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multimilfs · 1 year

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Colette Marchant x Fem!Reader: On The Dotted Line

Summary: Anon sent in... Colette Marchant + 77 -- "I've been thinking about you all day."

AO3

Prompts pulled from the post here!

A/N: It has been ages since I've written for Colette. I think this is my favorite of the ficmas fics I've written so far, honestly. I'm just very proud of this. I hope you all enjoy!!

Full Ficmas List

Tag List: @ghostsunderstoodmysoul @escapetodreamworld @multifandomfix @evil-feather @simplaif @elenaguarnieri @imtrashinflames @nonbinary-cryptid-baby

Warning(s): None

“Ma’am, there’s someone here to see you.”

Cindy’s voice echoes off the vaulted ceilings from the intercom on your desk. From your position at the window, staring down on the masses exploring Dreamland under an orange sky, you pinch the bridge of your nose and inhale sharply. Exhaling, you use your next breath to take an extra long drag of your cigarette.

The hands on your watch tell you it’s been only five minutes since the last of the investors left your office, their overpowering cologne and stiff suits testing your nerves almost more than their words. More consumers, more money, less performers—on and on and on for hours. They perfected the art of saying so many words that lack meaning.

You debate ignoring Cindy entirely. It’s rare, but you could manage it, feigning ignorance later. She’d nod and fill you in on what you missed while her eyes twinkled with knowing. Unfortunately, you can hear a crackle over the intercom, and know she’s waiting for a response.

Padding with bare feet on the cold stone to your desk, you throw various papers out of the way, and press the button.

Voice straining you respond, “I’m busy.”

An intake of breath and you know you’re not getting out of whatever this is. Cindy pauses, then comes down the line again, sounding distracted, and you can imagine her staring intently at whoever is waiting outside the large doors.

“She says it's an emergency, Ma’am.”

You drag your hands down your face and blink harshly. Mentally, you send up a prayer for patience, not caring whether a response comes through or not.

“Send them in please, Cindy.”

“Yes, Miss Vandevere.”

The cigarette in your hands is almost completely burnt down but you take a long drag of it anyway. You drop it into the ashtray before the embers sting your fingertips any more, crossing your arms over your chest as you stare out the window again, back to the doors. The view is largely the same from here except for a better angle of the circus tent where Dumbo and Colette will be performing tonight. Stepping back into your heels despite the ache in your feet and turning with a pleasant smile, you banish any longing thoughts of the woman to the back of your mind.

Only to find her standing in front of you.

Your mask falters for a second. Remembering that you’re not alone, you maintain your worn smile. Nodding to Cindy in thanks, she takes her leave, shutting the door behind her.

“Colette,” You breathe, false expression dropping into something genuine and fond, “What brings you here? You’re on soon.”

“I can go if you’re concerned.”

There’s an edge to her tone you’re used to hearing directed at everyone else. Crossing around the desk and approaching her slowly, you take her in, admiring the mix of Colette and The Queen of The Heavens in her appearance; red wig and golden headpiece in place, makeup done up to perfection, though she’s still dressed in her usual clothes.

You take her hands in your own and kiss the backs of them. Her neutral expression doesn’t falter, eyes following you. The set of her shoulders is too tense for your liking.

“I don’t want that, not even a bit. But you are cutting it close, darling, is something wrong?” You ask softly.

Colette sighs. Her fingers lace themselves through your own and she stares at them, tracing the connection with her eyes. You wait, though you glance at the clock on the wall frequently. Minutes seem to tick by.

“I’ve been thinking about you all day.” Colette admits, meeting your eyes.

“Oh?” You grin, “Anything… intriguing?”

Her lips part in a smile, but it’s not the one you’re used to. It doesn’t meet her eyes. Worry is building in your stomach and you’re shoving worst-case scenarios to the back of your mind.

“Mon chéri, I think you’ve outgrown Dreamland.”

Blinking, you back up slightly, though still keeping your hold on her. Your brows furrow as you search her face for some kind of answer. Her face remains impassive, though her eyes are lit with interest.

You’ve never given thought to leaving Dreamland; it’s your brother’s creation, his life’s work, and you have done everything possible to bring it to life. No matter how many investors and press were thrown your way, you handled it with grace. Over time, you’ve even come to enjoy the anticipation of what will come everyday.

It isn’t leaving Dreamland that feels difficult, you consider, it’s leaving your brother. Without you, he has no one in his corner. He will be the last man standing to defend Dreamland’s original vision. Could you do that to him, all in the name of furthering yourself?

“Where is this coming from?” You ask.

“I’ve thought about it for quite some time, but seeing all you’ve handled in recent weeks… You do so much and receive so little.”

“Maintaining Dreamland is enough for me.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.” You say.

Snatching your hands away and folding them over your chest, you stare harshly at her. Colette laughs bitterly and shakes her head.

“Look me in the eyes, mon chéri, and tell me you don’t want more for yourself.”

You can’t. The two of you know well enough that isn’t possible and it makes you grit your teeth. It feels like a betrayal of your family and all you’ve worked for to walk away… but don’t you deserve happiness beyond stolen moments?

There’s something in your lover’s face that says she’s not telling you something. She never did answer your question.

Slowly, you repeat, “Where is this coming from?”

Colette holds out her hand, palm up. You place your own in it.

“I overheard a proposal today. A generous donation of funds for… you.”

You close your eyes against her words. It’s easy to block out every sensation in the room except for her warm hand, holding onto you. You try and fail to pull away from her. Colette pulls you closer, wrapping you in her embrace, and you can’t help but clutch fistfuls of her dress in your hands.

Every ragged breath you take feels impossibly loud in the cold room. You hold onto Colette like she’s the port in a storm.

“What did he say?” You whisper.

“You’re worth more than this place, my darling.”

“Please.”

Her hand settles on your back, “He’s having an agreement drawn up tomorrow.”

You laugh through the tears, a slip of madness working into it. Here you were feeling guilty for considering leaving and your damned brother was preparing to sell you off for his precious Dreamland. He would cart you off to the investors offering the prettiest penny as if you hadn’t built the damn park too.

Colette kisses your temple.

“I won’t leave you.” You say.

“You won’t have to.”

A piece of paper is pressed into your hand. Looking down at it, your eyes widen; her renewal contract with Dreamland stares back at you, signed and dated on all lines except one. It’s missing the most important signature; yours.

You pull back and stare at her. The look on her face is genuine this time, as fond as she’ll allow herself to look.

Somewhere in the fray, her renewal contract slipped through the cracks of your paperwork. She’s free for all intents and purposes. Your smile. It’s possible, after all… it’s not just dreams.

Leaning your forehead against hers, you smile.

“When would you like to leave, my love?” You ask.

“Tonight?”

Laughing, you shake your head, but steal a kiss, “Consider it done.”

It’s clear in your mind. The world is your oyster with all of the money you’ve made from Dreamland, stored securely in your own private account. You could live off of that alone for the rest of your days. But you know just as well as Colette does that neither of you are satisfied without something to keep you busy.

You’ll tell your brother in a letter. If he doesn’t know until you’re gone, his seedy henchmen can’t stop either of you. You’re going to be free.

Checking your watch, you wince. There’s an hour until showtime. Colette should really be in the tent getting dressed. You only hope that no one is worried enough to call your brother, though you gather his attention might be occupied with visions of grandeur, visions of all he’ll accomplish with the money he’ll never see from getting rid of you.

“You have a show to put on, Colette.”

“We have a show to put on.”

You barely resist the urge to kiss her again. Sending her from your office with smudged makeup might raise a few eyebrows and now is the worst time to draw any attention. Instead, you kiss the back of her hand.

“To freedom.” You whisper.

Colette steals the kiss you didn’t, makeup remaining carefully intact, “To freedom.”

#colette marchant #dumbo 2019 #colette marchant x reader #colette marchant imagine #dumbo 2019 x reader #dumbo 2019 imagine #wlw #wlw imagine #dec2022 #multimilfswritings #multimilfsficmas2022

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