Tumgik
#especially since my sister and i have never been outside of california
damon-loves-pie · 1 year
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Girls Talk Boys
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"Girls Talk Boys."
Pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader.
Word count: About 3,200 words
Warnings: 18+, Some ‘smut’ not much though kissing, talking about sex, some touching, but nothing too vivid. Talks of sexual relations, hidden relationships, sex toys implied. Henderson reader, and of course Eddie and Max never got hurt. 
ANOTHER WARNING: Max does imply asking about sex toys and how people are in bed just like most teenage girls I know, I know she’s young but going off how I was at 14/15 I was buying them already and experimenting with things like that. She DOES NOT DO anything sexual, she just teases Nancy and the reader and asks about their sex life. But if it’s going to bother you I ask you please to not read it, or hate on it since again I am writing based on how I have experienced life.
Summary: After defeating Vecna the party has made it mandatory to have dedicated hang out days. It is boys/girls night at Steve and El/the byers. Eddie and the older Henderson Sister have a secret relationship while people ask why they aren’t together. 
Author’s note: Hello everyone! I am back with another story! I feel great to have been able to write not one, but two stories! Especially after not having had motivation to do anything in months. I had gotten inspiration for this actually weeks ago but just couldn’t find a way to put it in words. I was driving and girls talk boys by 5sos came on off my playlist and it got me thinking. And yes I did listen to the song 10 million times while writing this. It is 3 AM where I am, so I have not proofread and don’t want to wait to post because I was excited about this. I hope you all enjoy! 
Writing Masterlist
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Summer of '86 was unlike any summer before. It felt like there was more pressure to make it as normal as possible for all of us, especially after what we've been through the last couple of years. We all realized after the final battle against Vecna we were bonded for life and needed to make sure we took care of each other.
Which is why that March after the government somehow cleared Eddie's name, we started having dedicated nights for the party outside of our usual hangouts. The second Saturday had became movie/game night for everyone. While the 4th Saturday of the month was dedicated to boys/girls night.  
It was something that was all agreed upon. We would switch out homes, parents fully understanding the need of it. (Well besides Mr. Wheeler of course, but Mrs. Wheeler is quick to put him in his place.) Though it seems the usual hosts tend to be Steve and El/Byers. Steve's parents still don't seem to care to be home and Joyce somehow convinces Hopper we're all grown enough to be alone and that if anything were to happen, it would somehow happen even with them there by reminding him of high school.
All the parents knew of everything though. After the upside down broke through to the real world, there wasn't anyway of hiding what we all had been dealing with the last couple of years. Steve's parents just wanted to make sure their house was okay, while the Sinclair's were pissed to find out both of their children had put themselves into dangerous situations.
Dustin and I's mom wasn't happy with us, after having lost our father she didn't want to experience the loss of someone else important to her. (We didn't have the heart to tell her what happened to Mews though, that will forever be a secret.) Max's mom couldn't believe she had moved her daughter to a place more dangerous than California, when she moved here in hopes of keeping her safe.
Mrs. Wheeler and Mr. Wheeler didn't have a lot to say, Mr. Wheeler still doesn't believe that we've spent the last couple years actually fighting these things. He claimed we all had great imaginations, while Mrs. Wheeler was in shock but made us promise to tell her and the other parents if anything were to ever happen again.
Wayne didn't care about the upside down, or the monsters. He was just happy his boy was safe, and had gotten cleared of all chargers. He claimed to have known the government was hiding more than the masses were being told of. Said if they had just been honest, maybe none of this would of ever happen.
I don't really know what happen with Argyle’s parents, to be honest I'm not even sure if they know, with him being 18 when the events happened. Robin's parents at first wanted to move her away, to shelter her from all of this. She was supposed to be focused on graduating and band, not getting involved in this mess. But she convinced them to stay since she was already 18 and an adult, plus since she only had a few months till graduation.
Which talking about graduation; Nancy, Robin, and Eddie managed to graduate. Nancy and Robin were a given but Eddie got through with a loophole. After the 'earthquake' ruined half the town, they wanted to push out all of the students to make room for those who needed shelter. So basically everyone got passed for the remainder of the year.
But the weirdest thing to have happened since Vecna is Eddie and I. After Eddie almost got killed in the Upside Down, I couldn't keep my feelings a secret anymore. Little did I know before speaking out to him about it that night in my house, he himself was preparing to tell me how he felt.
Both of us couldn't imagine having not told each other how we felt and didn't want to risk another moment. That night lead to where I am today, pinned under Edward Munson as he begs me to skip girl's night.
It was June 28th, 1986. The last Saturday of the month and instead of getting prepared for going to El's, I was listening to Eddie's excuses.
"Come on sweetheart, do we really have to go tonight?" He teases against my neck, lips loosely moving against my skin while he leaves small, sweet kisses. The air was thick and heavy as he held me beneath him, letting his rough hands hold my hips in place while his lips explored my body.
My body ached with desire at the thought of staying in the sheets with Eddie. With my hands running beneath his shirt, nails lightly scratching into his back as he bites my earlobe slightly, causing me to gasp softy.
"No," I moan lightly, his tongue swirling around my collarbone before he bites the sensitive skin. "B-But, I think it would make everyone question where both of us were." I stutter, feeling his hands roam up underneath my shirt onto my stomach, shivering from the touch.
"We can just say we forgot," He breathes, continuing to work on my body. His lips trailing kisses up my neck to my lips, connecting his with mine. My brain fogged as his tongue traced my bottom lip before entering my mouth. Moaning into the kiss, I roll my tongue against Eddie’s, his hands moving to feel under my breast, cupping them slightly.
Part of me wanted to say fuck the others and stay right here melting beneath his touch. But I can't, we can't. Pulling away, I set my forehead against his. Both of us breathing heavy as we look into each other's eyes.
"Eddie, till we tell everyone, we can't risk anyone asking anymore questions than they already do." I tell him, feeling my chest move up and down heavily. Eddie nods slightly, understanding.
We both had wanted to keep it a secret because we hadn't wanted to give our friends another big change to deal with. We felt like it wasn't fair to them especially after everything that had happened, given we didn't expect to keep it a secret for so long. But the town was finally getting back to normal.
"We don't have to sneak around much longer, I promise." I smiled at him, pushing back his hair out of his face.
"I know, (Y/N). The town has almost everything rebuilt and people are finally starting to move back into their homes." He nods, leaning over to grab a cigarette off the nightstand. I watch as he sits up, lighting it before leaning against the wall of his bed.
Wayne and him had gotten a good amount of hush money from the 'misunderstanding' and bought a nice little house for the two of them here in Hawkins. People were fleeing after having realized Hawkins was more 'cursed' than they thought. But that meant that Wayne finally had his own room ever since having taken Eddie in when he was a boy. I hated how it had to of happened, but I was happy they were able to make the best of things.
I smiled at him as he offered the cigarette to me, taking it between my fingers. Bringing the cigarette to my lips, I inhaled deeply picturing the reactions of everyone once they knew.
"Do you think they would find it weird? Even though they keep asking why we aren't together yet?" I look at him, watching his eyebrow furrow as he takes the cigarette back between his fingers.
"Why would they find it weird?" He asks, blowing smoke out of his lips. Shrugging, I blush slightly.
"Because it actually happened? And maybe they will find it weird because they didn't expect it to." I tell him nervously.
"Do you think dating me is weird?" Eddie teases, passing the cigarette back to me.
"No," I laugh as the smoke bursts out of my mouth.
"Well then they shouldn't think any different." Eddie reassures me placing his hand on my knee, giving it a light squeeze before handing me the cigarette with his other hand.
"It's just this will be big news to them, especially Dustin. He looks up to you so much." I sigh, putting the cigarette out in his ashtray.
"I know sweetheart, but I don't think them knowing would change anything, hell like we said they keep asking both of us when it's going to happen." He reminds me, drawing circles on my knee with his finger lightly.  Eddie chuckles, causing me to smile I turn towards him.
"What?" I laugh lightly.
He smiles slightly, shaking his head.
"It's just you've never actually told me what the girls say to you." Eddie tells me, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
I felt my face redden as he looked at me, knowing there was a reason I never told him about what goes down at girl's night. It's the same reason I try to not pry about boy's night.
Pulling my hands to my face, I feel a nervous laugh escape my lips.
"They just ask the normal things. Like what I think of you, if would I date you," I tell him, as my voice trails off " or If  I would uh um sleep with you." I mumble, hoping he didn't hear the last part.
But unfortunately Eddie did, causing a grin to spread across his face, brown eyes shinning.
"Oh and what do you say? Would you sleep with the freak?" He teases.
"Wouldn't you wish to know." I laugh, shoving my shoulder against his.
"Well I tell the guys I think the world of you." Eddie smiles knowingly, connecting my hand with his.
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Girls night has been a on full spring, El and Max shoving Chinese takeout into my hands as soon as I walked through the door. We watched some movies we all brought since we couldn't check out movies from Family Video after it had been destroyed. We also painted our nails, and even convinced El to let me pierce her ears after watching Grease.
It had been a fun night so far. Which is why at 1 am when we ended up laying around the living room, I knew it was far from over as our monthly talk was executed.
As always Max started the conversation, turning towards Nancy.
"Okay, so Nancy we need to know. How is it with Jonathan being back?" Max asks innocently, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth, watching as Nancy smiles. "Leaving your bedside drawer alone now?" Max continues, getting straight to business as Nancy's eyes widen while her face goes red.
I laugh, as Nancy gasped.
"Max," She laughed nervously, tossing some popcorn at her. Giggling, Max puts her hands up in defense.
"Hey, were were all thinking it." Max shrugs as Robin chuckles at the sight.
"You still didn't answer her question Wheeler." Robin smirks making Nancy glow more as she pushes her hair off her shoulder nervously.
"It's uh- um been nice." Nancy admits, "And yes, I've-um been leaving my bedside drawer alone more often now." She said sheepishly, bringing her hands to her face as we all erupted in a howl to her response.
Still giggling Max turns towards me, still wanting to start off tonight's talk headstrong. I raise my eyebrow at her in challenge as she grins in acceptance.
"Now enough about Nancy, how about you (Y/N). Have you found someone to take place of the box in your closet?" She questions, making all the girls turn towards me.  I shake my head, popping a few M&Ms into my mouth.
"I think you need to stop snooping through our rooms and take a look under your boyfriend's bed." I laugh, leaning back into the couch.
"Erica has said some things." I tell her as she shakes her head in disgust.
"Uh gross, I don't care to know what boys look at. They go feral over a piece of bread." Max shudders. Making us all snicker at her sudden repulsion.
"But let's be real, has anyone caught your eye yet?" Robin continues for Max, making eye contact with me. As I shake my head, shrugging.
"I'm just not looking to get into a new relationship." I admit, telling partially the truth. El furrows her eyebrows at me.
"Don't you want to be happy?" El asks, making me shake my head at what this poor girl has been taught.
"You don't need someone to be happy, and my box in my closet takes care of me very well." I tell them, pointing at the other three. They all share a glance before Nancy turns back towards me.
"You know who I think would be okay with your box?" Nancy says, making me hum in response as she gains confidence.
"Eddie." She smirks as Robin claps in excitement.
"Oh yes defiantly! Remember when we were in his room and saw the handcuffs on his wall!" Robin reminds Nancy. Causing Max to smile in response.
"He defiantly is a freak for reasons people don't know." Max nods as the older girls nod in agreement. Poor El looked confused, not understanding how far sex can actually go.
"Why would he have handcuffs in his room? He's not a police officer." El asks, causing all of us to laugh nervously.
"That's a conversation for another day honey." I tell her as she nods, understanding I'll explain it to her a different day. I was trying to not let my face redden at the conversation at hand, because I had defiantly used those handcuffs on multiple occasions; on me and Eddie.
"I still haven't heard a no, have you ladies?" Robin raises a eyebrow, glancing at the girls.
"I have not either Robin." Nancy agrees as all their eyes go back on me causing me to laugh lightly.
"Eddie is just a friend." I lie causing all of them to roll their eyes.
"So was Jonathan." Nancy states.
"And so was Lucas." Max reminds, making me feel defensive.
"That doesn't mean me and Eddie are going to become anything." I point out.
"But he likes you." El states, not understanding why we wouldn't date each other.
"What?" I choke on my drink, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
"He likes you, I can tell." She tells me.
"He most defiantly likes you." Nancy agrees.
"And you like him too." El points out.
"I don't think you guys know what you're seeing." I roll my eyes, throat starting to tighten under the pressure of the girls.
"(Y/N) will you please just admit you're into him." Robin begs. As Max fights herself on sharing a piece of information, before deciding to share it with the room.
"You're over there almost every night for some reason." Max speaks up.
"You pay attention to when I'm over there?" I look at her, raising an eyebrow.
Eddie's home hadn't been the only one available in the neighborhood he moved to, just like his trailer wasn't the only one to get ruined. Max once again had became his neighbor as her mom had to find a new place to live.
"Funny enough the nights you aren't there, Eddie doesn't seem to be home either." Max smirks, knowing she connected the dots a few months ago as the girls soak up the information.
Nancy's face lights up as she realizes what she just heard.
"OH MY GOD." She says sitting up, slamming her hands on the floor.
"OH MY GOD!" She squeals, "You two are already dating!" She points at me as my face turns red, not knowing how I could get out of this.
Everyone jumps up slightly at my face turning red. Sighing, I pick up a Twizzler.
"You can't tell anyone." I point it at them as they scream. After everyone calms down Max leans forward.
"So does he really live up to the freak title?" Max asks, causing a laugh to escape my lips.
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Eddie's P.O.V
Instead of being in bed with (Y/N), I'm stuck here listening to Dustin give Steve Harrington love advice. Not that I don't find it amusing that King Steve is now needing a 15 year old to tell him what to do to find a girlfriend.
"I'm telling you that you need to find your Suzie dude." Dustin tells Steve while all of us guys lay in different parts of the living room. Steve looked annoyed with the young boy, wondering why he always felt the need to help him.
"How come you don't bug Eddie on finding his Suzie." Steve says defensively, wanting not to the the topic of conversation.
Curiously I glanced at Dustin, wondering why I haven't heard him bug me on finding someone for a few months actually.
Anyone could tell that Steve's words had taken Dustin aback especially by the way Dustin goes to speak and then pauses for a second when he realized all the eyes were on him. Putting his hands up in defense he goes to speak.
"Okay it's not my place, but I think Eddie has already found his Suzie." Dustin tells us, making my throat turn dry.
"What do you mean?" I ask, rubbing my neck slightly. Dustin turns to me, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean, I hear you sneak into my sister's room every other night." Dustin reveals, causing everyone to gasp. "My mom might be deaf but I'm not, and those walls are thin." He tells me.
"Hell yeah man, you found the girl of you dreams. Good for you dude." Argyle smiles, lifting a his drink at me in cheers. While I nod, before turning to Dustin.
"Dustin I don't know who you're hearing but it's not me." I shrug, trying to keep my cool as the boy rolls his eyes.
"How many other people roll up listening to heavy metal? Plus you park right down my alley." He tells me. "Also, I'm not stupid." The younger brother reminds me.
"I park down your alley at midnight, why are you out at midnight?" I question him, leaning towards him.  
"Why are you down my alley if you're not dating my sister?" He challenges, leaning forward as well.
"Hold up, hold up. You're telling me Munson here is screwing Henderson?" Steve asks. "How the hell did that happen?" Causing a chuckle to escape my lips, I always knew he had a thing for her, it's probably why he was nice to Dustin in the first place.
I watch as Dustin physically gags.
"Ew dude, don't say that. She's still my sister." He shakes in disgust.
"Well it sounds like you've been listening to it for a few months." I laugh, pulling my beer up to my lips.
"They make Walkman's for a reason." Dustin shivers.
While everyone else caught onto the words that just left my mouth.  
"Months?" Mike and Lucas's eye's widen.
"Months," I nod.
"Now that's not fair, I thought she was off limits." Steve shakes his head in annoyance.
"She was supposed to be, but it looks like someone didn't listen." Dustin eyes me, causing a chuckle to escape my lips.
"Okay, to end on a serious note. I am going to need you guys to not say anything because your sister will kill me if she knew I told." I explain to them.
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Thank you!
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lucymultistan · 8 months
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ATEEZ Masterlist
ALL CREDIT IS DUE TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THIS- these are just my favorite fics :)
Most of these are OT8, Cuz I’m a slut.
Full fics:
Into the aurora
summary: you didn’t expect to run into choi san outside of the venue, especially when your phone was dead and you were stranded in a random city. a kind offer for a phone charger turns into so much more, and you end up falling into a relationship with all eight members of ateez.
inherited demons
"When my beloved Great Aunt Lilith passed away, I inherited all that belonged to her: her fortune, estate, and also the eight 'charges’ that lived with her since the last time I saw her. Except none of that sounded right, I didn’t even know she had others living with her after 4 years. I just wanted to uncover the hidden truths my beloved Aunt left me, but that was impossibly hard while dealing with the affections of 8 gorgeous men that didn’t seem human at all.”
or
mc inherits her aunts things only to find out Auntie made a deal with some demons and all those demons wanted was MC
Hotel California
YN checks in to a hotel ran by yandere!Ateez, the boys decide she can no longer leave
Mists of Celeste
summary: Sneaking aboard the ship of a renowned space pirate may not have been the best idea, but you’ll have to make do with what fate has handed to you.
The Paradigm complex
summary: They'll do whatever you ask. Anything you need. Anything you want. It's yours. They'll fulfill your every desire and whim. Give you the life you had always dreamed about.And in exchange, you wouldn't just give them your soul. Oh, no, They weren't demons. What good was your soul when your purpose was better served alive and well? Your soul was nice, sure, but it wasn't all they wanted. It wasn't all they needed. They needed your body, your mind. Your blood. You entirely. Every single fiber of your being would soon be theirs and theirs alone. The moment you signed that contract, everything would change. For them and for you. And there was nothing you could do about it.
Morning Mist
Dragon!Ateez, OT8
In Love and Lore
summary: the daemon king and his seven black generals. names and faces of these eight had changed over the years as each new king was crowned, but their reputation as the most powerful daemons always remained the same. upon hearing the rumors one of the seven led the charge of the nearby battle, you should have stayed close to the encampment. you should have never wandered out on your own. but you did, and your life would never be the same again. good or bad, you would just have to wait to find out.
“There’s no need to be afraid, angel.” His words were a breath against the side of your neck. “You’ve done so much for us, let your king now return the favor.”
One-Shots/ Drabbles:
Slumber party
you’re best friends with yunhos sister and after a night out he came to pick you up and bring you back to his shared college dorm with 7 other guys :’)
Wider:
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Rowdy Romance Part 2
Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x (Southern! Female) Reader
Summary: Jake comes back to the Ranch. You both had been flirting through text, but he didn't expect you to be at home waiting for his return home.
⚠️ Fluff just pure fluff and allusion to baby making thanks to his momma and his dad.
The fluffiest of all the fluffs.
Part 1. My masterlist
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Hangman had taken a week off to fly out to his family. Little did know that his mother had a surprise for him.
You sat at the dining room table with your beer in hand. His mom had placed it in your hand, saying this was the one her son likes.
She was trying so hard to get you two together. She was begging her son not to find an interest in a girl up in California. She wanted her grand babies around for holidays.
You heard the door open, and there Jake stood. As soon as he walks through the door, he puts on his black cowboy hat. He had on the most handsome cowboy get-up on.
A pair of boot cut light wash jeans with a black tee shirt. It was so simple but looked so good on him. He hugged everyone around him.
His sisters, his mom, his dad, all piled on him for a hug and you stood up making your way over a little slower than the rest of the family. Of course, they deserved the greetings first.
You smiled nervously. "California cowgirl. How are you doing?" He never questioned why you were there. He knew his mom had something to do with it, but he was genuinely excited to see you. His smooth talking ways hadn't changed even though the outfit and the location had.
"I'm doing good! How are you doing?" He bent down and picked up his four year old niece. "I'm doing much better now."
You stayed in the shadows while he visited his family, joining in some small talk. "Jake honey, show ol' honeydew around the farm." She called you by her nickname she gave you.
Jake smirked. "Hasn't she been here before?" He poked fun at his mom. Their relationship was exactly what you would expect.
She grabbed some ingredients for dinner while she popped back. "She's fed our chickens and our cow multiple times. Now do as I say and yall go outside. Hell, take jóse the bull out. Maybe she can show you how eight seconds is supposed to look."
She shooed the pair off and went back to the kitchen.
"Your momma is sweet." You laughed.
"She can be when she wants to be." He chuckled.
"It's been about three months since I've seen you. What has the cowgirl been up to?" He smiled, grabbing your hand lacing your fingers with his. "I've just been working out on the farm. The Rodeo wasn't too long ago. I wish you could have made it for that. I took on jóse. I made it 8 seconds." You smiled brightly.
He raised an eyebrow. "What was it, that crazy woman in there was talking about? Showing me how it's done?"
You laughed. "No, I mean I could, but I'm not really dressed for a bull ride." You clenched a piece of your dress in your hand.
He smirked, nodding. "Sure, take the easy way out," he playfully rolled his eyes.
You grabbed his arm and wrapped yours around his. "I don't doubt you can keep a hold on a bull. Especially with these arms. I can't imagine your grip on his back, " you giggled.
He smiled confidently. "Yes ma'am, I do a lot of push-ups and leg work." He had the pride worn on his sleeve.
"Oh, I can tell," you spoke softly, admiring his arm, trailing your fingers up and down slowly.
"You know I've thought about you everyday since you left." He smiled down softly, looking into your eyes.
The moonlight was brightly shining on the full moon night. It gave him a perfect view of you. He was slowly falling for you. Yall had been texting here and there for the time in between the vacations.
He really did miss you. He slowly leaned down. He looked down at your lips, almost asking for your permission like a true gentleman. Butterflies fluttered around in your whole body.
You looked down to his lips, then closed the gap. You both kissed under the moonlight on the gorgeous ranch. He picked you, and you wrapped your legs around his waist.
He sat you on the wood beam fence. You both broke apart and rested your foreheads against each other. "Do you want to come back to California with me? Take an extended vacation." His eyes were full of hope and wonder. He was a hardass at work, but back home, he was just a southern man. He was a chip of the old block, took the rough edges from his old man, and his kindness from his momma. You smiled softly, nodding. "I would like that." He smiled with his laugh lines showing how genuine it truly was. You both connected your lips once again.
Jake's dear old momma watched from the window. "Honeyyyy," she called in a sing song voice to her husband.
"Yes dear?" He called back from the living room.
"Get ready for some more grand babies, they're out there smooching on the fence post." She walked back to the living room and sat next to her husband. She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Do you remember when we did that?"
He chuckled. "Yes honey, that's how we ended up with her." He pointed to his oldest daughter. He laughed a huge barrel chuckle.
Jakes sister gagged. "Gross!" The pair on the couch laughed. Jakes mom smiled with her whole body radiating happiness at the thought of little grand babies running around. Little did she know she was going to get more then she bargained for. Triplets ran in your family.
You and Jake were dancing the night away to old country songs on a moonlit ranch he stole kisses where you allowed. He knew this was the start of something incredible.
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I do not give permission for my stories to be posted anywhere. Stealing stories makes you a c u next tuesday.
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sixofpomegranates · 2 years
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Hey, so... would you be okay with an angsty Matt x Reader smut one shot.. like maybe he does actually cheat and both feel bad but also just kinda can't without one another?
❊𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚢❊
Pairing: Matt Simmons x fem!Reader
A/N: I tried, but couldn't write smut I found fitting. Hope you enjoy it anyway!
CW: Angst, Fluff | Mentions of y/n's father cheating on mother / Cheating, Divorce, Crying, One-Night Stand, Consumption of Alcohol
**********
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*picture does not describe the looks or the reader*
**********
☁︎ POV: Matt ☁︎
"Kristy, we need to talk."
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6 Months Earlier
I had always been a loyal man. I had never cheated on a girlfriend before, never looked at another woman, and always made sure that even those women who refused to respect the vows I'd given to my wife were fully aware that there was no room for them in my life, my heart, or my pants.
I adored my wife more than anything in the world and loved the life we'd created together.
And yet...
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5 Months Earlier
Shortly after Penelope had left us for her new job in California, we'd gotten our new technical analyst. Penelope had actually gone through a fair share of people that were in consideration to be her replacement before she met [y/n]. She'd insisted that nobody knew better what the team needed than her and that she was responsible for finding a new sun to shine for us before she left.
But [y/n] wasn't just the sun; she was also the moon and all of the stars. She'd bring donuts, handle Reid when he felt overstimulated, have soothing words to offer when the job became hard, and wear the prettiest clothes, topped off with the most stunning smile.
She was like a toned-down-in-color version of Penelope. Somebody who I had only ever felt for like a sister, so I frankly didn't understand why I was so captivated by her.
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4 Months Earlier
At first, I'd only enjoyed [y/n] 's company in the office; she'd come out more often from her Batcave than Penelope had done, so I always found myself drawn to her like a magnet. Then she'd start taking me out for lunch, where I'd start rambling like Reid about my life and the stress that came from being a father of five.
Talking to her felt like therapy, like something new but familiar, something different.
I enjoyed her presence so much that when she started looking for a house, I arranged for her to view the house next to mine. Her happy-go-lucky nature instantly made her fall in love with the house, especially after meeting Kristy and the kids.
She seemed to enjoy the idea of being our neighbor even more than having a place.
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2 Months Earlier
So there she lived now, her bedroom window across from mine, my children in her yard as she was babysitting so Kristy and I could have some time alone, her smell in my car as I'd drive her to work every morning that I wasn't away on a case.
For a while, this worked. It was silly, but I felt like having found a best friend, an oddly close best friend.
One morning, Kristy was already downstairs making breakfast; I looked outside the window. I hadn't planned for it, but there was [y/n], getting dressed in her bedroom, currently only wearing her underwear while swaying her hips and moving her lips to a song I couldn't hear.
As I said, I'd never seen Penelope as anything other than a sister; I never saw any of my colleagues as anything other than family, but [y/n]... Our friendship was different in a way I dreaded to admit.
That morning was the first time since meeting Kristy; I felt myself grow hard to the image of another woman. Even worse, my heart skipped a dangerously long beat as [y/n] bumped into her bed, pulling a face and throwing herself theatrically onto the bed.
I had rushed into the shower, taken care of myself, and then eaten breakfast with my family, my head filling itself with shame.
What was wrong with me?
*****
❁ POV: [y/n] ❁
After almost losing a pinky toe to my bed, I finished dressing for work and walked over to the Simmons's House. I let myself in, announcing myself by wishing everyone a good morning. As always, the twins, Chloe and Lily, were all over me, showing off the new sparkly hairclips their daddy had bought them.
"So cool," I told Lily, helping her put the clip back into her dark her. "Morning, [y/n]," Kristy greeted me, frying pan in her hand, "Do you want some breakfast?"
I shook my head. "Nope, thanks. I'm currently recovering from almost losing my toe," I joked, hearing Matt chuckle. "Stop laughing; I'm traumatized."
He nodded, getting up and grabbing a second mug with coffee. "Here, you drama queen."
I grabbed the mug, now fully sitting on the floor as I French braided Chloe's hair. "You're a meanie," I told Matt in the most child-safe manner possible, sticking out my tongue. "Thanks for the coffee, though."
When I was done braiding Chloe's hair, Lily sat down between my legs, asking for pigtails. I grabbed the pink rhinestone hairbrush Penelope had bought the girls on her last visit and began combing her hair.
"Jake," I called out to the oldest of Matt's kids. "In my handbag's the Nintendo game we talked about."
"No way," he exclaimed, running over, taking it from my bag, and throwing his arms around me. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Then he took his brother, and they ran upstairs, leaving me to be eyed by Kristy.
"[y/n]..." she sighed, making me lift my hands and nod. "I know, I know. No spoiling the kids, but it wasn't that expensive."
"They love you even without being bribed," Matt said, looking down on Lily, that let herself be dolled up like a little princess by me.
"You don't know that," I answered. "Penelope buys them stuff all the time. She's even Rose's godmother. I'm just trying to keep up with her."
Penelope Garcia was the ray of sunshine I longed to be. Everyone loved and adored her; she didn't even have not to try gaining their love. Her sweetness came naturally. The way Matt loved her like family, how Spencer let her touch him, how JJ and Emily had these big, girl-talk shopping trips with her to outlet stores, and how she was the designated aunt of all their children.
Luke loved her in a Romeo and Juliette way, so that didn't count, but all the other ways they felt? I wanted to be as important to the team as Penelope. That was my job, after all.
'Be their new sun,' Penelope had instructed as she made me her replacement. 'They'll need all the light you're able to give them. This job is dark."
"[y/n], you don't need to try keeping up with Penny. You're more than enough and very easy to love," Matt said, meeting my eyes as I tried not to show just how flustered I'd become. Then he shook his head, looking to Kristy. "Am I right, hun?" She nodded. "So easy to love. You're doing just fine."
I had always wanted to be somebody to someone, to belong somewhere, and be able to help and be helpful. You could also say I hyper-fixated on being liked by everyone since I needed to distract myself from falling for a married man.
THIS had not been part of my work instructions. But god... Matt was so friendly to me; from the very first time I met him, it felt like coming home, meeting a long-lost friend again. I could talk to him for hours or simply listen to him and feel like nothing else matters.
I had felt my skipping heart's feelings after a week.
After two weeks and one more-or-less attempt to flirt with him, I discovered he was married.
That was something that bothered me for a while. I had seriously tried to flirt with a married man, a happy family father. What the fuck?
Married men were clearly off the table. I didn't condone cheating. I could never understand how you could cheat on your partner or be the person helping somebody cheat. It was disgusting.
And what made it so much worse Matt's family was the sweetest. His wife, Kristy, was beautiful, kind, and like a sister to me, and I loved the kids. They were such a happy family.
Therefore, I forced myself to be the most Penelope version of myself, keeping a distance from anything suggesting romance or interest in my new friend, and instead, even taking the kids over or babysitting, so Kristy and Matt could spend nice date nights together.
Married men – off-limits.
Married friend – off-limits.
Don't acknowledge that you're in love with Matt.
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1 Month Earlier
This case had been awful—a kidnapped group of children around the age of Matt's twins. None had made it out alive. The unsub had a backup plan nobody could've known off. Yet, everybody searched for blame within themselves.
I'd picked up Matt from the airport as the private jet had landed. The whole way home, he sat there in silence.
"So... Are you going to drive to your in-laws tonight or tomorrow?" I asked into the car's silence, knowing Kristy and the kids had driven up to Baltimore the day before.
"Don't know," Matt answered coldly. I nodded. "M-Maybe you should drive tomorrow." "Maybe."
Driving by a 7/11, I quickly hopped in for a second, getting some snacks and alcohol. Sitting back in the car, I placed the shopping bag on Matt's lap.
He raised his eyebrows. "What-"
"We're having a sleepover," I announced. "The case was a dumpster fire, and as your best friend, I can't leave you all alone tonight."
Matt chuckled a little. "You don't have to." I nodded. "I know. That's what makes me so awesome."
*****
Sitting on Matt's couch, we'd already emptied an entire bottle of fireball whisky when he finally spoke. "Those kids... They were the same age as Lily and Chloe, and I failed them."
"Matt," I touched his arm, "You did everything you could."
"It still wasn't enough," he insisted. "How do I make a mistake like that and still get to go home and hug my children while these parents' lives are in ruins?"
"We didn't know he had a backup plan. I- I should've checked his internet history more carefully; maybe then we would've known he'd done some research on it. If somebody's to blame, it's me." A tear ran down my face. "Penelope would've never made a mistake like that, so please blame me and not yourself."
Carefully wiping his thumb over my cheeks, Matt pulled me into a hug. "Hey, love, it's not your fault. You did your best."
Ignoring the pet name, I mumbled into his chest, "Oh my, how the tables have turned. Then who's to blame?"
He kissed the top of my head, sighing. "Today was a very bad day." "A fucking shit-show," I agreed, sitting back up and fixing my mascara. As he looked at me, surprised, I giggled, "What? Your kids aren't home. I'm allowed to use adult language."
Matt nodded. "Fucking shit-show." Grabbing another bottle, he gestured its head towards me. "Another one? Maybe it helps forget today."
I handed him my glass. "Make me drunk, Simmons."
*****
How much alcohol was too much alcohol? I had lost count of my glasses and couldn't find my limit anymore.
Calmness filled the living room while soft music played through the stereo; I lay spread out on the couch, singing along to the 80's music lyrics. Matt nor I had talked about this case for what felt like hours anymore.
"Tell me something embarrassing," Matt urged, after having recapped his dreadful first day in the field, where he'd misunderstood an order and somehow ended in the sewer system – covered in shit.
I giggled. "What do you want to know?" He shrugged. "Something as embarrassing as my story."
I propped myself up on my elbows. I was too drunk to make a more rational decision, and he was too drunk to remember what I'd say anyway. "When I started working for the BAU, I had like the biggest crush on you," I blabbered, falling silent as I could see that Matt wasn't laughing.
"You had a crush on me?" he asked, and I nodded. Coming closer, he kneeled down on the floor next to me. "Why?"
"I don't know," I stammered, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I- You were nice and- and I thought you were cute."
Matt's face came closer; at first, I tried backing away, but then I realized the chance it was to finally see his dark eyes up close.
"Do you still feel that way?" he asked. "Does it matter?" I asked back. "You're married."
"Answer the question, [y/n]."
I nodded, embarrassed. "Still feel that way." "Me too," he agreed.
For a split second, my drunken mind was confused about his confession, but the moment his lips met mine, everything else became irrelevant. Helping him onto the couch and on top of me, his tongue entered my mouth, and his presence entered my mind, taking over my senses.
*****
☁︎ POV: Matt ☁︎
I woke up the next day, [y/n] 's naked body in my arms, both of us on the couch, clothes hastily thrown everywhere.
What had I done? I had cheated on my wife in our own home...
The only thing making this worse was how [y/n] was snuggled into my chest and how right it felt. For a moment, I felt the urge not to move. Would I move, this would be over, and I'd never get to hold her again.
She'd been drunk and had a little crush on me. [y/n] didn't love me and was well aware that I was married. We'd drunkenly decided on a night full of sex... not on spending the rest of our lives together. Although, it sounded exactly like what I wanted.
She hummed happily, nuzzling into me for a second before opening her eyes. Our eyes met, everything clothed in the golden light of the morning. She smiled sleepily, then reality hit.
[y/n] quickly sat up, grabbing her shirt and covering herself with it as though it would make a difference. "Oh my god..." she mumbled.
"Morning," I answered, hoping that playing it cool would relax her. "I- Fuck, I- We..."
I nodded as an answer, watching her quickly dress herself. I solely put on my underwear and jeans; it didn't matter anymore; we'd seen every inch of the other's body anyway. Cursing herself and the world multiple times, she sat back down, holding her head. Stepping closer, I brushed a hand over her shoulder.
"I'll make us some coffee, okay?" [y/n] nodded. "After, I think we should talk."
*****
[y/n] had clearly shown that she needed distance between us. Sitting across from each other at the table, we now both stared at our mugs.
"I can't believe we did that," she mumbled, and I looked up. "Do you regret it?" I asked, feeling my heart break as she nodded. "How can I not? You are married, and you have an amazing wife that loves you and your children- I- I just ruined a family."
She was right; we should regret this; as people with morals, we had to regret this. But I only regretted that it was now over.
"You didn't ruin my family," I assured her, and a cynical laugh escaped her. "The last time I checked, fucking somebody else's husband is kind of ruining things for everyone involved."
Taking a leap of faith, I said, "Families sometimes break up, [y/n]. Not every couple stays together... Especially when one has fallen in love with somebody else."
[y/n] looked at me, shocked. "You're leaving, Kristy?" "If you'd want me to."
She shook her head. "No. No, you don't love me." "I do," I insisted, feeling like clarity filled my senses, and the weight resting on my shoulders for months was finally gone.
"Well, I don't want you to leave your wife for me." "[y/n]..." She interrupted me, shaking her head and jumping up. "No. I- Could never be together."
"Why not?" "We're neighbors; I'm working with you, I befriended your wife and kids... It will look like we tricked them all, getting your family to like me before announcing I'm your new girlfriend. They will hate me."
Trying to step closer, I cooed, "The kids won't hate you. They love you."
[y/n] wiped a tear from her face, starting to become hysterical. "What do you know, Matt? My dad fucked his secretary, and I hate her to this day. She will always be the one that took my father from me, broke up our family, and hurt my mother so badly that she didn't leave her bed for months. She'll never be my stepmother."
[y/n] didn't talk much about her family; she had spent the holidays with Reid and the rest of the team. I'd thought that was because her mother lived in Florida, that there just wasn't much contact, but this made more sense.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." [y/n] nodded. "Because cheaters only think of themselves and not of how it affects their family or significant other. This was a massive mistake. I have to go."
Grabbing her purse, [y/n] ran out of my door before I could stop her. I sat down on the couch, on the same spot we'd slept. My heart was broken for the chance of love I'd lost and for my family just I'd broken for nothing.
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1 Week Earlier
❁ POV: [y/n] ❁
Hiding away in my Batcave had only gotten me along so far; therefore, I'd used my vacation days to visit my mom. The hot Florida sun felt good on my skin, providing me with the vitamin D my depressed mind had so desperately needed lately.
I'd slept with Matt. I had been the other woman to a man that had everything.
I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving Kristy. If he would, it would all be my fault. I didn't deserve to have my selfish feelings rewarded by him loving me back. I should've just stayed away once I found out he was married.
Sitting down in the sun lounger next to mine, Mom handed me a cocktail. "Okay, speak," she said, making me look at her, confused. "Baby, I love that you decided to visit me, but you're just moping around since you're here." She took a sip from her bright orange cocktail. "Is it boy troubles?"
I didn't answer, only looked over to the pool to avoid the mother-stare, making it unable for me to lie.
"I'll take that as a yes. So what did that guy do? Borrow money? Break your heart? Did he cheat? Did he hit you, because Lord help me-"
"He's married," I answered, hearing her suck in some air. "And he didn't tell you." I shook my head. "I knew. He's my best friend... was my best friend."
"Oh, [y/n]..." I already expected her to start lecturing me, but she only said, "Tell me what happened."
I told her the PG-13 version of what had happened. How I'd fallen for a co-worker, finding out he was married, and decided just to be his friend... How we'd gotten drunk and slept with each other, ending with him wanting to leave his wife for me.
"And you told him no because you don't want to be with him?" my mother asked. I shook my head. "I said no because it was the right thing to do."
"But you would want to be with this Matt?" Fighting back my tears, I nodded. "If you both feel the same, you should choose what makes you happy and be with him."
I looked at my mother, shocked. "Mom, I- He had an amazing wife and children." "But he wants to be with you."
"How can you say something like that?" I hissed at her. "After all Dad did to you; you're still okaying me tearing apart a happy family?"
"So that's where the dog lies buried," Mom sighed. "[y/n]. Your father and I were very, very unhappy."
I nodded. "And instead of fixing it, he left you for his affair."
"Baby, we tried fixing our marriage for years, but it simply didn't work," my mother explained. "He was my first love, and we were still kids when we stumbled into being a family. God, we were so young when we got married and had you. We practically grew up with you and had to realize that we'd grown apart.
"When he finally found happiness somewhere else, it broke me. But it was better for us to learn and become happy on our own than force ourselves to stay miserable with each other."
"He still cheated on you; stop justifying it. You spent months crying your eyes out over him."
"Baby, you always idolize me and what I went through because you refuse to visit your father. The divorce and how he moved on with Stella also greatly impacted him. He lost his only child because he chose to finally be happy."
I only frowned at my mother, making her chuckle. "You kids always think once you're an adult, you'll have everything figured out, but trust me; you don't. We still make mistakes; we still handle things the wrong way... And sometimes our children learn to resent us for our decisions."
"I don't want his kids to hate me," I finally mumbled, sadly remembering how Stella tried to make an afford with me, buying me all the things for my birthday she knew, from my parents, I'd love, just to have me ignore her and tell her to shove the presents up her you-know-what.
Stella had cried bitterly that day, my dad trying to have us get along, to have this patchwork family work. She'd meant well because she loved my father and accepted that I was part of him, tried to be at least a friend to me, but I had chosen to hate her for robbing my family of its father.
All the words I'd used for her in my teens... I'd judged her, thinking I'd never be in a position like hers and how bad of a person she must be to fall for a married man.
"You don't know if they will. And even if so, there's still the chance they grow up realizing that it was better to have a happy father they only get to see part-time than a miserable one whose around all the time."
Mom took my hand and said, "I have your father's number in the little book next to the phone. I'm sure he and Stella would be glad to hear from you."
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2 Days Earlier
I'd sent Matt a text the moment before boarding my flight home. When I got out of the cap, he was already sitting on my porch, rushing to me and helping with my luggage. Inside, I offered him a coffee, which he gladly accepted, following me into the kitchen.
"So, you didn't go to Baltimore?" I asked him, knowing that Kristy and the kids still spend their summer there.
Matt shook his head. "It didn't feel right. I- I told Kristy that I needed some time to think about our relationship... It's not like I can pretend nothing happened and move on. Wouldn't be right."
I switched on the coffee machine and turned toward him.
"I met my dad," I told him. "Really?" I nodded. "I- That's great... Is it?" I nodded again. "We got to talk about many things I didn't understand when I was younger. Like how he could just leave us for my stepmother."
Matt nodded, unsure how this conversation would evolve.
"Turns out that cheating isn't always just one person being an asshole. Sometimes there are plenty of factors taking place, and everybody gets hurt... even the one cheating. I was wrong only to see it in black and white; sometimes things are grey."
Matt nodded again, simply letting me talk. "I spent years hating my father and his wife. If we decide to be together, we must accept that your children could react the same way."
Now he let out a breath he seemed to have held, blinking at me, confused. "If?" he asked. "You-You're considering it?"
I nodded. "As long as we're both aware that it's not going to be easy. Because I don't think I'll manage to stay away from you."
Matt took a step closer, cupping my cheeks. "As long as we're in this together, I'll take the consequences as they come. I love you, [y/n]."
I let out a giggle, through my tears sounding more like a snort. "Good, 'cause I love you too."
And as we then brought our lips together, for our first sober kiss, I realized the hardships would be worth the happiness that awaited us.
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Today
☁︎ POV: Matt ☁︎
As Kristy and the kids came home, I hugged my little ones, hearing about their adventures with their grandparents while carrying in their suitcases and partially (Lily) them since they were too exhausted (dramatic) from their car trip with their mom to walk.
Once they were all inside, I set the girls into the living room, putting on a movie as the boys went upstairs. I ordered them the fast food of their choice and then met with Kristy in the kitchen.
"So, how are your parents?" "Good," she gave back blank. "They asked where you are, and I told them you were stuck at work."
I nodded, knowing that the next part of this conversation was scary and would hurt, but it was unavoidable.
Sitting down at our kitchen table, I said, "Kristy, we need to talk."
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Text
Index - Billy Hargrove
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Fic Series
Lost Boy (post-S3 AU, angst, horror, found family, eventual Billy x El) - in progress
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
It's been over two months since the Battle of Starcourt. Billy Hargrove survived, but he's not sure he should have. Scarred in body and mind, he has no idea who he is anymore. He spends his days drinking and fighting until Neil, incensed by his son's behavior, throws him out of the house.
Hopper and El come to the rescue, taking Billy home to live with them. Their compassion is unnerving... and exactly what he needed. However, as he adjusts to his newfound "family," he realizes something isn't right. He still feels the Shadow's call, urging him to kill.
Little does he know the Shadow doesn't need him to obey. It has another piece on the board, waiting to strike.
Worship The Flame (post-S3 future AU, Billy x El angst, fluff, smut) - in progress
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
It's May 1989. After three years in California, Billy returns to Hawkins for Max's high school graduation. He thinks he'll find everything—and everyone—as he left them. Turns out time has moved on in Hawkins, too, and a certain "little girl" isn't so little anymore. Now that he's back, she's desperate to prove it to him.
Too bad he swore he'll never fall for her. And if he does, there's no way her police chief father won't find out.
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Oneshots
Enemy Of My Enemy (Eddie & Billy as awkward allies, pre-S3)
Billy Hargrove's been one of Eddie's best customers all year. Today though, when he shows up to the clearing with a black eye and stitches, Eddie knows this drug deal's gonna be different.
Fuck ‘Em (Eddie & Billy friendship, short S4 fix-it)
In the aftermath of the battle against Vecna, Eddie has an awkward heart to heart with Billy Hargrove.
She Knows (Billy & El one-sided friendship, short post-S3 AU)
Eleven tries to talk to Billy after the events of S3. It doesn't go well. Alternatively: Billy is scared to death of a teenage girl.
Have Mercy (Billy in Russia AU)
He’s been in Kamchatka for weeks now. The Russians, it seems, find him endlessly fascinating. They’ve dragged him to that small underground arena so many times he’s lost count, setting forth challenge after challenge. Bend this. Break that. It’s getting repetitive and, honestly, pretty boring.
All of that changes when they issue a new challenge—one that tests his humanity instead of his strength.
Amerikanyetz (Hopper finds Billy in Russia AU)
In a secret bunker in Kamchatka, Hopper finds another American prisoner. Someone who shouldn't be alive.
To My Younger Self (Billy & Hopper friendship, post-S3 AU, short letter fic)
From an AU where Billy survives Starcourt with major PTSD.
After an especially difficult week, Billy finds something on the dash of his car: a plain envelope with the words "To Billy, from Hopper" scrawled on the outside.
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My AO3
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My Art On Etsy
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strangerthings4theories (Billy-centric theory blog)
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Bileven Meta
Why I ship Billy x El
Billy and El are mirror images of each other
The phone booth: El hears Billy’s call for help
El is coded autistic
I’m not a perv for shipping Bileven. You’re just an asshole
The way this fandom dehumanizes El really gets to me sometimes
"What does your 'strawberry ice cream' tag mean?"
Bileven Extras
This gifset from The Boys perfectly captures the Bileven dynamic
“El would love Billy like a sister!”—I'm about to start making fun of y'all 🙄 (thread fic)
A years-long fight (thread fic)
Top ten Bileven songs
Bileven playlists
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hazeofhearts · 1 year
Text
Take My Breath Away
June 1995
The day was bright, but the hottest part of the day had passed an hour or so ago. Will couldn’t stop the shaking in his hands, but he hadn’t been able to stop them for three days now. It wasn’t fear that something would go wrong. Everything was covered. It wasn’t even that he was getting married! No. He was ready for this and had been dreaming of this day since he was seven. This was the first and only wedding he had ever imagined himself having. Somehow, even though he’d never gotten them, these were happy shakes. 
Will was adjusting his bowtie once again in the mirror. It felt weird to be back here, even if this was his childhood home. After the return from the California stint, reclaiming the old Byers house hadn’t been all that difficult. It would just feel wrong now that everyone had been reconnected once more. The location was pretty unreasonable for anyone else from town, and no one outside of Hawkins came into Hawkins to buy a house, especially not after the “devastating earthquake” or whatever the news had called it back then. Will’s mouth twisted with the memory of what life had been like for him back then, then smoothed out once more with the thought of what would come.
“Honey? I’m coming in,” said his mother with her timing knock, sweeping in quickly through the door to avoid spoiling anything for the guests. It’s not like this was a traditional wedding where you couldn’t see the bride in her dress, but Joyce Byers was nothing if swept up in the romance of it all. She was wearing her gorgeous mother-of-the-groom outfit, a cream-colored dress that fell just below the knees with a blazer over the top in the same color. Will had insisted that since there wouldn’t be a bride, his mother and sister should wear white. Someone had to have the honor. El had wasted no time picking out a white, off-the-shoulder gown with lace trim. Joyce had made her reservations known, but Will assured them it wouldn’t be an issue.
“Hi, mom,” Will said quietly, fingers jittering and messing up his tie more than it was helping.
“Did Hop help you with that tie? It looks a little….” Joyce waggled her fingers, nose scrunching sympathetically.
“You know, you’re also a Hopper. That nickname doesn’t work as well now,” Will laughed. “But yes, he did help me.”
“Figures. I knew when you said you wanted a bowtie that he’d insist on helping you. C’mere.”
Joyce muttered as she fiddled with the bowtie, her hands shaking just as bad as Will’s, if not worse.
“Mom? You okay?”
This was Will’s first good look at his mother in the last 24 hours. She’d been flitting around, trying to host almost every child she had ever mothered in the 80s. Jonathan and Argyle had been here the second longest, having flown in from New York. El had arrived two days after Will did, lugging her gigantic suitcase from wherever she’d modeled last. Will knew his mom loved hosting, but he wished she would settle down. Of course, he can say that about her but not himself. He is his mother’s son, after all.
“Yes, of course. Weddings are all just a little bit stressful, you know? I mean, we had Jonathan and Argyle’s union in January in New York, and now yours in June. It’s all just so much joy for your mom, you know? Do you remember when you said you’d never fall in love?”
Joyce had been tearing up as she spoke, and the tears fell at that question. Will tried to wipe her tears away without smudging her makeup. El worked hard to craft the perfect look that would highlight Joyce’s big brown doe eyes and make her look more beautiful than she did every day. That’s what El said last night anyway, while swatching different colors on her hands, Joyce’s hands, and anyone else she could get her bushes on.
“El’s gonna be pissed if you ruin her makeup, mom,” Will said, no actual malice or scolding in his voice.
“Oh, I know. I just can’t believe my baby’s getting married,” Joyce said, a sob bubbling up from her throat.
“Will, is mom in there?”
Jonathan’s voice wafted from out in the hallway. 
“Yeah, come in.”
Jonathan was alone and rushed to his brother and mother when he saw them in each other’s arms. His camera, which had been around his neck like usual, was abandoned on Will’s old bed. Will felt like he was twelve again, but instead of feeling sheltered and treated like glass, he was supported and given something of a goodbye.
“Sorry, sorry, boys. I don’t mean to get emotional,” Joyce said, pulling away first. She fans at her eyes to dry them, and Jonathan removes a dusty tissue from the box on Will’s high school desk.
“No, mom. It’s an emotional time. You don’t have to apologize. This is an incredible day. I know your tears mean you’re proud,” Jonathan said as Joyce blew her nose as gracefully as possible to smudge the least amount of makeup.
“Oh, I’m more proud than I could ever be. My babies are all grown up and doing what they love, with people they love. That’s all a mother could ask for.”
Will enveloped his mom in a hug again, pulling her as close as physically possible. Jonathan sandwiched her in from behind, his arms secured around Will’s shoulders. Will loved his sister and stepfather but appreciated this moment alone with his mom and brother.
“You raised us to go after our dreams, no matter how far-fetched and unattainable they may be. If we fell, you’d support us, and we could get back up and try as many times as possible. You showed us that growing up, mom,” Will murmured into her hair, a careful updo that would need redoing when El saw her.
“No more, no more. I’m really going to ruin my makeup if we keep in here. I just came to make sure you were ready, baby. Are you?”
Joyce continued to dab at her eyes while Will looked at himself in the mirror. He saw himself in his rich, light blue suit tailored by El. She’d managed to finagle a bunch of daisies into his locks. His hair was just a bit too short, so he looked a little like a baby bird with their fresh tufts of feathers. He loved the look. Behind him, he saw his mother and brother. The two people who had been by his side his entire life, and would follow him into his future, were there as well.
“I’m ready. What about El? Dad? Does Dustin have his notes? What about Max’s equipment?”
Jonathan clapped him on the shoulder, a rueful smile on his face.
“Don’t worry about those things. That’s what your wedding planner is for,” Jonathan said soothingly.
“I mean, I can understand how El would want to do absolutely everything, but she’s got to be overwhelmed.”
“El’s faced much worse than a private wedding. Plus, all of us helped set up the arch and chairs last night. Everyone brought the dishes they’d promised to make, and the cake is still in the fridge. We got this.”
Will took a deep breath, then let it out.
“Alright. I’m ready.”
El burst in the door then, hair in an elegant yet complicated style that Will could never dream of trying to replicate. She fussed over him, Jonathan, and their mother in that order.
“Oh, mom! I knew you’d cry if you came in here. Let’s get your makeup fixed before the ceremony. Everyone’s here now,” El said, turning to the door. Will heard a shuffle outside the hall before Jonathan shielded him from sight.
“Hey,” El said sharply, pointing to the door she left open. “It’s bad luck to see the groom before the alter. Get back, you beast!”
A laugh from the hall made Will’s heart clench and drop to his shoes in the same breath. Jonathan scooped up his camera after the door closed once more. 
“Well, it’s time for me to do my job now. See you on the other side, brother.”
“You’re sure you don’t want me to pay you? You’re a good artist and deserve to be paid for your work.”
“Will, you’re my brother. I’m offended you even asked. Just make sure you contribute to rent when you guys move in with Argyle and us before you get your own place.”
The next ten minutes passed so slowly, and Will could feel himself getting a little damp under his suit from his entire body sweating. Joyce guided him to the backdoor with gentle hands and left him there to sit in her place of honor. He could hear the music that Max had curated for the day and knew who was proceeding down the aisle by the beats of the music. They’d repeatedly practiced the procession over the past few days until Will was sure everything was perfect. He called up the mental map of the yard in his brain.
The white rug, bought from a wedding supply store for Jonathan and Argyle’s union, was wedged under the back door, between the screen and the wood. It would lead to the middle of the backyard, flanked by rented fold-out plastic chairs. Each row of chairs was bookended by mason jars filled with daisies, baby’s breath, blue forget-me-nots, and white carnations. At the end of the rug, a homemade pergola, courtesy of Jim Hopper himself, threaded through with the same flowers in the jars. 
Max would be stationed closer to the house to protect her sound equipment but would sneak closer to the ceremony once she no longer needed to provide songs. Dustin was proud when he flashed his officiate certificate, and Will’s heart grew at his friend’s consideration. Steve and Robin would be stationed on either side of the house to ensure no surprise visitors. There had been many discussions about hosting the wedding in Hawkins for fear of specific people making themselves known when they were very much unwelcome. But, this was the source responsible for the lifelong love that Will was binding himself to, so Hawkins herself deserved some credit for something. In any case, Steve had his nail bat in the trunk of his car, hoping it wouldn’t come to that.
Finally, after what felt like hours of standing at the backdoor, the music shifted to something softer, and the door opened before him. Will’s hands clenched tightly around the small bunch of the same flowers littered across the venue. It wasn’t the traditional wedding march, but this was not a conventional wedding. 
El had decided a faux hedge wall would be an excellent backdrop to take pictures once the reception had finished and hide Will until the last possible second. Will caught Max’s grin directed at him before he turned the corner.
There, the sunlight peeking through the pergola and lighting on the daisies in his own much longer hair is Michael Wheeler. His cheeks are pink, his eyes crinkle upon making eye contact with Will, and he sucks his lips into his mouth. Will recognizes that as Mike’s ‘trying not to cry’ face and forces himself to slowly walk down the aisle, stepping in the correct time to the music. Jonathan pops in and out of his view, his camera flashing quickly.
The music swells as Will steps up to Dustin and Mike, and he sees Mike’s throat hitch in real time as he chokes back a sob. There are small, gentle tear tracks falling down his cheeks, and Will knows there definitely is the same on his. As the young men come to face each other, they both let out gasping laughs. Will can feel El extracting the bouquet from his hands, and they automatically go up to Mike’s face, wiping the tears. Mike’s hands, in turn, do the same for him.
They stand silently at the altar, crying the happiest tears anyone in their company has ever seen. Mike leans in, and Will, having come to appreciate certain wedding traditions, course corrects to a hug. Will’s arms close around Mike, and Mike’s arms crush them together, squeezing all the air out of each other. Will can feel Dustin’s hand on his shoulder, and he pulls them into an embrace. Quickly, both young men feel the hands and arms of their other friends, Lucas, Max, and El; and they are enveloped in a love so strong and pure that nothing could replicate it.
After everyone has sufficiently calmed down and returned to their seats, Dustin straightens up and greets the guests.
“Welcome, friends, family, and loved ones. We come here today, in the sight of you as witnesses to join Michael James Wheeler and William Jacob Byers in marriage. We gather around them now in this wonderful place, and we look on with love and hope as these two begin their new life together as one.”
Will looks into Mike’s eyes, his typically dark brown eyes turning to warm chocolate as the sun seeps through the pergola. Their hands are joined, Mike’s are sweaty, and so are Will’s. Mike rubs his left thumb on the outside of Will’s right hand, and Will can’t help but look at the daisies El has successfully weaved through his hair. He’d slept on the couch with it in a braid last night, so it has a pretty wave to it, and El has rebraided smaller pieces to hold some of the daisies. He looks beautiful, but he always has.
Dustin clears his throat, and both of them snap their gazes from one another. Their officiant has the most smug smirk he’s ever shown on his face, and their guests chuckle in amusement. 
“I suppose I’ll repeat myself. Mike and Will, are you ready to proclaim that foundation of love for one another in the sight of these witnesses?”
“Yes,” they both said in unison, matching wobbly smiles on their faces. They say that the longer you’re in a relationship, the more you act and become like them. This is no different for Mike and Will. Though aged in their own ways, their guests can still see the immense friendship and love that entwines them with each other. Mike and Will move at the same time, breathe as one, and are a unified front of strength and determination. 
“Michael James Wheeler, do you take William Jacob Byers to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you honor and cherish him; love, trust, and commit to him, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw ay you both, until death do you part?”
“I do,” Mike says, a grin splitting his cheeks and crinkling his eyes in ways Will has seen more often through the years.
“William Jacob Byers, do you take Michael James Wheeler to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you honor and cherish him; love, trust, and commit to him, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw ay you both, until death do you part?”
Will take a deep breath, and Mike’s smile wobbles. Will’s hand reaches up and strokes his cheek, brushing his dark wavy hair away from his face.
“I do,” Will says firmly and with pride evident in his voice.
Someone out in the sea of fold-out seats blows their nose with a loud honk, and Will would bet money on it that it’s his stepdad. He’d made quite the turnaround when both Will and Mike revealed their relationship. After Mike and El had broken up for the last time sophomore year, Jim chilled out and accepted their new friendship, even apologizing for his overprotectiveness. When Will came out to his mom and stepdad, they supported him, and it only grew when he told them about his relationship with Mike. Jim sat them down and explained the dangers of being in the world but was honored to defend and protect them when and if the time ever came for him to be needed. That was a good day. 
“At this time, Will and Mike will exchange rings. The wedding ring is symbol of binding. A symbol of attachment and of belonging, not of possession, but of partnership.”
El stepped forward, the matching wedding rings on a little satin pillow embroidered with flowers. Will had made his concerns about how much she had been planning this wedding, but she said that all the items she’d created doubled as grades for her fashion courses in college. That reassured him somewhat. Dustin holds the pillow out, and each young man takes a ring. During their fittings, they discovered they were the same size, which only sealed that they were meant to be with one another.
“Mike, please repeat after me.”
“Will, I promise to love you and commit to you my whole life. I promise to be there for you when you need me, to be honest with you, to be faithful to you and you alone, and to walk through the valleys of life together, just as we will stand atop mountains together, too,” Mike recited, his hands steady as he took up Will’s left hand, giving him a reassuring smile as he began to slide the ring onto WIll’s finger.
Will let out a little sob, something so quiet that only the three up there would have heard. Everyone would see his shoulders shaking, though. Dustin reached out and held Will’s shoulder comfortingly before stepping back again.
“Will, please repeat after me.”
“Mike, I promise to love you and commit to you my whole life. I promise to be there for you when you need me, to be honest with you, to be faithful to you and you alone, and to walk through the valleys of life together, just as we will stand atop mountains together, too,” Will repeated, taking a break halfway through to catch his breath. Mike’s ring got stuck halfway on his middle knuckle when Will’s hands shook particularly intensely.
When they’d exchanged rings, Mike took Will’s hands and pressed a kiss to the back of them.
“Hey! No kissing before the officiant says!”
Their friends laughed along with Mike and Will as they realized they were officially bound to one another. It was more exciting than Will could bear! He was eager to cut the cake and celebrate with all his friends.
“Now, the couple will exchange their written vows.”
Dustin gestures for Mike to read his vows first, as requested by the couple during planning. Mike fumbles with the breast pocket on his tuxedo jacket, then pulls out a piece of paper. Will recognizes it from the library. It’s been creased, uncreased, folded and refolded repeatedly. Will bites his lip to hold back any strange noises he might make.
“Will Byers, you are breathtaking. Since the first day I met you, I thought you were the prettiest person I’d ever seen. Your hair was shining where you sat on the swings, and you looked so sad, but my little brain knew you were going to be someone special. I had to talk to you. We grew up, and I thought that I was supposed to hide myself, my true self, because of the teachings I have now since grown out of. I thought that I had to be someone strong and tough, who liked girls because that was what boys did. When I looked at you, I never saw that you were trapped in the same hell I was. You were always just you, but putting just in front of Will Byers is a crime in my eyes. You’re incredibly compassionate, know how to work a gun better than anyone else I know, and you never let anyone else tell you what you should and should not feel. You cry when you get angry, frustrated, and sad. I, unfortunately, have been the cause of some of those tears. But, you have graciously forgiven me and now I have the extreme honor of standing in front of you now, saying my vows as I am about to be married to you for the rest of my life. I can’t help but think that life has been extraordinarily kind to us, Will, and I hope it will continue to do so.”
Will heard sniffing from their gathered friends, and he knew his cheeks were red from so much crying. But he bit his tongue and smiled. Mike’s vows were beautiful, as he had been promising they would be. When Mike went to college for English, he worried so much about being good enough and having the portfolio to make a name for himself. Will had the same worries about himself and his art, but nothing else mattered as long as they were together. Things would fall into place once they were settled.
Dustin gestures to Will, and Will’s hands shake as he pulls his own notebook paper from his pants pocket. Mike reaches out, brushing his fingers lightly against the back of Will’s hand, and it steadies him. Will breathes in and unfolds his paper.
“Some of you might believe that I’ve been dreaming about this specific scenario for my entire life, knowing it would never become true. With the world we live in and what I was taught by it and certain people in it, I would never have this. But, somehow, the impossible came true. Michael Wheeler, I have been in love with you since I was five years old. It might sound illogical, but I recognized those feelings from those romance movies we gagged at on the television. I recognized them in me, and they’ve always been there. My feelings for you have never wavered, no matter what we’ve been through or said to each other in moments of juvenile anger. We’ve hurt each other sometimes, but if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing if it was going to lead us here. I thought the world would end if anyone found out I was gay. I felt alone, and I assumed I would be alone forever. But my family and friend, you, Mike, you all loved me and told me so, through both actions and words. I never ever thought that this could happen to someone like me, where I could have this true life with my family and the boy I love beside me. It seems impossible that we’re here, standing in front of everyone now like this, declaring our love for one another. But then again, we’ve all seen stranger things.”
An understanding chuckle rose from the group as the statement was more than true. 
“Mike and Will, having proclaimed your love and commitment to one another in the eyes of these loved ones, and with the power vested in me by whoever the hell cares and the state of Indiana, I am so happy to pronounce you husband and husband! You may kiss!”
There was a moment of hesitation from both of them before Will wrapped his arms around Mike and swept him low, pressing their lips together in a kiss that mimicked their first in terms of giddiness and fireworks. Mike’s hands threaded through his hair, and Will could feel the daisies popping out of their carefully orchestrated placement. When Will straightened Mike up, the noise came back to both of them. Their family had broken out the noisemakers, air horns, and cheering. This was the typical Midwest celebration, and both boys expected nothing less from their families.
The couple, hands linked together, didn’t even make it halfway down the aisle before El attacked them with hugs, and everyone else followed. Will, buried among arms and kisses, saw Jonathan aim his camera in their direction, and he made sure to smile with as many teeth as he could. Later, when Mike and Will moved to New York and received their wedding photos from Jonathan, this would be Will’s favorite picture that he would display prominently in their bedroom. It was his favorite because Will was smiling and happy, yes, but so was Mike as he looked over everyone else’s heads to watch will. The smile on his face was so loving and soft that teenage Mike would’ve been mortified, but adult Mike would look at it with pride.
The wedding was small, less than twenty people overall, so they all mingled and talked while pictures were being taken against the hedge wall. Jonathan even sacrificed his camera to Nancy when it was time for the Byers-Hopper family to take pictures together. Everyone was emotional in those, with Joyce making everyone tear up. But the tears were happy, and it was evident even through the pictures. Nancy even got some pictures of the three original Byers with Joyce sandwiched between her two grown-up sons and her smiling from ear to ear. There were pictures of the three siblings and then just some with Will and El. 
Mike posed with Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, the ones who took him in permanently when his own parents kicked him out of the house at seventeen. He’d considered them his true parents after being disowned by the ones who created him, and they accepted the title with grace. There were separate pictures with Mike’s sisters, Holly, now fifteen and rebelling against her parents, and Nancy, a successful journalist engaged to Robin. Jonathan caught the moment when Nancy gave her brother the biggest bear hug she could, but the image did not capture what she whispered to him.
“You’re going to have an amazing life.”
There were, of course, pictures of the original party, then ones with El, and finally with Max. It felt weird to exclude the young women considering everything that they’d gone through together, but none of this could have happened if the four friends had never come together to form the group in the first place. As a joke, El demanded that she, Will, and Mike take a couple pictures together.
“No one else will understand the significance, but everyone here will.”
It had been long enough that everyone was feeling happy and content about the breakup between the two of them. When Will had come out to his family, Mike took the time to sit down with El and apologize for every shitty thing he’d done to her in their relationship and explain that it wasn’t her fault but his own due to the warring feelings in his heart. Even so, it wasn’t right to put her through that. El had understood completely and confessed her own attraction to girls. The talk ended with a hug and a new understanding of one another.
There were no best men or maids of honor because the group was all equal, and the love shared between the six of them in the party could not be strengthened or weakened. So, throughout the night, everyone talked to everyone, sharing anecdotes and having a grand time. The Byer’s house had never been so full of people with overflowing love and happiness as at this very moment. 
Max had moved her equipment into the house with help from everyone and was now managing the low, happy pop music flowing through the speakers as the day wore on. Suit jackets were stripped away, and the potluck began. It was past five now, and people were hungry. Everyone brought out their best dishes, and Jim had been slow-cooking ribs since early evening yesterday, so the meat would fall off the bone. People sat on the floor in the living room, on the couch, and in the dining room. The small table in the kitchen was covered in food, as were most of the counters. Will took particular happiness in devouring quite a few of the bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Mike came up from behind, wrapping his arms around Will and pressing a kiss to his jaw.
“Hey husband, everyone wants us to cut the cake now,” he murmured into Will’s neck. The vibrations from Mike’s throat made him shiver. Will hummed, leaning his head back against Mike’s shoulder. They locked eyes, and Will pressed a kiss to the corner of Mike’s mouth.
“That means we have to put our jackets back on,” Will said.
“I know,” Mike groaned, pulling away and licking his lips. “You taste like bacon.”
Will turned with a laugh, holding out one of the shrimp for Mike, and the brown-eyed young man leaned forward, pulling the shrimp out of Will’s finger with his mouth.
“It’s good,” Mike spoke around the shrimp as he chewed.
“Let’s go cut the cake now,” Will said, linking his fingers together with his husband.
The cake cutting was sweet, with Mike and Will swiping the smallest bit of frosting onto each other’s cheeks. Will would catch the light flash of his husband’s wedding ring in the overhead lights and be blinded, but it was a welcome sensation. After all, he could say the same about his own ring. Will kissed the frosting off of Mike’s cheek and laughed as he turned bright red.
After everyone had their fill of the good food and cake, it was time for the dancing. Of course, the newlyweds were shuffled to the cleared space in the living room. The couch had been moved up against the wall, and everyone gathered in little clumps around the front room. Max is situated at her sound system and slips the cassette into the player. When Will and Mike had come to her months ago to be the DJ, she immediately agreed and asked about their first song. It had taken some deliberation, but they had finally decided on the perfect first song.
‘Watching every motion in my foolish lover’s game
On this endless ocean, finally lovers know no shame
Will felt himself melt into Mike, their chests pressed together. The next minutes would be more of Will’s favorite pictures in their wedding album. Both Mike and Will had the most lovestruck looks on their faces. Mike leaned in for a soft kiss as they approached the bridge.
“Take my breath away,” Will murmured into Mike’s mouth. Both of them had their eyes half closed as they swayed in the middle of the room. 
“If middle school me saw us, he’d lose his shit, I think,” Mike murmured, his lips brushing against Will’s with every word he spoke.
“If elementary school me saw us, he’d also lose his shit. But I think he’d lose it in a happy way,” Will said with a smile.
“Yeah, he would be. He’d be so cute,” Mike whispered, the space between his eyebrows crinkling so hard that Will reached up and smoothed it out.
“Hey,” Will cooed. “No thinking sad things. It’s our wedding day.”
Even if Will’s words might sound stern, Mike knew he wasn’t actually upset at Mike expressing his feelings so visibly. It was something they’d worked on together and with Mike’s psychologist. Mike’s hands made their way up under Will’s tuxedo jacket, but above his dress shirt, and were simply rubbing his back as they swayed to the song, their feet knocking into each other every once in a while.
“I know. I’m happy, you know that.”
Months of waltzing practice were wasted as the newlyweds simply swayed back and forth on the floor, too lost in each other to care. The couple had taken the classes together but fronted that their fiancées were best friends and planning weddings within two weeks of each other. It was the perfect ruse. Will smiled into the collar of Mike’s jacket at the memory. Jonathan floated through the smattering of people, his camera flashing every once in a while. Joyce watched from her spot on the couch against the wall, hands over her heart as tears poured from her eyes. Her baby was all grown up and going off to live life. 
The reception began to settle down when Nancy had to take Holly home at ten. Ted and Karen didn’t know that she had attended and would be furious if she arrived after her curfew. Holly wanted to stay longer but left after Mike promised to call her more frequently when he was in New York. They parted with a nice hug. It was a day full of hugs, and why wouldn’t it be? Pure love often takes the form of hugs.
The Sinclair family was next. Erica had used all of her vacation days from her internship with the Governor of California and had to take a red-eye back that night. Sue and Charles kissed Mike on the cheek each and headed out to drive their daughter to the airport. Mike walked them out to their car, talking all the while, and kept them for another twenty minutes. He watched them drive down the gravel road, only mildly registering the click of a camera behind him.
Jonathan was stuck behind his camera all day and night, but the huge smile on his face told everyone that he didn’t mind. Plus, Argyle also took the camera from him so he could also enjoy the day, something Will asked him to do for his brother’s sake.
El had been coasting along, making sure everyone’s drinks were filled, and everyone was having a good time. All signs pointed to yes. She was in the kitchen, packing up all the dishes that had been left over. Jim came into the kitchen then, hands tucked into his pockets.
“How’s my baby?”
El smiled, pushing back some hair that had fallen out of her updo. It was longer than it had ever been, and she was finally using some products to enhance her natural wave pattern. Her father wrapped his arms around her from the side, pulling her into his chest. She smelled his cologne which hadn’t changed since she was ten.
“Are you happy it’s over?”
El hummed, tapping her nails on the counter.
“Sort of. I’m relieved that everything went well with no sort of… other disasters.”
The father-daughter duo gazed out the kitchen window into the darkness, the pergola just barely visible in the back of the yard. El had narrowed her eyes like she was searching for something. 
“But now I have nothing to inspire me for my next semester. Maybe I should make Nancy and Robin’s dresses.”
Jim chuckled, kissing the top of his daughter’s head. She laughed as well, wrapping her arms around his neck, still facing the window.
“Maybe. I’m sure they’d let you. They know how good you did with Will’s suit,” Jim said casually.
“Maybe,” El said with a yawn. “But for now, I just want to enjoy this wedding. There’s been a lot of them this year.”
“Is yours coming soon?”
El stepped away, mouth and nose wrinkling in that very special way that El moved her face. Jim resisted telling her what a cutie she was.
“I don’t know. I’m not sure it’s my thing.”
“That’s alright too.”
The celebration wouldn’t be complete without a dance with the mother of the groom. Will actually waltzed with his mother, teaching her the steps and laughing along. Mike watched from the sidelines, a cup of water in his hands. Argyle slides up, hand coming up to Mike’s opposite shoulder.
“How you feeling, my dude? Is it everything you imagined?”
Mike smiles into his cup and wraps an arm around Argyle, mimicking the other man’s pose. They’d become closer over the years, and of course, the wedding planning and obtaining a marriage license had forged a bond that couldn’t be broken as brothers-in-law. Mike looked out at Will catching his mom after she tripped over his feet again and felt his chest opening up for the first time since the wedding planning had begun several years ago.
“It’s great, man. I do sort of wish that my mom was here at least. I don’t feel like she’d miss this under normal circumstances,” Mike said into his cup.
“Yeah. Such is life though. But now that you’re a Byers, things will look all the way up, my man,” Argyle says with a grin. He’d braided his hair for the wedding, and he looked very nice in his dress shirt and slacks. While he’d been dancing, Mike pointed out to Will that he was wearing his favorite pair of rainbow socks for the occasion. 
“I can believe it, one hundred percent. I may have lost some of my family, but I’ve gained more.”
The celebration wouldn’t last much longer after that. Dustin had to be up early to catch his flight back to Texas tomorrow, and he was staying with Max and Lucas, so they all left as a trio. Mike made fun of his friend for not having any leeway with NASA, and Dustin only flipped him off after a hug. Max and Lucas would be returning home to California after a few more days with Lucas’ parents.
“See you soon. Call us when you have your new apartment. We’ll need to get the dice together,” Lucas said, pulling Mike close. In the time when Lucas and Mike shared a room, they had grown as close as brothers. Both young men still had their own siblings, but uniting best friends by the tragedy of Mike’s coming out meant so much.
“For sure. My campaign writing skills are a little rusty,” Mike said with a grin.
“Impossible. You never grow out of being a nerd,” Max said, sliding an arm around Lucas’ shoulders. “Plus, you’re gunning for the New York Times Bestseller list and you’ll make it.”
“Thanks, Mad Max.”
Max groaned as she pulled Mike into a hug, then the couple gave their affection and encouraging words to Will.
“If he says some annoying shit to you, you’re always welcome at our apartment.”
“Hey,” Mike said sharply. “Don’t steal my husband from me!”
“Keep yourself in check then, Wheeler,” Max shot back, punching him in the arm.
“Byers, actually,” Will said, grinning wide and so, so cute.
“Ugh, you two are impossible.”
When it was only the Byers-Hopper family left in the house, everyone pitched in with the cleaning. No one paid mind to the pergola outside because Joyce said she might want to put a seating area out there. The newlyweds had no problem with this.
“Good night, my beautiful boys,” Joyce said, squishing her son and new son-in-law to either of her cheeks. She was definitely a little tipsy, but her husband led her to bed for the night, wishing the boys well and to see them tomorrow for a celebratory breakfast at the diner.
The day had started and gradually grown louder, and in the same way, it grew quieter until there was only the singing of crickets accompanying the sounds of sleep in the Byers household. The newlyweds were shuffling about, trying to get comfortable in Will’s bed from high school. Mike was looking around the darkened room with fresh eyes, seeing how even four years away could change his entire worldview.
Will settled on top of Mike’s bare chest, Mike’s fingers tracing between the moles on his shoulders, while Will did the same with Mike’s freckles. Will looked into Mike’s eyes, which flashed from the moonlight outside. His eyes had turned into dark pools with scattered silver blossoms in them.
“I can’t believe we’re married, Mike.”
“Me either,” Mike whispered into Will’s hair.
“I meant what I said. I never thought I could have this, could have you.”
“We would have ended up together eventually, even if it took me longer to realize why El was the only girl I ever thought I liked.”
Will hummed, breathing in the scent of Mike’s skin and feeling such a sense of contentment fall over him that he would have fallen asleep right then and there if his husband hadn’t shifted again, nudging his shoulder.
“It’s like the other part you said in your vows,” Mike slurred, clearly becoming drowsy as well.
“Hmm?”
“How you said it was impossible to kid you that it happened but-“
“We’ve all seen stranger things,” Will joined in, lifting his chin to prop it up on Mike’s chest.
“Yeah, that.”
The couple fell asleep in this way, curled into each other and with promises of their new future together on the horizon when they woke.
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Text
A New Start: A Billy Hargrove Story
Nov.12, 1984: one week after the showdown at The Byers House
Billy Hargrove sat in his blue Camaro and finished his sandwich.
His stuff covered the backseat as well as the trunk.
His dad had kicked him to the curb when he heard what happened. Thankfully Billy had some money tucked away and got a room at a cheap but crappy hotel right outside town.
The plan was to come into town, get some fuel for the road and then head back to California. His friend said he could crash there and had a job lined up for him at a local resort as a lifeguard.
Billy loved the water since he was young, especially on a surfboard but his dad didn't care for him to be happy, ever and neither did his stepmom or sister either for that matter.
Throwing the sandwich wrapper in the little garbage can on the passenger side Billy started up the Camaro.
Just as he flipped off the little town in front of him he saw a familiar face starting to cross a street across from him.
It was Lucas Sinclair, his sister's boyfriend. He was with some younger girl who must be his younger sister.
He switched the car off so he wasn't seen and watched as the two stepped out into the street without even looking because they were arguing about something.
The sound of the engine roaring at top speed caught his attention and he looked over. The car was hurdling toward the two and he knew that the dumbass driver wasn't paying attention and neither were the two kids crossing the damn road.
The clock was ticking and Billy had two choices here, let Lucas and the kid get hit and more than likely killed or save their asses even though he knew they wouldn't save his back.
The screeching of tires and screaming caught the attention of all the other people out and about.
The driver of the car swore as sirens wailed. He was completely wasted and just hit a couple of kids. He was going to be jailed for life.
Sheriff Hopper arrived. “Hey man I didn't see them I'm so sorry” the man started pleading. “See who?” Hopper asked with a growl. “The two kids I hit in the crosswalk. Man, their blood is all over my windshield” the guy said, staring at his car. Hopper growled smelling the alcohol on him and from the blood, there was little chance the people he hit were alive.
Hopper cuffed the driver pushing him down into the police car and then slowly walked around to the front of the vehicle.
He was shocked by what he saw. Billy Hargrove was laying on the ground face first with Lucas and Erica Sinclair tucked into his body.
The kids had scrapes and were scared but they would be alright. Billy, on the other hand, Hopper saw no hope for.
Helping Lucas and Erica up after the EMTs got Billy on a gurney and covered so they couldn't see the full extent of his injuries, Hopper hugged them both.
“Let's get you two home shall we” Hopper said after both had been bandaged and given concussion tests. “Is that guy ok?” Erica asked, trying not to cry.
“Billy is probably not going to make it sweetie. I honestly don't know if he was alive when they took him” Hopper answered softly and that made Erica's tears finally flow.
“You ok Lucas?” Hopper asked the quiet kid next to Erica. Lucas just nodded but his eyes never left the gurney with the lifeless body of Billy Hargrove on it.
Nov.15, 1984: One week before Thanksgiving
Billy was still alive to the shock of the doctors but on life support. His spinal cord was busted and there was little hope for him to walk.
The brain damage was another issue. He allowed the car to hit him from behind and so the impact was great.
If he lives he probably won't be able to speak well or take care of himself. He will have to be in a care home since his parents have disowned him.
Lucas placed the flower vase next to Billy's bed as he listened to the doctors explain again to his mom they had little hope.
But Lucas knew differently. If anyone could overcome this it was Billy. He had to for the girl he loved so much, Billy had to get better for her, for Max.
Max barely left his hospital room. She held his hand and talked to him and cried and Lucas hated seeing that.
“Time to go” Lucas’s mom called and the two kids headed out. Sue went in and brushed the hair off Billy's face as she said a prayer. Kissing his forehead, Sue followed the kids out.
Nov.19, 1984: Three days before Thanksgiving
Billy opened his eyes slowly; it was the only part of his body that didn't hurt. He tried to look around but the brace on his neck wouldn't let him.
He tried to talk but the tubing attached to his mouth and face wouldn't allow that either.
He couldn't feel his arms and legs and panic started to set in. He tried to remember what happened but couldn't.
He felt the tears before he knew he was crying but didn't care. He was alone, in pain, and dying.
Closing his eyes he fell back into a deep sleep.
6 pm
Billy woke up again but this time he could move his neck a little. The room was faintly lighted and quiet except for the machines.
“I'm doomed to be alone” Billy thought as he remembered what happened. “At least if I die I might get to skip hell” he thought as he drifted back into what he thought would be eternal rest
Nov.22, 1984: Thanksgiving Day
That evening Billy was on his way back from physical therapy. He was glad no one could see him so beaten and destroyed. He walked a little on his own then fell.
He couldn't feed himself very well and his speech was greatly slurred. They had also shown him pamphlets of some of the group homes he might end up in.
He was in hell. He didn't even have to die. He fucked up and this was his eternal punishment.
The only thing he had to look forward to was whatever crap ass Thanksgiving wannabe meal the doctor would help him eat.
As he got closer he heard the sound of voices in his room. He thought he recognized some but others he didn't.
It wasn't until he heard the one voice he didn't want to, Max’s, that he tried to get up and get out.
“Billy how was therapy,” Max asked through tears while the doctor made sure he didn't leave the wheelchair. “Don't try to get up or move Billy” came an unrecognizable voice but he couldn't see who it was.
Suddenly he felt a hand in his. He couldn't mistake that hand for anyone else’s, it was Max.
“I'm so sorry Billy. I was so mad when I found out dad kicked you out and then I heard you were fighting for your life and they didn't seem to care but I do” Max said checking in tears.
Billy squeezed her hand. He didn't want to her to hear his slurred speech so he didn't talk but he could do that.
“Billy, I'm Sue Sinclair and I want to thank you for saving my children. I know that things have been tense between you and my son but I truly believe deep in your heart you're not a bad person” Sue said, placing a hand on his chest.
He heard his father's voice calling him a sissy but he didn't care and allowed himself to cry. He cried hard. Sue wrapped her arms around him and whispered “your no longer alone”.
“Thaan yoou,” Billy said allowing himself to show his weakness. Max wrapped her arms around him and said through her tears “We are going to live at the Sinclairs and they are going to make you better”.
Billy nodded and when he didn't think he could be any more surprised, Harrington brought over a plate of real turkey with all the trimmings.
“Eat up Hargrove, you owe me a rematch so you need your strength” Steve said with a smirk and went back to his plate.
“I could beat yoou in this cchaair Harrington” Billy said slyly and everyone laughed.
Lucas came over and put his hand out and said “let's make a truce. You stop hating on me because of my race and I will work on understanding the shit you were put through”.
Billy nodded and shook his hand and gently but firmly pulled him close and said “I am glad yoou and yoourr sister are ok but if yoou hurt Max in anyway I will kkil you and it won't be rrace related”.
Lucas nodded half scared and half happy. He hugged Billy and to his surprise Billy hugged him back.
The rest of the night was just everyone enjoying life. Billy let Max help him eat and was finally learning it was ok to need help.
Dec.15, 1984: Snowball Dance
Billy watched as his sister and Lucas shared their first dance and to his dismay their first kiss. He was happy for her.
He was still in the damn wheelchair and he still needed help with a lot of simple things but he was getting there.
He hoped by Christmas he would be on his feet and by summer he could help out at Hawkins pool as a lifeguard.
Feeling someone behind him he looked up and saw Patrick from the basketball team. He was a couple years below him but they hit it off and even with his father's taunts in his ears he was proud to be open with him.
Patrick kissed him and they watched the kids dance and enjoy themselves together.
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smallandticklish · 5 months
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when you get this, please respond with five things that make you happy! then send it to the last ten people in your notifications (anonymously). you never know who might benefit from spreading positivity. 💝
oh I love this! anon, I think you are an unexpected blessing. it is SO important to share things you are grateful for, especially since I have been battling a lot of sadness and feelings of inequity.
Five things that make me happy. I tried to think outside the box!
1. an unexpected text from a friend telling me they miss me or love me!
2. seeing the sun rise or set. in California they are so beautiful, and remind me of how lucky I am to live here!
3. singing/listening to people harmonize, or finding the beauty in music that just scratches my brain!!!
4. Seeing the people I love most smile or laugh together, especially my siblings and I. I cherish the time we have together now that my younger sister lives in LA!
5. wearing something that makes me feel confident!!
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boldlyvoid · 3 years
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36 Questions to Fall in Love
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Summary: When Derek bets Spencer that he cant make someone fall in love with him in a week, he doesn’t expect Spencer to marry the girl the next day
warnings: strangers to lovers, blind dates, betting, talks of: drug use, drug addiction, abusive marriages, rape, sexual assault, abuse, attempted murder, mass shootings, parental death, love confessions, elopements, opposite of slow burn
word count: 8K
A/N: this is based on a request I received a while back about this article
Derek was a betting man, to say the least. He knew Spencer was from Vegas, he also knew Emily couldn’t say no to a challenge and that Rossi had enough money to burn. Betting at work was the best way to have fun when he worked there, and now he can’t stop.
“I’m not saying con a woman into loving you, I’m saying let us find a girl and let’s see if she can fall in love with you, take a week off from work and just spend time wooing her, and in a week, me or Emily will hit on her, if she turns us down for you, then you’ve won.”
Derek explained it like it was simple, and yet the mere thought of being set up with someone was horrifyingly nerve-wracking. But he got Spencer to agree… unbeknown to him that he had another bet going on the side.
You see earlier that day he was invited to Penelope’s apartment, her younger sister was moving in for a little while and they needed a big strong man to help move the boxes. And like Penelope, Y/N was really chatty and overly friendly really fast. It was like he’s always known Y/N Garcia.
She explained to Derek how hard it was in California to find good men who want someone to love them, she’s tired of guys thinking she comes on too fast, she wants someone who wants to settle and have kids and be a dad. Not a Vain narcissist who only cares about what the city can offer him.
“The last guy I went on a date with literally ran when I mentioned I read a New York Times article about 36 questions to make you fall in love… I just want a person to love? Is that really so hard?”
A lightbulb goes off in Derek’s mind, and Penelope almost reads it.
“Spencer.” They both reply with the same cheeky grin.
“I bet you, you could be as insane as you say you are and he’d still be in love with you by the end of the week.” Derek teases, and the way she smiles shows just how interested she is.
Woo her.
The words have rattled around in his brain every second of every moment since Derek said he found a girl for him.
She was free on Saturday, all Spencer had to do was tell Derek where she should meet him and all Penelope had to do was not mention to Spencer that she had a sister, it was up to Y/N when Spencer learned that fact.
She’s already there at the restaurant when he arrives, he’s not sure what he was expecting when Derek said he found the perfect girl but it wasn’t this. He was thinking it was going to be a joke, that either no one would show or Derek was hooking him up with some hot blonde who was way out of his league.
She was beautiful in a nice dress, her makeup was stunning and she looked so content sitting there, waiting for him. Starring her ice water with a straw, she wasn’t paying any attention to the room, she barely knew he was there.
“Hi?” He said softly, not wanting to startle her.
“Hi,” she beamed up at him, that same unsure look on her face. Neither of them was expecting anything from the other, but they were pleasantly surprised.
“Spencer Reid,” he says, actually extending a hand to shake her’s because it’s the chivalrous thing to do.
She reaches out her hand, watching him take it and kiss her knuckle softly, she’s so surprised. “Oh, um, Y/N Garcia,” she whispers the name and his eyes go wide.
“Garcia?” He panics a little, sitting down in the booth and facing her as her face drops at his reaction.
“Did he not tell you I’m Penelope’s sister? I knew Derek was up to something,” she looked like it was all too good to be true, upset almost.
“He didn’t, he probably wanted you to tell me, I mean this all so we can get to know each other,” Spencer shrugs it off, interested in seeing why Derek picked her of all people.
“I guess,” she smiled again, “so what do you do?”
“I work with Penelope, I specialize more in psycho-linguistics and geographical profiling.”
She nods in approval, “I’m a high school English teacher.”
Spencer laughs lightly, “what’s that like?”
“Interesting to say the least, especially in California. Every kid there wants to be on TikTok, no one cares about reading any of the books I ask them too,” she just shakes her head. “I’m worried about the next generation.”
“Me too, it’s almost alarming how many kids are unsubs,” he agrees. She’s so easy to talk to, he’s suddenly not nervous anymore and the waiter is coming to take their order.
He never even opened the menu, “what looks good?” He asks Y/N, nervous and she can tell.
“I think I’m going to have the lobster, let’s go all out?” She shrugged again, both of them feeling more adventurous than normal.
“I’ll have that as well,” Spencer smiled, keeping eye contact with only her as she handed the menus back to him.
They ordered sides and appetizers, stuffed mushrooms and fresh bread, it was amazing. They traded small facts about each other, Spencer noticed a lot of Penelope’s quirks in her, she was very friendly and kind and funny. She loved to tease him and make him laugh, his stomach hurt by the time their lobsters came out.
“I’ve never done this before,” she admits, putting on her bib and holding the claw cracker in one hand.
“Neither have I, but I think it’s fairly simple you just need to apply the correct amount of pressure,” he demonstrates by picking up the crustacean and cracking it at its weakest point before twisting it open.
He’s surprised he did it, so is she as she copies is movements and struggles a bit. “You got it, come on,” he encourages her as she squeezed so hard her hands shake but the shell does eventually crack.
She smiles like she just won the science fair, overly proud as they stare at each other. Enamoured already by just how cute the other was.
“So, what do you do for fun outside being a fed?” She teases between bites.
“I like to spend my time finding new things, I tend to go to the same spots often but I’m always looking for new places. I like the theatre, the old cemetery is nice, I’m excited for the new phantasmagoria to open this fall,” he explains all his interests as he cracks away at his dinner. “I just like to try and appreciate what’s out there, after everything I see.”
“That’s really nice, I’ve always wanted to go to a phantasmagoria actually, science magic is the best kind of magic,” she says it like it’s nothing, almost embarrassed by the interest.
“Me too, I love magic,” Spencer lights up, “I can actually do some magic, hold on.”
He digs his NA chip out of his pocket, showing it to her quickly before making it disappear and reappear behind her ear and she was so smitten, “how the heck?” She asked as she reached for her own ear, shocked at the fact he could do it.
“Do you always keep a coin on you for that?”
He thinks about it for a second, not knowing if he should tell her or not. “No, I keep this on me for support.”
He places it on the table, she picks it up instead and inspects it carefully, “2 years is a really long time, I’m really proud of you.”
He feels like he falls in love with her in that moment, she places the chip back in his hand and smiles, “it’s not easy to admit nor recover from, it’s something you should be really proud of Spencer.”
“Thank you,” he blushes, “um, is there anything else you want to know about me?”
She bites the inside of her lip as she thinks, “actually I was reading an article the other day that said there are a list of personal questions you can ask someone and by the end of all of them you should be in love with the person.”
He thought it was a good opportunity to take a sip of water, upon hearing the word love he realizes it was a mistake. He chokes lightly, coughing as he puts the glass back down and apologizes.
“Love?” He repeats the word.
“I’m going to be real honest here Spencer, I don’t date to get my heartbroken, I date to find my life partner so if you’re not interested in marriage or kids one day tell me now,” she’s very stern about it and he can tell she’s gotten her hopes up and heart broken before.
“I want that too, I just didn’t expect you to be so upfront about it,” he’s honest, because clearly that’s what she wants from him. “What was on the question list?”
“Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?” She asks, remembering the questions easily.
“Wow,” he takes a moment to think about it, “alive or dead?”
“Sure, why not,” she shrugs.
“Probably biological Eve,” he comes to the decision rather quickly. “I’ve always been fascinated with the fact all humans can be traced back to one single women. I’m sure she was amazing, it must have been so interesting being the first women on earth.”
“That is the coolest answer anyone has ever given me,” she smiles, “I think I’d be boring and have dinner with Julia Roberts.”
“She’s a very talented actress,” he smiles, recognizing the name from Penelope’s movie nights. “Um, I have an eidetic memory, do you have the list I can just read it once and then we can spit it back and forth easily.”
She looks at him with wide eyes and a growing smile, “yeah hold on.” She takes out her cellphone and pulls up the article before handing it to him.
He reads it quickly and then hands it right back, she was amazed, surely it was a joke? “Would I like to be famous?” He repeats the next question to himself.
“No,” he’s very certain. “I’ve had some encounters with psychopaths who think they are my biggest fans, perfect match or my only rival, and it’s not fun. I’m sure being adored is lovely, but I don’t like the attention if it’s not from a good place.”
“So you want praise but you don’t want a stalker?” She dumbs it down slightly with a smile, “I definitely don’t want to be famous because I don’t like other peoples opinions about me.”
“That’s incredibly fair.”
“Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say?” She asks the next one.
“If it’s for work or my mother, yes,” he answers it completely honestly. “I prefer not to make phone calls, so when I have to make them I typically spend the day before panicking.”
She smiles, “well, if you ever need someone to call tech support and pretend to be you, I am really good on the phone.”
“Like Penelope?”
She nods, “we spent a lot of time talking on the phone when she moved to Virginia for your team.”
“That must have been really hard, I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned you yet?”
“I’m not really her sister,” she smiles, “I wish I was. I met her during a really abusive relationship and I didn’t feel close to my parents anymore, so my old name didn’t feel right either. Penelope and her brothers were the closest thing I had to family, so I took their name after my divorce.”
“That’s beautiful,” his smile is so soft, she wonders if he feels the same about Penelope.
“What do you consider a perfect day?” She moves on before she can pry into his personal life further, just to pry into his personal life further— in another direction.
“Nobody dies.”
“Even the bad guys?” She squints as she asks it, wondering if that was an appropriate topic for the first date.
“I’m not a fan of the prison system, and I’m really not a very big fan of suicide by cop, let alone lethal injection,” he explained. “Just because you’re a murderer or a psychopath doesn’t mean you have to die too, there is rehabilitation and a way to keep them sane and alive while keeping people safe. I just hate when people die.”
“Me too,” her smile is sad, “my perfect day would be having my parents back, I’d like to show them my degree and go out for ice cream and give them another hug.”
“We should have our perfect days back to back,” his voice is low, he was nervous to say it. “Cause then once you bring them back, I stop people from dying and they can stay forever.”
He sees her heartbreak as the tears well in her eyes, “that would be nice.”
“Um,” he clears his throat and then takes a sip of water. “When was the last time you sang to yourself, or someone else?”
“I was singing in the car on the way here,” she smiles with a sniffle, “I sing a lot actually. I’m always humming or tapping as well, if my mind is wandering then it has to make some kind of noise.”
“What is your favourite thing to hum?” He can’t stop himself from asking it, “I personally do the muppets, duh duh nanana, manamanah.”
She laughs again, and a tear slips out as her eyes close. She hurries to wipe it away, “I often find myself doing the teletubbies song, you know; ‘Tinky-Winky, Dipsy,’” she sings the words before humming the tune to match.
“That’s a good one too,” Spencer is really enthusiastic suddenly, the way he would be with Penelope. He was really comfortable. “If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?”
“Mind, because that’s how you keep a good body. If I can keep the strength and willpower to get up in the mornings and go to work and remember why I love being alive, I’ll be young forever,” she answers like it’s rehearsed.
“I was going to say I’d want my mind too, but the way you said it is a lot more elegant,” he teases. “My mom has Alzheimer's, you were honest about wanting kids and you should know that's genetic. I can also pass on schizophrenia and any other mental illness, like depression, bipolar disorder and most definitely anxiety—
“Spencer,” she reaches across the table for his hand, “breathe, that’s not scary to me. My grandma had it too, I’m not optimal gene-wise either.”
He takes a deep breath, “Sorry.”
“It makes you real to react like that, I don’t mind seeing that side of you. Fake strong men and men who compensate are the worst, in my opinion.”
“Mine too,” he agrees. “I am an anxious worrier, I barely sleep, I’m terrified of the dark, I have PTSD nightmares about my short stay in prison, and I cry a lot when I’m alone.”
“It was a mistake clearly? The prison stay, that is.”
“Yeah,” he nods, moving to the next question. “Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?”
She laughs through her nose at the switch topic change, “well until I was 19 I thought my husband was going to kill me, then I thought maybe it would be myself, now I’m content dying in my sleep when I'm old.”
“It is ever-changing,” he agrees. “I have died before.”
“What did it feel like?”
She doesn’t ask how, she knows he was sober, she knows he’s been to prison, she knows he’s an agent. It wasn’t a surprise. Penelope even almost died once before, it was an unfortunate part of the job.
“Warm.”
“Like soothing warm, like drinking a hot chocolate, or that uncomfortable warm like being in a hot car?”
“Like a hug.”
Her lips purse, she hums a bit. “Yeah, my answer stays the same.”
“Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.”
“You like to learn,” she smiles again. “You enjoy the mysteries and the horribleness of the world because it keeps you grounded. You love your mom.”
“We love Penelope, our hearts have similar scars, life has been mean to us for no reason,” he adds 3 more for good measure.
“What are you grateful for in life?” She asks the next question.
“I’ve never said this before,” he prefaces, “but found family. If it wasn’t for my team, no matter who was coming and going over the years, anyone who has had my back. Anyone who loves me in any capacity. That’s what I’m grateful for.”
“We’re not even through the first set of questions and I can see why everyone loves you,” she admits. Moving far too fast, doing exactly what Derek wanted from her.
To scare him and see if he still stays.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Spencer stops the questions, “I can’t continue if I can’t tell you this.”
“Yeah, what’s wrong?”
“Derek and Emily bet me $20 that I couldn’t get someone to fall in love with me, he wanted to set this up and then hit on you in a week and see if you picked me over him, and it feels like a really shitty thing to do to you. It’s making me feel like you’re an object more than a person and I feel really bad about it.”
She just laughs and he has no idea why. “He bet me that I could be as insane as I am with most of my dates and you’d still want to stay with me after a week.”
“You’re not mad?” He worries, by passing her words and the implications of it all.
“No, did you truly mean how you feel?”
“Yes…”
“Then I accept your apology, you’re really kind Spencer. I believe you when you speak, I trust you,” she explains her reasoning and he settles once more. “You’re the most real man I’ve ever met, I think.”
“Thank you,” he smiles again, reaching out for her hand once more, “do you want to finish these questions?”
“Not really,” she smirks, “I think they were wrong about all 35 of them making you fall in love with someone.”
“How so?”
“It only took me 9.”
It’s so absurd they start to laugh, making eye contact, they feel delirious. His hand in hers, she squeezes it lightly and he never wants to let it go.
“Do you want to get out of here?”
“Sure, did you drive?” She asks.
“No, I walked over.”
She gets up from the table and takes his hand once more, “well, are we going to mine or yours?”
“Are you living with Penelope?”
“Yours it is then,” she teases, bumping his shoulder. This was going to be fun.
Spencer pays for their meal and meets her out front, he gets in her passenger seat and gives her the directions. “Do you want to finish the questions on the drive?” He asks.
“Hmm, well, 11 is a long one, if you want to start telling me your life story in graphic detail? Or we can jump to 12 and you can tell me what super ability you’d like to wake up with?”
“Have you ever watched star trek?”
She’s not expecting that, it makes her take a double-take, she laughs lightly, “Yeah, why?”
“Deanna Troi can sense peoples emotions, I think that would really help with my job,” he explains it easily. “And in times like this.”
“I can just tell you,” she offers, pulling into his apartment complex, she can tell why he walked.
“You don’t have to yet, let it simmer,” he smiles softly, he’s not ready for her to make a decision like loving him when she really doesn’t know everything yet. “Come inside?”
She nods, getting out and taking his hand again for the walk inside. His house is green, and it makes sense. There are door wooden bookshelves and the distant smell of old books and spilled coffee, it’s dusty and old and very Spencer.
“Can I tell you some of my story?” She asks as she kicks her shoes off.
“Absolutely,” he follows her lead, “do you want anything, wine, water?”
“Wine would be nice,” she smiles, following him to the kitchen, “you know my favourite place to talk to someone is in the kitchen.”
“Why?”
“It's the heart of the house,” she smiles slightly, “that's what my mom used to say. This is where all the love happens.”
He loves her and he knows it already, she makes him happy and calm and if she’s in the heart of his house she might as well know all of his own heart.
“I was born in Vegas,” Spencer admits, pushing his life story past his lips before she can stop him or else he wouldn’t.
“My mom was a professor, my dad is an attorney, I have always been really smart and not so athletic, I enjoy chess and reading and I had big thick glasses as a child. My mom participated in a murder and my dad covered it up and that ruined their marriage but they blamed it on her schizophrenia when he left. And then I was left to raise her when she was supposed to be raising me. I cared for her until I turned 13, I left her during the weeks and my aunt would make sure she was okay and I would travel back and forth from CalTech and Vegas on the weekends.”
She can see the exhaustion on his face at just remembering it.
“I got my licence at 16, and then I took her car and it was easier. When I was 18 I put her in a sanatarium and sold her house and took a road trip with my friend to Virginia to go to the academy. He didn’t like it after a week and asked me to go with him to New Orleans and I didn’t— I met my mentor and joined the BAU instead. I was kidnapped and drugged by a man with DID… I died and then his personality switched and Tobias brought me back. I had an addiction to Dilaudid for a few months after, then I got sober after visiting Ethan in New Orleans.”
“Was he good to you?”
“Wonderful,” he smiles, “he was my shoulder to cry on for a long time and I didn’t realize how much I needed him in my recovery until we got a case and I had a reason to see him. I missed a plane and ignored my friends to just be with him. He’s the reason I got clean, not anything else… he told me that I was too special to hate myself, and he was right.”
“He was,” she smiles. “He sounds lovely.”
“And then, the first time I saw my mom after putting her in the sanatarium was because she told parts of our case to a man who lost his daughter, and he did a lot of messed up stuff… like he shot my co-worker. She was another special person to me—“
“I’m so sorry.”
He smiles, “she lived, don’t worry. I loved Elle, she was amazing but the bureau didn’t see that. She was a broken toy to them, we all become one eventually. I miss her a lot.”
She walks into his space and wraps her arms around him, giving him a hug as he rests against the counter, she makes no attempt to move back. Holding him in the heart of the house, close to her own. He holds her back just as tight.
“Maeve, she was another person I loved who got shot, she died. I see her sometimes when I sleep, she visits me when I’m in the most need. I’ll always love her, but she’s gone. The only other woman who claims to have loved me was a psychopath who is dead now too, she framed me for murder, had me drugged, kidnapped my mother and the list goes on and it’s not pretty. In prison she had a lot of bad things happen to me, I have scars that will never heal and a part of me was lost but I’m okay now.”
They have a moment of silence in the middle of their stories, she absorbs it while preparing her own, rubbing his back as her cheek stays pressed to his chest.
“I was born in California, my parents were high school sweethearts, they made me at prom. Learned that from the scrapbooks,” she laughs against his chest, “they were great and then they died when I was 14, it was a mass shooting at a mall, and I went to a foster home. I married the oldest son in the home after he groomed me for a few years… I met Penelope when I was 20 and she helped me get divorced and back on my feet and her brothers protected me.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry you relate to loss.”
“It's the one thing that unites us all, really,” Spencer’s voice is barely a whisper. “When you think about it, we’re all born and we all die, the only difference is how we fill the middle.”
They never get to that bottle of wine he mentioned, she pulls back and asks the next question as she drags him to his bedroom. “If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know?”
“If I get to have kids.”
She drags him into the room and closes the door, “that was going to be my answer.”
“Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?” He asks as she starts to take her clothes off.
“Sleep beside the love of my life.”
“I’ve never woken up beside the love of my life,” he replies with a soft smile and follows suit, getting undressed down to their underwear before climbing in bed.
“Greatest accomplishment?” She asks as they settle in, laying her cheek on his chest once more.
He takes a moment to think of everything he’s done that has been good, and one really stands out. “there was a case a few years back, we found a bunch of kids who went missing and returned them to their families and gave answers to the families of children who didn’t make it. Days like that feel like a reward.”
“Getting divorced,” she pushes the words out quickly.
“Most valued friendship?” He asks, knowing she doesn’t need to explain herself.
“Penelope.”
“Derek.”
“Most treasured memory?”
“When JJ placed her son in my arms and told me I was his godfather,” his voice is hushed and she knows it’s because he doesn’t want to cry. “It's the closest I’ve gotten to being a father so far.”
“I got an end of the year present when I was first starting out, this girl told me that I was the reason she enjoyed reading again and it was the reason I started teaching, I’ll never forget her. Tammy Brownlee, she graduated in 2009 and we’ve been Facebook friends ever since.”
“Most terrible memory?”
“My parents dying.”
“You’d think mine would be dying right?” He asked, she nodded against his chest, “it was actually being held down by 3 men, getting a sock shoved in my mouth while they beat me.”
She kissed his chest softly, “I’m sorry, I know that feeling. Mind you, he was only 1 man, it’s not a good feeling.”
“If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living?”
“If it’s definite; not like a chance or a cancer statistic, if it’s like this is the day you die no ifs and's or butts, then I’d just continue as normal and have 1 really awesome day right before,” she smiles against him. “Make the most of it all.”
“If I was dying a year today, I’d ask you to marry me.”
“Already?” She laughs, thinking he’s kidding.
“You want a nice husband and a kid? I will be good for you as long as I know you, and I’ll have as many kids as you want me to help you make.”
She’s silent as she thinks about it. “What does friendship mean to you?”
“Someone who is there for you even when they don’t want to be, even when it’s hard,” Spencer whispers, thinking about his friends.
“It means hacking the government and voiding a marriage and changing someone's name so they can escape,” Y/N whispers. “don’t tell the feds she did that too.”
“What roles do love and affection play in your life?”
“I crave it and hardly receive it, but I give it out like it’s a sample at costco,” she snickers at the example she gave. “It’s something that people have always admired about me and yet it’s also the thing that scares people away. When I love, I love hard and it’s full and annoying and you will feel suffocated sometimes, but just tell me when and I’ll back off.”
“I don’t know how to ask for what I need,” Spencer whispers. “But I need someone to love me like that.”
“The next one is to alternate 5 good things about each other,” she rests her chin on her hand as she looks up at his face in the darkness, “soft.”
He pauses for a moment, bypassing the easiest one and saying pretty, instead, he says; “you’re honest.”
“You’re very caring,” she replies.
“You see beauty in the world still.”
She smiles at that one, “you make the world beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.”
“And you’re handsome, that’s my 4th,” she keeps track in her head.
“You’re true, to your heart, your promises, everything.”
“And you’re real, you see the world for what it is and you don’t try to change it for the better. You want to make it manageable,” her explanation is the longest one yet. “Was your childhood happy, and do you feel close with your family still?”
“I write to my mom every single day and I drop the notes off weekly, and no,” he doesn’t want to cry, but he feels like he might again. “It was liveable, I made it.”
“Mine was happy until I was 14, then I was alone, I have 1 living aunt and she is strange but I get a card from her every Christmas,” Y/N adds. “I’d like to think your lack of love and my need to fill the world with what I miss from my parents will make a really good family dynamic.”
“Me too.”
“How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?” She asks, “I think I know already, but it’s the next one.”
“She hit me a few years ago because I made her take some medicine, she hit me once when I was a kid too…” he whispers them so that they stay a secret, if they can’t be heard else where then they don’t exist in his mind. “She was a wonderful mother but the worst memories stick out the most now. She’s forgetting everything and all I can remember is how hard it’s been on me, like a bad son.”
“My mom was my best friend, and I still talk to her every day, I bring her and my dad around with me in my necklace,” she pulls the chain on her neck and shows him the little jar. “Mom, Dad, this is Spencer. Spencer, this is my mom and dad.”
He holds it in his hand and tips it gently, “nice to meet you.”
“The next one is weird,” she changed the topic again.
“Make three true "we" statements each. For instance, "We are both in this room feeling…" Spencer says it verbatim. “We are both feeling understood.”
“We are both hopeful.”
“We are both falling in love,” Spencer ends the feelings with the most prominent one.
“We are,” she agrees with another smile.
“Finish this,” he insists on moving forward, “I wish I had someone I could share…”
“The rest of my life with,” she whispers this time. “If we become besties, what’s something I should know?”
“I think I’ve told you all the important stuff so far,” Spencer thinks hard, pausing for a moment. “My butt is ticklish?”
It makes her giggle, “that is a good one. My sides and the bottom of my feet are ticklish too.”
“Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you've just met,” Spencer reads the question back from memory, “don’t be afraid to be too honest.”
“I like that you know how I feel but I hate that you’ve been hurt. I like how you listen to me, and I really like how comfortable you make me feel. I’m almost naked in your bed right now and I know you’d never, ever hurt me, and I haven’t felt that in a really long time.”
“I like that you are indulging me in the dream of becoming a husband and a dad one day… most people say it’ll happen but they never picture it. No one has ever said yeah id have your kids. I like that you know what you want and you’re actively looking for it.”
She moves up so she can hold his face in her hands, “only 7 more. Is it working?”
He nods, “my most embarrassing moment is the time I had a wet dream on the work jet.”
She laughs and then covers her mouth in panic, “I’m sorry that’s not funny.”
“It is, it’s fine,” he smiles. “I was dreaming about kissing this actress we helped, she actually did kiss me in the pool, so I guess it was bound to happen.”
She leans in and presses her lips against his, holding his cheeks in her hands his wrap around her waist as he holds her there. She peppers smaller kisses to his lips before pulling back, “we both cried in front of each other already today, so next question.”
“Tell me what you like about me already?”
Her hands trail his chest and down towards his boxers, he’s hard again from just kissing and she smirks, “this is promising.”
His hand on her back unclips her bra, “I love boobs, not even going to lie. They are my weakness.”
She pushes the straps down and tosses her bra aside, pressing her naked chest against his, she moves on. “What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?”
“Being called insane, saying I'm seeing things, or acting crazy, those are things I don’t like to be told because they make my anxiety worse.”
“Noted,” she smiles. “I talk to myself a lot so get ready for that.”
“Okay,” he smiles, she’s way too easy to be real.
“I don’t want to mention my last husband from here on out, I think if I get married again I will never tell anyone I have a first husband,” she’s firm in her words.
“Technically, Y/N Garcia has never had a husband,” he reminds her.
Her face lights up at the realization, “you’re right.”
“If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet?” Spencer asks.
“I regret not screaming at my ex before I disappeared but I wanted to live.”
He hums, understanding how it feels. “There isn’t anyone in specific I’ve wanted to tell this to, but I wanted to kill people when I was in prison. It made me really angry being in there and I let myself dream about killing people who hurt me and then I almost did kill someone.”
“Remember what you said about bad guys?” She whispers a helpful tip, “even the worst people deserve to have a chance at life. And you’re not hardly as bad as the worst people you’ve met.”
“You’re right,” he agrees. “Thank you.”
“This place burns down, what’s one thing you’d run back inside for? Outside of people and animals…” she asks the 3rd last question.
“The book Maeve gave me.”
“The girlfriend who died?” She confirms, and he nods. “If my place with Penelope burned down, I just want my necklace and I don’t take it off that often.”
“The next question is interesting,” Spencer thinks about it, “Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing, and why?”
“I’m glad I wasn’t at the mall with my parents, if I saw them get shot it would hurt more,” she whispers. “I’m sorry you had to see Maeve die like that.”
“In a way, I’m glad I saw Maeve get shot, otherwise I wouldn’t have believed it. She never felt real to me and then she was dead…”
She just hums, “Share a personal problem and ask your partner's advice on how he or she might handle it,” she whispers the last question.
“Also, ask your partner to reflect to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen,” Spencer adds in the second half.
“I need to find a place to stay now that I’m here, I don’t want to keep living with Penelope. As much as I love her, I want my own place,” Y/N admits.
“I think I’m in love with this girl that I just met and I don’t know if it’s too soon to ask her to look for a house with me?” Spencer pretends to sigh, “she’s super cool and I think we’d make some nice kids. I would love some advice.”
“Has she told you she loves you yet?” She teases.
Spencer shakes his head. “I love you, Y/N.”
“I love you, too, Spencer,” she replies, leaning in one more time to kiss him.
It’s deeper this time, she breathes him in and rests her forehead against his as she breathes between them.
“How did that work?” She whispers, truly amazed at how easy it was.
He shrugs, “it’s a good questionnaire.”
“You were really honest, your heart is really pure and I would like to get to know you more, but I feel like I know everything?” She shakes her head while she talks, overthinking all the things she has learned, “I don’t even know what could be left?”
“My birthday is October 28th?” He whispers, “we have a lot to discover yet.”
When she doesn’t come home in the morning, Penelope knows she’s at Reid’s house. She just doesn’t expect to walk in and find them naked in Reid’s bed, out cold and cuddled together with their clothes all over the room.
It looks like something happened. If only she knew the truth.
“Oh my god?” Penelope’s voice wakes them up and Spencer scrambles to make sure they are covered by his blankets.
“What are you doing here?” Y/N shouts as she wakes up.
“I came to see if you were okay. I expected one of you to be on the couch, I didn’t think it went this good?”
“We just slept in the same bed, I promise,” Spencer turned bright red as he panicked, “we just got to know each other and talked all night, in what we normally sleep in.”
“Uh-huh,” Penelope smirks, “so I take it the 36 questions worked?”
“Perhaps,” Y/N smirks back at her sister.
“Do you use it on many people?”
“No one has made it past the first question,” she smiles at him instead, kissing his cheek as Penelope watches.
“That’s my queue to go, um… yeah, wow, I didn’t see this happening so fast,” Penelope is shocked but in the best way.
She leaves just as fast as she arrived and Y/N settles back into Spencer the second she closes the bedroom door. “You know, if she’s not going to believe us we might as well do it? If you accidentally get me pregnant then we can move fast and no one will question it.”
He laughs, “accidentally, is the key word there.”
“My parents made me at prom after crushing on each other for 2 years… I think knowing each other for 2 days isn’t the weirdest way to start a family?”
“Honestly,” Spencer lets out a sigh and her happy mood drops to a more serious one. “I was a little worried that we’d wake up this morning and you’d change your mind.”
“Why?”
“In the heat of the moment, learning everything about each other and saying I love you was really exhilarating, but I have a hard time believing it,” he admits, “not many people mean it, or stay around after they tell me they love me.”
She cuddles back into the crook of his neck and holds him as tightly as possible, wrapping a leg around him for optimal coverage, “I am staying right here, because I love you, Spencer.”
“Okay,” he whispers. Sounding like he still doesn’t believe it.
“I love you because you’re honest, you want what I want and you’re truly kind. You’re friends with my sister, you’re smart, you would make a great dad, you won't hurt me, you are really nice to cuddle with, and I know you mean it when you say you love me because it’s not a word you use lightly.”
“Are you my girlfriend now?” He wonders aloud, “cause if you really want to have a kid, I have my mom's old wedding ring in my closet, and I would rather be married to you before we do that?”
“Okay,” she whispers, tears welling in her eyes as she hides her face in his neck, “the courthouse is literally just down the road?”
“We can get breakfast together after?” Spencer adds, rubbing her back as they plan, he wasn’t scared anymore.
“Penelope will kill me if she’s not there, can we have her as our witness?” Y/N finally sits up to look at him, pulling away to sit on the bed, still shirtless.
His smile while he tries to keep eye contact with her is so funny, she giggles a little as she hides her nipples behind her palms and cups her boobs.
“I’m pretty sure she’s still in my living room,” Spencer giggles, “Penelope!?”
She comes back in then, “yes?”
“We’re going to the courthouse to get married, wanna come?” Y/N asks with an embarrassed smile.
“Yes!” She cheers, “I’ll go get you a dress!”
And then she’s off again, this time actually leaving Spencer’s apartment. “What if we don’t tell Derek, and let him hit on me next week anyway?
“Then you can say ‘sorry I have a husband,’ and he’ll body slam me to the floor,” Spencer laughs nervously, “the whole team is going to be so pissed they missed my wedding…”
She frowns, “send out a mass text, tell them to meet us at the court house, it’s their day off right?”
“You’re right,” he smiles.
This was going to be interesting.
Walking out of the courthouse, hand in hand, she’s in a white dress, he’s in a suit he’d probably wear to work, Penelope is crying and the whole team is waiting outside for them.
At the bottom of the courthouse steps, they all clap and cheer, throwing rice at them like an old movie, Spencer’s smiling so hard his cheeks are burning. Y/N introduces herself to everyone, hugged over and over by everyone she should have met 15 years ago.
Derek is tapping his foot, waiting for Spencer to come and hug him, “what the fuck?” He asks as Spencer steps into his space, wrapping his arms around him and shaking his back and forth.
“Nice try, I’ll give you $20 as a thank you,” Spencer teases as he pulls away. “She is perfect.”
JJ and Will are busy talking to Y/N when he turns around, Mike and Henry not far behind them. Spencer walks over and wraps Henry up in his arms, the kid was growing way too fast, Spencer loved him so much it hurt sometimes.
“Y/N, this is my godson,” Spencer introduces them, “Henry, this is Y/N.”
She gives him a big hug too, “do you have any cousins, Henry?”
“No, but I was 8 when Michael was born,” he smiles, “and I’m getting old enough to be a good babysitter?”
Spencer laughed, messing up Henry’s hair quickly with a smile, “I’m sure by the time you’re a cousin you’ll be great.”
They take a group photo outside, Spencer and Y/N in the middle, everyone was smiling. It was the first time all of them had been in a photo together, the entirety of Spencer’s found family. Now they were Y/N’s too.
She hyphenated her last name, Y/N Garcia-Reid, and their kids would share the same one. He was not only about became a father thanks to Y/N, but Penelope would also become an Aunt once more. It was like a gift that kept on giving, seeing Spencer and Y/N create a little family of their own.
She cried her eyes out when she met Diana. She wasn’t expecting to be so emotional, but then Diana was lucid and very welcoming and sweet.
“It’s going to be a pleasure having you as my daughter,” Diana smiles, thinking it was just a nice thing to say.
Y/N cries and holds her so tight Diana almost can’t breathe but she lets her hold her as long as she needs to, “thank you.”
“You’re welcome?”
“I haven’t had someone to call mom since I was 14,” Y/N whispers, “if that’s okay?”
Diana hugs her just a little too tight in response, “you can call me mom whenever you want.”
“Just until you become a grandma,” she whispers again as she pulls back and Diana’s attention snaps to Spencer.
“Are you trying?”
He nods, “we want kids, we’re not getting any younger.”
Diana wraps him up in a hug and he almost falls off his chair at the sheer force of it, she was so happy for him. She knew this was all he’s ever wanted; because he would be good at it, he had all this love in his heart, and he wanted to show his father how easy it is to stay.
“You’re going to be a great dad, Spencer,” she holds his cheeks as she pulls away, “I’m proud of you.”
He cried. It’s all he’s wanted from her, and now he has everything right here in this room.
When they find out they’re pregnant after the first try, it’s really funny to them. It was all working so well, it was a little too much for them at first. They were looking for a house, she was looking for a permanent teaching job but Spencer convinced her to wait until after the baby is born to go back.
They name her Morgan Garcia-Reid as a thank you for Derek’s little bet, and before she’s even 6 months old they’re pregnant again. By the time they have 4 kids under 5 they take a break and just enjoy their little family.
To think Derek gave them 7 days to fall in love… and then they lived happily ever after.
taglist: @g0lden-cth @doctorspenceryeet @samuel-de-champagne-problems @reiding-recs @ssavanessa22 @spookyspence @shemarmooresfedora @spencers-dria@reidsfish @manuosorioh @mochionly @jswessie187 @k-k0129 @calm-and-doctor @blanchardsbk
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LA Woman
Pairing:: Chibs Telford x Reader, Tig's daughter Warnings:: swearing, smut, fluff Word Count:: 5,540 A/N:: this is apart of @band--psycho 's Music Writing Challenge! I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I loved writing it!
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All your life, you moved around California with your mom. Your dad lived in a small town up north and your mom spent most of your life staying as far as possible. When you were sixteen, you found out you had two sisters, Dawn and Fawn. Your mom let that information slip out when you got your nose pierced. "You're just like your sisters," she scolded. All you wanted to do was meet them and meet your father, but your mother kept you away from them.
At twenty-one, you moved to Los Angeles, away from your mother. You needed to put distance between yourself and her. Sitting on the beach in Venice, sand between your toes and sunglasses on your eyes, you stared down at the folder. Hiring a PI was expensive, but it was what you had to do to find the family you never met. You looked out at the ocean, staring at the horizon. You knew what you had to do.
That small-town your dad was from, you found out it was Charming. Packing up everything into your green, beat-down little VW Beetle, you took the ten-hour trip to meet him. The windows were rolled down and your music blasting as you drove down the highway. Your hair whipped around and your eyes were covered as you belt out the lyrics.
Well, I just got into town about an hour ago Took a look around, see which way the wind blow Where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows
You pulled into Teller-Morrow and looked around the parking lot. There were dozens of people milling around the place, in the garage, and outside the clubhouse. You shut your car off and got out, pulling back your jet-black hair that had been whipped around. You fixed your crop top Ramones t-shirt as you walked over to the small office attached to the garage.
There was a woman sitting, nose deep in paperwork. Looking up at you, she smiled softly. She already knew who you were before you said anything. "Excuse me," you sighed. "I'm looking for Alexander Trager."
She stood up and banged on the window. "Tig!" she yelled. You looked over at the man you looked almost identical to. Same black, curly hair. Same nose and ears. Same wild blue eyes. You knew you came to the right place.
"What?" he yelled without looking away from the truck engine. He was wearing dark jeans and a light grey work shirt. You stared at him, studying how he held himself over the car, his hands bracing on the side of the truck.
"Your kid's here!" You gulped hearing that. You were about to meet your father. Wringing your hands, you shifted on your feet.
"Which one?" he asked, wiping his hands on a grease rag. You watched him as he stepped closer to you. He couldn't see you based on where you were standing but you could see him clearly. Something about seeing your father made you less nervous and more excited.
She chuckled, "A new one." He walked over, not sure what Gemma meant by that. He stopped in the doorway and stared at you. Your new face.
"Jesus Christ," he breathed as he gazed upon you. "Autumn?" He took a step closer, looking you over as your eyebrows knit together and your nose scrunched up. You were trying to figure out how he knew it was you as he pulled you into a huge hug. "Jesus, kid, I thought I'd never see you again," he mumbled, kissing the top of your head.
None of this was expected. When you found out about Alexander 'Tig' Trager, you figured he wasn't the lovey-dovey type. Especially after meeting his twenty-one-year-old kid. You cautiously wrapped your arms around him, feeling yourself get teary-eyed. Pulling him tighter, you rested your head on his chest, closing your eyes.
He brought you inside the clubhouse and sat you down at one of the tables. He asked you about your life and your mother and everything about you. You spoke and rambled, telling him everything, even things that he probably didn't need to know. But, he just sat there, leaning on his elbow, and eating up every word you said.
A few men walked in and you turned towards them. There was a man with long blond hair, a man who was a full head taller with long brown hair, a man with a mohawk, and a man with greyish-brown hair and scars on his cheeks. He was the one who struck your fancy and made your heart flutter when he glanced your way.
You could tell that he was eyeing you up. The way his eyes dragged over your body like he was reading a book. You swallowed hard as you stared at him, not paying anyone else any mind. You thought he looked incredibly handsome, beyond handsome, dangerously handsome. He thought you were beautiful, stunning really. He studied you from your Doc Marten boots up your long legs to your Daisy Dukes that hung just below your ass, and then up your bare stomach to your Ramones crop top.
Are you a lucky little lady in the city of light Or just another lost angel, city of night City of night, city of night, city of night
"Who's this?" the blonde man asked, slapping your father's shoulder. You watched as he smiled and turned around, excited to introduce you to the men.
"My daughter," he answered. "Autumn." Looking up at the four of them, you watched as they smiled and chuckled to themselves.
"Shit, I didn't know you had another kid," the tall biker said. He walked over and took your hand and smiled, "Opie." You nodded to him as your eyes flicked over to the man you were staring at. You waited for an agonizing amount of time to hear his name.
Your father chuckled, "Yeah, it's been a long time since we saw each other." You looked up at him, wondering when exactly that was because you didn't remember him at all. "Been twenty-one years." You still didn't know what he meant about that. "Only time I met you was minutes after you were born. You've come a long way since then."
You were shocked. The father you thought you never met was there for the first moments of your life. Questions ran through your head: what happened? did he hold you? did Mom kick him out? did he leave? You wanted to know everything.
"Let me introduce you to the guys," he smiled. "You met Ope," he said pointing. Opie gave a little wave as he went behind the bar. "This is Jax, our VP." The blonde man nodded, smiling over at you. "That's Juice," he sighed, pointing to the younger guy with the mohawk. He bounced over a few steps to shake your hand. "And that's Chibs hiding in the corner."
"I'm no' hidin'," your suiter scoffed. You wanted to scream hearing his accent. You weren't expecting him to be Scottish. "I'm righ' here." He walked over to you and you could feel the heat rising in your cheeks. He picked up your hand, kissed your knuckles, and said, "Pleasure to meet ye, lassie." He winked and stood back up straight.
"Nice to meet you too," you smirked, watching him walk over to the bar. Your father watched you while you gawked. "What happened to you and Mom?" you asked rather bluntly. "Sorry...I've just been wondering that my whole life, you know? Mom doesn't tell me shit."
He shook his head, "It's fine, doll." He slid forward in his chair, getting closer to you. "When your mother found out she was pregnant, I was away...and when I got out, it was two days before her due date. I went to see her and she made it clear that she never wanted to me again."
"But I thought you were there when I was born?" you chuckled, trying to figure out what went down.
"Well," he laughed. "All the stress of me being there, apparently, induced labor. Her water broke and I drove her to the hospital. She wouldn't let me go into the room with her but after you were born..." He paused, shaking his head slightly. "She let me hold you. For five minutes, it was just you and me and none of that shit mattered."
You sighed, shaking your head, and holding your thumb over your lip. "What happened after that?" you asked.
"I...I gave you back to her and left," he exhaled. "I tried to send you letters and call but your mother sent everything back. Last I knew, you were in Oakland. After that, you were just gone."
"We haven't lived in Oakland in...twelve years," you sighed. "She just...stopped?" He nodded, looking down at the table. "Why did she have such a bone to pick with you?" you ask.
He chuckled, "I wasn't...good to her. Running around with Colleen, other croeaters, I wasn't there for her. And then all the shit with the club...and then going away, it was too much for her."
"So...she wanted out?" you asked, tears filling your eyes. Tig nodded, picking at the table. "She...she took you from me." You scoffed at the realization. "She took you from me and made me move around all my life to stay away from you."
"Sweetheart," he exhaled.
"No, Tig," you scoffed. "You don't get it. Anytime I asked her shit or said I wanted to find you, she ignored it. Looked over it like it was nothing. Because she was mad about old shit and she took it out on me!" Rubbing your forehead, you sighed, "I'm sorry."
Shaking his head, he reached across the table. "Don't be. Your mother had her reasons for things and I can't fault her for that. I have to accept them as shitty as they are." He grabbed your hand and you stared down at it. "But, now, you're here. We can make up for the lost time."
You looked up at the guys at the bar. You could see that they were listening but didn't want to make it obvious. Chibs looked at you out of the corner of his eye as he slammed back a shot. You wanted to drink, especially with him, but you felt weird leaving your dad to talk to one of his friends.
An older man walked in. He looked more serious than the other guys you had met so far. He had short grey hair and stomped in, brandishing his president patch. The president bee-lined towards Tig. You watched him, trying to figure out why he was so angry. He leaned down to your father and whispered in his ear. Tig nodded and looked over at you.
Looking back up at the president, he said, "I'll handle it." Your father stood up and grabbed your shoulder. "I gotta head up north for a couple of days. Hang out with the guys and we'll do more of that making up for the lost time when I get back."
You nodded, "Okay." Standing up, you stood awkwardly, wanting to pull him into a hug. You didn't know if it was the right thing to do. He saw what you were debating and wrapped his arms around you. "Be careful," you sighed. You lost him once, you didn't want to lose him again.
"I'll be fine, baby," he chuckled. "It'll be okay." Planting a kiss on your temple, he said, "I'll be back in a few days." Breaking out of his hug, you looked up at him and nodded. He headed for the door and your heart sank.
Looking over at the guys at the bar, you saw how they were staring at you. Like you were something to conquer. You were new to town, fresh blood. But, you were also from LA and had a reputation just because of that.
L.A. woman, L.A. woman L.A. woman Sunday afternoon L.A. woman Sunday afternoon L.A. woman Sunday afternoon Drive through your suburbs Into your blues, into your blues Into your blue-blue blues Into your blues
"Autumn," Chibs said, breaking your thoughts. You loved the way your name rolled off his tongue. "Come ge' a drink." You nodded, hearing the distant rumble of the Harley leaving. Walking over to him, you wiped your hand over your face. "Wha's yer poison?" he asked.
"Whatever you got," you exhaled. He reached around the bar and pulled out a bottle of bourbon. Holding it out to you, he waited for an answer. "Perfect," you sighed. He poured you a stiff drink and slid it over to you. "Thanks." You slammed the drink back in one swallow.
"Christ," he chuckled. "Ye know how to drink." He poured you another one and then more for himself.
You laughed, "Only under certain circumstances," as you drank it.
"And wha' migh' those be?" he asked. He drank his bourbon gingerly, already starting to feel a buzz.
"Nerves," you chuckled. "It's been a...complicated day." Looking over at him, your heart sped up, realizing you were talking to the man who had the greatest effect on you for the first time in years. Clearing your throat, you looked back at your empty glass. "How long have you know my dad?" you asked.
He sighed, "Boutta decade. Maybe a lit'le more." He glanced over at you, studying how you were sitting. You were facing the bar, keeping your ankles crossed and your hands wrapped around your glass. "Ye wan' another drink?" he asked.
Shaking your head, you sighed, "No, I'm good. What's he like?" You looked over at him and his eyes snapped up from where he was looking at your legs.
"Yer father?" he asked. "He's a good guy. Loves the club."
"No, like...personality," you clarified. "I know...nothing, I know nothing about him. And I couldn't get a read on him earlier and now he's gone for two days or whatever. I just don't know what I'm walking into, I guess." You picked up the bottle of bourbon and poured another drink.
"Tig is..." he started. "Tig's jus' Tig, I guess. I dunno. He was a Marine. He's protective of the club and his family. He's fuckin' hilarious. I think he's insane, but in a good way."
You laughed, "There's a good way to be insane?"
"No' like crazy," he chuckled. "Bu' like, does crazy shite." He sighed, "Wha' abou' ye? Wha's yer personality?"
"I don't know," you sighed. "I'm still trying to figure out who I am, you know? I've moved around so much in life, I never found interests in anything." He nodded, listening to you carefully. "I like music. Back home, I'm in this cover band." His eyebrows shot up into his forehead. "What?" you laughed.
"Wha' music do ye play?" he chuckled.
You shrugged, "This and that. Classic rock, mostly. Zeppelin, Ramones, Pink Floyd, The Doors, that type shit. I play bass."
"No shit," he laughed. "Ye don' seem like a classic rocker to me." You laughed, looking up at him. "Ye seem like...a heavy metal, screamin' yer face off type."
"Oh, shut up," you chuckled, nudging his shoulder. Jax and Opie walked out, leaving you, Chibs, and Juice at the bar. "What's it like around here?" you asked.
He sighed, "Eh, it's no' too bad. Pretty relaxed most the time. Have a few fires to put ou' every once in a while. Other than tha', it's jus' drinkin' and fuckin' around," he said with a grin.
"Drinkin' and fuckin' around," you repeated. You ran your hand through your hair, shaking the tangles out. You sighed, "Are there any good hotels around here?"
"Aye, there's a few but yer more than welcome to stay here," he exhaled. You looked over at him and pointed down at the bar. "Yeah," he laughed. "Gotta few rooms in the back we crash in."
You smiled and nodded, "Well, if you guys have space..." He laughed, taking a sip of the drink. "Thanks."
"No problem, darlin'," he sighed. "Ye go' any bags or anythin'?" You nodded and were about to speak when he held out his hand. "Keys?" You were about to stand up when he put his hand on your shoulder and pushed you back down on the stool. "Lemme ge' 'em. Keys."
"Wait, really?" you chuckled. He nodded, still holding his hand out and wiggling his fingers. "Thanks," you smiled, putting your keys in his palm.
Your fingertips grazed against his hand. He smirked and winked at you. "No problem, darlin'," he sighed, walking past you.
I see your hair is burnin' Hills are filled with fire If they say I never loved you You know they are a liar
You smiled, turning to watch him walk out the door. When you spun back, you looked over at Juice as he jumped, looking back down at his drink. He didn't think you would catch him staring. He glanced up and smiled gently before picking up his beer and walking away.
"Where ye goin', Juicy?" Chibs asked, walking back in. He had a backpack strewn over his shoulder and a duffel bag in hand.
"Outside," he answered. He bounced out the door, looking around the parking lot.
Chibs watched him and then turned back to you. Tossing you your keys, he chuckled, "Here ye go, sweetheart." You smiled up at him as he nodded his towards the back of the clubhouse. "C'mon." You stood up and followed him to a long hallway. He walked down, thinking about each room you two passed. He stopped in front of one door and pushed it open. "Nope, no' stayin' in there."
"Why?" you chuckled as he shut the door. "What's wrong with it?"
"Smells like shite in there," he lied. He didn't want you to see the state your father's room was in. He walked down to the end of the hall and opened the door. "No one ever stays in here so it should be fine." He put your bags down on the bed and turned to you as you looked at the biker decorations that lined the wall. "Are...are ye hungry?" he stuttered.
From the short time you spent with Chibs, you knew he wasn't one to trip over his words. You spun around to face him. His face fidgeted into a small smile and his hands dug into his pockets.  "Yeah, I'm starved," you smiled, biting the inside of your lip.
He chuckled, "Le's go then." You smiled even wider and skipped out behind him. He strode down the long hall with you lagging behind. An older man was sitting on the couch with an oxygen tank beside him. He was drinking tequila from the bottle with a straw. "Piney, this is Autumn," Chibs introduced, pointing behind him. "Tigger's daughter."
"Good to meet you," he smiled, shaking your hand. "Where are you two off to?" he asked. His eyes shifted between you and Chibs, noticing how close you two were standing.
"Gettin' some food," Chibs answered. "Tha' okay with ye?" he chuckled. Piney shrugged, holding his hands up. "C'mon, darlin'," he sighed, nudging your shoulder.
"It was nice to meet you, Piney," you smiled as you tried to keep up with Chibs's long strides. He stopped at a motorcycle that you figured was his. "Nice bike," you said as you admired it.
"Thanks," he chuckled, handing you a helmet. "Ye ride?"
Shaking your head, you answered, "No, but I spent a lot of time reading up on bikes and shit. I knew it was what my dad did for, like, a living so I wanted to have something to talk about."
"Tha's sweet," he smiled, getting on. He held out his hand and helped you on behind him. "Jus' hold on tight and don' yell in my ear. Tha's all I ask."
"You got it," you laughed. He pulled out of the parking lot at full speed and drove down the street. You laughed and squealed as you had your chin on his shoulder. He groaned, jerking his head away. "Sorry," you giggled.
Drivin' down your freeways Midnight alleys roam Cops in cars, the topless bars Never saw a woman So alone, so alone So alone, so alone
Chibs pulled into a parking lot and shut the engine off. You uncoiled your arms from around him, looking around. "What's this place?" you asked.
"Best pizza in Charming," he answered, taking his sunglasses out. "Ye like pizza, don' ye?"
"Course I do," you laughed. Getting off the bike, you waited for him to stand. When he did, he led the way into the small pizzeria. "What's good here?"
"Everything," he chuckled. He stepped into the line and put his hand on your back, guiding you beside him. You sunk into his touch, wishing his hand stayed on you forever. He leaned a little lower so you could hear him better. "The meat-lovers is to die for."
You could feel the heat rising through you. "Is it?" you asked. Turning towards him, you smirked, "I'll have to try it sometime."
He chuckled, scratching his cheek. He sighed, "You don' have to wai' to try it. Ye can try it tonigh' if ye wan'." You felt like you were on fire. You couldn't even breathe. And that's when it was your turn to place an order. Chibs pulled you forward beside. "Hi, two meat-lovers, please," he smiled. He handed over the money as you stood there, dazed.
He pulled you away as you croaked out, "Thanks," to the cashier. The two of you sat at a booth and waited for the pizza to come out. "Thank you for dinner," you sighed to him.
"No problem, darlin'," he smiled. "Hope ye like it."
You chuckled, "I'm sure I will." You sat quietly, wringing your hands together under the table. A few minutes went by before you spoke. "So you're from...Scotland?" you asked awkwardly.
He busted out with laughter. "Aye," he laughed. "Aye, I'm from Scotland." You laughed, realizing how stupid you sounded. "How long ye been in L.A.?"
"About a year," you answered. The pizza came out and it looked amazing. "Wow, this looks so good," you exhaled, nearly drooling. Chibs watched as you picked up a slice and took a bite. "Holy shit," you chuckled, covering your mouth as you spoke with food in it. "This is...so fucking good."
"I'm glad ye like it, darlin'," he smiled. He picked up a slice of his and closed his eyes, savoring it. "So fuckin' good," he laughed. "Perfect every time."
"I think I might move in here," you laughed as you eat another piece. "Work here, get paid in pizza."
"I'll be righ' behind ye, darlin'," he chuckled. Once all the pizza was gone and you two were wiping your faces, Chibs sighed, "Ready to go?"
"Yeah," you exhaled. As you stood up, you chuckled, "I still can't believe how good that was."
"Told you it was to die for," he laughed, wrapping his arm around your shoulders.
Motel Money Murder Madness Let's change the mood from glad to sadness
Walking back out to the bike, he kept his arm around you and you were basking in it. It felt amazing and you wanted it there forever. He handed you the helmet and you strapped it on. He sat down on the bike and put his sunglasses on. You grabbed his shoulders as you sat behind him. Wrapping your arms around his waist, you squeezed him tightly.
Mister mojo risin'
Chibs drove back to the clubhouse, going fast. He could tell you liked the speed. He enjoyed hearing your laugh. The high pitch chuckle. The rumble in your chest against his back.
He pulled into the parking lot and parked in his spot. The lot was empty, dark. The garage was closed, all the bikes were gone. No one was there.
As you were getting off, you chuckled, "I need alcohol. You in?"
"Absolutely," he laughed. You walked in behind Chibs. He went behind the bar and asked, "Wha' ye wan'?"
"Hm, surprise me," you giggled, turning to the jukebox.
You smiled at the sight of one of your favorite songs. Hitting it, you listened to the car sound in the opening. You grinned, spinning back to see Chibs. Then, the keyboard and the guitar came in, and then the drums. You started dancing, working your way to the bar.
"Well, I did get into town about an hour ago/took a look around, see which way the wind blow/where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows/are you a lucky little lady in the city of light/or just another lost angel, city of night, city of night, city of night, city of night, woo, come on," you sang, picking up your drink.
You drank all of it down and went back to belting out the lyrics you learned to love. This song resonated with you. You were an LA woman. Chibs made you another drink and you chugged it, screaming the song afterward. He poured the two of you shots of tequila. For an eight-minute song, you drank a lot in a short period.
Chibs watched you dance around the open room. Your Doc Martens were thrown over to the bar. You wanted to feel the floor under your feet. You loved The Doors more than any other band. The music filled your soul and took control of you, making you dance like the lizard king himself. Chibs just watched and smiled.
Mister mojo risin'
The music dropped and slowed down as you went over to Chibs, pulling him over. It was bluesy and jazzy. In your opinion, the best bridge that was ever written. Chibs stood there, not moving. You sped up your movements as the music picked back up. He laughed and started dancing with you.
You were screaming out the lyrics, running, and dancing around. Laughing and spinning, having the time of your life. The song began to end as your feet landed on the ground. You stared up at Chibs, a few feet away from you. You were breathing heavily from dancing around.
Mister mojo risin'
You closed the distance, colliding lips with him. There was so much behind it. Your lips smashing together as your hands ran into his hair and his arms grabbed your waist reeling you in. Grabbing his leather vest, you pushed it off his shoulders and threw it on the floor.
Pushing him back to the dorms, you kept kissing him, feeling his tongue push into your mouth. You moaned at the feeling of his mouth in yours.
Mister mojo risin'
He picked you up, knowing moving this slow wasn't fast enough. You kept kissing him as he carried you back to the dorm you claimed. Kicking the door closed behind him, Chibs set you down, keeping your lips connected.
Grabbing your shirt, he yanked it over your head. You grabbed his belt, undoing it and pulling it out of the loops. He pulled his shirt off and then picked you up, bringing you to the bed.
Got to keep on risin'
He pulled your Daisy Dukes off, throwing them to the floor. You kept kissing him as he pulled your bra off. His hands felt so good on your skin. So rough and strong.
Mister mojo risin'
Pulling your panties down, he moved down your stomach, leaving open mouth kisses over you. Everything felt good. Nothing had even happened and you felt good. Your lips regained contact with his as he tossed your panties onto the floor.
Mister mojo risin'
You rolled him over onto his back as you laid on his stomach. You did the same thing as he did while you pulled his jeans and boxers off. Once you got back up to him, he rolled you back.
As he kissed you again, he thrust into you. You reached up, holding your hand flush against the wall. Your mouth dropped open and your eyes rolled back, feeling the thing you craved most.
Mojo risin', gotta mojo risin'
Tipping your head back in the pillows, you felt his lips latch onto your neck. His hands slid up your sides, taking in all of you. He started moving faster, finding a faster beat.
Mister mojo risin'
You wrapped your arms around him, digging your nails into his back. He grunted and bit your shoulder. You nearly screamed from pleasure, feeling his teeth on you and his dick in you.
Gotta keep on risin'
He started going faster and harder and deeper, exploring inside you. You hit an orgasm hard, exploding all over. He worked through it and kept thrusting with the same brute force.
Risin', risin'
Holding onto him, you rested your forehead on his shoulder. You felt rapacious. Relishing in the feeling, a moan escaped you, filling the room with noise.
Gone risin', risin'
"Fuck, Chibs, don't stop," you moaned, rolling your hips harder against his pelvis. "Please don't stop."
"Wasn't plannin' on it, darlin'," he grumbled against your neck. You dropped your head back into the pillows.
I'm gone risin', risin'
He resumed kissing your lips. You didn't realize how much you missed his lips on yours until you felt them again. "Geezus, darlin', ye feel so good," he moaned.
I gotta risin', risin'
You hit another orgasm. Your legs were shaking as you raised them, wrapping them around his waist. The shift made him plunge deeper into you.
Well, risin', risin'
His movements started getting sloppier, losing the beat he found. You knew he was close as he started getting even faster. The bed was creaking under you and the headboard was slamming into the wall over and over again.
I gotta, woo, yeah, risin'
You came one more time before he did. Mere seconds apart. He exploded inside of you. It felt amazing. More than amazing.
Woah, ooh, yeah
The mixture of fluids spilled out of you as he pulled out. Neither of you could breathe. The only sounds that filled the room then were the two of you panting. He laid down next to you, closing his eyes.
Staring up at the ceiling, you didn't know what to do. Lay close to him or go get cleaned up and changed. You just had the most amazing time of your life with your father's best friend. It felt strange, to say the least.
Chibs, on the other hand, didn't care. He hauled you over to him so you were laying, tangled with each other. Kissing you slowly, he stroked your hair. He kissed the tip of your nose as you still struggled to get air.
"Tha' was amazin', darlin'," he smiled. You nodded, smiling up at him. You rested your head on his sternum, tucking it in between his chin and chest. Closing your eyes, you started to breathe normally. "Ye okay?" he asked, stroking your back.
"I'm more than okay," you giggled. The two of you fell asleep in each other's arms, enjoying the sounds of the other breathing. You never felt more alive and more at peace in that bed.
Well, I just got into town about an hour ago Took a look around, see which way the wind blow Where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows Are you a lucky little lady in the city of light Or just another lost angel, city of night City of night, city of night, city of night
You woke up the next morning to the feeling of Chibs's fingers traveling through your hair. Smiling up at him, you whispered, "Good morning."
"Mornin', love," he whispered back, kissing the tip of your nose. "How'd ye sleep?" he asked.
"Good," you giggled. "How about you?"
"Good," he sighed, kissing your forehead. "Wan' some coffee, darlin'?"
"Mmm, yes, please," you smiled, kissing him.
"Ye go' it," he mumbled into your lips. You watched him as he slid out of bed. His ass looked great.
He dug into the dresser, pulling out clothes. "What're you doing?" you asked, pulling the sheet over your chest.
"Gettin' clothes so I'm no' naked," he laughed.
"Whose clothes are they?" you asked as you sat up.
He chuckled, "Mine," as he turned back to you.
"You set me up in your room, didn't you?" Chibs laughed and nodded. "Dirty dog."
He walked over to you, only wearing a pair of sweatpants. "Aye, and ye never even knew," he smirked, kissing you gently. "I'll go make us some coffee."
"Thank you," you smiled.
After he walked out, closing the door behind him, you stood out of bed. Exploring in his dresser, you grabbed a pair of his boxers and one of his shirts. You put them on and then followed Chibs out to the bar. You pulled your hair into a ponytail.
Leaning on the doorframe, you watched Chibs as he made a pot of coffee. He looked up at you and chuckled, "Nice outfit."
"Well," you laughed. "Since we're sharing a room, I think our luggage got mixed up."
"Seems like it," he smiled. "Looks better on ye than on me." He handed you a mug of coffee and then went out to the bar. He sat down on the stool and you sat beside him.
You sipped your coffee, leaning on his arm. You had two reasons to stay in Charming.
L.A. woman, L.A. woman L.A. woman, you're my woman Little L.A. woman, little L.A. woman L.A. L.A. woman woman L.A. woman, come on
183 notes · View notes
charleslucid · 2 years
Text
A young boy sits next to him, he has fluffy brown hair and dark green eyes, freckles dust his lightly tanned cheeks as he laughs. And Billy’s heart clenches at the thought that this boy has probably never seen anything other than this lab. The number ‘010’ on his wrist says it all, but he continues to smile as he asks Billy waves and waves of questions of the outside world, each one knocks him to the ground as he tries to get back on his feet.
“I’ve also heard that there’s candy too! Can you get candy whenever you want or do you have to do work for it like here? Does it taste good?” His voice has a slight Russian accent running through it, and Billy can’t help but question whether he’ll have one by the end of this. If there is an end of course.
“Yeah I guess, I kept a bag of lollipops in my car for my sis- uh- yeah my sister.” He stutters over his words almost correcting himself but he promised a while back that he wouldn’t do that anymore. It’s been five years, Maxine is definitely his sister.
“That’s so cool! Mr. Eckers says that i might be able to go outside! Maybe I can ride in your car!” Billy wants to cry at how happy this boy is. His smile always manages to bright up hid day whenever he sees him. And as he waves his scarred hands telling him about all the adventures that they’ll go on when they gain clearance to get out Billy can’t he’ll but nod along.
———
“Do you have a name?”
The kid turns to him, “What?”
“Like how some of the staff call me Billy or- or William. Do they call you something else other than Ten?”
He shakes his head, “Nope.” He pauses before jumping towards Billy with a gasp, “Do you want to name me??!”
Billy laughs for the first time in what feels like forever, “Yeah, if you want me too?”
“Yesyesyesyesyes. Oh my gosh! I want a name! Give me one right now! Right now Billy!” Billy watches the scars on the kids hands start to glow an almost unnoticeable dark green. He has no idea what the kids powers are but he knows they are the reasons for the scars that run up and down his arms like rivers. Especially when he’s showing a strong emotional reaction to things.
“Okay okay, calm down,” he waits till the scars stop glowing before continuing, “How about Connor?”
He remembers being friends with a Connor back in California. He was just like this kid, spreading his happiness around everywhere. Sadly he never got to see past the age of fifteen since he put to much of his energy into caring about other people instead paying attention to how he was feeling himself. He remembers attending Connor’s funeral and forcing himself not to cry because his dad was sat right next to him. So maybe that Connor won’t live on but he’ll make sure this one will.
Connor nods, “I love it, I love it, I love it. Oh my gosh I love it!” He jumps up and down going in to hug Billy who has to stop himself from pushing him back.
Maybe there are some good things about this place after all.
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wannabemobwife · 3 years
Text
Guns, Glamour, and Goodfellas - Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting
Dad!Mob!Tom x Mom!Mob!Reader
-Pairings: Tom Holland x Reader, Brother!Parker Holland x Sister!Rosie Holland, Ex!Rosie Holland x Ex!Henry Osterfield
-Warnings: Fighting, Language, Angst (always), Heartbreak, Typos
-Words: 4.3K
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Author note: Who else is the mom of their friend group? By the way, who can hear my California accent in my typing? Lol. Feel free to leave comments or message me directly your feelings while reading the chapter. Always love hearing from you guys. Chapter 9: Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting
Words: 4.3K
Every part of Rosie was recovering, except her broken heart. She had tried to call Henry a few times. It was weird how someone could be such a big part of her life one moment and the next he was a ghost.
Rosie wasn’t the only thing broken in the Holland household. You and Tom were going through a rough patch. Neither of you had spoken to each other for longer than 5 minutes, Tom was still sleeping in the guest room and he refused to come clean. Still letting you believe he cheated on you.
Mornings before school hadn’t been the same. Tom would try to hide the fact he was sleeping in the guest room before the kids came down but it was no use.
“Dad, did you sleep in there?” Parker asked as he saw the unmade bed in the guest room.
“Yeah, no need to worry, your mom and I are fine,” Tom reassured his son. Tom was lying to his son and himself. He didn’t know how to fix this. He had really fucked up.
You had started to become a ghost. Nobody would see you for most of the day. It baffled you that after countless years of marriage, Tom could be so careless. You were aware of his moral code and felt that you never needed about infidelity.
One night Parker and Rosie had devised a plan, almost like a parent trap. They set up a nice candlelight dinner in garden. It was a picture perfect date night only if Tom and you weren’t fighting. Rosie and Parker tasked themselves for both sneaking you out there, knowing if you knew Tom would be there you’d probably throw something at him.
“Surprise!” shouted both Parker and Rosie as you removed you hands from your eyes.
“Oh, how beautiful. Yay, I get to have dinner with my kids,” you exclaimed.
“Actually, we aren’t joining you,” Rosie said as Tom came out of the shadows.
“I am your date tonight and always,” Tom said.
“Kids, this is sweet and all but, I’m just going to go lay down. I suddenly have a headache,” you explained, not ready to face Tom.
“Y/N will you please talk to me,” Tom begged.
“Why don’t you go talk to your fucking mistress, Tom.”
“Who? I never cheated on you,” Tom asserted, confused he thought you were mad about Henry and Rosie.
“Save it Tom. Parker overheard you on the phone meeting her at the Savoy.”
“What? Oh you mean, Jazz?”
“I’m surprised there’s only one.”
“Don’t fucking do that. She was my informant. She’s dead now.”
“What and that’s supposed to make feel better?”
“Y/N, just listen to me.”
“Is this your way of getting back at me? For Rosie and Henry? Not telling you? Cause I can’t believe you’d do such a thing.”
“Y/N, just sit down and have dinner with me. Please,” Tom exclaimed, you could hear the desperation in his voice.
“No. Good night everyone. Tom, hope the couch is comfortable,” you said, walking away.
“Sorry dad, we tried. What happened between you two anyway?” Rosie said, looking at the ground lowly.
“It’s alright. I loved the gesture. So what are we having?” Tom said, as he pulled out the chair and sat down all ready for this wonderful meal.
“Oh, you’re still going to eat without mom?” Parker asked.
“Hell yeah, don’t want all this food to go to waste,” Tom remarked.
“Oh, ok. I was going to go and do homework,” Rosie said.
“You go, Roo. I’ll stay will dad,” Parker announced.
“Parker, I have to make sure you know I never cheated on mom,” Tom said, trying reassure his son.
“Dad, I know what I saw… But if you say you didn’t, I believe you. You are a man of your word. I was sorry to hear about Jazz too.”
“Thank you.”
Tom was stuck. How could he make it up to you, if you wouldn’t as much as look at him? With all the worries concerning Rosie, he had forgotten of a trip he planned for you and him awhile ago. It was the annual trip to Barcelona to facilitate the company’s exportations, you’d always tag along. It was your one romantic vacation with your husband, but this time Tom had tainted it with his betrayal and lies.
This trip was going to be the longest time you and him had been together in a week. Your main focus had been Rosie, then Parker and then yourself and lastly patching things up with Tom. You had both argued in the past but, Tom hasn’t been in the doghouse since you were pregnant with the twins. Even then, it wasn’t the doghouse, he was just giving you space because of how uncomfortable pregnancy was making you.
You didn’t like being apart from him. He was your husband, your better half. This separation was killing you as much it was killing him. Rosie had recuperated but, lately you had been having nightmares of losing your children. It killed you, every time you would see one of them fighting for lives in a hospital or dark alley. You always knew the dangers of the mob so you understood Parker will just learn to be more careful but Rosie’s car accident was merely an accident. Not a ploy orchestrated by a rival mob, it was an accident. How could you protect your kids all the time if there was no one to blame?
Even when Tom would come home battered and bruised, your world would stop turning. He was your world, he was everything. Everything you had was because of him, especially your kids. Anytime when someone threatened to take Tom away from you, you would just break. It is hard to imagine a world without him.
This time is different though, you are begging him to give you space. You understand the insaneness of mind, you want him to explain but you won’t give him the chance to talk to you. Maybe being on the trip together will force you to acknowledge him.
It was a typical morning, you and Tom were supposed to leave in a few hours for Barcelona.
“Kids, grandma and grandpa are going to stay with you while we are away,” you said.
“Your mom and I have some a business to attend to in Barcelona,” interjected Tom.
“Why? What’s in Barcelona?” Rosie questioned, she was aware of your annoyance with Tom, everyone was.
“That’s grown up stuff, sweetie. Maybe a second honeymoon.” Tom said as you rolled your eyes.
“Since when do we need babysitting?” Parker piped up.
“Since you guys have proven that you can’t be left alone, grandma and grandpa are here to babysit you to make sure you don’t throw any parties,” you explained as a look of regret etched itself onto Parker’s face.
“Aren’t you and dad fighting?” Rosie queried.
“At the moment we are just disagreeing on a few things. This is purely business, ok?” You exclaimed, your last statement directed at Tom.
“I love you both so much. Be good for grandma and grandpa,” you grinned, kissing both of their foreheads before you left. And with that your vacation to hell started. Why were you and Tom fighting, is it because no one wants to admit they're wrong? Only god knows. Deep down you hoped this trip would bring you two back together.
Parker drove Rosie to school that morning, she had been going for only two days since the accident. She had yet to run into Henry. Rosie didn’t know how she would act. How could she see the boy who broke her heart everyday?
Rosie met up with her two school friends Jenna and Brooke. They had been friends since 5th grade but, their relationship mostly stopped at school. Once in a while they would hangout outside of school or have a sleepover. Rosie’s real best friend was Henry. He was the one she would share good news with or funny memes. Nobody at school really knew about the accident, a few people noticed she wasn’t there but it wasn’t like when Charlotte died. Rosie wasn’t as popular as Charlotte and she didn’t need to be, high school hierarchies are overrated anyway.
“So where were you for like a week?” Brooke asked.
“Oh, umm… I was… skiing,” Rosie answered, debating if she tell her friends the truth. Knowing only rumors would circulate because of it.
“Oh. Parker was here. I thought it’d be a family trip.” Jenna remarked.
“What’s with your obsession with my brother?” Rosie questioned. She knew of Jenna’s school-girl crush on Parker, it started back in grade school.
“Nothing, he’s just.. insanely hot,” Jenna responded, drifty into a trance. Possibly imaging his dreamy brown eyes.
“Ew, Jen. That’s my brother” Rosie exclaimed, trying not to gag.
“Whatever. So how’s it going with you and Henry?” Jenna persisted.
“We broke up.”
“Oh, Rosie. I’m so sorry,” Brooke and Jenna said at the same time, trying to comfort Rosie.
“It’s ok. It’s not like I loved him or anything we were only dating for like two months” Rosie responded, trying not to cry. RING the bell sounded
“Oh, that’s the bell. I’ll see you guys after class,” Rosie said, waving goodbye. She quickly turned to walk to her algebra class but something or someone stopped her.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I should watch where I’m going,” she said as she picked up her fallen books. Still oblivious to the person standing before her.
“It’s quite alright, Roo,” Henry spoke.
“Henry… I-I gotta go” Rosie mumbled, surprised he was standing in front of her. Oh, what she’d do to get to hold that boy once more. But he’s the one who broke up with her. He left her. Why is she letting a stupid boy bring her to tears?
Because he’s not some stupid boy. He’s Henry. The boy who made sure to always bring her Hershey kisses when her period would come around. The lovable best friend who made her feel loved and wanted.
Rosie needed that almost as much as she needed air to breathe. She was ready to forgive him in that moment if he would take her back. Only if he wanted her back.
“Please, can I talk with you?” Henry asked.
“No, I have nothing to say to you and don’t want to hear what you have to say,” she muttered, walking away and not turning back.
Rosie quickly rounded the corner and slammed her back against the wall. Sliding down to where her knees were in her chest, trying to hide her tear stricken face. Parker was on his way to bathroom when he saw her, sitting on the ground in the deserted hallway.
“Rosie, what’s wrong?” Parker asked, seeing her tears.
“I just saw Henry,” Rosie said with her voice cracking.
“Hey, why don’t we go get some coffee. I’ll let you be basic this one time and order an iced caramel macchiato. Come on my treat.”
“What about school?” Rosie sniffled.
“I guarantee you they won’t miss us. Let’s go home. They’ll understand.”
“Ok, but I’m getting the largest size they have,” Rosie asserted.
“Alright, Roo,” Parker said, chuckling while he helped her up. Parker felt like a bad brother lately. The last nice words he said to her was when she was in her coma and most likely couldn’t hear him. He was taking a play from Tom, when Tom knows he screwed up he showers you with gifts. This was Parker’s version of that, taking Rosie to get some coffee and maybe a cupcake.
Later at home, Dom and Nikki were already there. Parker was kind of annoyed he had to be babysat but in your and Tom’s defense, he did throw a party that last time you were out of town.
“Grandma! Grandpa!” Called out Rosie as she came through the door. Rosie will always be a kid at heart with a fiery passion.
“Oh, there’s my flower and my peanut,” Nikki returned. Those were her pet names for Parker and Rosie. “Peanut” because even though Parker was older he was slightly smaller than Rosie when he was born. And “flower” because of her name.
“What are you guys doing home?” Asked Nikki.
“Oh, umm they let us out early,” Parker remarked quickly, not trying to raise any further questions.
“Did you ditch?” Dom questioned.
“Uh, yeah. Don’t tell mom and dad, please,” Rosie mumbled.
“Alright, only because now I get to spend more time with my kiddos,” Nikki exclaimed.
Nikki and Dom were definitely more prevalent in the twins lives when they were younger. When Tom had just taken over the mob, Nikki and Dom would spend every hour of the day with Rosie and Parker. Always taking them to the park, museums or plays. You think that is where Rosie got her love for theatre from. You also had an influence in that, you’re kind of a sucker for show tunes.
Their role in the twins lives fizzled out over the years. Nikki and Dom who are now both retired, traveled more than anything. But their place in Parker and Rosies’ heart remained the same.
They all decided to order pizza for dinner, something quick and easy. And none of them wanted to be formal so they ate on the couch and watched The Sound of Music. It was Rosie’s turn to pick, so of course it was a musical.
They were all about to turn in for the night when Nikki called for her husband. She didn’t say honey, darling or love or his full name, Dominic. She called out his nickname, Dom.
“Dom, did you lock the door?” Nikki called out.
“Yes, sweetheart. Now, kids make sure you brush your teeth. Good night everyone,” Dom said as he made his way to the guest room.
That was it, a three letter name Nikki had called Dominic. Parker’s mind flooded with thoughts from the night he overheard you and Tom talking in his office. “No, Dom. He arranged the hit,” those words replaying in his head. If it was his grandfather who gave up his location, why was he betraying Tom?
Parker was a bright kid but, not one for connecting the dots. The last couple weeks of his life had been devoted to get back at Tom. He knew working for Wilson would give Tom a heart attack right on the spot. But, it was never Tom who arranged the hit or had his men pull the trigger. It was his grandfather, Dom Holland.
He knew Dom’s full name, Dominic, but never made that connection. How stupid could he be? Never in a million years would he think someone who he looked up to, could inadvertently brought so much destruction to his life. Dom was someone Parker trusted. How could Dom be so devious and betray his own grandson?
Parker didn’t just lose Charlotte that night, he lost his innocence. That was the first time Parker actually thought he was going to die. He felt like he was dying, being beaten up to within an inch of his life. Parker was just realizing the gravity of what he had done in a desperate attempt to make Tom pay. Parker was doing the same thing to Tom, Dom did to him.
Parker was entrusted by his dad, given the skills to kill and yet he had been betraying him. Taking out all his men and Jazz. “Oh, Jazz” Parker thought, he even said sorry to Tom for her death. What could Parker do now? This whole time he believed he was killing for sake of mercy but in truth it was for sport.
Parker had to confront Dom, he needed to know the truth. So that’s exactly what he did, but waited till morning breakfast.
“So, how’s working for your dad going?” Dom inquired with his mouth stuffed with bacon and eggs.
“Fine. Things have been put on hold with Rosie’s accident and all,” Parker replied, his feelings were conflicted. He didn’t know who to believe.
“That’s it? I want details.”
“Have you had your first kill yet? How’d it feel?” Dom pestered on.
“Yeah. I’m only doing this to avenge my girlfriend, Charlotte. She was killed a few months ago,” Parker said, trying to get Dom to fall into his trap.
“Yeah, I heard about that. I bet it was sad. Well, you are here now, that’s all that matters. You’re truly a part of the family,” Dom said, raising his glass of orange juice to toast.
“I know you used to work for the mob, so could you maybe help me find her killer. Well I already found the guy and gave him a few licks, but I want the guy who orchestrated the hit,” Parker exclaimed.
“I don’t know, kid. I’d stop looking if I were you. Seems like this guy covers his tracks.”
“I know it was you. I know you were the one who gave up my location. I’m not going to hit you or anything but, I need to know why,” Parker said, his voice completely changing its tone.
“Think of it as an encouragement. You needed something to get your foot in the door of the mob and she was it.”
“God, this fucking family. It’s so twisted. News flash grandpa, I’m the fucking traitor. I’ve been working for Angus Wilson. I’m the one taking out all of Tom’s men,” Parker screamed.
“What? Why would you do that?” Dom questioned, growing more furious by the minute. How could Tom raise a traitor?
“Because I thought it was Tom who called for the hit on me and Charlotte. Then I find out it’s you,” Parker bellowed.
“Parker, calm down.”
“A little part of me died the night she died. Don’t you get that? I was a normal kid and now I’m a mobster.”
“You were never a normal kid. You were always going to be the next Holland to run the mob.”
“I NEVER WANTED TO BE! I never wanted to be part of the mob. Now once my dad finds out I killed his men and Jazz, I’m dead. And once Wilson finds out I’m quitting I’m dead,” Parker screamed.
“Tom, won’t hurt you. I promise. Can’t say the same about Wilson. But I can help you, Parker. When Tom gets back we will talk to him together ok?” Dom assured only to be returned with a nod from Parker.
Parker had his chance to kill the man who got his girlfriend killed and his grandpa in cold blood, but didn’t take it. Parker didn’t want anymore blood on his hands. Having Dom on his side was Parker’s only possible way out from Tom’s thumb. Dom could’ve killed Parker right then and there too. But both of them had fucked up. Both their actions had already cost too many lives. So they joined forces, hoping Tom wouldn’t react the same when he got back.
It was the weekend and Rosie was looking forward to just relaxing all day and doing nothing. Maybe a puzzle with Nikki or watching another movie. Seeing Henry at school really set her back in her getting over him process. The first few days she wallowed. Not at home but in a hospital bed. She cried and cried until she couldn’t cry anymore and you were there to comfort her.
Once she came home from the hospital she wallowed some more. Watching romantic comedies with you in your room as you both ate tubs of ice cream. You wouldn’t let yourself show it but you were heartbroken about Tom’s supposed infidelity.
Next, Rosie cleaned out anything that reminded her of Henry. The outfit she wore on their first date was trashed. Along with a teddy bear he had given her when she sprained her ankle in the 3rd grade. Also the silver H and R necklace that he had given her. She couldn’t bring herself to throw it away, so she gave it to Parker. She said “I don’t care what you do with it. I just don’t want it anymore.” Parker took the necklace, totally planning to give it back to her once things blew over.
Now Rosie was finally accepting her breakup. The process of getting over a relationship is similar to the 5 stages of grief. She barely bargained, if he didn’t want to be with her she wasn’t going to beg him to take her back. Rosie knew her worth. Denial didn’t really affect her either, she was mostly confused that he broke up with her straight out of her coma.
That left her with anger. God, she was so angry. What kind of jackass breaks up with someone once they’ve been in a coma? Seriously, like what the fuck? Also depression which never really goes away. She will always be sad, that he pulled the plug on their relationship. Lastly, acceptance. Rosie had accepted it but, will never understood what happened.
All the Henry sightings, started to put her back at square one. I didn’t help when Henry came to the house.
“Henry, what the fuck are you doing here?” Parker asked as opened the door to his somewhat estranged best friend.
“I heard your parents are out of town. Can I talk to Rosie?” Henry pleaded.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you. But, she did give me this, to give to you.” Parker said holding out the one thing that symbolized their love for one another, her necklace. Henry, just took the necklace and walked away. He felt so awful inside.
“Who was that?” Rosie asked, standing behind him.
“No one,” Parker responded.
“It was Henry, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, I told him you didn’t want to see him”
“Thanks,” Rosie mumbled, in truth she wanted to see him and talk to him but it was too hard.
“Of course, Roo,” Parker replied.
“Oh, not you too. I hate that nickname,” Rosie remarked.
“Why it reminds me of a baby kangaroo,” Parker joked.
“Exactly. That’s the reason why. It’s for a baby and sounds like kangaroo,” Rosie explained.
“Whatever. Mom and I like it so, too bad.” Parker said.
“Hey, I need to talk to you.” Rosie interjected.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Parker responded.
“Why are you sneaking out? I can hear you from outside my window.”
“Oh, I just… I go to the library,” he said, hesitantly.
“At 10:30 at night?” Rosie was skeptical of his remark.
“Yeah, I have a study group that only… meets at night.”
“Parker, I have seriously never seen you study. I can’t believe you won’t tell me where you are going every week. Do you remember what keeping secrets has done to this family? Mom and dad might get divorced!” Rosie exclaimed.
“Roo, you know that won’t happen. If I tell you, you have to promise to keep it a secret,” Parker only trying to comfort Rosie. He was scared to that you and Tom won’t work it out, you’d never fought in the past.
“Ok… Is it some girl?”
“No, I did something really stupid Roo. It was all part of my plan to get back at dad.”
“Why? What did dad do?” Rosie questioned, very concerned.
“Nothing. I’m the idiot here. I got myself hired by dad’s rival mob and I’ve been the traitor dad is looking for,” Parker said, scared of what this mistake will cost.
“Oh my god, Parker. What the fuck are you going to do?”
“I don’t know but Dom said he’d help me… I mean grandpa.”
“Okay… You know if you need anything, I’m always here.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks for not telling anyone,” Parker thanked.
“Of course, you’re my twin brother. Almost an exact copy of my DNA, if I can’t have your back then what’s the point,” Rosie said, awarding a chuckle from Parker.
Parker’s days of living a double life were fleeting. You and Tom were set to return today. After a hopefully decent holiday. Parker was just glad Dom would be there to hold Tom back. Parker knows how enraged Tom can get.
T-minus 3 hours til he had to face Tom. Only 2 more class periods standing between him and involuntary rage. Parker and Rosie were in their English class when the loud speaker sounded.
“Will Parker and Rosie Holland please report to the principal’s office. I repeat, Parker and Rosie Holland please report to the principal’s office.”
They swiftly made their way out of their classroom. Dumbfounded to why they were called in the first place. Neither Parker nor Rosie had done anything bad in quite sometime.
“Uncle Harry? Uncle Sam? What are you two doing here?” Rosie questioned. Opening the door to the principal talking to their uncles, Harry and Sam Holland.
“Wait… you haven’t seen the news?” asked Harry.
“No. Why? What’s going on?” Parker speculated. The office admin had turned their small TV to channel 4 for the latest update.
“BREAKING NEWS. A Holland Exportation and Luxuries helicopter has just gone missing. The private helicopter departed from Barcelona this morning. I’m getting word that both Tom Holland, CEO of Holland Exportation and Luxuries, and his wife, Y/N Holland, were on the helicopter. There is no sign of the helicopter, we will continue to update you as this story unfolds,” announced the news anchor.
The room turned dead silent. Tears managed to escape from Rosie’s eyes and Parker pulled her into his arms. Trying to comfort her the best he can, even when he was a mess. The two people that were constant in their lives, their parents, were missing. Nothing was more important, except finding you and Tom.
Guns, Glamour, Goodfellas Masterlist
Taglist: @thenoddingbunny-blog @adriannauni @dummiesshort @bi-lmg @allthisfortommy
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taleofharrison · 3 years
Text
Part 1
Pairing: Calum Hood x Holland!Singer!Reader and Tom Holland x Sister!Reader
Word Count: 645 (Blurb 1/5)
A/N: I’m so nervous about posting this I’ve had the document in my computer for so long and after posting The One which I’ll link here I thought that maybe it was enough with that and I wouldn’t be writing more Tom Holland x 5SOS universe because I’m insecure and thought that maybe this wasn’t good enough but I said fuck it let’s give it a go. This is completely different fro The One and are not related at all.
MASTERLIST HERE | AU MASTERLIST HERE
Tom Holland’s sister.
A title that haunted you for at least two years of your career since you had your big break as a singer almost at the same time he got the role as spiderman though it was frustrating for both of you it never got in the way with the relationship you had with your brother and it pushed to work even harder to be known as Y/N Holland to the world not as Tom Holland’s sister. And you were more than proud to say that you left that title behind by the time you released the third album.
“Your fourth album Strangers is now available on every streaming platform and physical format” Jimmy said once you sat next to him “why did you choose that title?”
“Well, most of the songwriting was done in England whilst staying with my family during my hiatus” you explained “it was the first time my four brothers and I were together in a while and especially since I practically moved to California, I just felt like a stranger coming back home finally and strangers is also my favorite song on the album, so it made sense”
“What did you mom think about moving to California?”
“Oh! she hated it” you said, and the audience laugh “she wanted me to live with Tom and their friends she said that I could still make music back there, but I think I made the right decision with this”
“One last question before we move to your performance tonight who would you like to collaborate?”
“5 Seconds of Summer” you quickly answered “I’m obsessed with their music and they are great musicians and I think we can come up with something really good”
Atlanta’s airport busy and full of people Tom said he would pick you up at the airport. Once you found Tom in the sea of people you ran to hug him.
“Y/N!” Tom exclaimed hugging you “I’ve missed you”
“I missed you too”
“How long are you going to stay?” he asked picking up your suitcase.
“I managed to get a month off doing promo” you told him “Is Harry here?”
“He’s waiting for us outside” Tom said “I missed you so much. It’s hard not having you at home”
“Tom it’s been two years since I moved to California”
“I know but still” he shrugged “we’ve been through everything together”
You smiled at him you’d be lying if you said that leaving London had been easy, but you didn’t have regrets.
When you got to his rental house, he showed you your room and then you had a small siblings night playing videogames and board games and a couple of beers though it felt like home.
“Sorry guys” you said when you phone rang “I have to take this”
“Y/N I need you back here” Laura your agent spoke on the other line.
“But I just got to Atlanta!” you protested “you told me I had a month off from promoting the album”
“Your dream collaboration is about to come true” she replied.
“What?” your brothers looked at each other confusion in their eyes.
“5 seconds of summer saw your interview and their team called yours they are interested in doing a song with you I’m going to book you a flight to Los Angeles tomorrow morning” with that she hung up.
“Is everything alright?” Harry was the first to ask.
“Yeah I-I gotta go. Tomorrow actually” you said in a shock state “5sos wants to collab with me”
“Seriously?” Tom asked you just nodded happy tears in your eyes “I’m so fucking proud”
Tom and Harry pulled you into a hug before becoming famous 5SOS was one of the bands that kept you going it was one of your favorite bands and your family knew it. You finally were achieving one of your goals.
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Text
A Creep? (Sapnap)
MASTERLIST 
pairing : sapnap x reader 
summary : in the world of flashing cameras and big stages, love lives don’t exist, and there’s no such thing as personal space. 
a/n : a sapnap story for y’all, muah. also, thank you so so much for 175 followers, holy crap.
-
your backstory is quite simple. a texan girl who had a dream of singing, but was limited since the main genre of your state was country. 
you appreciated the genre, but you have never been interested in making country music, the song choices never fit your voice. you didn’t even think you had a texan accent, at least that was what people told you. 
your parents have always been super supportive of what you do, constantly posting your covers on youtube, hoping that people out there enjoy to listen to you as much as they did. 
your dad had been the one to encourage you to do busking. he says it’ll be a great opportunity for you to learn what it’s like to sing in front of people, and a chance for you to get rid of your stage fright. 
so you did that. you started busking when you were about fourteen and stopped when you turned sixteen.
no, you didn’t stop because you were quitting, or that you were tired of it. instead, you were really lucky, and got recognised pretty early on your busking days. 
your dad decided that it was best to move to the US, where it’s closer to the record company that you were tied to. hence, that was what you all did. 
well, that was what you and your dad did. your mum decided to stay in houston to take care of your younger sibling. she felt that it was best they all stayed. 
that didn’t mean you guys were distancing from each other. instead, it felt like you were closer, calling everyday, making sure she knew what you and your dad were up to, and making sure that they were okay back in texas. 
you would consider yourself extremely lucky, for getting to experience what it’s like to be in the industry from young, for being able to produce music really quickly, for being able to attract people so quickly, those who liked your music. 
in your prime age of eighteen, you decided it was best to move back and forth from texas and california, from where you live. since things are going smoothly and you weren’t really needed in the US all the time, you thought it was best to move to texas again for the time being. 
you could say your music career was going pretty well. you found a loyal fanbase who enjoyed listening to your music as much as you enjoyed producing them. you were glad to have listened to your dad from such an early age. 
you were happy doing what you’re doing. but you were losing things to write about. 
being young, you didn’t have experiences in anything. sure, you excelled in school well and continued to attend online courses but you never really had friends, you never had a love life. 
a lot of people would say you’re too young, that it shouldn’t irk you this much, not being in a relationship but you thought the opposite. 
granted, you are happy with the close relationship you and your family have but you wanted to know what it would be like to be loved by someone else, to feel what it’s like to be held. 
you craved it. you’ve heard all about it, the pain, or the happiness it comes with. but you wanted to experience it for yourself.
so your dad and you move back to houston to your old house, not letting go of the house in california since you knew you’d come back once in a while. 
something that you hated telling people was what you did for a living. most traditional families would think that music can never bring food to the table, but times have change and music have changed a lot of people’s lives. 
another thing you hated explaining was why people took photos of you everywhere. with certain popularity, in comes curiousity. people want to know what you’re up to. 
and as weird as that sounds, you needed to get used to it. even though it was obvious that paparazzi’s jobs are basically an invasion of privacy. 
although you thought you could never be important enough for someone to document every step you take, paparazzi’s thought differently. but you understood it to a certain extent. it was their job, after all. 
as much as your job is important, so is theirs. 
sometimes it does get annoying though. you could be just in a grocery store, shopping for ingredients alone and there would be a swarm of paparazzi’s waiting outside to catch you and ask some questions. 
and everyday, a different question arrives. 
you never held back in telling them what they wanted answers to, you never had to hide anything. so what was the point of hiding. they never asked anything of importance, anyway. 
although the number of paparazzi’s lessened as you moved back to houston, the numbers weren’t small enough for you not to get overwhelmed. 
it really shocked you the extent they would go to write something vaguely interesting in an article. you didn’t even know how they knew you were moving back, but you never questioned it. 
as long as they don’t invade your privacy at home, all is good. 
about a couple months ago, you decide that your house was getting too boring and cramped with the cries of your little sister to really write anything good for your new album, so you found yourself sitting in a starbucks about less than an hour away from your house. 
you thought it was best to find somewhere further away from where you lived just in case someone spots you. you hoped for the opposite, though. 
you found yourself sitting in a secluded spot at the side, next to a window, facing the parking spots. you knew you’d stay for a while, so you tried to find a spot where people wouldn’t really see you. 
of course, with the way starbucks is set up, everyone can see everyone and but you can’t complain. the place had good drinks and pastry, and had pretty good wifi in case you needed to use your laptop at some point. 
you texted your manager from time to time, earphones in both your ears, listening to the newest sza single. this was the best time to finally catch up on some new music you missed out on. 
often times than not, you’d be typing away in your computer, stopping to grab your iced drink in your right hand to sip it, putting it down after a couple seconds. 
but you hated not knowing your surroundings, it has been what your mum taught you since young, to never be vulnerable, especially in public. with that lesson etched in your brain, you’d look up and around the cafe to see the changed of people once in a while. 
about an hour or two after you seated, you noticed a man walking in, wearing a simple, t-shirt and jeans outfit, carrying a backpack seating on the spot opposite you, but more on your left. 
he sat facing you so you quickly knew what he looked like the moment he sat down. 
for some reason, he caught you eye. 
he was fairly tall, taller than you at least, but wasn’t above six foot, not that it mattered. his hair was long, noticeably not been cut for a while, and had a short stubble, which suited his face so well. 
upon others, he seemed like the normal looking texan, white male. but to you, he was attractive. everything with him seemed to fit so well. he looked about your age, though you’re terrible at telling ages. 
you looked older than eighteen sometimes, yourself. you blamed it on the identity crisis you once had in california when you turned seventeen. 
you watched him silently as he stood up to the counter to order something. you snapped out of your thoughts, thinking if you got caught, he’d surely call you a creep. 
it had been pretty quiet actually. a couple came up to you when you walked in, asking for a photo but that was it. 
it seemed like it was going to be a relaxed writing day for you. 
your eyes glanced once more to the texan male as he settled down, typing away on his laptop. perhaps he’s writing an essay for school. maybe he’s still in college. 
but who were you judging, you, who was seated typing away probably looked like a college student, too. well, you are, just that you didn’t attend physical school. not that you were doing school work at that point, anyways. 
that day had been reserved for writing. and it seemed like you’d be coming to this starbucks more often.
no, it’s not to check on that man, obviously. 
even i can sense the sarcasm in my own tone. what the hell is wrong with me? i see one attractive male around me and i don’t know how to act? that’s so unlike me. 
you sat at the same spot for another three hours, eventually getting another drink when your first one ran out. you felt relaxed, thinking about your life, about what you wanted your new song to sound like. 
you and your producer texted back and forth, sending each other files of different guitar and piano notes you both liked to be into your song. 
you were so focused that you hadn’t looked up for a while. so you did that, you glanced up to check your surroundings, to see what had changed from the past couple hours.
looks like that guy is still there. it’s been so long. must’ve been a long essay. 
your eyes looked back on your laptop, clicking on a short snippet of a music file to listen to on your earphones that haven’t left your ears for about four hours. 
you listened to the file, eyes glued to your notepad in your laptop, trying to decipher if the beat went along with your lyrics. you picked up your cold drink with your right hand, putting it up to your lips as your eyes never moved from your laptop. 
while you gulped a couple sips, you decide to look out the window.
your heart skipped a couple beats as you surprised yourself, seeing a row of people with cameras flashing and recording you in your seat. 
damn, has it been that long since i looked up from my laptop? 
you slowly put down your iced drink, pulling your long sleeved sweater to cover your hands, covering your face for a couple seconds to calm yourself down before you looked up again. 
you were pretty acquaintanced with some of them outside, so they offered you a big smile, some of them laughing at the shock on your face when you spotted them. 
you were embarrassed, to say the least. people here weren’t used to you and didn’t know who you were, aside from the few who asked for your autograph from earlier. you didn’t want to make them uncomfortable. 
with your covered hands, you waved at them but told them to go home, mouthing the words to them, hoping they caught on with what you were trying to tell them. 
you made a ‘shoo’ motion with your hands, signaling them to leave, that you didn’t want the company today.
since they all couldn’t hear you anyways, they soon left one by one, thinking they got enough footage of you for the day, to save their films for another day. 
you knew that you couldn’t go to that starbucks as often as you wanted anymore, you didn’t want the same paparazzi’s to swarm the whole cafe.
so you didn’t end up coming back to the same starbucks location for a while. specifically, for about three weeks. 
for the time being, you went to several small cafe’s, where no one knew you, aside from strangers who called themselves your supporters who spotted you drinking your coffee. 
you were sad when you had to leave the starbucks that day. you knew that if he were to indeed come the next day, the same time, you wouldn’t be able to see him for a long time. 
you weren’t even sure if you’ll see him again after that. houston is huge, after all. 
when you walked into the same starbucks from three weeks ago, the barista greeted you, practically shouting your name out, telling you how much he misses you, since you came only once before this. 
you went to him first, ordered a drink and spoke to him for a couple minutes before telling him that you needed to start writing things before you lose your motivation. 
you sat in a different seat this time, a little scared of sitting next to the window. 
you found yourself sitting in a further in spot, furthest away from the door and windows, unlike last time. hopefully this time, no one can spot you from outside. 
but you were sure that the paparazzi’s were tired of waiting on your never arrival there that they’ve probably given up. 
there was a reason you came again, though. and you’re sure you made it obvious. you just wanted to see him again. 
-
SAPNAP POV 
there was not a day i don’t stop by that starbucks. but that was the first time i had ever seen you in there. you seemed to like your own space, away from people. 
it sure did look like you were so focused in getting your essay done. you barely looked up from your laptop.
i just couldn’t look away from where you seated. you just looked so beautiful, but so mysterious. being since i’ve never seen you before. but for some reason, i felt like i’ve seen you somewhere. i just didn’t know where. 
but it shocked me even more when i saw the sea of people waiting outside, pointing huge cameras on you. 
when i first spotted a couple people standing outside, i assumed that some celebrity was going to walk in soon, or that they were already sitting, just in some sort of disguise, or that i didn’t know who they were. 
i didn’t really care, and continued typing in my laptop, wanting to quickly finish work before i could relax and finish drinking my cup of coffee sitting right in front of me. 
but then i started noticing that they kept on getting closer to the window that you were seated next to. so i stopped what i was doing, and curiously looked, as some of the customers in there stared as well. 
i did see someone coming up to you, talking, but i assumed that you knew them. maybe they were your family and they came to say hi before needing to urgently go. 
but i can see that i was wrong. 
every single camera was pointed your way. there was like ten people standing outside of the cafe, some cameras flashing, others recording you. 
you hadn’t noticed yet at that point, still very much focused in whatever you were doing on your laptop. 
you finally picked up your drink, eyes finally leaving your work to look around you. you almost choked on your drink, seeing the cameras. 
you put your drink down, pulling your sleeves to cover your hands and covered your face with them, clearly caught off guard and embarrassed. 
you smiled at them, waving a little before politely telling them to leave, that you had to finish doing something, as you pointed to your laptop to them. 
you seemed to know them. you didn’t really look uncomfortable, but more of cautious of what people in the cafe would think of the commotion. 
soon, they left anyways, seeing as there was nothing they could really document from you sitting inside, and they couldn’t really ask any questions. 
about an hour later, you left, the barista greeting you, saying that he hoped to see you again soon.
now i’m more intrigued. who could you be? 
how did so many people know you? 
soon after her, i got into my car and drove home, exhausted from doing school work all day. the coffee helped for a couple hours and now clearly wearing off. 
george and dream texted me, telling me to join their discord call, saying that george was streaming and they wanted to talk about some weird shit. 
well, there goes my extra sleep for the day. 
soon, he ended his stream and the three of us were left talking about how our days went. 
“dude, mine was so confusing.” i stated last, after hearing what dream had to say about patches shitting everywhere on his carpet due to diarrhoea. 
“what do you mean?” dream asked me. 
“there was this girl, she came in before me into the same starbucks i go really often, right?” i stopped to make sure they were listening. they hummed to let me know they were.
“ten paparazzi’s swarmed the starbucks. they just pointed their cameras at her while she sat on a table at the side.” i said. 
“she was so shocked to see them at first, but she quickly told them to leave. she looked not comfortable with the stares after that she had to leave like an hour later. i don’t even know if she finished her work.” i finished. 
“wait really? what did she look like?” george asked. 
“my age, hair pretty long. she looked shorter than me and she was wearing flared jeans with a graphic tee.” i described her the best that i could.
“wait. you said starbucks in houston, right?” dream cut in. 
“yeah, why?” i asked, hoping for some answers. 
“i just saw the photos. i know her. she’s a singer, moved back to texas from california recently.” dream told me. 
“she’s like extremely known dude, how did you not know?” george said after dream told me who she was.
“i don’t know artists besides 21 savage, i’m sorry.” they laughed.
dream sent in her instagram in discord for me to see. 
i searched her name on instagram and scrolled through her photos and highlights, switching to youtube to listen to her music after that. 
i quickly clicked follow, wanting to be updated whenever she posted. i didn’t care if we met in real life anymore, i’m just intrigued at this point.
but it’s not like she’ll see my username following her. she has people following her everyday, she must not check it, right?
you had over a hunder million followers on instagram. i’m just shocked i hadn’t heard of her. maybe that’s where she was familiar.
i came back to the same place the following da, the week after. i came everyday and couldn’t find you anywhere. 
well, not that i could blame you, you were swarmed the first time you came, anyways. 
i saw the paparazzi’s waiting every single day, hoping to get a glimpse of you to ask questions but soon gave up and ended up not returning after a week seeing as you stopped coming. 
but you didn’t stop coming. you ended up coming three weeks after your first time. 
the barista practically jumped on the spot and screamed your name, i was sure everyone in the cafe knew you came in after that. 
you didn’t check the entirety of your surroundings so i was sure didn’t know who was seating where. i wasn’t even sure if you knew me, or remembered me from last time. did you even notice me?
this time, instead of sitting next to the window, she sat on the table to my right, we were both facing the direction of the barista. you sat where you could rest on the wall like i did, so we were basically in the same position, just next to each other. 
you settled into your seat, putting your drink down, turning on your laptop and got ready a little notebook that you had from inside your bag. 
while you sipped on your drink, you looked around to finally see what was around you. my eyes and yours locked at the same time, being i didn’t look away from my stare from when you came in. 
you smiled at me, acknowledging me. i gave her a smile back before turning back to my laptop to make myself busy. 
you had your hair different today. last time, it was down, and showed your natural looking hair but this time you had it pulled up into a ponytail. i guess you meant business today. 
i don’t know if that means you didn’t want people talking to you, or. 
oh, you put on your earphones. i guess you didn’t want to be disturbed, then. 
i kept staring at every part of you. okay, that sounded wrong and makes me sound like a pervert. 
you looked perfect. every single ring you wore on your fingers fit perfectly. your hair pulled back gave me the chance to see your side profile. your outfit casual, straight jeans with a sweatshirt on. 
god, you are beautiful. 
-
you felt his stares. he stared for a good couple minutes before he went back to his laptop to finish whatever he came here for. 
so he did remember me from last time. or he just noticed me today. or did he know who i was? 
“god i hope he’s not one of those creeps.” you thought. finally i find a guy attractive and he’s a creep? i hope not.
at some point in the couple of hours you’ve seated there, you had to take out your earphones to focus even more on writing something, instead of getting distracted with listening to something. 
you really wanted to come out with a new album in a couple months, and to do that, you needed to write something. urgently. 
you sipped your drink from time to time. you even had to facetime your producer for a while to ask on his take for the path you’re going with your new songs. 
he was really supportive and heard what you wanted and didn’t dump all his opinion and tried to call it a day. that was what you liked about him. he seemed to always take your thoughts into consideration.
playing with the rings on your finger, you looked up to look around to think of a word that seems to be at the back of your head, just you couldn’t seem to put your finger on it. 
there was no paparazzi’s today, thankfully. you were able to just keep your thoughts at bay and not have to be worried about the swarm of people waiting for you to answer their questions. 
you glanced at the man seated next to you just for him to notice your stare and look up from his work and matched your gaze. 
you hadn’t expected him to notice so you gave him a small, shy smile. to which he gave you back one. 
“do you mind if i, uh. sit with you?” he asked, pointing at the seat next to you. 
your heart jumped. holy crap this was happening. 
“i don’t mind, here.” you moved to your left to give him space to slide in next to you. he took that seat, moving his stuff from his table to yours, now laptops next to each other, your elbows touching. 
-
you two laughed at a dumb joke he said. 
to you, his name was nick but had apparently been sapnap to his online friends and fans. 
you were amazed at what he did as a hobby. sure, your job was a close second, but not close enough. you found it fascinating and promised him that you would check his channel out someday. 
that, to which he told you that he was embarrassed now and regretted telling you about what he does in his spare time. but you told him that he had nothing to worry about and that nothing could creep you out. 
you two spent a while talking to each other, even getting each other’s numbers at some point and promised to come here more often to meet other and do work together more often. 
“i actually had noticed you from the first time you came. it’s hard not to when there was a sea of people outside for you a couple hours later.” he told you. you covered your face with your hands, embarrassed that his first impression of you was that crazy. 
“i noticed you from the moment you walked in a few weeks ago too, i was a little sad when i had to leave.” you told him. 
“but please, no more speaking about the swarm of men waiting outside to talk to me. i am still as embarrassed to this day.” you started another sentence. 
“it was shocking, but i think i needed the experience, you know?” he laughed. 
you two sat there, next to each other until the sun sets, till the there was no sign of the sun at all, till the moon was high in the sky. 
you two didn’t realise how long you’ve sat there until his parents called him, asking where he was. and when your dad texted you. 
you two promised each other to come again the next day to meet and do work. actually do work this time, not just talk. although you both knew that you two would end up talking instead. 
with the promise to text you when he reaches home, he left the place and got in his car to drive home. 
that was nice. well, now you had something to write. 
with a smile etched on your face, you stayed in the cafe for about another two hours writing about the happiness you felt in your heart until you decide to leave. 
oh and yeah, he definitely texted you when he reached home. and fulfilled his promise to meet you again the next day, and the next, and more after that. 
you never ran out of ideas of things to write after that. it seemed that you had finally found someone who you could share new experiences with. 
and even after years of dating, he still teases you about writing multiple songs about him even before you started dating. 
god, he’s adorable. 
well, you could say that he wasn’t a creep after all.
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tcm · 3 years
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My Time with Doris Day: An Interview with Mary Anne Barothy By Constance Cherise
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In 2012, Robert Osborne interviewed a spry 90-year-old, Doris Day. He, of course, asked all the correct questions a true Day fan would be curious about: when she realized she could sing, how her career in film began and did she consider her serendipitous life to be destiny. A vibrant and gracious Day revealed that she wasn’t nervous when it came to performing, and if you have seen her first film ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS (‘48), her organic ease fits like the exact correct puzzle piece. 
Although she passed almost two years ago, fans the world over still celebrate her iconic status. One of those fans is a public speaker on all things Doris, author of Day at a Time: An Indiana Girl's Sentimental Journey to Doris Day's Hollywood and Beyond, Mary Anne Barothy. Her fortune ironically played out like a classic Hollywood script, much like the beginnings of Day’s career. A devotee of Day since childhood, threads of fate connected and Barothy would find herself rubbing shoulders with Hollywood's elite, astonishingly becoming Day’s live-in secretary, maintaining an active friendship from 1967-1974. 
What was a typical day with Doris like?
Mary Anne Barothy: I lived with Doris in her Beverly Hills home after her TV show [The Doris Day Show] filming ended - December 1972 and ran through June of 1973 on CBS. Her bedroom was just opposite mine in the back. Mine was the front bedroom. She slept with seven of her dogs, and I slept with the other four – Bobo, Charlie, Rudy and Schatzie. She would get up and come into the kitchen where I often fixed her breakfast. Doris loved her dogs and spent time playing with them both indoors and out. Many days she would get ready and bike down to Nate 'N Al's Deli for a late breakfast and many times would meet someone, or we would go together for breakfast. Doris loved her fans, and she was very good about answering her fan mail. 
As you know, her passion was animal welfare and she kept up with Actors & Others for Animals and frequently attended board meetings. I went with her and was also a proud member of Actors & Others for Animals. In the summer she would swim in her pool on occasion. She would call friends and once in a while meet someone for lunch or dinner. After dinner, sometimes we would sit in one section of her living room and watch the news. Doris was very down to earth; as I said, she was like a big sister to me. To me, this was an incredible dream come true! It is still hard to believe that I had this awesome opportunity to spend precious time with my idol, Doris Day!
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The designer Irene dressed her in high fashion. Did she have a favorite costume/gown?
MB: She never spoke about that, but she looked good in a bathrobe. She just had a way of radiating, looking beautiful no matter what she had on. She always said CALAMITY JANE [‘53] was her favorite movie because she was kind of a tomboy. She never came across that way except for in movies, but she liked to be comfortable. She would ride her bike with shorts on and look very casual and comfortable. I always told her she could put on a paper bag and look good! 
Now that she's passed, what would she want the world to know about her if anything?
MB: She was a down to earth person and I think some people think celebrity is high and mighty because they are in the movies, and I'd say a religious person without talking about church all the time. She had a passion for animal welfare and that was very important to her and she'd been that way apparently since she was a young person. She just enjoyed life and her friends. She wasn't one for “I've got to be seen here and I've got to do this.” Her work was her work, she'd go to the studio to do what she had to do and that was it. 
Your book recounts so many extraordinary memories including that of a conversation with Elvis. If you had to choose one pinch-me moment, what would it be?
MB: When Doris called me and asked me to come work with her. The Christmas she invited me to stay. The fact that she trusted me was so special.
What was it like waking up in your idol’s home walking outside of your room and thinking I live here now?
MB: It was surreal because I wasn't just staying a night or two, I’m staying here to the fact that I changed my address over. It was all like a movie. Here I am, actually living with her! It was meant to be. She was like a big sister. She made me feel welcome.
Do you have any memorabilia? 
MB: I have some clothes she gave me. My favorite one is the hat she wore when she met me. She gave it to me and then another hat from a movie, a skirt, and top from THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT [1966]. She gave me a ring and an autographed Christian Science book, and that is special. I’ve got many letters and cards she gave me over the years. (Barothy reads a card) “Thanks for doing your own Christmas shopping. I love you Mairzy Doats, you’re the best there is! Always, your friend Clara.” And on the other side, it says, “Merry Christmas from the kids too!” – the dogs. “Mairzy Doats,” she’d sing that once in a while. I’ve saved a lot of these things. Of course, when I do my talks, I use copies. 
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What was Beverly Hills like then? 
MB: To me, Beverly Hills, when I lived with Doris Day in her home, was a much more  relaxed city, almost small townish. Doris could ride her bike from her home four blocks down to either Bailey's Bakery or the classic Beverly Hills deli, Nate N 'Al's on Beverly Drive. No paparazzi – that would never happen today. I would see Barbara Stanwyck and Fred Astaire at the Beverly Hills Post Office, saw Rosalind Russell at Ralph's grocery, and would see Loretta Young at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. People appeared to live pretty normal lives. Beverly Hills was a welcoming community and a fun place to be, especially since I was living with Doris in her home.
What would Doris think of the world today?
MB: I think Doris would be concerned about the direction we seem to be going in. Doris was a very religious person without going to church. I learned a lot from her. With people being out of work these days, I think Doris would be very concerned about the welfare of dogs and cats and all animals. As you know, she was a strong animal advocate and was one of the founders of Actors & Others for Animals. When she moved to Carmel, California, she started her own foundation, The Doris Day Animal Foundation, and animal welfare was her number one priority.
Looking back, does it seem like this all really happened to you?
MB: Yeah, it kinda seems surreal, and friends that are big Doris fans, just say, how did that happen? I just followed my dream and that is why when I give talks, I tell people to follow your dream, don't say oh I could have or I should have; if you really believe in something go for it. All I can say it was meant to be. I drove my parents crazy and drove my teachers crazy, but I got what I wanted. I never would have dreamed that all of this would happen. I mean talk about a dream come true...unreal! “It really happened, I'm not making it up, I’ve got pictures to prove it!”
What are your plans for the future?
MB: I look forward to getting back on the road again to share my “Dream Story With Doris Day” presentations. Due to the pandemic last year, I was not able to do them as people were in lock down. Now, things are opening up and I am doing Zoom but really prefer the in-person talks where I share many photos I've taken of Doris over the years, as well as scripts and other Doris Day memorabilia. It's a fun “sentimental journey.” People can contact me through my website. 
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heavcnslyre · 3 years
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ricky bowen x reader series! part ten
— starstruck au!
series masterlist, part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten
second series
IN WHICH you go to your school dance back in new york but somehow you’re still not rid of the one and only, ricky bowen.
WARNINGS super cheesy
NOTES the whole song he sings is typed out and i apologize for that i usually hate when people do that but i guess it pertains to the story HAHA. more notes at the end of the chapter!
( tags: @hesvoid34 )
text dividers from @writeyourmindaway !!
lowercase intended.
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“are you sure you want to wear that to the dance?” camilla asked you as you looked at yourself in the bathroom mirror. you sighed. if you were honest, you hated this dress. it was frilly and a weird tan color, but your mom gave it to you to wear when you refused to go shopping. it used to be hers, and you could tell it was old.
“i don’t have anything else.”
she paused, considering. “you can borrow one of mine.”
“really?” you asked, turning to face her. “you never let me borrow your clothes unless you get something in return.”
“hm. i don’t know,” she said. “i just want to make sure you have a good time.”
you looked at her with a soft expression on your face. “thank you. where’s the dress?”
she disappeared into her room for a second and came back out, holding a (y/f/c) dress. it went mid-thigh and was a loose, flowy style. you smiled.
“it’s beautiful.”
“it’s one of my favorites,” camilla handed you the dress. “be careful with it.”
“i will,” you paused. “thank you, cam.”
she hummed and looked at it for a minute. “(y/n), is it true? did you really meet ricky in california?”
you sighed and set the dress on the counter, turning to face your sister. “yeah. yeah, we hung out a few times. he... kissed me.”
“you’re kidding!” she said. “then why did he say you never met?”
“he was worried about his career, i guess. was scared that being seen with me would make him lose a job in a tv show. so he broke things off.”
camilla looked at you, anger in her eyes. “that asshole!”
you laughed weakly. “yeah, thank you. you can still like his music and stuff i’m not... that bothered.”
“no. even if you aren’t bothered, i am. that’s awful. i’m really sorry,” she paused. “put the dress on then come to my room. i’ll do your hair.”
“okay.”
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after about an hour, you were ready for the dance.
camilla did your hair pretty basically, with just giving it soft curls and pinning part of it back. she helped you do some basic makeup as well and you were actually excited for the dance for the first time. you slipped on a pair of flats and made your way downstairs.
“(y/n)!” your mom exclaimed as you approached her in the kitchen. “you look amazing!”
“thank you mom,” you said.
she insisted on a bunch of pictures in different places around the house as well as outside. you weren’t going to the dance with a guy or with any friends, so you took pictures by yourself or with camilla, which you didn’t mind. you send a picture of you to ashlyn, and she sent you an array of heart emojis. you laughed and slipped your phone into your dress pocket (another pro of this dress; it had pockets).
although you were excited for the dance, you were nervous. at this point, anyone you saw wanted to know about the ricky situation, and you didn’t want to talk about it. especially since now you were seen as a crazy fan who followed him around during your whole family vacation. you decided today though, you were going to ignore it.
as you were walking towards the entrance to your school, your phone started buzzing. you pulled it out and saw ashlyn was facetiming you.
“hey girl!” you said. she grinned through the phone.
“hey! you’re looking so good!” you laughed.
“wait, where are you?” you asked, noticing that ashlyn’s background didn’t look like her house. she grinned.
“keep walking.”
you raised your eyebrows and walked faster into the school. you opened the door and were met with ashlyn standing inside, grinning at you. she ended the facetime and you rushed forward to hug her.
“ashlyn! what are you doing here?!” you asked excitedly. she laughed and hugged you back tightly.
“i still have a couple days before i’m back at school, and i figured you’d want someone to dance with, right?”
“absolutely!” you exclaimed. “i’m so happy you’re here.”
“me too,” she said. she glanced at her phone quickly. “now c’mon! i’ve been waiting a while and the dj has played some good songs.”
you laughed and she pulled you into the school gym. there were a ton of people in there, dancing, laughing, talking, etc. chaperones were standing around awkwardly, watching the kids uncomfortably. ashlyn pulled you directly into the middle of the dance floor and wasted no time starting to dance. she was always more outgoing when it came to potentially embarrassing yourself in front of people. usually you held back a bit, but tonight, you didn’t give a shit about what people thought about you, and you danced your heart out with your cousin.
a few songs later, the dj walked away from his booth and the lights dimmed. people whispered in confusion but everyone gasped as someone walked onto the stage. you stood on your toes to try to figure out who it was, only to be met by ricky standing there, looking in the crowd.
“(y/n) (y/l/n)?” he said into the microphone. everyone cleared a path and ashlyn pushed you into the middle of it. your eyes met ricky’s and he beamed at you. “hi. i guess there’s a few things i forgot to say in california.”
the music started, and a song you didn’t recognize began to play. ricky kept his eyes on you as he began to sing.
common sense tells me kiss the girl goodbye
common sense tells me leave it all behind
common sense says the girl's not worth my time
but common sense ain't common when you come to mind
the song was slow and ricky sung softly. you noticed how his facial expressions were similar to how they were when you saw him singing at his parents party. his expression was soft and he was focused— but this time he was focused on more than just the music; he was focused on you.
common sense told me she was not worthwhile
common sense said don't go the extra mile
common sense said go back and reconcile
but common sense forgot about her smile
ricky seemed to suddenly be shy as he looked down at his feet and sang. you didn’t take your eyes off him.
second chances are thought of to be weak
second chances in volumes do they speak
second chances aren't given usually
but a second chance is all i really need
he looked back in your eyes and sang almost like he was silently begging during the verse. he stepped off of the stage and slowly started walking towards you.
i think i love you
i want to love you
please let me love you
i wish to show you how to love
he approached you and grabbed your hand with his free one. your heart was racing and you considered pulling away from him, but you couldn’t bring yourself to.
common sense tells me kiss the girl goodbye
common sense tells me leave it all behind
common sense says the girl's not worth my time
but common sense ain't common when you come to mind
no, common sense ain't common when you come to mind
the song ended and big red slipped past and grabbed the microphone from ricky, sending you a quick smile. you stood there, not looking away from ricky. he didn’t look away from you either.
“hey,” he said softly.
“hi.”
“i... i wrote you that song. i wanted to apologize for what i did i was— such an idiot.”
you didn’t respond and his face dropped a bit. “i quit the tv show.”
“you did?” you asked. he nodded.
“you were right. it wasn’t worth it, i don’t want that. i... i want you.”
your eyes widened and the corners of his mouth lifted up slightly. you swallowed hesitantly.
“ricky,” you said. “i want to believe you. you have no idea how much i want to believe you it’s just... how am i to know that this won’t happen again? that your career won’t come first?”
he looked at you, his expression soft. “(y/n), i haven’t stopped thinking about you since the second we met. and... i haven’t stopped kicking myself about how i acted at the beach. i’m telling you— right here—” he motions to the full gym of students watching you. “in front of everyone, that you’re all that matters to me. and i will do nothing but show you that if you just let me.”
you grinned and shook your head. “you are the cheesiest person i have ever met.”
ricky’s grin matched yours. “yeah well, is that all that bad?”
you laughed and before you said anything, he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you to him, then he pressed your lips together. you smiled into the kiss and wrapped your arms around his neck. the people in the gym cheered (which— if you were being honest— made you uncomfortable, but you didn’t care. all that mattered in that moment was ricky. he was all you could focus on).
when you pulled apart the music started again and everyones attention went away from you and ricky as they started to dance. ricky rested his forehead against yours similarly to how he did the day at the beach. you grinned at each other before he pulled away and held his hand out to you.
“may i have this dance, m’lady?” he asked in a fake, proper voice. you giggled and slipped your hand into his.
“oh of course, good sir,” you wrapped your arms around his neck and he placed his hands on your waist and you swayed to the music.
“so, after this, wanna go find a diner? eat somewhere and talk?”
you nodded. “first date at a trashy diner? sign me up.”
he laughed. “wouldn’t you consider this our second date? that day at the pier was pretty fun.”
“sure it was, until you ruined it,” you teased and he laughed, looking up.
“oh, i will never forgive myself for that day.”
“good thing i will forgive you.”
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you left the dance with ashlyn and big red and the four of you headed to a random 24 hour diner down the street from your school. but, you sat at seperate tables, which gave you and ricky a chance to catch up, for real this time.
“so,” you said as you stole a fry from ricky’s plate. “how’d you plan this whole thing out?”
“ashlyn and big red helped me. i knew i had to come make things right and i wanted to surprise you at the dance, but it was ashlyn’s idea for me to write the song.”
“beautiful song,” you commented and he laughed affectionately.
“thank you. wrote it about this girl i really like,” he said seriously, his eyes searching your face for a reaction. you grinned.
“oh yeah?” you asked and he nodded. “well that’s convenient, because a guy i really like sang it for me.”
you grinned at each other for a few moments before you spoke up again. “so how long are you in town for?”
“few weeks. that is, if you want me here.”
“of course i want you here,” you laughed.
“i guess it’s a matter of what happens when i leave, huh,” ricky said, looking down at his plate. you frowned.
“yeah. can i trust that you won’t find another girl to cheat on me with back in california?” he looked up at you, an amused look on his face.
“cheat on you? wouldn’t we have to be officially dating for me to cheat on you?” you rolled your eyes and rested your head on your hand.
“are you really going to make me ask you?”
ricky chucked and wiped his hands off on a napkin, before grabbing your hand across the table. “(y/n) (y/l/n).”
“yees?” you asked innocently.
“will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
you laughed. “i thought you’d never ask.”
he leaned across the table and kissed you quickly. when you pulled back, you rubbed your thumb on his cheek.
“hm. since you’re in town and we’re officially dating, guess it’s time for you to meet my family, huh?”
FINAL NOTES: this is the end of this series??!??!! already?!??!!?! thank you SO MUCH for reading and i can assure you that this is NOT the end of this story. look out for a second series following this one very very soon!!!!!! i love u all thank you for all the support
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