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#nonna would not be pleased
conqueeftador · 2 years
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still too spicy for a tuesday afternoon 🌶
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inkykeiji · 2 months
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good morning arackniss is rotting my brain
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mochinek0 · 4 months
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Family Secrets
Damian couldn't believe his eyes. He had seen pieces of that costume when he lived in the League, but never did he expect to see his mother, disguised, in Paris! He carefully kept an eye on her as she walked into a bakery. He felt his own breath hitch as a young girl came and hugged her.
"Nonna!" she cried.
'Grandmother?'
"Hello, My Leetle Fairy." his mother replied, hugging her back.
"Are you having fun on your travels?" the girl questioned, "Where did you go this time?"
"Egypt." his mother declared.
The girl smiled, "Did you see the pyramids?"
His mother brought out a keychain of a pyramid and handed it to the girl.
"It's great!" the girl smiled, "I'll keep it on my desk so when I see it, I can think of you."
"I wish you could come with me." the disguised Talia declared.
"Maybe when I'm older?" the young girl answered.
Talia tapped the young girl's nose, "Possibly, but we know very well how hard you work."
"Mom!" announced a man, who seemed the size of Bane, "How are you?"
Damian watched on in shock. He was aware that his mother was much older than she appeared. Hearing someone around his father's age, refer to his mother as a maternal figure was unsettling.
"I'm fine, Tom." she answered.
"Would you like to put your bag down and rest?" he asked.
"Nonsense." his mother replied, "I may look older, but I'm fine. I wanted to see if Marinetta would like to take a ride around the city with me."
"Yes!" the girl cried.
Damian watched as they both got on a motorcycle and drove off.
It took awhile, but Damian finally spotted them near the Seine, eating ice cream. The girl was looking down at something, in her lap. His mother's eyes connected with his and he knew he had made her.
"I'll be right back." Gina spoke, kissing Marinette on the head.
Gina walked in Damian's direction.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"Do you plan to kidnap her, Mother?" Damian questioned.
"Of course not!" Gina snapped.
"Who is she?" he asked.
Talia sighed, "Your niece; she's your age."
"So the man who called you mother-"Damian began.
"Your grandfather wanted me out of the way. He was looking for a male successor to take over." Talia began to explain, "He kicked me out of the League, briefly, and I had some semblance of a normal life. I fell in love with a baker. Tom is our son, before I ever met your father. Essentially, he is your older brother."
She sighed, "Everyhting was fine and I was happy, until he sent someone to exterminate us. Before I killed him, I learned my death was a test. Kill me and become successor to the League. I returned with his head and threw it at your grandfather's feet. He looked at me and said he would allow me back on one condition."
"What was it?" Damian asked.
"I had to leave my family." she admitted, "I said I understood and would be back in three months. I knew he would never stop coming after us."
"Why three months?" her son questioned, "You were already there. Did they not know of the League?"
"Tom was getting married and no, my family knew nothing about the League. I returned and told my family I would be 'traveling in my old age'. A few years after he got married, I came back to a three year old granddaughter. Your grandfather found out and forbid my return."
"Grandfather is dead." Damian spoke.-changing subject
"I've been stopping in more." she declared, "They aren't like us. They're not like your father. They know nothing about my past, aside from divorcing a man, who made me happy. I tell them I'm traveling around the word. I wear a wig and makeup. At some point, I will have to stop visiting all together since anyone else will grow old and pass on. The League........you lose sense of time when there. Two years ago, I thought she was still three. She was turning fourteen."
"What about the man?" her son asked.
Talia smiled, "Reminds me of your grandfather, actually. He's all about 'traditions', so perhaps it was for the best."
"Nonna!" Marinette cried out.
"Please, Damian, leave them alone." his mother whispered.
Damian watched as his mother walked away. He had never known her to beg for something.
"My Leetle Fairy, are you ready to go back home?" Gina asked, "Do you have new inspiration for your designs? I can't wait to see the clothes you create this time."
Damian watched as the girl put her sketchbook away.
'Clothes? Designs?'
He smiled softly. She was an artist, like him. He watched as his mother got on the motorcycle with his niece. What surprised him was seeing his niece glare at him. Damian chuckled.
'Mother may not see it, but she is a lot like them. A little fairy.'
"Damian, a Fairy is someone who helps people who are lost in the dark. It's not always in a literal sense; it can be figurative."
The young Al-Ghul turned and walked in the opposite direction.
'Fairy is a suitable name for my niece. I wonder how Mother would feel learning her true nature? A Fae who lures in her prey.'
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theostrophywife · 6 months
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kiss with a fist | chapter eleven.
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masterlist 💋 chapters 💋 playlist
pairing: theodore nott x reader.
song inspiration: 18 - one direction.
author's note: please enjoy my pookies in domestic bliss.
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The streetlights casted shadows on the sidewalk as you climbed the steps to your childhood home. As you made your ascent, fresh flurries rained down from the winter sky, covering the quiet neighborhood in a blanket of snow. Beside you, Theo fidgeted with the hem of his cashmere jumper and roughly combed a hand through his curls for what seemed like the millionth time that evening. 
You slipped your fingers through his and squeezed. “Don’t be nervous, Teddy. They’re going to love you.” 
Theo shifted his weight from one foot to the other, the only tell signifying his nerves. Over the past few months, you became more and more attuned to your boyfriend’s body language. For someone who always had a sarcastic comment at his disposal, there were a lot of things that Theo conveyed without words. 
For example, you now knew that incessant tapping of his fingers meant that he was in dire need of a cigarette break, the slight clench of his jaw was a warning that someone was about to get their head bashed in for flirting with you, and that a tongue against the cheek meant to meet him in the broom closet immediately. Needless to say, you’d become an expert on reading Theodore Nott and right now, he was a never ending novel of nervousness. 
It didn’t surprise you. When you first invited him to Christmas dinner, Theo had grown so quiet that you actually checked his pulse to see if he was still alive. You were cuddled up in bed at your dorm when you sprung the question on him. It had only been two months since you officially started dating, but you knew without a doubt that you would be taking Theo home to meet your parents at some point. The only question was when. 
Then your mum had outright demanded that you bring him by for the holidays in her latest letter, which pretty much sealed the deal for you. Theo’s family wasn’t really big on celebrating Christmas given its origins, but his nonna had invited you to come to Triora for New Year’s, which you gladly accepted. She was as eager to meet you as your parents were to meet Theo. 
The two of you had taken each other’s news very differently. At first, you were nervous, but the excitement of learning more about your boyfriend's family offset the jitters. Theo, however, went into full psycho mode in the weeks leading up to his visit. He made you quiz him on traditional muggle festive activities, asked a million questions regarding your parents and their expectations, and even got special permission for an emergency shopping trip to muggle London so you could help pick clothes that were ‘boyfriend material.’
The boys had made fun of him incessantly, but Theo didn’t care one bit. He was on a mission to win your parents over and nothing was going to stand in his way. Pansy said it was the most work she’d ever seen him put into anything. Luna thought it was incredibly sweet, albeit a bit amusing to listen to you explain the concept of Santa Claus to your very confused boyfriend.
Said boyfriend now looked panicked as he peered inside of the black bag he’d brought along. “Are you sure I shouldn’t have sent a flower arrangement ahead of time? Or a bottle of vintage wine from the vineyard? I was going to, but I didn’t know what we were having for dinner and there’s truly nothing more embarrassing than paring the wrong wine with—”
You pulled him down by his scarf so that you were face to face. “Theo, this isn’t a soiree at Malfoy Manor. My family is as far from high society as you can possibly be. We’re just normal people. There’s no need to worry, babe.” 
“I really want them to like me,” he said softly. 
You grinned. “Well then use that famous charm of yours and win them over like you did with me.” 
“Yeah, but you were after my smoking hot body,” Theo responded sarcastically. “It’s harder when I don’t have that as an advantage.” 
He yelped when you slipped your cold hands underneath his jumper. Theo pried your fingers from his stomach before warming them up between his own. “See what I mean? You’re only using me for my perfectly sculpted abs.” 
“I’d like to lick those perfectly sculpted abs in my childhood bedroom at the end of the night, so make sure you make a good first impression in there.” 
“As if I don’t already have enough pressure on my shoulder,” he declared dramatically. “Now I have to swat your horny little hands away from me all night.” 
“Oh, please. Like I haven’t caught you adjusting yourself countless times since we left the train.” 
“It’s not my fault that my girlfriend’s absolutely fit, alright. The extremely short skirt doesn’t help either, love.” 
“I’m wearing tights, you pervert.” 
“Yeah, but when has that ever stopped me?” 
“Behave, Theodore. I promise to reward you after.”
Theo sighed and flicked your nose. “I am but your humble servant, cara mia.” 
You giggled and kissed his cheek. “Now come on, Teddy. Time to be a big boy and meet your girlfriend’s parents.” 
The minute you opened the door, the nostalgic smell of freshly baked cookies and pine filled your senses. Christmas had always been a special occasion in your household, so it wasn’t surprising at all to find the entire flat festively decorated. The foyer was covered in floor to ceiling with fairy lights and wreaths lined the narrow hallway while garland twined around the staircase into the second floor. Theo peered around in wonder, seemingly amused by the statues of glittery snowmen, red nosed reindeers, and the white bearded man carrying a sack of gifts. 
“Looks a bit like Dumbledore,” Theo said. 
You snorted before leading him into the living room. The fireplace was lined with stocking and lit with a flame that cast a soft, cozy glow upon the fresh pine tree, which was adorned with a combination of ornaments and other quirky trinkets that you had collected over the years. Underneath it sat a mountain of neatly wrapped gifts. 
“Is that you, bug?” called your father’s voice. 
Your parents emerged from the kitchen, walking hand in hand towards you and Theo. Your father offered your boyfriend a warm smile, while your mother sized him up like she did to her opponents in court. 
“This is the infamous boyfriend, then?” she asked with a raised brow. 
“What my wife means to say is that we’re very happy to meet you, Theodore. Y/N has told us so much about you.” 
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Y/L/N. Please, call me Theo.” Theo shook your father’s hand before handing your mother a bouquet of sunflowers. “Y/N told me that sunflowers are your favorite. I hope these are to your liking, Mrs. Y/L/N.” 
Your mum’s expression softened as she accepted the flowers. “These are quite lovely. Thank you, Theo.” She admired the sunflowers and smiled. “How did you manage to get your hands on these? They’re out of season for the winter.” 
“My family grows them in an enchanted greenhouse back at our vineyard. My nonna actually helped me pick them out. She said that a real gentleman never shows up empty handed,” Theo flashed a charming smile before pulling a fresh tub of gelato from his bag. “Which is why I’ve come with dessert as well.” 
“Flowers and ice cream?” Your father asked in an impressed tone. “Your nonna raised you well, young man.” 
You chuckled. “It’s gelato, dad. Calling it ice cream is practically a criminal offense in Teddy’s eyes.” 
Theo blushed at the nickname while your parents shared an amused look. “Well, Teddy,” your father playfully teased, “You can educate us poor English folk on the intricacies of gelato after dinner.” 
Calling the spread your mum had prepared dinner seemed like an understatement. She certainly didn’t hold back on preparations this year. All of the classics were there—prime rib, yorkshire pudding, praline chestnuts and sprouts, and roasted potatoes. While you enjoyed the food at Hogwarts, there was truly nothing like a home cooked meal. 
“Before we dig in,” your father started, “We have a little tradition in this house. Every Christmas, we go around the table and say a few things that we’re thankful for. You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to, but it’s been a bit of a ritual for us since Y/N forced us all to do it because she thought it would earn her more presents from Santa when she was five.” 
You flushed in embarrassment. Theo grinned at you like he’d just learned a life changing secret. “I’d love to participate. Maybe I’ll get extra gifts from Sandy Claws, too.” 
The cheeky bastard shot you a wink, which made your parents laugh. “It’s Santa Claus, Theodore.” 
“Potato, potato, amorina.”
With a fond eye roll, you clapped your hands together. “I’ll start us off then. I’m thankful for mum and dad. Loons, Pans, and the boys. Teddy, of course. And my last year at Hogwarts.” 
Your mother and father went next. In true mum fashion, the first thing she gave thanks for was her landslide win against another misogynistic barrister. She used a few colorful words to describe him, which made Theo’s eyes grow wide before he burst into laughter and whispered that he now understood where you got your attitude from. Dad’s declaration was considerably less vulgar, but very sweet and endearing nonetheless as he gushed about his two favorite girls. 
When it was Theo’s turn, you were surprised to find him a bit shy and nervous. You grabbed hold of his hand underneath the table and squeezed in reassurance. 
“I’m thankful for my wonderful girlfriend and her lovely parents for inviting me to Christmas dinner. I’m thankful for my friends and family, especially my crazy old nonna who regularly gets into screaming matches with the neighborhood pigeons. And…I’m thankful that I’ll be attending Cambridge in the fall.” 
“You got in?” you asked excitedly, nearly leaping off your chair. 
Theo nodded sheepishly, chuckling as you threw your arms around him and squealed. “Oh my god, Teddy. That’s amazing. I’m so excited for you!” 
“Congratulations, Theo,” your mum said. “You should be very proud of yourself.” 
“Well done, young man,” your dad added, clapping Theo on the back. “Well done indeed.” 
The rest of the dinner went smoothly. By the time dessert rolled around, Theo had completely won your parents over. You swore that he could’ve charmed the feathers off of a hippogriff. No one in the muggle or wizarding world was safe from the cheeky little grin of Theodore Nott. 
After gorging yourself on stracciatella, your parents were more than happy to pull out the embarrassing childhood pictures. A delighted Theo devoured every humiliating picture of you from your unfortunate bowl cut when you were three to the slight overalls obsession you had at age six. He beamed at a photo of you posing proudly with your Hogwarts letter. 
“That was a very special day for our little bug,” your father recounted fondly. “Professor McGonagall delivered the letter in person and explained that our baby girl was a witch.” 
Your mum smiled, recalling the memory. “Obviously, it was a lot to take in, but Minerva was incredibly patient. Neither one of us knew that magic was actually real, but I suppose that after the initial shock wore off, we weren’t really all that surprised. We always knew that Y/N was special.” 
Theo twined your fingers through his. “Yeah, she really is. Y/N has kept me on my toes since first year. I don’t think I would’ve tried this hard at school if it weren’t for her.” 
“Oh, we know,” Mum said with a chuckle. “She used to write letters about the infuriating Nott boy who kept taking the top spot in class. Imagine our surprise when she told us that the two of you had started dating.” 
“This one was adamant about meeting you properly,” your father chided as he wrapped an arm around your mother. “Said she wanted to make sure that you wouldn’t break our little girl’s heart.” 
“I assure you, I wouldn’t even dream of doing such a thing. Y/N has my heart in her hands and she has the power to do whatever she pleases with it.” 
You blushed furiously, but Theo didn’t even appear fazed. For him, this wasn’t an attempt to flatter or impress your parents. He was merely stating facts. 
“Smart answer, Theo.” Your mum said, nodding in approval. “We expected nothing less. It’s clear that you adore our daughter and vice versa. My husband and I are genuinely pleased to meet you and we’re looking forward to seeing more of you in the future.” 
Theo beamed and placed an arm around your shoulder. “I’ll be here for as long as she’ll have me.” 
You chuckled softly as your father sniffled a little, blinking away his teary eyed expression. “Well, we’ll leave you kids to it before dear old dad gets any more sentimental than he already is. Be sure to introduce Theo to Bandit, bug.” 
After you parted for the night, Theo turned over to you with a smile. “So, bug. Do I finally get to snoop around in your room?”
You sighed dramatically. “Fine, but not a word about my stuffies or else I’ll stupefy you and send you on the next train home.” 
“My lips are sealed, amore mio.” 
The door to your bedroom creaked slightly as you made your way inside. Theo followed closely behind and took in every detail. You looked around the room, trying to see it from your boyfriend’s perspective. 
The walls were painted a vivid sky blue color and all of your furniture came from a French vintage market, designed to fit perfectly with the overarching Marie Antoinette theme. There were gold stars painted on the ceiling, which you and your father had painted over the summer after your first year. It had taken the entire holiday since the Ravenclaw within you insisted on properly depicting an accurate star chart. 
Books littered every corner of the room, some neatly categorized in shelves and others strewn in every available nook and cranny to accommodate the overflow. This year you opted to arrange a small stack of your favorite novels, twining fairy lights through them and forming the perfect book lover’s festive tree. 
By far your favorite place in the whole world besides Hogwarts was the little bay window that faced west of your neighborhood. You had many fond memories from your childhood of curling up with a good book under the warmth of the setting sun. 
Theo made himself comfortable on the cushioned bench and stretched his long legs. He grabbed the stuffed raccoon perched on the windowsill and grinned.
“And who might this be?” 
You plucked your favorite stuffed animal from your boyfriend’s hands and settled into his lap. “Teddy, meet Bandit.” 
The edges of his lips quivered. “You named your stuffed raccoon Bandit?” 
“I realize it may not be up to your sophisticated standards, but keep in mind that I was two when I got him. Bandit was the best I could come up with.” 
“I’m not making fun,” Theo said, wrapping his arms around your waist as he rested his chin on your shoulder. “I happen to think it’s adorable. I bet you used to cuddle with him every night.” He poked Bandit’s fuzzy nose. “Sorry mate, but I’m afraid I’ve taken your spot and I’m quite loath to give it up.” 
“You do a lot more than cuddle with me, Theo.” 
Your boyfriend covered the stuffed raccoon’s ears. “Not in front of the stuffie, dear.” You rolled your eyes and swatted his hands away. “I’d apologize for her vulgar behavior, but I’m sure you’ve witnessed it far longer than I have.” 
“On second thought, I think I much prefer to cuddle with Bandit. He gives me a lot less sass.” 
Theo tilted your chin, grinning as he nuzzled his nose against yours. “You love my sass,” he whispered against your lips. 
“Not as much as I love your ass.” 
He chuckled as he pressed his lips against yours. You sighed as he kissed you deeply, your fingers automatically fisting the front of his cashmere sweater. Theo tasted like stracciatella and spearmint toothpaste and you smiled as his arms snaked around your waist while his tongue flicked against your bottom lip. 
Theo caressed the curve of your jaw and pulled away reluctantly. “As much as I love where this is heading, I’d like to give you your present before you maul me entirely.” 
You swatted his arm. “I don’t maul, Theodore.” 
“Maul, devour. Same difference. Now come on, love. It’s already past midnight, which means we can exchange gifts.” 
“Fine,” you sighed exasperatedly. 
In reality, you were more than excited to do your first exchange with your boyfriend. You walked over to your dresser and retrieved the neatly wrapped gift hidden within. The green and silver wrapping shimmered in the moonlight and was topped with a silk black ribbon. Theo grinned as he presented his gift, which was adorned in blue and gold paper. Sometimes it was scary how similar your minds worked. 
“You first, cara mia.” 
Theo watched as you carefully unwrapped the present. You pulled out a gray fleece jumper and chuckled when you saw the Cambridge crest embroidered on the front. It was identical to the one Theo had given you at the start of term, but with a more legible design. 
“I hope that this doesn’t make you think you’re getting your old jumper back.” 
“Of course not. I have long accepted that every one of my jumpers will end up in your greedy little hands.” You stuck your tongue out rather childishly while clutching the jumper, which made Theo chuckle. “That’s not all, my love. There’s another gift in there for you.” 
Sure enough, underneath the jumper was another smaller box wrapped in gold. The paper looked suspiciously lustrous. You wouldn’t have been surprised if it was made from actual gold. As soon as you saw the corner of the book, you nearly shrieked. 
“Theodore! You absolutely did not!” 
Theo smirked. “I absolutely did too.” 
In your hands was a first edition illustrated copy of Pride and Prejudice. It was bound in soft leather and had the original blue cover surrounded with golden peacock feathers. Aside from a few wears and tears, the book was in pristine condition. It felt almost sacrilegious to hold such a beautiful piece of literature in your hands. Especially since owning it had been your dream since you were a little girl. 
“How did you know?”
“The field trip to Edinburgh. I saw you looking at it in one of the bookshops.” 
“That was over a year ago,” you said in complete astonishment. “Back when we were still bitter enemies. I can’t believe you remembered.” 
“I remember everything about you, my love.” Theo smiled softly. “I’ll never forget the way your eyes lit up that day. I didn’t even think twice before buying it if it meant seeing you smile like that again.” 
Your eyes filled with tears. “It’s too much, Teddy. This must’ve cost a small fortune.” 
He shrugged. “What’s the point of being rich and handsome if I can’t spoil my girlfriend? Money isn’t an object, principessa. I’d gladly drain my vault at Gringott’s in exchange of making you happy.” Theo swiped a tear from the corner of your eyes. “Besides, the book is non-refundable so you better make sure to put it to good use.” 
The laugh that left your lips was slightly hoarse and your chest constricted with emotion as all of your affection for this sweet, wonderful boy threatened to spill over. 
“Ti amo, Theo.” 
“Ti amo cosi tanto, Y/N.” 
You kissed the tip on his nose and smiled at the blush warming Theo’s cheeks. “You know you’ve made it nearly impossible to follow that up, right?” 
“Why do you think I wanted to go first?” You swatted his arm, which only made him grin in response. “I’m kidding. I’m sure I’ll love your present.” 
You nodded, pushing the green and silver box towards him. Theo opened it slowly and lifted the lid. He immediately smiled when he saw the vinyls. After a trip to Camden Market, Theo had fallen in love with a record player and lugged the thing all the way back to school. The boys were fascinated by the muggle invention and played the few records Theo owned until they were scratched beyond belief. 
Theo shuffled through the Smiths, the Cure, the Clash and Fleetwood Mac with increasing excitement. When he pulled out the Queen record that you purposely saved for last, a fond expression settled over his features. 
“I think I knew I was in love with you the night you snuck me into the music room,” he said softly. “I suspected it for a while before that, but then I heard your cute little snort for the first time and I knew I was done for.” 
“Oh my god, Theo. You totally had a crush on me. How embarrassing.” 
Theo rolled his eyes affectionately. “Thank you, amore mio. I really do love it. I can’t wait to listen to all of them.” 
“There’s—um—another gift in there for you.” Your boyfriend raised a brow at your sudden nervousness. He moved the vinyls aside and found a golden badge carefully wrapped in black silk. A broom and wand was etched on the gilded surface as well as Theo’s name. Underneath it was the title ‘Sports Coordinator.’ 
“After the slug club dinner, Harry and I started working on something. We both agreed that the separation in this school is doing more harm than good, so we talked to a few people from different houses—Cassius, Hannah, Colin, Cho and a few others who felt the same way that we did. After meeting a few times, we proposed creating an inter house committee that basically acts as a student governing body that represents members of every house equally. We can all collaborate on making decisions regarding social events, academic clubs, and even school policies. McGonagall approved it just before break. We’re hosting our first official meeting when we get back. Pansy agreed to be social coordinator, naturally. Cassius wanted to be treasurer. Did you know he’s quite good at maths? The other upperclassmen will be involved as well, but we wanted to leave the officer positions to the younger years because they’ll be spearheading it after we leave.” 
You took a deep breath, anxiously fidgeting your fingers. “I was wondering…if you’d like to be the sports coordinator? I was thinking you could arrange the first interhouse quidditch game. I overheard you and the boys talking about it before.” Theo stared at you in absolute silence. “It’s alright if you don’t want to. I just thought maybe—”
The sentence was cut off as Theo took your face between his hands and kissed you more fiercely than he’d ever kissed you before, which was saying a lot. Your boyfriend was definitely not shy with physical displays of affection. It only took half a day for the rest of Hogwarts to know that you were officially dating after Theo kissed you in the middle of the Great Hall for everyone to see.
“Is that a yes?” you asked when he finally let you up to breathe. 
Theo pressed his forehead against yours and smiled. “Of course it’s a yes.” He took the badge and pinned it onto his jumper. “I’ll wear the badge proudly, my love.” 
You chuckled. “Sorry that my gift isn’t as good as a first edition Jane Austen novel.”
“Are you kidding? This is the best gift anyone’s ever given me. You single handedly created a new governing student body so that my friends and I and whoever comes after us won’t live in constant hate and judgment. You’re amazing, amore mio. I love that smart brain of yours.” 
“Merry Christmas, Teddy.” 
Theo gathered you into his arms and kissed the top of your head as you both looked out the window to watch the snow fall softly over the quiet neighborhood. 
“Merry Christmas, Y/N.”
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russos-ventitre · 8 months
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alessia russo x reader | una notte romantica 🧸
✘ summary: you're on holiday in italy with your girlfriend and she takes this as a good opportunity to immerse you in her culture
✘ warnings/tags: alessia speaks fluent italian, you gay panic, drunk lovebirds
✘ words: 1214
a/n: translations will be provided!
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It was a gorgeous day out in Nettuno, the small town that resided near the Tyrrhenian Sea was currently thriving during this time of the season. Tourists exploring the northwestern side of central Italy, local families driving down for a beach day or families from other parts of Europe spending their holiday there, the Russo family being one of them.
You were fortunate enough to be able to accompany your girlfriend and her family on a three-week-long trip to Italy, staying at her nonna's house, which was just a short drive from the beach.
"Less?" You gave the blonde's arm a tug, only now realising that you've been wandering the streets for a couple of minutes now and you have no idea where you actually are.
"Hmm?" She turned her head to catch your gaze, continuing to lead you in an unknown direction.
"You do know where you're going, right?"
"Of course, I've done this for years, amore." She gave you a tug, pulling you closer to her, now wrapping her arm around your back.
Alessia continued to guide you down a few more streets and back alleys, finally leading you to a restaurant, Ristorante Elisio. It overlooked the beach and it was a stunning view at this time of day, the sun setting perfectly over the ocean waves.
"Less this place is beautiful!" You hummed, seeing a soft smile form on her lips.
She walked the two of you into the restaurant, placing a reservation for the two of you.
"Un tavolo per due, per favore." [A table for two, please.]
Your eyes widened at the sound of her soft voice and the mix of her adorable Italian accent that slipped out every time she spoke.
"È un'attesa di cinque minuti." [It's a five-minute wait.] The hostess replied back, gesturing the two of you to sit and wait on the side.
"Grazie." [Thank you.]
You followed her over to a small wooden bench tucked away in a corner nearby a tall window, getting a nice view of the beach that continued for miles. She noticed you staring out the window, not really admiring the view but rather just spacing out.
"You alright?" She muttered, tucking your hair behind your ear, revealing that the tips of it were bright red.
"Hmm..?" You turned to face her, more blush now seeping into your cheeks. "..y-yeah, I'm good." You stuttered in reply, struggling to meet her eyes.
Her hand came up to caress your face, pulling your gaze finally. "Amore.. che succede..?" [Love.. what's wrong..?]
Your eyes slowly trailed down to her lips, watching as her tongue darted out to wet them. "I-It's nothing.." You tried brushing her off, but she continued to stare into your eyes.
"Tesoro.." [Honey..] The blonde placed one of her delicate hands on your thigh, soothing her thumb over your exposed skin.
You let out a sigh, staring back into her beautiful blue eyes and watching as they captured your every move.
"I just really like it when you do that.." You mumbled. "..the little accent that you have is just adorable, Less."
"You like it when I speak Italian..?" She asked innocently, her fingers continuing to draw shapes on your leg.
"Mhm.." You nodded, embarrassed at what you just admitted.
Despite you actually knowing a few phrases and words here and there in Italian, it wasn't so often that you actually heard Alessia speak it. Prior to the holiday, she went over a few words with you that would be important and in your personal lives at your shared home she would whisper sweet nothings in Italian into your ears but it was nothing compared to what you were encountering today. She was speaking nearly every other word in Italian, almost as if she was born there.
Alessia wrapped her arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer so she could place a gentle peck to your temple. "Ti adoro." [I adore you.]
"Signora?" [Miss?] You lifted your head up from her shoulder.
"Sì?" [Yes?] Alessia replied.
"Il tuo tavolo è pronto." [Your table is ready.]
"Ah, grazie. Amore?" [Thank you. Love?] She turned towards you, offering her hand to you and you happily accepted.
The hostess guided the two of you through the restaurant, taking you to the outside section of the restaurant to a table that overlooked the oceanside. The hostess clearly picked up on the fact that this was a date, giving you two one of the best seats in the house.
Alessia took your chair and pushed you in, before taking her seat across from you.
"You like?" She asked with a smile, seeing your eyes light up now that you were fully able to take in the sunset over the sea.
"Like? Baby, I love it!"
The blonde's hand reaches for your own, carefully cupping it underneath her hand, gently fidgeting with the rings that are wrapped around your fingers. Most of them being gifts from your girlfriend. A waiter came by to your table, handing you a pair of menus, allowing you two time to choose what you're having.
“What are you having, Less?” You questioned, peering over your menu to see your gorgeous girlfriend across from you, studying the menu.
“I was thinking gnocchi soup? What about you, amore?”
“Tortellini alfredo.” You replied with a smile, it was one of your favourites.
The waiter returned to your table with a notepad in hand. "Buonasera, signore. Siete pronti per ordinare?" [Good evening, ladies. Are you ready to order?]
"Sì! Vorrei la zuppa di gnocchi e lei vorrebbe tortellini alfredo, per favore." [Yes! I'll have gnocchi soup and she'll have tortellini alfredo, please.]
"Va bene, qualche bevande?" [Okay, any drinks?]
Alessia looked back towards you, mouthing 'drinks' in your direction. You shot her back a smirk before she answered the waiter.
"Una bottiglia di vino rosso, grazie." [A bottle of red wine, thanks.]
She shot you a wink, blush filling your cheeks as the waiter took your menus and walked away. The wine came first, both of you filling a small portion of your glasses as you drank away, giggling and flirting with each other throughout the entire date, even if you were both a tad bit drunk. The waiter returned with your meals after 25 minutes, not that either of you noticed the duration since you were both infatuated with the other.
"Buon appetito." [Enjoy your meal.]
"Grazie!" [Thank you!] You replied, the wine giving you the confidence to finally speak some Italian, even if it were just a singular word.
Alessia looked over at you in shock, she might've been drunk but she definitely knew what she heard. "Amore mio.." [My love..] She sighed happily, shaking her head.
"..mi fai così felice." [..you make me so happy.] She continued, blushing, albeit, most of it coming from the wine.
The two of you continued to have an amazing date together, accompanied by the beautiful sounds of the waves crashing against the sand. Everything about the night was perfect and you couldn't be happier. When Alessia wasn't looking you managed to take a picture of her with the sunset in the background, capturing this memorable moment and this beautiful woman in front of you all in one image. A memory that would last you a lifetime.
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@/your_username
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@/your_username sunset dinner dates with her <333
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alessiarusso99 amore della mia vita
ellatoone get married already 🤭
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janeyseymour · 14 days
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Scrubs
Summary: Melissa's nonna is in the hospital and you just so happen to be the nurse assigned to the woman.
WC: ~3.2k
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The last thing that Melissa Schemmenti expects when she picks up the phone that day is to hear her mother crying into the phone that Nonna had a stroke and was in the hospital. 
“Ma? What do you mean Nonna had a stroke?” Melissa rushes out as she’s grading papers in her classroom.
“She- she had a stroke, I don’t know!” the older Schemmenti hisses into the phone. “The point is, she’s in the hospital, and she’s asking for you- so you better get your ass down here and be here for her!”
“I-” Melissa glances up at the clock. She still has half an hour of her prep, and if she acts fast, she can pull together sub plans, arrange for coverage, and run out. “I’ll be there as soon as I sort everything out with my kids.”
“Please,” her mother whispers into the phone, and it breaks the teacher’s heart the way she can hear her mother falling apart inside.
“I’ll be there, Ma. Just give me a bit of time.”
As soon as Melissa hangs up with her mother, she’s dialing Ava.
“Melissa, what? I’m watching The Bachelor,” the principal answers the phone, clearly pissed at being interrupted.
“And I don’t give a shit,” the redhead retorts into the phone as she pulls up a document to start making her plan for the rest of the day. “I have to go. Family emergency. My kids are at music, I’m leaving plans on my desk, and I honestly don’t care if it goes well or not. I don’t even care who my sub is.”
At the note that she doesn’t care who her sub is, Ava is intrigued. “Girl, is everything okay?”
“No. My nonna is in the hospital for the first time in her life, my mom just called me in tears, and I have to go be there,” Melissa rushes out. “Please, just get me a sub.”
The desperate tone that the tough teacher uses sparks something within the principal, and she sits up a bit straighter and close out of the hulu tab she has open on her computer. “Go. I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you.” She hangs up after that, types at rapid speeds to finish her plans for the rest of the day, not even bothering to check it for any spelling or grammar errors, prints it, and runs out of her room. 
Before she heads out, she does stop down to her work wife’s room. Barbara is in the middle of teaching though, and it makes the other veteran teacher raise a brow at her friend unexpectedly dropping by.
“Miss Schemmenti, how can I help you? I am in the middle of a lesson.”
“Just letting you know that I’m running. There’s ziti in the fridge, and it’s yours,” the redhead states. She knocks once on the doorframe before sprinting down the hall and out to her car before Barbara can get a word out.
She’s at the hospital and in the building far faster than her mother had expected.
“Melissa, dear,” the woman’s mother runs to her. “You got here fast.”
“When you call telling me to get to the hospital for Nonna, I run a few lights,” Melissa shrugs as she embraces her mother. “How is she?”
“As feisty as ever,” the teacher’s mother groans. “Claiming that she doesn’t need to be here, they’re treating her all wrong, and she’s threatening to leave while hooked up to all of their machines. I’m sure she could use seeing you right now to calm her down.”
“Where is she?”
Melissa is led back to the room, and she can hear her grandmother before she can see her.
“Dammit to hell, I am fine! Would you quit poking me?” she’s yelling at the abundance of nurses in her room and personal space.
“I’m sorry,” you tell her. Then you crack a small smile “The doctor orders. I just have the pleasure of doing his dirty work.”
“Nonna,” the redhead sighs as she makes her way into the room. “The nurse is doing her job. They have to check your vitals and blood oxygen levels to make sure that you’re okay.”
“I don’t even know why I’m here,” the matriarch of the family grumbles, but she does lighten up just a little with her favorite granddaughter in the room now. Then, Melissa crosses her way over to the bed and takes her Nonna’s hand in her own. “You’re damned mother dragged me here.”
“Because you were having a stroke,” the mother exasperates. “You were having a stroke, Ma. And I wasn’t about to let you die on my watch.”
“God couldn’t take me, even if he wanted to,” Nonna states. “He ain’t taking me off this earth until I see my Melly fall in love again.”
At that little comment from the woman in the hospital bed, you have to let out a soft chuckle. This woman really was something.
“What’s so funny, Miss…” the grandmother squints to read your name off of your badge. “Y/N?”
“Nothing, ma’am,” you bite back your laughter. “You’re a fiery one, you know that, right?”
“You ain’t the first one to call me that,” the woman tells you. “Hey, you’re pretty. What do you think of my granddaughter?”
“Nonna!” Melissa reprimands.
You do look up though, temporarily pausing what you’re doing. The woman now sitting by the bed is absolutely stunning. Her hair is beautiful, her green eyes sparkle in a way that you don’t think you’ve ever seen before, and her body is… wow.
And when Melissa sees your face for the first time, her jaw almost drops. You’re… you’re beautiful. If she didn’t know you were a nurse, she would think you were a model- you belong on a magazine cover in her opinion. 
“Well?” the patient asks, rather impatiently.
You chuckle softly. “She’s a good granddaughter for getting here so quickly for you, Mrs. Schemmenti,” you tell her, and you do mean it.
“Yeah, yeah,” the woman waves you off, but that isn’t what she wants to hear. “What do you think of her though?”
Knowing you won’t get out of this one, you relent. “She’s very pretty.”
“You hear that, Annette?” the grandmother asks. “Y/N thinks our Melly is pretty! Melly, what do you think of Y/N?”
“Nonna, I ain’t-”
“What. Do. You. Think?” the woman grits out each of her words. “C’mon, just give me this one.”
“She’s very pretty, Nonna,” Melissa gives in to her Nonna’s pestering. “Now will you quit it?”
The grandmother just grins and shrugs. Then she winces as you begin to draw her blood.
“I know,” you say sympathetically. “But this is the last of the tests, ma’am, and then they do want to keep you for a few days to keep an eye on you.”
The grandmother sighs. “If you must. But enough of this ‘ma’am’ and ‘Mrs. Schemmenti’ shit. My name is Bea.”
“Okay, Bea,” you smile at her. “I’ll make a note of that.” If her sudden change in demeanor at the thought of staying in the hospital is odd to you, you don’t mention it. Neither do her family members- it’s abundantly clear that her being more open to the idea of staying is much easier than fighting her to stay.
“And don’t send in those other shit nurses,” she tells you. “If you’re around, I want you- the only woman here who isn’t trying to kill me, I swear.”
“Nobody is trying to kill you, Nonna,” Melissa rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “They are quite literally doing the opposite and keeping you alive.”
“I didn’t ask for that,” the grandmother huffs.
“You literally just told us that God can’t take you from this earth until I find love again!” Melissa groans. Then her eyes widen slightly at her realization. “Oh God, Ma! She’s gonna outlive us all!”
You just laugh as you quietly make your exit. 
“She’s really pretty,” Nonna tells Melissa quietly.
“I see you’re feeling well enough to meddle in my love life,” the redhead notes.
“I already told you, I don’t know why I’m here,” the grandmother retorts. “It was just a little hiccup, and your mother freaked out over it.”
Annette puts her head in her hands. “Ma, you were slurring your words all over the place, and the doc already told you you had a mini stroke.”
“Eh, what do they know?” Nonna rolls her eyes. She turns her attention back to her granddaughter. “You should ask her out. She’ll be in my room a lot, and you and I both know you’ll be here for the next few days keeping your ol’ nonna company.
“Nonna, I’m not gonna ask the nurse out,” the teacher laughs. “She’s probably in a relationship as it is- nobody that pretty is single.”
“You is,” Nonna points out.
Those green eyes glare at her grandmother. “I am not nearly as pretty as she is.”
“Don’t sell yourself short there, Melly. Youse quite the looker, if I do say so myself.” Melissa took after her grandmother in the best possible ways.
The next time you come into the room, it’s to bring Bea her lunch, and Melissa is still sitting there.
“Ah, there’s the pretty woman,” the patient chuckles from her place in bed.
“Hi Bea,” you chuckle as you set her tray up for her. “I see you’re feeling better.”
“I was feeling fine when I first got checked in,” Bea laughs. “Now, what do you say you take a load off and sit with me while I eat since my granddaughter over here doesn’t much feel like talking to her old sickly grandmother?”
That gets the redhead to look up from the papers that she’s grading. “Nonna, are you sick, or aren’t ya? Make up your mind.”
“Quiet, you,” the woman in bed guffaws loudly. “I’ll be whatever the hell I want to be. Melly’s too busy grading her kids’ papers to talk to her dear old grandmother, and Annette is out takin’ a smoke break, so what do you say?”
You glance down at your watch. Your supervisor had given you a bit of time to handle Bea, knowing she was more difficult, but with her being so complacent at her request to have you come in more than the other nurses, you have the time. “I have about fifteen minutes,” you tell her with a smile as you sit down in one of the chairs there for visitors.
“That’s more than enough time for you to get to know Melly!” Bea grins.
“Nonna, I’m grading,” the redhead sighs as she bites the marker cap between her teeth.
“What do you teach?” you ask, clearly interested. You weren’t lying when you said that Bea’s granddaughter was very pretty, and if you have the time, maybe you should get to know her.
“Second and third,” the teacher huffs out as she marks an answer wrong on one of her student’s tests. “Down at Abbott.”
“Two grades?” you ask her, surprised. You had never heard of one teacher with two different grades at the elementary level.
“Budget wasn’t big enough to hire another teacher, and I’m the best second grade teacher there, so they gave me an extra ten third graders,” Melissa sighs.
“I’m sure you do a great job,” you assure her with a soft and warm smile.
Bea finds her way into the conversation. “Melly is the best teacher there is. It’s always a blast to go in as a mystery reader and watch her do her thing. The kids love her, and they should. She ain’t nearly as tough as she plays.”
“You ain’t nearly as tough as you play either, Nonna,” the granddaughter snorts as she sets aside her papers. “Where d’you think I learned all my tricks from?”
“Your mother,” Bea narrows her eyes, but they sparkle with mischief.
You chat with the two of them for the remainder of your fifteen minute break before you sigh and stand. “I have to get back to my rounds, but it was lovely to chat with you both.” You make sure to look at both of them, but your eyes do linger on the stunning woman sitting in the stuffy and uncomfortable chair next to the bed. “Call if you need anything.”
It’s a bit later that you’re called back into the Schemmenti room. Melissa is asleep in the chair, and Annette is conveniently out for another smoke break.
“What’s goin’ on, Bea?” you ask the patient. “Trying to cause more trouble for me?”
“Not this time,” she chuckles as her eyes stay glued to the soap opera on the television. “Just wondering if it would be possible to get another blanket, dear.”
You nod, head into the hall and grab another knit blanket before heading back in. You go to drape it over the elderly woman, but she shakes her head and points to the redhead.
“For her,” Bea instructs. “She’s freezing, as much as she won’t admit it. I’ve been watching her shiver through her entire nap.”
You shake your head and roll your eyes playfully, but you do gently set the blanket overtop of the sleeping woman. 
When Melissa wakes, she’s warm. She remembers drifting off to sleep practically freezing as she pulled her Abbott Elementary sweatshirt as tightly to her body as she could.
“Good mornin’, sleepyhead,” Nonna chuckles.
“Where’d the blanket come from?” Melissa asks as she stretches just slightly, loving the way that her whole upper body cracks at the movement- it feels so good after being cramped in the chair for the day.
“I had Y/N bring it in for you,” the woman smiles. “Sweet girl. You should ask her out.”
“I ain’t lookin’ for any romance right now, Nonna,” the redhead rolls her eyes. “And ‘sides, I don’t even know if she’s gay.”
“She is,” the grandmother confirms. “We were chatting a bit earlier about her own love life when she came in to check my vitals.”
“How do you know?” Melissa raises a brow.
Nonna shrugs. “Mentioned something about an ex-girlfriend dumping her because she was always here… sounds like the perfect relationship for you- you workaholics seem to get along well, and you should know. You and Joe worked beautifully until he let himself go and wasn’t the driven man you thought you knew.”
“Don’t remind me of that time,” the granddaughter sighs.
“All I’m sayin’ is, you should ask her out,” Nonna grins and reaches a hand out. “She’s gorgeous, she’s a sweetheart, she has a good head on her shoulders… was telling me about how she works well with the little ones who come in and helps calm them down, so she’s good with kids. Everything you’re looking for.”
“I already told you, I ain’t lookin’,” Melissa rolls her eyes.
Nonna rolls her own green eyes. “You never want me to die,” she sighs dramatically.
The next few days, you spend quite a bit of time with the Schemmenti family because Bea practically refuses all of the other nurses on the clock. In that time, Melissa is almost always there. You find yourself looking forward to seeing her each day.
The day that Bea Schemmenti is discharged from the hospital, she pinches your cheeks and thanks you for your kindness and help over the last couple days- as much as she didn’t need it.
“Of course, Bea,” you chuckle as you shake her hand gently. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and your family.”
Melissa is holding onto the wheelchair to push her grandmother out of the facility when the older woman turns around and smacks the redhead’s arm. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“Don’t you got something you want to ask Y/N?” Been prompts.
The teacher sighs. “Do you want a free grandma?”
“That was not the question, and you know it- you pain in my ass!” Nonna smacks her granddaughter’s arm playfully as she’s wheeled out.
“Thanks for taking care of crazy lady,” Melissa calls over her shoulder.
Once Melissa gets her grandmother settled at home, Nonna sighs dramatically. “I thought you said you were going to ask her out!”
“I said I would think about it, Nonna.”
“And that to me, means that you were! Come on now Melly!”
“Well, you’re out of the hospital, so there’s no reason for me to go back there again,” the redhead tells her grandmother.
“I could have another stroke,” the older woman suggests with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.
“That would be dramatic, even for you,” Melissa rolls her eyes.
Nonna shrugs. “Your reason to go back there could simply be to ask her out.”
“Will that really make you happy?” the redhead finally begins to crack. She grabs her keys and circles them around her finger a few times.
“I’ve been trying to get you to ask her out for the past three days!” Bea nods frantically. “C’mon now. Don’t make me wait any longer for grandkids!”
“Nobody said anything about grandkids, Nonna!” Melissa tells her grandmother as she makes her way out the door.
You’re just about to take your twenty minute break when you see familiar red hair standing at the desk.
“Hi, Melissa,” you smile at her warmly. “What’re you doin’ back here?”
The woman runs a hand through her gently curled hair. “Makin’ my nonna happy.”
“How so?”
Melissa runs a hand over her face. “God, I can’t believe I’m letting my grandmother pressure me into this, but… do you wanna go out with me for dinner one night? Or I can cook?”
Your eyes widen at her question. “What?”
“My nonna took a liking to you and has been trying to get me to ask you out for the last three days… I thought about it, and here I am. What do you say?”
“I have…” you look down at your watch. “seventeen minutes left of my break?”
Those green eyes sparkle. She takes your hand gently and leads you outside.
Those seventeen minutes are the best that you’ve had in quite some time. The timer on your phone goes off all too quickly, and you let out a disappointed huff as you stand from the curb just outside the hospital doors.  You dust yourself off before extending a hand out to help her up from the low stoop. She takes it with a smile.
“I don’t know about you,” Melissa tells you as she squeezes your hand. “But I would love to see you again… the next time you have a night off.”
“I have off tomorrow if that’s not too soon,” you laugh softly. You pull your phone out of your scrubs before handing it over.
“I’ll pick you up at six,” the redhead winks as she starts to make her way back to her car.
You watch her go before heading back into the hallway with the bright lights and smell of disinfectant. 
When Melissa comes home, Nonna looks at her knowingly. “So?”
“Shut it,” the redhead laughs as she makes her way into the kitchen to start on the next meal.
TAGS, and let me know if you want to be added: @schemmentis @thesapphictimelady @marvel210 @itisdoctortoyousir @morgana-larkin @thesamesweetie @doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou @marvels--slut @gwennybriggs @megamultifandomtrashposts @lemz378 @http-sam @melissaschemmentisbranzino @imaginesmultifandoms @sexysapphicshopowner @lilfartbox1 @maybe-a-humanbean @imlike-so-gaydude @sapphicxrat @a-queen-and-her-throne @sunsol-22 @notinmyvocab @melanielaufeyson @dvrkhcld
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maximumsass · 1 month
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Green Eyes of Envy Pt. 5
Synopsis: Things with the reader and Melissa have been going extremely well! So well that a certain redhead is possibly talking about a future with the reader! Which shocks the reader because it’s Melissa Schemmenti we’re talking about. Melissa is feeling so safe and happy with the reader that she invites her to the infamous Schemmenti Family Dinner on Sundays hosted by the one and only Nonna! It’s a big deal PEOPLE!! Will the reader say yes and meet the Schemmenti clan?? Will the Schemmenti’s approve of the reader! Guess you’ll have to keep reading to find out!
Author’s Note: Hello my amazing fanfic village! I know this is late! Please do not hate me! Haha! Writing this has brought me joy during a really rough few weeks for me. Writing about Melissa feeling safe enough to think about a future with the reader and just how they take care of each other and how purely genuine it is just makes this gay fanfic author’s heart so damn happy! And i hope it makes all y’all’s hearts happy too! This is my longest one I think but as a reader I like the longer ones so hopefully you feel the same! Please let me know what you think!! And any requests you have! As always sending all da hugs and love!!!
Warning: SMUTT and an Obnoxious amount of FLUFF
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Word Count: 6.28k
—————————————
It’s a Sunday night and the first quarter is almost over, report cards are due Wednesday morning. But you’ve made it your mission this weekend to get them all done so you can let go of the heavy stress that doing report cards carries.
Much to Jessica Rabbit’s chagrin you insisted that you spend the night apart. You honestly can’t remember the last night you spent away from each other. You had practically become the infamous U-Haul lesbian trope minus the U-Haul. Which wasn’t your norm in relationships, you had always liked spending a very calculated amount of time with someone and then you needed to be alone and charge your social battery until you were up to spending time together again.
But like everything that involved Melissa, it was just different in the best possible way. You could just be your 100% authentic self, tired, crabby, anxious, frustrated, sad, loving, happy…she just knew what to do and when she didn’t know she’d ask what you needed in those moments. Which in your past had been a very one sided thing that you would do for your significant other but they couldn’t do it for you. So having it be reciprocated was mind blowing to say the least.
Your phone starts ringing and a picture of the redhead kissing you on the cheek pops up.
“You know this totally defeats the purpose of us spending the night apart right?” You answer the phone in a teasing tone.
“You know you miss me just as much as I miss you. And you love that I called you!” She quips back.
“That is highly possible.” You say as you smile into the phone.
“Are you almost done?” She playfully whines.
“Are you a second grader or a second grade teacher?” You tease with a chuckle.
“You did this to me, you know! I was perfectly fine by myself, you know that I don’t like people. And then your gorgeousness had to walk into my life and gave me no choice but to fall in love with you! And now I’m the kind of woman who can’t even go a whole day without you being in my arms!” She exclaims.
“You’re making me get a big stupid smile on my face. You know that I feel exactly the same way about you my angel. I have two report cards to go, when I finish them I’ll text you and if you’re still up for seeing me I’ll pack a bag and Uber to your place.” You say hoping that’ll cheer her up a little bit.
“Correction, I’ll be picking your cute ass up. You promise you’ll text me?” She asks.
“If it’s not an ungodly hour, yes I promise.” You say softly.
“Noooo even if it’s an ungodly hour. (Y/N) I need you.” She says quietly, her voice filled with vulnerability.
“Fine silly girl. I promise to text you when I’m done.” You say softly.
“Good! I guess I’ll let you get back to grading. I love you so much amore mio.” She says softly.
“I love you more baby girl. Byeeeee.” You say.
“Byeee pretty girl.” She says and ends the call.
When you finish your last report card, you look at the clock and it’s already 11. You know the redhead is either in bed or fallen asleep on the couch. She’s not going to be happy but you’re going to Uber there so you don’t wake her up and have her drive here. You throw your stuff in the overnight bag that practically lives on either your floor or Mel’s floor. You make sure you submitted the report cards in the portal. And then call your Uber and before you know it, you’re standing on the redhead’s doorstep.
You take out your phone debating whether you should call or text her. You open your phone and pull up her number and decide calling is probably more effective and press call.
“Hey baby. Are you ready for me?” She answers trying to sound more awake but the grogginess in her voice gives her away. You definitely made the right decision to Uber here.
“I am but you need to check your front door first please and thank you.” You gently instruct her.
“You did not!” She exclaims.
You giggle into the phone.
She opens the front door and lets out a little squeal. And pulls you into the house and into her arms and you immediately relax from the stressful day you just had.
“You were supposed to let me pick you up!” She says into your neck.
“Were you not just sleeping?” You ask her teasingly.
“Possibly.” She reluctantly admits.
She breaks the hug so she can give you a long passionate kiss.
“Thank you for coming and taking care of my (Y/N) withdrawal.” She says softly, leaning her forehead against yours and gazing into your eyes.
“If I’m being honest with myself I had some Mel withdrawal myself. But this is definitely helping.” You say making sure she knows you feel the same way about her.
“Are you okay with just cuddling in bed?” She asks while trying to stifle a yawn.
“I will always be okay with cuddling in bed with my gorgeous girl.” You say as you caress her cheek. “Come on sleeping beauty, let’s get you in bed with your head on my chest and off to dream land.” You say with a smile as you lead her to the bedroom.
You get her to the bedroom and then go and make sure that everything in the house is turned off.
You’re weird when it comes to what you wear to bed, you literally just strip down to your underwear and call it good. Melissa gave you crap about it at first but stopped real quick when she realized it basically gives her a fast pass to all the goods!
You’re brushing your teeth and then you feel her wrap herself around you.
“You’re supposed to be in bed silly girl.” You say between brushing.
“I need you.” She says into your neck.
This is Melissa at her most vulnerable, she’s literally the definition of I don’t need anyone or anything towards everyone and everything else in life. The fact that she feels safe enough to say that she needs you is an honor and privilege that you don’t take for granted.
“I’m right here baby, available for all the cuddles you need.” You say gently as you finish wiping your mouth and then turn around to face her and kiss her softly.
You guide her back to bed and you both get in and just like you said she lays her head on your chest and you just melt into each other.
She traces patterns on your skin because she knows how that makes you fall asleep faster.
“Someday, hopefully in the not too distant future we won’t have to go anywhere to be with each other because we’ll have a home together.” She says quietly.
This is the first time she’s brought up moving in together. Of course you’ve thought about it because you already know Melissa is it for you, you can’t imagine your life without her. Loving her and being loved by her is your happily ever after.
“I don’t know… can you handle my ever expanding mug and magnet collection?” You tease her.
“I would get as many fridges and enough cabinets as it takes for your collections if it meant that I could wake up to you every morning and fall asleep with you every night.” She says as she smiles up at you.
“Have you really considered moving in together? Or is this sleepy Mel talking?” You ask as you play with her hair.
She takes your chin in her hand and has you look her in the eyes to show how genuine she is about this.
“(Y/N) you know I don’t say stuff that I don’t mean. I’ve really considered this. I’ve thought about how I’d ask you to live together. I’ve looked online for where we could live if you didn’t want to move here. I’ve also considered other things.” She says and then she mimics sliding something on your ring finger.
And for once you’re literally speechless by what she just hinted at!
She chuckles at how surprised you look. And then proceeds to give you a long and desire filled kiss.
When the kiss ends you look at her and see her mind going and then fear and embarrassment wash over her face.
“Have you not thought about those things with us?” She asks quietly. “Because if not… I didn’t mean to…” She tries to say.
“Melissa, look at me.” You gently instruct her. Once her emerald eyes are locked on yours, you continue. “I would love nothing more than to have a home together and to make you my wife. I was just shocked that you said it first, I thought I’d have to prove myself a little more or warm you up to those ideas.” You say as you stroke her hair.
You feel her let go of a breath she’s been holding. “You mean it?” She asks softly.
“I definitely mean it. So much so that I might have a Pinterest board called Mel’s Engagement Ring.” You say with a big smile.
The redhead is beaming at you and you can’t help but pull her in for another kiss.
“Do you think that we’re crazy for talking about all of this already?” She asks looking up at you.
“No I don’t think we’re crazy. I think we’ve known each other for two years and some change. And we’ve been close friends for most of that time. So compared to people who have just known each other the amount of time we’ve been dating, it makes sense that we’re already all in. And I think it’s one thing to know and want a forever future with someone but we just want to chill and get some more time under our belts as a couple first. And it’s another thing to be like we want all of that by next Friday. And correct me if I’m wrong but I would assume we’re both leaning towards the first one.” You say looking for her chime in.
“I mean I wouldn’t mind if it was next Friday.” She teases you with a smirk.
You chuckle and roll your eyes playfully.
“I’m just glad we’re on the same page and that it’s all out on the table.” She says softly.
“Me too angel. Now let’s get some sleep, my sleeping beauty.” You say as you kiss her forehead and pull her closer to you.
Your alarm goes off. “Noooooo.” You moan, you open your eyes, light is streaming through the window and red hair is splayed all across your chest, Jessica Rabbit has magically ignored your alarm and is quietly and adorably snoring with her arms wrapped around you like your her most prized possession and no one can take you away from her.
You try and wriggle your way out of her grasp but like an anaconda the more you try to get away the more the redhead holds you tighter.
“Baby.” You then proceed to kiss her until you see those emerald eyes open.
“I need to get up princess. And you’re doing the death grip hold again.” You tease as you kiss her forehead.
“You love it. Can we stay in bed for five more minutes?” She asks while intentionally giving you the biggest puppy dog eyes you’ve ever seen.
“Fine but only five minutes and then you have to be a good girl and let me get up.” You say in a faux strict tone.
“Deal! I love you so much.” She says into your chest.
You pull her in for a long passionate kiss, your tongues fighting for more access to the other. You feel her hand slink down to your nether regions. You hiss because my god do you want her right now, but you have to get ready.
She breaks the kiss and looks at you hungrily and in her husky seductive voice just says. “Please?”
And you did not know that just one word could make you wet until that very moment.
You close your eyes and nod.
“No, I need you to look me in the eyes and use your words.” She seductively instructs.
Damn look at her making consent hot! You look at her with such desire and say “Yes.”
And just like that she’s rubbing slowly along your folds. Shit, her fingers feel so good, you’re trying not to squirm and to keep some control. It’s like somehow she reads your mind because she looks at you and smirks and then immediately goes for your clit interchanging rubbing it slow and then fast and your whole body is shaking. She chuckles because she knows she has total control of you now.
“Mel, come here.” You say as you look at her longingly. She comes so her face is right above yours and you pull her in for another kiss. The heat between you two is so thick and every touch is another spark that turns it up hotter and hotter.
“I need you inside of me.” You whisper in her ear. She let’s out a little moan. This is probably both of your “favorite dirty talk” lines with each other. Because not only does it feel amazing when she’s inside you but you’re saying that I’m in this vulnerable position and need you to take care of me and it’s showing the rawest realest parts of yourselves to each other.
She slides her fingers into you and pumps fast and hard and you feel yourself start to float into an orgasamic haze. You cry out “Fuck Mel! Yes!” She puts her thumb back on your clit and starts rubbing it and in a matter of seconds you feel your cum just flow out of you and then her beautiful mouth cleaning you up.
She comes up and lays next to you. “Taste what I made you do.” She says softly and then pulls you in for a kiss, your hands tangle in her hair pulling her closer.
“Now that was your reward for working on your report cards and finishing them like the boss bitch you are.” She says with a big smile.
“I don't deserve you. I don’t know how I got so lucky.” You say as you stroke her hair.
“(Y/N) you deserve everything you want and so much more. I’m just lucky that I get to show you the love you deserve.” She says as she kisses your shoulder.
You both get up and start getting ready. You are putting on your blouse when you hear her enter the closet.
“So in lieu of everything that we talked about last night, I wanted to run something by you.” She says softly and you can detect a hint of nervousness.
“Okay what’s on your mind pretty girl?” You say as you take her hands and look into her eyes.
“I want you to come to family dinner and meet everyone.” She says while looking down nervously.
You literally don’t know what to say, it’s like your brain short circuited. You need to say something because obviously she was nervous to bring it up.
“Huh.” You say because it’s literally the first thing you can articulate.
You’re literally trying to make yourself understand that she wants you to meet her family. Fear and self loathing come crashing down on you.
“(Y/N). (Y/N). Where’d you just go?” She asks placing both hands on your cheeks. .
“It’s just past shit coming up again. I’m good.” You say as you lightly kiss her.
“Look at me. You’re safe. I’m right here with you and whatever it is we’ll face it together. But I need you to talk to me. Please (Y/N).” She says softly as she strokes your cheeks.
“I hate meeting people for the first time because the majority of the people just see my disabilities and not me. I don’t know if you remember but my first few months at Abbott I would just say hi and smile at the other teachers and staff, laugh when I thought something someone said was funny and talk to someone if they were directly talking to me. It just makes me think why the fuck would Melissa want me. You could literally have anyone and definitely many people who don’t deal with the shit that I deal with. And ironically Gary fucking said it, charity case is exactly how I feel when it comes to this shit. Like I feel like your family will take one look at me and be like what the hell, she could do way better.” You say in a shaky voice and you feel your eyes fill with tears.
The redhead wraps her arms around you and just holds you as you let the tears fall.
“It makes me so mad that you feel this way about yourself because of the bullshit you’ve gone through. First of all you feeling scared about meeting my family is totally valid. I know that I can’t begin to really understand what you experience when you meet people for the first time. But what I can say and this is not me trying to kiss your ass, the way I see you go through life with such grace, strength, courage and perseverance when you have obstacles pop on a regular basis just leaves me in awe of you. Yes you have shit that a lot of other people will probably never experience. But it’s made you the woman who makes me feel so safe, loved and taken care of. And that’s something that I didn’t think I’d find. Yes technically this will be the first time meeting my family. But I’ve literally talked their ear off about you and how amazing you are to me and how amazing you make me feel. They already love you and are so excited to meet you. And if anyone has anything bad to say they’ll have to go through me. I love you so much amore mio and every day I wake up I’m so grateful that I get to call you mine.” She says looking into your eyes with such love and adoration.
“I love you more angel. You always know how to calm me down. Thank you for being your amazing self.” You say as you pull her in for a kiss.
When we break away she gets a playful smile on her face. “Besides, how am I going to propose to you if you haven’t met my family.” She says with the biggest smirk and playfully nudges you.
“Melissa Schemmenti saying the P word, I must be dreaming!” You say nudging her back.
“Well as the gorgeous woman standing before me said last night I want to make you my wife. Mrs. (Y/N) Schemmenti just has a certain ring to it.” She says and then she kisses you softly.
“Seeing you all giddy about this is very adorable, you know.” You say with a smile.
“It’s all your fault, you turned me into this sappy romantic lovestruck chick.” She says as she goes into the bathroom to finish her makeup.
“Well what can I say, it suits you.” You say with a smirk as you lean against the bathroom doorway gazing at her with adoration. “So you have convinced me, I will go with you to family dinner. Do you want me to come this Sunday? Or should we wait a little bit?” You ask as you look at the ground nervously.
“Really?! You’ll come?!! Oh you are so coming with me on Sunday! Everyone’s going to be so excited to meet you! And I promise I’ll be right next to you the whole time and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. I know this brought up a lot of hard shit for you. Thank you for really facing it and it makes me fall even more in love with you if that’s even possible.” She comes to hug you.
“Anything for my queen. Thanks for helping me through it baby.” You say melting in her arms. She tries to go for a kiss.
“You literally just applied your lipstick and are going to get it all over me. And then I will have to tell everyone this is what being loved by Ms. Schemmenti looks like.” You tease her and duck her kiss.
The redhead does the biggest pout you’ve ever seen and you can’t help but chuckle. “I love you angel.” You say as you kiss her forehead and then you head to get y’all’s coffees started.
Your hands feel like you literally just washed them they’re so wet with sweat. Great just another thing to add to the not good enough for Melissa Schemmenti list you think to yourself as you wipe them on your dress for the billionth time.
It’s Sunday night, you’re in the car with Melissa driving to Nonna’s house. You’re debating doing a fling yourself out of the car drop and roll type of situation to get you out of dinner but you know you can’t do that to the redhead. She’s been glowing all week. She's so happy about you meeting the Schemmenti family.
Barb asked you at lunch midweek what had gotten into Melissa. You explained that you were meeting her family over the weekend.
“(Y/N), I’ve seen her with Joe and the aftermath of men after him. I’ve never seen Melissa Schemmenti this happy and in love. So whatever you’re doing, keep it up! But know that I know and see all and will put you in your place so fast if you hurt her that you would’ve thought Jesus himself came down and smited you.” The brunette said giving you a no nonsense look.
“Yes ma’am.” You said with a nod.
Back in the car you feel her warm hand squeeze your leg. “Honey, you've been holding your breath since we got in the car. Breathe for me please.” She says as she gives you a concerned look.
You realize that she’s right and you didn’t even realize that you were holding your breath. You let a big breath out. And take a deep breath in and out.
“Better. One more deep breath please.” She gently instructs. You take one more deep breath in and out and realize it actually makes you feel better.
“Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?” She says softly as she looks at you with a big smile.
“Only four other times.” You tease as you look at her while chuckling.
“That means I’m doing my job as your woman.” She smirks.
“You most certainly are.” You say as you kiss her hand.
“Okay we are on her block. Her house is the brick one with the green shutters.” She says to you.
The house comes into view and you swear to god your heart stops. You hear Mel shut her door and it jolts you back to reality. She comes to your side and helps you out of the truck.
She puts her hands on your biceps and gazed at you with such love. “They already love you. All you have to do is be yourself. And I’m right beside you the whole night.” She pulls you into a big hug. “Kiss please.” She says with a smile. You gently kiss her. And then you walk arm in arm up the steps and the redhead does a playful knock and then let’s herself in.
You follow the redhead into the entryway and can immediately hear the Schemmenti’s shouting over each other and possibly at each other. The aroma of an amazing Italian meal being made wafts through the house.
You brought Nonna a bouquet of an assortment of yellow, orange, and purple flowers. You decide to be a few steps behind Melissa, let her introduce you to everyone.
“Look at what the cat dragged in!” Announces a big bald burly guy who you think is Vinny.
“You’re one to talk Vin!” Melissa says as she playfully punches his arm.
“Now Vince, ya can’t talk like that, we have a lady in our midst.” A guy Vinny’s size with jet black hair comes up beside him and slaps him playfully aside the head.
It then dawns on you the man is talking about you.
“Mel you got yourself a looker! Where are my manners? I’m Dominic but everyone calls me Dom. It’s very nice to finally meet the woman that my cousin won’t shut up about.” He says as he holds out his hand.
You take it and give it a firm shake. “It’s very nice to meet you.” As you look up and give him a small smile.
You then hear a woman shout. “Let me through! I need to see this woman!” A little old lady barely five feet tall with the hint of red in her perm walks through the sea of Schemmentis, emerald eyes just like Jessica Rabbit’s give you a full body scan.
“Well you must be (Y/N). My granddaughter has told me so much about you!” She says as she gets to you.
“Good things I hope.” You say with a small smile.
“All good things which is high praise coming from her! But you already know what a special woman you must be to have Melissa feel the way she does about you.” She says looking you right in the eye.
“That’s very kind of you to say. Loving Melissa and being loved by her is something that I am so grateful for every day. And I know that sounds rehearsed and maybe ingenious but like Melissa I don’t say things that I don’t mean.” You say looking back at the Schemmenti matriarch.
“Hmmm I already can see why Melissa is fond of you. Strong women attract other strong women.” She says giving you a genuine smile.
“I brought you flowers. My mom taught me to never be an empty handed guest.” You say holding out the flowers.
“Your mom sounds like a very smart woman. These are beautiful dear! You are the first one that she’s brought here to give me flowers! And she married one of them, can you believe it?!” She said and winked at me. “Dom go find your wife and have her put these in a vase for me.” She hands the flowers off to Dom.
Her and Melissa give each other a big embrace. And then she says something to the redhead and they both look at you beaming.
“Come (Y/N)! A little birdie told me that you’re nervous about tonight. Well you just sit by me and I’ll talk enough for the both of us! Besides I need to know what your intentions are with my granddaughter as well as make sure you enjoy my lasagna!” She takes you by the arm and with Melissa on the other arm leads you to the dining room.
“Oh my god there she is!” You hear a voice say and then you see a doppelgänger of Jessica Rabbit herself only with jet black hair.
“You’re even more gorgeous in person! I’m Annette by the way, Mel’s cousin but we’re practically sisters. We've been inseparable our whole lives.” She says as she looks you over.
“It’s very nice to meet you.” You say with a smile and you hold out your hand.
“Awww look how polite she is, Mel you could learn a thing or two from her.” She teases Melissa and winks at her. “One thing you should know about us is that Schemmentis are huggers. Better to get used to it now. Come here I promise I don’t bite..hard.” She says and she opens her arms.
You don’t hesitate to hug her, you know how special she is to Melissa and you want to start off on the right foot with her. You hug her and it’s one of those warm comfy hugs where you can just feel her joy radiating to you. She’s got very good vibes, you can see why Melissa loves her so much.
“Has anyone told you that you give really good hugs?” She asks when the hug ends.
You chuckle a little. “Melissa says that to me all the time.” You say smiling at her.
Nonna takes you by the arm again and leads you to a seat. You pull out her chair to have her sit down first. And then you pull out Melissa’s chair for her. Annette is giving you this astonished look.
“Is she even real?” Annette asks Melissa jokingly.
“She’s pretty great, right?” Mel says and looks up at you with such love that you kind of get choked up a little bit.
“She deserves to be treated like the queen she is.” You say to Annette with a small smile. And then you lean down and kiss the redhead on the cheek. And then you sit down in your spot.
“Speaking of how you’re treating her, I hear you’re taking care of her in more ways than one.” She gives you the infamous Schemmenti smirk.
“Annette!!” Melissa exclaims.
“Oh come on, we’re all grown women who have been around the block more than once! And Nonna needs some excitement in her life!” Annette says.
“For your information Annette, I do take care of your cousin in more ways than one. And let’s just say she’s very enthusiastic about how I take care of her and always keeps coming back for more.” You say with a big smirk as you emphasize the word coming.
All three women gape at you in disbelief of what just came out of your mouth.
“What? Annette started this conversation and I responded appropriately. I’m not gonna deny my skills!” You say chuckling.
Nonna bursts out laughing and you finally start feeling comfortable and like you can just be yourself.
“Dinner is served!” Dom announces and then he sets the lasagna on the table and then a slew of Schemmentis come out of the kitchen setting different side dishes on the table and taking their seats.
Chatter is happening all around the table and you just sit there quietly observing. You notice the similar physical features that they share that you’ve memorized about Melissa. Melissa is chatting with Annette and just looks so relaxed and happy that it just warms your heart.
“So (Y/N). Melissa said that you’re fairly new to Philly. Where are you originally from?” Nonna asks.
“I’m originally from Michigan. Abbott was my first job offer after I graduated with my masters. And I had always wanted to live out of state somewhere so it was the perfect opportunity.” You explain.
“Do you get to see your family a lot?” She asks.
“Only a few times a year. Mostly for holidays. Seeing y’all have dinner like this is really nice. Even if I saw them more we aren’t like this with each other. I mean don’t get me wrong I know they love me, but they love the version of me that they approve of, not the rest of me. So when I’m with them I feel suffocated if that makes sense.” You say getting a sad look on your face.
“Oh sweetheart I’m sorry. A parent’s job is to love their children unconditionally and when that doesn’t happen it’s really difficult to come to terms with. I mean look at all these knuckleheads, they’re loud, they’re stubborn, they’re confrontational, but at the end of the day every single one of them knows that wherever they are in life, they can come here and the rest of us will love them just as they are. And I want you to know that you can come here just as you are and we will love you too.” She says and then pats your hand.
This woman is being so incredibly kind to you and she just met you, you almost can’t comprehend it. You smile and nod.
“So I don’t know how long I have left here on this earth so I have to know do you intend to marry Melissa?” She asks.
This woman has balls you think to yourself, getting straight to the point. You feel Mel put a hand on your leg. You look and she’s looking right at you, she definitely heard Nonna’s question.
You give Mel an I got this nod. “We were actually just talking about this last night. We both expressed that we do want to get married. This one actually insinuated it first which was surprising to me because I thought I was going to have to convince her to marry me. But yes there will be proposals and then a (Y/L/N) Schemmenti wedding in the future. And if Melissa gets her way, which she probably will because who can say no to that gorgeous face, it’ll be sooner rather than later.” You say with a genuine smile.
“The way you’ve been with her tonight and from what she’s told me and the way you look at each other, I can tell you really love her and go out of your way to take care of her. And knowing that she has that gives me peace. Now everyone cough up the money!” She looks around the table as people start begrudgingly tossing money towards Nonna.
And you realize that the Schemmenti’s were betting on your relationship. Of course they were, you think to yourself and you can’t help but chuckle to yourself.
“I can’t believe all of youse, betting on my relationship! We better be getting a cut of the winnings or there’s gonna be a problem!” Melissa says glaring at all of them, the hard ass Philly side of her coming out in full force.
Once everyone is finished eating, you look over to Nonna. “Can I take your plate for you?” You ask.
“Yes that’d be very helpful dear. Thank you for offering.” She said and squeezes your arm in appreciation.
“Baby hand over your plate please. I’m gonna start helping clear the table.” You say into Melissa’s ear and then give her a quick kiss on the cheek. She hands you her plate and looks at you with such admiration.
You overhear Annette say to Melissa. “Is she always like this? Cause if so can she come and teach my man her ways, I will literally pay her to.”
“She is always like this. I sometimes have to remind myself that this is my real life and I’m not dreaming. But it’s a reciprocated thing, we just take care of each other, like there’s this unspoken agreement that we make each other’s lives as easy as possible that way we can focus on spending time together. And when balls do get dropped, there is so much more room for empathy and understanding. Seriously, it’s been a game changer. It’s absolutely why I know I want to marry her because doing life with her is a breath of fresh air. I just love her so much Annette and I feel so loved by her.” Melissa says to Annette.
“Oh honey.” Annette embraces Melissa. “If anyone deserves this, it’s you. I know there was a moment there where you had given up hope about finding a real love. And I’m just so glad that the gorgeous girl in there has proven that theory all wrong.” Annette says.
You help clean up dinner. And then you say goodbye and hug what feels like a hundred Schemmentis.
“Well you have definitely proven that you can hold your own with the Schemmenti clan. Not an easy feat. I think that makes you an official Schemmenti until this one actually makes you one legally.” Says Dominic with a wink.
“Thanks man, I’ll wear that title with pride.” You say smiling up at him.
Nonna is your last goodbye. “Thank you so much for having me over for dinner. The food and the company were wonderful and it was really nice talking with you.” You say and then give her a hug.
“It was so wonderful meeting you dear. I’m looking forward to next Sunday. Take care of our girl. Okay?” She says.
“Yes ma’am I promise she’s in good hands.” You say as you put your arm around Mel.
“(Y/N) you call me Nonna from now on.” She says with a smile.
You smile and nod. “Good night Nonna. Have a good night everyone! Nice meeting y’all!” You say to the entryway filled with Schemmentis. And you and Jessica Rabbit leave Nonna’s hand in hand for the first time but definitely not the last.
When you get home Melissa knows that your batteries are low from all that socializing. She takes you straight to bed.
“Thank you for being so amazing with my family tonight. You make me feel so happy and loved. And I just need you to know that I will do everything in my power every day to make you feel as loved as you make me feel.” She says looking at you as she strokes your cheek as you lay facing each other. You pull her in for a passion filled kiss.
“I love you so much angel.” You whisper.
She smiles and nods. “I love you more amore mio. Now you just let me hold you and have sweet dreams.” She whispers softly and then kisses your forehead.
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Text
Before the wedding
Pt2 of why did you invite me?
Pairing:Melissa Schemmenti x reader
Warning: hints of infidelity, yelling, cussing, unedited, hurt comfort
Let me know if I left anything out
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Melissa sat with her boyfriend Joe across the room a beer in hand as her other rested on his arm while he laughed with his friends. My best friend Liam sat me on his lap to whisper in my ear “you like her don’t you?” I rolled my eyes “maybe” I grumbled.
“But she’s not gay” I turned to face him “did you ask her?” He spoke cockily “no” Liam raised an eyebrow “so how do you know?” He argued playfully as his arms tightened around me. “She has a boyfriend” I rested my head on his shoulder “that doesn’t mean anything, look at you boyfriends, girlfriends literally anything that moves at this point”.
“She’s older than me Liam and remember she has a boyfriend. Maybe she doesn’t want to explore” I hissed, we were in college she was in her last year while Liam and I were only in our first.
At some point we met in the bathroom she helped me fix my makeup after she smudged it somehow friends became more.
Present
I walked into the venue quietly as Anna held onto my dress I could spot Melissa’s family, Nonna hadn’t changed a bit. I smiled sadly everything else has changed though I thought to myself walking away only to bump into the bride to be herself.
“Y/n?” She asked almost confused but she couldn’t be could she? “M-melissa” I swallowed nervously she shouldn’t look this good. “Congratulations” I smiled.
She shook her head “you look beautiful” Anna tugged at my dress as she hid behind me “thank you” Melissa whispered. “Mama” came the little whine “Mama?” The redhead asked confused but her eyes lit up “congrats mama” she chuckled sadly.
I pulled Anna up and placed her on my hip her hair matching Melissa’s “you got married?” She asked “no but you’re about too” I nodded to the french doors. Melissa shook her head again “what are you doing here?” She asked softly “you invited me in the middle of the night” silence..
“Oh I did?” Her eyes glanced down before at Anna “I didn’t disrupt anything did I?” I sighed softly “Mel it’s just me and Anna just as it has been the last almost eight years”.
“Eight years? But that would make her seven?” I could see the puzzle in her mind “she is isn’t she?” I glance down ignoring Anna’s confused face. “Tell me Y/n! Is she mine?” Anna flinched in my arms tugging closer “mama?” She asked “yes Melissa” I sighed.
“You’re getting married”
And not to me
“So hurry go” I chuckled although I could feel my heart drop to my stomach and slowly lose its beat “no” that shocked me. “No? Melissa you have to” she laughed “I don’t have to do Jack, I have a daughter that I never knew about!” She yelled.
Liam came and grabbed Anna from me who was beginning to cry, I tried not to run after her as she sobs for me. “You chose this Melissa!” I stepped away “I tried telling you but you were done! Your shit was packed and in the hall don’t tell me that suddenly things are the same!”
“I tried Melissa, I really tried everything for you”
“Everything has changed and you’re getting married, don’t change your plans just for me or my daughter-” “our daughter” she cut me off. “But you’re still getting married, you probably have your own kids now!”
“I don’t” Melissa stated clearing her throat “I only wanted them if I had them with you” she admitted “Mel” I sighed softly. “Don’t do this please” I begged “don’t you think we’re too old to be doing this?” I asked her “we’re not in college anymore hun, things really matter now and who matters most to me is that little girl out there currently crying”.
Melissa nodded “yeah, you’re right but can’t I just make things right?” She tried
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writingforevermore · 1 month
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One and Only
Melissa Schemmenti x Reader
Slight angst to fluff
based on the song One and Only by Adele
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You're laughing with Barbara, your head thrown back, your hand on her arm. Barbara has a smile on her face, proud of what she just said to make you laugh.
Melissa is staring at you from across the room, her eyes peering over her wine glass. She looks you up and down, observing your every move. You're amazing with her friends, you laugh with Barb, you debate with Jacob, you worry with Janine, you garden with Gregory, you party with Ava. You're perfect with Melissa, treating her like she carries the world on her back. You look at her like she just gave you air to breathe. You have never betrayed her, never done wrong by her. Melissa knows how you feel about her. She knows if she were to run up and kiss you in the way she dreams about, you would pull her closer. She knows you would treat her the way her Nonna wanted so bad for her. You would give her the security for her to completely open up and never make her feel judged. The stars have aligned and given Melissa her dream girl. The person she has been searching for, since she was a little girl. The one thing out of place is Melissa. Her mind holds her back from the one thing she craves. Every time she goes to lean in to finally capture your lips with hers, her mind races and her insecurities win. She can't do it. The what if's cloud her thinking and they terrify her. Why is something so promising, so simple, this hard?
"Melissa?" you tap her out of her thoughts, she looks up at you from her seat.
"Hey, how's it goin'?" you laugh.
"I was about to ask you that, you've been in the corner this whole night. Are you okay? Do you want to ditch? I'll distract Ava?" She shakes her head.
"No, just thinking too much." You grab her hand, pulling her up as she sets down her glass. She adjusts her red dress, shuffling it down slightly.
"Dance with me? We can clear your thoughts on the dance floor, mi amor." The pet name causing her cheeks to turn bright red, luckily her makeup covers most of her blush. You lead the way, as a slow song comes on. You set your hands on her waist as hers wrap loosely around your neck. "What on your mind, Mel?" She sighs deeply, laying her forehead on your collarbone.
"Complicated things, Hon."
"Maybe it's not as complicated as you're making it to be." you reply, making her feel as if you've read her mind.
"It's really not, I'm just having a mental battle with myself. Been havin' the same one for years now." you rock her slowly back and forth.
"I'm sure there's a solution to it."
"There is, I'm just not sure if I should solve this one."
"If it will add to your happiness, you should always take that chance."
She pulls away from your chest, looking up at you with unsureness and worry. "I just- I can't." Melissa runs out, her dress flowing behind her. You chase her outside, the wind blowing your hair in your face.
"Melissa!" You call out, only to fall on deaf ears. She bolts to her car, quickly opening the door. You gently grab her arm before she can get in her car. "Melissa if I upset you-"
She shakes her head "It's not you, Y/n... I just can't lose you"
Your brows tie together in confusion "You'll never lose me, Mel. I don't know why you would think that."
Tears form in her eyes "Y/n..." She whispers as you bring your thumb up to catch one of her tears, wiping her cheek. "Why does this have to be so hard?"
You keep your hand on her cheek "Why does what have to be so hard, my love?"
More tears fall from her eyes. "I'm in love with you. I always have been. God, please don't hate me, Y/n"
You smile softly at her, cupping her face. "Love doesn't always have to be hard, Melissa. You know I fell for you years ago." You lean in, brushing your lips against hers before she presses into you, passionately kissing you with everything she can. Trying to convey her feelings into one kiss. A tear rolls down your cheek as you shut your eyes, taking in the moment. The love you have for the woman, filling your heart, making your body warm.
"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to let my doubts go, you're the only one that I want" You shake your head.
"Don't be sorry, Mel." She pulls you in for another short-lived kiss.
She takes a deep breath of relief, letting the weight fall off her shoulders "I don't know why I was scared, I've been here before, I've imagined it all."
Finally, your souls unite, solidifying a love that not even the strongest of force could break, Melissa will make sure of that.
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blackfangedreaper · 1 year
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I can’t tell if request are open but could I request luffy reacting to his s/o dancing on stage with this song and dance cover (https://youtu.be/qnPTDEaP9Hw ) ? + marines are watching too if u can do that
HE KNOWS
Pairings: Monster trio + Aokiji, koby, shanks and mihawk x dancer!y/n
Warning: fluff, suggestive themes, cursing, grammatical errors. MDNI.
Tags: @closet-degenerate @h3rfave @iin0va @avaricious-hoe @audreys-works @444katsuki
Note: loved the idea nonna and yes my requests are open.
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LUFFY
The sparkles in his eyes as he watched you twirl, drop then swing your hair, you looked so good dancing up there, so good he didn't know if he wanted to join you or let you be. Nami pulled him by his ears when he got too close to the stage unconsciously, too hypnotised by your moves to notice.
Couldn't resist trying to go closer once again to the stage to see you more. His jaw dropping when you dropped to a split. His pupils shaking at your sensual movements swallowing thickly when you blew a kiss at him. He loved it every second of it.
His eyes drooping slightly taking a halflidded form at the way you swung your hips, hunger present in his eyes as he maintained eye contact with you all through. He wanted something and you'll give it to him,- "Hey, do the thing you did with your waist on stage!" -He knows.
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ZORO
His gaze trailed all over your body as you danced in those thigh high 4 inched heels, the ones you dragged him out to buy with you. And they fit you so well, the leather sticking to the skin of your thighs perfectly.
His pants tighening as your ass hung in the air for a moment, your movements were so sensual, it drove him crazy. He couldn't wait to get you alone, maybe you'll give him a private dance, on his dick that is.
He couldn't take his halflidded eyes off you, swinging his head back to finish his booze before relaxing on the chair, his arms over the couch, legs manspread and head tilted a little to rest on the couch. His eyes on you just like you wanted it- "Greedy little thing, look how you're sucking me in." -He knows.
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SANJI
This one was on the brink of passing out but he had to stay awake, he had to. Just watching you swing your hips to the beat of the song had blood flowing out through his nose in spurts.
Tears in his eyes as you winked at him, his nose stuffed with tissues and cheering a muffled. ''Y/n-chwan". His eyes wide open as not to miss a single moment. His eyes almost rolled back when your ass hung up in the air.
God knows he's horny and he's not too proud to beg after your little dance he'll show you the bed then after, breakfast in bed. You'll just love what he has planned,- "Hm? Faster? Whatever you want sweetheart." -He knows.
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AOKIJI
Was very flustered although not visibly. He was trying to play it cool, but his eyes were erratic behind his shades. Whistling when your ass jiggled in those short shorts or when your boobs bounced in your crop top.
Tapped his feet steadily to beat as he watched you twirl on the floor before getting up slowly, his normally cold body heating up at your halflidded stare.
All that cake and he couldn't wait to give you some filling and with the look you had on your face you wanted him to hit it till you lose all feeling,- "Ah... What mess, what's the point of filling you up if you'll just pour it back out." -He knows.
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KOBY
Would have passed out if helmoppo hadn't held him steady, he's seen you dance before infact he watches you dance all the time but this somehow feels different watching you dance all so sexy especially in those clothes, it stirs up something in him.
From the moment you turned around he knew what you were doing, watching you back it up then drop it down. All eyes were on you and he wasn't gonna lie you've got him watching too.
Using his marine uniform to fan himself a little, was it him or it was hot. Either way he was sure it was you, the way you smirked at him you wanted something from him and what exactly do you want?- "Pl-Please, don't tease!" -He knows.
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SHANKS
Kept smirking with an obvious blush on his face. No way was he going to let you get away with teasing him like that. Just look at you, dancing so sexy and even in sexier clothing, if you think he'll let you down slowly you've got another thing coming.
Teeth tugging on his bottom lip as he watched you dip and twirl. A little 'fuck' escaping his mouth as his eyes followed the way you caressed your body. Groaning when you smiled suggestively at him reminding him of your earlier statement.
"Shanks, I'll be back after this one song, then you're taking me home." You winked before leaving him with a kiss on the cheek as you swayed all the way up the stage. The smirk on his face never dropping as he thought of all the things he'd do to you tonight and only- "Hahah! Not so bold now huh?!" -He knows.
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MIHAWK
He smiled into his wine cup, sipping the drink as he eyed your movements. He leaned back into the bar stool groaning when you dropped it down and whined, you were going to be the death of him.
His attention on you and noone else, watching it bounce as you danced, the way you licked your lips to tease not only him but the others in the crowd. Chuckling a little when you smiled innocently in his direction, well aren't you cute.
The atmosphere, the clothes, the bloody song, it was all you, you knew the attention it brought but to be honest he wasn't all that surprised he knows you love the attention that you get when you move and You know,- "Eager Eager, a little patience won't hurt, querido [darling]." -He knows.
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harunayuuka2060 · 1 year
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Malleus: Your Majesty...? What are you doing here?
The queen: *his grandmother* *has come to Night Raven College without any notice*
The queen: I just wanted to check in on my precious grandson. Also, to see a certain spectral dragon who has been hiding from me for thousands of years.
Malleus: ...
Malleus: You mean... Nonna? She's teaching right now.
The queen: Bring me to her location.
Malleus: If you barge in, you'll cause a commotion. And where are your royal guards?
The queen: I've left them. You should not be concerned. I've assigned someone to keep an eye on my place while I'm away.
Malleus: ...
Malleus: Please be patient. I'll inquire with Lilia.
The queen: Good. I want to talk to him too.
Malleus: ...
Lilia: *kneeling before Her Majesty*
The queen: Do you know why I've summoned you here?
Lilia: I have no idea, Your Majesty.
The queen: ...
The queen: Where is that despicable spectral dragon?
Lilia: She might be on break as of this moment.
The queen: Could you bring me to her? Or rather, drag her here.
Lilia: *troubled chuckle* Who am I to do that to her, Your Majesty?
The queen: I am displeased, Lilia Vanrouge. Stop making excuses for her.
Lilia: ...
*Crowley and the others evacuating the students as per Lilia's advice*
Ace and Deuce: *have stayed with MC because they don't understand why they need to leave*
Deuce: It seems the situation is quite urgent.
Ace: Eh... But the headmage didn't say anything.
MC: *looks chill* According to Lilia Vanrouge, we have an important visitor.
Deuce: Who might it be?
Ace: Right? I feel like they're someone scary.
MC: We will find out.
*then the sound of the horns*
Ace and Deuce: !!!
Lilia: *steps in* Bow down to Her Majesty, The Queen of Briar Valley.
Ace and Deuce: Eh? EH?!!
Sebek: Bow down, humans!
The queen: *walks in elegantly*
Ace and Deuce: ...
Deuce: Th-That's the queen of Briar Valley? What is she doing here?
Ace: I don't know! And let's kneel before she notice us!
The queen: *her eyes already fixated on MC*
MC: *meeting her gaze with equal fervor*
The queen: Are you not going to show your respect?
MC: I'm still tired from teaching a large group of children today. I'll do it when I feel like it. Still, take a seat.
Silver and Sebek: *stunned*
Lilia: *trying to hold back his laughter*
Ace: Eh? Madame? Are you sure that's how you talk to a queen?
Deuce: Ace is right, Ma. That seems... rude.
MC: My intuition tells me that we are on equal footing. So no.
MC: Lilia Vanrouge, am I mistaken?
Lilia: No. You are completely correct.
The queen: ...
The queen: *smiles* And here I am thinking you've finally changed. You're still as brazen as ever.
MC: I'll take that as a compliment. And I would appreciate it if you use our indoor shoes.
Silver: The Madame... She's really...
Sebek: ... Fearless.
The queen: *doing what she says*
The queen: Your house a filth.
MC: It's a vintage.
Lilia: *already crouching on the floor, silently wheezing*
Ace: Ah... So she came here to see how she's doing?
Malleus: Yes. I was worried at first, however, knowing my grandmother, she's the type to visit her friends whenever she feels the need to.
Deuce: I see... I'm getting more and more amazed with Mama. I wonder if I could be like her when it comes to creating connections.
Crowley: A-Ah! That's good to hear! I will let the students know that it's safe for them to come back and resume their classes.
Malleus, Ace, and Deuce: ...
Ace: Headmage, you amaze me sometimes.
Crowley: *frowns, crossing his arms* Don't try to be sarcastic on me, Trappola.
The queen: Now that we've exchanged pleasantries.
The queen: Explain to me why you broke your oath.
MC: ...
MC: Oath... I don't remember ever doing one.
The queen: ...
The queen: It seems Lilia is right.
The queen: You have no idea who you are.
MC: If it isn't anything frightening, I suppose I don't need to sweat the details.
MC and the queen: *clinking their wine glasses*
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melanieph321 · 8 months
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Ruben Dias - Lost in Sardinia Part 2/8
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Summary - Ruben is on a getaway in Sardinia. There he meets a girl named Fiorella. She starts to wonder why Ruben won't tell her what exactly he is getting away from, or even what his real name is.
Enjoy!
"Fiorella please let me cut your hair. Why won't you let me cut your hair?"
"Nonna, I like my hair the way it is."
She had agreed to go to the party, agreed to wear a dress, but cutting her hair, that's where Fiorella drew the line.
"But it's too long and it smells like..." Nonna bent down to sniff her head. She grimaced. "Sophia!"
She called for back up.
"Yes?"
Fiorella's big sister Sophia poked her head through the bathroom door.
"Come smell Fiorella's hair."
"Nonna, please." Fiorella sighed.
Her sister entered the bathroom, bending down to smell her hair. She pulled back just as quickly as she had bent forward.  "Eww, why does it smell like that?"
"Like what?"
"Your head, it smells like...like fish."
"Told you!" Nonna exclaimed. "That's what happens when you run down to the docks everyday. You want to be like a fish, well now you smell like one."
"Nonna." Fiorella gasped.
Her sister threw her head back with laughter.
"It's the truth, no?"
"Fine, I'll wash it, but that'll be it."
Fiorella couldn't contain her excitement as she helped prepare for her sister Chiara's welcome home party. Chiara had been studying abroad and was finally returning for her grand wedding. It had been too long since the sisters had spent quality time together, and Fiorella was eager to catch up.
Amidst the joy, Fiorella felt a twinge of resentment towards her family. They had always expected her to find love and settle down like Chiara. It seemed that everywhere she turned, they would drop not-so-subtle hints, setting her up with potential suitors in the hopes of nudging her towards a relationship.
Nonna, in particular, took it upon herself to play matchmaker at the party. Eager to see her beloved granddaughter find happiness, she had arranged for several contenders to attend the celebration, all unknowingly vying for Fiorella's affection.
Fiorella's heart sank at the thought of going through another evening of pretending to be interested in strangers. She longed for a connection as deep and genuine as the one she saw between her sister and her soon-to-be husband, Enzo.
"You look..."
"Don't say it."
"Beautiful. You look beautiful Fiorella."
"Thanks Chiara. But your the one that looks amazing."
Her sister wore a pink dress that complemented her skin. Chiara always carried herself so elegantly. She was the only family member with straight hair and ocean colored eyes. "A gift sent from above." Nonna would call her.
To people who didn't know her family, Fiorella would explain that, Chiara was the smart one, Sophia the dumb one and Dino her favorite. Fiorella herself, didn't always feel like she belonged. Her family had so many relatives that it was easy to get lost in the crowd.
"So, how does it feel to be getting married soon?" Fiorella asked, as the two of them had a chance to catch up while refilling their plates at the buffet table.
"Pretty cool." Chiara shrugged, topping her plate up with more pasta.
"What are the odds of meeting a Sardinian man outside of Sardinia and then marrying that man?"
"Probably 7 billion to 1,5 million."
Fiorella chuckled. "Chiara, always the one to go against the odds."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Mom told me that you quit nursing school."
"I'm just taking a break."
"Whatever you say." Her sister teased.
"It's true. I just needed time away. Besides,  helping out with the farm has been...fun."
"Fun, really?"
"Sometimes."
Fiorella held out for as long as possible, before erupting in laughter. Her sister joined in, a hand to her stomach. Their spasms went on for a couple of minutes, attracting the attention of other guests.
"You know..." Chiara said, forcing herself to stop, wiping her nose.  "You can always come and live with me and Enzo."
"And third wheel on your honeymoon? I don't think so. Besides, I don't wanna move to the mainland, Sardinia is where it's at."
"Alright, alright." Her sister said, balancing her plate of food in on hand. "I just don't want you to get stuck here with mom and dad."
"Don't forget Nonna."
"And Nonna." She chuckled. "You should be exploring the world at your age. That's what I did before..." Her sister looked back to where Enzo sat, waiting for her at their table.
"Meeting the love of your life?" Fiorella said.
Her sister smiled. "Yes, before I met the love of my life. Even then I didn't stop exploring. There's more to see in the world than just the white coasts of Sardinia. If you ever feel the need to get away just..."
"Call you, I know." Fiorella nodded.
They were different that way, Fiorella and her sister. Fiorella didn't have such a strong need to search for life. She had learned that often times life had a strong need to search for her. All she had to do was to never fear the unknown, welcoming all experiences that life would throw at her.
"I mean it Fiorella, call me." Her sister pinched her cheek, bidding farwell before joining her fiance at their table.
As the party carried on, the atmosphere buzzed with celebration. Guests mingled, music filled the air, and laughter echoed throughout the grand estate. Fiorella, managed to avoid the rest of Nonna's suitors by dancing with Dino all night. She let him step on her feet as she led the way, swaying him across the dance floor.
Finally, the party drew to a close, the sun, low on the horizon, leaving a mistful warmth in the air. Fiorella sense the perfect opportunity to withdraw from her family, perhaps sneak off for a late night swim.
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She knew that he would be there, at the docks. Just like her, Ruben seemed to be an early riser and a late night sleeper. He sat on the deck of his boat. Just like when she had met him the first time. He sat looking out over the horizon, his silhouette drawn to the way the descending sun painted the sea red. He hadn't noticed Fiorella, pulling up on her bike. Not until she rushed towards the water, draping her dress over her head as she did.
Tossing it aside, she dove into the chilled water. Her dog Pluto was right at her heels, barking at the splashing water, before daring to make the leap himself.
"Buonasera." She smiled.
Fiorella resurfaced to the sight of Ruben's eyes on her. They were dark in the night, gleaming at her with slight curiosity.
"Buonasera." He said, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"A perfect evening for a swim, no?"
"You certainetly seem to be enjoying yourself."
"It's better down here than up there." She said, gathering water as she swam to hold herself up.
"You think so?" Ruben worked his jaw, a determination in his glare.
"You won't know for certain, unless you..."
He jumped in.
Before Fiorella couldn't finished her sentance Ruben stood, tugging his shirt over his shoulders and diving down from his boat, head first into the water.
She gasped as he resurfaced near her. Pluto growled at his unexpected presence.
"It's okay, Pluto, he won't hurt me."
"It's your guard dog?" Ruben asked, running a quick hand through his hair.
"No, he's just naturally protective. My dad uses him to herd sheep and so It's good that he is like that."
Ruben nodded.
Fiorella let her head go under once more, before swimming back to the docks. There she heaved herself up from the water. Ruben was already behind her when she stood. He was making aquaintance with Pluto, petting him.
"I have two dogs back home." He said.
Fiorella had a momentarily freeze, seeing Ruben up close with his shirt off, water dripping down his ridiculously lean body.
"And where is home?" She broke their eye contact, bending down to pick up her crumbled up dress. Her sisters would tease her for wearing  bikini's as lingerie, but Fiorella wanted the option of going for a swim whenever it pleased her.
"I have more than one place I call home." Ruben turned his head, as not to stare at Fiorella as she stepped into her dress. "But my dogs are in my home in Lisabon."
"Lisabon, Portugal. You are Portuguese?"  Although he was descent at English, she had spotted an accent from miles away.
"Are you surprised?"
"Not really. But I would have guessed Colombian by the way you pronounced Sardinia."
His brows flinched. "How would you have me pronounce it then?"
"Sardinia." She shrugged. Soft on the "D" and with a slight roll of her tongue.
"Sardinia." Ruben repeated.
"Better." She chuckled.
"It's my first time visiting." He said.
Fiorella smiled "Is that what you call it, you sitting in your boat all day?"
Ruben was brought back, temporally insulted.
"I went to your village yesterday." He said in defense. "I went by your uncles restaurant but you weren't there."
Had he been looking for her? Why?
"I was probably helping my family with the party we had tonight. My sister came home with her fiance. They are getting married this weekend."
"I see." Ruben nodded. "Do you have any suggestions on what I could do during my short stay here in Sardinia?"
She smiled at the way he was making an effort to pronounce the name correctly.
"I dunno, what are you into, food, beverages, a good place to have gelato....?"
"Do you know any good trails for hiking?"
Fiorella frowned. "You mean walking?"
"No, like hiking. A nice hike where you can see interesting things along the trail."
"Um...?" Was he a psychopath, she thought. Who would want go on a hike in Sardinia when the beach was right...
"I haven't done much but to go by boat. I thought it'd be good if I tried exploring the island for a change."
"I see." Fiorella thought of good routes to hike, having personally been on zero herself. "There is a waterfall up the mountain. " She said, rembering one of her ventures with her family as a child.
"Yeah? Is it far?"
"I dunno, aren't hikes suppose to be far?"
Ruben smirked. "I mean how long will it take me, all day or just a couple of hours?"
"I'd say if you went by yourself it will probably take all day. But if you went with a person who knows the area, you should be there and back in only a couple of hours."
"Great!" He exclaimed, an unknown excitement in his eyes.
"It is great." Fiorella agreed. "I used to go there with my family when I was younger. There is a lagoon near the waterfall, the water is colder than the sea but some people still dare to swim in it."
"Sounds perfect after a hike. Where should we meet and which time?"
"Pardon?"
She was beginning to wonder why Ruben was looking at her with such a beaming anticipation. Now she knew. "My apologies Ruben, but I think I've mislead you into thinking that I'm some kind of tour guide. I'm no fucking tour guide." Fiorella said.
"But you know the area, right?"
"So? Alot of people know the area." Fiorella felt insulted, used for her knowledge of Sardinia. That is, until Ruben said....
"How about we make a day of it, just you and me?"
"I..." She was speechless. A tourist like him had left her speechless.
He was flirting with her, surley by the way he was tilting his head, wearing that ridiculous grin on his face, he was flirting with her.
"In case I'm being misleading, this is me, asking you out." He smiled.
Fiorella frowned. "Why?"
He chuckled. "Not really the answer I was hoping for, but fine. I think that you're a very intelligent and beautiful woman and the two of us would probaly have a really good time hiking up the mountain together."
"We would?"
"Well, we won't know for certain unless we..."
"Fine." She gave in. Not because he was using her own words against her, but because her legs had began to tremble and it was best that she and Pluto returned to help clear the party. That and the fact that right there and then Fiorella might have found someone. Someone she could connect with.
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Note
Hii!
If I may I would like to send a Melissa Schemmenti x Reader request your way! <3
With the plot being: Reader wanting to surprise Melissa with being the one to cook dinner. So reader goes out one night to learn a Schemmenti family recipe from Kristin Marie without Melissa knowing.
Hi yourself! You may indeed - and once again I am immensely flattered that you would want to!
I didn't feel I had a great handle on Kristen Marie as a character so I'm afraid there is minimal KM content, but I hope you like it!
~*~
You clutch a recipe written in an unfamiliar hand along with your notes and a Tupperware container full of the fruits of your evening.  “I swear, if you’ve given me the wrong recipe or you’ve sabotaged me you’ll regret it.”
The blonde in front of you smirks.  She very different from Melissa, you’ve learned, but there are certainly some similarities, and plenty of sass.  “Threatening me already?  You’re clearly well matched.”  She holds up her hands.  “You stood and cooked it with me and watched me copy out the recipe.  You’d have tasted it if there was something wrong.”
You nod.  It had taken a bit of minor deception, mild threats and persuasion but Kristen Marie had agreed to teach you a proper Schemmenti family recipe.  It would go down as one of the stranger evenings in recent memory, but it hadn’t been a disaster.  She had been curious, if not always kind in her questions as to what you were doing with her sister.  You, in turn, had been honest.  There was nothing to hide, as far as you were concerned.  You were there because you loved Melissa and wanted to cook a special meal for her, simple as that.
As you drive home, you consider the evening a success.  Kristen Marie had written out the recipe for you and as you had cooked alongside her, you had taken your own notes.  Despite being more of a baker than a cook, you felt semi confident for your dinner date with Melissa the coming week.
*
“You sure you still wanna cook?” Melissa asks as you pour her a glass of wine.  Her eyes flicker over the ingredients laid out by the stove, trying to guess what you’re making.  “Not that you can’t cook!” she adds hastily.  “Just, you know, you normally bake.”
“I know,” you smile.  She’s right.  “But I wanted to make something special.  I’ve been practicing.”
The red head smiles at your thoughtfulness.  “Do you want me to do anything?”
Shaking your head, you pull out a stool at your kitchen island.  You know she won’t just relax on your sofa and let you work and there’s no point in trying to make her.  “I want you to sit and relax.”
She settles herself on the stool and you enjoy her little wiggle as she does.  Conversation is light between you.  It has to be really, as immersed as you are in the recipe and getting everything right.  Melissa doesn’t seem to mind, however, as she watches you begin to bring things together.
“Where did you learn this recipe?” she asks, a new tone to her voice.  It feels familiar.  Too familiar. 
You glance up, but her eyes aren’t on you.  They’re slowly taking in every ingredient on your work top, calculating what you’ve done, what comes next.  “I learned it for you.”
Her face is contemplative as she gets up from the stool on which she’s been perched, coming around to your side of the work surface.  Again, she lets her eyes rove over the gathered ingredients before reaching for your notes.  You had copied out the recipe in your own handwriting, knowing she’d recognise her sister’s hand in a heartbeat.
“Kristen Marie,” she says quietly, a slight frown on her face as she reads over the recipe once more. 
Your eyes widen.  You hadn’t realise she’d also recognise her sister’s influence on the recipe quite so easily.  “Please don’t be mad!”
She turns to you, putting the recipe down and taking in your slightly panicked expression.
“I was going to ask Nonna, but I didn’t think she’d tell me,” you offer as almost an excuse.  You had met the woman a couple of times and while she had seemed to like you, you didn’t feel you were in a place where you could ask for a sacred Schemmenti recipe, and didn’t want to risk the tentative relationship you had by pushing too far.  “But I figured I could probably bribe or threaten your sister,” you admit with a blush, dipping your head.  “How did you know it was her?” you ask without looking up.
“She puts the garlic in too early and always gets impatient with letting the sauce thicken,” she replies, adjusting the heat under your pan as she stirs. 
“You’re not mad, are you?” You ask nervously, still not looking up.
She reaches out a hand to lift your chin, bringing your eyes to meet her own.  She’s smiling, you realise.  “No, I’m not mad.  This was your ‘thing’ last Friday?
You nod, shyly.
She shifts, leaving the sauce to bubble as she slips an arm around your waist, pressing herself to your side.  She grabs the pencil still laying among the ingredients and debris on the work surface, annotating the notes you’d made.  “I actually find it very sweet you’d threaten my sister just to cook for me,” she admits, finally laying down the pencil, happy with the additions she’d made to your recipe.  She turns her head to press a kiss to her cheek.  “But how about next time you wanna learn a Schemmenti recipe you just ask me?”
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darkvioletcloud · 7 months
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Louisa is real, guys!! Look, she's been there since the beginning!
Just kidding, I came up with her skills and backstory, all below the cut.
Trigger warnings for brief descriptions of violence, abuse, suicide and depression, all that stuff. Nothing we haven't seen in Fear & Hunger, though I am a bit afraid I may have gone too far in certain places. I apologize if anything comes across as insensitive or offensive.
Skills:
Keen Eye (Passive)
Louisa has a higher chance of finding better items when scavenging, and sometimes finds an extra item.
Disable and Run (30 Mind)
A punch to the torso of humanoid enemies initiates an automatic run from battle while also doing a decent amount of damage. When back on the overworld, the enemy in question will be stunned for an extended period of time, allowing the party to start an escape.
Maternal Embrace (35 Mind)
Sometimes a hug and a shoulder to cry on is what someone needs. Hug a party member in the overworld to restore their mind and heal certain status effects. Reduces Louisa’s mind due to having to process and worry about the issues the hug recipient tells her about.
Home Cooking (Passive)
Unlocks recipes for Mind and Body-restoring food Louisa learned from her Vatican-born Nonna. Nothing is as calming and healing as a home cooked meal!
Focaccia Bread
Biscotti
Mushroom Risotto
Passionate Guard (25 Mind)
Take the hit meant for another party member. You take less damage, but the mental strain and anxiety from this attack will wear down on you.
Not sure how balanced these would be, and I didn't think of what the stats for the Home Cooking foods would be. It's just an idea!
(The following sections would be in a scenario where all contestants are playable, as it references having Tanaka as a party member, just a heads-up! Please also heed the trigger warnings.)
Initial Interaction and Recruitment
Louisa can be found at the train at first and doesn’t seem too upset about the train not working, despite saying she was meant to meet up with her parents at the Prehevil downtown station. She says it’s fine and that she’ll manage, and not to worry about her. She’s fine on her own. She’ll give the player some biscotti and wish them well.
If you return to the lake on the evening of the first day, Louisa will be standing on the shore and a cutscene will initiate. The player will ask if Louisa is having trouble finding her way downtown, and she says she’s right where she needs to be. She takes a gun out and the player can either attack her right away or ask what she’s doing. Attacking her initiates a battle where she won’t fight back, instead each of her turns will prompt dialogue of her saying that she’s going to be with her son very soon, and asks for you to make it quick. Looting her will give you her belt, a photograph of her with a man and a teenager, and another helping of biscotti.
If the player talks to her instead, she holds the gun and says she came to Prehevil to die. She wanted to die by the lakeside where she used to sit and read as a child. She laments about how she couldn’t protect her son from her husband and is as bad as he is, letting Leon be hurt, and how she was destined to be a terrible mother.
The player can talk her down and take the gun away from her. This can prompt another opportunity to kill her, or to recruit her. The player can give her a hug and, depending on the character, can comfort her in different ways.
If the player doesn’t prevent her from committing suicide, she’ll shoot herself in the head from under the chin and collapse. She can be looted for her belt, biscotti, and the photograph. Daan’s medical diagnosis will comment on how her breathing isn’t the typical agonal breathing. Not sawing off her head will lead to her body disappearing by the next morning, only reappearing in the chapel of the third day.
Moonscorching
Entering the chapel on the third day shows Louisa collapsed on the floor. Half of her face has been blown apart and by her side is a fallen cherub’s body, which she pets on occasion during the cutscene. Louisa will talk about how her first child was a little girl, saying “She was so quiet”, with the implication being she delivered a stillbirth. She says how she killed her daughter. She doesn’t know how, but it was her fault, it was all her fault. She rambles on about how she’s the reason Leon died and how she killed him by letting him leave to go to war.
Despite dialogue being initiated, nothing can stop Louisa from Moonscorching. She cries about how happiness always slips through her fingers right when she grasps it, and Alll-mer has forsaken her despite her faith. She asks you if she’s suffered enough, if she can finally be at peace. She’ll turn into Compassion, and each line of dialogue states how she already feels like she’s happy, as she can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s finally over, and she’s honored that someone is helping her for once.
As A Party Member
If interacting with a certain bookshelf in the bookstore, Louisa can pick up a book and say she had her eye on that particular one for a while. If Tanaka is in the party, he’ll ask her what it’s about, and she’ll stumble on her words and say it’s a romance about a Bohemian girl that gets caught up with a warrior from Edo and that it’s just a silly book for ladies. Tanaka presses further and it’s let slip that the book contains quite a bit of erotica.
In response to O’saa’s comment about escapism, Louisa will say that he’s right and mumble about how that’s the reason she didn’t go on to do anything in her life. If she didn’t indulge so much in fantasy, she could’ve done something with her life and go on to pursue higher education. If Abella is in the party, she’ll say there’s nothing wrong with indulgence, and how escapism doesn’t stop a person from learning. She’ll also say it’s never too late for Louisa to pursue her passions.
If Tanaka and Marcoh are at the train and practicing boxing, Louisa will be watching. If interacted with, she talks about how she’d like to join them and learn some self defense, but she’s too nervous to ask.
An interaction with Marcoh would prompt them to discuss food together, with him saying that a lot of the recipes she knows are Vatican in origin. She enthusiastically admits she’s half Vatican on her father’s side, and she learned a lot of her recipes from her Nonna.
If both Louisa and Henryk are saved and Louisa isn’t recruited, and neither are moved to PRHVL Bop, she’ll be found helping him prepare food outside the train.
As A Playable Character
Marina will call Louisa “the snoring lady” when she first wakes up, and Louisa can apologize and say she hopes she wasn’t too loud.
When entering the train again after the initial outside interaction, Louisa can converse with Caligura in a unique encounter, where the flavor text states that he puts Louisa on edge. His frown and posture are all too familiar to her, and if he’s pestered too much and leaves, Louisa will instantly feel relieved. If interacting with Marina right after, the player can tell her that Louisa is afraid of Caligura.
Character History
The soothing sound of the railtracks... You are not used to such a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
You can't help but let your mind wander. You reminisce about what has led you to this point in life…
You were born in Prehevil with the Soul of the Enduring, raised under an Alll-mer roof and went to an all-girls school. There was always a rift between you and the others. You were the weird girl, always the odd one left out. While the others braided each other’s hair and chatted amongst each other, you sat by your lonesome and devoured books.
A target had been painted on your back at some point. One of the girls had spread a rumor about you, and your isolation grew. As you walked home one day, you were stopped by a boy a year older than you, a boyfriend of one of the girls who looked down upon you.
One thing led to another, and the boy initiated a fight. A cowardly move, a bigger boy attacking a girl like you, yet you had to defend yourself somehow…
Hit him and run
You ended up socking him in the chest. Wherever you punched him, it must have messed him up.
The boy collapsed on the ground with the wind knocked out of him. While he wheezed and caught his breath, you ran off back home.
(Gain Disable and Run.)
Fight back
Though his fist cracked against your face, you spat your blood back at him and fought back.
It was a tough fight, and by all accounts, you lost, judging by all the bruises.
However, you gained a reputation that day - you weren’t afraid to get your hands dirty.
Not to mention, you figured out you were pretty good at throwing a punch or two.
(Gain Bare-Fisted Proficiency)
Your mother was reasonably upset as you came home with your school uniform all torn up and your face covered in blood. As she bandaged you up, your father praised you for standing up for yourself.
The fight made you a social pariah. You graduated the private school friendless and alone, but with the reputation of being not someone to mess with. You bulked up a bit and gained weight, both in fat and in muscle. Everyone called you ugly, and you believed it.
Your parents took you to Vatican City the summer before you entered high school, to celebrate your achievements. After all, that’s where your father was from. You met your grandparents for the first time. They lived in a cute area near the local bookstore.
Your parents were going out one day for a date between the two of them, leaving you to either entertain yourself, or to stay with your Nonna, who wanted your help with making dinner.
Go to the bookstore
Staying home would be like staying with strangers. Who knew if your grandparents even liked you? Would they find you to be an unlikable freak as well?
You went to the bookstore and spent the day peeking through fiction and nonfiction alike. You wrapped yourself up in a book of poetry, and ended up purchasing that, alongside a book on Alll-mer with an interesting cover.
(Gain New Poems of Love and Torment and Skin Bible - Alll-mer)
Cook with Nonna
You decide to cook with your grandmother. Though you were never much of a chef before, you caught on quite easily, and passion sparked within you.
The two of you spent the day preparing freshly-baked cookies, homemade bread, and a risotto for dinner, complete with mushrooms picked out of the garden.
As you sat at the dinner table with your parents, you told them how much you enjoyed cooking, and asked if you could help with dinner more often.
(Gain skill Home Cooking and book Recipes of the 15th Century Vol. 1)
You slipped back into isolation in high school. The first half was full of more bullying, now made worse due to the school being co-ed. More often than not, you came home bruised and bloodied.
You skipped class a lot and spent time hanging around coffee shops and stores, always with a novel in hand. On some days, you’d read by the lake, your favorite place. You neglected your schoolwork in favor of staying safe, and in that meantime, you got through quite a number of books.
One day when you were 15, a young man caught your eye. Tall, dark-haired, with a charming grin and dressed up so nicely. He smiled at you and approached you at the coffee shop, asking you what you were reading.
The man swept you up in a heart-fluttering haze. He bought you a drink and chatted with you. For the first time, you found a friend.
You skipped school more often to see him. You two would hide in the park to kiss and fool around. He’d curl your hair around his finger and say how beautiful you were. He promised that when you graduated, he would marry you right away.
And you did. When you were 18 and he was 24, the two of you married at a small chapel, surrounded by your families and his friends. He said you could live your life however you wanted. You wanted nothing more than to live happily with him. And so, you settled into the life of a housewife.
You moved away from Prehevil to start a new life. The two of you tried building your family right away. It was hard, but a few years in, you found yourself expecting. It was truly a blessing from Alll-mer.
You couldn’t wait to welcome the new addition to your family. Really, you could do without the nausea, the lightheadedness, anemia…
She arrived early. She was like a doll in your arms. Completely still. She never had a chance to take a breath.
You blamed yourself.
You fell into a depression. Your husband was caring and concerned, as he always was. The two of you tried again. Maybe this was a test from Alll-mer, to see if you truly cared about your family. And of course you did!
Finally, the two of you were blessed with a child. You named him Leon. You cried over even the littlest sounds he would make. Your family was complete.
Leon was all smiles as he grew. The boy radiated positivity and happiness. You were there to see every milestone of his.
Your husband was delighted at first, but as the years went on, something changed within him. He didn’t smile at you as he did before. His temper shortened. You tried to satisfy him as best you could, but you weren’t trying hard enough.
Leon knew something was wrong, and you knew that he knew, yet you still put on a false smile and told him mama and papa were okay.
As Leon grew, he became the exact opposite as how you grew up. He was studious, friendly, and outgoing. He stayed out late with friends and came home with stories of what he learned in school, and how fascinated the subjects were.
You knew why he stayed out, though. If he was home, he risked being struck by your husband. If you intervened, you would be hurt as well. With Leon out of the house, you took the brunt of the abuse.
One evening, as you were cleaning and your husband was reading the paper, Leon came home giggling and hazy-eyed. He had been out partying with his friends. He stumbled into the living room, right in front of your husband. Your husband shot out of his seat and grabbed Leon by the collar, shaking him and spitting at him. At one point, Leon was struck in the head with your husband’s pistol, splitting the skin open.
You knew that once he was done with Leon, your husband would turn on you next. It was your fault Leon was like this, after all.
Slip away while your husband isn’t looking
You left the room and locked yourself in the bathroom as you heard your baby boy cry out in pain from your husband’s actions.
You prayed to Alll-mer to grant mercy to Leon, yet you ask for no forgiveness for yourself. You’re a coward, after all.
Soon, all went quiet, save for the occasional hiccups and sobs from Leon.
(Gain Escape Plan)
Defend your son
You put yourself in between your husband and Leon. With tears in your eyes, you chastised the man you once loved, a man who had been gone for so long and was never to return.
Leon watched as your husband struck you and slammed you against the wall.
You felt no pain. You didn’t care if you broke your nose or lost a tooth, just as long as Leon was safe. Besides, you were used to this. It had been a while, but this wasn’t anything you weren’t familiar with.
(Gain Passionate Guard)
Your life was never the same after that incident. Your husband was a monster in the home. Leon didn’t come home on some nights. Your eyes glazed over as you tried escaping into the books you once loved, but the words would fall on tear-filled eyes.
Leon left home one day, enlisted in the army to defend against the Bremen Empire. The day he left, you gave him a hug and a kiss and sent him on his way with fresh focaccia and biscotti. He smiled back at you, with that loving, silly smile that he had back when he was young and innocent. For a moment, everything felt okay.
Leon never came home.
It was just you and your husband. Leon’s funeral ended with your husband screeching at you about how it was your fault the two of you didn’t have kids anymore. You didn’t process his words.
Finally, there came a day when you had enough. As you bandaged up a cut on your arm, you made a plan. A train to Prehevil left your town in the middle of the night. You would pack your bags in secret and leave. Make your way to your hometown and find peace there. Nothing left to live for anyway. You were not going to live a life suffering at the hands of a monster.
You were going to live with your parents again, yes, that was the excuse. Maybe you could see them once more…
You packed a change of clothes and a photo of your family, your last memory of Leon, smiling brightly at the camera.
There was still space left in your bag once you finished. What would go in it?
Stock up on medicine (Gain 2x Blue Vials and 2x Cloth Fragments)
Find something to read (Gain Alchemillia Vol. 1)
Find some extra cash (Gain Lucky Coin x1 and Shillings x10)
Your plan was to slip out in the night as your husband fell asleep. You steeled yourself and slipped out of bed.
Your husband hadn’t fallen asleep. He sat up and asked what you were doing.
You may have slowly failed school, but you weren’t stupid. You had his gun, smuggled under your pillow while he was showering.
You felt sick as you pointed the gun at him and told your husband you were done with him. He was not the man you fell for, and you were not the naive little girl that he once thought you were.
With a final goodbye, you left, and caught the train right before it left the station.
If you were going to go out, it was going to be on your own terms. As you rested your head against the window, you thought about the lake, your special little place. It would be a nice, relaxing spot, yes, to spend your final moments…
B Ending
How funny, you came to Prehevil to die, and yet you ended up being the only one to leave. The light at the end of the tunnel remained forever just out of grasp, and you still remained crawling towards it.
You couldn’t bear to live after everything you had done. You, sinful and stained, attempted once more to commit the unspeakable.
The gods laugh at you. Your attempt failed and you were hospitalized for months. Half of your face was mangled and scarred, your hands lost some motor function, and you began your long journey of recovery and rehabilitation. No matter how hard it would be, you would push yourself through it. The technology that helped save you fascinated you the entire way through.
The regrets of your past haunted you. You realized you never blossomed, remaining in a cocoon sewn shut by the life imposed by your husband and your lack of ambition.
You went back to school. A woman at your age, learning with children that your son should have been in the ranks of. If he couldn’t bloom, then you would, in his place.
You found your passion for science and emerging technologies. Not just passion, but skill and intuition. You used that passion to fuel yourself through this education, tutoring your fellow students and helping the next generation, while also doing for yourself what you should have done long ago.
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all-risejd · 11 months
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A New Judgment Chapter 11: A Passing and Some Legos (Poly Judgment Day)
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Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8. Part 9. Part 10.
Nessa opens the hotel room door, her hand on the handle of her bag, and steps out into the hallway where the men are already waiting for her and Rhea. "Finally, love, lets goooo!" Finn gestures to the elevator while Damien reaches out to grab her bag. Nessa rolls it behind her.
"This is one of those times I need to carry my own bag please at least to the car. You can carry it into the venue." She offers, just wanting to feel a little more independent than she has in the past few days. Damien surrenders and grabs her available hand while Dominik grabs Rhea's bag. Rhea kisses Nessa's cheek as she walks ahead and grabs Finn's free hand as they load into the elevator. "So what's the plan for in between?" Nessa asks, squeezing Damien's hand.
"Would you like us to come to San Diego with you? I know you need to get your place taken care of." Rhea leans forward, wrapping her arms around Nessa's waist.
"Uh if you want? I don't have a lot of space at my place. It was my Covid crash pad, you know? Most of the time I stayed at Dominik's until he came home." Nessa explains, leaning into the embrace.
"Well, we can stay at Dom's again." Rhea puts it out for them to vote on.
Everyone lets out a noise of agreement.
"What about Barry and Luna, hasn't it been a while since you've seen them? I know you miss them?" Nessa asks, feeling guilty, knowing Rhea misses her dogs and she is a reason why she hasn't been home recently.
Rhea smiles sadly, "Don't blame yourself, I wish there was a way to bring them on the road with us." Rhea bemoans as they approach the car.
"Maybe someday, why don't you all go back to Florida for a few days break and I'll get my stuff in order and next time I go down with you guys. You don't have to revolve around me you know." Nessa offers as she hands her bag to Damien who packs it in the back while she gets in the middle seat, Rhea next to her and Dom on her other side. Damien takes the passenger seat as Finn is driving. Damien picks the playlist and no surprise Metallica starts blasting through the car. Nessa smiles and leans on Rhea's shoulder just content. They pull up to the venue to some fans already waiting outside the gate they just drove through. Nessa stares in wonder at the dedication of the fans, some of them having signs for Rhea.
"Wow, they are dedicated. The show isn't for hours and they are here to watch yall get here?" Nessa lets out a breath of air, impressed at the dedication.
"Yeah you get used to it, I feel bad for them when the weather is shit though," Rhea answers the others nodding in agreement. Dominik gets out of the car and helps Nessa out as Damien does the same for Rhea. Dominik kisses Nessa's hand before jogging over to the trunk and opening it, grabbing his and Rhea's bags. Damien grabs his own and Nessa's. Nessa just smiles and walks over to him, placing her hand on top of his holding her bag, and they make their way in the venue to the fans' cheering.
The group is hanging out in their locker room, Nessa splayed out across Damien and Rhea's laps, her head in Rhea's lap, Rhea running her fingers through Nessa's hair. Their peace is broken by Rhea's cell phone ringing. She answers, her fingers pausing partway through Nessa's hair. The conversations stop when they see Rhea's expression. Nessa sits up and grabs Rhea's free hand seeing the pain on her face. Rhea says goodbye and hangs up the phone, her hands shaking, her breathing going shallow.
"Hey, Dems what's wrong?" Nessa asks, trying to rub soothing circles on the back of Rhea's hand.
"It's my Nonna... They say she isn't doing good and we need to come say goodbye..." Her voice breaks and she starts crying. Everyone converges to help comfort her, Nessa in the middle just holding her as she sobs, smoothing down her hair.
"Oh baby, go ahead and cry, we are here for you whatever you need." Nessa sniffles trying to hold back her own tears for Rhea. "Dom book her a ticket for as soon as possible, Finn go get Paul. Luis, when we have a flight booked will you make sure she gets to the airport ok?" Nessa takes charge of the situation knowing what needs to be done. The three of them nod and get to work doing as Nessa said, Damien staying to help soothe Rhea whose sobs have simmered down to quiet whimpers and sniffles. "This next part will be hard love, one of the hardest things and if you want any of us there we will be there." Nessa offers, squeezing her arms tighter around Rhea, Damien doing the same on the opposite side.
"Yeah, whatever you need Rhea." Damien parrots and kisses her head.
"Thank you..." Rhea sniffles and wipes her nose on her sleeve and continues "I think I need to do this alone, they don't know about this yet." Rhea gestures to them before just burying her face in Nessa's neck while Damien scoots closer and rubs Rhea's back.
"Ticket is booked and it leaves when the show is supposed to start in 2 hours," Dom announces and sits next to Nessa on the couch and pulls Nessa onto his lap and wraps his arms around the both of them. Finn then comes back in with Triple H who kneels in front of where they are on the couch.
"Rhea I am sorry to hear about what is going on, take all the time you need, just keep us updated and let me know personally if you need anything." Hunter pats Rhea's knee and glances up to Nessa.
"She is flying out in a few hours, Damien is driving her to the airport," Nessa explains to him and he nods.
"Are any of you going with her?" He asks, not unkindly. Just wanting to know what plans have to change.
"No, Damien will come right back after she boards the plane, and Dom, Finn and I will stay and do our part for the show," Nessa speaks for the group and nudges her head for Hunter to back up and he does.
"Mami you should head to the airport soon." Nessa softly says to Rhea gently nudging her off her lap and into a standing position. Once on her feet too Nessa throws her arms around Rhea's waist, the rest of them joining, creating one big hug to comfort their hurting partner. Hunter stands awkwardly to the side waiting for the right moment to speak again. It isn't until they usher Rhea out the door with Damien.
"I don't pretend to know your dynamic, but if she or you need anything please let me know. I'll send someone to tell you the time to be at Gorilla. I am happy with the results from the signing and it is something we can explore more once Rhea gets back. Please keep me updated about her situation?" He informs and asks them before leaving the remaining three, closing the door behind him.
Nessa sighs and jumps up and down shaking her hands before pacing about the room. Dominik watches closely as she does that, clearly trying to calm down. Finn watches closely as well, wondering why Dominik isn't trying to calm Nessa down who is clearly wound up. He realizes as she stops jumping and just shakes her hands out one last time before going to Dominik's bag and taking out a bag of chips and taking a deep breath before opening them.
"Ok Nes I know enough about you to know you are stressed. There is not much we can do but be available for her if she needs us." Finn tries to gently grab the chips out of Nessa's hands only for her to snatch her hand back, placing her empty hand on his chest.
"Don't touch her snacks if you wish to keep living..." Dominik warns Finn as Nessa glares at Finn for trying to take her snacks from her.
"I see that!" Finn smiles, holding his hands up and backing up slowly. "I'm sorry Nes just don't want you to get sick from worrying and eating junk," He apologizes trying to reason with her. Nessa plops down on the couch and continues to eat the bag of chips.
"I'll be fine Finny, just need to focus tonight and hopefully Demi will call us when she lands so we know she is safe because we know she is not ok." Nessa hopes out loud continuing to eat the chips. Finn and Dominik sit down next to her, one on each side, Finn constantly glancing at her, the mood in the room somber.
___________________________________________________________________________
Nessa, Finn, and Dominik are at Gorilla now that the show has started, Hunter having timed it so they don't have to interact with Rey backstage beforehand. Rey enters the ring and grabs a mic to start talking. Nessa groans and rolls her eyes as Rey starts talking about Dom and her. "But instead I ended up beating my own son in front of someone we thought was going to become my daughter and mother of my grandchildren. I wanted it to be different, Dom, I really did"
Dom clenches his jaw and grabs Nessa's hand pulling her out to the ramp with him, a microphone in his other hand, his entrance music blasting overhead. At the top of the ramp he raises the mic to his mouth, the crowd booing, "Keep your name out of my... Out of your mouth." He fumbles and Nessa squeezes his hand in encouragement so he continues, Nessa glaring down at the ring where Rey is. "I'm sick and tired about hearing about what you want. That's what you do, you make things about yourself!" Dom starts to take a few steps down the ramp, pulling Nessa along, flinging their joined hands about as he talks Nessa just letting it happen.
"You never cared about me, that's why I'm better off with my real family, The Judgement Day, with Nessa back with me, with us. They wouldn't have convinced me to leave Nessa, there is more than enough Mami to love. I shouldn't have listened to you and Mom, we could have been complete these last few months. I have a plan and you will pay!" Dominic gestures towards the ramp with their conjoined hands, Nessa stumbling a bit with the force of the gesture but smirking down at the ramp. Rey raises the mic to respond.
"So you say The Judgement Day is your real family, that I made you break up with Nessa. The Judgement Day are selfish idiots who are just using you Dom. And I didn't make you leave her, I told you to protect her and do better than me. Protect her from the repercussions of this job. You are the one who decided to break up with her. Man up and own it." Dominik tries to let go of Nessa's hand but she grips him tighter knowing he needs to be grounded and takes the mic from him.
"He has manned up, like I said, he has put in the work for forgiveness unlike you who expects it because of your position of authority. I am glad to have forgiven him, we are happy again in our family and you aren't a part of it and that just burns your ass." Nessa hands the mic back to Dominik and stands on her toes to place a kiss on his cheek, the crowd cheering for the act of affection.
"Oh, they are using me? You are the only one using me, you are the selfish one around here because nothing else matters unless Rey Mysterio gets what he wants. Just like with Nessa, you got her fired from her job at the hospital to make her come work here. So you can manipulate her, to try and manipulate me. Who knows where I would be with Nessa if you didn't get involved!" He flings their arms about again and continues, "And as for Bad Bunny, I would have beaten you if he hadn't put his nose in my business and screwed me over to help you. You are using him just like you used me, and you know what, guess what happened, somebody roll the footage!" He finishes at the bottom of the ramp, his hand still securely in Nessa's until the video finishes. She kisses his hand and lets it go but stays next to him, crossing her arms and smirking at Rey. The crowd boos Dom as he tries to speak again and he lowers the mic, Nessa pouts and wraps one arm around his waist making the crowd both cheer and boo the sounds mixing.
"You know, Bad Bunny makes a lot of good songs, but when Damien put him through that table...That was music to my ears man I'll tell you that." The crowd boos and Dom continues, "I hope Bad Bunny learns his lesson and sticks his nose out of The Judgment Day's business." He wraps his arm around Nessa who is still hugged up against him.
Rey raises the mic to his lips to respond, shaking his head, "As a matter of fact Dom, I spoke to Bunny last night, and he said he'll be back." Nessa rolls her eyes and mockingly acts scared and Dom rolls his eyes. Rey disapprovingly shakes his head and continues, "You and the rest of The Judgement Day are going to regret putting your hands on him."
"Oh nooo!" Nessa continues the mock fear stepping out from Dom's arm as he stares down his dad before raising the mic to his lips to retort, "More empty words from a deadbeat dad," He gestures towards the ring and Nessa jumps and giggles, nodding in agreement. "Instead of worrying about Bad Bunny, you should be worrying about what The Judgement Day is going to do to you." Dominik threatens and Nessa shouts out "That's right!" and claps.
She sees Rey sigh in disappointment, "You know what son, cut the crap. You talk a big game about what The Judgement Day is going to do to me, when are you going to man up and take care of things on your own?" Rey snaps back and Nessa quirks an eyebrow before trying to run up the stairs to the ring only to be held back by Dom. Rey continues, eyeing the interaction before him. "You know what son, I know you don't believe me but I didn't want to fight you at WrestleMania. But you definitely seem like a lost cause, and you are dragging Nessa down with you. So why don't you step in the ring, have a WrestleMania rematch right here, aqui, in Seattle!" Rey demands, gesturing to the ring, Dominik still holding Nessa back with one arm.
Nessa spouts off a series of curses in what Dominik notices is yiddish and he can't help but smirk. "Woah, woah, woah, woah." Dom starts and stops to whisper in Nessa's ear. "It's taken care of mamita, tranquillo". He then goes back to addressing his dad in the ring, "I don't want to fight my own father, but I know who will!" He smirks and Nessa laughs as Finn's music starts and she claps while yelling out, "Get wrecked Jefe!"
Finn comes out rubbing his hands, smoke billowing out by his feet, clearly excited to defend his partners. Nessa and Dom clap as Finn makes his way to the ring, stopping before Dom and Nessa, patting Dom's shoulder and tapping Nessa's nose making her face scrunch up before entering the ring. Nessa stays by Dominik for the match, as who dominates the match switches back and forth, yelling out encouragement at Finn and heckling Rey when he gets control.
At one point Finn has Rey at the ropes in front of Dominik and Nessa and says, "This one is for your son Dominik!" As he jumps up, stopping on Rey, Nessa clapping and cheering along with Dominik. Nessa slaps the mat as Rey flips Finn out of the ring before following Dominik to where Finn is laying on the floor, narrowly missing Rey diving out of the ring landing on Finn. Dominik scuttles back and gets to his feet as Rey approaches, Nessa jumping in front of Dominik and squaring her shoulders, glaring at Rey who shakes his head in disappointment heading back into the ring that Finn has already crawled back into.
Nessa uses her body to shield Dominik the best she can as he grabs the chain he had hidden in his pants and wraps it around his hand and tries to sneak up the steps onto the apron, only for Rey to block the punch, instead landing his own knocking Dom off the apron. Nessa immediately goes to help Dom up, Rey throwing Finn out of the ring by them before jumping out of the ring aiming for Finn and Dominik not thinking Nessa was going to get in the way until he was already in the air and landing on them, Nessa's back slamming into the announce table, Dominik laid out on the floor and Finn laying across the top of the announce table.
Rey shakes his head and focuses on Finn instead of checking on Nessa who is writhing in pain grasping her back. He instead slams Finn's head onto the announce table multiple times before throwing him back in the ring. Dominik rolls onto his knees ignoring his pain and checks on Nessa helping her to her feet before jumping back onto the apron and punching Rey, the chain still wrapped around his hand putting more force in it to avenge Nessa.
Finn capitalizes on Rey being dazed and pulls him towards the corner and hits the Coup De Gras and pins him for the win, Nessa leaning on the apron still clutching her back. Dominik hides the chain back in his pants and helps Nessa to the bottom of the ramp where Finn has exited the ring and the three of them make their way back up the ramp, Dominik holding Finn's hand up while Nessa rubs her lower back. Dom and Finn turn their attention to Nessa and get her backstage and to medical. Once past the gorilla Finn and Dominik start truly fussing over Nessa.
"Mi corazon are you ok?" Dom frets, going to pull up her shirt and look at her back.
"Fuck, yeah let's get you to medical love." Finn gently grabs Dominik's wrist to have him release her shirt, glancing around at the wrestlers who are looking at Nessa with sympathy.
"I'm going to fucking kill him!" Dominik almost growls, sounding similar to the angry Damien from a few days before.
"No Dom, that was my fault, I missed my mark and got in the way, we know I wasn't supposed to be that close. As much as it pains me he did the right thing continuing the match. We have a story to sell." Nessa tries to stop Dom as they enter medical, Dominik and Finn following right behind her wanting to make sure she is ok. "I think it is just bruised and scraped up Doc, I still have full range of motion, it is just tender and no shortness of breath" She immediately greets the doctor who rolls his eyes and gestures to the table in the room.
"You nurses are the worst patients, sit let me be the judge of that." He orders and Nessa grumbles as Dominik and Finn help her onto the table.
"Dom we've worked on your skills before you... and you have improved so much but babe we still have work to do," Nessa winces as the doctor pokes and prods her back. Dom averts his eyes embarrassed.
"Dom, don't be like that, it wasn't bad and you kept going. That is so good." Nessa praises and grunts swatting the doctor's hand who pressed too hard on her back. Finn crosses his arms and glares menacingly at the Doctor who rolls his eyes.
"Nessa you are a natural on the mic." Finn praises watching the doctor like a hawk.
"It's the acting classes from high school." Nessa shrugs off the compliment and bites her cheek to try to control herself as the doctor continues to prod her back before announcing.
"Just a severe bruise I believe. If you feel like you are starting to lock up go get an x-ray."
"Finally, like I said. Thank you Doc, I'll see you at Smackdown," Nessa gingerly gets off the table, Finn and Dom leading her out of the room, Dom's hand on her lower back. ___________________________________________________________________________
The three of them head back to their locker room Damien waiting, pacing back and forth. Nessa immediately walks over to him and grabs him in a hug which he returns glad for the tactile comfort himself, being careful not to hold her too tight after seeing what happened during the match. "How is she?" Nessa asks into his chest.
"Rough, she is going to need us when she gets back. She will meet us at Raw next week and would like to go to her home for the small break and I agreed. I know it's not how we normally decide but it is something she needs." Damien announces and the rest of them quickly agree, even Nessa.
"Can I come too? I want to try and help her as much as possible." Nessa asks meekly before going to the couch and sitting on Damien's lap, Dominik sitting next to them pulling Nessa's legs onto his lap.
"Of course you can come, Mariposa, she is going to need all of us. You are a calming presence just being you and she is going to need that more than anything. Now what happened out there, are you ok?" Damien nuzzles into her neck while Finn goes around and makes sure everyone's bags are ready to go when the show is over.
___________________________________________________________________________
Nessa tosses and turns in her bed, whimpering when the bruises on her back get irritated, not liking not having Rhea in the room. Nessa tries to cuddle into the sweater she stole from Dominik, bringing her sweater paws to her neck trying to find some comfort but can't because of the worry. She flings her arms out flopping them on the mattress before rolling to the edge and getting up, grabbing her keycard and phone and a pillow, hugging the pillow to her chest as she exits the room and gently knocks on the door, her eyes wide and biting her lower lip. The door opens to reveal Finn in only his boxers. Nessa rubs the back of her neck with one hand and continues hugging the pillow with the other.
"I can't sleep, I keep thinking about Demi and worrying about her and wanted to know if I could come and cuddle with Dom Dom." Nessa asks, her voice soft almost a whisper, squeezing the pillow closer.
"Well, Dom and Luis are asleep together. My bed is available Luv if you don't want to wake them," Finn offers and Nessa shakes her head.
"I don't want to kick you out of your bed Finn, I'll just go back to my room and try to sleep. I'm sorry for waking you..." Nessa's lip trembles as she turns to return to her room only for Finn to gently grab her arm.
"Nessa, Luv, it's ok, I'll sleep on the couch." FInn offers to try to make her feel better only for Nessa to shake her head again.
"No Finn, it's your bed you need to sleep comfortably, you had a match tonight." Nessa tries to leave again but Finn still has a hold of her arm, sliding his grip down to her hand.
"Then we can share Nes. It's ok, you need comfort, honestly so do we. You also had an injury tonight. Just share the bed." Finn rubs his eyes with his free hand and Nessa stands there and bites her lip before responding.
"I don't want to invade your personal space, I'll just go back to my room. I'm sorry for waking you." Nessa apologizes.
"Nes you didn't wake me, I was having issues sleeping too. Just come in and share the bed, please." He asks, keeping his voice low so as to not wake the others in the room.
"Yeah, ...ok" Nessa gives in and enters the room, Finn keeping hold of her hand and leading her to the bed he recently vacated. He lets go of her hand as she gets into the bed and he gets in on the other side.
"Do you need me to hold you Nes?" Finn offers.
"Are you ok with that?" Nessa asks, needing cuddles but not wanting to make FInn uncomfortable.
"That's not what I asked, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't ok with it Luv. Now let me ask again, do you need me to hold you?" He asks and Nessa nods and rolls over to face him wincing as her back rubs against the bed. Finn reaches out and pulls her close to his chest and she mumbles thanks and lets out a shaky breath, Finn gently stroking her shoulder until they both fall asleep.
____________________________________________________________________________
Nessa wakes up the next morning, Finn's arm still draped around her waist. She opens her eyes to see Doominik looking at her sadly from the other bed. "Are you ok?" He mouths not wanting to wake up Damien and Nessa nods her head.
"I couldn't sleep and we didn't want to wake you." Nessa whispers and Finn tightens his arm around her waist pulling her so her back is flush with his chest. Dominik tries and fails to hide the sound that came out of him at Nessa's shocked face which wakes Damien up.
Damien sits up and glances around the room to see Nessa in bed with Finn. He cocks his head to the side and stares at her curiously. "Why didn't you wake us Mariposa?" Damien asks as he stretches and Dom gets into a sitting position.
"You looked so peaceful and I felt bad because it's the second time this week I've done something like that." She answers softly hoping Finn is still asleep so she doesn't have to face the embarrassment yet.
"We don't care if it is every night love if you need something you come to us." Finn grumbles into her hair, Damien and Dominik make noises of agreement and Nessa hides her face in her pillow whining.
"What time is it anyway?" Damien groans as he gets out of the bed, Dominik glances at the alarm clock on the table between the beds,
"8 a.m." Dom answers with relief in his voice, their plane doesn't leave until noon so they have time to get ready and eat before the flight.
Finn releases the grip he has on Nessa allowing her to get out of the bed. "Let's start getting ready so we have more time to eat?" Finn groans out as he stretches.
"Yeah, I'll just go shower and make sure I have everything." Nessa tries to make her way to the door, Dominik blocking her way, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Nes, don't be afraid to wake me, to wake us up if you need us. We want you to come to us if you need anything just like you expect of us." Dom kisses her forehead and pulls her into a hug.
"Ok Dom, go shower you stink and you are getting your stink on me." Nessa wiggles out of his hug scrunching up her nose and sticking out her tongue as she leaves the room. Once back in her room she starts chewing on her nails. Her phone notification chimes and she checks it seeing a text from Dom.
"Stop biting your nails Princesa. I know you are trying to act like you are ok for our sake and you don't have to. Get ready then come right back over. I don't want you to be alone." Nessa chews on her lower lip, touched at his concern and a little annoyed at him hovering.
Nessa takes a deep breath and finds the contact in her phone and sends a message. "Hey Dems, I hope you got there ok. I'll be in Florida with the boys when you get back. I know you are not ok but I am here for whatever you need liebling." Nessa tosses her phone on the bed as she gets her change of clothes and showers. Once she is done and changed she grabs her phone and checks it seeing a missed call from Rhea and a message in response to what she sent.
"My Bunny, thank you for your concern. I am glad you are coming to Florida for me. Call me when you get a moment. I'd like to hear your voice." Nessa blushes reading that and presses Dial, pacing around the room as it rings making sure Rhea didn't leave anything and that she isn't going to leave anything either. Nessa sighs in relief when Rhea answers. "Hey Bunny" comes Rheas voice, tinged with sadness
"Hi Dems." Nessa responds unsure what to say.
"Thank you, Nes. I don't know how to do this..." Rhea sniffles and Nessas heart breaks for her.
"Just take it one breath at a time. When do you go see her?" Nessa asks, placing her bags by the door and taking a seat on her bed.
"I will see her tomorrow and I don't know if I can handle it." Rhea takes a shaky breath and whimpers.
"You can because you are stronger than you know. You would never forgive yourself if you didn't get to say goodbye. It's not going to be easy. I am here for you, we are here for you whatever you need." Nessa assures Rhea, bringing her thumb to her mouth again and biting off the hangnail she created earlier.
"Thank you Bunny it means so much to me, coming from you. You have been so open and kind and caring and even if you decide to not join our dynamic I would very much like to keep you in my life even as just a friend."
"Of course Dems. Look I'll have an answer soon, I care for you all, deeply and faster than I thought possible. I need to wrap my head around it. You don't have to worry about me not being in your life, you are stuck with me no matter what I choose." Nessa smiles hoping she made Rhea smile.
Nessa is shocked as her phone starts vibrating and she looks at the screen seeing Rhea is trying to facetime instead of voice call. Nessa hits accept and smiles seeing Rhea appear on her screen. "Bunny are you hinting that you made your decision?" Rhea smiles, trying to mask her sadness and fear.
Nessa nods her head, "I don't want it to seem disingenuine so I'm not going to tell you now. Like I said I need to wrap my head around it for a little while longer. But don't worry Dems. You just need to focus on you and your family." Nessa blushes suddenly wishing she wasn't on video chat and Rhea coos at her.
"Ohh sweetness, you are pure sweetness. Thank you Bunny, I'm going to go to bed it's 1 am here..." Rhea starts and Nessa's face drops and guilt fills her. She forgot about timezones. "No No, Hey, I told you to call me, don't do that. Tell the boys I'm ok and will call them when I wake up. Goodnight or Good morning Bunny be safe" Rhea tells Nessa who parrots back be safe, unsure of how else to end the call.
Nessa then grabs her bag and pulls it behind her as she exits the room and knocks on the door across the hall. Finn answers again, clearly being recently out of the shower, his hair still dripping even though he has his clothes on.
"Finn you chaotic man dry your hair or you'll catch your death." Nessa fusses, throwing his recently discarded towel at him as Dominik laughs, his hair slicked back from his shower. Dominik holds his arms out for Nessa and she goes right over to him and sits on his lap, Dom wrapping both arms around her. "I just got off the phone with Rhea, she said she is ok and will call you guys when she wakes back up. She is going to see her grandmother tomorrow. Hopefully she makes it." Nessa says as she lays her head on Dom's shoulder.
"Thank you Luv, did she say anything else." Finn asks, flopping on his bed.
"No just that she is ok with me going to her house in Florida." Nessa admits stretching out her legs and wrapping her arms around Dominik's waist knowing he is also worried about Rhea. Nessa's eyes flick to the bathroom door which just flings open and Damien struts out in only a bath towel. Nessa immediately looks away and buries her face in Dominik's neck. Damien notices and looks at the pair sadly before grabbing his clothes and returning to the bathroom to change knowing she doesn't mean anything by her reaction. ____________________________________________________________________________
The four of them leave the airport in San Diego, Finn with the keys to the rental car and Nessa stops and clears her throat holding out her hand. "What do you need, Luv?" Finn asks as the rest of them stop and turn to look at her.
"The keys Finn, you don't know where I live and I know quicker ways to get there." Nessa adjusts her weight and rests one hand on her hip the other still held out.
"No can do princess, Dom gave me your address. Would you like us to drop you off so you can be alone for a while or would you like us to grab food on the way and eat at your place since you didn't eat breakfast." Finn responds by twirling the keys around his finger.
"We are grabbing some food on the way even if we don't stay. You need to eat something Mamita, at least something small" Damien announces, placing his hand on the small of her back and ushering her towards the car and opens the back door for her and gets in after her leaving his bag for Dominik to load in the trunk. Nessa waits until they are all in the car, and is shocked when Dom gets in on her other side leaving Finn alone up front.
"Uh... you guys can come over for a bit, don't mind the mess and I have to clean out the fridge. But I don't have anywhere for you guys to sleep except the floor." Nessa tells them, leaning against Damien but reaching out her hand for Dominik to grab.
"That's fine Mariposa, you can come to Dominik's to sleep. He has a few spare bedrooms if you want." Damien runs his fingers up and down Nessa's arm.
"I miss my bed" Nessa whines quietly pulling the sleeves of her jacket down to her palms.
"That's fine then Nes, you can sleep in your own bed, it is just an offer if you need it!" Dominik squeezes Nessa's hand and she smiles in relief.
"I might need to though, if last night was anything to go by..." Nessa admits.
Finn chuckles in the front seat. "Whatever you need dear, you can come over at three am again, but this time bring snacks." Finn winks pulling into a restaurant drive thru. "What would you like?" Finn asks.
Nessa shrugs, "I'm not really hungry." She answers and Damien's chest rumbles with trying to hold back growling.
"You need to eat something Mariposa, you didn't eat at breakfast." Damien tightens his arm around her, Dominik hums in agreement.
"I don't care, just something small please." Nessa gives in just letting Finn decide. He glances at her in the mirror sadly before placing the order and moving to the window to pay and get it. Once he has the bag of food he passes it back and hands it to Nessa who sits up straight.
"It's just a chicken sandwich, protein and good for you to eat at least half for us once we get to your place. We will help you clean up and Dom will give you the number to the cleaning company he uses." Finn tells her.
After a moment, Damien adds, "We will help you clean as well." Nessa starts to shake her head but Dom speaking stops her,
"Don't try to stop us, also I'm adding you to my contract so you can save money if you don't renew your contract please. I know you want to pay for your own stuff and you can. But I want you to be secure if you don't join us and leave the company after your contract expires."
Nessa frowns for a moment, thinking over what Dom had said, "Ok, for now, but if things change I get to go back to paying for it, myself." Dominik agrees and Damien squeezes Nessa's thigh.
Finn pulls into the parking lot of Nessas apartment building and Damien gets out of the car helping Nessa out as Dominik grabs her bag. "Do you want to switch out some clothes or do laundry?" He asks rolling it behind him as he leads the group to the front door.oor and up the stairs stopping in front of Nessa's door. He gets out his key and opens the door letting Nessa walk through first, her hand still in Damiens who follows after her. They look around the room analyzing what they see, Dominik just walking to Nessa's room to toss her bag on her bed.
"What mess, Mamita, this is nice and cozy and clean, almost too clean." He glances down at her as she releases their hands and heads over to the kitchen and starts pulling out stuff to clean.
"I clean when I am stressed too, there is always something to clean and it is better than eating my feelings..."
"Are you sure you aren't Latina?" Damien asks under his breath as Dominik returns to his side with a smirk on his face.
"You'll find her culture is similar to ours as well as people who married into her family and the neighbors she grew up with were so it is what she knows. She has the temper to match." Dominik explains wiggling his eyebrows at Damien. Finn plops down on her couch and puts his feet on her coffee table. Until a roll of paper towels is lobbed at his head.
"Bro do you have any sense, don't put your feet on a woman's coffee table" Damien laughs at Finn as Nessa starts to spray and wipe down the counters in her kitchen.
"Sorry Luv, Come sit down and eat first before you get too into cleaning" Finn pats the middle cushion next to him.
"Just put it in the fridge. I'll eat it when I'm done with the kitchen." Nessa absentmindedly keeps wiping down counters. Dom walks over to her and wraps his arms around her, picking her up and walking her over to the couch and drops her on it and hands her the sandwich.
"Eat, then we will go grab some more clothes for you and then we are going to my place. I'll call the cleaning company and have them come down here. You need to eat then rest. You are going to worry yourself sick." Dominik sits down next to her grabbing the remote and Damien on the arm of the couch next to him. Finn glances at Nessa and a plan forms in his head of his own way to help her. Together they watch tv while she slowly eats the sandwich giving weak glares to the men around her.
"Oye Mamita stop glaring it is for your own good..." Damien rolls his eyes and Finn throws his feet over Nessa's lap.
"Yeah Luv, it's for your own good. It's extremes for you, either you stress eat or don't eat at all. We are just trying to look out for you a mhuirnín " Finn explains and Nessa looks at him inquisitively. "Means sarling." Finn explains.
Damien sits up straight excitedly, "Oh yeah what does what you called me the other day mean Mariposa?" He asks, leaning over Dominik, his chest almost on Dominiks face.
"It means impish or mischievous person." Nessa sets down the last quarter of the sandwich feeling full and Finn nods approvingly at her almost finishing the food and the nickname for Damien.
"I think that fits Fergalicious more than me..." Damien leans back away and crosses his arms pouting. Nessa snorts at the nickname and can't help but laugh out loud, fully.
"Fergalicious...What..." She gets out between bouts of laughter, the men smiling at her boosted mood.
"Yeah it's a play on my actual name which I am not so fond of but it brings them joy so I allow it." Finn shrugs and Nessa leans up against him.
"I love that, I might use it some time" She states but it sounds more like a question.
"That's fine Luv, let's throw this out, You and Dom go pack some more clothes and we can do laundry at his place. Then when we get to Dom's there is something I want to show you." Finn gets up grabbing the discarded sandwich as Nessa and Dominik goes to her bedroom to pack some more like Finn suggested.
A short time later they pull up to Dom's house and the memories hit Nessa, She is filled with a mix of emotions, the strongest being contentment. Seeing the house she helped him pick out has solidified her decision. She just wants to wait until Rhea is back to tell them. They file in the house and Nessa flitters about like she was home, running her fingers along the wall as she follows Dom to one of the spare rooms.
"What is the sleeping arrangement tonight?" Nessa asks as Dom opens the spare room door and goes to put her bags in there.
"This room is normally Rhea's when she wants space and now for you if you want it, but you can sleep with us in my room if you need." Dominik offers and Nessa nods along, not answering the unspoken question.
"Luv, come to the other spare room so I can show you something," Finn stands in front of the other spare room and opens the door, standing aside to let Nessa walk through first. He follows her in closing the door behind them leaving out Dominik and Damien.
"Is everything alright Finn? Have I done something?" Nessa asks and begins wringing her hands. Finn steps forward and grabs them trying to stop her wreaking havoc on them.
"Yes everything is alright, no you haven't. This is the storage room/crafty room" Finn gestures around and Nessa follows where he is pointing, seeing boxes with their names on it and a table with a half built lego that looks like a batmobile. "I'd like your help with it for a while if you would." Finn grabs her hand and walks with her over to the table and Nessa looks between him and the table in shock.
"Are you sure? I...I don't want to mess it up. I know how much you love doing these." Nessa asks, unsure and nervous.
"Lets not do that again Luv I wouldn't offer it if I wasn't ok or didn't mean it so come on let's do this for a little while and talk." Finn starts to put some pieces together and pauses waiting for Nessa to do the same. Nessa smiles nervously and does the same. Nessa doesn't know how long they are there and talking about their favorite animes and movies and characters until Damien gently opens the door announcing that he ordered dinner and it is already there and that Rhea is on the phone.
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vasiktomis · 9 months
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TripAdvisor's Top 10 Things To Do In Volterra, Tuscany (18+)
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Part 1 | Next Part
Pairing: Aro/F!Reader(No use of y/n). Rating: Explicit (Minors do NOT interact). Word Count: ~3000. Warnings: Pretty tame beginnings tbh but future warnings for Stalking, Toxic relationships and power imbalances, Blood and gore, Devious little fruity men, and Reader-insert being a terrible enough person that it sort of balances it all out?? Idk. Yes there will be weird vampire sex. Read it on Ao3 Here!
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It’s in early Summer that you meet him for the first time. 
One sentence typed and re-written with two pages to fill and three proseccos nursed over some amount of hours. A hot afternoon is well on its way to becoming a balmy night, and daytime family shoppers along the tight, sloping roads in Volterra have condensed into young adults seeking whatever might come close to resembling nightlife amidst alfresco dining areas and tall views of rolling hills and old brick- oh, that’s not a bad line.
Rapping the enter key, you make room for the statement. 
Whatever might come close to resembling nightlife amidst alfresco dining areas and tall views of-
A pang of revulsion hits.
Fuck it. It’s shit. 
You slam on the backspace, offsetting just a little of the temptation to hurl your laptop over the retaining wall and onto the road below. 
“Top-up?”
Panic jolts down your spine at the black suit of a hospitality worker in your periphery. You haven’t bought anything since the sun was up. Not since the first prosecco, and the complimentary bread basket, and the second prosecco, and the complimentary bread basket, and the third prosecco, and the humiliating explanation that a family-run business simply cannot keep giving you any more of Nonna’s war-time era bread baskets.
It’s not your fault that no one’s come along to pick up the tab of a pretty tourist tonight. Alcohol’s usually pretty cheap when some cashed-up slob in linen intends to use it to leverage against you later in the night. It’s getting ridiculous out here. It’s been hours, and not only have you gotten a solid zero words into your article — you’ve been squatting here with the nicest view in Volterra for long enough that you fear the staff and your fellow patrons have begun to make assumptions about you. 
You have no money left.
They can’t know you have no money left.
You offer up a smile. “Just water, please.”
You’re met with a pained reflection of the look. Maybe yours is just as sad. They leave with a hurried nod, too busy serving every other table to have time to bother with your bullshit. Maybe you should just order something. Drop a precious thirty on a four-ingredient carbonara that’ll either have you hungry again in an hour or shitting your guts out for the next twenty-four. Wasteful spending, either way. There’s only a few hundred euros left, and you can’t afford to keep doing this.
Rolling hills. Just write something about rolling fucking hills and go back to the airbnb. 
Your fingers poise over the keyboard. 
“Mi scusi—“
“Just water’s fine.” You nearly snap. 
“Oh, you speak English.”
Another black suit in your periphery. Another wave of shame. You look up again, and the well-pressed suit standing before you smiles a mildly manic, overly familiar smile. “Good evening. I’m dreadfully sorry to ask, but would you mind moving on?”
He’s exceptionally pale, you observe. Perfect teeth. Wonderful hair that reminds you of some kind of animal.  
Your brow furrows. “I’m sorry?”
“Yes. That’s fine. No harm done.” The man’s already turned away from you, clicking at the boy who had yet to fetch your water. “Un'altra sedia. Per favore-“
“I’m not done sitting here.” You say.
That smile on his face strains. Just a little. 
“Well, you see,” He offers, “I like to sit here — as well as my company, and you’ve been here for—“ the smile tightens further, and you rejoice in your judgement. He feels entitled to this spot. This is his seat you’re in. 
He’s just as much of a dick about this as you are. 
“Four hours — and this is an exceptional spot to view the end of the sunset at this time of year.”
What a fucking prick. What sweet vindication. 
“Yeah.” You agree, not budging. “It seems like it.”
“Is she gone, yet?” 
Another suit approaches. This time blonde. Younger. Early-twenties perhaps, as opposed to your original assailant’s early-forties. There’s a scowl fixed to his face, exacerbated by a scoff when his gaze finds you still seated. 
 You don’t even give him the time of day, turning back to the brunette. “I’m working. You’re distracting me. I might’ve been gone already if you weren’t bothering me.”
“Oh please.” He lets out a breath of laughter. “You haven’t made a keystroke in over twenty minutes.”
“It’s called incubating.”
“A charming term for a nothing activity. Please move.”
“No.”
“You’re drawing attention.” Now it’s a hiss. 
“Good. Let me finish my article.”
Maybe if you act distressed enough, you’ll get a free pity meal.
“God.” The blonde snarls, snapping his attention behind him, to where a small pod of similarly dressed, similarly toneless people have arrived. “Forget it, Aro. We’re missing it.”
The brunette’s head whips around, as does yours, to catch the last sliver of sun disappearing behind the hills, only the reddest of remnants remaining of its aura on the horizon. Your argument carried you through the entirety of a sunset, and the man — Aro — purses his lips into that same tight smile. Over his shoulder, the blonde retreats, muttering under his breath and merging with the herd.
Seemingly victorious, your fingers hover over the keyboard again, and Aro leans down, not quite in your space. Just close enough for you to find yourself captivated by those filed-straight teeth again.
“A word to the wise —“ He says, tone hushed, pressing a hand to the table. Fingers inches from yours. “That was the Summer solstice drawing to a close, and you made us miss it-“
“I think you took care of that one yourself, actually."
He leans closer. “You’ve drawn enough eyes to protect yourself until the locals forget this, but some of us — my friend Caius, especially — are very fond of our evening routine; and some of us can hold a grudge. You’d do well to move on before the week’s end.”
You’d be happy to punch him if you weren’t thinking so hard about that free meal, so instead, you opt to flash a smile of your own. “You’d do well to eat my ass.”
There’s a pause. A tick of his brow. A tiny twitch at a corner of his mouth. Filmy eyes bore into yours, flickering minutely to your throat.
“Buonanotte. Do try to become at least conversational in Italian.” Aro’s gaze flits to the bare centimetres between your hands. He makes a point to withdraw it across the table, slowly. Like it would simply be beneath him to touch you. “What’s the saying? When in Rome?”
Then, he’s turning. Taking his leave. Shrouded in black cloth the moment he passes into his crowd of gothic friends.
Your gaze lingers on the retreating group. A subtle glance is afforded in your direction from one of the men in his company. Tall. Far too solemn for such an exciting night. 
A young man at a neighbouring table leans over to you, and you’ve spent so long looking at milky white faces at you’re nearly blinded by the hue of his sunburned face. “Ravers.” He comments. American. “Don’t mind ‘em. Probably gonna go take horse tranqs in some warehouse.”
Horse. That’s what you were trying to think of. His hair reminded you of a horse. 
“I am sorry for the commotion.” The hospitality worker returns. A glass of tap water is set down before you. “Could I offer you dinner on the house?”
Victory. 
You crack a grin up at your server. “Hey, what’s buonanotte mean?”
__________________________________
For such a compact place, you do not run into Aro again. Nor any of the grimly dressed people that had been in his company. 
Over the weeks spanning your stay, tourists come and go, but many of the faces in Volterra remain the same. Permanent residents remain static and likely have been so for generations. Mornings, recently, have held you in increasingly high regard; your refusal to leave their cramped community with each new brief wave of visitors bringing familiarity usually only reserved for years-old neighbours. Now you're no less annoying than a particularly entitled local.
None of whom, curiously, show any traits of albinism. Funny, considering you’d had a run in with at least half a dozen in a single night. 
“Are you now living here?” A busboy asks in the evening, passing your table (god, you love claiming that) on his way to clean another. You like this one. He’s gotten into a habit of sneaking an extra biscotti onto your saucer when you order. “How is your article?”
“It’s…” The look on your face tells enough to warrant a laugh.
“I have a cousin in Florence. Single.” He explains. “He would take one look at you and fall in love. You can marry him. Take his money. His car? Three wheels. Loser. You can do what ever you want if you marry him.”
“I’ll think about it.” You assure him, turning back to your laptop.
Huh.
Odd.
There’s a smear of black in your periphery again. 
That hasn’t happened since-
Your gaze snaps upward, meeting the eye of the rude bastard who’d made a martyr of you in front of the restaurant. Same phoney smile still plastered on his face. Something surges in your chest — fight instinct activating, readying you rip out a hunk of his hair should the situation call for it. 
You open your mouth. Preparing a scathing slew of words.
“Oh, hi.”
Aro — you recall — doesn’t reply. Not until he plucks a chair from a nearby table and sets it down across from you. At your table. He doesn’t ask. He doesn’t apologise. He just sits and watches you with his pleasant expression and his milky eyes and his horse hair. His wake wafts old paper and lint; like community library, or a darkroom, or a basement. 
Your skin runs cold. Oh fuck, is he actually making good on that threat from the other night?
“Buona—“ A gesture is extended to you. 
“—sera?”
“Very good.” He affirms with a too-animated grin. Like you’re a toddler. Bit patronising. “Going native, are you?”
“How do you mean?”
“Caffè in the evening, just like the locals do it. And you’ve been here every night for the better part of three weeks. One might say you were squatting.”
He’s been watching you. 
He’s wearing an identical suit to the one he wore last you’d encountered him. 
He’s a weirdo. You should find another stranger to cling to. Pretend to go home with them to discourage him from following more of your routine—
“Funny. I haven’t seen you.” You reply, bluntly. 
A micro expression must give your thoughts away, because his eyebrows shoot up in mock-surprise. “Oh? Oh. My friends have mentioned seeing you. I hope you don’t mind — we tend to keep an eye out for people who cross our paths. Small circles and what have you.” 
“That’s fair. You did threaten me last time we met.”
“Water under the bridge.” Aro dismisses. “Gossip gets around. People notice you staying.”
Your caution doesn’t dissipate. “Insular but curious?”
His smile widens. “Exactly! I’m Aro."
“I know. I heard one of your friends say it.” You reply, before giving your own name.
“I know.” Aro mirrors, and then fails to follow-up. Then, he moves to stand from his seat, pausing to consider something. “Care to walk with me?” 
“Give me a minute. I’m working.” 
An outright lie. You commit to typing gibberish for several minutes before closing the device and packing it away. All the while, he watches you like he’s watching a fish in a bowl.
“Upfront?” You say, standing, and he follows suit. “I carry a box cutter.”
“Wonderful.”
“Also, I choose where we go.”
He tips steepled fingers in a mockery of a bow. “Of course. Lead the way.”
Cramped as the little city may be, it’s surprisingly much harder to navigate when you’re trying to remain in the most well-lit spots. Conversation speeds up and slows with your meandering and Aro’s occasional interjection, all the while keeping a good bit of distance between you while you walk. His hands remain clasped in front of him, where you can see them. Making a show that he means you no harm. 
He probably won’t murder you tonight, you decide. 
You learn that he’s quite fond of history. That his friends are much the same. Even the ones that are very clearly children have a passion for preserving the arts and maintaining what Aro defines as ’cultural customs’.
It all sounds vague enough to be a little fucking hinky, but there’s a degree of relief that washes over you when Aro assures you they’re not funded by the Catholic church. 
He’s also a bit pretty, and you’re humble enough to admit that your brain goes smooth when you’re confronted with pretty. 
“So what is it you’ve been trying to write all week?” He eventually asks, gaze flickering to the laptop folded under your arms.
“That’s the issue.” You admit. “I haven’t really found my muse.”
“You just write about anything?” He presses.
You snort. “Wouldn’t that be nice. Right now I’m giving travel writing a whirl. Saved up a while after I finished my degree, but the longer I’m out here, the more I’m starting to realise student loans can’t really be paid off in stories.”
“Is it the stories upsetting you?” Aro frowns. “Or the loans?”
“It’s kind of fucking hard to feel inspired when all you’ve got in savings is the plane ticket home.”
“That explains all those free meals you’ve been charming everyone into.”
The heat returns to your face. He’s really been keeping an eye on you.
“Yeah — I’ve, uh—“ You keep your gaze front and centre on the road. “Sort of run out of money.”
Aro considers that for a moment. His steps slow. Then stop.
“Then, would you like a job?” He asks. 
Your brow furrows, thoughts already flicking through every possible trafficking scenario and how to stage a rebuttal, and his hand raises in defence just as you open your mouth. “You would be working with a few young friends of mine.”
You think about that. “Oh, yeah. Very…varied sense of fashion.”
“Heidi’s dress sense is the most modern of us, I assure you. She leads our public outreach, but she’s a single point of contact.” Aro explains, trailing off into thoughtful contemplation. “I like to pride myself on the diversity of our group, but things don’t move as slowly as they once did, and the internet is becoming too big a sandbox for just one voice to be heard so much lately. Perhaps you could lend a hand.”
All of Aro’s words up until that pitch have sounded pretty organic in comparison. That whole thing was rehearsed, for certain. 
“I don’t buy it.”
“Would you, if you had an allowance?”
”Well, yeah. That’s sort of what a job is.” You frown. For an apparently wealthy man, he's not great with employment terminology.
“You’d be compensated more than fairly.” He persists. “Most of us are volunteers, but if it helps put food on our tables, I’d be curious to see how successful you might be.”
He’s got you by the balls with this whole money thing, you won’t lie. It makes it hard to say no.
“What do you and those other two do, then?” You ask, referring to the men he had stuck to his side on your last meeting. Scraping through whatever you can amidst the glamour of his offer just to find something to poke holes in.
“We boss everyone around.”
Once it’s adequately clear that you’re not amused, Aro pivots, resuming his pace. “Marcus is in charge of relations. Caius keeps everyone in line, and I oversee the structure of everything we do.” He expands. “I do a lot of travelling. Talent scouting, recruitment. We’re globally spread. It’s…busy work, keeping track of everyone.”
“Sounds like you don’t have middle management.” You comment. “Why not hire me for that?”
That earns you a chuckle.
”It’s not perfect, but it’s preferable that olive branches are extended personally.”
”So you’re middle management.”
“In less grand terms, you could say I’m intuitive.” Aro explains, lingering for you for fall back into step. When you stop again, he does too. “I’m quite good at reading people.”
“An empath, are we?” You ask drily, turning your attention over the retaining wall at blackened country hills.
He doesn’t pick up on it. “How kind of you to say. No —“ He extends a well-manicured hand to you, keeping respectable distance. Just enough to demonstrate that this is an offer. Not an order. 
He’d look like kind of a jerk if you left him hanging, so you relent and offer your own.
“If I touch you, I can see your thoughts.”
Your hand stops just short of his, pulling away just as he reaches for you. “Sorry. I’m not into the whole street art thing.”
“Not to worry.” Aro assures, outstretching his fingers until the tendons flex over his knuckles. “I’d never commit such an act without your consent.”
“Yeah. I already fell for a a bracelet scam in Barcelona.” You insist. “Once bitten, twice shy. Maybe another time.”
Aro observes you for a long moment. He’s been doing a lot of that, tonight. 
“Perhaps another time.” He agrees, and the beat he takes doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s not used to being denied.
“You’re not rescinding the job offer for that, are you?” You frown.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re friends now.” Aro replies. “Besides; if anything, if you’re sitting in my office I won’t have to worry about you taking my favourite seat outside.”
You squint at him. Unblinking. He only gives you patience in return.
“I’ll get you in contact with one of my colleagues, and one day, you’ll let me perform my party trick for you. Sound agreement?”
It’s all just a little too good to be true, and a little too weird to be charming. You attempt a sympathetic look, but it feels more like an outright wince. “I’m sorry, it’s gonna have to be a no.”
Aro’s lips purse. His fingers lock together at his front, knuckles pressing while he thinks. 
Then, he regards you with a split-second point of his finger. A final bid.
”I’ll pay for your dinner tonight.”
Sold.
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