower, Harry gives Louis a call telling him when he can come over. You make some coffee, and hope your stomach doesn’t feel quite as achy. Harry notices you clutching at it.

“You getting’ your period again already?”

“No.” You giggle. “I have at least another week and a half. Stomach just feels gross from all the alcohol last night. Definitely shouldn’t have had two nights back to back like that.” You hand him a mug and he kisses you on the cheek. “What should I make all of us for lunch? I can spruce up the salad…”

“Oh, he said they’d being somethin’ over, Niall had a fuck ton of leftover food. So salad will be perfect.”

Just as you’re tossing the ingredients together, you hear the buzzer for the door. Harry lets them in. He and Louis hug as they come in.

“Hi Harry.” Eleanor says, giving him a light side hug.

“Enjoy the party last night El?” He says, returning the awkward hug.

“Yeah, Niall always throws a good one. Couldn’t stay awake much after the ball dropped though, I’ll be honest.”

“You certainly crashed early, love.” Louis looks at you. “Hi Y/N, thanks for havin’ us. Brought some chips and dip with us.”

“Oh great, just set it on the counter. Harry, you wanna put that in some serving dishes?”

“Sure thing.”

“I’m setting this up buffet style, feel free to help yourselves.” You smile.

Everyone makes themselves a plate, and gathers in the living area to eat.

“Nice place you two have here.” Eleanor says.

“Thanks, we’re looking at a bigger place tomorrow.” You say.

“Right, near Niall’s place?”

“Mhm.” You take a bite of your salad.

“What time did you guys leave last night? Lou didn’t come to bed til nearly two in the mornin’.” She laughs.

“Um…I’m not sure.” You look up at Harry. “I was sort of out of it last night.”

“No kiddin’, ya wouldn’t even put ya shoes on.” Louis says.

“I wouldn’t?”

“You don’t remember?” Harry asks. “I had to carry you out.”

“That I remember.” You giggle. “Just didn’t remember the reason.” You shrug.

“It was pretty cute, ya came over t’him like a little baby, askin’ t’go home.”

“Yeah, and you guys just kept talking like I wasn’t even there. What were you talking about anyways?” Harry and Louis look at each other.

“Nothin’ important. Just deep in conversation.” Harry says. “So, El, how’s work?”

“Good!” She says, completely surprised he asked. “Um, really good actually. Love what I do, and all tha’. Lou and I have the next few days off, we’ve got Freddie comin’ t’be with us.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, his mum felt bad for stiffin’ me over Christmas, so she said we could have him again for another few days. She took him with her on a family ski trip.”

“What about school?”

“He can miss a few days of preschool, not a big deal. Maybe when you guys come to visit it’ll be on one m’weekends, know he misses his Uncle H.”

“Y/N, Harry’s told Lou you have a little nephew?”

“Yes!” You take your phone out. “He’s so cute.” You pull up a picture to show her.

“Oh! Look at those chubby cheeks!”

“He’s like a little meatball.” You giggle.

“Which of your siblings had him?”

“My brother. I’m a first time auntie, and I love it.”

“He’s a super cuddly baby too.” Harry says.

“Oh I bet you snatched him up the second you met him.” Louis says chuckling. “I swear you held Freddie more at the hospital after he was born than I did.” He takes a sip of water. “I remember too, when you posted that picture on your Instagram, the one you keep private now, and I think every girl that followed you commented with heart eyes, or DM’d you.”

“Ohhh, so that’s why you love babies so much, just trying to get in good with ladies.” You tease him.

“Ya got me.” He rolls his eyes. “What are Niall and Sarah up to today?”

“Jesus, that’s why I got to bed so late ya know? She was asleep on the couch and the lad needed help gettin’ her into bed. She was complete deadweight. Think she was still sleepin’ when we left. He only got up to say goodbye.”

“Once we have a bigger place you two are more than welcome to stay over with us.” You say.

“You really do have the sweetest girl, I gotta say.” Louis puts his arm around Eleanor. “Other than mine of course.” She leans into him. They were a really cute couple, and you knew Harry was trying his best to be happy for them.

“Can I help with the dishes?” Eleanor says, walking into the kitchen with you. Normally would say no, but you could tell she didn’t want to be left alone with the boys.

“Sure! I have some fruit in the fridge, thought we could have that for dessert if you wanted to grab it.” She smiles and goes into the fridge. You both stop to look over at the boys. “It’s nice to see such a strong male friendship, isn’t it?”

“Definitely. Harry’s been way more relaxed around me today. I’m assumin’ you had somethin’ to do with that.”

“I didn’t say anything…you know he told me he really does like you, he’s just sad Louis’ so far away.”

“I’m a scapegoat, I get it.” She shrugs. “If we could live closer we would in a heartbeat, but he needs Freddie in his life. Took him a long time to get the custody he has over him now. We get him a lot more in the summer, it’s wonderful.”

“You really love him, don’t you?”

“Think of him as my own.”

“What was it like dating someone knowing he had a baby on the way?”

“Well, it certainly made for an interesting first date, but I appreciated him being so upfront and honest about it. He assured me he and his ex had no intentions of making a relationship work, and that I’d have nothing to worry about on that end. But he told me if he needed to scoot to go to the doctor with her, he wouldn’t hesitate. I thought it was sweet that he was taking so much responsibility.” She smiles as she looks at him. She leans in to whisper to you. “Sexiest dad in the world, gotta say.” You both giggle.

“Oi! What are you two gigglin’ about?” Louis gets up and walks over to you both. Harry follows him, popping a piece of fruit into his mouth.

“Nothin’, just enjoyin’ watchin’ the hens cluck.” She kisses him on the cheek.

“Here that? We’ve been reduced to cluckin’ hens.” He looks at Harry. “Sure you weren’t talkin’ about how much ya love me?”

“She said you were a sexy dad.” Eleanor gasps at you as you laugh.

“I’ve been betrayed!” She looks back at Louis. “But it’s true, I did say tha’.”

“Keep talkin’, love when you inflate m’ego.”

“As if Harry doesn’t do enough of that for ya.”

“Oh stop, if anythin’, I knock the lad down a peg or two.” He looks at Louis with a grin. “Isn’t that right, shorty.”

“Alright, we’re leavin’ before he starts actin’ up.” He looks down at his watch. “Yikes, we really do have to go. Don’t wanna sit in traffic.”

“Me either. Thanks so much for having us over.”

“Anytime!”

“Let us know when ya move, we can come help.” Louis says.

It was hugs all around. Harry sighed big after they left. Harry hated seeing his friend go. You squint your eyes at him.

“What?”

“What’s the big secret with you two…everything was muffled last night, but the three of you are concocting something.”

“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.” He walks by you to go use the bathroom and you jump on his back. “Y/n! I need to wee!” He giggles. “What are you doin’?”

“Tell me!” You wrap your legs around his waist and push on his bladder.

“I’m gonna wee in m’pants if you keep doin’ that.”

“Tell me and I’ll let you go!”

“Okay, okay. We were talkin’ about marriage, can ya let me use the bathroom now!” You get off him and he turns around to look at him. You’re as pale as a ghost.

“Marriage?”

#harry styles #take it slow #harry styles x reader #harry styles y/n #harry styles imagine #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry styles fluff fic #harry styles smut fic #harry styles y/n fic #would love feedback fam #should i wrap it up?#i just cant say goodbye yet i love them so much #the next part gets really angsty so thats fun.

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fruit-teeth · 4 years

Text

Matters of Time and Fate (10)

“What’s the cat’s name, anyway?” Scout wanted to know, fiddling with his seatbelt as he watched Olivia smooth her hands all over the toy cat. “Did ya give it one?”

Olivia shrugged, looking back out the window. “I dunno yet…” she looked back down at the cat, smiling again, the situation at the store mostly forgotten for now.

Engineer pulled into the dirt driveway, heading up the garage and parking. He let out a sigh as soon as they were parked, and he undid his seatbelt. “Finally, home again. I’m real hungry, anyone want lunch?”

“Yeah, sure!” Olivia piped up, quickly getting rid of her seatbelt and opening the door.

Sniper offered to help her out of the car, but she assured him she could do it herself. Everything seemed fine as the four headed inside, but the moment they set foot in the threshold, Miss Pauling approached.

“Thank god, you’re back,” she spoke hastily, ushering the mercenaries as well as Olivia all the way inside and shutting the door. “Guys, it’s time for a meeting,”

“Meeting?” Engineer raised an eyebrow. “No one said anything about meetings!”

“Well, it’s important,” Miss Pauling then turned to Olivia, gesturing to the stairs. “Hey, how about you go upstairs? This is a grown-up meeting, okay?”

Olivia frowned, sticking her chin out defiantly. “I go to grown-up meetings! Daddy takes me to them, and when the guys don’t listen to him, he—!”

Before she could finish her thought, the Administrator appeared in the doorway. “Olivia, go upstairs this instant,” she spoke quietly, but she was firm enough to silence Olivia.

Olivia toyed around with the cat in her hands, staring at her feet. Sniper nudged her gently. “Best listen to her,” he whispered.

“Fine,” Olivia decided after a moment, turning on her heel and heading up the stairs.

Once she was up in her attic room, she set the cat down on the shelf above her bed, making sure the spot on the shelf was properly dusted off. She then noticed the heating grate by the bed, and as she leaned close to it, she could vaguely make out the sounds of voices from downstairs.

Olivia climbed down onto the floor, kneeling beside the grate and putting her ear against it to listen. She wanted to know what this meeting was all about – she didn’t have a reason why, she just enjoyed knowing things.

Down in the study, Miss Pauling had all the mercenaries sit down while the Administrator stood at the front of the room, an unreadable expression in her eyes. This whole situation was unusual: whenever the mercenaries had meetings, the Administrator usually kept a great deal of distance from them, or sometimes she was not even there at all. Today, though, she was within just a few feet of them, and somehow this felt very strange to the men.

As soon as everyone was seated, Helen cleared her throat and began speaking. “Hello, everyone,” she greeted. “As you may know, this house is where we will be staying until Saxton Hale arranges to have us moved back to a regular base. Initially, I was not planning to put you to use, but something has happened, and now your skills are needed,”

Spy blew on his cigarette, observing Helen’s face when she talked. “And what has happened?”

The Administrator and Miss Pauling exchanged a look from across the room, before the Administrator went on. “The bit of Australium which was launched into space and lost is not lost after all,”

A gasp rippled through the mercenaries as this information sunk in. Sniper tensed, and from beside him, Demoman noticed and put a gentle hand on his arm.

“So,” Medic spoke up from where he was seated. “What does this mean, exactly? You said it was in space, how was it found again?”

The Administrator took a breath. “Well – the spaceship carrying it wound up colliding with a satellite station. However, this wasn’t just any satellite station,”

As the mercenaries listened carefully, Helen went on to explain, “That station belonged to Security Republic, a lucrative security camera chain. They also have their own television channel, which I assume is what the station is for.”

“Wait just a minute,” Engineer spoke up, his brow furrowing. “Security Republic? Weren’t they the company that helped with Mann Co.’s original security camera installation way back in the day?”

“That they are,” the Administrator confirmed with a nod. “Our partnership with them ended many years ago after a new CEO took over. All you need to know about this new CEO is that his name is Phoenix Sage, and his history with Mann Co. is…” she grimaced a bit. “Unpleasant, to say the least. He is now in possession of the Australium, but he is holding it for ransom. The only way we can get it from him is by paying whatever amount of money he decides it’s worth. Or, we could just take it by force, although this is one situation where I would like to avoid doing so,”

“You want us to pay money?” Heavy frowned. “Not kill men, but pay money?”

“Not quite,” Helen corrected him. “Saxton Hale has already agreed to pay the ransom. Now, under normal circumstances, I might not even need to include any of you in this, but considering this is Phoenix Sage we’re talking about, we will definitely need some of you as backup for Hale…”

Scout snorted. “Why’s that? Is this Sage guy real strong or something? I bet any of us could take ‘em!”

Helen just rolled her eyes. “Please, its far more complicated than that. The man is a master manipulator – not only is he physically capable of combat, he is mentally capable as well,” she cleared her throat again. “Now, I’ve made a list of who should go with Hale to face Sage, and…”

“Oi, Administrator?” Sniper interrupted, raising his hand to get her attention. “Ma’am—sorry to interrupt, but…I-I was wondering, did they say anything about…someone being on the ship? Like, was there anyone on the ship with the Australium?”

The room became very still. Miss Pauling sighed from where she was standing at the back of the room. “Oh, Sniper…”

“They did not mention anyone,” the Administrator replied after a moment. “But I’m sending you over there with Hale, so you can ask when you get there,” she pulled out a list from a binder and continued. “Going with him are Engineer, Soldier and Heavy. The rest of you are permitted to stay here, but be on alert just in case something goes wrong and Hale needs more backup, agreed?”

The mercenaries agreed, and they began to go their separate ways. Those who had been called gathered their supplies, knowing they had to be ready for anything.

“Yo, Snipes?” Scout approached Sniper as the older man was loading a bag with containers of extra bullets. “You doin’ okay?”

Sniper was quiet as he checked his supplies again. “Yeah, I’ll be okay. It’s just…” he sighed, turning around to look at Scout. “Did the others tell you about what happened, when that spaceship full of Australium got launched?”

When Scout shook his head, Sniper clarified, “Well, it just so happened my…” he paused, composing himself, taking a breath. “It just so happened my biological mum was on that ship,”

Scout’s eyes widened. “Dude, for real? Damn…so, like, is she alive or…?”

Demoman stepped in. “Laddie, its best if you don’t upset him more,” he turned back to Sniper, patting his shoulder. “No matter what happens, we’re gonna be here for you, lad. I promise,”

Sniper nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Thank you,” he murmured, squeezing Tavish’s hand a little before turning and heading for the door.

As Sniper, Heavy, Engineer and Soldier all piled up into Sniper’s van, Olivia headed back down the stairs.

“Where are they going?” she wanted to know as she walked up to Demo.

“They gotta get some work done,” Demoman explained. “But they’ll be back soon, all right?”

Olivia watched through the window as the van pulled out of the driveway and headed back down the road, driving away. “All right…”

Scout cleared his throat, wanting to ease the tension. “Hey, how about we get some lunch?”

Before anyone could agree to anything, Miss Pauling called from the other room, “Olivia, can we see you for a second?”

“Oh…okay,” Olivia smoothed her skirt out, heading on into the library, where Miss Pauling and the Administrator were waiting.

“Olivia, please sit down,” Helen pulled up a chair, motioning for the girl to sit. When she did, Helen began, “Saxton Hale will arrive tonight once everything has been taken care of. When he does, the signing will take place, and you will sign over the rights of Mann Co. to him for good. Do you understand?”

Olivia looked down at her hands, not answering for a moment. Helen asked again, “Do you understand, Olivia?”

“I don’t wanna do it,” Olivia murmured, hugging her arms, closing in on herself. It would all be over then—the life she had wanted and had been promised would be gone, along with her father.

Miss Pauling sighed, though Helen remained firm. “I know you don’t, but you must. I’m afraid you don’t have a choice,”

When Olivia still didn’t look up, Helen stepped forward, brushing the girl’s hair out of her face like she had done on the first day. As Olivia tilted her head up to look at Helen, the woman paused her actions, pulling her hand back. “All you have to do is sign, little one,”

Miss Pauling watched the interaction from where she stood, feeling her heart ache. It had to be done, Olivia couldn’t have this company in her hands, not with the direction her father had given her. Except now, with company ownership out of the way, Olivia would be placed in new hands: Helen’s hands.

#HERE WE GOOO CHAPTER 10 #yeah things are moving along!#so happy i got this done tonight lol #writing #my writing #tf2 fanfiction #tf2 #tf2 olivia mann #tf2 engineer #tf2 sniper #tf2 scout #tf2 demoman #tf2 heavy #tf2 soldier #tf2 medic #tf2 spy #tf2 administrator #tf2 miss pauling

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haunted-by-catholic-guilt · 4 years

Text

who needs real friends when you have comfort characters am I right lads?

Anyway may or may not have just gotten a 5 paragraph essay on why I’m impossible to love how we doin tonight

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oroku-sanquin · 4 years

Photo

The evening air was sweet from the cherry blossoms, the cool air rolling up off the cobble stone as Oroku walked from the shore of the Shirogane docks. He had come here looking for contract work, but ended up joining a local crime family. A small Yakuza group by the name of Higanbana, that had been running a bath house as a front. They had given him a warm enough welcome, accepted him quickly. A sense of trust he felt he had yet to earn, seeing as they did not fully have his yet ether.

As he turned the corner he saw it, a small bath house with cherry blossoms and purple fern trees, the sound of the waterfall behind it. He had slept in the rental rooms the night before, and found it to be more comfortable than his other arrangements, also known as a street corner or a dusty Inn with dirty sheets. No he had enjoyed himself, the family had been at a fight event backing some fighters the night before, he had made an appearance but felt out of sorts. The bath having been empty and closed to the public for the evening, he utilized it to its fullest. A hot shower before a refreshing dip, an open tap pitcher of ale, and one of his favorite Garlean Cigars, and solitude a long forgotten friend of his. He had gone to sleep before anyone had truly come back.

“Heh, what are you doin, ya old fool.” he said to himself thinking how he had pampered himself. “Ye do a job and you move on.” he let out a sigh before walking down the path and into the bath house.

It appeared as if no one had shown yet, although he did hear light music coming from one of the other rooms. As he entered he saw a Au’ra sitting and sipping a drink working on papers.

“Aye lad, how are you?” he said bluntly as he approached.

The Au’ra without a hint of surprise, looked up from his paper “Oh hello, how are you?” he asked in a calm voice.

“Oh you know, here for some work is all.” Oroku said, sitting down across the table from the other man.

Looking somewhat puzzled for a moment before realizing “Ah yes you are that new member to the family. I'm sorry I haven't had the opportunity to introduce myself yet.” he said, pouring a glass and offering it to Oroku.

“Aye, it be alright, been a few I haven't met yet, names Oroku.” he said taking the drink offered to him and peering down at the what was now obviously a type of alcohol, a type Oroku was not sure, but drank anyway enjoying the subtle taste of it.

“I am Shou, it's a pleasure to meet you Oroku.” he said leaning back slightly “Shar has told me a small amount about you, will you be joining us on the outing this evening?”

Thinking for a moment, “What outing?” he asked, looking over as Shou pulled a cigarette from a gold case and put it in his mouth then offered a second to Oroku.

“We are going to be going out and doing some collections on properties in our territories that would otherwise be helpless against thugs, thieves and the occasional drunk without our protection.” he said as Oroku took the cigarette and lit his own.

Oroku lit his cigarette with a small magitek lighter he had stored in his jacket “Ah, so we are on a mission of goodwill, spreading the word of fiscal responsibility.” he joked taking a drag of the cigarette, it almost being swallowed by his enormous fingers.

Shou let out a laugh “Mission of goodwill? My, I have never heard it called that before.” he said taking a drag and then drinking the last of his brandy.

He looked up at the clock, and quickly began organizing the parchments he had been reading over.

“I do apologize for this short meeting Oroku but I need to take care of some matters before we head out. It was a pleasure, I look forward to working with you this evening.”

Oroku nodded at him and flicked some ash from the cigarette, and drank the last of his drink.

“See you there.”

As Shou left, Oroku looked around the music hall, the very room he had wandered into the night he joined Higanbana, before promptly being removed by Shar, a Small Au’ra he couldn't help but respect due to the power she had in her tone. He chuckled to himself and got up putting the last bit of the cigarette out before heading for the door.

As he came through the door he noticed two he had originally met, Suto and Lucia standing in the lobby, Suto was wearing loose clothing with his mask on, Lucia a white tank top, short and what appeared to be combat boots.

The duo noticed the large Hrothgar come out and nodded to him. He politely nodded at them.

“Hey, how are you two doin this evening?” he asked as he walked up from behind the counter.

“Well, you?” Suto asked as he approached.

“Not bad, not bad.” he said leaning against the counter.

“You joining us tonight then big guy? Lucia asked “They tell you what we are doing?”

Oroku nodded, in confirmation but didn’t say anything.

“Well then you boys want to grab a drink before we head out?” she asked the two.

“I would always have a drink with you, love.” Suto said, smiling at her under his mask.

“I'm always up for a drink, period.” Oroku chuckled

The three then headed upstairs to the bar, where Suto quickly leaped the counter,

“What can I get for you big guy?” he asked as Oroku sat down on a stool, the wood creaking under his weight but holding.

“Just fill that tankard up with some ale.” he pointed to the wooden tankard he had used the previous night.

Suto nodded and grabbed it and quickly filled it letting some foam come to the top, before sliding it to Oroku.

“What about for you gorgeous.” he asked Lucia

She looked at him while leaning against the counter.

“Whatever your having, will be fine.”

“Whiskey it is.”

He began pouring, as he was doing so, the door downstairs opened and shut with a loud bang.

“So Oroku?” Lucia motioned to him as he was drinking his Ale.”What type of weapon you prefer?”

He set the mug down and showed a pair of razor sharp claws that he could retract in and out.

“I use these when I am trying to make a point.” he then patted the handle of his gunblade, “And I use this when I need it to be a bit more permanent of a message.”

She eyed the gunblade handle “I prefer to use my hands.” she said standing back a bit, before ejecting two large Magitek blades from her arms.

While a bit surprised Oroku did not show it, his life had taken him to many places and he had seen many things, a Viera with blades in her arms was a 8 of his 10 scale of surprise.

“Those look like they could do some damage.” he said clearly impressed

She retracted them as Suto placed her whiskey on the counter “You know it.” she joked, giving him a teasing wink.

As Suto picked up his whiskey the strong smell of booze and vomit wafted into the upstairs lounge.

“SUTO! Get meh ah drin.” the slurred drunk speech of a Miqo’te female with a heavy accent filled the air.

“Oh gods,” he said, leaping back over the counter and walking over to her. “Leo how much have you been drinking?” he asked, somewhat guiding her fall onto one of the stools where she then took another swig of a flask

“No, the queshion ish, how much, ave I been drinkin.” she said again slurred.

“Maybe you should help her to the bath.” Lucia said, still sipping on her whiskey, Oroku just watching in silence with no judgement on his face, for he had been in that state before.

“Right, let's get you sobered up and clean.” Suto said to Leo who for a few moments longer continued to fight against the idea, before finally breaking and stumbling down stairs Suto assisted in each step.

“This be an interestin group.” Oroku said finishing off his beer

Lucia was eyeing him, before finally asking “So why did you join? Just here for a contract or going to stay?”

He thought for a long moment

“It was going to be just a job, but something about this place made me want to try not bein so disconnected with those I work with.” he shrugged while reaching over and filling his mug back up.

“That was my case as well.” she said leaning again against the bar.

They sat in silence a moment,

“Well it should just be about time, I think Shou said we are meeting out front.” he said pushing off the bar.

Oroku downed his beer and got up, securing his gunblade tightly, the two headed downstairs, hearing the fighting that was happening in the bath as Suto attempted to clean a very drunk woman. Oroku opened the door and the two headed out into the brisk night air to meet up with everyone else.

End Part 1

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boogiewrites · 5 years

Text

Choking On Sapphires 76

Characters: Alfie Solomons x Genevieve (OFC)

Title & Song: You’ve Got The Love

Summary: Alfie's Birthday Party. Genevieve's plans a lovely and humble (for her anyway) celebration of her favorite man. But little does she know she isn't the only one that has their own plans for the evening. Song is You've Got The Love by Florence + The Machine.

Warnings/Tags: Fluff. Dancing. Giving Alfie gifts. Some Cyril. Lotf of cute affection.

Click on my icon then go to my Mobile Masterlist in my bio for my other works and chapters. (Had to do this since Tumblr killed links, sorry.)

Genevieve’s pointed leather heels kick up dust along the well walked pathway towards Alfie's office. The navy shoes in their cool tone set apart from the sepia-toned expanse of dirt and wood as the employees of her future husband, the formidable gangster Alfie Solomons politely bowed their heads in greeting as they dare not do anything that could be read as anything but. A trip to Solomons office for even the bravest of men was a nerve-racking experience. But for Genevieve, it was always a journey of excitement and delight. This trip was no different.

She dusts her flowing, floral spring dress as she stops just short of bumping into Alfies second, Ollie. The tall and always slightly nervous looking young man had a curious bead of sweat on his brow as his body language gave away his hesitancy for her unannounced appearance.

“Bonjour Ollie darling!” She greets with a very pleasant smiling face, an envelope clutched in her hand over the small purse she carries that matched her shoes. She did always look very put together, and most always the opposite of her love Alfie as his appearance, particularly when he was at work. He was unkempt and old fashioned at best. She had brought many new things into his life but a complete shift in his wardrobe wasn’t one of them.

Ollie as always enjoyed hearing the sweet melodic greeting of his boss’s charming love interest, but not even his fondness for laying eyes on her could distract him from his anxieties as she cheerfully trotted towards Alfie's office door.

“Shalom Miss Durand.” He sputters with darting eyes and a face that only half turns to her as it nervously glances to the half glass door she could hear Alfie shouting from. He’s relieved when she takes a few steps back as he approaches her with outstretched arms.

“I DONT FUCKIN CARE IF ITS THE BLOODY QUEEN WHAT NEEDS SEEIN' TO MATE!” Alfies gruff and almost slurred thick Camden accent in its usual loud and booming delivery makes its way through the wooden door to their ears.

“Oh.” Genevieve says with puckered, painted lips, her dark brown eyes wide and understanding of the man before her and his unwelcoming body language.

“Yeah he’s uh...” Ollie stutters.

“YEAH 'N I FUCKIN' PAID YOU YEAH? NO ONE ELSE,FUCKIN YOU!”

“Poor man.” She sighs. “His birthday and he still can’t enjoy himself.” She tsks and opens her mouth to speak but his words interrupt her.

“YEAH 'N IF I DONT FUCKIN' 'AVE IT BY NOON, RIGHT? I 'ONT CARE HOW MUCH FUCKIN' MONEY I PAID YOU I'LL FUCKIN' SHOOT YOU! DO YOU UNDERSTAND? EITHER IT IS IN MY HAND AND PERFECT OR YOU WILL BE FUCKIN' CUT INTO LITTLE PIECES 'N NO ONE WILL EVER FIND YA MATE!”

“He’s going to die from a heart attack before the party.” She shakes her head and shrugs. “I apologize if he’s been poorly to you Ollie. I know a party isn’t really his sort of thing and he’s probably well miffed about it.” She responds apologetically. “He seemed rather pleasant this morning.” She reflects thoughtfully with a slight tilt of her head, her half pulled back hair shifting as she did so, the ends of it swishing across her lower back as she shakes her head out of the thought. “But maybe he’s only saving face because he knows I love a good party. Bless the poor lad.” Her hand rests on her ample chest that was still noticeable even in the humble neckline of her pink and blue floral dress. “I’m afraid I have one more thing to add to your to-do list today Ollie.”

“PISS OFF!” Alfie's voice interrupts again, hearing his hand hit the top of his desk.

Gen sighs and continues on despite the usually charming deep gruff she experienced from the man being replaced with a rather unpleasant gravelly growl full of threat. “I need you to put this envelope in his desk for me, please. It’s extremely important and no one, including you sees what’s inside. Trust me.” She hands the envelope to Ollie who’s shaking hands tentative lift to meet it between them. He takes it, looking at the sealed folder with question as it slides from her manicured fingers. “After he leaves put it-“

“WHAT PART OF I WILL FUCKIN' KILL YOU DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?”

Unphased she continues, “Put it in his desk where he will find it. No one else but he needs to see what’s in it. It’s important.” She said a stern nod of her head. “Put it in your jacket and keep it a secret from him and place it after he’s gone.”

“May I ask what’s in it?” Ollie cautiously asks.

“It’s for his birthday. It’s from me. It’s a letter and a gift and I want him to find it when he comes into work tomorrow. I want it to be a surprise.”

“Oh.” He says with a quick nod and slides it into his pocket. “I can certainly do that Miss. No worries.” He gives her a polite smile.

“What the fuckin' hell are you doin here love?” Alfie's voice without the door blocking it comes unfiltered to both their ears as it makes Ollie jump and Gen perks up and almost floats over to him at the sound. She must be the only person that responded that way to hearing that tone from the man Ollie estimates.

“I wanted to see if everything was on schedule for you to come home early.” Her voice is soft and sweet as her hands move across the gritty and rough fabric of his shirt that was in a loose style that made him look far older than he was.

“Ya don't know how to use a fuckin' phone now?” He laughs.

“I had to come to town to pick up a few things for tonight and I wanted to see the birthday boy.” She bats her lashes and leans into his chest, giving a peck to his chin as she does a little lift to reach him.

“Who?” He laughs heartily and leans in to kiss her on the lips.

“Don’t be daft now, Alfie.” She sways her head and beams at him.

“Don’t know no boys I’m afraid mate. Only know old, old fuckin' men yeah?”

“Wel lucky for you I happen to love me a cheeky old man hmmm?” She chuckles and he grumbles as she coaxes another kiss out of him. Ollie watches the display of affection, which was nothing new for him to see but the softness he showed to Gen always caught him off guard.

“I’m the luckiest old bastard in all of England love.” He says with a quieter voice as he hums into another affectionate kiss from the small dark-haired woman who held his heart in her painted, soft, deadly but well-manicured hands.

“Maybe you will be tonight after the party.” She giggles against his full lips and he lets out a single loud laugh of amusement for her cheekiness.

“It IS me birthday.” He shoots a charming grin her way as she steps back and gives his chin an adoring squeeze.

“Oh is it?” She chuckles.

“Ah ya silly bird. Get on wif ya now. I gotta work to afford to pay for ‘is party.” He teases.

“I’ll see you at three darling?” She says, stepping away but her hands still holding his shirt.

“Yes, you will pet. Now I do ‘ave to get caught up so I can leave dunnit I? So you go and get ready and I’ll be in later. On time. Promise.”

“Alright darling.” She coos, stealing another kiss from the older man.

“Love you Ari. Happy Birthday.” She chirps.

“Love you too Genny bee now get on.” He says giving her bum a little pat that she acts offended by but she giggles and tucks her hair behind her ear as she quickly trots away back down the corridor.

Alfie watches her leave with fondness in his eyes. He saunters towards Ollie, his broad and more experienced shoulders turning faster than the younger and taller man could comprehend as he grabs him by the shirt collar after knocking him in the stomach after he’s sure Genevieve is out of sight.

“Did she fuckin hear anyfin'?” He growls into the younger man’s face. So close he could feel the spit leave his lips as he demanded an answer.

“No.” He whimpers out, avoiding Alfies intense steely blue gaze.

“Then you should make sure ya go to temple then eh? Because you got real fuckin lucky dinnit ya?” He says with a taunt to his voice as he lets him go roughly, shoving him backward a few steps. “If you’d gone and let her hear me plans I would’ve killed you along with this fuckin twat of a jeweler.”

“She didn’t. I swear it.” He stays slightly hunched with a hand over his stomach as he rapidly shakes his head back and forth.

“Well, then what’s wrong lad? Stand up, we got fings to do! It’s me birthday! Didn’t ya know?” He asks with a hard slap to Ollie’s back as he turns and moves back into his office.

----------

Genevieve sits with glistening freshly oiled skin on the end of a sweeping, velvet canopy bed. Her pink silk dressing gown a sweet contrast to the black curtains that surrounded the bed and the windows on either side. Behind her rests a previously disgruntled Cyril. The poor pup didn’t care much for the new people and movement in the house while everyone readied for the party. Gen had taken some of Alfie's shirts and laid them on the bed for him to have a cuddle and settle down and it had worked. She sits leisurely stroking the large brown slobbering sweetie as he snorts into a sleep shirt of his owners.

Alfie enters into the room, the attention of his two favorite creatures sitting on the bed now focused on him. Cyril tail thumps loudly against the duvet and if Gen had a tail it’d be doing much the same. “Aren’t you two just precious?” He says throwing his jacket onto the same chair by the desk that he always does. “Ya havin’ a cuddle without me?” He asks, grunting and sitting on the edge of the bed as Cyril slides on his stomach towards him to greedily receive his head pets from his favorite human.

“He was missing his papa. With all the noise in the house he's been upset poor baby.” Gen coos, stroking the beasts back as Alfie take his face into both his hands.

“Ya like me innit ya? Don’t like all these people 'round do ya? Two old men need their peace dunnit they?” His lips pooch out as he skirts on the line of baby talk with the snorting dog as it licks his palms.

“I gave him some of your shirts to lay on and he’s been a good boy while I bathed.” She says with an affection tone.

“‘Ats cause he is a good boy innit ya Cyril?” He coos and lets the dog put his head in his lap where he quickly shuts his eyes.

“I have your suit pressed and hung for you darling. No rush of course, it’s still hours 'til the party. We can’t all be as fortunate to be as handsome as you and only require a quick comb and new suit and be public ready.” Gen teases, giving him a kiss to his temple.

“I know it’s me birthday but ya don’t gotta lie to me.” He chuckles.

“Shush.” She scolds with a tap to his strong nose. "Come and have a look at it." she says, her confident stride dragging the long gown behind her, cinched at her waist tightly and only accentuating her curves. There were plenty of up and downsides of dating a baker, and for Alfie, the softness she'd put on since they'd been together was an up side in his opinion. She'd been such a slight thing when they'd first met, hip bones and ribs just under the surface of her warm toned skin. But now her hips matched the swell of her chest, her thighs a perfect soft frame for the black hair that rests between them under a soft stomach with no protruding bones in sight. Only a real-life illustration of a woman with curves he'd seen as a young man that had most likely sparked puberty within him.

"It's a suit, love, why I gotta look at it?" his usual cantankerous grumble comes out.

"Because it's the first of your birthday gifts, darling." she says with an authoritative tone, one hand moving to her hip, her painted nails tapping against the arch of pink satin underneath it.

"A gift? Ya buy me a suit? I got plenty of 'em, Genny." he says with a less angry tone, toeing off his shoes and giving Cyril a good ruffle between his ears before moving towards her with a sigh heavy in his chest.

"No. It's from Freddie actually." she says with a more charming smile, removing the protective covering she'd been keeping it in her closet.

"Oh! Ol' Fred's at it again, eh? What is it? A chartruese three-piece with coattails?" he chuckles, amusing only himself as Genevieve gently handles the soft fabric.

"No, silly." she says with a shake of her head, presenting it to him. A lovely soft fabric in black for the coat and trousers, the inside a silken sapphire blue with a matching vest.

"Well this innit bad at all." he says with pursed lips in consideration for the good taste the usually flashy best friend of Genevieve's had.

"The buttons are all solid gold and look like little old coins." she says excitedly. "Touch it, darling, it'll feel fantastic on your skin." she says hanging it on the handle of the armoire. He does as is suggested as he uses the back of his still dirty hand, still smudged from work on the other side. He nods in consideration, thankful the two hellions had, in fact, kept his preferences in mind while making this for him.

"It is rather nice." he mutters, examining the little gold buttons.

"And there's also this. He designed the suit and we both decided on these." she says, returning with hurried feet in her little maribou tipped slippers as she holds a square velvet box open to him. Inside rest two sapphire cuff links with gold bases.

"Now 'is. 'Is is well good." he says taking the box from her hands. "This is lovely innit?" he says more cheerfully, holding the box in one hand and pulling her close with the other. She's rewarded with an affectionate kiss to the temple. "I am more than pleasantly surprised love. Well chuffed 'bout it." his more charming and smooth voice comes out as he beams down a smile that makes her slump and gaze up at him with adoring eyes.

“Very glad to hear it. I’m happy you like them, he had them made for me so they’d match the fabric exactly.” She says with a precise annunciation as she taps the deep blue vest with one pointed finger.

“Thank you my most thoughtful flower. I’ll wear it all with pride tonight.” He says politely, placing the box on top of the dresser for later.

“Perhaps you’ll use one of my other gifts for you tonight.” She says with a mischievous smile as she moves away towards her closet.

“More? And what would that be?” He asks with a dipped chin her way.

“I’ll give them to you before the party.” She says with a playful shake of her head. “Right now I need to throw something on to go do rounds to check everything.” She says as she holds the archway into her large closet, body posed as she speaks.

“I can do it for ya love. I’m sure you’d rather take ya time gettin' ready, yeah?” He says adjusting his shirt before shuffling over to his side of the bed to slide on his slippers.

“There’s a list on the desk. Just finalizing that everyone is where they should be really.” She says dismissively. “I was going to do it with Ags.”

“I can do it. Let me have some part in this party.” He grins. “Aggie can help me. She could handle it herself the old girl.”

“She could but you know how particular I am.”

“'N 'ats why I'd be a good man for the job, eh?” He says convincingly as he looks over the list written down in her dramatic and looped handwriting.

“Thank you darling. I appreciate it. I’ve been hopping about like a little rabbit all day with this party planning I’d love a little rest so I could have a nice time dancing tonight.”

“Then have yaself a little lie down yeah? I’ve got this.” He says shaking the paper in the air.

“You’re a lovely and thoughtful man Alfie.” She falls out affectionately.

“Now what I’d say 'bout lying on me birthday?” He shouts out in his usual gruff tone but she knows he’s only teasing. What she didn’t know was his ulterior motives for wanting to speak to the hired staff.

“There’s just the girl I was looking for!” Alfie booms in a warm voice as he sees Aggie fussing over flowers.

“There's the birthday boy!” She says with a face that beams only happiness his way. She grabs him by his cheeks and give him a sturdy pat and shake. “Gen is in her room I believe.”

“I know I’ve already spoken to her, thank you.” He gives her a curt nod. “But I actually needed to speak with you for a moment.” He says dipping his voice low.

“I’m all ears.” She chirps with her eyes hidden by rounded flushed cheeks.

“May we do so in private?” He asks with a gentlemanly disposition, his hand to her upper back as he shows her towards his study.

“Of course.” Her tone shoes her worry. A turn to her words Alfie was very used to hearing by now. “Is something the matter?” She whispers with large eyes that follow him as he moves to shut the door to his study behind him. He moves into the wooden, red and golden decorated room with its large bay windows and intimidatingly sized dark stained desk in front of them. He sits he list down as he rests on the edge.

“Nothing is the matter.” He says with a swipe of his hand. “I just needed you to be privy to my plans tonight and now was an ideal time to discuss them.” He clears his throat and lifts his chin high in a proud stance with his arms crossed. “You’ll want to sit Agatha.” He adds with a grin.

Her face still reading worried dispute his reassurance, he studies her as her fingers fidget, hands clasped in her lap as she lowers herself into one of the plush leather chairs in front of the desk.

“I need you to promise to keep ya voice down, yeah?” He says leaning forward slightly. “Because you’re going to want to make noise when I tell you this and I need to keep it a secret, right? I’d hate to have it at all ruined this close to the party wouldn’t I?” He speaks to her as if he were a child. Under normal circumstances, he would be much more respectful to dear old Agatha as she was the glue that held the house together but he knew her well enough to know she would squeal like a pig once he shared his news.

Aggie answers by turning a pretend key by her mouth and tossing it away, making Alfie chuckle, eye wrinkling at the corners with fondness for the woman who took care of him and Genevieve without complaint.

“Tonight I have some plans of my own in place after the birthday party she has planned, right? I’ve gone over with the band and the florist and everyfin' is set. Now's all’s left is you.” He says with raised brows. He moves to grab the matching chair to the one Aggie sits in, turning it towards her and taking both her hands into his after settling with a grunt from both him and the leather seat. “Tonight. After everyone clears out from the party. Which will be dismissed promptly at ten Genevieve assures me...I am going to formally ask her to marry me.” he speaks slowly and purposely, wanting to make sure his words were heard and processed.

Aggie's eyes grow wide as he speaks his final sentence, her mind trying to comprehend what was being said to her. She stares blankly at him for a few moments, She thought she could feel her heart rising into her throat. She thought to ask him to pinch her because she wasn’t sure if she was in a dream or not, she’d only been waiting for around 15 years now to hear of this sort of news for her Genevieve. And before he had shown up she had almost given up hope of hearing them at all. But here she was, her pride swelling up like a mother hen and her chest doing the same as she took a deep breath to compose herself.

“Are ya alright?” Alfie asks with laughter in his voice. “I thought I would have to hush ya or get flogged by ya to be honest.” He grins.

“I’m not doing anything so I don’t do either of those things.” She says with her knuckles turning white from squeezing her hands together. “You’re going to propose to my little Gen tonight?” She asks with her voice a whisper in her excitement for being able to ask him.

“I am.” He nods. “I’ve got the flowers bought 'n paid for that’ll be put in the ballroom once it’s cleared out and the bands been informed of the song to play. I know she’ll head out to the garden for a little nightcap before bed like always and she’ll come back in, and with your guidance she’ll go to the ballroom. And there I’ll be waitin'.” He says with confident nods as he explains.

She squeezes his hands. “You’re going to marry my Genny?” She says with her eyes now gathering tears.

“I have every intention in the world of it.” He says and takes out his handkerchief and hands it to her preemptively.

“You’re going to propose and she’ll say yes and you’ll get married and have children and I... I....” She starts to cry as it all finally breaks loose. All the years of worry about Gen after she was gone we’re no longer valid. She could breathe and enjoy her late years with the sounds of children in the house and dare she even wish she helps deliver the babies of the woman she helped deliver herself.

“Oh c’mere Agatha, sweetie.” He says wiping her face and giving her back a friendly rub. “This is more what I expected.” He chuckles and it causes her to laugh. “I know ya worried 'bout her yeah? But know I’m gonna take care of her best I can. I’ve been workin' on the ketubah and setting her up even if something happens to me. So no worries, eh?”

“Oh bless you Mr. solomons” She says with a shake of her head.

“Oh come now, off with that nonsense, it’s Alfie. You’re basically me mother at this point innit ya?” He gives her another charming grin.

“Oh heavens! Alma!” She starts to sob more loudly. “She’ll be so happy my God she’ll be in pieces! Her baby girl marrying a Jewish man. Oh my lord.” She gasps and holds her chest.

“I’m hoping we can have her family for the wedding. I’ll be talking to Altar bout it as soon as she says yes.”

“Oh Altar!” She wails And throws her face into the handkerchief as Alfie holds back a laugh at her dramatic delivery. Perhaps Gen had taken more of Aggie's traits than either of them knew.

—————-

Alfie completes all the things on the list, being stern with the specifics and not shying from cursing at the people who were being paid. He's sure they'd be far nicer to Gen this way now and avoid him for the rest of the night. He was paying the ones that mattered enough to where it didn't matter if they liked him or not, they'd do that job right.

With a now crumpled up piece of paper in his balled fist from shouting at the idling young girls on the staff, he saunters back into the bedroom he shares with the enchanting woman that is sat perched and in her knickers in front of her vanity table.

"Happy Birthday to me indeed." he says with a cheeky growl, bending to place a kiss on her bare shoulder as she reaches up to gently caress his bearded cheek with a loving smile.

"You should get in the bath, dear." she says turning to give him a kiss to the cheek as his hands run across her soft stomach. "It will be time to greet our guests before you know it." she states with her proper posture and posh matter of speaking and holding her face as she slowly transforms into the hostess of the year and the woman that caught his eye in the first place.

"As you command sweetie." he teases, another grunted smooch to her cheek as she leans into it with a content smile before he shuffles into the marble bathroom.

After a good scrub it's his turn to sit in front of the vanity as Gen works her magic on him. Rubbing different concoctions in her hands and slicking his hair back and making him look like a proper gentleman. She only fusses with the untamable piece of hair at his crown that always insists on misbehaving before sighing and pouting her lips in amusement at it. She'd given up the fight against it long ago, she now only found it an endearing reminder of his boyish stubbornness with his looks.

"Now mind your hair and get into your suit, I'll need you to button me up." another kiss given to his now waxed and smoothed beard as he watches her sashay into the closet in her pants and bra, watching her hips and peachy bum wobble as she trots like a little show pony across the room.

He's working on the buttons of his vest as she emerges, the sapphire blue sequined gown hanging loosely off her feminine frame as she holds it up and watches the ground while tiptoeing towards him. Wordlessly she turns, his fingers know intimately how to latch her up at this juncture in their relationship with so many dresses having been done up and undone by his hands.

"Thank you darling." she says with a sweet voice at almost a whisper, as she always does. She turns and he gets to take in the perfected fit of the gown he's certain Freddie made her. It was stunning, but she always was to him. Fitted to the hip then sweeping out, a slit up the thigh to accommodate her dancing legs later in the evening. The shoulders hung excess loose fabric, flowing over her strong upper arms as the deep V neckline was held together by flesh-colored fabric, keeping the pieces of her he enjoyed oogling like a boy the most in place. She wore his mother's necklace, a simple understated piece with little diamond stud earrings sparkling through the heavy veil of thick almost black hair that she had pulled to one side. Tiny combs with diamonds holding one side of her hair back and a single ring of sapphire.

"I thought you wouldn't be caught dead matching." he smirks at her, seeing her lips curve into an enticing smile before she tilts her head and smiles, putting his watch into his pockets properly.

"If the vest were made of sequins I would say it was too much. But a nice deep blue and this shifting fabric are different enough for me to accept." her eyes never leave her hands, her lips painted and poised as they smirk at his teasing. "There are so many things I never said I would do before I met you Alfie. Is us both wearing the same color really the one you want to pick on me for?" she gives him a charming soft laugh and takes his hands.

"Well what else is there?" he says with a knowing grin her way.

"If you want me to list off all the things for you I will because it is your birthday. But they are mostly terribly sentimental," she says with a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head with her sarcastic delivery. "About how I said I would never love a man as I do you. Or never trust one with power. Never let one lie to me and get away with it." she smiles and sticks her tongue out just slightly through her pearl-like teeth as she gives his chin a pinch.

"Alright, alright." he says loudly, deflecting from the tenderness as she fusses over him.

"How about we get to your presents, hmmm?" she chirps with an adorable tilt of her head. "I want to give them to you before the party. As is tradition it seems."

"It's a good tradition." he says in support with pursed lips.

"Alright. The first one..." she begins, tugging him to the bed and having him turn and stand facing away from it. "I need you to close your eyes." she says with her hands on her hips as he must give her a stubborn glance before residing to do as she asked. "NO peeking!" she says as she moves to pull both of the presents he'd be receiving tonight out of their hiding place in the closet. One she sets on a chair in front of him.

"What the bloody 'ell are ya doin'?" he asks at the sound of the scratching chair across the floor.

"Don't you dare open those baby blue's Alfie Solomons! I meant it!" she says continuing on with her task as he sighs and obeys. "Alright." she says proudly, moving next to him and clasping her hands together. "Present number one. Open!" she says, holding her hands up in celebration as he twitches his nose and bats his eyes before focusing on the painting that sat propped against the back of the chair, sat in the seat in front of him.

His posture straightens and his chin pushes into his neck at the realization. He steps closer, hands in his pockets as he studies the depiction of himself. "You do 'is?" he asks with a slow pace of words.

"I did." she says with great pride.

"Fuckin' 'ell love." he says shaking his head. "You managed to make an old 'orse like me look handsome. Dare I say it 'bout myself. Awful 'fing to say 'bout oneself."

She laughs and moves to take his arm into both of hers. "Don't be silly. You ARE terribly handsome and it's a lovely thing to say about yourself!" she insists with a genuine sincerity in her voice that makes his stomach flutter just slightly. What had he done to have someone like her see him in such a way? "I merely painted you as I see you." she says with a hand motioning to the portrait. "I thought it could hang next to mine in the hall." she suggests. "I know you wouldn't want it in your office or at the bakery." she says as an afterthought.

"HA!" he lets out his gruff and loud burst of a laugh. "Who the fuck am I? Tommy Shelby?" his broad smile captures her attention as his eyes light up and crinkle at the edges.

"Oh hush." she chuckles and smacks his chest lightly. "Having a portrait of yourself if a sign of stature." she enthuses.

"If ya innit got taste." he murmurs and she pinches his arse. "Hey now there little kitten with the claws." he says moving to pull her hip to hip with him. "I'm not sayin' I don't think it's brilliant, pet, because it is. You just know it innit really... my way of doin' fings to have pictures of meself hung up everywhere."

"I know that, darling. That's why it'll hang up next to mine. To show who the owners of the house are. You know, so people know exactly who they're messing with when they come in." she gives an amused chuckle.

"Now 'at I can agree too." he nods. "Am I an owner of the house?" he smirks. "I innit signed my name to no deeds last I recall." he says playfully with a rub of his chin.

"You silly beast." she teases, a poke to his stomach that he acts like harms him. "You live here as well. The staff answers to you just as they do me. This is where your things are and where you sleep and escape from the city. This is your home just as much as it is mine. I mean... you have seen my secret room and safe so..." she shrugs and gives him an adoring smile.

"You're as a sweet as a sufganiyot, Genevieve." he coos and gives her a gentle caress to her cheek. "What about you schedule a double portrait then, eh? The man and lady of the house together, yeah?" he insists with a nod of his chin.

"I had planned on doing such a thing after we were married." she says bashfully as her big brown eyes look up at him almost sheepishly.

"Well you should call and schedule it." he says with a confident nod. "Make sure ya get the person ahead of time that you'd like to do it booked. I think it'd be a lovely gesture for us don't you think?" he asks, a kiss to her forehead that lingers a moment and makes her close her eyes with contentment.

"Certainly, darling." is her quiet reply.

"And what is this here, eh?" he says loudly, moving towards the bed where she had sat the final present.

"Your other present." she says with a happy sigh.

"Lookit 'is! Proper fancy that is, mate!" he says with more enthusiasm for this gift than the previous one, but it was to be expected. He held up the black patent cane. It was gold tipped and had the head of a lion on top, as was his Hebrew name. It had an open roaring mouth, large enough for his palm to rest on it and two impressive sapphire stones set in its eyes. "You've given me so many jewels tonight love I fink you might be buttering me up!" he laughs his dry and coarse haw of a laugh. It was rough and abrasive but she knew it was more importantly genuine. She would never tire of watching the way it carried up his chest in a burst, his chin bobbing and eyes closed in surrender to it.

"A cane fit for a Jewish King named Ari." she says affectionately.

"Oh she IS tryin' to butter me up. What am I? A bloody biscuit' to ya love?" another coarse laugh as his hands move lightly over the detailed and expensive piece.

"You are a biscuit." she chuckles to herself, shaking her head and taking it from him. "There's a little extra thing here..." she says, pushing it down and twisting the head, her finger pressing down on the tongue in its mouth as she unsheathes a sword with a melodic, metallic swipe.

"Fuckin' 'ell!" he says impressed and a boyish grin on his face of excitement. "Ya outdone yaself Gen." he says almost a mumble as he looks it over. "Like the captain's swords from the war." he murmurs to himself.

"Exactly." she says with a knowing smile.

"You brilliant little thing." he says sheathing it and holding it in one hand as he moves to give her a single press of their mouths. "How am I supposed to out do ya if ya keep givin' me 'fings like 'is! Makin' me art... both for the wall and meself." he shakes his head and gives her a tap to the bum with the cane. "Ya perfect you know that my little flower? Ya bloody brilliant." he insists with a bite to his words, his lips so close to hers as he grazes their noses together before planting another kiss on her, this time dipping her back as she shrieks in surprise, her arms clinging to him as he laughs into the kiss. "Now 'at's better. Prefer ya with ya holdin' me like 'at." he gives her a cheeky wink before letting her go as she moves to adjust her dress and hair, a flushed and amorous, giggling smile on her face at his antics. That's how he liked to see her. His stone-faced warrior queen looking more a blushing bride with her softness on full display for him. Only he got to make her giggle and blush pink as the flowers in her garden and tonight he was going to assure it stayed that way.

------

The party was much more understated than Genevieve's birthday had been. She knew what Alfie would prefer it and she had certainly delivered. A modest spread of food in the dining room, the band playing much more timid choices in songs than at her bash. The guest list was small and only had the most tolerable of Alfie's friends and acquaintances. The decor was also gentle on the eyes, just enough to show there was a feminine touch in the planning of it with small flower centerpieces. With the drink flowing and the less obvious drug use, the dance floor grows heavier with bodies and the music reflected that. Gen as always, found people to dance with between rounds of networking, setting up future meetings and kissing cheeks with praise as she moved alone and with Alfie at her side through the party. She was a brilliant host and as the night started to go on, Alfie knew there was one small thing he was willing to do to make her night a little more special before he gave her what he'd wanted to for what felt like forever now.

She laughs with her hand to her chest, her skin dazzling as the sheen from sweat sat atop it and made her shimmer in the low light of the chandeliers. He moves through the crowd, everyone parting for him as they always did, even with a friendly face his body language was always clear that he was the one in charge when he was going somewhere.

"May I have this dance Miss Durand?" he says with an outstretched hand as she turns quickly, her hair falling into her thrilled face.

"Yes you may Mr. Solomons." she giggles and hops towards him.

He takes her hands, their rings knocking together with interlaced fingers as he keeps her chest to chest with him. A large bejeweled hand, more so than hers so far this night rests on her lower back possessively. "This is much easier than the last time I recall it." he speaks quietly to her, leaning into her ear to cause goosebumps to break across her skin.

"Certainly is." she chuckles, resting her head on his chest. "There's no hiding anymore." she says with a content sigh.

"No there is not." he says with a certainty that makes his eyes soften as he watches her smile against him. They hold each other and sway, a slow song into another slow song as per his orders to the band. "Might the birthday boy get a kiss?" he says playfully into her ear and she laughs with her head thrown back and a big lovely smile.

"He doesn't even have to ask." she says with large eyes batting up at him, chin already lifted to answer his request.

He takes her off guard, as he did love to do. The hand he held was placed to his chest, moving to her face to keep her close as lipstick be damned while he kissed her with purpose. He kissed her in front of everyone like he'd wanted to all those months ago on her birthday. Wanted to whisk her away and make her feel like the only woman in the world. It's what she deserved he thought. A unique man such as himself, an educated but unhinged, controlled but an animalistic man never thought he'd find the same qualities in a woman. Certainly not a woman who wanted him the same way he wanted her. But here he was, with his match, the other half he'd been lectured about looking for his entire life by his mother, sisters, every older woman that knew him. They all told him she existed but he wasn't sure he ever believed them. He supposed he owes them all an apology.

This time when he dips her, she doesn't squirm or squeak. She keeps her lips fast to his, her foot popping as he swings her with his strong arms, never fearing she would fall. And wasn't that a perfect example of how she felt about him now. Even after he raises her, she doesn't part from him, kept chaste but passionate, his hand never reaching below what would be thought indecent of lovers in public, they held close and kissed. Only parting to breathe and murmur into each other, affectionate turns of phrase as they danced forehead to forehead, both of them sharing an intimate moment in a room full of watching eyes. The onlookers finding it either jealousy inducing sweet or a rather uncharacteristic behavior of a powerful man seeming as if he might be showing weakness. Either way, no one but them understood the significance of it, and they preferred it that way. Both onlookers were correct in their own right. The women had every right to be jealous. The men did see a weakness in Alfie, his Genevieve. But what most didn't know was that she was stronger than they could ever imagine and that with them together, they should have all been scared. ----------- As he knew she would, Genevieve moves out after dismissing everyone to the garden to cool off. She saunters out, a moment to gather herself as she sighs and watches the moon in the sky over the hills that show the line of her property in the distance.

"Thank you, dear." she says to a girl that brings her the last flute of champagne for the night. Her fingers fumble with the diamond placement of Alfie's mother's necklace, thinking of him as she held it to her lips, wondering what the future had in store for them. She sips away, the drink loosening her up for what she was certain would be a rather wild night ahead. She yawns and stretches, wandering on the dimly lit garden path through the now blooming flowers when she started trying to shake the sleepiness that was creeping up on her. She certainly wasn't the party animal she used to be, she muses.

----

Alfie stands in the now full ballroom. Hand holding the box in his pocket tight.

"She's just gone out dear. Should be back in any moment. I'll be cleaning up." Aggie grins broadly.

"Thank you, love." he says with a nod that to anyone else would seem business as usual, but Aggie could see the nervousness in his eyes. But she was thankful for its existence. A man should be nervous when proposing she thought. No one should ever think something was guaranteed, even though she knew when he asked that her little Gen would certainly say yes.

He stands in a room full of flowers, a band on wait with their Debussy sheet music. He'd bought every flower in London again it seemed. More lavender with large bows tied around the bundles, Iris's dotting the mostly purple floor, a path clear for her to walk through to him a circle to dance in the middle. Hanging flowers from the columns fell down, ribbon and lace wrapped around the so very French decor in its gold filigree. He stood and waited, his jaw tight and trying to think of what he'd say. He'd been over it so many times in his head. But now in the moment, it seemed that as it was still yet to be proven wrong, Genevieve was the only thing that truly made him a nervous mess.

So he waited. He stood there for what felt like forever. "How long's it been?" he asks out loud, looking down at his watch. It'd been nearly half an hour, which was usually the maximum amount of time she'd stay outside before coming to join him. "Aggie!" he shouts, and she trots in with a confused look on her face.

"She still not come in? I thought I saw her." she says with a quick darting of her head down the hall.

"No." he states obviously. "She's usually not out there this long. Could you go check please?" he asks with a controlled voice but his mind felt anything but.

So he waits again. And Aggie returns empty handed. "I couldn't... find her." she says with a confused look on her face.

"Did ya check the lily pond?" he asks with a rush to his words.

"Oh! No I didn't! I'll go-"

"Nah. Let me." he says with a dismissive swipe of his hand. "She loves that place, not a bad place to start the 'ol speech." he says with a pat to Aggie's shoulder. "You stay 'ere and I'll be back with the little minx." he instructs her politely. "And you all stay, right? Be ready!" he points to the band.

He takes a deep breath of the cool night air, slowly making his way into the bushes to her little hideaway. "Genny love, what ya doin' hidin' out here? Ya gonna freeze." he says affectionately, turning the corner to meet her but she wasn't there. This is went he felt a terrible pang in his gut. This is when he started to worry.

He moves quickly in and out of the rows of the garden, checking the barn, the greenhouse, the pond and back again. And nothing. As he's about to shout, his foot crunches on something in the pathway. He looks down and his heart drops. His mother necklace lay broken in the dirt path, the latch clearly having been jerked from its place around her neck. He holds it, knowing what it meant and his mouth goes dry. "Not tonight." he whispers, moving to run back into the house.

"AGGIE!" he shouts, breathless and sliding into the main hall where she stood with worried eyes.

"What is it?" she asks, knowing now something had to be wrong.

"Genny." he pants out, holding up the necklace. The one thing they said they'd do if one of them was ever abducted. Leave something behind. "Someone's taken her."

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sunnyie-eve · 5 years

Text

Somebody To Love (Part 2- New Members)

(Ben!Roger Taylor)

Word count: 1,841

Warnings: None

Part 1

The past two years Smile has been doing good and surprisingly me and Roger are getting along. Which surprised us because we sorta hated each other for a solid two months when they first started. Both Brian and Roger were upset when they heard I was going to America for a month to study but, what they didn't know was I was coming back today. I heard from my sister that they were playing tonight so I got ready to go see them.

When I get to where they were playing tonight, which was one of the usual places they perform, I make my way to the back where they usually hangout by the van. "Have a gander at this band." I smile walking up to the van. "ALICE!" Brian shouts running over to me picking me up. "When did you get back?" Roger asked rushing over to me and Brian. "Early this morning, I wanted to surprise you." I smile as Brian puts me down and Roger hugs me. "Well you bloody did!" Roger hugs me tighter making me yelp. "I think you're squeezing the life out of our Alice, Roger." Brian tries to remove Roger's arms from around me. "It's showtime mates." Tim says walking pass us inside. "I'll watch from the bar then meet you back here." I kiss their cheeks before rushing inside.

As they started playing I was getting a drink when a man stood next to me. "Freddie?" I ask turning to face him. "Alice love, it's good to see you back home." He gives me a small hug which I accept. "Fan of Smile?" I ask and he nods his head. "Yeah, they're good." He says and I smile looking at them play. "Yes, they are. I gotta go Freddie, see you around." I nod my head at him heading towards the van. I walk past the stage and wink at my two boys.

Once they finished they all came back to the van and Roger was first to hug me. "Quit hugging me so much, Taylor." I move out of his grip grabbing onto Brian's arm. "I'm quitting the band." Tim speaks up shocking us all. "What?" I ask him. "Yeah, a group called Humpy Bong." He smiles at me. "Humpy Bong?" Brian asks him. "Humpy Bong. They're going places. They're gonna be big." Tim says trying to get the guys to understand. "Humpy Bong? Are you joking?" Roger starts to get mad. "Tim, don't do it." Brian says. "No, I'm sorry, guys, but... we're not going anywhere with this. College gigs, pubs... Gotta give it a go." Tim says walking off backwards.

Roger, Brian, and me all look at each other before sitting in the van. "Here dear." Brian hands me a beer. "Tim is out of his bloody mind!" I say leaning on Brian's shoulder. "I think he's right. That show was a load of bollocks." Roger says looking at Brian. "Well, there was room for improvement, yeah." Brian sorta bobs his head. "I've got better things to do with my Saturday nights. I could give you their names." He says taking a drag off his cigarette making me roll my eyes. "Then why are you still here, you wanker?" I shove his arm off his leg, and lift Brian's arm to put it around my shoulder as Freddie walks up to us.

"Hello Freddie." I smile at him. "I enjoyed the show." He says. "Thanks man." Brian nods his head and Roger follows, "Thank you." Freddie stays quiet for a second. "I've been following you for a while, actually. Smile. Makes since for a dental student. And you're astrophysics, aren't you?" He points at Brian. "Yeah." He says. "Makes you the clever one." Freddie says making me giggle as Brian agrees. "Yeah, I suppose it does. But Alice here came up with the band name when she was slightly drunk." He looks at Roger then laughs. "I study design here." Freddie adds. "Also, uh, I write songs. It might be of interest to you. It's just a bit of fun, really." Freddie takes out a paper.

"You're about five minutes too late." Roger says and I smile getting an idea. "Their lead singer just quit." I remove Brian's arm from around me. Freddie looks at me with a sly smile. "Well then, you'll need somebody new." He now smiles at the boys. "Any ideas?" Brian asks him making me mentally slap him. Freddie shifts his feet, "What about me?" He asks making Roger chuckle, "Uh, not with those teeth, mate." I slap his arm hard. "Don't be a dick, Taylor." Freddie nods his head starting to walk off before coming back singing. "I know what I'm doin', I got a feeling, I should be doin' all right." He sings and we all join in harmonizing, "Doin' all right."

Brian chuckles and Roger smiles, "I was born with four additional incisors. More space in my mouth means more range. I'll consider your offer." He smiles at us walking away. "Bye Freddie!" I wave to him. "Goodnight Alice." He waves continuing to walk away while Brian and Roger look at each other. "Uh, Do you play bass?" Brian asks, "Nope." Freddie answers making me giggle as he walks out of sight.

"How do you know him?" Roger asks me. "I have classes with him." I take a sip from my beer. "Also, don't call me a dick." He adds and I slap him again. "Well don't be one then." I hop out of the van fixing my dress. "Where you going, love?" Brian asks me. "I got to get home. Promised my brother I'd wake up early in the morning to hangout with him and one of his mates." I hand them my empty beer bottle. "Goodnight boys." I wave goodbye to them walking off.

"Alice, Thomas is waiting for you in the car park!" Poppy yells from down the hall. I jump out of bed getting dressed for the day, and quickly do my hair before rushing out of my room. "Bye Poppy!" I run out of the flat and push the button for the lift. Once I make it outside I see my brother with his lad. "Sorry, I overslept." I rush up to the two. "It's fine Alice. Alice this is my mate, John. John, this is my sister Alice." Thomas introduces us to each other. "Hello." We both say at the same time.

The three of us went out to lunch and Thomas went to go flirt with the waitress. "So what are some of your hobbies?" I ask John. "I like to play bass and-," I cut him off. "You play bass?!" I lean on the table. "Yeah, I would say I'm very good at it." He laughs and I smile. "My best mates are in a band and they are looking for a bass player. If you are interested... I can give them your information or the other way around." I tell him and he looked interested. "That would be bloody amazing if you could do that." He smiles leaning on the table too.

"I was actually going to swing by and see them tonight. Do you want me to give them your information?" I ask and he quickly nods his head. "I need paper!" He yells at Thomas making me clap my hands.

I quickly park my car and run inside up to Brian's flat. He called and said that Roger and Freddie were there too. "LADS!" I shout opening Brian's door. "Don't do that, you Nutter!" Roger hits me as I jump onto the couch. "Here you go." I hand Brian John's information. "What's this?" He looks at me from his chair. "I found you a bass player. He's mates with Thomas." I lean back into the couch and Roger puts his arm around me. "Any friends of Thomas is a no." Brian says looking at the paper.

"Bri, no! He's a nice guy! I spent all day with him and my brother. Plus he's interested in this job. When I brought it up he got excited." I remove Roger's arm getting up to sit on the arm of Brian's chair. "Please, Bri. Give him a chance. I don't see you with a new bass player." I fall onto his lap and he rolls his eyes, "Fine, I'll call him tomorrow." He gives in and I give him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for giving him a shot." Brian pushes me off him onto the floor. I get back up and sit next to Roger again, who puts his arm around me again. "So Alice, How come you didn't tell me you were friends with these two? And how did you meet?" Freddie asks me.

"I've known Brian my whole life because he's a family friend and Roger here-," Roger cuts me off. "We were friends back in school before college." He pulls me closer into his side and I snuggled into him. "I wouldn't call us friends for the most of it." I add so Freddie would understand. "They're sorta like frenemies." Brian speaks up glaring at us. "Seem close though, givin' how they are sitting." Freddie smiles at us then winks. "Eww don't do that Freddie!" I move away from Roger getting off the couch. "Never would I ever like Roger like that." I say making Brian laugh while Roger raised his eyebrows. "What's wrong with me?" He asks me as I stand next to Brian who was still cracking up. Before I could answer Brian does it, pulling me down to sit on his lap. "Because you're Roger Taylor, Roger. Why would she like some chap who sleeps around a lot. I don't think she ever wants to be girl number... what are you at now?" Brian asks making Roger mock him.

"Okay? What makes you think she can't like me as a person and not by my actions? What, you think she would like you instead?" Roger sits up glaring at Brian who holds me closer to him. "Oh would you two stop it. You guys are my mates, I'm not supposed to like you two like that anyways." I laugh. Or do I like them like that a already... "Well you act like it with him. You are always hanging on him and stuff." Roger points at Brian. "Because I'm comfortable with him and we're close. Plus Roger, I probably would do the same with you but your ego would get even bigger than it already is. Also your girls would like kill me, so don't count on it." I lean back into Brian's chest.

Part 3

#bohemian rapsody movie #bohemian rapsody cast #borhap boys #bohemian rhapsody #queen #ben!roger taylor #ben hardy #gwilym lee #joe mazzello #rami malek #roger taylor #freddie mercury #brian may #john deacon

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theydontknowaboutusimagines · 5 years

Text

It’ll Be alright - Harry Styles One Shot

*Based on Be Alright by Dean Lewis

Every time Harry closed his eyes, all he could see were the words he found on your phone.

“I think I love you.”

“No, I know that I love you.”

“I want to kiss you again.”

“Please... meet me tonight.”

Those messages weren’t from him but from someone else. Someone he knew. Someone he thought was his friend. Not the closest of friends, but someone he definitely considered a friend. It was bad enough seeing that someone else was in love with you, just like he was, but knowing that person had kissed you... and you never told him.

The only reason you had to not tell him was that you felt the same way.

The break up happened over a month ago and he still wasn’t over it. Hell, he barely went out or spoke to his friends. He mostly stayed at his place listening to breakup songs on his record player while he downed beer after beer.

Which lead him to a nearby pub to meet up with Niall, who was in town, mostly because he was out of beer at his place and he didn’t feel like making a run to the store. When he got there, Niall already had a spot and a beer waiting on him.

“Hey, mate,” Niall said.

“Hey,” Harry said sitting down.

“How ya doin’?” he asked.

“Fucking peachy,” Harry mumbled taking a sip of his beer.

“How long as it been?” Niall asked.

“A month...” he sighed.

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Niall asked.

“I don’t get it, mate,” Harry sniffled. “I thought what we had was special... I loved her... fuck, I still love her.”

Niall ordered some more beers, ”Didn’t she cheat on you?”

“She said she didn’t...She said he kissed her, but she didn’t kiss him back or that she had feelings for him, but only after I confronted her about it. She denied it at first and then finally came clean about everything. Her keeping it from me makes me think she was at least a little confused about her feelings,” he whispered.

“I’m really sorry, H,” Niall said running his hand on his back.

“I was gonna propose to her,” he laughed. “I bought the ring and everything. She was the one... at least I thought she was.”

“Man, that sucks, I hate you’re going through this mate, I do, but it’s been a month. And you still feel like utter shit. It’s obvious the drinking and the sulking isn’t working. You need to start trying to move on. You deserve to be happy and you will be one day when you find that person,” he said.

“But what if she was that person, Niall,” Harry sighed. “What if she’s the person I’m supposed to be with, but I’m not her person?”

Niall sighed leaning onto the table.

“You know I haven’t had the best luck with relationships, but this one... she was the one that was supposed to work,” he sniffled. “Three years. Three fucking years, just gone.”

“They’re not gone,” Niall said. “You still have the memories. You still have all the good things you experienced and felt with her. Yeah, it didn’t work out, but that happens sometimes. It hurts now and it seems like you’ve missed out on something, but one day it’s not going to feel like that anymore.”

“It may not be today, or even tomorrow, hell it may not even be for a few more months, but it will happen,” he added.

“I know you’re right,” Harry sighed.

“Wait? What was that? I’m what?” Niall smirked.

Harry rolled his eyes, “Why are you my best mate again?”

“Because you wouldn’t know what to do without me,” he joked.

Harry laughed shaking his head taking a swig of his beer.

“Anyway, I know things will be alright, one day, but it's getting to that one day. It’s getting past all the what if’s, the what went wrongs, and whys? Until I get past all of that and stop asking myself questions,” he sighed.

“Have you tried writing?” Niall asked.

“Every fucking day,” Harry sighed.

The day you walked out, after Harry confronted you, he was a mess. Actually, he was beyond a mess. As soon as you were out the door, he threw a glass vase containing the dying flowers he had bought you a few days ago. Glass shattered everywhere as the flowers fell to the floor.

A scream erupted from his body as he dropped to the ground, tears flooding down his face. He could feel his heart shattering into a million pieces as he replayed everything in his mind.

The text messages.

The distant mood.

The confrontation.

The lying.

The Confession.

The screaming.

and... The End.

It all happened so fast, yet he remembered every detail so vividly. He remembered the hurt in your eyes when you told him about the kiss. The pleading that it didn’t mean anything. But all he could focus on was the fact that you had kissed someone else and lied about it.

And when he told you it was over, you didn’t even try and change his mind. You just left. You walked away.

A few days after, he forced himself out of bed and into the shower. He tried his best to forget everything, to move on, and it worked... for a little bit. Then he would see something that reminded him of you, and your clothes and belongings were still there didn’t help either.

So, he did what he did best. He broke out his guitar and his journal. Anytime he needed to just get away, he would write. He wrote when he was happy when he was sad when he was in love, or looking for love.

But for some reason, this time, he couldn't write a sing word or play a single note on his guitar. It was like any sort of inspiration he had inside of him was gone the second you walked out.

“I-I sit down with my guitar or at my piano and I stared at it, you know? I stare at the instrument in front of me and nothing happens. I look at the blank sheet in my hand and nothing is written,” he whispered.

“Maybe you just need to a change of scenery. You need to get out of that house for a bit, out of the city, and heal,” Niall said. “Hey, we can take that lad’s trip we always talked about.”

Harry laughed, “Maybe.”

“Anyway, should I get us another round or are we calling it a night?” Niall asked.

“Probably the latter,” Harry laughed. “Like you said, getting shit faced isn’t exactly helping, so I should probably stop while I’m ahead, right?”

“Yeah,” Niall nodded.

Both Harry and Niall got up from the table, putting on their coats. After they paid the tab, the started walked towards the door.

“It’s gonna be alright, H,” Niall said gripping Harry’s shoulder. “And I’ll be here as long as you need me.”

“Thanks, mate,” Harry smiled.

They both left the pub and went their separate ways. Since Harry’s house wasn’t too far, he decided on walking home, the fresh air would be good for him. Harry was waiting for the light to change for him at the crosswalk when he heard someone say his name.

He turned around, eyes widening when he saw you standing there.

#One Direction Imagines #Harry Styles Imagines #Harry Styles one Shots

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isitgintimeyet · 5 years

Text

The Ties That Bind

AO3

Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.

Thanks to @mo-nighean-rouge for the beta and support.

Bit of a longer chapter here, and some family fluff time up at Lallybroch. hope you enjoy

Chapter 24: A Fanciful Hallowe’en

‘Excuse me,’ said Granny, empowering the words with much the same undertones as are carried by words like ‘Charge!’ and ‘Kill!’, ‘Excuse me, but does this pointy hat I’m wearing mean anything to you?’ - Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad

Brian Fraser had always been keen on traditions. Not just maintaining those established by his ancestors but also in creating his own. Which was why, when Jenny and Jamie were very small, Brian and Ellen launched the annual Samhain festivities for the Broch Tuarach Distillery employees and their families. Over the years it had grown into an amalgamation of traditional Hallowe’en, with children’s scary costumes, carved pumpkins and plenty of sweet treats, and Bonfire night, with sausages and baked potatoes, treacle toffee and a grand firework display. As the distillery grew, so did the party. It was still held at Lallybroch, but had outgrown the house and now required a marquee and a couple of portaloos.

Brian always insisted that his family attend this event. Originally hosted by Ellen and Brian, Jenny and Jamie, always suitably costumed, now assisted in the duty. Murtagh lurked on the periphery, choosing a less visible role - changing the beer barrels, replenishing the platters of food and deep bowls of sweets, and providing mugs of coffee and glasses of water to those who had overindulged.

Jamie had driven up to Lallybroch the day before the party on his own. Claire was still at the hospital when he set off, unable to change her rota, but was planning on getting the train to Inverness the next day, where Jamie would meet her.

Jenny was already in the kitchen when Jamie arrived. Maggie was contentedly asleep in her arms as Jenny adjusted the buttons on her shirt. Jamie took Maggie from her and settled himself in the old rocking chair in the corner of the room.

“Where is everyone?” he asked.

“Och, they’re all admiring Wee Jamie’s costume.” Jenny yawned and stretched. “Spider-Man, of course. Have ye got yers sorted? Does Claire ken she’s expected tae dress up too?”

“Aye.” Jamie nodded as Maggie roused slightly and grabbed his finger, pulling it to her mouth. “Clean hands, by the way.”

Jenny gazed at her brother who, having reclaimed his finger, was now busy blowing soft raspberries against his niece’s cheeks. “That suits ye, bràthair. Seein’ ye fussin’ over a wee bairn. I still canna say I’m thrilled about Geneva, but I’m lookin’ forward tae times here wi’ yer wee lad. What’s the latest, anyway? How’s Madam doin’?”

Before Jamie could answer, the sound of footsteps along the stone corridor heralded the arrival of Wee Jamie, closely followed by Ian and Brian. Wee Jamie rushed to greet his uncle, only hesitating slightly when he noticed Maggie in Jamie’s arms. Jamie shuffled Maggie to one side, allowing his nephew to clamber onto his other knee.

“Unca,” Wee Jamie cried happily, his fingers rubbing back and forth against the bristles on Jamie’s jawline. “‘S party tomorrow. What’s ye wearin’? Mine is secret. I’m gonna have sweeties and pop and play games and stay up till verra, verra late. Aren’t I, Mam?”

“Aye, weel, only if ye go tae bed nicely tonight. Come on now, say goodnight tae everyone. I’ll take ye and Maggie up the wooden hills tae Bedfordshire.”

With great dramatic rolling of eyes and dragging of feet, Wee Jamie reluctantly allowed his mother to lead him to bed, all the while moaning to himself. “I’m no’ tired… and I’m a big boy… I dinna go tae bed when a baby does.”

The sounds of the little lad complaining about his bedtime faded away as Brian fetched the whisky and glasses and placed them on the kitchen table.

******

Jamie, Ian, Brian and Murtagh sat round the table, each with a glass in hand listening to the battle coming through the baby monitor. Jamie looked over at Ian.

“D’ye think one of us should go and give Jenny a hand?” he asked, concerned, as a spirited ‘nooo’ sounded round the room.

“Och no,” Ian took a sip of his whisky. “Jenny has it all in hand. Jes’ wait, here it comes.”

Jenny’s stern voice came through the baby monitor, raised to speak over the whining of her son. “James Ian Brian Murray, if ye dinna settle down this instant, there will be no sweeties, no pop, no party and absolutely no Spider-Man for ye, do ye understand?”

Immediately the monitor grew quiet, then Jenny continued. “And as I ken yer da, grandda, uncle and Murtagh are all listening in, there’d better be a wee nip down there waiting fer me. Now goodnight, Jamie lad. See ye tomorrow.”

******

As requested, a whisky was waiting on the table for Jenny’s arrival. She settled herself, took a large sip, then addressed her brother, picking up the conversation from an hour before.

“So, Jamie, ye were about tae tell me how it goes wi’ Geneva?”

“Ah, the pregnancy is goin’ fine, seems tae be. Geneva herself, that’s another matter.”

Jenny and Murtagh made snorting sounds in unison. Brian moved his chair closer to his son and placed a reassuring hand on his arm.

“And yes, Janet Ellen Murray née Fraser, ye dinna have tae remind me of what ye said. I ken.” Jamie managed to raise a smile, contemplating the recent antics of the Dunsany family. “I had a wee chat with Geneva after Angus’ weddin’. Made it clear…”

“Agin!” Jenny muttered under her breath.

“Alright, Jenny, agin, aye, that we willna be together. I’m still no’ sure how much went intae her head though. Seems she wanted us tae have a gender reveal party together.”

A look of scorn came over Murtagh’s face. “A what? Gender reveal? Party? Why in God’s name would ye do that? It’s a boy, ye’ve already ‘revealed’ it tae us.”

“Weel, I’m no’ doin’ it, no couple-type things. But I don’t think she’s given up jes’ yet. And then, last week, I had a visitor.”

“No’ Geneva, fer a booty call?” Ian suggested.

“Nah, no’ Geneva… her mother, Louisa, standing on the doorstep, ringing the bell like the divil himself was after her. She jes’ popped by tae remind me of my responsibilities tae her daughter… and tae tell me tae give Claire up and be wi’ Geneva.”

Even across the table, Jamie could hear Jenny breathing heavily, trying to control her temper. “I kent it. They’re like two peas in a pod, her and her blasted mother. Jamie, what ye ever saw in that woman in the first place is beyond me. And now look at this mess!”

Brian quickly interrupted his daughter. “No, Jenny. Enough! Jamie doesna need that. He’s doin’ his best and we support him no matter what his decision. If he decides tae be with Geneva, then we will make the best o’ it.”

“Like hell we will!” Murtagh banged his empty glass on the table and poured himself a large refill. “I tell ye, lad, Claire is a rare lass, ye dinna want tae let her go. And if yon stuck-up madam joins this family, I will be looking fer alternative accommodation whenever she’s at Lallybroch. I canna be dealin’ wi’ her pretensions and vanity and selfishness. She shouldna be a Fraser.”

“Can everybody let me finish?” Jamie wanted to draw this conversation to a close and quickly. “I will say this once, and then the subject is closed. I’m having a son. I’m no’ havin’ a relationship wi’ his mother, nor do I ever intend tae. I intend ma future tae be with Claire, no matter what. So ye can all breathe again and let’s talk about the party tomorrow.”

***********

Claire relaxed in her train seat, by the window and with a table as requested. By placing a bag on the seat next to her, she hoped to deter anyone from sitting there. Three hours to herself to read, snooze or daydream didn’t happen very often and she wanted to make the most of it without interruption.

She breathed a sigh of relief as the 12:09 pulled out of the station with no one claiming the seat. Three hours and then Jamie would meet her at Inverness station and take her to Lallybroch.

The rhythmic sway of the carriage was very soothing. Claire didn’t bother with her book or magazine, she just rested her head and gazed out of the window as the scenery changed with every passing mile.

The party that night was an important event for the Frasers and Murrays. Claire was excited for several reasons. This would be the first Fraser family function she had been invited to and she relished that feeling of inclusion, of being part of something, of belonging.

Then there were the fireworks. Ever since Claire was a little girl, she loved watching fireworks. It had been an annual treat for Uncle Lamb to take her to the local display, where she would try to write her name in the air with a sparkler and would inevitably develop a sore neck from staring up into the sky, keen to enjoy every last flash of colour. There had never been any fireworks while she was with Frank, either literally or metaphorically.

The last reason was her costume. Jamie had stressed the importance of the costume. He had given her no clue about his, so Claire had been unsure what to do. Could she cut two holes in a white bed sheet and be a ghost, or was a more ‘polished’ outfit required?

Even Geillis, when asked, had been of no use. All her suggestions had a common theme: slutty nurse, slutty zombie, slutty witch. Eventually Claire decided to trust her own instinct and a bit of Google. And at last she had come up with a costume which she thought would do very nicely.

******

The sun was setting by the time Jamie and Claire were pulling into the driveway at Lallybroch. Lights had been set up along the path to the marquee and the whole area was a hive of activity with caterers, pyrotechnicians and entertainers rushing to and fro.

Claire gasped in amazement. “I didn’t realise it was such a big deal…“

Jamie smiled. “Aye. This was my mam’s thing, ye ken. She always loved this party, she loved the autumn afore the weather turned too cold, but still cool enough tae light the fires. And how she loved the fireworks. So Da does this every year for Mam.”

Jamie sniffed and cleared his throat. “Anyway, let's get inside. Ye must be cold. Everyone’s started getting ready. We never tell each other what our costumes are, it’s part of the fun.”

******

Claire examined her reflection in the mirror in Jamie’s room, Jamie having been banished to a guest bedroom. She knew she had spent too much money on a fancy dress costume, but viewing it now from all angles, it was money well spent.

Not knowing how close to stick to the scary Hallowe’en theme, the decision was made when she found the dress. Black and knee length with a floaty handkerchief hem, it had a tight laced bodice with shoulder straps, underneath which were off-the-shoulder, long, gauzy sleeves, worn with black stockings, black kitten-heeled ankle boots, and black lace fingerless gloves. Claire left her curls loose around her face and added the finishing touch- a witch’s pointed hat.

A face peeped round the door. A face with round glasses and a lightning scar drawn on his forehead. “Can I come in now?”

Claire laughed as Jamie opened the door fully. Clad in school trousers, white shirt and school tie, he also sported a Gryffindor scarf and black wizard robes. “That’s brilliant. A six foot three Harry Potter.”

Jamie walked over to Claire and put his arms around her. “And ye, Sassenach, are the bonniest witch I’ve ever seen.”

His hand moved across her bodice, his fingers softly grazing the tops of her breasts, just visible above the dress. “That dress is verra becoming.”

Claire ran her hands through his curls, pulling his head down to her.

“Well, hopefully we’ll both be coming later.” she whispered, her breath hot against his ear.

Jamie grinned. “Was that a wee witchy joke there, Sassenach? I shall be looking forward tae it, especially as I believe ye are wearing yer stockings agin. Am I right? Ah, tae see the white of yer luscious thighs against the black, ‘tis verra verra exciting…”

Clutching her bottom, he pulled her close.

“Jamie,” Claire giggled. “I think I’ve found your wand.”

******

The family gathered in the morning room, before joining the party. Claire could tell how seriously they took this evening. Wee Jamie was clearly Spider-Man and his sister, in her father's arms, was a cute little pumpkin. Claire instantly recognised Jenny and Ian as Sandy and Danny from Grease. Brian, in faded beige trousers, shirt and battered leather jacket was Indiana Jones with fedora in one hand and coiled whip in the other. Claire was relieved that she had made an effort with her dress.

“Claire, that dress is gorgeous. You make an amazing witch.” Jenny was full of praise.

“Thanks, you all look incredible too. But…” she spoke softly to Jenny, subtly looking over at Murtagh, who had just come in wearing jeans and a white t-shirt.

“Ah weel, ‘tis a bit of a joke now after sae many years. Murtagh doesna like tae dress up and Mam always told him that he had tae. So every year since Jamie and I were bairns he puts the same thing on. He’ll add a checked shirt, wool hat and his walking boots and be a lumberjack, he willna change. It’s jes’ a tradition, ye ken.”

“Mam, can we go now, pease?” Wee Jamie excitedly grabbed his mother’s hand. “I wanna go now.”

He turned to Claire. “Care bear… ye no’ a scary witch. Ye too pretty tae be scary.”

“Thank you, Jamie. And you’re a very handsome Spider-Man.” Claire looked up to see her Jamie staring intently at her. His gaze burned white hot into her very core. Everything around her disappeared, all that existed in that moment was Jamie. Swiftly he came to her side, their eyes locked together...

“Care bear… come wi’ me now.”

She felt a tug on her arm.

“C’mon… and ye too Unca. We’re goin’ tae the party.”

Laughing, they both looked down at Wee Jamie, excitedly pulling them out of the room.

******

The marquee was magical, Claire decided. There was no other word for it. Delicate wisps of cobwebs blew gently in the breeze, suspended from the ceiling next to hordes of friendly spiders. Cauldrons bubbled with coloured lights and smoke from dry ice. Pumpkin lanterns decorated the tables and fairy lights were strung around the walls.

Jamie stayed by Claire’s side, introducing her proudly to all the guests, only moving aside when his nephew dragged her onto the dance floor during the children’s disco. He watched as Claire, grinning broadly, tried to teach Wee Jamie to dance gangnam style. Murtagh, now clad in his full lumberjack costume, wandered over to stand beside him. He patted Jamie on the back and gave a thumbs up.

Nodding his head towards Claire, he spoke quietly in Jamie’s ear. “She's a fine lass, that one. Dinna let her go. This stramash wi’ the other will sort itself out. Make sure Claire kens that. She’ll be a fine addition tae our family.”

As the song ended, Wee Jamie ran back to Jenny and Claire made her way to Jamie, Murtagh having conveniently vanished. She fanned her face with her hands. Jamie could see tiny beads of sweat along her upper lip. He longed to taste them.

“I’m so hot. Can we get a bit of fresh air?”

“Aye, weel, it’ll soon be time fer fireworks, we need tae find a place tae view them. Wait here.”

Jamie rushed out of the marquee, but returned a couple of minutes later, carrying a small hold-all. “Come wi’ me.”

“Really, Mr. Fraser, leaving your guests, and…” Claire gestured to the bag. “It’s almost as if you had this planned.”

Together they left the party and moved deeper into the garden, Jamie leading the way, following an old familiar route, until they reached a secluded corner of the garden, on a slight slope. Unzipping the hold-all, Jamie pulled out some thick woolen blankets. He quickly unfolded one and set it on the ground before sitting down and pulling Claire down next to him. Unfolding another blanket, he wrapped it around her shoulders.

“Lie back, ‘tis the best place tae see the fireworks.” Jamie encouraged.

Claire laughed, but obliged. “Really, what a line… want to see some fireworks, come and lie down next to me. And how many girls have you brought here to ‘watch the fireworks’?”

Jamie could see her fingers making air quote movements. He leaned over and lightly kissed her lips, running his tongue along her upper lip. She tasted of spiced apples and whisky with the hint of salt lingering on her skin.

“No other lass here, ever. Ye are the first, Sassenach.”

Claire placed her hands under her head and stared up at the night sky. “You know I love fireworks, right? I told you that. It was an annual outing, me and Uncle Lamb, every bonfire night. But I’ve not told you why. It wasn’t just the excitement and the colours of the fireworks…”

They could hear everyone leaving the marquee now, ready for the fireworks to begin.

Claire continued. “When a firework goes off and you see it shooting high into the sky, I used to imagine that was a message to my parents from me. Then there’s a moment of dark before the burst of colours and sparks and light. And that was the message back from mum and dad, the huge explosion in the sky was them saying ‘we love you.’ Pretty fanciful, huh?”

“No’ fanciful at all, Sorcha. Jes’ a wee girl tryin’ tae find some comfort.”

Jamie could feel Claire’s heartbeat quicken as the first rocket blazed into the sky, trailing silver and gold before shattering into a shower of sparks. Appreciative ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ came from the audience below.

Claire shifted and adjusted the blanket to cover both of them. Her hand found his and clasped it tightly. Jamie brought hers to his lips.

“Claire, I want ye tae know that I love ye and I see ma future as yer future, weel, as our future together. I dinna want tae ever be wi’ out ye…”

Claire brought her fingertips to his lips. “I love you too, I never want to be without you either. I will be there for you with the baby and dealings with… well… you know. But, how can I put this? I think we have to be careful for the next few months. Do you know what I mean? Otherwise someone could cause problems.”

“Aye, I ken ye’re right. As long as we ken we’re goin’ tae be together, anything else can wait.”

Jamie brought his hand to the hem of Claire’s dress and rolled it up towards her hips. He could hear her breath become ragged as he found the soft skin just above her stocking and gently stroked it. His hand moved higher, pushing aside her lace knickers, his fingers fluttering at her very core before settling into a stronger rhythm. Claire closed her eyes and let the waves of pleasure wash over her as the fireworks reached their own crescendo, lighting up the sky.

#outlander fanfic #outlander fan fiction #the ties that bind #Jamie Fraser #claire beauchamp #wee jamie too #lallybroch #chapter 24

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bee-kathony · 6 years

Text

The Holiday | On the Ice

Thank you @jules-fraser for a cute lil moodboard!

Chapter 1: Home Exchange | Chapter 2: Unexpected | Chapter 3: Connections | Chapter 4: Plans | Chapter 5: Surprises

Chapter 6: On the Ice

JENNY FRASER

“Ice Skating,” Ian said. I knew ice skating wasn’t something you did with just a friend, particularly if one person had a girlfriend. There was potential for a fall, potential for hands to brush, even potential for a shared hot chocolate.

“I’d love to, Ian. That sounds lovely.” My mind was already racing with what to wear, should I put effort into this, was it a date?

“Great! See ye tonight around seven?”

“Aye, seven is perfect, see ye then Ian.”

The plans were set. I couldn’t believe he actually came through. With Oliver, our plans were always shot to hell, he cancelled more often than not. I knew it was because of her… his fiancee. Jesus, Jenny… let him go.

Looking at my phone, I realised there was still six hours until Ian was coming to pick me up. Shouldn’t let a good bath go to waste. I swiped my phone open and dialled the number that Claire had given me to reach her, it was about time I should check in, see how things were going.

On the third ring she picked up, “Hello?”

“Hi, Claire. This is Jenny, just wanted to call and see how yer doin’.”

“Oh, hi Jenny!” She replied, it sounded like she was outside somewhere, kids were screeching, “I’m doing well, just out…”

“’Tis great to hear. I should warn ye that my wee brother might pop by, have ye met him?” There was no response on her end at first, it sounded like she was talking to someone, all I heard was the word “tree”.

“Oh, sorry Jenny and yes… I’ve met Jamie. Actually he came round the first night I arrived.”

Just as I started to reply that she should stay away from Jamie for he was more trouble than naught, my phone beeped with an incoming call, “Claire, will ye hold real quick, I think that’s Jamie tryin’ to call. Won’t be but a moment.”

“Sure, of course.” She said and I put her on hold and answered Jamie’s call.

“Jenny! I didna know ye were even goin’ to America,” Jamie said as soon as I answered him.

“Hello to ye too, brother. I needed a break from my miserable life, ye ken. I was just talkin’ to Claire,” at the mention of her name I heard Jamie make a small gasp, “and she said she met ye, promise me brother ye didna fool around wi’ her… she’s a respectable woman.”

He laughed, almost awkwardly and I took notice of the fact that it sounded like he was outside, the sounds of children screaming — much like they were in the background of Claire’s call.

“Jamie, I have Claire on the other line, will ye hold on just a wee moment?”

I didn’t wait for his response but switched back over to Claire, “Hello, sorry about that, Claire.”

“Oh it’s no problem.” Just then I heard a small voice say, “Claire, can you tell daddy that I like this tree?” And then there was a muffled sound and the faintest of responses from Claire, “Yes, of course Bree darling, when he comes back from taking Faith to the loo, you can show him yourself.”

“Sorry, Jenny, this isn’t the best time to talk, can I call you back in a little bit?”

“Aye, ye can, ’tis no problem.” She hung up and my blood was boilin’, I switched back to talk to Jamie.

“Jamie Fraser! Ye didna go to my house and bed Claire, the woman stayin’ in my house!”

“This is Claire….” Came the voice on the other line, apparently she had not hung up and I had not switched back to talk with Jamie.

“Christ, Claire…. I’m verra sorry, that was meant for —“

“Jamie. It wasn’t all his fault, don’t blame him for it, please.” She said and it genuinely sounded like she cared for my brother, she was with his children somewhere after all.

“Claire, Jamie’s on the other line, I’ll just talk to him now if ye dinna mind.”

“No it’s alright. I’ll make sure to hang up this time,” she laughed.

I checked my phone twice to see that it was in fact Jamie I was now speaking to, “Jamie Fraser…. Ye wee fool.”

“How’d ye know, Jenny?” He said.

“I told ye I was just talkin’ to Claire… I could hear wee Brianna in the background and there was a misunderstandin’ on the phone but dinna fash about that.” The bubbles were disintegrating into the water of the bath and I knew I would need to get out soon.

“Dinna hurt her, brother. I ken it’s been awhile since ye felt anythin’ for a woman but dinna hurt her. She’s a kind, good lass.”

“Ye’ve never even met her, Jenny.” Jamie said and I heard the sound of the toilet flush. Ah, so he was with Faith, taking her to the bathroom somewhere.

“Och, yer right. I havena and I’d very much like to, she’s been kind, opening her house to me and takin’ care of Bouton while she’s been there.” I sighed and rested my head on my hand.

“I need to go, Jenny. Bree is askin’ for something.”

“Alright, brother. Ye dinna forget my words.”

“Aye, alright.” He hung up and the room was back to silence. Christ… my idiot of a brother had bedded the woman stayin’ in my house. Claire said she didna want any men but apparently Jamie swayed her on that stance.

___________________

CLAIRE BEAUCHAMP

I shoved my phone back down into my coat pocket and walked around with Bree, holding her hand as we looked to find the perfect Christmas tree.

“Are we going to have hot chocolate, Claire?” I almost didn’t hear her question, my mind was racing with thoughts of what Jenny must be saying to Jamie just now.

Shaking my head, I gave her little hand a squeeze, “Of course we will, daddy promised didn’t he?” She laughed and pressed herself to my side, hugging my leg.

“Ye found a tree?” Jamie asked as he walked back to us, Faith strolling beside him.

“Yes, Da! This one,” Bree let go of my hand and pointed both hands towards the tall fir in front of us. Jamie looked at me, one ruddy eyebrow quirked.

“It’s bonny, lass.” Both girls squealed with delight and began to dance around the tree. Jamie came to stand next to me, “So… Jenny knows.” I laughed and wrapped my arm around his waist.

“Yes, I rather think she does,” Jamie grinned and kissed my cheek.

He gripped my hand and looked over at the girls, still chanting and dancing around the tree. Jamie pulled me to the side, hidden amongst the green pine and kissed me. His hands tangled in my hair and his mouth tasted like peppermint. Jamie absolutely took my breath away.

__________________

JENNY FRASER

Ian arrived promptly at seven to take me ice skating at an outdoor rink. I’d never actually been ice skating before… not that he needs to know that.

“What really made ye cross the pond for Christmas? Surely ye have family to spend it with in Scotland?” Ian asked as we walked from the car to the rink, a light fall of snow swirling around us.

“There was a lad, a fool really. And I was a fool for fallin’ for him when he wasna interested in me.” I wrapped my arms around myself to keep warm.

“Unrequited love, eh? The worst kind.” Ian gave me a kind smile and nudged my arm with his elbow.

“And what about ye? Will ye be spendin’ Christmas wi’ yer girlfriend?” I had to ask, if they weren’t serious then would this be considered a date?

Ian winced slightly, an obvious sore subject. “We broke up actually, two days ago.” He looked ahead, “She was cheatin’ on me.”

“Oh, Ian… I’m so sorry. She wasna any good then, anyways.” Reaching out, I put my hand on his arm and kept it there, sliding it in the crook of his elbow and he placed his other hand on mine, keeping it there.

“Och, we werena serious but it still hurts, ye ken?”

“Aye, I do.” I knew all too well the pain of the heart.

“I like talkin’ wi’ ye Jenny,” Ian smiled, we approached the entrance to the rink and got in line to pay for tickets. “Maybe it’s because ye can understand what I’m sayin’… my accent I mean.” Laughing, he paid and grabbed our wristbands from the attendant.

“I like talkin’ wi’ ye too, Ian. Ye’ve been verra kind to me since I arrived when ye didna have to.”

Ian looked over at me and paused, “Of course I would be kind to ye, ye deserve kindness, Jenny. Every bit of it.”

Christ, this man.

I could have stared into his eyes all night but a nudge from behind us broke the spell. We walked over to collect our skates and found a bench to sit down and lace up. When Ian removed his shoes, I couldn’t help but stare. He had a prosthetic leg.

“Och, I know.” He saw my gaze on his leg and I blushed, embarrassed for staring. “I dinna tell many people about it. Happened so long ago, the accident.”

“Ye dinna have to tell me,” I reached out to grab his hand.

“I want to, Jenny.” He smiled, “It was a motorcycle crash, I was bein’ an idiot and went around a turn too quick… my bike slid right into the mountain and my leg was crushed.” He winced, remembering the pain.

“Must have been stuck out there for hours before I got help. By the time I got in the ambulance, there was no savin’ my leg.”

“Oh Ian, I’m so sorry. That musta been terrible.” He squeezed my fingers.

“Aye, it was. But I got through it,” he smiled and released my hand to return to putting on his skates, “and I wouldna change a thing, it made me who I am today.”

My stupid mouth talked before I knew I was even sayin’ it, “Can ye even skate wi’ that thing?”

Laughing he tied the last bow on the skate, “Probably not. Guess I’ll lean on ye for support.” He winked and I momentarily forgot how to breathe.

“Well dinna look at me, Ian Murray, I dinna ken how to skate either!” I joined in his laughing and we both stood shakily to our feet.

We fell maybe ten times, both taking our fair share of spills on the ice. He wasn’t good at turning and I wasn’t good at simply standing up. Ian’s hands tended to linger on my waist and I found that I didn’t mind. Together we were hopeless and after twenty minutes of laughing with tears in our eyes we abandoned the ice and left to grab dinner in a warm cafe instead.

The entire night we talked about our families, our careers and our love for Scotland. Ian always said he wanted to one day move back home and I prayed to God he would.

“There’s a party,” I said, “For Joe at the hospital in a few days and I was wonderin’ if ye’d like to come?”

Ian sipped on his hot chocolate, “Aye, that’d be great!” He grinned, a mischievous look in his eye, “Will that be our second date then?”

Ah, so this was a date after all.

#the holiday au #jamie and claire #jenny and ian #christmas in july #mclairefras #ice skating #tree hunting #lots of ian and jenny #claire and jamie will be lots in next chapter dinna fash #on the ice #jamie fraser #claire beauchamp

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harrysbaebyhoney · 6 years

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BEFORE THE BLITZ.

A/N: this story is about 10k words, so a bit of a long oneee! it’s part one out of a three part fic, and i’m not really sure when the other parts will be written, as it took a lot of work for this one to be done, but i’m hoping soon!!! i’m not claiming to be a ww2 scholar, so there might be some wrong info abt the time period, but i did my best based off the research i did. so pls remember this is a work of fiction and i’m not claiming for it to be 100% true! i really hope you enjoy this story, pls let me know any of your thoughts abt it bc i love hearing feedback. there is angst, smut, and fluff throughout it all!!! i’m not too good at writing smut yet so pls forgive me. anyways, enjoy, share, and lemme know what you think ((:

PART I.

1939, Birmingham.

“Helps me forget we're far apart,

I don't know exactly when, dear,

But I'm sure we'll meet again, dear,

And my darling, till we do

You are always in my heart!”

He watched as the band set down their instruments, announcing a short break in order to regain themselves before the night would take a more upbeat turn. It was December now, a few months after the proclamation of war against Germany was declared. Most people’s moods were shifted into one of plain anxiety and fear for either their own lives or their loved ones.

Coming to the bar tonight was an escape for all of them as jazz tunes would soon be played, and everyone would engage in swing dancing, forgetting about their worries and the threat to their lives that loomed over them. He came to forget about his lingering fear that he would soon be drafted, too.

Sipping on the rum he held in his large palm, his eyes danced around the room, hoping to catch sight of his friend, Nick. Fortunately, he found him mingling with three ladies in the corner of the bar. Harry chuckled to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. Leave it to Nick to attempt charming three ladies at once.

Pushing himself off of the bar he leaned on, he took long strides over to the group, pausing once he was behind his friend. “‘Been waiting fo’yeh, mate,” He announced his presence, his words silky and smooth as he clasped a hand on Nick’s shoulder.

Nick turned to offer him a sheepish grin, giving a small shrug. “Sorry, got a bit distracted. Ladies, meet my dearest friend and fellow prisoner of the factory system, Harry Styles,” He introduced him to the three, grinning widely.

Harry took the opportunity to peer over at them, granting them a small nod as his greeting. The blonde hardly seemed interested in either of them, her gaze wavering around the room for an escape. Meanwhile, the lighter brunette was latching herself onto Nick’s arm, practically giggling at the simplest remark he would make.

Then, his gaze shifted to the shorter girl of the three, a raven-haired beauty. To his delight, she was peering at him through her long lashes, memorizing the details of his face and the way his scruff was beginning to grow. He had woken up late this morning and didn’t bother to shave, considering he had almost forgotten to even put his shoes on whilst running out the door to his job.

Y/N had hardly wanted to come tonight, too preoccupied about starting her new job on Monday, but her friends promised her a night of dancing, drinks, and shameless flirting would ease her nerves. Now, under the gaze of an emerald-eyed beauty, she wished she had listened to her instincts. When she saw the lit-up sign, Interlude, hanging outside the bricked building, she should have turned the other way. She should never have come. Since the second her eyes met his, she knew she would be trapped, and she could not afford any more attachments right now.

“Hello, I didn’t quite catch your name,” He greeted her, a grin forming on his lips as he was obliviously unaware of the thoughts circling through her mind at the same moment.

Her lips twitched upwards slightly as she shook her head with light laughter passing her lips, “That’s because I didn’t say it, Mr. Styles.” His ears perked up at that, he could get used to her calling him that…

Clearing his throat, he looked down at her with amusement, his lean figure towering over her own silhouette. “Then, what’re we waiting for? What’s yeh’ name?” His brow arched as he waited for her response, but she merely stared up at him with a fond grin on her expression.

“We’re waiting for you to get me a drink first,” She quipped back smoothly as they both seemed to forget about their friends standing next to them. It didn’t matter, though. The blonde had ventured off on her own, attempting to find her own admirer for the night, while Nick and Elizabeth were too preoccupied with each other.

“Oh, so that’s how s’gonna be? Using me for a drink, hm?” His voice was scolding, but his expression read amusement. She merely shrugged back in response, hands entwined in front of her as she sweetly looked up at him with big, doe eyes. “Alright, only ‘cos yeh’re cute.”

Her cheeks tinged pink at the compliment, and she was suddenly glad that the bar was dimly lit. His head cocked towards the bar, inviting her to follow after him, which she did but his strides were long and she was practically tripping over her own feet to keep up.

Placing her hands on the counter, she jumped up onto the stool and took a seat with her elbows resting on the table. Harry was leaning against the counter beside her, raising his fingers to beckon the bartender over. She pouted slightly when she realized that his figure still towered over her even while being raised by the stool.

“Yeh’, we’ll have a…” Harry trailed off, his gaze flickering back to the girl sitting beside him.

“Oh, just a French 75,” She told him to which he perked his eyebrow at, but, nevertheless, ordered the drink for her. Her gaze shifted to observe the scenery of the bar and the vibe it gave off.

The entire place reeked of alcohol and a hint of oak, although she may have been imagining the latter due to the architecture of the building being composed mostly of wood. Heels clicked against the wooden floor as ladies begin to flood the dance floor, dragging their dates along with them. It felt cosy and safe, like their secret hideout from the cruelties and atrocities of the world that awaited them.

It was their last place of fun and freedom before times would shift and everyone’s focus would be on the telephone, waiting to hear from their loved ones, rather than on the trumpet player up on the stage. A breath was released from her lips, gulping as the memory of her brother began to reappear in her mind.

Shaking her head, she pushed the thought away, knowing her friends would scold her for failing the one duty she had to accomplish for the night: to have fun. Luckily, her thoughts were interrupted with the drink that was held out before her and the cheeky lad who seemed prepared to continue his act of charming her.

“Deal’s a deal, love. M’gonna need yeh’ name now,” He tried again, meeting her own smug grin with the slight quirk of his lips.

Taking a sip of her drink, she caved in— it was hard not to when such brilliantly green eyes were staring her down. “I’m (Y/N),” She officially introduced herself, watching as his small smile grew wider.

“(Y/N),” He repeated, trailing off as he seemed to be memorizing the exact pronunciation of it.

“Glad your ears work,” She cheekily responded, giggling softly as he nudged her shoulder with his elbow. He didn’t seem to mind her teasing, though. In fact, he could make do with it for however long she would like if he were allowed to hear that cute giggle leave her lips once more.

“Yeh’ come out tonight with your friends here often?”

“No, it’s just cause I’m starting a new job on Monday. M’really nervous and all that, so they thought it would be best to let me loosen up for tonight… ease my nerves,” Y/N told him.

“What job? M’sure yeh’re going to do great, love, they picked yeh’ for a reason,” Harry earnestly assured her, offering a small smile her way.

“Well, it’s just a secretary position at this big corporation for now. I’m hoping I can impress them enough for a promotion, then maybe have enough experience to run my own business,” She informed him, before continuing on, “Nick said you work in a factory?”

“Yeh’, I do. Not exactly m’dream job, but it makes money, which is all that matters right now,” He told her, a slight frown pressed upon his lips.

“What is your dream job then, Harry?” She asked him curiously.

“‘ve always wanted to own my own bar, actually, and play music all the time like here— live artists, expressing themselves, yeh’ know? One day, I want to be one of those men up on that stage, performing, though m’not sure if that would settle well with everybody else,” Harry opened up to her, a sheepish grin adorned on his features.

Y/N gazed at him with admiration and a soft smile, nodding along. “You better achieve that dream, I’m tired of hearing the same old songs. It’d be nice to hear a new voice,” She assured him, their grins fondly matching one another.

“As long as I see yeh’ running your own business, (Y/N),” He promised her.

“I’ll drink to that,” She raised her glass before the two took a sip of their chosen drinks. Smiles were written on their face, unable to be erased.

As the music became upbeat, the trumpets blaring with glee, he turned to glance at the stage and the crowded dance floor before returning to gaze at her. “Dance with me,” He moreso ordered than asked her, though his hues held a pleading glint.

Setting down her drink, her nose scrunched up. She could make it easy, give in to him now, but that wouldn’t be as much fun for her. Her friends did tell her to have fun tonight. What was more fun than playing a game of chase?

“Dunno’ if I’ve drunk enough for that…” She began to reject his offer to which he frowned at.

“Oh, c’mon, love, it’ll be fun. Can’t come here without at least doin’ one swing da-“

“Sorry, hope I’m not interfering. Saw you just sitting here, was wonderin’ if you cared to dance?” A blonde man who stood a few inches shorter than Harry questioned the same girl Harry was attempting to win over.

Y/N turned her head sideways to peer at the newcomer, her lips shifting into a large grin. “I’d love to!” She exclaimed excitedly, hopping off the stool and taking the blonde’s hand in her own dainty one. As he began to lead her onto the dance floor, and while Harry was attempting to unravel what just occurred, she turned around to wink at the dumbfounded, curly-haired man.

“Thanks for the drink, Harry. I’ll see you around?” She offered before she was lost in the dance floor amidst the moving bodies.

Harry hadn’t missed how her lips were quirked into an amused, challenging smirk, though. Though he had felt blatantly rejected at first, he recognized the little game she was playing, and he was determined to win. Finishing his own drink, he set it down before marching off to find her.

Indeed, he found her, dancing with the same bloke who interrupted them. Her short figure was being spun around while she grinned widely, eyes shut as if lost in the moment. Approaching a redhead, he managed to cop his own partner and began to join the dance.

Y/N had her arms around the blonde’s shoulders who was babbling on and on about how he was here to celebrate his best friend’s engagement. It was endearing, really, but she couldn’t be bothered. Instead, her eyes began to roam the bar to see if the brunette was still there. When she couldn’t spot him at their spot by the bar, a pout settled upon her lips. Perhaps, he had not understood her game and had given up on her, too insulted to continue pursuing her.

Beginning to feel rather bummed out, she sighed softly as she was spun around in circles, twirling away from her partner. Hands grabbed her waist, pulling her close again, and she looked up, expecting to see the blonde but was met by green hues. A surprised gasp left her lips, brows furrowing in confusion.

“Traded partners,” Harry simply explained, cocking his head towards the blonde and redhead who were now dancing around.

A smile began to form on Y/N’s lips, looking back up at Harry. Relief flooded throughout her, glad that he had realized her challenge. “Missed me so quickly?” She pondered, gasping once more as he turned her around, pressing his chest into her back while one hand had slid into her own, the other resting on her hip.

He swayed his hips along with hers to the music, leaning down to whisper in her ear, so that she could hear him over the blasting, swing music. “Yeh’ left jus’ when we were gettin’ started,” He murmured, spinning her out with one hand. She turned her head to glance at him while she stood a few feet apart from him, still clutching onto his hand with her own.

“Starting what exactly?”

He brought her back in, chests pressed against one another as her hands moved to slide up onto his broad shoulders. “The rest of our fun night, of course,” He responded as if it were the obvious answer.

To that, she offered light laughter, shaking her head in amusement. “Oh, yeah? You decided we were gonna have fun, did you?”

“No, ‘course not. I was hopin’ actually, kind of why I wanted you to stick around, so I can see if that’s what you wanted, too,” His voice was softer, more questioning as he looked down at her with a questioning gaze.

Her light mood seemed to take a sudden twist as her grin fell. Removing her hands from his shoulders, she shook her head as she turned her face away from him. “I.. I gotta go,” She weakly offered before scurrying off the dance floor.

This time, he had recognized no challenge or game. She was truly attempting to escape, to flee him as if he represented some horrific idea. He was thoroughly confused, unsure of where he had crossed the line. Maybe she truly was repulsed by him and was mortified he would offer having a fun night to her.

“Fo’ fucks sake,” He mumbled to himself, cursing himself for crossing the boundaries too quickly. But, she had seem interested, hadn’t she? No, she had run off with the first man who interrupted their conversation and wouldn’t even give her name to him until she was bought a drink. Perhaps, he had thought too much into it.

Y/N, meanwhile, pushed open the doors of the bar to escape into the cold night. Shivering as she realized she forgot her jacket inside, she wrapped her arms around herself. All she had to cover herself up was the orange button-up blouse she had worn to match with her pleated skirt. Knowing the brunette would be after her, she decided to saunter a bit further until she stood behind the building where the path was rocky and the railroad tracks were only a few feet away.

Harry had frantically reached for his coat, tugging it over his lanky body before following her steps outside the building. He looked to either side of him, not spotting her figure in the darkness of the night. Huffing to himself, he frowned with furrowed brows, wondering where she could have gone.

Deciding to look around, he checked the alleyway beside the building. Disappointed when it turned out to be empty, besides a snogging couple, he was beginning to believe it was time to give up before he heard some sniffling.

Anxious, he followed the noise till he hesitantly approached the familiar, tiny figure that stared ahead at the empty railroad tracks. “I… I didn’t mean to make yeh’ cry, love,” He started to say, but she cut him off with a small groan.

“I’m not crying! It’s cold out here,” She defended herself, turning her head over her shoulder to peer at the nervous male. Her nose had turned red due to the cold surrounding her, but no tears stained her cheeks.

“Oh,” The word fell off his lips lamely before he hurriedly took off his jacket and wrapped it around her dainty figurine. “What’re yeh’ doin’ out here, then? Yeh’ could’ve stayed inside, just told me to fuck off,” He scolded her, his body still standing a few feet away from her— so not to cross more boundaries.

“M’sorry if I… I said anything out of line in there. I really do respect women, I don’t expect them to just come have fun wit’ me, just thought… don’t know what I thought, really. Seemed so clever in the mo’, but…” He was rambling on, so she decided it was time to save him from further embarrassment.

“You didn’t cross any boundaries, Harry. I’m not upset about that.”

“Oh,” He said again, relief flooding throughout him that he hadn’t messed it all up, “Then… what happened?”

“I.. I can’t do this. I can’t have fun with you, Harry.”

His hands had shoved into his pockets, his own nose turning red as he had never been one to handle the cold too well, either. He was confused, honestly, by what she was saying, which is why he had kept quiet to what she responded with.

Once she realized he had no reply, she continued on with a sigh, “It would be no good for us.”

Her body turned to face him, arms crossing over her chest as her gaze shifted from his orbs to his boots. He stepped closer, waiting to see if she moved away before further advancing. Once he was close enough, his hands grabbed her elbow gently in his palms. “Why not? ’S just a bit o’fun, didn’t think it could be so bad,” He asked, perplexed.

“Because, for us, it wouldn’t just end up in fun. People like us, together, can’t just have fun, you know? It’s hard to explain, I probably sound crazy right now. I just knew the moment we started talking, you weren’t the person I would just have fun with. You’re the person I could fall for, and we can’t have that… not now.”

She was a bit scared that her rambling would scare him off. Here he was, merely asking for a bit of fun with the girl he had met in a bar, and she was ranting about how she could imagine herself falling in love with him. God, this would surely scare him off, so perhaps this was good for her— wasn’t this what she wanted?

She knew she sounded insane, but she also knew who she was. She could manage her emotions well enough, but with someone as charming and kindhearted as Harry had been, she knew she would not be able to prevent herself from feeling for him. One night of fun would turn into calling him the next day, eventually leading to dates and her obsessing over the curly-haired lad.

He didn’t seemed too shakened by her words, though. In fact, he seemed to understand them better than she believed he could. He had recognized it when he first saw her, too. He knew he was not picking out some random girl from the bar, but someone who had intrigued him by her appearance then her smart banter. She allured him, and he wanted to dive into her— completely, if he could.

“Why not now?” He settled on asking instead of consoling her thoughts.

��Because…” She whispered, her eyes darting from the ground to his enchanting hues, “It’s a dangerous time to fall in love.”

A faint smile eased upon his lips, staring down at her with a knowing glint in his orbs, “There is never safety with falling in love.”

Her eyes raised to meet his at that, a bit stunned that he was comfortably approaching this topic with her. She had been so sure he would be freaked out by her worries. Here he was, though, still listening to her. Perhaps, he was the insane one.

“Still, we can’t,” She pushed herself to say the words, moving away from his grasp once more with a small step backwards. He could see her walls falling down, though. He recognized the way her mind was screaming at her to leave, but her body was desperately craving more.

She recognized it, too. Her brain was logically bringing up her fears and worries, but she felt herself growing weaker under his gaze. She imagined where else his hands could travel, farther from just her elbows. She wondered what the toned chest she had felt pressed against her own looked like. She wanted him. Badly.

“I lost my brother,” She admitted to him, wanting to give him an explanation for her fears. “I can’t lose somebody else, so I can’t get close to anybody— not now.”

“Yeh’ won’t lose me, love. M’right here.”

“You don’t know that,” She scoffed, “It could be anybody tomorrow.”

“Stop worryin’ about tomorrow, then. We have right now. ’S the beauty of life, isn’t it? Livin’ in the present mo’ and all tha’?” He stepped closer, watching as she bit down on her bottom lip.

“Why are yeh’ resisting something that yeh’ want?” He questioned her, index finger grazing her cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She gulped, frowning as she attempted to regain control over the situation. But, the way his fingers grazed along her cheek had ignited a fire within her, had left a burning feeling throughout her, and she wanted more. She wanted more than innocent touches, but she wanted his hands digging into her hips as he pressed into her.

“Just fun, okay?” She whispered so quietly that he almost missed it.

He was a bit shocked that she had given in, thinking it would take more convincing but she stared up at him with a hard, determined gaze now.

“You can’t fall in love with me, and I can’t with you, got it? No calling me the next day, no asking to get lunch together, just… just one night together, and that’s it.”

His lips began to perk upwards, licking over his bottom lip. “Alright, if that’s what yeh’ want— as long as yeh’ won’t be askin’ me to cuddle you after, hm?”

She rolled her eyes at that, her hands lifting to grab at his shirt collar and tug him forward. “Trust me, Styles, I won’t be,” She shot back defiantly.

“We’ll see,” He hummed in response, his voice dropping lower than before as he leaned into her. His forehead was pressed against hers while their eyes met for one last time before he closed the gap and pressed their lips against one another.

Her fists around his shirt collar grew tighter, while his head tilted to the side, deepening the kiss. His hands had held her face in his large palms, holding her in a position he liked, so he could angle himself better in relation to her shorter figure.

The kiss was desperate and passionate— it was fiery and challenging, as if questioning which one would give up on their promise first, which one would succumb to the ecstasy of their bond sooner.

“Let’s go,” He murmured as he pulled away though his body was fighting against him, simply wanting to taste the softness of her lips against his once more. His hand dropped to intertwine with hers, the two sharing a soft smile before stumbling back into the alley during the dark night.

—— — — —

“Careful, love,” Harry warned her as she had her arms looped around his neck, pressing soft kisses along his jawline. His arm was wrapped around her waist, walking her inside his flat and making sure she wouldn’t bump into any walls. “Should be watching where yeh’re going, yeh’ know tha’?”

“You want me to stop then?” She questioned, pulling her head back to glance up at him with a questioning brow.

“Didn’t say tha’, did I?” He quipped back, lowering his head to leave a gentle kiss on her lips. He kicked the apartment door shut with his foot, his hand reaching back to lock it before moving back to its placement on her waist. “Proper minx, yeh’ are,” He murmured as she continued her assault on his neck.

Deciding he had had enough of her little fun and games on him, he thought it best to take control. Lifting her off her feet, he held her to his body with one arm wrapped around her waist while the other hand slid down to the back of her thigh. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his torso, ankles crossing against his back.

Their faces were leveled with one another as he leaned in to kiss her again but harder this time, not bothering to be soft and gentle because the fragile girl with her worries was left by the railroad tracks and was replaced by someone teasing and daunting.

He had recognized the shift when she attempted to give him a stiffy while he was merely trying to rush along their walk back to his apartment. But, no, she had to stop him in the middle of the sidewalk to kiss him again and run her hand down his chest towards his crotch. All that could stop her was a harsh grip on her wrist and a stern look, but even then, she was still daring.

The second they had gotten into the elevator, her lips were attached to his flesh— all the way up to his front door.

“Thought yeh’ could have all the fun, didn’t yeh? Get me all riled up fo’ what, hm?” Harry asked her as he walked her back to his bedroom, dropping her onto the mattress. Her back hit the cushioning while a soft gasp left her lips, not expecting it. “Not how it works wit’ me, angel. Yeh’ don’t get all the fun here.”

He began unbuttoning his shirt as he watched her big eyes trail from his own orbs to his toned chest. She bit down on her bottom lip, getting more eager for him as she moved to unbutton her own shirt. Slipping the fabric off her shoulders, she laid in her skirt, lifting her hips up to take that off, as well.

His hands paused at his belt buckle as he saw the sight of her in her white, cotton undergarments. She looked so pure and innocent like this, but he knew she was far from it.

“Such a pretty girl, aren’t yeh’?” He murmured, leaning down to cup her face with his hand. She hummed in response, her face leaning into his touch and lips pressing a soft kiss to his wrist. “Been a bad girl, though. Think it’s time yeh’ get taught a lesson, hm? What do yeh’ have to say fo’ that?”

She chewed on her bottom lip, suddenly at loss for words even though she had been a rambling mess earlier. Nodding her head slowly, he smirked at her, amused by the sudden submissiveness that washed over her, considering how bold she had been before.

“Turn over fo’ me,” He directed, watching as she obeyed his demands and moved to lay down on her stomach. Her head turned around to peer him at over her shoulder curiously, wondering what he possibly could want to do with her.

His large palm ran along her back down to her bum, tapping the flesh gently. “Pretty, little bum yeh’ got. Think it’d look even prettier with my handprints on them, what d’yeh think, doll?”

When he got no response from her besides a small gasp, his hand twisted into her hair to force her gaze on his own orbs. “Asked yeh’ a question, didn’t I?”

She nodded, at loss for words, as her cheeks had reddened drastically. Soon, her other pair of cheeks would match that color, too. “Y-Yes, it’d look prettier.”

He smirked at that, his hand releasing its grip on her hair and sliding back down. It happened in a quick second— one moment she was anticipating the impact, and the next a gasp was leaving her lips as her hips raised off the mattress. Her flesh stung from his hand, but she liked the feeling of it— the rapid pace of her heartbeat and the adrenaline surging throughout her.

“Such a good girl for me,” Harry murmured, more to himself, as his hand struck her bum once again. He did so a few more times, each time relishing in the soft whimpers and gasps that left the girl’s lips. Kneading the flesh in his palms, he massaged it soothingly. Deciding he had tortured her enough, he knelt down onto his knees.

Grabbing her ankles, he pulled her down the mattress till her legs dangled off the bed and his face was in line with her wetness. Moving her underwear to the side with his fingers, he leaned further into her, peppering kisses along the insides of her thighs.

Y/N anticipated his next move, feeling more than relieved when his lips met her wetness. Gasping at the first touch of his warm tongue against her clit, her hands shakily gripped the sheets. He sucked on her clit, tongue flicking over it before moving down to lick along her folds teasingly.

“Harry, please,” She forced out, hips pushing back further into him— body begging for more. He answered her pleas as his tongue slid past her folds into her, tasting her for the first time. His eyes shut as he hummed in content. She tasted as sweet as she looked.

A soft moan escaped from her flushed lips, head resting on its side as she tried to glance down at him. Though, as his tongue began to swirl against her walls and flick back and forth, her eyes fluttered shut, lashes resting on her cheeks.

He memorized the sound of her whimpers and moans, wanting to play it on a never-ending loop. “Taste so fuckin’ good for me, baby,” He told her as his fingers replaced his mouth by rubbing her folds up and down.

While, Y/N loved the feel and sensation of it all— she just wanted him. She wanted to cave into her desires and have him fully with no more playing around. “Please, Harry, I need you,” She whimpered, feeling his hand pause against her as he grinned smugly.

“Yeh’re having me, aren’t yeh?”

“You know what I mean,” She grumbled, cheeks pink as she felt too shy to say the words.

“Do I?” He tested her, grinning amusedly as she refused to let the filthy words pass her lips, so he helped her out, “Yeh’ want m’cock, is that it? Yeh’ wanna feel me pressed up inside yeh’ till yeh’re screaming for me?”

She whined at the thought, nodding her head hastily, “Fuck, please…”

Standing on his feet, he undressed himself entirely, shedding his boxers, as well. He reached towards his nightstand, grabbing a rubber and slowly putting it over his cock. He leaned down to kiss along the back of her shoulders before his hands unclasped her bra and peeled off the undergarment. Grabbing her by her hips, he flipped her over, so he could look into her eyes once more.

“Alright, yeh’ll have me then,” He promised her, pressing small kisses along her jawline before he positioned himself, slowly pushing into her. He forced himself to go slow, to give her time to breathe and adjust to his size. Her eyes had squeezed shut as he slipped inside her, mouth falling open as he continued to press into her until she had fully taken him.

“Yeh’ okay?” He asked her softly, eyes scanning her face for any painful or uncomfortable expressions. She nodded in response, hands moving to grasp onto his shoulders.

“Mm, keep going,” She assured him, as he moved his hands to rest on either sides of her face. He began to thrust into her, slowly but deeply as she threw her head back in bliss. Though as her moans grew louder, it edged him on.

He remembered how teasing she had been the entire night, and his thrusts got harder. “Open your eyes, want yeh’ to look at me,” He demanded, one hand going to cup her jaw as he tilted her head up and pressed his lips to hers hastily.

It was hard to do so, but she forced her eyes to peel open. She didn’t regret it once her own hues met his emerald ones, gazing at each other like there was nothing else going in the world except this very moment. There was no war, there was no bloodshed. It was only them and the passion flowing between them.

She moaned out his name as he pressed into her, thrusts quick and hard. She could feel him pressed up against her walls, hitting the one spot that had her eyes rolling to the back of her skull. “S-so close,” She warned him as he continued pushing into her.

Her toes curled as her back arched off the mattress, nails digging into his shoulders. If it hurt him, he made no effort to halt her from pressing her nails into his flesh. In fact, he seemed to enjoy the pain of it, just as she had liked his palms against her ass.

“Yeah? Yeh’ gonna come fo’ me? Alright, princess, come fo’ me,” He permitted her, his hand going down to rub against her clit in circles, helping her reach her brink as she came with a shrieking moan.

It didn’t take him long to cum after that, hearing the way she had let out one last whimpering moan. He spilled inside of the condom, pulling out shortly after as he rolled over to lay on his back beside her.

Both of them panted heavily, sweaty and breathless. There was merely silence, but it was a comfortable one— one neither one of them dared to break.

Instead, Harry peeled back the covers of his bed, covering it over both of them. He turned to his side, facing her, and shorty after, she did the same. They stared at each other without exchanging a word.

She didn’t have to ask him to hold her, because he already knew to do it. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close into his body. She didn’t argue or resist his grasp, but further snuggled into him by laying her head and hands against his chest.

They fell asleep, cuddling.

— — — — —

It was safe to say that after they had already broken one rule of theirs that night, many more failed to be followed.

The morning after, Harry had woken up to her resting comfortably in his arms. He smiled down at her peaceful, sleeping body and kissed her temple gently. He slowly took his arm off her, so not to wake her, and slid out of the bed quietly. He learned that she was a rather deep sleeper for even as he stumbled over their clothes on the floor, she remained asleep.

Smiling, he moved to his kitchen where he began fixing her a breakfast, despite her ordering him earlier not to do so. She wouldn’t mind though, he assured himself.

Soon enough, Y/N was being woken up to her body being softly shaken. Creaking her eyes open, she winced at the sunlight pouring through the windows only to see the lean figure before her. Moving to sit up on her elbows, she glanced down to see a tray being held out for her with a boiled egg and toast being prepared.

“Made you a cuppa’,” He offered her, setting the mug of tea on the nightstand beside her. She grinned softly up at him, grabbing the plate from him.

“Thank you, Harry, you didn’t have to,” She mumbled, rubbing her eyes with her fists. Glancing down, she realized she was still entirely naked and flushed. Harry seemed to notice for in an instant, he was offering her his shirt. Smiling up at him gratefully, she pulled the fabric over her body and allowed the material to fall against her thighs.

He joined her on the bed again, grabbing his own plate. The two ate their breakfasts, both ignoring the fact they had promised not to do this. They had promised not to grow an attachment, but they also refused to acknowledge their promise. It felt better to give into what they wanted.

Y/N was hesitant, but she didn’t want to ruin their morning. It was just a breakfast, that’s all. They would eat, and she would leave soon. Then, she would never see him again, just like they had agreed to. A night of fun, that’s all. Well, also a night of cuddling and a morning of breakfast.

It wasn’t long before they had finished their meals and worked to washed up, clean themselves from the filth they had acted in previously. Soon, Y/N was back in her orange attire and walking to the front door, with Harry falling closely behind her.

“Well, this was fun,” Y/N announced, her hand moving to open the front door as she swung it open and stepped out, before turning around to face him.

“Yeah, it was,” He agreed, nodding as he stared down at her. He bit down on his bottom lip as they stared at each other, unknowing of what to do. Silence settled upon them before she cleared her throat.

“Well, I’m gonna go then,” She told him.

“Right, okay. Get home safe, yeh?”

She nodded, turning on her heels and she sauntered towards the elevator. Disappointment settled throughout her, desperately wishing he would chase after her and coax her away from her fears. For, she so desperately wanted to see his green eyes again, more than just for a night.

Harry chewed down on his lip as he watched her retreating figure. He knew he should stick to his agreement and not chase after her, because that’s what she told him to do last night. But, hell, he hated to see her walk away like this.

So, he spoke up, “Can I call yeh’?”

Y/N paused in her tracks, surprised her wishes were being granted. A soft smile began to twitch along her lips. Her mind told her to say no and to walk away. This would just be another attachment that she did not need. He would leave like everyone else would. It was wartime, and it was dangerous. She lost her brother, she couldn’t deal with losing another. But, then she remembered his soft smile as he gazed at her in bed with his arms around her. She remembered his cheeky attitude and his determination to win her over, and she gave in.

Looking back at him, she nodded, “Yes, you can.”

A wide grin spread along his face, nodding back at her as she smiled towards him before walking to the elevators with relief flooding throughout her. This wouldn’t be the last time she would see him.

As she pressed the elevator button, he suddenly shouted to her, “Wait, I don’t have your number!”

“I’m in the book, (Y/N) (Y/LN)!” She shouted back at him as she stepped inside the elevator, the doors closing shut as he caught one more glance of her beaming figure.

Nodding to himself, he grinned widely as he stepped back inside the apartment and shut the door. Then, he moved over to the phonebook to find her name.

—— — — —

One phone call had led to dinner later that week which led to more dinners and more fun nights. It didn’t take long for them to grow attached, considering Harry even walked to her job after his shift from the factory was over, in order to walk her back to her loft.

It was February now, two months since they had met. They never brought up the conversation about their rules ever again since that night. It seemed like a promise worth forgetting, so they merely allowed it to fade away into oblivion. It was easier that way and more beneficial to them both, though perhaps not in long-term circumstances.

Y/N, of course, still dealt with the loss of her brother as a fresh wound. There were nights she couldn’t get a blink of sleep because she imagined his falling corpse on the battlefield. However, having Harry beside her in bed, with his arms securely wrapped around her in protection from the world around them, made it a lot easier to get through. So, while her mind screamed at her to end it before their bond grew, her body would relax into his as she kissed him goodnight.

There were days where she believed it would be alright. After all, not all the men in the country would be drafted for war, right? Just a bucket of them. Perhaps Harry would be lucky and fall short of belonging in that bucket.

He wouldn’t be drafted and they would stay exactly as they were right now, with her bare body being covered by her sheets and Harry stumbling back towards the bed after grabbing them both some water.

“Here, drink some,” He instructed her, holding out the glass as she sat up slowly, stretching.

“Wore me out today, H,” She teased him, though she particularly liked when he went rougher than usual. That only happened after a stressful day at the factory for Harry.

“Mm, sorry, button,” Harry apologized, but his smug grin said differently, causing her to nudge him with her elbow as he laid back down beside her. She took a sip of the cold water, savoring the taste before setting it down on the table next to her.

Shifting so she was laying on her side, she slung a leg over his and wrapped her dainty arms around his lower torso. Her fingertips drew shapes on his bare chest, pecking the skin softly. “Missed you today at work, everyone was looking at me like I didn’t belong,” She sighed quietly.

Harry frowned at that, his hand moving to run his fingers through her hair, which was a bit messy due to his tugging. He hated that Y/N had to go through that— hated that women, in general, had to face the blatant sexism in the workplace. He wanted to protect her from all those men working alongside her, but he knew she was strong enough to protect herself. Those men just never gave her the chance to prove herself and show that she was more than a domestic worker.

“Jus’ jealous of yeh’, petal. They know yeh’ could do their job so much better that they’re scared of yeh’, so they’d rather try to keep yeh’ out. Proper cowards, they are, the whole bloody bunch,” Harry assured her, his hand rubbing her arm reassuringly up and down in soft strokes.

She smiled at that, looking up at him with only admiration in her eyes. That was what she adored the most about Harry, his sense of consoling her as if it were a second nature to him. Every time she ranted about another mean man at work, her skirt getting dirty as she walked back home, or her cooking burning yet again, Harry always knew what to say to get that frown to transform into a grin. He didn’t even try, it was effortless.

“You’re the best, you know that?” She whispered, leaning up to kiss his lips gently. She rested her head on his chest afterwards, still tilting her head up to keep her gaze on him.

Harry shook his head, a fond smile on his lips. “I know tha’, love,” He quipped back, chuckling to himself as she huffed and rolled her eyes at him.

Her sweet, charming Harry also had quite the ego, and she learned that within a few days of knowing him. God, especially after that time he got especially rough with her, leaving her a trembling mess even as she tried to walk to the bathroom. He never stopped teasing her for that, how he had to help walk her to the bathroom because she was still shaking from their fuck.

“I hate you,” She joked as a smile was still written all over her face. She loved moments like these, laying with him and talking about anything.

Harry didn’t know why the next words that came out of his mouth did, but it seemed like a reflex to him, almost as effortless as comforting her, “Well, I love yeh’.”

They both paused at that, their bodies tensing up for opposite reasons. Harry tensed for he was afraid of scaring her away, knowing how uncomfortable and frightened commitment made her. Even though, they were together without ever announcing it, and would never be with somebody else rather than each other, it still scared her. So, he had left the topic behind, never daring to bring it up in fear of pushing her away. Yet, here he was, laying in bed with her and professing his love.

Y/N tensed up because this was the time her fears were finally confronted. All this time she had promised herself fun would not lead to attachment and commitments. It was easier to lie to herself rather than face the truth. The truth that she, too, loved Harry— she had fallen for him, just like she knew she would. And, while she had tried to prevent it before they first shared a bed together, afterwards, it got much harder to resist. So, she had caved in to her feelings and desires and allowed herself to betray her mind in falling for him.

Harry’s lips parted to say something else, to apologize… but for what? He wasn’t sorry for how he felt, he did love her. He loved her bratty, clumsy self. He loved that she pouted whenever she didn’t get a kiss goodbye in the mornings. He loved that she threw herself on his lap with a grumble after a particularly hard day at work. He loved that she still attempted to cook for him even though it always ended up burnt, so he would just cook up a new meal for them. He loved that she would launch herself onto his back when she was too tired to walk, forcing him to carry her around her apartment and retrieve whatever item she beckoned for.

So, he couldn’t apologize for loving her, because it was truly how he felt. He was only sorry that she was so afraid of love, so afraid of where it could lead them. He was sorry that he couldn’t protect her from the losses war brings.

But, before he could ramble out any apologies or whatever nonsense would spurt out of his mind, she cut him off with her own soft, quiet murmur, “I love you too, H.”

His eyes widened in shock. He was certain she would scramble off his body and kick him out of her flat. Instead, here she was, confirming that she, indeed, felt the same way for him.

She loved him for his idiotic, cheesy jokes that still had her giggling, moreso at the corniness of it rather than the joke. She loved him for the way he sang to her, reminding her that she would one day see him up on the stages like he dreamed to be. She loved him for the way he still tried to eat her burnt meals before she would feel too guilty and throw it away, allowing him to be the chef once more. She loved him for always supporting her, quite literally too, as she often threw herself on his back, mostly because she liked the feeling of being tall.

His smile could not be erased from his face after those words left her lips. Instead, he flipped them over, attacking her face with kisses before leading them down to her neck. “Love yeh’,” He would repeat after every few kisses, loving the sound of her giggles fleeing from her lips as his scruff tickled her neck.

He pulled back after a few moments, staring into her eyes as he pressed one last kiss to her nose.

“Love you,” She responded shortly after, the two beaming up at each other. They fell asleep like that, soft smiles meeting one another as they continued to converse about their days. Every so often, they would remind each other of their love for one another.

— — — — —

The next day, both of their moods could not possibly be crushed. Harry, especially, felt as if he were flying on cloud nine. After all, the girl he had trouble winning over at first had just admitted to loving him back.

He truly believed nothing could destroy his mood, that was, of course, until he got home. Seeing the letter on his doorstep was confusing enough, but seeing it sealed by the British government had his heart thundering in his chest.

Y/N had waited for about twenty minutes after her workday was over for him. He usually came by to walk her back home. Though, he hadn’t promised to do so today. He never did promise, though, he just showed up without needing to be told or asked. It left her a bit worried about whether he was alright or not. She assured herself he was, but she had to make sure. It wasn’t like Harry to skip out on her.

That’s what had her walking towards his apartment in a rushed pace. It didn’t take her long to be knocking on his front door. And when she did, Harry already knew who it would be. He didn’t want to talk to anybody right now, too shocked with the news to truly deal with it. But, he knew he couldn’t avoid her. He was just afraid of how she would feel. Her fears had come true, and he couldn’t do anything to stop it.

“Come in,” He yelled from his living room, voice a bit a raspy and hoarse as he sat with his head in his palms and elbows resting on his knees.

That’s when she knew something was really wrong. Harry never missed a chance on being a gentleman, so she knew him not coming up to greet her was a clear sign something had occurred. Her stomach twisted as she walked inside to spot his distressed figure on his couch.

“Harry… you didn’t come to get me, I got worried,” She started, setting her purse down on his counter before sauntering over to him. She sat down on the table in front of him, hands resting on top of his knees beside his elbows. “What’s wrong?”

“M’so sorry, love, I…” He trailed off, taking a deep breath as he gulped the lump forming in his throat.

“Hey, what’re you talking about? C’mon, H, talk to me,” She pushed, her voice soft and gentle as she tried to catch his eyes but he looked away. He moved so his back was slumped against the couch, head tilting upwards to stare at the ceiling, which is when she noticed the red outlining his hues.

Worry stirred deep inside her as she moved to sit on his lap, straddling his thighs as she grabbed a hold of his chin and forced his head to look down at her. “Harry, baby, you can talk to me, you know that, right? I wanna help you, hate seeing you like this,” She frowned, pressing a soft kiss on his cheek.

“Got a letter today,” He forced out unevenly, his eyes moving to glance over at the letter sitting beside him. She rose her brow, a bit confused, but reached for the envelope anyways. She pulled the letter out, her eyes scanning over it, until the words finally sunk into her mind.

He had been enlisted.

“W-What?” She breathed out, rereading the letter to make sure she hadn’t messed up, that it was true. That her fears and worries had come true, and her Harry was being sent away, just a day after they confessed their love for one another. But, she was moreso worried about him. Her sweet Harry dressed up in a military attire, standing alongside other soldiers as he engaged in warfare. Killing was not a thing Harry was designed for, she couldn’t imagine the kindhearted man to ever have that violent tendency within him.

Forcing herself to remain calm, she knew she had to be strong for him. If she showed worry, if she showed fear, it would only worsen his mood. For the countless times he had been there for her, it was her time to be there for him. She would worry about her own fears later, but right now, she would listen to his.

She set the letter down, trying to control her breathing as she moved her gaze back to him. He was finally looking at her. “Talk to me, tell me what you’re thinking,” She started, her hands cupping his face in her palms softly.

He was a bit stunned at her reaction, fully expecting to see her wobbly lip and watering eyes. But, he recognized the strength inside her, and he couldn’t appreciate it enough. He hardly had the strength inside to keep himself from tears, he wouldn’t know how to do the same for her.

“Wasn’t supposed to happen, s’all. I was a student at university when the conscription first came along, which kept me exempted. Only a few weeks after, I had to drop out, cus’ of money issues. S’why I’m working at the factory now, trying to make some money so I can go back one day. I-I thought they wouldn’t know, wouldn't find out I left university, but they are the bloody government, aren’t they?” He scoffed, shaking his head as his hands cautiously moved to hold onto her waist. “Came home today to see this letter, that I’ve been enlisted now that m’no longer a student. Have to go for training, then they’re shipping me off to someplace where I’ll be killing people I don’t even know.” His eyes were watering once again at the thought, and it hurt Y/N to see him in so much agony.

He hadn’t even gone to war yet, but he was already mourning the actions of what he would soon be doing. Y/N pushed his head into her chest, holding him close to her as his arms tightened around her waist, clutching onto her as if she were the last piece that was keeping him here— safe at home, and not bloody in a battlefield.

That’s when the tears finally sprung to her eyes, falling down her cheeks slowly as she sniffled. His grip tightened around her as he heard that, hand rubbing circles on her back soothingly. “M’sorry, button. I told yeh’ that yeh’ wouldn’t lose me, made yeh’ come to dinner with me after promising yeh’ just one night, and I fell in love with yeh’ just like yeh’ knew would happen. And now, I’m being forced to go and leave yeh’ here. It’s all so fucked up, I…”

She cut him off, lifting his head so their eyes met and shook her head. “Harry, it’s not your fault. You didn’t start any wars, and you didn’t ask to be a part of it. You didn’t make me grow attached to you, I did that by myself for continuing to see you. I wanted to, and I don’t regret it, okay? But, don’t… don’t say I’m going to lose you, okay? I’m not going to lose you, you’re going to come back to me.” Her voice cracked by the end at merely the thought.

He nodded his head firmly at the thought, leaning up to press a firm kiss on her lips. “Yeh’ won’t lose me, promise.”

Y/N nodded in response, her body sinking down so her head was now pressed against his chest. She cried into his shirt as he held her. It continued like this for a while, both of them crying and taking turns with holding one another. They were both scared and upset, unknowing of what would happen to them. They did know one thing, though: they loved each other, and they wouldn’t give up on that, ever.

— — — — —

The pair walked together, hands entwined and clinging to one another desperately. Their anxieties increased as they reached the train station destined for London where Harry would begin his training. Five minutes left.

“Alright,” Harry breathed out, turning to glance down at her with a sad smile on his lips.

Though she desperately tried to hold back the tears, they came flooding in anyways, which didn’t help Harry’s upset mood much either. They had attempted to prepare for this the best they could, making love to each other last night until they grew too tired and stared at each other for the rest of the night.

Neither of them slept, too scared on missing out on their final moments together for who knew how long. They cried, laughed, smiled, and reminded each other of how much love they had between them. They were terrified, but they promised each other to be strong and to keep pushing forward. Pushing forward was the only way they could make it out of this.

“C’mon, poppet, know I hate to see yeh’ cry,” Harry cooed as he pulled her into his arms, his chin resting on top of her head as he squeezed his eyes shut, few tears slipping by. She sniffled, nodding, as she wrapped her arms around him and attempted to brush away her tears, using his shirt.

“S-Sorry,” She whispered, hiccuping shortly after as sobs wracked throughout her.

“Shh, baby, no apologizing,” He reminded her, pulling back to grab her face in his palms and wipe away the tears with his thumbs. “What’d we decide on, hm? Need to be strong fo’ me, doll, right? I can only be strong out there if I know yeh’re holding up back here.”

Y/N nodded at that, her hands resting over his as she nestled her face into his touch and left a kiss against his wrist gently. “I k-know, I’ll be strong for you, I promise. Just, please, be safe and don’t do anything dumb because you’re trying to be heroic, okay? Need you to come back to me, H,” She urged, eyes searching his.

Harry’s lips twisted upwards into a smile, or as much of a smile it could possibly be at this moment, as he nodded. “M’coming back to yeh’, petal. M’not missing out on seeing yeh’ conquer your own business or yeh’ finally becoming a good cook,” He promised her to which she let out a soft laugh at, shaking her head.

Two more minutes. Y/N turned to glance around them as other couples and families were bidding their loved ones goodbye. Sadness surged throughout the atmosphere as tears ran down innocent faces, loved ones being kissed for the last time before they would rest their eyes for eternity. It was a hopeless scene, there was nothing anyone could do to save the future from occurring.

“I should let you go, then,” She slowly spoke, biting down on her bottom lip as he nodded hesitantly.

He leaned down to kiss her once more, their lips meeting one another in a soft, gentle touch with no rush. It was only them and this moment. There was nothing else surrounding them besides this. They pulled away from each other with much resistance, tears filling their eyes but not allowing them to leak.

“I love yeh’, (Y/N),” He told her firmly.

“I love you, Harry,” She responded with no hesitation.

He let his hands drop from her face slowly, hands reaching for one another for a final time as she squeezed his palm gently and his thumb ran over the back of her hand soothingly. He picked up his duffel bag, stepping inside the train and turning back to wave at her. She waved back, a sad smile on her lips as the tears poured down once more.

She watched him settle inside the train, sitting by the window with a bag on the either side of him.

Their eyes met once more, as the train’s horns went off, signaling its departure.

And, their gaze never broke until the train was too far out of reach for her to spot him anymore.

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