#or when I find myself doing air drums on the steering wheel

[cryley]

Petrichor - Part 2

matty healy x reader (fluff) word count: 4.3k warnings: mentions of alcohol and cigarettes A/N: (moved from @cryley-fics where it was originally posted) Hello again! Hope you enjoy this part, as it's a bit longer than pt 1 ♡ ▹ masterlist ▹ part 1 ▹ part 2 ▹ part 3 ▹ part 4 ▹ part 5

I pulled out my bag from the backseat of my car and made my way to my apartment. Today was a long day for more reasons than one. Now I can just focus on showering off the sticky syrup and coffee from my body and get ready for the show tonight.

My brain honestly couldn’t process that Matty came into my work this morning…and now has my fucking phone number. As I threw my backpack on my couch, I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see if anything from him came through.

Nothing.

A little disappointed, I walked to my room to get ready.

The memories of our conversation swirled around my head while I frantically threw clothes around my room. Would he ever text me? Will I see him after the show? Will I ever get to talk to him again? 

I picked out a pair of black ripped mom jeans and a black cropped tank top. I decided to just straighten my hair and do my everyday makeup look. Sliding some contacts in my eyes, I decided that I should try to grab some food before the show. Picking out my pair of black Dr. Martens and my handful of jewelry, I moved out to my couch to put them on.

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket to check the time.

Maybe: Matty

Hey love, it’s Matty. Want to join us at the venue early? We’re having some food delivered and I can manage to get you a good view if you’d like. Would love to continue our conversation from earlier. 

My heart skipped looking down at the phone. I immediately added his number to my contacts before navigating back to the message.

Hey Matty 🙂 I’d love to join you! When and where should I be?

After I hit send, I started to panic a little. Meeting Matty while off guard at work was one thing, but this time I knew what was coming. I anxiously tapped my fingers on my knees waiting for a response. I guess I might as well make sure I have everything in my bag before I leave. 

Charger, keys, wallet, ID, gum, Advil, hair tie, ticket, everything’s there.

My phone chimed.

Amazing! Go to the talent entrance near the buses. I’ll have someone let you in, just make sure to have your ID so they know it’s you. I’ll need your surname too. How about 4:30?

It was already 3:30, so I guess I should get going soon. I typed my response and made sure to triple-check what I wrote before sending it.

Y/L/N. I’ll see you soon 🙂

I grabbed my bag, slid on my jacket, and started out the door. At least it stopped raining, but the slight chill in the air was still there. 

Driving to the venue was filled with anxious drumming on the steering wheel, humming to my playlist, and trying to not panic and turn my car around. Looking at the clock, I realized I had some extra time and would get there early, so I stopped at a gas station near the venue to grab a water bottle.

A group of girls were at the register wearing black skirts, white dress shirts, black ties, and black leather jackets. I chuckled to myself and shook my head. Well, I know where they’re going. 

Sooner than I realized, I was parking in the garage next to the venue. There were a couple of cars here already, but not completely full like I’m sure it would be later.

I took a deep breath and grabbed my bag. It wasn’t hard to find the venue with the hoard of people queued up and waiting outside the doors. Now to just find the talent entrance door. This door was almost equally easy to find. There were maybe a dozen people or so huddled around a barricade separating the walkway from the busses to the side door so that talent could freely enter the venue without being swarmed. 

Behind the small crowd of people and the barricade was a very tall, very buff man in a black t-shirt and a radio pinned to his belt. He was looking around the crowd of women, but none of them seemed to pay him any attention.

“Uh hey. I’m Y/N.” I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my ID to show the very tall, very buff man. 

After glancing at my name, he unlatched the gate. As he let me through to the walkway, he radioed for someone to unlock the side door.

“You can head over. Someone should be letting you in shortly.” He smiled a gentle smile before switching back to serious mode. 

Some of the small crowd whispered as I walked closer to the entrance. The door opened to a friendly face. 

“Hey Y/N?” He asked as I nodded, “I’m Jamie. Nice to meet you! Come on in.” 

The tall blonde man gestured for me to follow him through the corridor. He was dressed in a black t-shirt and black jeans with a baseball cap on his head. It looked like it was a 1975 hat. 

“So how do you know Matty?”

“He came into my work this morning to get some coffee and I told him I’d be at the show tonight,” I explained as my eyes darted around at all the artwork and band posters on the walls. 

We entered a larger room that looked to be the back of the stage. I could see all of the instruments lined up to go out on stage. There seemed to be a quite large section of instruments on one side and I’m guessing for the opening acts were smaller sets of instruments on the other side. 

Jamie smiled, “Well we are glad to have you. We don’t get new company too often on tour. It’s a lot of the same faces, you know?”

“I’m just happy that Matty invited me.” I chuckled as we entered another hallway. 

This hallway was a bit smaller and housed a lot more doors than the other. Some of them were open, but most of them were closed. 

“Most of these are offices, but Matty should be just through here.” He gestured to the door to the right of us, “He should be expecting you, so you can pop right in. We should be getting the food delivered pretty soon, so I’ll meet up with you all in a bit.”

“Thank you so much for walking me in.” I gave Jamie a big smile before he waved and walked off back in the direction we came from. 

My heart started to pound heavily as I read the paper sign on the door now in front of me. THE 1975. 

Opening the door, I was greeted by Matty springing up from the large couch. He came towards me with his arms spread out for a hug and the largest grin on his face. 

“Y/N!” He said as he engulfed me in a hug. 

He touched my arm earlier today when I was on break, but it wasn’t like this. I was fully consumed in him. I sighed into the hug that caught me off guard and awkwardly hugged back. His long arms were wrapped around me and my head was tucked against his collarbone. He smelt of cigarettes and expensive cologne. 

“Hey, Matty.” I muffled into his neck, “Thanks for inviting me.”

“No worries. You gave me a free scone earlier, so the least I could do is get you some food and a better spot at the show.” He looked down at me and winked. 

I finally broke the hug, regretfully so, to take in the room. Soft music was playing from speakers around the room, but other than that it was pretty quiet. Coats and bags were scattered about the room as well as some guitars and drum pads here and there. A minibar was in the far corner of the room and appeared to be fully stocked. In the opposite corner was another door labeled as a restroom. 

“Make yourself at home.” Matty walked back over to the couch and plopped down, “The other guys are on the bus getting ready.”

Matty appeared to already be dressed and ready for the show. He was dressed in black slacks and a white dress shirt that currently hung open to show a white t-shirt underneath. On the clothing rack beside the couch, I could see a black blazer and black tie. 

I walked over to join him on the couch. He seemed like he wanted me to sit next to him even though it was a very large couch big enough for at least 5 people. As I sat down next to him, I realized that the top of his chest tattoo peeked out from his undershirt. 

“You ready for the show?” I started to pull off my jacket. 

He smiled at me and reached for his acoustic guitar next to the couch. He placed it in his lap and grabbed a pick from the neck under the strings. 

“Yeah. Usually, before shows, I just eat some food, do some vocal warm-ups, and then take a shot or two.”

He carefully checked each string to make sure it was in tune. 

“How was the rest of your day? You know, after the cafe.” I said as my eyes met his. 

He smiled and leaned back into the backrest, “Pretty quiet. Went back to the bus for a bit to take a quick nap and then got ready for tonight with soundcheck and all that.”

“Lucky you.” I yawned uncontrollably. 

His gaze traveled to the tattoos on my body he hadn’t previously seen. I had a good amount of coverage on my body, but mainly my left arm, some of my torso, and a good amount of my legs. 

“I really like your tattoos by the way. I only really saw the box and lyrics from earlier because it stood out to me, but there’s a lot of good art all over.”

“Thank you! I’ve had fun collecting them over the years. My 1975 tattoo was actually one of my first tattoos. The lyrics came much later.” I smiled and turned it to face him. 

“Matches mine.” he winked and turned his own box tattoo to face me. 

We could hear a group of chatter coming from the hallway before 2 very tall men walked through the open doorway. I quickly recognized them to be George and Ross. My face immediately felt flushed.

Matty leaned back once more in his seat, “Guys! This is Y/N. The bird from the cafe I told you about earlier.”

Ross smiled in my direction and pushed his hand towards me for a handshake.

I grabbed it in mine and was immediately aware of how small my hand felt compared to his, “Nice to meet you!”

“Glad to have you.” George followed after Ross shook my hand doing the same, “You meet artists often at work being so close to the venue?” 

“Surprisingly not. This is actually a first.” I shook George’s hand feeling equally as small as the handshake before. 

George and Ross looked to be ready in their clothes for the show. George was dressed in similar black slacks to Matty and an all-black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Ross looked to be wearing the same uniform as George. I guess they maybe planned the coordination for tonight.

“Where’s Adam?” Matty looked at the clock hanging above the door frame. 

“Waiting for the food with Jamie.” George answered in his low voice, “I think we are getting sandwiches and salads from a place in town.” 

Ross plopped down on the couch next to me, giving me a small smile, “Mind if I sit here?”

“Not at all! I’m the one invading your space, so you can sit wherever you’d like.”

“You aren’t invading at all,” George sat in the smaller chair across from the couch, “we were excited that Matty was inviting someone since we don’t have any guests coming to this tour date. We enjoy good company.” 

Matty pulled out his phone and navigated to Instagram. It was wild seeing how many notifications and messages he had. I’m not surprised at all. 

He nudged my shoulder with his and handed me his phone, “What’s your Instagram?”

I made eye contact with him and squinted my eyes trying to peer into his brain. He smiled as I reluctantly took his phone out of his hand and typed my username into the search bar. Once I found my account, I handed the phone back to him.

“Thank youuu.” he sang while hitting the follow button.

I didn’t really expect him to follow me immediately. Maybe just look at the photos I had on there or something, but I felt all warm and fuzzy knowing that he wanted both my phone number and social media. 

“Food’s here!” a voice called in the hallway before we saw Jamie and Adam enter the room each holding large brown boxes.

The 3 boys and I all stood up to help Jamie and Adam set out the food on a small table in the room. Adam smiled in my direction and stopped what he was doing to properly shake my hand.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Adam.” He greeted me with a warm handshake.

I smiled, “It’s amazing to meet you too! I’m Y/N.”

He cheekily gave me a knowing look and then his eyes darted over to Matty. Damn, did Matty tell everyone about meeting me today?

“Well Y/N, make sure you grab some food. We usually end up getting way too much and have leftovers.”

I nodded and pivoted to head to the table where the food was laid out. Matty made his way over to me with a salad in hand. 

“Would you like anything to drink? I can make you a drink or we have some really good wine too.” He spoke in a low voice. 

“Uhm I’ll take some wine actually if you don’t mind.” 

I haven’t had good wine in a long time. I was used to shitty beers and ciders in dive bars. 

Matty’s smile stretched across his face, “Good choice.”

He sauntered his way over to the mini bar as I turned to the food table. I grabbed the first salad I saw and brought it back over to my spot on the couch. 

Matty returned to the couch with two glasses of red wine. 

“So what other things are you into other than my band and coffee?” Matty questioned as he sat down next to me and handed me my glass of wine. 

I immediately took a sip of the wine, “I read a lot, I also draw and paint sometimes.”

“Oh, you do art?” Ross chimed in after he finished a mouthful of his sandwich. 

“Yeah, I majored in photography at art school, but did a fair amount of fine arts classes for my minor like pottery, sculpture, painting, and too many others to count,” I answered while opening my salad. 

“I’ve tried pottery before. It’s pretty difficult to get the hang of.” Adam chimes in as he sits in the chair next to George.

I nod and go back to my salad. George, Adam, and Ross start chatting about the previous shows and flow into discussions about new instruments they purchased. The last way I expected today to go was sitting in a room eating salad with the 1975.

“Hey, would you like to join me outside for a smoke?” Matty leaned over to whisper to me.

“Ok.” I shrugged, placing my empty salad container on the table and finishing my last sip of wine. 

I followed Matty out of the room and to the hallway. He made sure to stick close to me as we made our way through the winding halls. I could smell his cologne. He smelled warm and comforting.

“Excited to see the show?”

“Of course! I’m really excited to see you perform the new album. I haven’t seen you guys since I think 2017 or 2018.”

He smiled back at me as we entered a door I didn’t notice before. It led to a small outdoor smoking area that was private to the venue. The chill of the wind swept over my noticeably bare arms.

“Fuck, you forgot your jacket! Here,” he immediately took the cigarettes out of his pocket before sliding his blazer off of his shoulders, “take mine.”

Just as I was about to politely decline the offer, he already placed it over my shoulders.

“Thank you.”

He waved his hand, “No need to thank me Y/N. Would you like one?”

He placed a cigarette between his lips and held out the box to me. I nodded and slid one out of the pack. Matty slowly walked over to the bench that was sitting in the middle of the small outdoor area. He patted the seat beside him for me to join him.

“So how old are you if you don’t mind me asking?” He asked as he lit the end of his cigarette before handing it over to me.

“I’m 25.”

“Probably should’ve asked that before giving you wine.” He chuckled to himself.

I giggled and lit the cigarette. I’m glad he is letting me use his jacket. It’s still cold and wet outside from the rain earlier today. Matty kind of seemed a bit chilly now in just his thin overshirt and t-shirt.

As I took a drag of the cigarette, I leaned my head over to rest on Matty’s shoulder. A smile crept up to my face as I could feel him lean his head to rest on the top of mine.

“You’re truly something, Y/N.” He quietly muttered through an exhale of smoke.

“You’re just saying that because I’m trying to keep you warm.” I chuckled and flicked the ash off the end of my cigarette. 

I could feel him smile, “Maybe. Regardless, all I know is that I would love to get to know you some more.”

“I don’t know if we have the time for me to tell you my life story.”

His head moved away from mine, taking another drag of the cigarette, “I can make time.”

I smiled to myself and watched the smoke pour out of his mouth. I took a moment to study his face. Most of his loose brown curls were tucked behind his ears, but some of them escaped and draped over his forehead as he looked down at me. His eyes squinted as he smiled, forming small wrinkles around the corners of his face. Grey strands were sparsely scattered through his hair and stubble. In most of my memories of him in photos or on stage, he looked rugged or disheveled. In this moment he looked soft. Almost fragile as if he was made of tissue paper stitched loosely together.

He stood up from the bench and held out his hand toward me. I grabbed it in mine immediately noticing how warm he was against my ice-cold hand. We were both greeted with warmth walking back into the venue. 

He hummed softly as we walked back to the green room. I tried giving him back his jacket once we were inside, but he insisted I keep it until it was time for the show. I couldn’t complain. The jacket smelled like him.

“Show in one hour.” George reminded Matty as we walked back to the couch. 

“That reminds me, Y/N,” Jamie handed me a lanyard and badge, “This will get you where you need to be.”

“Thank you so much!” I smiled at Jamie before placing it on my neck. 

“I’ll take you out to the floor soon in case you want to get a drink or something,” Jamie explained as some of the boys grabbed instruments around the room.

Matty grabbed his acoustic guitar next to the couch and started to pluck away.

“I guess I better give you your jacket back.” I slid it off of my shoulders and placed it on the seat next to me. 

“I’ll see you out there.” Matty winked at me as I stood by the door.

“Good luck guys. It was a pleasure meeting you all.” I waved to the boys while Jamie collected his things to head out. 

All 3 of the boys gave large smiles and waved before going back to concentrating on getting ready. Matty’s eyes stayed on me until I was led out into the hall. 

“I was thinking we could quickly get drinks before I drop you off at side-stage?” 

I tried to keep up with Jamie’s quick pace through the halls, “That would be amazing. Thank you.”

He led the way through the winding halls as we passed by crew members setting up the stage. I could hear the crowd singing along to the playlist picked to keep them company before the show. 

We finally emerged from the back area and into the lobby. It was crowded. Most of the people were already in the crowd, but there were still a large number of people here in the bar and merch area. 

“If you want to get some merch, we have everything also in the back. I can show you after the show if you’d like.”

I enthusiastically nodded as we approached the lobby bar. 

“A whiskey and uh-” Jamie looked at me and gestured for me to tell the bartender my order.

“Vodka Red Bull, please.” 

Jamie raised his eyebrows and smiled. He pulled out his card to pay. 

“Hey, I got it!” I quickly placed my card on the bar, “Consider it a thank you for the food and this whole experience. It’s only a small fraction of the thank you’s I owe you all.”

He tilted his head and smirked as he gave up on paying. 

“Cheers to a good show!” I handed Jamie his drink before raising my cup to his. 

“Cheers.” He took a sip and moved back towards the hallway, “Let's head to the side area.”

Sipping on my drink, I followed him back to the doors we came out of. I got some confused looks from the merch line when they spotted my badge, but I ignored them and continued.

Soon we were standing out on the venue floor. The general admission area was to the side of us and separated by a barricade. We were in front of the stage, sort of diagonal to the left. Surrounding us were crew members, a bunch of storage boxes, a camera crew, and sound equipment. Steps away from us were the stairs up to the stage where people were rushing on and off. 

A large black curtain hung at the front of the stage with the lights displaying THE 1975, but from where I was standing with Jamie, I could see the set. It looked sort of like a living room. There were TV sets scattered around some furniture and a large spiral staircase. 

“You okay to watch the show here?” Jamie leaned over to me so I could hear him over the crowd.

“More than okay!”

He looked at the commotion around us, “I think I’m going to bounce around to help set up. I can meet you back here once the show is over to take you back for some merch.”

I nodded and outstretched my arms for a hug, “Thank you so much again Jamie. I really appreciate it.”

He gave me a quick but tight hug before running off with his drink. 

My phone buzzed in my back pocket. Taking a sip of my drink with one hand, I pulled my phone out with the other.

Matty

Where are you in the crowd? I’m about to go out on stage and want to look for you x

I smiled and decided to take a quick selfie with my view of the stage in the background. I got a couple of looks from the people in the crowd behind the barricade next to me. I didn’t mind, but I’ll admit that it was a little distracting. 

As soon as I sent him the photo, the 3 dots showed he was typing. 

Thanks, darling. You look beautiful by the way x 

I refuse to believe this day is real and I’m not in some cruel dream. Last week, I was just excited about the show. Now, I just had dinner with the band and am being called beautiful via text from Matty Healy. 

From the side of the stage, I could see a figure sit down at the piano. The lights were still down, but I assumed it was Matty by the height. A small flame flickered near his face lighting the end of a cigarette before the curtain in front of the stage started to fall. The crowd erupted with screams and cheers. 

Matty was outlined in a spotlight as he started to play The 1975 on the piano. His voice was smooth and beautiful. I always loved when they opened up with the self-titled track, but this one from Being Funny in a Foreign Language was definitely a favourite of mine. As he sang the opening verse, the other members of the band walked through the door to their places on the stage. The set looked perfect. 

“And it’s about time,” He looked directly at me and winked, “And this is what it looks like”

#fluff #matty healy #matty healy fic #the 1975 #matty healy x reader #petrichor #matty fic #matty healy fanfic #the 1975 fic #my fics #ry.exe

[helloalycia]

⇇ chapter three ⇇

story masterlist | main masterlist | wattpad

⇉ chapter five ⇉

author’s note: be prepared for the angst that’s incoming! i apologise in advance lmao

32 years old

The underground car park was the best place to be when wanting to murder someone. Possibly my favourite place – was it weird to have a favourite place to murder someone? – because it was almost always empty of people, save for a few bystanders parking, it was dark and it was the perfect spot to isolate someone. Easy entry and exits were just a bonus.

I was in my car, staring at the dimly lit lifts at the end of this floor, waiting for my target to come through. Countless hours dedicated to tracking down my target and revising his schedule had led me to this moment, and when the lift doors opened, I stopped drumming my fingers on the steering wheel and got out the car.

My walking pace picked up as he mindlessly tried to find his car, using his keys to unlock it. He didn't spot me, despite the fact that we were the only two here, and I felt for my throwing knife in my jacket sleeve as I approached him with my orders ringing in my head.

Knife slipping out of my sleeve, I gripped it tightly before raising it in the air, narrowing my eyes to focus. As I pulled back to make the throw, a metallic clang sounded in the empty car park and my knife flung from my fingers, hit by another one. Furrowing my brows, I spun around quickly, ready to defend myself from whoever was there.

Familiar green eyes found mine and I clenched my jaw, feeling a rush of anger course through me at the sight of someone I never thought I'd see again.

"Y/N," she said carefully, and I squeezed my hands into fists by my side, only able to think about the pleasure of her bleeding out before me, dying. It was what Dreykov would have wanted.

Nat... how did you find me? You left. You left and never came back. Why are you here?

"Back off," I warned her with a venomous tone, before turning around and taking off into a run towards my target. The mission was my priority, nothing else.

"Y/N!" I heard her call from behind me, but I barrelled on.

My target stared wide-eyed at me, too shocked to move, and I saw the future of his death shimmering in his eyes, at my hands.

Go.

Before I could get to him, I felt someone tackle from my behind, knocking me to the ground. I grunted as I hit the tarmac stomach-first, feeling her sit on me from behind.

"I always was the better runner," she mumbled satisfactorily, making me scream with frustration.

"What the fuck?!" my target shouted with panic, and I looked up with difficulty, watching him backing away slowly as he saw us.

"Get out of here!" Natalia told him frustratedly. "Leave!"

Yes! Do as she says!

"No!" I yelled, before using her distraction as opportunity to throw her off my back.

When I stood up and took a breath, I looked back to see my target had stupidly listened to Natalia and got into his car, already driving out of here. I could have gone after him, no doubt caught up to him sooner or later, but something told me Natalia would continue to follow me and be a pain in my side.

Tensing my jaw, I cocked my head to the side and turned around, knowing what I had to do. Nothing could get in the way of the mission.

The redhead was standing up now, dusting herself off and watching me with a softened expression.

I don't know how you found me. Why you're here. But please, leave, Nat. I can't control myself.

"Natalia Romanova," I addressed her between gritted teeth. "A defect of the KGB. Too ashamed to uphold her responsibilities as a Black Widow. Too good for us."

She curled her lips into a dry smile. "Is that what he told you?"

But it's true. You left because you were too good for us. Too good for me.

"You're being controlled by him," she told me carefully, raising her hands in the air, palms spread out with defeat. "But he's gone, Y/N. He can't hurt you anymore. And I'm here to free you."

Free me? There is no way to get out of his control. He owns me. And you need to leave before you get hurt. Or worse.

"I am free," I sneered. "I don't need your help. But I do need you out of my way."

She clenched her jaw impatiently. "I'm not leaving. And you're not going to kill that man."

I glared at her, fingers itching to make a move. "You shouldn't be here."

Get out of here. Leave.

She couldn't help but smile with a hint of amusement, resembling a version of her I once knew. "Well, how else am I going to make sure you're okay?"

You don't get to say that anymore.

"Have it your way," I muttered.

Without warning, I leaped towards her, going in for a powerful punch to her face, but she reacted quickly enough and rolled out of the way.

"Where the fuck are you?" she mumbled to herself, and I had no idea who she was referring to, but I squeezed my fists together before running to her once more.

Every punch I threw at her, she dodged, blocked and countered with a shove. It was making me livid how she wasn't fighting back, but instead pushing me around like a rag doll.

You always were the best. Even after all this time. The golden child.

I scrunched my face together and let out a scream of defiance before sliding my legs beneath hers, taking her by surprise. She fell on her back but rolled backwards as soon as I went in to stomp on her stomach.

"Y/N, please listen to me!" she pleaded breathlessly. "This isn't you!"

Maybe it is. You're eight years too late, Nat.

"You're going to die today, Natalia," I growled.

Her dark eyes widened slightly, not expecting the venom in my words, and I flipped myself over her in her surprised state, bringing her down to the ground with my thighs locked around her neck. She punched me in the gut, making me jump away, but grabbed my ankle and pulled me back, and then I felt her knee on the back of my neck.

"Don't fight anymore, please," she begged, mouth close to my ear. "He's not here anymore."

I don't have a choice. Dreykov is never gone.

Ignoring her words, I used all my strength to elbow her in the face, knocking her from my back. She was stunned momentarily, blood dripping from her nose, and I used that chance to straddle her, fingers immediately wrapping around her neck.

I squeezed with all my might, watching as her eyes stared up at mine with panic, pleading wordlessly for me to stop.

Stop it! Stop it, Y/N! You're going to kill her!

Her hands scraped at mine rapidly, trying to find a way to pry my fingers off her, but they were clasped firmly, like they had the many other times I'd killed.

"Y-Y/N," she wheezed, the colour draining from her face.

Her breath was ragged, lungs desperate to find oxygen, and I kept on squeezing, so close to killing her.

Let go! You don't want this!

The blood on her lips, dripping from her nose, was so vibrant in comparison to her snow-white complexion, losing colour the longer I squeezed. I almost had it, I knew it, but then a bullet zoomed past my eyes and I let go, backing up at the proximity.

Natalia was gasping for air, hands to her throat desperately, as I furrowed my brows, head snapping in the direction of the bullet. To my right was another Widow, holding a pistol and directing it my way.

"Yelena Belova," I said monotonously, clambering off a winded Natalia and facing the blonde. "What are you doing?"

She was a Black Widow, too. We had worked a few missions together in the past several years and always completed the job. But she had never dared attack me directly – Widows didn't do that.

"You're killing my sister," she said casually, lowering her gun and approaching me. "I can't let that happen."

She must be free. Is it really possible? Am I able to escape my own mind?

"You betrayed us," I realised, narrowing my eyes at her. "You're working with her."

I scowled as Natalia coughed beside me, hunched over and desperately breathing in air.

"I know you're following your mission," Yelena spoke, earning my attention. Her eyes were one of understanding as she holstered her gun. "I was the same, Y/N. But there's a way out. And you have to give us a chance to help you."

I got into a defensive position when she reached into her pocket, pulling out a small black vial.

It's real. A way out. She had it.

"I don't need help," I said viciously.

Natalia was stood up now, wiping her bloody nose with her sleeve and looking temporarily dizzy.

"I told you to wait for me," Yelena said to her with a frown.

"Yeah, well she was going to kill someone, so...," Natalia responded halfheartedly, and I noticed the red handprint on her neck.

My handprint.

"You two are done with this," I said, tired of their disruptions.

Two Black Widows was worse than one, I knew that. But they didn't want to hurt me, so I could use that to my advantage and try to get to my car. And with that in my mind, I began to run towards Yelena, a determined expression on my face.

She jumped into action quickly enough, spinning a roundhouse kick to my face, which I ducked out the way of countered with a knee to the gut. I landed a hit, thankfully, but she gripped my knee and threw me to the ground, making me groan at the contact.

"Stay still!" she shouted, attempting to pin me to the ground, but I kicked her off me and jumped up, looking for my car in my disoriented vision.

Just when I spotted it, I felt someone grab me in a headlock and hold me in place, making me stand my ground so I could get a good position to flip them over. But we'd all undergone the same training, and Yelena seemed to know my plan as she grabbed my legs opposite me, despite my kicking, and lowered me to the ground with her sister's help.

"Let go!" I shouted, flailing around in an attempt to escape, but Natalia's grip was tight despite the fact I'd almost killed her, and she was preventing me from moving around too much.

"Do it now!" Natalia rasped out with a broken voice, looking over me to Yelena.

Yelena risked letting go of one of my legs to grab the vial from her pocket, and I landed a kick to the side of her head with my heavy boot, but she didn't flinch, just looked peeved. Spraying the contents of the vial next to my head, a red powder floated into the air and got into my eyes, making me stop my flailing and blink it out.

And it was like a fog had been lifted and I could escape the box I was trapped in in the back of my mind. Their grips loosened and my breathing became staggered as I raised my hands, realising I was in control. Fully in control, not just a backseat driver in my own head.

"Y/N, are you back?"

I sat up instantly, scrambling backwards, away from Nat, with wide eyes. She was really here. She was back.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I muttered, my heart pounding in my ears.

I didn't wait for her to respond as I looked down, becoming acutely aware of my own body. It had been so long since I could feel anything. And now I was feeling everything, and it felt like I was burning alive.

"You're okay–"

"No!" I shouted, eyes burning with tears. I glared at the redhead who thought she could come back and make everything be okay. "Stay the fuck away from me!"

Yelena looked between us cautiously before meeting my gaze with empathetic eyes.

"You're free," she said softly, like it was a promise, and she crawled towards me carefully, considerate of my state. When I didn't move away, she held out her hand towards me. "He's gone, Y/N. He won't be coming back."

I believed her – she wouldn't lie about something like that. But it was still hard to accept because he'd been my biggest nightmare since I was a kid. People's nightmares didn't just disappear for good.

Placing my hand in hers hesitantly, she squeezed it in response and offered me a small smile. It was enough to make tears spill from my lids, unable to believe it was over. Finally. After so long. I was free.

She helped me stand up and I swallowed thickly, feeling like a stranger in my own body as I got used to it once more.

"The Red Room is gone, too," Yelena said, not letting go of my hand. "Destroyed. And I'm going to free the rest of the Widows."

It sounded like a fantasy, freeing the Widows. The Red Room destroyed. Dreykov gone. I didn't know what to feel and a numbness was beginning to take the place of the temporary relief.

I looked her in the eyes, seeing the determination staring back at me, and if anyone could do it, I truly believed it was her. With trembling lips, I nodded slightly, and pulled her in for a hug. No amount of gratitude could repay her for what she had done.

"Y/N?"

I let go of Yelena and saw Nat standing up, blood swiped from her face and red marks around her neck. That was my fault and she didn't deserve it, but I also still felt a familiar anger burning in my chest when she watched me with sympathetic eyes.

When she took a step towards me, I stepped back like she carried the plague, heart rate picking up once more.

"I'm not going to hurt you," she promised, not stepping forward again. Her accent was fully gone now, not a hint of Russian left. Just another thing that had changed with her.

"You already did," I snarled, fixing her with a glare, and she pressed her lips together into a slight frown. "You left me. Eight fucking years ago. Don't you dare come near me, Natalia."

Like I'd slapped her, she nodded and stepped back, avoiding my eyes. I didn't feel an ounce of guilt as the anger rolled around in me like a curse. Yelena earned my attention when she spoke up.

"We can help you, Y/N. If you come with us, we can help you get back on track. Find you a better life."

My teeth were clenched together behind pursed lips. What the hell was a better life? Mine was ruined. There was nothing to improve or better. And I certainly couldn't go anywhere with her.

"She has to come with us, but she won't touch you," Yelena promised, noticing my hesitation. "You're safe now."

I breathed out slowly, trying to push my anger away so I could think straight. I had no idea what to do now, where to go. All my life I had been told what to do, what to eat, what to wear... I was stuck for the first time ever. And Yelena could help me. Natalia wasn't going to get in the way.

"Okay, I'll come with you."

————————

After regaining control of myself again, Yelena and Nat took me to one of their hideouts until they could figure out where exactly to go from there.

Nat stuck to herself, like Yelena promised, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel her gaze on me when she thought I didn't notice. It only made me angry, being so close to her after so long. It had been so long since we'd last seen each other in person, but I'd seen her in other ways.

Though my mind wasn't mine from the day after Dreykov broke news of Nat's departure to me, I still remembered her. And even when I was following orders, I wasn't oblivious to the sight of the Avengers all over the news, in kids' toy stores, plastered on magazine covers. I still saw Nat, the Nat I couldn't recognise anymore, going from S.H.I.E.L.D. agent to Avenger, celebrated internationally. Universally, even.

But seeing her properly in person was a different experience altogether. The TV screens didn't truly capture the fiery red of her hair; the magazines didn't accurately display the depth of her eyes; the posters didn't properly show the sharpness of her jaw. And I think I preferred it their way, rather than seeing it for myself. It wasn't worth the heartache.

Yelena was more generous than she needed to be. She didn't owe me a thing, didn't owe any of the Widows a thing, but she was using this next part of her life to do good and I admired her for that. I also wondered when exactly she'd reunited with Nat, remembering how much Nat had missed her once they'd been separated as kids.

She'd finally got her sister back at least.

When night fell, they let me stay in the spare room alone, agreeing to share the other bedroom between them and give me some space. I didn't know how to tell them, tell Yelena, that I didn't want to be alone.

I tried to get some rest, knowing tomorrow would be just as surprising as today, but my mind was breaking at the seams. What would become of me now? There were no more Widows, no more Dreykov. He'd ordered me around all my life and I was glad he was dead, he deserved it. But a small part of me still felt lost without him.

Who would I listen to now? Who would tell me what to do? I didn't know how to make those decisions. My life had been stolen from me and I wasn't so sure I could handle having it back. I'd spent so long trying to be perfect for him, but now he was gone and it was all pointless.

The only good thing I could think of was that I could finally stop hurting people. Tearing families apart. Killing innocents for cash. It was all over. But the memories would always stay.

Trying to sleep was futile. Physically, I was exhausted. But mentally... there was too much going on.

A knock on the door stole my attention, and I was almost glad for the distraction until it opened and Nat popped her head around the side. Even in the dark, her eyes were lively, darting around the room until they found mine.

I clenched my jaw, making a point of pushing her away by pulling my duvet over my shoulders and turning my back to her. "You shouldn't be here."

The creak of the door filled the silence, and I thought she'd left until I heard it click and her breathe out quietly.

"How else am I going to–"

"Don't," I cut her off with a bite to my tone. It wasn't cute anymore, it just pissed me off. "Leave."

"I need to talk to you." Her voice was like sandpaper in her throat, still sore from me almost killing her.

"It's nighttime. I'm sleeping." I forced my eyes close, hoping it would block her out and she'd be gone when I opened them.

"You're not," she pointed out, and I sat up with frustration, staring her into silence.

"Fuck off, Natalia," I said, slowly climbing out my bed. "I don't want to talk to you." I stalked towards her, fists clenched. "I don't want to hear what you have to say." She moved back when I got closer, but I didn't stop. "I don't want to hear anything." Her back hit the door and I stopped, inches away. "You left me. You don't get to explain."

Her eyes flickered between mine, guilt-laden and apologetic, but I didn't care. Nothing she could say would change anything. And honestly speaking, she was a minor issue compared to the ones I was facing right now.

"I tried to come back for you once I left," she said when I turned to go back to my bed. "I thought he was dead. Dreykov. And then I went to find you, but the Red Room we grew up in was deserted and you weren't there. I assumed everyone had left. I didn't know he'd moved it. I didn't know what he did. I thought you'd moved on."

"No!" I snapped, turning around and pointing an accusatory finger her way. I wanted to be better, to ignore her and not let her words get to me, but she was saying all the right things to piss me off. "You're a fucking liar, Natalia! You're a selfish bitch! You chose the easy way out!"

She shook her head, lip quivering slightly, and I all I saw was red. How dare she try this bullshit act now. After all this time.

"You were always too good for that place!" I shouted, hating the way my voice broke. She made me feel like she always had – embarrassed. Stupid. An idiot for wanting more. "Golden fucking child couldn't take it anymore, right?!"

"That wasn't it," she said, taking a step forward, but I stepped back. Her eyes were filling with tears as she said, "He told you that, didn't he? He filled your head with these lies?"

"Shut up!" I screamed at her, feeling hot and flustered with anger. "Just shut up!"

"Please, Y/N! If I had know that you were there still, both you and Yelena, I would have come back in an instant, you know that!" She licked her lips, trying to look me in the eyes, but I covered my face, feeling overwhelmed. "I never wanted any of this for you."

"You left," I reminded her, lowering my hands and sucking up a breath. "You didn't come back. You promised me so much, made me believe it was impossible to leave. You made me feel like a fucking idiot. And as always, I was faced with the consequences, not you. Not Dreykov's fucking pet."

She frowned, trying to search for forgiveness, but I wouldn't give it to her. She didn't deserve shit.

"Get out," I told her with finality. "You've caused enough trouble in my life."

Her expression softened. "You don't mean that."

"Natalia, I swear to God, if you don't leave my fucking room, I'm going to kill you."

Before she could reply, the door to my room opened once more and in walked a tired-looking Yelena, but she seemed concerned as she sensed the tension and probably heard the argument.

"I'm gone. Tomorrow," I told her sternly. "I owe you my life, Yelena. And I will pay you back somehow, someday. But I am not staying with you any longer. I'll figure this out myself."

"Y/N, wait, hold on," Yelena said, waking up a little more now. "Just think about this."

"I have," I said, uncurling my fists.

"You don't have to–"

"Shut the fuck up," I said bitterly, looking to Nat with a side-eyed glare.

She clenched her jaw slightly, clearly not appreciating the way I was talking to her, but decided against saying anything else. She nodded before leaving the room, finally.

"She's the reason you're free," Yelena said suddenly, and I looked to her with watery eyes. "If it wasn't for her, you'd be under his control still. I don't know what went on between you both, she won't tell me, but you have to be a little more thankful to her than you are being right now."

"She left us both behind," I reminded her.

"And she came back, too," Yelena said with a harsh tone, but I knew it was only to make me realise what she was saying, not out of anger. "I can't make you stay. But you should be showing her just as much gratitude as you are me. Maybe even all of it."

And with that, she closed the door and left me alone, and I almost wished today hadn't even happened. Almost.

————————

I stuck to my decision of going out on my own, unable to put my stubbornness aside and let them help me.

Yelena understood, I think, to an extent, and wished me luck. She was kind enough to give me her number and made me promise to stay in touch, wanting to know if I'd be okay. I appreciated it and made sure I'd keep that promise.

Natalia and I didn't exchange any words and I was glad she'd finally gotten the hint to leave me alone. Yelena's words from last night still rang clear in my head, and I knew she was right. I owed Nat all of my thanks and more, but I wasn't so sure I could look at her without feeling the need to run in the opposite direction, so it would have to wait for another day.

It was hard deciding what I wanted to do now that I could do anything. I didn't have a home, belongings, barely had any money. Just bits I'd saved over the years to fund future assignments, but there were no more assignments so it was all I had to my name now.

It took me a few weeks to decide where I wanted to go, and it was stupid to make a list of places to consider. As a Widow, I'd travelled the world completing different assignments, so I had a fair idea of what could be worth living in versus what wouldn't feel right. The problem was, every place had a bad memory associated with it. A person I'd killed, a baby I'd kidnapped, belongings I'd stolen... I'd done so much bad and it was beginning to feel impossible to be anything but that.

Eventually, I settled on England. It was the only country that I hadn't been sent to, therefore I couldn't foresee me feeling guilty with every turn I made. It was a fresh start for a fresh life, that was what I told myself when I put down a deposit on a small semi-detached house in a rural village in Yorkshire. Ninety percent of my neighbours were the elderly, so it made it easier knowing they wouldn't be prying into my business. After all, a Russian woman moving from nowhere was bound to get the gossip going.

It wasn't as easy I thought it would be. I'd been my own company for as long as I could remember, so that wasn't the problem. It was that I was finally left alone with my own thoughts, haunted by memories of all the horrible things I'd done under Dreykov's control. And the horrible things I'd done of my own free will, even before he mind-controlled me.

I wasn't a good person. I knew that. And sometimes, it felt like having my own place, getting a mundane retail job and living a regular life wasn't what I deserved. I'd denied so many people the right to their lives, so why did I get mine back?

Yelena kept in touch and I did, too, not wanting to let her down. I owed her something for all she'd done and was doing. She kept me in the loop with how freeing the Widows was going. Even offered to have me join her, if I wanted something to do, and I almost accepted. But the thought of fighting even more exhausted me, and I was never meant to be a hero. She'd done so much without me, I was sure she could finish the job without me, too.

I told her where I'd moved to, what my life was like now, and she was happy for me. She told me about the dog she got, Fanny, and how she was trying to build a life of her own, too. We'd never been close – I hadn't had a proper friend since Nat left – but I found myself gravitating to the blonde, since she was the only person I knew who had been through the exact same thing as me. She said she wanted to visit me at some point. I was already looking forward to it.

Navigating my way through my new life presented its challenges, but I was determined not to throw away what Yelena (and Natalia, too) had given me. A few months in and I wasn't so angry anymore, but the pain only deepened. I wasn't sure if it would ever go away.

I was working out how to paint an old cabinet my neighbour had given me, trying to search up the best way to do so on the internet, when I heard a knock on my door. Apart from my neighbour who occasionally stopped by with baked goods, I never got guests. So, naturally, I grabbed a knife from my kitchen counter and approached my door.

Looking through the peephole, I relaxed at the sight of someone who wasn't about to murder me. At least I didn't think she did. But I was still surprised at who it was. Opening the door, I put the knife on the table by the door and looked to meet Natalia's gaze.

"That's reassuring," she said dryly when she spotted me putting the knife down.

"How did you know where to find me?" I got straight to the point, not angry but not happy either.

We hadn't spoken since the day I'd been freed, and Yelena hadn't mentioned her in any of our conversations, nor had I asked about her. I had wondered about her, sometimes... but I didn't dwell on it too much. Now though, it was strange. Especially since we hadn't ended on good terms, so I didn't understand why she would be here.

"Yelena told me," she answered carefully, as if trying to read my expression. "I thought giving you some time to settle would be best before coming to visit. And you haven't kicked me out yet, so that must be a good sign...?"

I don't know why, but that comment made me frown, and I grew frustrated at the hopeful sparkle in her eyes. Closing the door on her, I was ready to leave it at that, but she put her foot in the way and stopped me.

"Wait, wait, I'm sorry, please," she said, and I opened the door again, unsure what to do.

"Why are you here?" I asked with a small voice.

She moved her fumbling hands behind her back and straightened up. "I wanted to check on you. See how you were doing."

I scoffed quietly. Now she wanted to check on me? How about eight years ago when I needed her? Seven years ago when I thought I was going insane? Six years ago when I wanted to die? Where was she then?

"Y/N?" she prodded, raising an eyebrow, and I realised I was just staring at her.

"I don't–" I paused, breathing out slowly. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"I thought that we could fix this," she said honestly. "I'm not after anything more than to be civil. Maybe even friends. We were friends at one point."

Yeah, we were. More than friends, too, I think. But that all ended when she left. So, what was the point anymore?

All I could do was nod and stand to the side, letting her in. I wasn't sure why I did it. Maybe I wanted a sense of familiarity in this foreign place. Maybe I really did miss her all this time, not as angry as I was letting on. I wasn't sure. But I guess I was about to find out.

"You've got a lovely place," she said after I closed the door behind her. "I never pegged you for an English lady."

"I never pegged you to come back but here we are," I mumbled under my breath, and she glanced at me when she heard me speak, but I shook my head. "Never mind."

Leading her to the kitchen, I motioned for her to take a seat and pulled out a glass from the cupboard.

"Do you want a drink?" I asked, quirking a brow.

She sat on a stool opposite me, resting her hands on the counter top. "Er, sure. Anything is fine."

I nodded and went to grab some juice from my fridge, filling up her glass. She smiled awkwardly and accepted the glass as I replaced the juice. I pulled a stool from around the island and sat opposite her, chewing on my lip.

This wasn't going to be a great conversation, I just knew it.

#marvel #marvel imagine #mcu #mcu imagine #natasha romanoff imagine #natasha romanoff x you #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #black widow x you #black widow x reader #black widow imagine #black widow #scarlett johansson

[solomonish]

Dork Solomon Agenda

You say sexy shady sorcerer I say nerd and love of my life

Solomon is a sad lonely little man why just wants a genuine connection us that so much to ask???

No but seriously like. It's totally fine if you hc Solomon as this man-turned-lowkey-sex-god with a million succubi and more at his whim whenever he wants and would be a tough one to put the ol' ball and chain on like to each their own for sure! But that's not MY hc

(Thats not to say my hc means he doesn't ever engage in casual sex like that and wanting a genuine long term relationship at some point [or finding out thats what you want when you meet someone] are not mutually exclusive yknow)

So like Solomon isn't the type to be short with you or keep you at an arm's length (i mean...u get what I mean. Once you're close enough and all that jazz) or get annoyed by you wanting to be affectionate?? Hello??

He LOVES the little things you do (some on accident tbh). You feeling affectionate today and give him a kiss or three on his face before you leave to go to your separate classes? Adorable, he's fallen in love again. You do that thing where you like.. forget how to walk straight and just accidentally bump into him? No come back he likes being close to you :( He doesn't SAY these things but there's a light, airy laugh he has that gives him away.

If you're ever facetiming he will say "boo!" when you connect instead of just. Greeting you like a normal person.

His fuckin. His devilgram name is monSOLO. My mans is a star wars fan!!! I dont know any of The Discourse bc I'm not super into star wars myself but he has IN DEPTH opinions about the movies. Seriously rivals Levi in this aspect. Please make time for movie nights where you watch the movies together 🥺 especially if you haven't seen them before he'd love to convert you 🥺

Didn't Solomon also have a thing for TSL??? Or am I just imagining it??

I feel like his ideal date would be exploring something new, whether its this new spooky forest or "hey have we been down this alley before? Let's check it out!" but ideal date number TWO is movie night. Even if it isn't Star Wars. He likes to sit on opposite ends of the couch throwing popcorn into each other's mouths (and big candies like peanut m&ms where you both have almost choked before) and maybe a footsie war if he's feeling real devious. Then at some point you grab a blanket and snuggle up to him and you both fall asleep on the couch

Simeon yells at him when you leave because there's popcorn EVERYWHERE

LOVES when you laugh super loud. Idk man he just thinks its great when you have such unbridled joy and then he laughs too 😊 not as loud though he's more of a quiet chuckle kind of guy (most of the time).

Is friends with Asmo so is extremely great at slumber party gossip. Catch him in his pajamas, cross-legged on the floor while clutching a pillow to his chest and listening intently to you rant about the brothers.

"Come here I have a secret to tell you" (blows air in your ear) "okay okay I'm sorry but come here again" (blows air on your neck) "okay okay last time! I actually have something to tell you. Please? Its important...." (kisses ur cheek) "like u a lil bit xo"

Never the type to send "good morning beautiful" or "good night 💞" texts. Instead he'll send you something at 4 am like "the infinite cosmos will eventually swallow whole all familiarity and life as it is now presently known and despite the adaptations humans or demons or angels could make i will still have to adapt and face the world as an alien in the realm I love so dearly. Funny how the strongest of beings bow to the whim of space and time. But sometimes my eternal journey doesn't seem so daunting when I realize that with my everlasting life will be the memory of you no matter how distant and the survival of the vessel you loved...."

And then at lunch that day when the brothers pull you away he'll send you a picture of the lasagna they're serving with "this kinda looks like you? Don't worry I'd still hit it" and then two minutes later "you not the pasta"

Is the type to think randomly "oh damn I love you so much" but has an impressive filter about it. Or he thinks he does until Luke grumbles "ugh get a room thats the fifth time you've seen that since monday" ok, sometimes he has a good filter about it

He can't help it! Sometimes you just say something really smart (or something SPECTACULARLY dumb) or you do something cute like lean on him or smile a specific way or-

Sir.....you're head over heels sir :/

The type who would go to a playground at night with you and just swing on the swings talking about life

Wants to have a secret handshake with you!!

If you're ever on a road trip with just the two of you, you can get him to join in on the terrible singing but he'll be a lot quieter than you

Also will only join in if he isn't driving. If he is and you aren't talking, he's just humming underneath his breath. Will drum on the steering wheel though

Cooking

(Yes, it gets its own section because MAYBE I'm obsessed with the idea of MC teaching Solomon to cook and the food still turning out terrible but at least it isn't a void when MC is helping)

The type to flick water at you every time he washes his hands. Will chase you down just to do it.

"Hey, tilt your head back and open your mouth MC" (proceeds to dump too big a handful of shredded cheese in your mouth)

100% the type to lean over you just to hinder your cooking abilities. Who cares if the sauce splashes he's tiiiired.... you'd let belphie do it :(

Puts a hand on your lower back when he passes behind you. Hopes you'll lean into it/step back and offer him a kiss 🥺

Believes in always having a proper table setting. Prepare for whatever juice they have (or water) in wine glasses if you're having a nice-er meal

Under the assumption that a spell ruined his sense of taste (and not that he's just bad at cooking) he hates spicy food. He can feel the burn but he gets none of the flavor??? Wack. Don't hurt him like that MC. If you do because its hilarious to watch him try to be cool about it he will pout

Gets cheesy aprons. He just likes them.

Will hit you on the top of your head with a whisk to hear the noise it makes

Will buy every kitchen hack tool there is. A ketchup dispenser that looks like a gun? He's got it. A fish that helps you squeeze out the egg yolks? Yes! A dinosaur soup ladle? You bet! Pizza scissors? A tool that makes hard boiled eggs into cubes? Something that's gotta be like 200 years old and no discernable purpose? Absolutely! He wants a hot dog toaster. Do they even have hot dogs in the devildom?

Will sneak bites just because it bothers you

Overall

Look at him. He hasn't had friends in centuries. He's playful!

Look at his DEVILGRAM NAME

His funky little WAND

This is a man who is a huge nerd, thrives off of cliches and just wants to have a good time. So let him! Its mentally exhausting having those pretenses up all the time.

#solomon #obey me #solomon fluff #obey me shall we date #obey me swd #swd obey me #obey me solomon #solomon x reader #solomon hcs #mine #swd solomon #long post #??? i think it is #mobile formatting SUCKS

[viking-raider]

Southern Generation - Part II

Summary: Working for Lily is going well for Sy, but he wants her to meet a special lady in his life, and manages to get her out of the house.

Pairing: Syverson/OFC

Word Count: 5,698

Rating: PG - Language, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Anxiety, Angst

Inspiration: An old fic I wrote and wanting to write a Sy fic.

Author’s Note: Thank you to @wondersofdreaming​

“You've been getting here more early than usual.” Lily commented, handing Sy his usual morning coffee as he arrived on the property. “You fly here like Superman or something?”

She teased him as she sat down on the brand new porch swing that Sy had built with the scrap lumber from the porch and siding.

Sy laughed and leaned back against the porch railing. “No, I've been staying at the Sunway Motel in Celina.” He confessed, crossing his ankles. “I've been too tired to drive back to Austin most days, I don't want to fall asleep at the wheel or anything. So, I've been crashing there to keep it safe, and it just makes getting back here a sight easier, than a three-hour drive.” He told her, shaking his head.

“One-way.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Lily frowned, offended to hear it.

“Well, I don't want you paying that out of your pocket.” He replied, frowning back at her. “It's not a big deal for me.”

“I do technically pay you to stay there, Sy.” Lily answered, shaking her head at him.

“True.” He nodded, staring at the tips of his boots. “But, I also have a Military paycheck.” He informed her. “Again,” He sighed, pressing his lips together. “I didn't want you paying for something I can pay myself. You buy enough things as is.”

“Well, I would have offered to pay for it.” She started, folding her legs. “But, I also would have offered you one of my guest rooms.”

Sy blinked at her, he hadn't expected that from her, it seemed a bit toward. That thought made him paused, blinking at himself. Did Austin 'Fuck and eat you out til you can't walk' Syverson just have an abstinent thought.

Holy fuck, I did! He thought, staring at her.

And it wasn't because Sy wasn't attracted to her, because he very much was.

She was a beautiful young lady. The way her eyes lit up, every time she smiled, even when she was being shy. She came just to his shoulder. Her hair looks so silk and soft, that it took everything in Sy's power not to reach out and caress his fingers through it to find out just how pillow-y soft it was. She was dainty, but had curves in all the right places, for Sy to hold onto her. He bit the inside corner of his lip, thinking about gripping those hips of hers and kneading them in his big mitts, to rub up against that plump, heart shaped ass, to grab or bury his face in those matching breasts.

Sy cleared his throat and took a deep gulp of his cooling coffee, praying his growing erection wasn't too obvious to her.

What a way to ruin it, Syverson. He berated himself, trying to rein himself back in.

“Anyway,” She said, breaking the silence and getting up off the swing. “The offer stands, if you want it.” She told him, and went back inside.

He stayed there long after she had gone upstairs to her office to start her own workday, even after his coffee cup was empty. He turned around, setting the empty cup on the railing and watched the sun slowly climb higher into the sky, before sighing and getting back to work, siding the back portion of the house; thinking he might start working on the roof next. Since Spring was due soon and the weatherman said it would be a cold and rainy one.

“I'm going to be late tomorrow.” Sy said, that afternoon.

“Okay.” Lily smiled, taking up his empty lunch plate and turned towards the sink. “Everything okay?” She asked, turning the faucet on to do them and the ones from breakfast.

“Everything's great.” Sy smiled, leaning back in his chair and grinning.

“I've never seen you smile so big, since we met.” She teased him, chuckling.

“I made a friend in Baghdad.” He explained, giddy. “She's finally over here in the States, so I need to pick her up at the airport.” He was excited about getting Aika again, even more so for Lily to meet her.

“I want you to meet her.” He added.

Lily's stomach clenched hearing him talk about whoever she was, a bit down to find out he apparently had someone special in his life. “I look forward to it.” She said, focusing on the plate in her hand.

“Great!” He beamed, getting up from the table. “I'm sure the two of you will be two peas in a pod!” He said, heading out the back door to finish his work.

“Totally.” Lily sighed, frowning to herself.

The next day, Lily was a complete wreck about meeting Sy's friend.

She had tossed and turned all night, barely getting any sleep as she kept thinking about the meet. She knew the woman was going to be gorgeous, why wouldn't she be, if Sy had been so excited about her being in the States and she was able to capture the attention of his ocean blues. Eventually, Lily got out of bed, tired of not finding a comfortable position and peace of mind to fall asleep. Besides, knowing her luck, she'd be subjected to dreaming about meeting the lady and all her, super model glory.

So, she padded down to her office and flipped on her computer, deciding to get her day started early and finish the few projects she had going on with a couple of clients. But, not even that helped her forget about the situation, if anything it made it worse, her leg impatiently bouncing to the tune of her agitation and self-pity. Running a hand through her hair for the hundredth time, before putting it back up, yet again, she huffed and stood up, pacing the floor of her office, from the window to the door, and back, biting her fingernails and mumbling to herself.

“Why would you even have the remotest chance with a guy like Austin Syverson?” She berated herself, yet again. “Good lord, look at the man! He's an actual man and you've never even kissed a boy. He's the whole package and you're just full of baggage. This is definition of friend zoned, and you bloody well know it!”

Sy had driven back to Austin after leaving Lily's place the night before. He was so excited to retrieve Aika from quarantine. It felt like an age since they last saw each other, but not as long as it might have felt, if he hadn't had Lily for company and the work on the farm to do, day in and day out.

“Fuck,” He huffed, drumming his thumbs on the steering wheel. “I really hope the two of them get along.” He mumbled to himself, fidgeting in his seat. “Maybe, I should have told her about Aika. What if she's allergic to dogs, or doesn't even like them?” He questioned, suddenly doubting himself. “I know she likes horses, but a dog isn't a horse, and the horse isn't on her property.” He glanced at his mobile phone in the passenger seat, questioning if he should just call Lily and tell her he's bringing his dog to the farm, for her to meet.

“No.” Sy shook his head, brushing it off. “It'll be fine. This will be great! They'll get along perfectly and it'll be a happily ever after.” He nodded, pushing himself to be positive as he pulled into the facility to pick Aika up. “Captain Austin Syverson, here for my dog, Aika.” He told the lady at the front desk, then signed the release paperwork, while they brought her out to him.

“Hey, girl!” Sy called, as Aika charged for him. “Oh, I've missed you so much, bug!” He said, rubbing her erect ears and scratched down her back, making her back leg go wild. “I've got someone special I want you to meet.” He said, getting the German Shepherd into his truck. “You're going to love her.” He smiled at Aika, who licked his scruffy cheek.

“And she's probably going to spoil you rotten.” He chuckled, pulling out of the parking space.

“Oh shit.”

Lily gulped seeing the kicked up dust cloud on the driveway, as Sy's truck approached the house and felt her heart stop, knowing at any moment, she would be meeting his special lady in a matter of minutes. She had been trying all morning to put on a brave and supportive face, not wanting to make herself look like a fool in front of them. “I can't do this.” She gulped, running into the bathroom upstairs and vomited into the bowel several times, before quickly brushing and rinsing her mouth out.

“Afternoon, Lily!” Sy yelled, getting out and giving her a wave as she stepped out onto the porch, he was positively beaming. “You ready to meet her?” He asked, gripping the handle of the passenger door.

“Yep!” She called back, forcing a smile. “As I can be.” She mumbled under her breath as Sy opened the door.

A bark filled the humid air and a big German Shepherd jumped out of the truck, jumping on Sy a few times, before noticing Lily and bee-lining for her.

“Oh.” Lily gasped, surprised that Sy's special lady, was a dog. “Hey.” She grinned at Aika, bracing herself has Aika put her paws on her chest. “Aren't you a beauty.” She said, scratching her erect ears and relieved beyond all belief.

“See, I told you the two of you would get along.” Sy said, stepping up on the porch, relieved as well.

“That you did.” Lily agreed. “What's her name?” She asked, looking up at him.

“Aika.” He replied, scratching Aika all over. “I found her as a stray during my last deployment, she was just a pup. So, I took her in and took care of her. She's been stuck in Quarantine since before I got back, and they just released her today.” He explained as Aika bolted off the porch and zoomed around the front yard.

“You don't mind me having her here, do you?” He asked, biting the corner of his lip.

“Are you kidding?” Lily laughed, watching Aika disappear in the tall grass. “She's more than welcomed here.” She assured him, with a sweet smile. “Any time.”

“She's not really used to grass.” Sy laughed, as Aika attempted to pee on every blade she could. “You might get a few holes as well.” He added, knowing the Shepherd's like to dig.

“Please, I doubt anyone will notice.” Lily giggled, looking around the neglected yard.

Sy went to work on his latest project on the property and Aika spent most of the day running around the land, investigating what Sy was up to or lounging on the floor in Lily's office upstairs. Lily sighed and rubbed her face as the phone downstairs in the kitchen rang. She pushed back in her office chair and carefully stepped over Aika, to pad down the small set of stairs that led directly into the kitchen from the upstairs.

“Hello?” She chimed, pressing the receiver to her ear with her shoulder, waving at Sy as he passed the kitchen window and rounded the side of the house, then frowned, when no one answered her greeting. “Hello?” She repeated, a little bit louder. “Are you there?” She asked, checking to make sure the call was connected properly.

“What's wrong?” Sy frowned, stepping into the kitchen as the receiver fell to the floor at their feet.

“Nothing.” She squeaked, quickly bending to pick it up. “Just being clumsy.” She told him, hanging the phone up.

“Well, who was it?” He asked, tilting his head at her strange behavior.

“I don't know.” She replied, shrugging her shoulders and ran a hand through her hair, not turning around to look at him. “They never said anything. Must have been a wrong number or something.” She told him, heart thundering in her chest. “I need to finish my work.” She said, then rushed upstairs, leaving Sy staring up after her.

“I talked to your neighbor, Billie Marlowe.” Sy said, tugging a cloth out of his back pocket and wiped his face and head with it.

“Oh?” Lily replied, stirring a bit of honey into her tea.

“Yeah, he said, his daughter, Skylar, would be competing in a barrel racing competition this Sunday, in Dallas.” He told her, studying her carefully. “I was wondering, if you had thought about, maybe, going with me?” He asked, licking his lips.

Lily froze, the container of liquid creamer hovering over her steaming cup as she stared across the table at him, eyes wide. “I-”

“Oh, come on.” Sy pressed, brow creasing. “It's my treat. I'll drive and everything. It'll do you some good to leave the house.” He tried coaxing her. “Just for an hour or two.”

Lily continued to stare at Sy, her hand growing sweaty around the plastic container, before she set it down, her shoulders slumping as she did. “All right. Only for a few hours, then we come back. I have a deadline.”

Sy burst into a grin, his blue eyes bright. “Great.” He said, rubbing his hands together. “It doesn't start until eight and her competition doesn't start until eight-thirty. So, we'll have plenty of time.” He told her, excited to go to the fair with her.

Three days later, Sy got Lily in the car and they drove forty-five minutes from Celina to Dallas. The first few minutes in the car was quiet, until Luna's nerves got the best of her.

“When was the last time you went to a fair?” She asked, looking at him.

“Oh, man.” Sy huffed, frowning out the windshield as he considered it. “I think I was sixteen, it was an end of the year thing for my Junior year at high school. I didn't go to my Senior one, since I was getting ready for basic training.” He told her.

“What about you?” He asked, glancing at her.

“Never.”

“You've never been to one?” Sy snapped, shocked.

“Nope.” She shook her head at him.

“Not even for school?”

“I was home schooled.” She explained. “My dad thought they were a suck and waste of money.”

“That's the point.” Sy laughed, shaking his head. “Wasting money on artery clogging food and probably unsafe rides. It's a rush, but mostly from all the sugar.” He grinned at her, amused.

“You'll love it, I swear.”

“I'll take your word for it, Captain.” Lily smiled back, hoping he didn't see how freaked out she was.

They finally reached the fair grounds and a place to park, Sy got them all access bracelets, so giddy as they entered the fair grounds. Lily took several deep breaths as the crowd around them thickened and stuck close to Sy. She really didn't want to ruin Sy's fun at the fair, he had been jabbering about it since she agreed to go with him, telling her about the all fun rides and food. He was like a little boy, reliving his first fair experience, and she knew it had been over ten years since he had been to one. So, she put on a brave face and tried to smile, every time he glanced at her.

Which was every few seconds.

Sy and Lily got on several rides to kill the half hour until the barrel-racing competition started under one of the big tents set up in the huge field. She rather enjoyed the Ferris wheel, just her and Sy in one seat, spaced out from everyone else on the ride. She did think she was going to throw up on the sudden drop ride, but managed to keep it down, making Sy laugh at her as he saw her face from the corner of his eye as the two of them got off the ride.

“You all right?” He chuckled, resting his hand on the small of her back.

“I think, my stomach is somewhere between my brain and my toes.” She chuckled, despite herself.

“It'll even out again.” Sy laughed with her, rubbing her back.

“Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls,” the fair announcer came over the intercom system throughout the fair. “The Barrel-Racing Competition is due to start in ten minutes, in tent number six! So, find your seats now!” He informed the herd of fair-goers.

“Oh, we should head out that way.” Sy said, pulling out the little fair map and directed them towards the tent. “Why don't you find us a place to sit and I'll go get us something to munch and sip on.” He told her, at the tent's entrance.

“Sy..”

“It'll take two minutes.” He told her, squeezing her shoulder, then disappearing into the crowd that was trying to funnel into the tent.

“Fuck, Austin.” Lily gulped, starting to tremble as she turned into the tent and looked for somewhere to sit, before finding a place in the second row, near the exit.

Sy weaved around the countless people in the main walkway of the fair, before spotting a food vendor with something he thought Lily would love to try out and headed that direction, to standing in line. He was only in the line for a moment, when he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see who it was, breaking out into a smile.

“Mr. Marlowe.” He greeted the farmer, sticking his hand out to the other man.

“Please, just call me Billie.” Marlowe replied, smiling up at Sy and shook his hand.

“Sy.” Sy answered. “You must be excited to see your little girl compete.” He said, as they stood side by side and progressed through the line.

“That I am.” Billie beamed, like the proud papa he was. “I am surprised at you though.” He added, pulling off his John Deere hat, ran his hand through his short, salt and pepper hair, and rubbed the over-tanned skin of his neck.

“Why's that?” Sy frowned, shaking his head.

“I saw Ms. Lily with you.” Billie replied as they got to the counter. “My farm has been in my family for four generations. I knew the couple that lived at Ms. Lily's place, when I was a lad. They passed away and their kids didn't want to be farmers, so they sold the place and Ms. Lily bought it a few years back. In that time, I have never seen her leave the property. The closest I've ever seen was when she fetches the mail, and she does that in a jiffy.” He laughed, stepping up to one of the two cashiers, while Sy went to the other.

“What do you mean?” Sy frowned, then gave the cashier an order for two elephant ears, a coke for himself and a Dr. Pepper for Lily.

“Oh.” Billie frowned, realizing Sy had no clue.

“'Oh', what?” Sy pressed, annoyed.

“You don't know about Ms. Lily being Agoraphobic?” Billie asked slowly, blinking at Sy with a shocked look. “I thought you knew. Practically everyone in Celina knows about it. My boy, Travis, who works at the Celina supermarket, even gets her groceries for her and delivers them, and everything.”

Sy floundered, his mouth opening and closing for a moment. “I didn't.” He sighed, clearing his throat. “I just thought she was a home-body.” He said, shaking his head. “Well, I suppose she is a home-body, it's just a bit more complicated than that.”

He felt silly, all of the signs were there, right in front of his oblivious face. He had never seen her leave the property in the weeks he was there working. She was always, either, in the house or on the porch, the furthest from the house he had ever seen her was the mailbox. She got clearly anxious about any mention of leaving to go anywhere, and her car hadn't moved since the first time he saw it in the dirt driveway. Everything made so much sense to him now, with the sudden realization he had left her, alone, in a tent full of complete strangers.

“Shit!” He barked, taking the food and drinks and rushing back to the tent. “Are you okay?” He asked, as soon as he found her in the crowded stands.

“Other than starving, I'm all right.” She replied, looking up at him.

“You're sure?” He asked and sat down beside her, he could see the tremble in her shoulders. “You're shaking.” He pointed out, his brow creasing with concern.

Why did I push her into this! He berated himself mentally.

“I'm just cold.” She frowned back, which wasn't a complete lie, it was rather nippy out and she had left her jacket in the truck.

“Oh.” Sy gulped at her, setting their snacks down on the empty bench in front of them and peeled off his Five Finger Death Punch hoodie. “Here.” He said, handing her the toasty warm garment.

“Thanks.” She blushed, pulling it on.

The comforting warmth of the fabric settled around her, wrapping her up in Sy's scent of dark vanilla, the fresh cut pine boards he had been working with, fresh air and patchouli, from his beard oil. The tremor vibrating through her body instantly subsided as she huddled herself up inside Sy's hoodie, suddenly feeling safe, safer than she had ever felt in her life before, the murmur of the crowd vanished and everyone melted away, but Sy.

Sy smiled at her, watching as she stopped shaking. “Are you still hungry?” He asked her, picking up the heavy paper plate with the lumpy and sweet pastry dough on it, covered in butter, cinnamon and brown sugar.

“What in the world is that?” She frowned down at it.

“It's called an Elephant Ear.” He chuckled, letting her take the plate from him and picked up his own. “It's delicious.”

“It's as big as one!” She chuckled, balancing it in her lap and pushed up the oversized sleeves of Sy's hoodie, not wanting to get it messy as she tore a piece of the dough off and popped it into her mouth. “Mmm.” She melted, licking her coated lips. “That is sinful.” She moaned, smiling over at Sy, who simply folded his and took a massive bite out of it.

“I told you!” He mumbled around his mouthful, grinning ear to ear.

“I might have to learn how to make these.” Lily said, tearing off a bigger piece and licked her fingers clean of the cinnamon and sugar combination.

“Oh, don't threaten to spoil a man!” Sy laughed, gently touching his shoulder to hers.

“Hey, here she is!” Lily called out, pointing to the girl entering the center of the tent atop a horse. “They look so good together!” She grinned, beaming with her own dose of pride in Skylar and Juniper.

Lily lifted her hand and waved as Skylar looked out over the crowd, she spotted Lily and waved back at her, smiling. Skylar got herself and Juniper into position, taking deep breaths to try and settle her jittery nerves and focus on her task ahead. Skylar was given the signal and she was off, speeding as fast as she and Juniper could go towards the first barrel in front of them. Lily scooted towards the edge of her seat, her half eaten elephant ear forgotten in her excitement. Skylar seemingly sailed through the cloverleaf pattern she had to make around the barrels and back to her mark.

The crowd clapped as she went out, letting the next rider and their horse take their turn at the competition. Lily finished off her elephant ear and sipped at her Dr. Pepper, eyes glued to the beautiful horses and focused riders as they went around and around the barrels, kicking up dirt as they went.

“I really hope she wins.” Lily said, looking at Sy, only to realize he had been watching her the whole time, and not the racers. “What?” She squeaked, eyes wide. “Do I have something on my face?”

“No.” He smiled back, then chuckled. “Well..” He picked up the paper napkin he was given with the elephant ears and gently brushed off a line of brown sugar and cinnamon that Lily had on her cheek. “Just a little sugar.” He told her, softly.

“But, other than that, you're...” He paused for a moment. “Perfect.” He whispered, breathlessly.

Lily gulped and her cheeks warmed, biting the inside of her lip and fidgeted inside Sy's hoodie. “Thank you.” She mumbled back. “For the..” She motioned to her cheek, shyly.

“Of course.” Sy nodded, a tender smile on his lips. “But, I hope she wins too.” He added, turning back to the event.

“All right everybody, it's time to announce the winners for first, second and third place!” The announcer said, standing in the middle of the racing area, a microphone in his hand and a big cowboy hat on his head, as his boots shined with their spurs.

Lily crossed her fingers, making Sy chuckle at her.

“In third place is,” the announcer said, lifting a clipboard he was holding. “Paige Whitley with thirty-four seconds!”

The crowd clapped and whistled as the girl came up and took her ribbon for third place, then stood to one side of the announcer.

“In second place is, Ainsley Ortega with twenty-eight seconds!”

Another round of claps, whistling and yells from the crowd as she took her place beside Paige. There was a moment of pause and the suspense was starting to drive Lily stir crazy as they waited for him to announce the first place winner.

“and the first place winner of the Dallas Heritage Fair is,” He paused for a dramatic affect. “Skylar Marlowe with twenty-one seconds!”

“Yes!” Lily shouted, her arms flying up as she bounced in her seat, overjoyed. “She did it, Sy.” She grinned at him, throwing her arms around his neck, in her moment of overzealous excitement, forgetting herself.

“She did.” Sy grinned, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her back.

He unconsciously turned his face into her hair and took a deep breath, smelling her Lavender and Rosemary shampoo in it. They stayed like that, in a timeless bubble, before they recalled themselves and pulled apart again.

“I'm sorry, I was excited.” Lily blushed, brushing her hair behind her ear.

“Same.” Sy replied, clearing his throat. “I should get you back home now, it's been two hours.” He said, picking up their empty plates, napkins and soda cans, standing.

“I-” Lily froze, watching him dump them into a trash bin nearby. “I don't—mind—staying another hour, if you're not.” She told him, a hard lump in her throat. “I mean, there's so much of the fair I haven't seen, since it's my first time, and you spent a pretty penny on our access bracelets.” She said, lifting her arm, the sleeve of his hoodie slipped down her arm, revealing her red bracelet.

“Be rude and a shame to waste it, don't you think?” She asked, staring at him, shyly.

Sy studied her for a moment, weighing what he knew of her now, but she looked and seemed all right, for the most part, just her usual shy and withdrawn self. “If you want too, Lily. Then, I'm more than all right with staying and showing you the rest of the booths.” He said, his voice soft and—protective.

“I would like that.”

Sy smiled at her, gently, then offered her his arm, which she took. He escorted them out of the tent, with the rest of the fair-goers. Sy took her around the fair ground, stopping at booths that Lily showed interest in. He paused at one booth, seeing all the stuffed animals that were hanging around it and pressed his lips together, before glancing at her and deciding to give it a shot, wanting to win something for her, so when she saw it, she'd remember the fun she had at the fair; and think of him.

It was a shooting game booth, giving the player a minute to hit as many targets as they could, each target was worth a certain amount of points and moved quickly. But, Sy wasn't at all worried, this was his element, his military career made something like this easy. So, he took up the bee-bee rifle that the booth runner gave him, slotted it against his shoulder and held it through pure muscle memory. He patiently waited for the signal for him to start, watching the painted metal targets move on their tracks.

“Ready!” the booth runner called, standing to the side. “Set! Go!”

Sy's body instantly tensed and he started firing, his movement was sharp, quick and calculated, hips and shoulders pivoting as he hit each of the targets, only missing two in the full minute he had. Lily stood beside him, fully impressed by his skill.

“Seven hundred and forty-nine points.” the booth runner read off the scoreboard at the back of the booth. “That's the highest score yet!” He said, impressed himself. “You have a pick of whatever you want, sir.” He told Sy, motioning around to the stuffed animals, some were super teeny, while others were nearly Lily's size.

Sy surveyed the selection of stuffed animals, before a certain one caught his attention and smiled at it, it was perfect for why he wanted it. “That's the one.” He said, pointing out the medium sized, curly furred and light tan, teddy bear.

“A perfect choice, sir.” the booth runner praised him, taking it down and handing it over to Sy.

“Here.” Sy smiled, turning and holding it out to Lily. “He's for you.” He told her, gently, as his heart thundered in his chest.

Lily slowly took the bear from him, it was silk soft and plush, it felt nice under her hands, making her instantly smile as she stared down at it. She was touched that Sy had gone through the trouble of winning the game to get her a prize, no one had ever done something so kind, sweet and thoughtful for her before, it made her a bit emotional.

“Thank you.” She whispered, hugging it to her chest and looked up at Sy. “I love it.” She assured him, seeing the concern in his blue eyes that she wouldn't.

“Good.” He beamed, his heart still thundering, but it felt light and hopeful. “I'm glad.”

It was nearly dark by the time Lily and Sy finished their tour of the fair grounds and headed back to the house. Lily convinced Sy to stay for dinner before he headed back home, wanting to thank him in someway for taking her to the fair and showing her such a good time, something she hadn't had in as long as she could remember.

“Your cooking never fails to amaze me.” Sy chuckled, popping the last bit of his biscuit into his mouth. “It's the definition of a great home cooked meal.” He praised her, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his lean tummy through the fabric of his shirt.

“Well, you have the appetite of a Viking.” She giggled back, blushing at her plate.

Sy laughed again, his own bearded cheeks coloring. “True enough.” He agreed, smiling brightly at her.

“Thank you for taking me today.” Lily said, speaking softly. “I really did have a lot of fun.” She confessed, shyly twisting her napkin in her hands, and thinking of the teddy bear that now took up a prized spot on her bed, upstairs.

“I did too, I'm glad you agreed to go with me.” Sy nodded, tilting his head at her. “Did us both a great deal of good to get out and do something fun.”

“I should let you take off, before it gets too late.” She answered, after a brief moment of silence. “I know it's a long drive.”

Sy cleared his throat, biting the inside of his lip, he didn’t want to bring up staying at the motel down in Celina, so the drive was easier to make and gave him more hours in the day to work on the seemingly endless list of projects that needed to be done, to get the farm back into running order, again. He didn’t want them to argue after such an amazing day.

But, he knew she was right.

“Thanks for dinner.” He said, taking his plate to the sink, wanting a reason to linger a second longer. “Good night, Ms. Lily.” He smiled at her, as they stepped out onto the porch. “I'll see you in the morning.”

“I'll be here, with coffee and breakfast waiting, as always.” She replied, standing barefoot on the smooth and solid board of the porch.

He chuckled, bidding her good night again and got into his truck. As he drove to the motel, he recalled all the smiles she had given him throughout the day and the sound of her victorious laugh, when she beat him at the ring toss game, but sweetly gave him the bracelet she won, making him glance at the macrame, blue and gold turquoise beads weaved with black thread and tied with a slip knot, that hugged his thick wrist. His skin tingled as it remembered the gentle touch of her dainty fingers as she slipped it over his hand to his wrist and tugged it secure.

Sy wasn't a jewelry person, other than his watch and his dog-tags, but for as long as he lived, he vowed to never take that bracelet off.

#Southern Generation #Southern Generation *Fic* #viking-raider fics #HenryCavill #Henry Cavill #captain syverson #Sand Castle #agoraphobia #fair #Syverson #Austin Syverson #Syverson/OFC #Syverson x OFC #Fluff #anxiety #social anxiety #barrel racing #Texas #Dallas #Celina #Austin #Hurt/Comfort #language #slow burn

[hacked-by-jake]

New Life

Summary: Finally you will move to Duskwood and start a new life. A moving with the help of the chaotic Duskwood Squad and a shamed hacker with the wrong moving box, can it be more beautiful?

Pairing: Group & Fem!MC x Jake

Words: 4,4 k

A/n: Welcome to this OneShot. After a long time something of my own. I dreamed about it and so the idea came. So I hope you’ll like it and have fun. Excuse the mistakes etc etc etc.

Take care and stay healthy! Much love.❤️

4 a.m.

"Shit" you hiss annoyed and look at the stain of coffee on the floor, which was sweped in your haste over the edge of the cup, "My poor coffee".

Because of sorrow you forgot again why you even walked to the door.

You want to make your way to get a cloth when it rings again, "Oh right" you shake your head over your forgetfulness. It’s just too early for you.

Quickly you open the door to your apartment and look in two radiant faces belonging to Dan and Richy, your heroes of the day.

"Good morning" both say at the same time and you would just like to crawl back into bed.

"Good morning guys, come in. Careful not to step on the coffee, he did not deserve it"

Hectically you put your cup next to the door on the small dresser to go to the kitchen and get something to wipe away.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Dan asks you as you come back with quick steps.

"You look tired, haven’t you slept?" Richy asks, grinning, you shake your head.

"Only about half an hour and that was an accident. I didn’t want to sleep," you explain.

"Why?" Richy looks around the almost empty apartment. All that’s left are only the biggest furniture you’ll be taking with you and a lot of moving boxes.

"I had to pack so much stuff and besides I was really excited. Do any of you want coffee? I made more, and I left two more cups outside." You’re offering.

The eyes of both men grow big,"I certainly don’t say no to coffee," Richy jokes and follows you into the kitchen.

"Just take what you need. I still have to pack the rest of my clothes and the stuff from the bathroom" You already ran off only to then make a 180 degree turn, "My cup" you mumble and grab it.

"MC, let’s take it easy, we have all the time in the world," Dan rebukes you and you sighing.

"I’m sorry, I’m probably more excited than I thought," you apologize and drop into the chair at your kitchen table.

"This is normal. You don’t move to a completely strange and creepy city every day," Richy throws in and immediately gets a nasty look from Dan.

"Are you serious?" he asks, "You’re not making it better!"

Richy looks embarrassed in your a little desperate face, "But for that, this will be the coolest time of your life!" he tries to save the situation, "Hey, think about it, the Duskwood Squad is finally completely united in a few hours!"

The prospect of the time you are about to be with your friends, and that always without having to go home, also makes you smile like the two men

"But it’s about time, Shorty, we miss you at our place.

A visit every few months is simply not enough, or just for one night over the weekend. You should have seen the girls the last days, there was no rest"

Dan finds just the right words to calm you down. You’ve waited so long to move to Duskwood, and now it’s finally time. A new phase in your life with a group of good friends that you met during a worst-case similar situation.

Since then, there hasn’t been a day when you haven’t written or spoken on the phone. You’ve played so much Doodle Splash to pass the time for your next visit that you feel like you’ve painted more than Picasso ever did

"You are right! " you agree resolutely, "time for the best time of my life! "

-------------------------------------

"I actually thought you had a few less things," Richy stands breathless in your apartment door. Of course, the big things, like your couch, your bed and your desk, were brought into the truck first which Richy borrowed from a friend company for removals.

And now for about 20 minutes you’ve been carrying one box after the other downwards to store it. In between, even one of your neighbors came to help, who actually wanted to go to work but still had a few minutes.

"That’s because the boxes are too small," you joke, and Richy looks at you with a look that clearly says 'You don’t believe that yourself'.

Defending you raise your hands and push with your foot another box over to him, which he can bring down.

About 10 minutes later, in which you had to take out all the boxes again, and put them back in, you put down the last box in your hallway. Behind you, Dan and Richy come up the stairs as you pull the little key to your former apartment out of your pocket and sigh.

"Finish!" Richy cheers and puts an arm around your shoulders, "Are you ready?" Dan asks you and you nod. A little sad, you put the key in the keyhole one last time and lock up.

Dan takes the last box from you and you go down the stairs together. You throw the key into the mailbox as agreed with your landlord and turn around one last time.

Determined not to be sad or rather melancholic, you climb forward into the truck behind Richy while Dan closes the big cargo hatch.

He himself gets into the driver’s seat.

"Let’s go into your new life" he announces solemnly as he starts the engine.

"Into a new life"

-----------------------------------------

"I wanna be the very best!

Like no one ever was!

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause" you all shout the theme music of Pokémon.

Richy has turned on his playlist where all the songs you can only imagine are. You’ve been driving for about an hour and a half.

"POKÉMON!" Richy screams and throws his hand into the air.

"Don’t shout!" Dan grumbles and gives him a annoyed look, "You just screamed too!" the mechanic defends himself and twists his eyes. "I need another coffee, I’m driving to the next rest stop, otherwise I won’t make it for the next two hours," says Dan and you agree.

At the gas station you get yourself a new coffee and a snack. Actually 3 hours are not so much driving, but with the grumpy Dan and the lively Richy, who are two clowns at the same time, it can be exhausting.

After you get back to the truck, and this time Richy drives on, you actually managed to fall asleep after half an hour.

-----------------------------------------

"Wake up, Shorty" you hear the voice of the bearded man far away, "We are almost there," he explains and you open your eyes. You need a short moment to realize where you are and what’s going on, but then you straighten up. Your head was lying on Dan’s shoulder.

"Sorry" you mumble and stretch as much as possible with so little space." It’s fine. I almost slept myself" he waves off and you just nod. No wonder, the two boys also left at 1 a.m., to be with you in time.

In fact, you can already see that you will reach the entrance of Duskwood in about 5 minutes. You’ve been driving this way so many times, you know the way around, like in your own hometown.

"I’m so glad I don’t have to drive any further," Richy whines and drums with his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the song that sounds quietly from the radio.

"When the truck is empty, you have to bring it back" Dan reminds him. Without going into the mocking comment, the mechanic turns the radio a little louder.

When the sign 'Welcome to Duskwood' appears in your sight, you start to grin broadly. Nervously you slide back and forth on the seat and bite your lower lip.

Richy crosses the border into the small town with secrets you still have learned to love.

"Welcome to Duskwood" Richy congratulates you and you happily clap your hands.

Welcome new life.

-------------------------------------

When you turn into the street where your apartment is, very close to Jessy’s, you almost jump up from your seat. Just the seatbelt holds you back when you see the rest of the group standing outside the door: Jessy, Cleo, Thomas, Lilly and Hannah.

All 5 wave wildly and Richy pushes twice on the horn to greet. As far as the side of the road goes, Richy stops the truck and you quickly unbuckle yourself. You rip the door, and without using the stairs, you jump out of the car, "Leave the door where it belongs!" you hear Richy shout, but you’ve been on your way down for a long time.

"Hello" calls all of you in a choir as a tight and not quite gentle hug with the 4 girls takes place. All at the same time you fall into each other’s arms. Compliments are exchanged and joy about the move announced.

"You pretend you haven’t seen each other for four years!" you hear Richy laugh and roll his eyes. "That’s how it feels," Hannah chuckles next to you.

"Hello MC" Thomas shouts amused and you stretch an arm in the air and waves in an indefinite direction, "Hello Thomas, I don’t know where you stand but HI!"

After you finally broke up from each other, Hannah holds out your new front door key that she kept for you. She was the one who looked for apartments for you on the spot when you couldn’t be here. She took over the visits and took pictures. If it was possible, she took you with her through a video call.

"Congratulations MC, welcome to the family" she smiles.

"Thank you folks, it’s so nice to finally be here!"

-------------------------------------

After you have arrived correctly and you have looked at your apartment once again in empty state, you have started to bring everything into the apartment. Now, of course, things are moving much faster with more people.

You’ve built up in the stairwell to the second floor: Dan, Richy, Thomas, Cleo, Lilly, Jessy, Hannah and you.

In a row your carton reaches from person to person and quickly most of it is done. From your apartment comes music that you run via a Bluetooth speaker. Fortunately, you have labeled everything so that after all the boxes are in your apartment, you only have to push them into the right rooms. And then the big things come.

The three of them, Thomas Richy and Dan carry the sofa upstairs.

You just stand by with a slightly nervous face and hope no one gets hurt.

"You have to be careful! The sofa is tipping!" Dan shouts loudly as Richy tries another handle.

"I know! But I don’t want this thing to fall on my foot," Richy hisses. Thomas, who supports the side, only twists his eyes.

-------------------------------------

All the important parts are now in your apartment. Now, the truck is empty and ready to be brought back.

"Okay, I’ll bring the truck away, and you start here. I’ll come back when you’re done and I can get the beer I earned," Richy jokes as he takes the key off the kitchen table.

"You get nothing" you call laughing after him, "Oh wait until the man Without Face learns of your sin. To deny a working man his beer is bad!"

Laughing, you shake your head, "I’m waiting for the next new moon."

"How can you always joke about it?" Jessy asks without understanding.

"Well, that’s just relief," you explain and smile at her calmly.

-------------------------------------

4 hours, a lot of laughter, bad jokes, quarrels and almost broken furniture later, the most important is on the right place. The bed is built up and ready for the first night in the new apartment, in your new life.

"How’s your thumb, Richy?" Ask the sulking mechanic carefully.

"All right, I can take a lot, I’ll survive," he calms you down and presses the cooling pad more firmly on his finger.

A lot went wrong trying to build your wardrobe. Someone had forgotten a screw when the ceiling was mounted.

The moment Richy tried to hit a nail with a hammer in the lower area, the ceiling came loose and fell down.

Both side walls of the cabinet fell into each other, and Richy accidentally punched hit his thumb. For a few seconds you were all just staring at each other and then laughing. Fortunately, Richy’s injury wasn’t that bad, but you gave him something to cool down with.

And now almost everything is ready. There are only a few boxes missing, but you will take over yourself." Thanks for your great help, guys! Many thanks to Richy and Dan who picked me up and drove so long. And of course, thank you all so much for helping me here!"

You’re all sitting around the table in your living room. You’re sitting next to Jessy on the floor while everyone else is comfortable on the sofa and armchair.

"And again, for the thousandth time today; Welcome to Duskwood MC" Hannah cheers and keeps her beer up. All together you toast.

"I’m so tired," Dan mutters, sipping his drink." Oh yes, so am I," joins Richy and you nod.

"But it was worth it" Lilly smiles and looks around, "And as soon as it’s done, it can only be great!"

"Perfect!" Hannah improves her sister.

"Indescribable" agrees Jessy.

-------------------------------------

"See you guys tomorrow!" you call after the group and close the door.

Just a short and quiet moment you close your eyes exhausted. Preferably you just want to go to bed, but first you still want to unpack a little more.

The sound that tells you that you have received a message pulls you out of your mind.

You pull out your phone and smile when you see that it is Jake who wrote to you.

Jake: Hello, MC.

Jake: How did the move go?

MC: Hi, Jake. Pretty good, I’d say, exhausting and stressful, but good.

Jake: Have you finished?

MC: No, not quite, I do the rest myself, the others have done enough.

Jake: Do you like the apartment?

You grin, he has improved his skills for small talk since you met and Hannah return.

MC: Yes, it’s really nice, do you want to come? You can look around.

Hopeful you stare at the screen. It would be really nice to see Jake today.

What this is between you, you don’t know for sure, sometimes it goes ahead and sometimes back. You’ve seen each other a few times since Hannah was rescued. Mostly here in Duskwood.

After a difficult time between the three siblings and still the problem with Jake’s pursuers, everything has improved.

However he did it, he managed to turn all the tracks that linked him to the suspicion so that they no longer point to him. He is still very careful and occasionally travels from town to town for a few weeks but most of the time he is in Duskwood. This is where you first met.

After the first conversation between Hannah, Lilly and Jake and a lot of explanations, the hacker decided to take an apartment here to catch up the time with his sisters. Since then, he has also become a little more open and better in interpersonal relationships.

At some point he was in the vicinity of your old place of residence and then it happened that you have a day to drink coffee. And the next day in your apartment. The beginnings were sometimes a little difficult because of him because he really didn’t talk much, but after some time it became really nice. There was even a kiss. Your first kiss together.

It was on your balcony and it was at night, under the stars. But since then, not much exciting has happened, unfortunately.

Jake: I think I’d just bother you unpacking.

MC: Bullshit, of course not, I could use a little quieter company after the whole group was there :)

Jake: Don’t you want to go to sleep soon? You must be tired.

MC: Jake, don’t make excuses, if you don’t want to, you can just say no, that’s not bad for me. But I promise I’d be happy if you were here.

You watch him start writing and then delete the message.

Jake: I’m on my way :)

Without answering his message, you close your phone and stare at the bare wall facing you for seconds.

Then you can’t stop yourself from doing a little joy dance, "Yess!" you hisses and grins all over your face.

Jake won’t be long before he gets here, so you decide to clean up the empty bottles and candy that are still on the table.

Although it’s only about 10 minutes to wait, it feels like a half an eternity until it finally rings.

Before you open the door, shake all your limbs to loosen up and clear your throat.

Then you open the door.

The hacker, dressed in black as always, stands with a slight smile in your hallway, "Hello MC" he greets you with his melodic voice.

Immediately you get very warm and you try to keep your own smile small, "Hi Jake. Come in" you walk to the side to let him in.

-

Jake actually knows your apartment already.

Officially, you don’t know anything about this. But off the record, Hannah told you.

You couldn’t handle the handover of the apartment yourself, so Hannah did it for you, and Jake was with her. He had only told her that he was bored and wanted to come along, but when he looked around and said some things like, "MC has enough space here" and "This will be a good place for her" she realized that he just came to make sure the place was nice enough for you.

Nevertheless, he now curiously lets his gaze wander through the now filled apartment.

"When it is done, it will look really nice" he confirms after you have shown him everything, as well as explained the room layout.

"Yes, I think so," you agree and smile.

"What are you going to do next?" he asks, pointing to the boxes in which your clothes are still to be cleared into the closet.

"That’s exactly what" you answer and kick one of the boxes, "You can sit on the bed if you want, while I unpack," you are proposing and tear the tape off the cardboard.

"I can help you if you don’t mind," he offers and you nod, "Sure, if you want"

-

Cleaning up with the group was really fun, but now with Jake, it’s beautiful. The atmosphere is calm, not stressful or a mess. You talk about everything that comes to mind while Jake keeps holding clothes in front of your face so you can tell him where it belongs.

Two boxes are already empty. In your second one there is still a little bit inside and Jake is also on his way to get a new one. You watch him as he opens the box, only to close it again immediately afterwards. His cheeks turn pure red and his eyes squint nervously at you, "Uhm, I think I’ll take the box first" he mumbles and you can hear the trembling in his voice only too well.

"Why? What’s going on?" you wonder about his reaction.

"Nothing at all, everything okay, here’s another one" he scratches nervously in the neck and does not look at you when talking.

Skeptically you walk over to the box to take a look inside. When you open it, you quickly realize the reason for his shamed behavior.

Your underwear. You decide not to say anything to make it even more unpleasant for him, but you cannot hide the smile on your lips.

For the next few minutes, it’s quiet until it rings at your door. You look at your watch in wonder. It’s just before 9, and you’re not expecting anyone today.

"Be right back," you inform Jake, "And keep your hands off my underwear," as you disappear out the door, you can see him raising his head in a flash, staring at you with big eyes. Laughing you open the door, "Phil?" you ask surprised when you see Jessy’s brother standing there. Phil has also become a good friend of yours, you visited Aurora as a group several times when you were here.

"Hi MC" he greets you, "I hope I’m not interrupting? I actually have to leave right away again, the Aurora is crowded today.I just wanted to stop by and greet you in Duskwood and congratulate you on your move" he smiles his typical charming smile as you hug briefly, "Thanks Phil" you nod grateful. He separates from you and then does not joyfully pull up an eyebrow, he looks behind you and you turn around as well. Jake is standing in the living room and has the same annoyed look as Phil on his face.

"Have fun, you two," Phil grins a little cocky and puts his arms around you again, just quick.

As he disappears down the stairs, he still calls, "We have to do something together in the next few days."

You slowly close the door and turn around with a wide grin to Jake, who still looks dark at the door. Yeah, that Phil and Jake don’t like each other hasn’t changed. On the contrary.

Jake finds Phil is the most unsympathetic person in the world, and Phil thinks he’s better for you than Jake is.

When Jake frees himself from his rigidity, his attention falls on you. You bite your lower lips and put a hand in front your mouth to stop your next words. Even the hacker seems to know what is going on and looks warn, "Don’t say it"

Innocently you raise your eyebrows, "What? I don’t know what you mean, do you mean? -"

"Stop" Jake stops you and heads back to the bedroom.

"What? Shouldn’t I say that you-"

"MC" he threatens.

"Are you jealous?" it bursts out of you and groaning Jake drops his head in the neck, "You really need to say this, don’t you?"

-------------------------------------

After you keep teasing Jake with it, you decided to stop for today. You two ordered a pizza and a drink, because you don’t have much here, except for the beer Hannah bought.

You had the TV running quietly but didn’t pay attention to it. Jake asked you what your wishes and hopes are in for your new life, and you talked about the time with the Man Without a Face. Until now, you’ve only talked to him about it. Just a little bit with Hannah but somehow you’re still not ready to deal with all this. The occasional jokes about it will help you soothe your thoughts a little.

During your conversation, you accidentally fell asleep. The hacker didn’t know what to do, he doesn’t want to wake you, but he also doesn’t want to leave without saying anything. After watching you for 20 minutes and thinking about your relationship, he felt weird just looking at you while you're sleeping. So he decided to leave.

However, you seem to have noticed this immediately because the moment he opens the door, your eyes open.

"Wait" you stop him and he looks at you frightened, "If you leave now while I sleep, then I feel like I was a one night stand," you joke and and he grins.

"You’re much more than that," he replies quietly. You raising your upper body, and a little shy, stroking the fluffy pillow on your couch.

"Can you.. can you stay, Jake?" Your voice is quiet, tired and a little nervous, "I feel uncomfortable being here alone the first night," you admit. You had this feeling the first time while you built up the bed. Even though the Man without a face is in prison and you’re safe, you still have this unpleasant ulterior motive.

He seems to think about, but without you telling him, he understands what you’re worried about.

"All right" he sighs and closes the door again.

"You can sleep in the bed, I’ll take the couch," you say and get up to get a blanket and a pillow.

"No, the other way around. You should sleep in your bed, your day was exhausting and you need to rest"

Before this discussion can be extended, you decide to make a short process, "Okay, you have two options now. Either you sleep with me in bed, or we both sleep on the couch. 'Cause I’m not gonna ask you to stay here for me, and then let you sleep there!"

The hacker stops briefly, turns slightly red but then grins, "I don’t have a chance anyway, do I?" he asks.

You shake your head, "Not without a war"

-------------------------------------

Luckily, you are in possession of a much too large sweatpants which fits him only narrowly, but fits.

The room is dark and it is completely quiet in the whole apartment. You try to be inconspicuous, and slide a bit towards him. You know he’s not asleep yet, and when he doesn’t try to stop you, you get a whole lot closer.

You hear Jake lifting the blanket, the invitation to come to him entirely.You don’t take your time but slide so close that you can put your head on his chest and he puts an arm around you. Immediately its beautiful smell envelops you and your pulse accelerates many times. Even his heart you hear racing what makes you smile.

"Do you know how many times I dreamed about it?" he whispers into the darkness and your heart makes a leap, "No, but if it was only half as often as I did, then I can imagine it," you answer and a quiet laugh vibrates in his chest.

"Good night, MC, see you tomorrow"

"Good night, Jake," you whisper, and then you feel his lips flapping softly over your forehead, just a touch, like a breeze. But for you, it means the world.

Welcome new life, you mean well with me.

❤️🎭🌹

Masterlist

#duskwood #duskwood jake #duskwood mc #duskwood jake x mc #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood group #everbyte #everbyte studios

[youwerenevermeanttofeelalone]

Still Like the Letters in Your Name and How They Feel, Babe | Five Hargreeves

✦ pairing — Five Hargreeves x female!Plus Size Reader

✦ word count — 3.4k

✦ modern AU

✦ loosely based on the song Still Feel Like Your Man by John Mayer.

✦ summary — you get snowed in with your ex-boyfriend.

✦ warnings — angst, mentions of alcohol, language, fluff, dry humping.

✦ author’s note — the lovely @ohdangitsjay wanted me to write dry humping with Five for kinktober but the slot was taken already so I decided to add some of it here.

════════════════════════

Parties weren’t Five’s thing, much less work parties. He would have skipped the event if he hadn’t gotten a promotion less than four months ago.

He always sat on his own, not interested in his coworkers’ lives. He knew more than he needed already, not only because of their loose tongues but because they were open books.

He would’ve rather been at his place, alone like he had been spending his time for the past months.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to get close to you.”

Five lifted his head out of courtesy, he had recognized his coworker’s voice immediately. She was pretty, he could admit that, but he had read her intentions months ago and he wasn’t interested. “Mmhmm. I know.”

“I’d like to get to know you.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

He felt buzzing in his pants and he didn’t know whether to thank whoever was calling or kill them for bothering him now. Lifting a hand so the woman in front of him wouldn’t speak furthermore, he withdrew his cellphone from his pocket.

Vanya’s photo almost blinded him. He cursed — he hadn’t lowered the screen brightness like a fucking idiot.

Excusing himself, he pushed his way out of the venue. Letting the phone ring in his grasp, allowing himself to take in a deep breath of fresh air, he stood under the cold night.

Vanya insisted which confused him, she always knew when to stop bothering him. And that night, even his coworker insisted. He shook his head as he saw her walk out of the venue, wrapped in her coat.

Taking the call just to avoid her, he grunted, “What?” He pinched the bridge of his nose as Vanya explained that she needed him to pick you up from a bar. Thinking the worst, he exhaled, “I’ll be there in ten.”

“Leaving so soon?”

“Not soon enough, it seems.” He dropped his phone in his coat this time. His coworker’s expression of hurt didn’t faze him, but he still explained himself, “Look, you’re not the problem, it’s just that I know your intentions and I’m taken.”

Five had never wished a lie he had told was true until now. He wasn’t taken anymore, but he was still yours, at least he felt like that. He’d never find another you, and he wasn’t sure he was ready to start looking either.

Tugging his car open, he withdrew his cellphone from his coat and slid into the driver seat. Five introduced the key into the clutch, yet he didn’t ignite the engine.

He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, considering the option of turning his phone off and coming up with an excuse days later. But he didn’t have it in him, not this time when he had a chance to see you — so many days after the morning you left.

The quicker he got it over with, the quicker he would be able to drown himself in alcohol to pretend it hadn’t happened.

His sister was already waiting for him near the entrance of the bar. Vanya turned her head to the side. Five followed the movement with his eyes and ultimately you came into vision. Only you would wear a dress in this weather, always claiming you never got cold.

He knew it wasn’t true, but you were stubborn. His siblings often said he wouldn’t have been so smitten if you weren’t as stubborn and they were right, he liked the challenge. And although he would never admit this out loud, he liked giving in to your stubbornness. He missed it.

You hadn’t realized he was there, head on your friend’s shoulder as they all talked. He could tell how drunk you were just by the lazy position of your hand on your lap.

“Why can’t you take her home?”

“No, God, no! You misunderstood what I said, Five. I need you to take her with you.”

Five gave his sister an incredulous look, hoping she was joking. When he realized Vanya was serious, he shook his head. “You know she hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you. Besides, she’s drunk out of her mind, she might hug you instead of breaking your nose.”

He glared at her. Although his nose was more than fine, that punch hurt.

“Please? For me? I haven’t spent enough time with Sissy in weeks.”

“Too much information, Vanya!” he chastised, shaking his head as he walked past his sister.

It bordered on cruel, having you so close and knowing you would’ve been against it if you knew he was there.

Vanya placed a hand on his shoulder, not reassuring whatsoever as he defeatedly sighed. Only the two of you could convince him to do anything, and his sister still used it to her advantage.

He stood before you and your friends. Chatter died, you didn’t react. His eyes crossed your closest friend’s after Vanya, and as she nodded downward he understood that everybody thought you would be safer with him.

“Come on, (Name),” he said softly, hoping you wouldn’t make a scene.

You turned your head to the side, facing him. His breath faltered. Frowning, you just stared, mind too hazy to come up with a question to blurt even though a few crossed it.

How was work? Did Grace like the jacket you got for her? Are we going home soon?

He nudged his head to the side, signaling toward the exit. “Come on, you’ve got things to do tomorrow.”

Your friends tensed at his comment, but he didn’t think much of the gesture.

Sissy handed him your coat, watching him carefully. Five held the coat for you to slide your arms in, and out of habit helped you to fold it close and button it up.

You interlocked your arm with his, head lulling toward his shoulder. Vanya shoved your purse into his chest, prompting him to hold it in his hand as he gave her a final nod in goodbye.

════════════════════════

You woke up in an all too familiar room. Absolutely nothing had changed, the walls were the same blue walls you had stared at for hours as you waited for someone who cared more about their job than their girlfriend to get back from work.

By the looks of it, Five had been so busy that he didn't even have time to get rid of things you had gifted him. They were in the place they had been the last time you visited him — books stacked up, music records leaned against the other... the painting you had helped him choose still hung over his desk.

“Ah, you’re awake." His voice made you jump. "Coffee? An aspirin?”

You shuffled, pushing the duvet off your body in order to leave the bed. “Why am I here?”

The cold floor made you shiver. You searched for your shoes, looking down as you inwardly cursed yourself for wearing a dress when Vanya told you not to.

“You don’t remember going out last night? Vanya called me.” He tilted his head as he asked, frowning.

“Yes,” you deadpanned, slipping your shoes on before lifting your head to look at him. “But why didn’t you take me home?”

He winced. “Well, Vanya needed the apartment to herself.”

Dragging your eyes off him, not able to look at his face for too long, you whined, ”Unbelievable! She ditched me to get some pussy!”

Realizing your purse had been on the bed all this time, you popped it open and withdrew your phone. You looked at the time and your eyes widened. “Fuck, fuck. I’ll be late!”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Your gaze snapped in his direction. He looked so serious that it made your blood boil. “Excuse me? Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?”

He groaned. “We’re snowed in, idiot.”

“No, no, no... this can’t be happening. Not to me. Not today.” You stood by the window and peered out. He hadn’t lied, the streets were covered in white as snow, which was still falling, piled up. You would’ve found the scenery gorgeous if you weren’t so stressed. “FUCK!”

Only you had such bad luck... getting snowed in with your ex-boyfriend today from all days.

“I’m sure your mom will understand,” he tried to assure you.

In any other instance you would’ve found it sweet that he remembered you visited your mom every Saturday, or that he was trying to comfort you.

You corrected him, “I have a date today.”

“Oh.”

Unlocking your cellphone, you scrolled down your contact list. Your finger hovered over the call button. What would you say? ‘Hey, I’m sorry I can’t meet up with you today, I’m stuck in my ex-boyfriend’s apartment’?

Seeing your exasperation as you went through your phone, he painfully said, “Don’t be dramatic, your date must understand you can’t control the weather.”

“We had been putting this off for a while,” you confided him like you used to when he was your best friend, back when he hadn’t broken your heart yet and he still had time for you. “He’s so nice and sweet... “ you trailed off before sighing, “I was hoping not to ruin it.”

“Why didn’t Vanya call him if he’s so sweet?” he asked, voice laced with venom. He was challenging you to lie to him.

Honestly, you answered, “I’m guessing she doesn’t trust him.”

A shiver ran through you, prompting you to rub your arms.

Five walked toward his closet and opened the doors. “You left some clothes here, I’m sure you can find something in case you want to take a shower or get changed... ah! Your red sweatshirt is in the laundry room.”

Unable to keep it in, you shrieked, “You lent my clothes to other people?!”

“Don’t be stupid,” he said, no malice in his tone, “I wore it myself.” Turning around, finding it hard to read your expression, he blurted, “Once.”

You did find something to wear, and for the second time that day, you felt as though nothing had changed. Nothing made more sense than having a space for your own clothes in his closet.

You entrenched yourself in the bathroom as soon as possible. Being around him was worse than you ever anticipated, you wanted to be angry and hostile yet you were too emotionally exhausted for that.

Failed interpersonal relationships were your norm. The day you met Vanya you felt as though you were having a friend for the first time; then Five came around and became your best friend, your confidant. Having him around used to be easy, even when you developed feelings for him.

The day you left him was one of the hardest days of your life. You didn’t cry, only numbness enveloped you in a tight grip — a grip you had gotten free from a little too late.

Your friends tried introducing you to people multiple times, but it never worked. It wasn’t because of Five, not entirely, you simply weren’t good with new people. And you missed Five, but that was different.

Missing him had become an afterthought, work kept you busy in the same stupid way it kept him. Guilt never took over you, why would it when you hadn’t neglected anyone because of your job? In fact, you were sure you would get over him soon when work became your priority.

Until a few minutes ago, the illusion had been good. What a sweet lie you told yourself for weeks and weeks.

You regretted entering the shower the second you turned around to grab some shampoo. Tears prickled your eyes the moment they fell on a familiar bottle. It didn’t have any marks of use, not a single gram dripped down the bottle, dry product was nowhere to be seen around the cap.

You confirmed that the bottle was brand new when you tested its weight in your grasp. A sob escaped you. Why would he keep your favorite shampoo in his shower?

You couldn’t bring yourself to use it, so instead, you grabbed Five’s shampoo and squeezed some onto your palm.

After a tear-ridden shower, you quickly got dressed and stood behind the door for a prolonged moment.

A heavy silence greeted you as you stepped into the living room. You had expected the sound of fingers against a keyboard or page flipping, but instead, you found Five slouched over his stomach with a piece of red fabric on his lap.

Feeling your presence, he murmured, “Here.” Five offered you the sweatshirt which you took hesitantly.

“I don’t use that shampoo anymore,” you blurted before you could process the words your entire being was desperate for him to hear.

He hummed, avoiding your face at every cost as he stared past you. He really needed to decorate the living room, at least a little bit. “You found a better one?”

“No,” you mumbled. Sliding the sweatshirt on, you waited for him to say something. Five didn’t, he stayed in the same position until you sat down beside him.

As he twisted his body to face you and his eyes landed on your face, you were able to see he had been crying too.

“What did your date say?” he asked, ever the masochist one.

You shrugged. “I haven’t texted him.”

“You should at least call your mom. Tell her you’re safe.”

Nodding slowly, you then turned your face to the other side. He didn’t mean anything more than exactly what he said and yet your heart thumped in your chest at a rhythm you had forgotten it was able to beat.

“She misses you. The whole family does.”

“Tell them I miss them too. Please.”

You sniffed, bolting off the couch. Walking into his bedroom, you tried to ignore the strong smell of his cologne as you blindly palmed the bed in search of your phone.

“Are you okay?”

Tears didn’t allow you to see him properly, but you could tell he was leaning on the doorway.

“I don’t want to talk about anything,” you warned him, scared a fight would ensue if you spoke your mind. “My head hurts.”

You heard him move around the room, opening and closing a drawer. Then you felt him close, so close his breath fanned on the side of your face as he spoke, “It’s paracetamol, it’ll be gentler with your stomach.”

Blinking the tears away, you faced him — this time fully. Opening your palm, you waited for him to drop the pill onto it. Five looked down, softly placing the white circle on your palm.

Closing your fist around the pill, you threw your arms all over his neck. Taken by surprise, he felt his hands tremble as he placed them on your lower back.

Nothing extraordinary happened, and you loved it. He was just as warm as you remembered, and you were as comfortable in his arms this time as you had been before.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, careful not to move you too harshly as he pulled you onto his chest, “so, so, so sorry. You can’t even imagine how stupid I feel.”

“Shhh, it’s fine.”

“We both know it isn’t.”

“Don’t wanna talk,” you reminded him.

So he hugged you tighter. And once again, it felt like nothing had changed — because nothing had, because the idea of moving on was nice on paper and nothing more.

“I’m pretty sure the pill melted in my hand...”

He snorted, begrudgingly parting from you. “I’ll get you some water and another one.”

You stared at your reflection in the mirror as you washed your hands and immediately splashed water onto your face. It was cold, but that was exactly what you were looking for in attempts to make your face less puffy after all that crying.

Five watched you in silence, ready to give you the pill and the glass.

Drying your hands, you thanked him and then proceeded to take the glass from his hand.

“Don’t go out with him,” Five pleaded, unable to keep it in for longer. “I don’t deserve it, but please give me a second chance.”

You glared at him as you snatched the pill from his open palm. Instead of giving him an answer, you swallowed the pill.

He took this as a sign that you needed more convincing. “I promise I’ll spend every second of my free time with you.”

You lowered the glass before you could take another sip of water, scoffing as you walked toward the window once again. “Oh, come on, Five, I never asked for that. I just wanted you to put some effort.”

“I’ll do that, then. Anything.”

“Can you really do that?”

“Yes.”

You nodded, placing the glass down onto the bedside table. You were always so eager to believe in him... you could only hope this time your heart didn’t end up in tiny pieces. “It’s obvious that I don’t need much convincing.”

“That’s fine by me.” Five shrugged, looking down at his hands.

You grabbed his hands, making him look at you. He intertwined your fingers with his, biting his bottom lip as you lifted your eyebrows.

He huffed a laugh upon realizing you were waiting for him to kiss you and for a millisecond considered teasing you, but you knew him so well that you had seen through his nervous demeanor.

Leaning in, he stared into your eyes in search for permission. You tilted your head, brushing your nose with his, fanning your breath on his lips. Five’s mouth met yours in the middle, slowly at the beginning.

You let go of his hands, snaking your arms around his neck to bring him closer. His hands found home on your waist, just as he picked up his pace.

As a moan slid past your lips, he slipped his tongue in your mouth. Five moved one of his hands to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss.

Breathless, you were forced to barely push him away. You stared at his red lips as you gasped for air, ragged breath mingling with his own.

And then his lips were on yours again. The hand on the back of your head fell to your spine as he walked you backward. Five laid you on the bed, careful not to hurt you yet never taking his lips off yours.

Pressing kisses on the side of your neck, he roughly grabbed your hips, making you moan as his hard-on was pressed against your crotch.

Your hips worked against his in sync, so naturally that you still had half a mind to wonder how the fuck you had lasted this long without him all over you.

Five’s groans grew deliciously deep as his hands trailed down to massage your thighs. His mouth sucked on your neck as he pulled you flush against him.

You inwardly thanked whichever God existed for the cold weather. Not only did Five look amazing in sweatpants, but the soft material allowed you to feel the outline of his hard cock even through your leggings as he humped you.

“Would really love to fuck you,” you panted, “but there’s no way I’m taking my clothes off right now. I’m freezing!“

He laughed against your skin. One of his hands left your thigh and he tugged on the covers, draping them over both of you, covering yourselves from head to toes.

Five continued to kiss your neck, still moving his hips against yours albeit more slowly.

“I missed you,” he spoke before you could mutter a teasing comment about how desperate he was for you.

You played with the small hairs on the back of his head, humming as you rocked up against him. “I missed you too. But don’t let it get to your head.”

“Too late,” he said cheekily, letting his weight fall on top of you as he leaned into your touch.

You relaxed against the mattress as his warmth combined with the shielding covers seeped through you. Five slipped an arm under your head, fingers brushing your neck as his other hand came up to softly grip your face.

You hummed in acknowledgment, knowing he wanted to say something.

“We didn’t call your mom.”

You breathed out a small laugh. “I wasn’t supposed to see her today, don’t worry.”

He tensed over you, frowning as he processed what you had just said. Deciding to ignore the fact that you were probably planning to hook up with your date, Five slowly lowered his head so it would rest on your chest.

It didn’t matter what you had planned to do when you were there under him. He was still your man, he had felt as such ever since the day you met — and he wouldn’t fuck it up a second time.

#five hargreeves x reader #five hargreeves x plus size reader #five hargreeves

[eydi-andrius]

The Beginning after the Finale

Pairing: Yoonbum x Foreigner Detective Female Reader

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: Idk I used my notes for this. :/

Warnings: May or may not continue this one.

- Also, this is my first published fic cuz' I'm a coward so there will be many grammatical errors but I did try to proofread it. I SWEAR!

- Lastly, I'm a new user of tumblr.

- Oh yeah! ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT and I did wrote some curse words...

Summary: A childhood acquaintance of Yoonbum came back to find out that her first case in South Korea will include Yoonbum as a victim.

(I'm always looking for fics about after KS but found a little so I created one for myself.)

The story starts after the chapter ending of Killing Stalking.

You just came back to your hometown after studying and working a bit in US. You never really want to stay there in the first place but your parents doesn't like you staying alone in South Korea. You can't really argue with that. A 16 year old highschool student alone and living on a "not so safe neighborhood where a renter uncle beat the shit out of his nephew while his grandmother watch the whole ordeal afraid of his son putting his anger on her."

You can't help but sigh after remembering what happened to your childhood friend whose name you can't remember.

Him, his uncle and grandmother rents a house your parents owned. The rent was cheap because your parents doesn't really care about the money. At that time they just want a good neighbor to live next to the house where their daughter lived alone.

The uncle appeared to be friendly, caring and kind when he applied for the house. Having his mother lived with him was a plus to your parents because at least someone old will took care of you for sure. However, after his nephew's parents died on a tragic accident, the uncle became aggressive and unreasonably hit his nephew and blame him for what happened.

Of course when your parent's found out your mother's hystericlly ordered you to go lived with them abroad. At that time, you flat out refused them but after hearing their second angry suggestion of kicking out the renter, you just decided to go and obey them afraid of making it worse for the nephew.

"The nephew hmnnm..." you murmur as you try to recall that nephew's name and face. It's been too long and you only remember bits of information about him. Like how feminine his stature was. The way he look shyly when you greeted and passed by him on the streets while walking to school. How his face powdered with red whenever you saw him and smiled widely at him. However despite all those memories, his face and identity remained a mystery. His face was blurry, same with his name.

You huffed angrily as you drum your fingers on the steering wheel. You're annoyed to yourself for forgetting the most important information. Nostalgia seeped through you whenever you think about him. Maybe because you thought he was unique and had an honest air around him. You liked that and you'd like to see him again. And deeply you hoped that he was doing fine.

"DEATH PENALTY FOR THAT BASTARD PSYCHOPATH!" You got spooked after hearing a loud booming voice from a megaphone. It was a quiet day and a shout like that can be heard throughout this town. Luckily the traffic light blared red and so you've got a chance to observe what is happening outside.

Lots of people are yelling with placards on hand in front of Jonggan Hospital. Young and old were gathered outside. Looking and shouting angrily to put a certain someone named "Sangwoo" to jail until he die or punished him with death penalty. You frowned. Death penalty isn't a thing in South Korea anymore right? This person probably did something horrendous to get a suggestion like that from old and young folks.

"Good heavens! What happened to this small town?" You questioned as you shake your head then look at the countdown for a greenlight ready to go forward. Two seconds more. You said on your head.

One last look on the crowd and you decided to drove off when a scrawny boy decided to run when the greenlight was on. You stopped before you run over him but your car still bumped his body. Making him fall over the pedestrian lane.

"Fuck!" You yelled shocked and angrily from the unexpected accident. Hurriedly, you got out your car to see if the man was okay.

You heard the loud beeping noise of horns behind your car when you got out furious at you for stopping so suddenly. However, you are more concerned to the man you almost run over with your car.

"Are you okay!? Do you know how dangerous running on a pedestrian lane with greenlight on!?" You yelled worriedly as you crouched down to check if he was okay.

The guys seemed shocked about what happened and continued to look down on the cement. And so you decided to touch both of his cheeks with your hands and forced his face to look at you. Your eyes went wide as you recognize the face infront of you.

"I'm sorr-"

"Yoonbum!" You interrupted the guy's apology as he spoke when you recognized that small and scrawny face of your childhood neighbor. The nephew you're thinking about just earlier.

Yoonbum blinked when you yelled out his name in surprise.

"Do I k-know you?" Yoonbum stuttered as he frowned questioningly at you.

"Oh my gosh! It's really you! This is me, [Y/N]. You look thinner than you do when we were younger." You beamed as slowly all of your memories of him came flooding back. That scrawny, shy and honest boy you knew is right in front of you.

"[Y/N]? I-" The angry noises of car horns stopped Yoonbum from talking and you realized where the two of you at the moment.

"I'm glad that I got to see you again but the road is not a place for our little reunion. C'mon!" You smiled as you offer your hand and help him to get into your car.

You repeatedly look at the rearview mirror to confirm if the guy you just saw and almost run over was really Yoonbum. Feeling your eyes at him, he looked at the rearview mirror too and your eyes meet. He immediately look away while an obvious blush painted his cheeks.

"I really can't believe this. I was just thinking about you earlier you know. And pondering over what's your name and how do you look but then I run over you. I mean, almost." You chuckled as you slightly looked at him while driving.

You wet your lips and continue talking. "I'm so happy to finally meet you again, Yoonbum." Smiling slightly while looking at the rearview mirror. This time, your eyes meet again but he didn't look away.

"Uhmmm.." You heard Yoonbum uttered softly so you glance his way. You saw him twiddling his thumbs.

"Go on." You nod while looking at the road to encourage him to say whatever he had in mind.

"Do I know you?" Surprised, you stopped and your car screeched loudly. You heard a loud thud beside you.

"Awwww...."

You gasped in horror when you saw Yoonbum's bloody forehead. You immediately grab some tissues on the back sit and dabbed softly on his open wound. That's when you realized that all this time he was not wearing his seatbelt. You cursed under your breathe and muttered a silent sorry to Yoonbum for driving carelessly. You just didn't expect him not to know you when he voluntarily rode your car and listen to your ramblings about him.

Luckily you're on your way to the hospital parking lot. You were really worried about Yoonbum earlier that you decided to bring him to the hospital to be checked by the doctors if he had any injuries from the almost accident.

You got out of the car immediately and guide him to the emergency entrance. On your way there, you saw a police in uniform narrowed his eyes on your direction and jogged angrily where the two of you are. You felt Yoonbum's grip tighten on your hand.

When the police was just two steps away from you and Yoonbum. You hid him fast and pushed the officer away.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! What do you think you are doing? You are scaring my friend, officer." You said sarcastically as you shoved the glaring guy in front of you.

The police officer eyebrows knitted into one. "Ma'am, I mean no harm to you and your friend. But I need to talk to him." He emphasized the word friend as he tried to look behind you. You felt Yoonbum cowers in fear. You hold tightens on his hands. Clearly, there was really something wrong here. However, even though you want to fight the man in uniform, Yoonbum needs his wound treated.

"I'd like to let you, good sir but my friend's head is bleeding and he needs immediate care."

You didn't wait for his reply and you brought Yoonbum to the nearest nurse to help him with his wound.

From your peripheral vision, you saw the officer followed the two of you. When the nurse finally assisted your friend, you immediately stop the officer from interrogating Yoonbum further.

"You know, I don't have any clue about what you need from Yoonbum but can you stop? He almost got into an accident today and by the way his body responds to you, you were making things harder for him. So can you please stop." You glared daggers at the officer who just replied on your statement with a frown.

"Ma'am-"

"[L/N], [Y/N] [L/N]" You interrupted him which made his frown into a scowl.

"Okay, Ms. [L/N]. By the way you look, you're probably just got here and don't know what happened. Your friend there, Mr. Yoon was a victim of a serial killer. Him being out is not good for he was still suspected to be an accomplice even though the court already ordered his innocence." He nonchantly explained as he pointed his hand to Yoonbum who's being tended by a nurse.

He left your mouth agape with his revelation and walked pass you to sit beside the now patched Yoonbum. You followed and immediately hugged Yoonbum protectively from the officer who didn't even tell his name yet.

Then you remembered that Yoonbum doesn't remember you still and so you dropped your arms and just crouched in front of him to look into his eyes. You hold his hands and help him remember you.

"Yoonbum. This is me [Y/N]. The ow-"

"Owner of the house my uncle rented for us." You smiled when Yoonbum continued your sentence. He smiled back with that boyish innocent smile you remembered before but with eyes full with uncertainty and sadness.

"Sorry for interrupting your little reunion but didn't I told you Mr. Yoon to not go out alone to Jonngang Hospital?" The officer glared at Yoonbum who was trying to look and move away.

You bit your lips and stand up to fight the officer for being rude to the obvious scared Yoonbum.

"You nasty off-"

"Seungbae. Officer Seungbae for you Ms. [Y/N]" He interrupted looking at you. As if telling you to fight him.

"Okay, Officer Seungbae. I do understand that you're just trying to protect Yoonbum but can you please stop being nasty and rude to him. He was obviously shooked from what happened to him earlier-"

"And if you don't know Ms. [Y/N], the foreigner. In Jonggang Hospital lies the culprit who broke your friend's legs and forced him to do nasty things for months. And if the people caught him there, the people might become more hostile and believed further that he was an accomplice. Just letting you know in case you don't know" Your jaw clenched at the sneering statement of the officer. You're not annoyed by the fact that you know nothing on Yoonbum's case but the fact that this officer was basically putting all of his anger at you and making you look like a fool.

Instead of continuing the banter with him, you looked at Yoonbum's eyes again who continued to look away.

You have these cases in the US when you're still working there as a detective. Some serial killer let a victim alive to break them and make them believe that they were just like them. Cases abroad are nastier than in here but after hearing that your friend had suffered directly from a psycopath made your heart wrenched in sadness for him. It will take some time to heal them but knowing the person who suffered made you want to help them more wholeheartedly.

"Yoonbum please look at me" You placed both of your hands upon his cheek guiding his face to look at you.

"I don't know what happened and do not know the real reason why you still want to see him despite what he did to you. Maybe to see him suffer or whatever but I believe that you're innocent. Maybe he ordered you to do nasty things to make you crazy or make you believe that you're just like him but I still do believe in your innocence because you are a victim of him too. Whatever you have in mind, I'll listen to you and guide you through the process. Trust me." You looked at him with your heart out to let him know your sincerity to help him despite the years you hadn't been with him.

Yoonbum looked at you for sometime and then nod squeezing your wrists near his cheeks.

You smiled at him.

You admire how strong he was despite all the struggles he suffered through his lifetime. You promised to yourself that you will help him this time and will not runaway because its dangerous or whatsoever.

You squeezed his hands tight and nod at him happily.

P.S. Notes are highly appreciated. Thank you so much!

#yoonbumxreader #killing stalking #fanfic #afterks #yang seungbae #yoonbum #seungbae x reader #idk how to tag lmao #idk how to tag anymore #idk how to tag stuff #idk how to use tumblr #idk how to tag lol

[simsadventures]

Little Bit of Pollen

Summary: You and Bucky are both Avengers, but that doesn’t mean you have to like each other. What happens when you two are the only one present when you breathe in a sex pollen?

Warnings: sex pollen, smut (MUST BE 18+ TO READ THIS)

Square Filled: Enemies to Lovers for @holylulusworld​ ’s 6000 Followers Celebration

Pairing: Bucky x Avenger! Reader

Word Count: 2732

A/N: This piece was written for the one and only @holylulusworld​. I know I’m tad bit late, but I only gotten around to do it now. So sorry love, hope you won’t be too mad at me!! 

Hope y’all enjoy it, let me know what you thought :) xx

Bucky Barnes Masterlist __ Masterlist

“YN! Come to my office,” you could hear Tony from the speaker in your bedroom, and you rolled your eyes. It has only been 5 days since you got back from your last mission in Syria with Clint, and you were still a little sore at some places. And you were pretty sure that Tony wouldn’t have this commanding tone, and wouldn’t call you to his “office” if it wasn’t about a mission.

You groaned loudly and stood up from the Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko, the latest book you were reading and enjoying. You weren’t really rushing through the halls, hoping Tony would find somebody else for the new thing. But when you got to his office, you could see that there was only one other person there, and the need to roll your eyes grew exponentially.

Bucky.

You have been fellow Avengers for the past 8 months, but while both you and he were good with everybody else on the team, you couldn’t stand each other. You were always at each other’s throat, bickering and fighting about the tiniest things.

Like this morning, when you met him in the kitchen. You had one particular cup that you liked to use for your morning coffee, and the whole team knew about it. So it was quite the surprise when you came in to make yourself a cup, seeing Bucky with your cups against his lips. You threw your slipper at him, which made him spill some of his own coffee on his shirt. And then you yelled at each other until Peter came in, looking he might burst into tears, asking you to just stop it.

You walked out of there pissed, not only because he was idiot enough to use your cup, but because you didn’t have the chance to make coffee for yourself, resulting in an especially bad day for you.

You arched your brow at Tony who just frowned at you and bid you sit down next to Bucky. You huffed out a breath and sat down like you were supposed to.

Tony felt like a father of two naughty kids, one pulling the other’s pigtails, while the other’s kicking the first one in the groin. The whole team was getting tired of the two of you, always at each other’s throats, so he decided to put an end to it.

Before that, he always divided you in missions, so that everyone can have some rest. But not anymore.

“Something’s come up, and I need you to go and figure it out,” he said, trying to sound like a director or a father so that at least one of you respected him.

“Is it so difficult that I can’t go alone?” Bucky asked, obviously annoyed as much as you were. At least there was some area that you could agree on.

“It should be fairly easy, just a material retraction, but if I sent just one of you, there would be no back-up, and I’m not risking that. So, I need both of you to go there, get the damn plant, and head back home.”

“A plant? What are we, Tony? Some fucking botanists? The hell do you need a plant for?” You chirped in, still not sold on the idea of spending alone time with Bucky.

“We’re not really sure why, but it makes people do weird stuff, let’s leave it at that. It’s near San Francisco, we think, so if you’re fast and careful enough, you should be back tomorrow night. Start time is at 7 AM sharp, and I expect both of you to be there, and before you ask any more questions: yes, it has to be the two of you, no, there is nothing that can be done, and no, you don’t have a permission to leave one of you there. I think that should be all, and I believe you should go and rest before the mission.”

From the look on Tony’s face, you knew that it was futile to try and fight with him, so you groaned silently, and you stood up, bumping into Bucky’s leg purposefully. He kicked you and glared at you, but before you could start a proper fight, Tony hollered Out, and you both ran out of there.

“If you’re not at the hangar at 7, I’m flying away without you, asshole!” You muttered and didn’t wait up for his retort, walking back to your room to have a nice warm evening before the hellish days you knew would come.

—-

To your utter annoyance, Bucky was at the hangar even sooner than you, that stupid smirk plastered on his face.

“I almost thought I would have to leave you behind, doll. Shame, I thought I could have a good day ahead of me.”

You didn’t have the energy to fight him just yet, so you just gave him the middle finger and boarder the quinjet. When you were sure that Bucky was on board as well, you started the plane and put it into motion. Bucky sat down next to you, drumming his fingers against the other steering wheel. You clenched your jaw, hating the sound, and when you turned your head to snap at Bucky, he was already watching you.

“Trying to make me kill you before we even get there, Barnes?”

He chuckled but didn’t stop his fingers. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, sweetheart. I’m just trying to busy myself before we get there.”

You shuddered from all the anger coursing your veins and looked straight ahead. You should’ve brought the book with you, you chastised yourself and tried to ignore the idiot sitting next to you.

It wasn’t that he would be a bad-looking person. Quite the opposite, actually. When he first came to join the team, you had a small crush at him. But as the first thing he did was mansplaining how you should throw your knives, you immediately put him into the box with other chauvinist men, and you never looked at him the same.

By now, Bucky was chewing gum so loudly you were actually afraid it could fall out of his mouth, with how wide he was opening it. You wanted to slap it out of him, but then the dashboard told you that you were nearing the spot in which you had to land, and so you lost all interest in Bucky’s annoying sounds.

You knew your target house. It looked like any other house from outside, but, apparently, it was some kind of lab with just one plant in it. You were supposed to barge in, take the plant, put it in an air-proof container and bring it back for Tony and Bruce to check it.

You still had no idea what the plant did, and you weren’t really keen on finding out. You just wanted to do your mission precisely, and get back home, far, far away from Bucky and his stupidities.

He obviously felt the same, because the second you landed the plane, he marched out of there, not waiting for you.

“Bucky! Hey! Wait up!” You yelled at him, but he was acting as if he didn’t hear anything, he just continued his walk towards the house.

You were supposed to wear gas-masks, but neither of you realised from all the pent-up energy in the plane. You just followed Bucky, the container to put the plant in secure in your hands.

He kicked in the door just as you reached him. You could see his jaw set, and his eyes squinted a little. This was his game face, you knew that much, and you would be lying if you said it wasn’t one hella sexy face! But you shook that thought away. He was an enemy of yours, and of all women!

Neither of you held your breaths (not that it would be for anything when you had the search the whole house and find where exactly the plant was), and so without you two knowing, the pollen was already getting in your system.

The house was abandoned, and relatively small so it the two of you only about 2 minutes to search it all and find the damn plant. It looked like rose’s and tulip’s child- well, very mutant child, but still. You quickly stepped in front of it, and put the thing into the container, running out of the building with Bucky behind you.

You felt a little host of breath when you reached the plane, but you blamed it on the fatigue from the last mission still. Bucky seemed to have been a little heavier as well.

You craned your neck and shuddered as the first heatwave sent shocks down your body. Bucky put the plane into the air and put on the autopilot, feeling a little uneasy himself. You looked over at him and saw that his cheeks were reddish his brow sweating, and he had a problem to not tug at his clothes too much. Just like you.

And then you realised it.

“Bucky! We didn’t put the gas-masks on, so whatever the plant emits, we probably inhaled it. You feeling a little weird as well, right?” You asked, but your voice didn’t come out as loud as you thought it would.

Bucky’s eyes widened at the realisation, looking behind you, where the masks were sitting comfortably.

The heat was now unbearable, and even though the air conditioning was blasting, you felt like you were in the middle of Sahara. You thought that this was the worst of it, feeling hot, but then you could feel the itching in your panties. When you scratched yourself there, you had to stifle a moan.

The little friction it offered made your pussy clench around nothing, and you fell to your knees. You suddenly knew what was happening and you that there was no outrunning it.

Bucky spun around to see you on the ground, and when your eyes connected with his, you both knew what you needed. You looked at his pants, where his cock was pushing painfully against the fabric, and you stood up.

Bucky watched you warily, but he didn’t say a word. His mouth salivated as he looked at you, stripping your suit quickly, relieving your skin from the feeling of fabric against it.

Bucky connected the dots pretty much in the same moment as you did, so he knew what had to follow, and he also stripped himself bare.

By the time you reached him, you were both panting and very much naked.

“Just- oh, just for the record, I still very much hate you,” you breathed against his neck before you licked a strip from his jugular to his ear. Bucky obviously shuddered, gripping your hips tightly to provide you both with some sense of stability.

“Ditto, sweetheart. But after I’m done with you, all you’ll think of will be how much you love me and my cock.”

You would slap him if you didn’t need him that badly. He grasped the back of your neck, pulling you into a heated kiss, all teeth and tongue. You couldn’t help yourself, but you sucked on his tongue, making Bucky’s cock grow even harder.

He groped your breasts, pinching your painfully hard nipples in the process, travelling south, to reach the place where you needed him the most. His fingers touched your clit, and you moaned loudly into his mouth.

Bucky smirked, but his mind was too fogged by now to be able to form any witty remark, so he just continued to slick his fingers up, before he slid them into your hole. You clenched tightly around him, and Bucky could think of nothing else but your velvety walls squeezing him.

Another moan that followed came from Bucky, as you suddenly gripped his cocky tightly, and pumped him quickly in your hand. Your other hand reached his balls, massaging them between your fingers, giving them the so-needed attention.

When you had enough of the teasing, you pushed Bucky’s hand away from you, and brought his cock to your pussy, sliding it through your folds.

Bucky pushed you away, and without talking, you knew exactly what he wanted from you.

You got on all fours on the ground, sticking your ass high up and wiggling it slightly, so that Bucky would hurry.

And he really didn’t waste no time before he was urging your legs further apart, and gripping your hips, sliding into you in one long thrust.

He stilled once inside you, both of you revelling in the feeling. But the need was stronger, and Bucky needed to move and make you both cum. Hopefully, before you reached New York. That was the last thought before he started pounding into you like a caveman

The whole quinjet was filled with loud groans and moans, and with the sound of skin slapping skin, and you were dimly aware that the entire scene looked like something from porn. But you couldn’t bring yourself the care when Bucky’s thick cock was hitting all the right places in you.

“C’mon, make yourself cum on my cock, Y/N. I need you to squeeze the orgasm out of me, doll,” Bucky hissed from behind you, and you happily obliged.

You pushed your hand to your clit, playing with it with fervour, dead set on making you both cum.

“That’s it. Want me to come inside you? Want to feel my come ooze out of the tightest hole I’ve ever been in? Huh? Tell me what you want, Y/N,” Bucky whispered to your ear, making your meet his vigorous thrusts.

“Yes!” You moaned, his words urging you closer to your peak. “I want you to give me all you have, James. Please, cum inside me!” You knew you were yelling now, but you doubted the birds outside would mind.

“Fuck! Your wish is my command, doll,” Bucky hollered, and his thrusts grew in intensity. It only took a dozen more thrusts and few good flicks of your clit, and you were squirming underneath Bucky, chanting his name like a prayer.

The second he felt your walls milking him, he let himself go, and he came with a grunt, followed by a bite to your shoulder, grounding himself that way.

He could’ve sworn it was the best orgasm he’s ever had, and he wasn’t sure if it was just the plant or if it had anything to do with the best pussy in his life.

You were both panting like crazy, tired from the mind-blowing orgasms, when you heard the beeping sound coming from the dashboard, signalling you were nearing home. You weren’t sure if the pollen was out of your system, but you knew you couldn’t come to the compound with Bucky’s dick deep inside your pussy.

You both dressed quickly, not caring about the dishevelled looks you were sporting. You both looked properly fucked, and the thought made a smile tug on your lips.

When you landed, Bucky took the plant and walked towards Tony already waiting for the two of you. You could see he was eyeing you suspiciously, his eyes flickering between the two of you, and then to the plant.

“So, I assume you breathed some of it, huh?”

You and Bucky both shrugged your shoulders and turned to walk away, but you could hear the giggles leaving Tony’s mouth. It might not have been his plan, but he regretted nothing.

When you reached your room, you stopped in your tracks, making Bucky bump into you.

“I still hate you, Barnes, that back there, that changes nothing,” you said, but the playfulness in your eyes probably gave you away.

Bucky smirked and leaned in so that he was talking against your lips. If you were in the state of mind you were in that morning, you would probably kick him to his man-parts and shut the door to his face. But, for some reason, you couldn’t bring yourself to do it now.

“I’m sure you hate me with passion, doll.”

You swatted his chest, lightly enough you knew he probably didn’t even feel your hand there.

“How about we continued what we started in my room?” You asked, looking at him through your lashes. He smirked, and before you could protest, he swooped you in his arms and walked inside your room, ready for round two.

Bucky Taglist

@this-kitten-is-smitten​ @sebbbystaaan​ @paradisiacalsparks​ @crazybutconfidentaf​ @owlyannah​ @lassini​ @s-trawberryv-eins​ @reniescarlett​

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Forever Tag:

@eileenalone​ @sasbb23​ @p8tn0lish​ @coffeebooksandfandom​ @waiting4inspiration​ @caswinchester2000​ @mogaruke​ @justthatfangirloverthere​ @mushyjellybeans​

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #bucky #bucky barnes fanfiction #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes reader insert #avengers #avengers fanfiction #marvel #mcu #mcu fanfiction #sex pollen #smut #tony stark #bucky one shot #oneshot #simsadventures #lulu's 6000 followers celebration

[hockstettersfridge]

Sk8 The Infinity hurt/comfort fanfiction request for @joi-fishie

Please feel free to request something, I’m looking to improve my writing! :)

Word Count: 2167

Warnings: Ad*m

A/N: I kind of hate this because I haven’t written in a long time, also so sorry it took so long, I’ve had a lot of work to do! Also, Miya isn’t at the hospital with them because I wrote a lot of this before episode five came out. I’ve never written a hurt/comfort fic before so this is kind of a mess. ://

"Reki!" the blue-haired boy yelled, rushing over to his friend who lay, motionless, on the rocky ground. "Are you alright?" Langa questioned frantically at the sight of his injured friend. Reki lifted his head slightly to see Langa, blood dripping down his face, "Sorry." the boy croaked out, "I lost." "Don't talk anymore!" Reki dropped his head back to the ground again and shut his eyes, the intense pain in his head causing his vision to blur and his surroundings to spin. "Hey! So, the main course is here." An infuriating voice called as Adam came to a halt on his longboard, dust from the ground forming a cloud around his feet as he glanced down at the pair. "Once again, hello, Little Langa. I can finally skate with you." Adam added with a smirk.

It wasn't what he had planned to be doing at one o'clock on a Saturday morning but Shadow found himself, reluctantly, agreeing to give the boys a lift to the hospital. The drive was tense, Reki rested his head against the cool window of the car, a hand clutching his left arm, it was clear he was in pain but whenever Langa asked, which was every five minutes, the boy painted a small smile onto his face and nodded slightly. Of course, Langa knew he was playing it down, but he didn't want to pester his friend who evidently did not wish to talk at this time. Meanwhile, Shadow drummed a finger against the steering wheel, anxiously waiting for the red lights to fade to amber and eventually green, this was a teenager he barely knew after all. 'S' is illegal and dangerous, there would be no use in trying to contradict that point, everybody who takes part is aware of the risk, yet it still comes as a shock when these situations pop up. Despite barely knowing the kid, he felt it was his obligation to help him, he wasn't just going to abandon the teenagers and leave them to deal with this themselves.

Not wanting to worry his stressed mother, Reki, much to Langa and Shadow's disapproval, refused to call her, and so, Shadow ended up staying with them and acting as Reki's guardian as the doctors treated him. Shadow and Langa waited in the dim hospital corridor, anxiety had tied Langa's stomach into a tight knot and he tapped his foot, anticipating the worst for Reki. He wished he had done more to talk the boy out of this beef with Adam, yet, here they were. Fortunately, the boy only had a small concussion and left with a sling for his fractured arm and a bandage around his head for his, thankfully minor, injury. Out of pity for the teenagers, Shadow dropped the pair off at Reki's house before finally getting to retire to his own home.

Langa helped a limping Reki out of the car and into the house, careful not to wake up his family. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? The doctor did say-" Reki interrupted the boy, a hand clutching his head and squinting, "I'll be fine, it's just a scratch," he smiled weakly. "It's clearly not." the blue-haired boy said as Reki sits on his bed with a grunt. "Anyway, it's almost three in the morning, how would I explain this to my mum?" Langa sighed at his response, "If you're going to be this irresponsible then I'm not leaving until sunrise, the doctor said you have to stay up for the next few hours." Despite Reki's protests, Langa refused to leave the boy in this state and sat himself down cross-legged on the floor. They locked eyes and a few seconds of silence passed before the pair burst into laughter at this bizarre situation they had ended up in. Reki had gone against Adam of all people and made it out with just a small fracture, it was a miracle, and now Langa, a boy who he had been friends with for not much longer than five minutes found himself planted on the floor, refusing to leave. Through giggles, Reki held his uninjured hand to his mouth, attempting to silence himself in order to not disturb his family. Despite his wounded state, the red-haired boy felt content with his life for the first time in a while. Since his friend's accident, he did a good job at hiding it, but there were definitely times in which the teenage boy had felt lonely. Now, that loneliness has been overcome by paranoia. The paranoia that if something were to ever happen, he would lose Langa. If he were to lose somebody for the second time, what- "So what are we going to do?" Langa questioned once his laughter had calmed down, interrupting Reki's train of thought. "What?" The boy says, having been so lost in his head that he hadn't heard his friend. Langa frowned, confused, but quickly dismissed it, "Well we're staying up for the rest of the night, what do you want to do?" Reki paused, looked around his room, a thoughtful expression on his face that soon lit up into an enthusiastic and excited one once his eyes landed on his desk drawer. He leaned over the side of his bed, reaching with his free arm and pulling the entire draw out and placing it next to himself, reaching in and throwing a small object to Langa that he hurriedly caught, his confusion growing more and more by the minute. "A mini skateboard?" he questioned, turning over the small object in his hands. "A Tech Deck." Reki corrected as he grabbed one for himself and sits back proudly, "Let's race." To this, Langa shook his head, chuckling slightly, "Alright then." And so, using various books, duct tape and some old skateboard decks, the boys (mainly Langa due to Reki's injuries) formed a makeshift course for their race, with a ramp leading from the desk, to the chair, to the floor.

On opposite sides of their course, they kneeled, fingers on their tech decks ready to race, they both stared with intense concentration, the only light in the room coming from a desk lamp positioned over their heads and a small ray of shine from the moon that crept in through a small gap between the curtains. Once Reki had whisper-shouted to go, the pair raced, however, quickly, their DIY track failed as the Tech Decks got caught in small gaps and the two foolish teenagers ended up messing around, abandoning the thought of it being competitive. Immediately bursting into laughter once more.

"You know, on a serious note, you really need to stop throwing yourself into beefs, you're going to end up dead someday," Langa said, looking into Reki's happy yet tired eyes as his tone turns serious.  The boy just smiled a little and responded, "But where's the fun in that? You said it yourself, it's not about winning medals and being famous it's about having fun and doing it because you want to." "You're unbelievable," Langa glanced down, noticing Reki had his arm raised slightly and was holding it, "Promise me you'll tell your mum in the morning." Reki groaned jokingly in response, "Reki." Langa warned, "Fine, fine! I promise!" the red-haired boy offers up his pinky finger, "I pinky-promise." Langa stared, unamused, but eventually interlocked his pinky with Reki's and the two boys giggled childishly until it slowly faded out to silence. "What are you going to tell your mum?" Langa questioned, Reki paused before replying, "I'll just tell her I fell off of my board while skating to work, she's used to it anyway." Reki faced Langa with a sympathetic look, "Thanks for tonight,  you really didn't have to do this, Langa," "I wasn't just going to leave you here, I'm surprised you're still conscious after a fall like that, I guess there's a reason why Adam goes undefeated to this day." "Yeah." the red-haired boy agreed.

With time passing, he noticed Langa yawn, raising his arms in the air to stretch, letting out a small groan in the process. "You can sleep here for the night," Reki stated, already standing up and pulling out a spare futon and laying it on the floor before Langa had time to politely protest otherwise.

A few hours passed in which the two talked the night away and the pair concluded it should be okay for Reki to sleep now, so, with Reki in his bed and Langa on the floor, the pair lay in silence trying to fall asleep, "Hey, Langa." Reki croaked out, the other boy hummed to show he was awake and listening, "I'm sorry I lost, I shouldn't have accepted in the first place...now, thanks to me, you're going to have to go up against that psycho." Langa sat up a little, holding himself up with his elbows to look at Reki, "Stop apologising, neither of us knew he was going to do that, I appreciate the thought but focus on yourself." "Okay." Reki muttered in response, turning on his side, facing his bedroom wall, and pulling his duvet up to his chin, "I'll never forgive myself if you get hurt." he whispered with a wavering voice, partially to himself, partially to Langa. Whether his friend heard or not, Reki did not find out, but the fear of it happening ate away at him until the moment he was able to drift off to sleep.

The next morning, Reki awoke groggily, his head felt heavy and he felt nothing but an aching pain in it. Yellow sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the green curtains, illuminating the room enough for the boy to see specks of dust floating in the air. He arose a little, reaching out and switching off the desk lamp that was blinding him, assuming he left it on last night by accident. Thinking of last night, everything came flooding back to him, and through squinting eyes, he looked forward to see Langa's blue skateboard resting against the wall. The boy groaned, flopping back into his bed, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of the day in his comfortable position, however, these blissful-seeming plans were halted as high-pitched giggles filled the air, a screech of laughter followed shortly after. Reki arose from his bed once more, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and stumbling towards his door.

When Reki woke up that morning, he couldn't say he was expecting to see this sight in the kitchen, but here he was, staring right at it with a dumbfounded expression across his face. He locked eyes with his friend, Langa, and the pair stared at each other blankly as Reki processed what was going on. Langa sat, kneeling on the floor, his head being tugged side-to-side. His blue hair had been braided into various messy plaits, each tied with a colourful ribbon. The three guilty culprits stood around their poor victim, who was too polite for his own good. "Good morning, Reki," he stated monotonously. The trio all turned and faced their older brother, small, beady eyes staring at him. Before he could respond, a loud voice spoke, "Reki!" His mother exclaimed, "You've finally decided to join us this morning! How are you feeling? Langa told me all about your fall this morning, I've told you before I don't like you going skating when it's still dark out!" Barely giving him a chance to respond, Reki brushes her off, "I'm fine, mum," he said, moments before being enveloped by her hug, despite the fact he refused to show it, Reki appreciated his optimistic yet over-protective mother, she did worry about him often. He gently pushes her away and distances himself, embarrassed in front of Langa. She sighs at this, “Anyway, now that you're up, Langa was telling us all about Canada, he's great with the girls as well," she says, gesturing to the three little identical children at her feet with a smile brightening up her face. Langa sat, wearing a blank expression as he looked at himself through his phone's camera. Reki sighed and pulled his friend up with his good hand, "Langa's leaving now, you're clearly annoying him," "Don't be like that, Reki!" his mother said but Reki had already led Langa to the door and they headed out to the front garden.

"Sorry about them," Reki rubbed his neck anxiously and smiled awkwardly, reaching forward and pulling one of the ribbons out of Langa's hair, considering he had made no attempt to do so for himself. "You really didn't have to do all of that for me." he looked at his feet, fiddling with the green ribbon in his hand. "I wanted to, Reki," to this, Reki raised his head, Langa was smiling at him, "Really?" "Yes." Reki pulled Langa into a hug, the slightly taller, blue-haired boy was hesitant at first but soon relaxed. This was nice, Reki had thought, hoping things could stay like this forever, hoping he would never lose Langa the same way he lost someone before, hoping the world would stop to allow him to treasure this true happiness for eternity.

Please comment any constructive criticism or requests :)

#fanfiction #fanfiction requests #sk8 #sk8 the infinity #skating #skateboard #skating anime #sport anime #anime fanfic #anime fanfiction #manga #weeb #requests #fanfic request #reki kyan #hurt/comfort fic #hurt/comfort #renga #langa #lana hasegawa #reki #miya chinen #sk8 adam #sk8 episode 4 #renga sk8 #banana fish #ash eiji #reki langa

[mxndoscyarika]

Red Sunsets (Javier Peña x Chinese!reader) | Chapter 8: El Punto de Sucumbir

Author’s note: I don’t wanna give toooooo much away, but I just wanted to let you know that we’ve finally reached lucky number 8 👀 If you were here a couple nights ago, you proooobably have an idea of what’s going to happen, because I had asked a few questions related to ~kisses~, if you catch my drift. Let me know what you guys think!

Summary: Family fights, grudges, and determination. Those three things defined your journey as you navigated through the workings of the DEA. Getting in was hard, and catching Escobar was even harder. You joined Javier Peña and Steve Murphy in the hunt for Escobar, forming bonds and life lessons along the way.

Like my writing? Here’s my masterlist. 

Red Sunsets masterlist

Warning(s): food, Careless Whisper lol, physical affection, implied smut

“So where are you taking me, again?” you asked, looking out at the passing buildings. You didn’t recognize the shops and restaurants you’d passed. The sky was darkened to a royal blue, the last rays of sunlight already well below the horizon.

“One of my personal favorite restaurants in Colombia,” he answered. “They have good arepas, your favorite, and the owners are pretty friendly. I used to go there often before you came along.”

You let out a breathy laugh. “What happened after I arrived that made you forego your favorite restaurant?”

Shrugging, he said, “I guess you happened.” He scoffed at your pout. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You’re worth all the arepas in the world.”

You were thankful for the shroud of darkness, because you felt your cheeks grow hot and you bit your lip to contain your grin. “And you’re worth all the homemade dumplings.”

Javi chuckled softly, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. As usual, you had the perfect response. He could barely remember a time when he truly cared about flirting, or how the women of his affections responded. But somehow, every time, you managed to turn his tactics around on him.

It took every ounce of self control to keep his eyes on the road and his hands to himself. You wore a simple t-shirt and jeans, and what little makeup you applied only served to make your cheeks and lips look unbearably kissable.

He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on the wheel. More times than he wanted to admit, he’s caught himself reaching to hold your hand or rest his hand on your thigh. Thankfully, it was dark enough that you probably hadn’t noticed. As much as he hated to acknowledge it, you weren’t his. He hadn’t even worked up the guts to tell you how he felt yet.

“Hola Javier!” the owner greeted, her face lighting up. She wiped her hands on her apron and waved for him to sit down at a table. “Hace mucho tiempo que no nos vemos. Quién es ella, tu novia?”

Javi blushed, smiling sheepishly. While he couldn’t understand what Chinese shop owners said, you could understand Spanish as well as he did. “No no no, ella es una amiga. Nos conocemos del trabajo.”

The owner of the restaurant simply hummed in response and eyed you from head to toe, much like how a parent may analyze a prom date. “Pues, no te molestaré, okey? Cuéntame si necesitas algo.”

More than accustomed to eating family-style, you and Javi ordered a couple of the smaller entrees and a flan to share. Much like how Javi let you take the reins in local Chinese restaurants, you let him order the food and make small talk. You propped your head up against your hand as you watched him, a small smile perpetually on your lips.

The low moan that left your lips when you bit into a cheesy arepa was music to his ears. He wondered if you’d sound like that when you were kissed. Only when your eyes met did his train of thought come to a screeching halt.

Fighting back a blush, he busied himself with splitting an arepa stuffed with meat, beans, and cheese and sliding the plate over. You tried not to think about how he was so gentle. “Try this one, hermosa. I think you’ll like it.”

“You’re a man aiming for my heart,” you hummed. In your past relationships, you never had anyone treat you the way Javi did with his genuine eagerness. Not that you and he were on a date, you’d never called it that, but you couldn’t help but draw the comparison. You lifted the half that he offered and took a big bite, giggling when the grated cheese stuck to your cheek.

“You have a little bit of….” Laughing softly at your plight, he reached over and brushed it off with his thumb, the pad of his finger caressing your cheek. You fought the urge to lean into his touch and nuzzle your face into the palm of his hand. Javi was just being polite, right? It didn’t mean anything.

Javi drew his hand away and glanced down at his watch. “The movie should be starting in about 45 minutes, let’s start finishing up here and then head over to the movie theater.” He paused, then added, “Unless you feel like going home for a night in?”

“What’ll we do at home?” you wondered, wiping your hands with a napkin. “I’d love to have a night in, if that’s what you want. As long as I’m with you, I really don’t care.”

His heart skipped a beat at your words, though the logical part of his mind stamped down any hope he had. Was he just a friend that you wanted around because you were lonely? It’d been a long time since his last serious relationship, but he couldn’t imagine diving back in with anyone else. He just hoped you felt the same. “We could just relax, maybe turn on some music and just talk.”

“I never knew that Javier Peña would be one to ‘just talk,’” you quipped, smiling at him.

“I can be, with the right person.” He shrugged, picking up the singular spoon and scooping up a bite of the flan. Its amber caramel sauce glistened in the restaurant’s warm lighting. Smiling softly, he held it up to your lips. “First bite is yours, hermosa.”

Taking turns eating spoonfuls of flan, you talked about things ranging from family to favorite animals. Growing up on a ranch, Javi’s favorite animal was a horse, sparking your questions about his life back in the States. You only knew the little bits of information floating around the DEA headquarters, and you wanted to know more.

At first he was hesitant, but then he told you about his father and how he’d grown up in a small town. You listened quietly as he told you about Lorraine, and how they were engaged to be married over a decade ago. His voice grew soft as he recalled all the wedding planning and shopping they did, and how their families had all converged to help out. Apparently, they’d been the talk of the town. It made you wonder if he ever missed her, or at least missed Laredo.

It was no secret that you’d come from an immigrant family, one rooted in traditions both good and bad. Well, good and bad by American standards, of course. You couldn’t deny that your parents had noticeably different views from the parents of your friends, nor could you deny that it gave you a window to your family’s heritage. No culture was perfect, free of discrimination, but you could always learn from it. All you could hope was that you weren’t too damaged or different to be with him.

“Is this how you get all your women to go home with you?” you teased, swirling the spoon in the pool of caramel. “You buy them dinner and feed them dessert before sweeping them off their feet?”

Javi shook his head. “Just you,” he replied, his voice like velvet. Shivers ran down your spine at the implication.

---

The drive back home was quiet, the two of you donning faint smiles in the darkness. You couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said throughout dinner, the sweet words and touches. It was a different man sitting across from you, one that you normally only saw glimpses of previously.

You bit your lip and looked out the window at the passing buildings, hoping the cool night air would soothe the burning in your cheeks. What did his words mean? Why did he seem so embarrassed when the restaurant lady asked if you were his girlfriend? Were you truly just a work friend to him? If you were, why did he look at you like you hung the stars in the night sky? Why did he watch you with those dark brown puppy eyes that made your insides melt?

“We’re home, hermosa.” Javi’s voice interrupted your chain of thought as he pulled up to the apartment building. Before you could finish unbuckling your seat belt, he was opening the car door for you.

It felt like second nature to walk over to his front door and wait for him to unlock it. But something about it felt different this time, like it was more than just a friendly hangout on a weekend evening.

While Javi turned on a couple lights, you made your way over to his record player and flipped through his various vinyls. “Any music preference tonight?”

He flicked on a lamp. “Anything is fine, Y/N. Your pick.”

The sound of a familiar saxophone blared out from the record player, making him freeze.

You laughed at his startled expression and stopped the music before switching out the George Michael record for Foreigner. “Except this one? Don’t worry, Javi, I know what you like.”

Shaking his head fondly, he sat down on the couch next to you and watched as you scooted closer to rest your head on his shoulder. The lyrics of I Want to Know What Love Is filled the air as you basked in each other’s presence.

“What do you think you’ll do once we catch Escobar?” you asked. Realizing you just brought up work on a weekend, you cringed. “Sorry, you don’t have to answer that.”

Sighing, Javi shifted and replied, “I don’t know. I didn’t exactly let myself leave much behind in Laredo.”

“You have your father and your family ranch,” you suggested, playing with the blanket you’d draped over yourself. “And I’m sure you could find someone to be your sweetheart in the States. After all, you’ll be the man who took down Pablo Escobar.”

“And what about you?” he asked, rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand. He tried not to dwell too long on your assumption that he’d want to be with someone from Laredo when he could be with you. “What will the magnificent Y/N L/N do once this is all over?”

You shrugged. “I guess I’ll continue my work in the States. Maybe set up a research lab of my own to study other drugs. And maybe I’ll stop by my parents’ house and see if they’ve forgiven me.”

“Well, if you ever need somebody to tell them how great you are, you know where to find me,” he said, smiling shyly. You felt warm as he continued, “You’re an amazing agent, and an even better friend. Anyone who doesn’t see that can fuck off, in my book.”

You laughed softly at his boldness, even if you knew him well enough that he wouldn’t insult your parents to their face. It was the thought that mattered.

But as you sat there, your hand resting in his and your cheek on his shoulder, you couldn’t help but wish that you could stay like that forever. The early morning drive to work with Javi, the casual lunch breaks, dinners, and late nights all made you wish you were together. You rarely felt like you belonged anywhere, but in his apartment? In his car? His bedroom? You felt safer than you ever did back in your hometown.

“Thank you, Javi,” you murmured, your voice barely audible over the music.

“For what?”

For being there for me, you wanted to say. For seeing the best and worst parts of me without shying away. For making my coffee just the way I like it every day in the office. For staying with me after I woke up in the hospital. For having my back out on raids, and checking my vest to make sure I didn’t forget anything. For listening to me when I go off on tangents about my culture.

“Everything,” you answered softly. “For putting up with me, I guess.”

A smile graced your lips as he slipped his arm around you and pulled you closer to him. “Anything for you, mi amor.”

You furrowed your brow and looked up at him from your slouched position. “What did you call me?”

His soft brown eyes met yours, the outer corners crinkled just slightly as he gazed at you. You hadn’t realized how close you were until you could feel his warm breath against your nose. Your eyes trailed from his beautiful eyes down the curve of his nose to his plush lips. Up close, you could see the small crease in the center; it was as if he were perpetually pouting.

“Mi amor?”

Unable to resist the magnetic pull any longer, you and Javi met in the middle. Your lips slotted against each other, a soft sound escaping you as he cupped your cheek and kissed you fervently. His lips were softer than you’d imagined, his mustache tickled your upper lip. You could kiss him all night, if he let you.

Warmth bloomed in your chest as you moved to straddle his legs, hands wandering up from his chest to play with his brown locks. You’d always wondered what it would feel like to run your fingers through it, drawing soft groans from the man beneath you. You could feel the heat radiating from his body as you pressed yourself against him.

His arms wrapped around and held you close, the weight of his hand settling on your upper back. Your bodies fit together like puzzle pieces. You gave him one last kiss before pulling away for air, your noses brushing against each other. Smiling, you gave him a peck on the tip of his nose.

“Do you want to stay?” Javi asked, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His eyes searched yours for any sign of regret, of realizing that you’d made a big mistake.

You nodded and leaned in to press your lips to the crease between his brows. “I’ll stay as long as you’ll have me, cariño.”

He hummed softly against your neck, nuzzling his nose against your pulse point. “Is it too late to tell you that I really like you?”

“Maybe,” you replied, sighing as he sucked lightly at your skin. If he left a mark, Murphy would never let you live it down. But somehow, you didn’t care. You ran your fingers through his hair, making it stick up in some places. “But I’d rather you show me instead.”

The walk to his room was well-practiced from your days living with him, but knowing that he was following you made a shiver run down your spine. Everything about his bedroom was familiar, yet new. You wondered if you were dreaming, if this was just another cruel figment of your imagination after a long day of work.

“We don’t have to do anything tonight if you don’t want to,” Javi said, wrapping his arms around you from behind when you stopped at the foot of the bed. Your hands covered his, caressing his knuckles. “We could always wait.”

“I don’t want to wait.” You turned around and pulled him into a deep kiss, your hands sliding down to rest on his chest. “I want you, Javi.”

Translations:

“Hola Javier! Hace mucho tiempo que no nos vemos. Quién es ella, tu novia?” Hello Javier! It’s been a long time. Who is this, your girlfriend?

“No no no, ella es una amiga. Nos conocemos del trabajo.” No no no, she’s a friend. We know each other from work.

“Pues, no te molestaré, okey? Cuéntame si necesitas algo.” Well, I won’t bother you, ok? Let me know if you need anything.

“Hermosa” Beautiful

“Cariño” Sweetheart/darling

“Mi amor” My love

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#javier peña #javier peña x reader #narcos #Pedro Pascal #pedro pascal x reader #Pedro character fanfiction #my writing

[bucky-of-the-opera]

Pass the Popcorn

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Summary: Movie night with Steve takes a rough turn when neither him nor Y/N know if they’re on a date.

Warnings: none

Word Count: 2,522

A/N: I was inspired by this post to write a movie date fic, so here it is! Enjoy!

Spring had finally arrived in Hawkins after a brutal winter. The last of the snow had melted, the scarves and mittens were discarded, and flowers were beginning to bloom.

Along with the changing of the season came the unlikely duo of you and Steve Harrington. After Steve’s breakup with Nancy and his old friends, he had become a completely different person than the one that Hawkins High had come to know. He was more approachable and less concerned about what his peers thought about him.

The two of you had been paired together for a science project back in January, to your dismay. But as you spent more time with him, you saw the changes within him. By the time you had finished the project, you would come to call Steve a friend.

Ever since then, Steve became a normal part of your life. He drove you to school, walked you to your classes, and made sure neither Billy nor anyone else ever messed with you.

On this particular day, you were sitting at your desk in your math class when a knock interrupted your teacher. The door opened to reveal none other than Steve Harrington, who was supposed to be in his history class.

“Sorry for the interruption, Mrs. Parker,” Steve said as he showed off a folded piece of paper in his hand. “I’ve got a letter from the office for,” he squinted at the paper, pretending to struggle with your last name, “Y/N.”

You rolled your eyes, failing to hide a smile as your teacher waved him on and went back to her lecture.

Steve walked swiftly to your desk. He handed you the paper and gave you a wink before leaving the class just as abruptly as he had entered.

You unfolded the paper and read the message:

Wanna see a movie tonight? Yes/No

You did your best to stifle your laughter and quickly circled your answer.

Halfway through the class, you asked to be excused to use the restroom. Stuffing the paper in your pocket, you left the room. You rushed down the hall to where Steve’s classroom was and knocked on the door to announce your presence.

“I have a letter from the office for Steve Harrington,” you explained to the teacher.

Steve was resting his head in his hand as he watched you walk down the aisle. “Took you long enough,” he grinned at you before taking the paper.

You shook your head at him and left to return to your own classroom.

Steve quickly unfolded the paper and saw that you had circled Yes. He breathed a sigh of relief and tucked the paper away in his backpack.

When the bell rang, you stopped at your locker and then met him at your shared lab table in your science class. “You realize you could’ve just waited until now to ask me?”

“You’re saying you didn’t appreciate my pretty face distracting you from math?” he said, as if the word alone made him sick.

“You’re something else, Harrington,” you teased.

***

Later that night, Steve was fussing with his hair when the phone rang. He dropped his brush and ran to answer the call.

“You’ve got Harrington.”

Dustin shouted from the other end of the line, “Can you take me and Mike to the arcade?”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Can’t your mom take you?”

“She’s out with her friends.”

“Well, you’ll have to find another ride. I’ve got plans.”

“With what friends?” Dustin asked.

“That’s uncalled for. But if you must know, I’ve got a date with Y/N.”

“With Y/N? Are you sure it’s a date?”

“Of course it’s a date!” But then Steve hesitated. “Why do you think it wouldn’t be?”

“I don’t know. I just thought you two were strictly platonic. But I guess you’ve proved me wrong.”

Steve bit the inside of his cheek. “Mhmm. Well, anyway, I gotta finish getting ready for, uh, my date. Good luck with your thing.” He slammed the phone down and walked back to his bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror and gave himself a pep talk. “Henderson’s a kid. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It’s definitely a date.”

Meanwhile, you were trying to decide what outfit to wear. It took a while, but you had finally found a winner. You walked downstairs to the living room to wait for Steve to arrive.

Your sister entered the room, joining you on the couch. “You actually clean up nice,” she teased. “Excited for your date?”

“What? I’m not going on a date. I’m going to the movies with Steve.”

“Exactly. You’re going out with a cute boy to ‘watch a movie’.” She said, making air quotes with her fingers.

You pushed her hands down. “Stop doing that. It’s not a date. I think I would know if I was going on a date with Steve Harrington.”

“Okay. If you say so.” She looked out the window and saw Steve’s car out front. “Looks like your non date is here.”

You groaned as you put on your coat and marched to the door. When you swung it open, you saw Steve was halfway to the porch.

His eyes widened when you shut the door behind you. “I was just coming to get you.”

“You didn’t have to; I could’ve just met you in the car.”

Steve cleared his throat. “Right. You look great by the way. Not that you don’t always look great. Because you do… always look great, I mean.” He spoke quickly, rubbing the back of his neck.

You patted his arm. “You look great too, Steve.”

The two of you walked to his car. You both placed your hands on the passenger side handle at the same time and then immediately pulled back.

“Oh, I was gonna get the door for you,” he explained.

“It’s really all right. You don’t have to fuss over me.”

He blushed. “Sure, yeah.”

Steve walked around to the driver’s side. Crap, he thought, Henderson was right. This isn’t a date.

You sat down in your seat, closing the door. Oh no; this is a date, you realized.

Steve sat down next to you and started his car. He pulled away from your house and drove out of the neighborhood.

The two of you sat in silence until you came to a red light and Steve began drumming his hands against the steering wheel.

“Do you have any music?” you asked to break the building tension.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah I’ve got some tapes in the glove box.”

You popped it open and searched through the stack. One in particular caught your eye as you held it up. “I thought you said you didn't have this album?”

He momentarily eyed the tape in your hand before bringing his attention back to the road. “You kept talking about how much you loved it, so I went out and got a copy.”

You smiled to yourself and pushed the tape into the cassette player, fast forwarding to your favorite song.

The first few seconds began to play when Steve spoke, “This is the best song on the whole album.”

“Right?”

You and Steve sang along to the album for the remainder of the drive. He continuously switched between singing on and off key, making you laugh as he failed to hit the high notes. Eventually Steve turned onto a field, announcing your arrival.

Squinting, you peered out the window to see a giant screen with at least a dozen cars already parked. “You didn’t tell me we were going to a drive-in.”

“I didn’t?”

You shook your head. “I would’ve brought a blanket if you did.”

“Don’t worry; I’ve got that covered.” He pointed his thumb at the back seat, where you saw a few folded blankets.

“Dibs on the fuzzy one!” You grabbed it as Steve drove up to the ticket booth. You took out the money you had shoved in your pocket earlier and tried to hand it to Steve who waved your hand away.

“It’s on me.”

You huffed and shoved the money back in your money. “Fine. But I’m paying for snacks.”

He parked the car and turned the engine off. You were already wrapped in your blanket with your seat reclined.

“You look cozy,” he said, chuckling.

Your eyes were closed as you responded. “Wake me up when the movie starts.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll just go pick out the snacks by myself.” He opened the door as you grabbed his arm.

“Wait, I’m coming. I have to make sure you get the right snacks.”

“How can I possibly mess up movie snacks?” he asked.

“You need to abide by the movie food groups.”

He furrowed his eyebrows at you. “The what?”

“You need a salty food, a sweet food, and a drink. You can’t load up on just candy or just popcorn.”

“I didn’t realize you had such strong opinions on the matter.”

You scoffed. “It’s like you don’t even know me.”

Steve rolled his eyes, despite the amused grin on his face. He stepped out of the car as you joined him to walk to the concession stand. His hand bumped yours as you walked. You thought maybe he was trying to grab ahold of it, but he immediately moved further away from you. You shoved your hands in your pockets and tried to put the thought behind you.

“Why don’t you order for us so I don’t ruin your movie viewing experience,” he teased.

“With pleasure,” you said as you stepped up to the window.

Minutes later you were back in the car with a large tub of popcorn, several boxes of candy, and drinks. The blankets from the backseat were now strewn across you both.

You grabbed a fistful of popcorn. “You know, I don’t actually remember the last time I saw a movie at a drive-in. I was probably really little.”

“Oh man, I used to come here all the time on dates – er days with nice weather.” Nice save, jackass, Steve thought. He picked up his drink and shoved the straw in his mouth to shut himself up.

You ignored his comment, pulling the blanket tighter around yourself. When Steve had picked you up, you had practically convinced yourself that he was taking you on a date. But now you weren’t so sure.

Moments later the screen flickered to life, so you were able to stop yourself from thinking too much about Steve’s mannerisms.

As the movie played, Steve kept glancing over at you. Every time he snuck a peek, you were seemingly enthralled by the movie. However, he didn’t realize that you were sneaking glances at him whenever he switched his attention back to the screen. And multiple times throughout the movie, your hand had accidentally brushed Steve’s hand as you both reached for the popcorn. But you both immediately pulled away. At one point, you and Steve had given up on paying attention to the movie and were just focusing on looking like you were paying attention.

When it had finally ended, you sat up, stretching your arms over your head as the blanket fell to your lap. Some of the other moviegoers began driving away as Steve turned his head toward you.

“What did you think?” he asked.

“Uh, it was great. The ending was the best part,” you lied.

Steve nodded. “Yeah, definitely,” he lied. “It’s getting pretty late, I should take you home.” He threw his blanket and the empty popcorn tub and candy boxes into the backseat, and then started the car, pulling onto the street.

The drive back was quiet; the only sound coming from the music, which was set on low, and Steve’s humming. Minutes later he had parked the car on your driveway and turned the music off. His hands still gripped the wheel as he tapped his fingers.

“So, maybe I’ll see you this weekend?”

You were quiet for a moment, wringing your hands in thought. You bit your lip as you asked the question you had been pondering all night. “Was this a date?”

Steve’s hands slipped off the wheel, and he accidentally honked the car horn. “Um, I, uh–”

“Because my sister seemed to think that this was a date. But it wasn't, was it?”

“Did you, I mean… did you want this to be a date?”

“Well, did you?”

He ran his hand through his hair. “Yes.”

You turned to face him, but he was still staring straight ahead through the windshield.

“I actually thought that this was a date at first,” he continued. “But then Henderson got in my head, and I convinced myself that it wasn’t.”

“If this was a date, what would you have done?”

Steve finally looked at you, a small smile on his face. He grabbed a large blanket from the backseat, rolled the windows down, and turned the music back on. Then he exited the car and jogged over to your side to open the door and take your hand. He led you to the hood of his car, helping you climb onto it. After sliding onto the hood next to you, Steve draped the blanket over you both and wrapped his arm around you, as you moved your head to rest on his chest.

“You’re good at this,” you said, bringing his hand up to rest over your heart and weaving your fingers through his.

He brought his other arm around you, holding you closer as he pressed a smile against the top of your head. The two of you stayed like that for a few songs until either of you spoke again.

You turned a bit in his arms so you could face him. “Thank you for tonight.”

“Thank you for coming. I promise next time will be better, no awkward beginning.”

“What makes you think there’ll be a next time?” you said, biting the inside of your cheek to hold a smile.

Steve narrowed his eyes at you. “Are you yanking my chain?”

“Does this answer your question?” You closed the distance between you both, pressing your lips to his for a brief moment and then pulling away, your noses still touching.

“That definitely answered my question,” he whispered before finding your lips with his again. His hands traveled down to your waist as you brought your hand up to rest on his cheek. You felt his fingers graze your skin as he moved them slightly underneath the hem of your shirt. Your hand on his cheek trailed upward into his hair, pulling slightly on the strands. Steve tugged your bottom lip between his teeth, his grip tightening on your waist. A sudden gust of wind made you shiver, and you broke the kiss to bury your face into the crook of his neck while he held you tighter.

“You should go inside before it gets any colder,” he said, rubbing your arms to warm you.

“Do you wanna come over tomorrow?” you mumbled.

Steve kissed the top of your head before resting his cheek on top of it. “It’s a date.”

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #stranger things

[one-boring-person]

Whose Side Are You On?

The Terminator (1984) reader insert

Warnings: reference to war, reference to death and injury

Context: I had this idea after watching The Terminator again, and now I'm writing another series (because I have a big brain) with a reader insert. I've basically just added another character to the story, and possibly a little extra plot on the sidelines.😅💛💛 I'm really not expecting this to do well, but I guess it's more for my entertainment than anyone else's 😂

It's probably best to mention I've (somehow) only watched the first of the films, so I'm not entirely well versed in terminator lore, so please don't judge me too harshly 😂

Masterlist

"...she's not normal anymore...she'll kill the lot of us..."

▪▪▪

Pain erupts through my body as it crashes harshly down onto the concrete below me, my shoulder jarring as it catches the brunt of my fall, a sharp cry escaping my lips from the force. Blue energy crackles out around me, clearing the area so that I can properly see where I am, the cold air surrounding me quickly as the burning heat dissipates, leaving me shivering on the floor, naked as the day I was born. Drawing myself to my feet, I cast my eyes around once more, only now noticing the odd scenery and weird structures, feeling out of place as I take a hesitant step towards a plastic box, noticing the bits and pieces sticking from the top of it, hoping to find some clothes somewhere.

Carefully, I rummage through it, finding nothing that could pass as clothes except for a ragged sheet, which I tie around myself with the intention of finding something more suitable to replace it. Shivering, I start off down the passage, eyeing the tall structures around me warily, aware of what could be imminent danger at every turn, my eyes flicking nervously around me to navigate. Before we left, we were told to study some maps and pictures, but none of the old "records" we have come close to portraying the sheer height of some of these buildings. As I walk, I suddenly hear a low muttering, a clatter accompanying it.

Ducking behind a corner, I peer around until I locate the source: a tall man in some sort of uniform, which resembles what we were told the "police" wear. In my head, I remember that these "policemen/women" carry around firearms, something which would greatly benefit me at this point.

Silently, I make my way over to the distracted man, getting as close as I can. As I go, I notice a circle of riveted metal a little way away, the shape vaguely resembling a lid, which I reach for, taking it in my hand before smashing it across the back of the man's head, knocking him out cold. Limply, he falls to the floor, body collapsing harshly against the wall to his left, giving me the perfect opportunity to swiftly remove his clothes.

Rolling him over, I take off his shirt and trousers, slipping them over my own body as I quickly use a strip of fabric from the sheet to the the sleeves to my arms and legs, forcing my feet into his boots as I go. Taking his belt, I pull that on and fasten his hand gun under my arm, sliding his coat on over the top to disguise it, but not before trying to tear off the "Police" logo it bears, knowing these clothes are a little conspicuous. Sighing, I straighten and crack my neck, eager to find what I was told is a "phonebox", where I can find a "phonebook".

Unsurprisingly, it takes me a good hour or two to find one, my initial navigation of the streets unsure and uncomfortable, my clothes drawing far too much attention than I'd like, every suspicious face giving me hostile impressions of a lot of people, though I'm well aware that this is probably just my war-trained mind trying to cope and adjust. When I do come across the phonebox, I swiftly flick through the phonebook there, finding the category listed as "C", dragging my finger down the columns until I find what I'm looking for:

Connor, Sarah

Reading and memorizing the addresses listed, I quickly decide to find a car, choosing to find the other soldier that came through with me, my brother Kyle Reese, who insisted he came across time to save this one girl, before going to complete the reason for my existence in this time. Walking across the road, I duck into another alley, locating a rundown Cadillac nearby, which I quickly break into, using my acquired skills to carefully open it, unlocking the vehicle so I can climb inside. Biting my lip, I easily hijack the wires and start the ignition, finding my bearings of the interior of the vehicle as I put it into drive, guiding it carefully onto the road, making sure to follow the same patterns of traffic I can see, my eyes roaming the pavements as I try to suss out where Kyle is, unsure of his initial plans.

Thankfully, we were made to memorize the exact name and appearance of the correct Sarah Connor, so I know where he's likely to start, though I don't know how he'll go about determining our opposition, the other entity that came through the years with us. A shiver wracks my body at the thought, my mind straying back to my time in the clutches of our hated enemy back home, where I spent most of it blacked out and disorientated, only really remembering that i was rescued from the battlefield by a patrol squad, who had me tied up and led back to base in chains. Even after I returned, the memories are blurred and obscure, nothing really making sense until they told me exactly what happened. Absentmindedly, I touch my face, tracing over the ugly scar that runs around the contours of the right of my head, fitting perfectly around the curve of my forehead, grimacing at the memories that accompany the feeling, pushing them aside as quickly as I can, not intending to let myself dwell on that time.

Biting my lip, I focus on guiding the car around the roads, keeping my eyes out for Kyle, though I'm aware that we may well have ended up on entirely opposite sides of the city, meaning there's a lot of ground to cover before I can find him. I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive, my attention briefly drawn to the controls on the panel to my right, a hand reaching out to fiddle with some of the buttons. In doing so, I manage to get a sound out of it, some odd mixture of noises flowing from the speakers, which I guess is what is known as music in this day and age. Back home, the only music we heard was that made by bedraggled ex-fighters or children, sometimes even by other soldiers, and even then it was never more than some raw-throated singing and low beating of whatever object was at hand, but it could help to cheer us all up. This music is a complete contrast, the layers of instruments and notes provoking a sense of enjoyment in me, my head moving in time with the beat as I drive along, distracting me from the thought of the threat I will soon have to face.

I search for a good few hours, before deciding to give it a rest, knowing I'll need sleep to function. Driving until I'm just a little way out of town, I pull over into a copse of trees, parking and leaning back in my seat, switching off the music as I pull out the handgun, cradling it in my lap as I close my eyes, attempting to sleep.

Part Two

#terminator #terminator 1984 #terminator imagine #arnold schwarzenegger #michael biehn #linda hamilton #x reader #reader insert

[lady-divine-writes]

For drabble list #2 Ineffable Husbands "When I'm with you, I'm home." Crowley to Zira.

Here you are. I hope you like it

Home (Rated PG13)

When Aziraphale notices Crowley eschew going back to his flat at the end of the night in favor of sleeping in his Bentley outside Aziraphale’s shop, Aziraphale braves a rainstorm to find out why. (1732 words)

Aziraphale hums happily as he removes a saucepan of milk from the stove and prepares his mug of cocoa – a plucky, rich, Bolivian blend he had smuggled into Soho a few decades earlier. The moment the milk hits the shredded chocolate, his entire bookshop smells sweeter, homier, cozier (if such a thing is possible).

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons spins on the gramophone - a rare original pressing he purchased from an estate sale longer ago than he cares to remember. Strains of Summer fill the air, the notes dancing off those long silenced violin strings evoking memories of warmth and whimsy; bright afternoons spent strolling through fragrant grass, feeding ducks at the pond, soaking in felicity in all its romantic forms.

Ironic since it’s currently hours before dawn in the middle of autumn, the sky black as fresh tar and raining buckets outside.

Aziraphale sets his mug of cocoa down on his desk and takes a peek out the closest window. Beneath the relentlessly beating spray, a Bentley sits, parked alone by the curb, a dark sentry guarding his storefront. Aziraphale sighs. It must be freezing outside! As the thought passes through his mind, a violent wind blows, pushing the rain sideways and making his glass panes shiver. The Bentley’s engine is off. Aziraphale can see that from here. Which means no heater. Even if Crowley has miracled the heater on, there has to be a chill.

Crowley doesn’t like the chill air. He dresses in layers and wool coats during the winter. But the last time Aziraphale saw him (roughly eight hours ago) he only had a thin button down and a satin jacket on – more style than substance in Aziraphale’s opinion.

Why is he out there? It’s three in the morning! Why isn’t he home, riding out the storm with a bottle of whiskey, lying beneath the thick comforter on his enormous bed? It sounds like the perfect way to spend a blustery evening like this to Aziraphale, who rarely likes to sleep.

A streak of lightning brightens the sky and Aziraphale sees him, his profile painting a stoic silhouette on the driver’s side window. He must be miserable, sitting upright in that cramped leather seat. Aziraphale would say he’s being ridiculous and stubborn, but he has no clue what about! Thunder pounds out a discordant rhythm overhead. A flash of lightning follows on its heels, then another boom of thunder immediately after that, indicating this storm is going nowhere.

If tonight is anything like last night and the night before, neither is Crowley.

And Aziraphale needs to find out why.

***

Knock-knock-knock.

“Mrrr …” Crowley stirs grumpily, squeezing his eyelids shut tight. He’s not asleep, just resting his eyes. The lightning overhead along with the raindrops reflecting the neon shop signs like a thousand liquid points of light are doing his head in. The pounding of the rain on the body of his car pings inside his ears like a twenty-gallon drum of tailor’s pins overturned on a rusted tin roof.

He couldn’t sleep even if he wanted to.

Knock-knock-knock.

A second disturbance but louder. Crowley refuses to open his eyes.

“Go … away …” he mumbles through his teeth, hoping his voice carries. He doesn’t have the energy to move more than that. It’s this blasted cold! He’d decided to let his body shut down naturally instead of wasting a miracle to get the heater running.

Didn’t need anyone downstairs knowing his whereabouts.

The cold would feel less mind-numbing if he turned into a snake, but he doesn’t like to do that too often.

KnockKnockKnock!

“I’m not drunk, officer,” he groans, fully prepared to shift his head into something hideous and tell the nosy cop, bothering him for the ninth time, where to stick it. “I told you, I’m catching a few zzz’s. I’m in no condition to drive,” he lies.

“It’s not a police officer, Crowley!” a voice shouts over the rain. “It’s me!”

Crowley’s eyes pop open. “Aziraphale?”

“Yes! Can I come in? I’m about to drown out here!”

“Oh. Right. Sorry ‘bout that.” Crowley reaches over and opens the door, wondering why Aziraphale didn’t do it himself. It was unlocked. But as Aziraphale climbs in, the rainwater avoiding his body as if he’s wrapped in an invisible slicker, Crowley sees that the angel’s arms are full, a large-ish picnic basket hugged to his chest.

“Am I taking you somewhere?” Crowley asks as he watches Aziraphale settle in with his basket. “It’s a bit early in the morning for a picnic. A smidge damp, too.”

“No, silly. I’ve brought you some provisions. I have a blanket …” Aziraphale pulls a tartan flannel out from inside his coat and spreads it over the demon’s lap without prompting. Then he rifles through his basket, naming off items as he presents them. “A Thermos of cocoa, a tin of biscuits, some finger sandwiches …” He lifts a bottle of amber liquid. “Rum?”

“That’s the ticket,” Crowley chuckles, reaching for the bottle. “Mighty nice of you. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Crowley unscrews the cap and takes a swig. “This is quite the spread you’ve assembled. What’s the occasion?”

“I wanted to ask you a question, if you don’t mind.”

Crowley snorts. “You wanted to ask me a question? At three in the morning?”

“Well, you see, that’s part of it, yes.” Aziraphale opens the tin of biscuits and offers Crowley one. He picks a chocolate shortbread and sticks it in his mouth, devouring it without tasting it, Aziraphale suspects - unwilling to turn him down considering Aziraphale tromped out in the rain to give it to him. “What are you doing here? You’ve been out here the past few nights.”

“I’m keeping an eye on you,” Crowley says, covering up discomfort with another swig of rum.

“Why do you need to keep an eye on me? Is there something you’re not telling me? Something you heard from …?” Aziraphale doesn’t say it, letting his eyes finish his question by shooting a pointed glance downward.

“No,” Crowley assures him. “Not at all.”

“You needn’t worry about me so much, you know,” Aziraphale says, sighing with relief nonetheless. “I’m prepared for any possible attack. I have salt, a crucifix, a bucket of water under my desk, ready to be blessed at a moment’s notice. I even have a sword! Not my flaming sword, of course, but a serviceable piece of steel. I can take care of myself.”

“I know that.”

“So, you can go home, if you’d like.”

Crowley turns his head slightly to peer out the windshield. In the deadlock created between the too bright lights outside and the Stygian shadows inside, Aziraphale sees Crowley bite his lips together. “No. I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Crowley puts a hand on the steering wheel, curling his fingers around the pebbly surface and gripping hard, then releasing again. His pose suggests that he might actually turn the car on and drive off despite his protestations. Aziraphale would still be in the vehicle with him, but that’s a moot point. “My flat … it doesn’t feel like home to me. Not so much. Not anymore.”

“And your Bentley does?” Aziraphale teases, though right as he says it, he realizes it very well might.

“No.” Crowley swallows. “You.”

Aziraphale’s brows draw together as he attempts to wring meaning out of that short answer. “Me what?”

“It’s you, Aziraphale. Wherever you are, that feels like home to me. When I’m with you … I’m home.”

“Because I remind you of Heaven?” Aziraphale ventures. He doesn’t want to misunderstand Crowley. There have been too many misunderstandings during the course of their Arrangement, their friendship, and whatever this is trying to become.

“No, for Satan’s sake!” Crowley groans, frustration taking hold. “Because you’re you! You’re the only true friend I’ve ever had! And at some point over the past 6000 years, you became my guiding light. The only thing that matters to me in this pathetic Universe. I’m not here because I enjoy sitting in my car in the rain. I’m here because the farther I am from you, the unhappier I become. And contrary to popular opinion, I don’t enjoy being unhappy.”

“I … I never knew that,” Aziraphale says softly.

“Yeah, well …”

There’s something more to that sentence. Aziraphale knows there is. But regardless of what’s going on behind those yellow eyes of Crowley’s, he’s come to the conclusion that he’s said enough.

Pity because Aziraphale would love to hear more.

“I see,” Aziraphale says for lack of anything better. “Well, in that case, would you like to come inside? Get out of the cold?”

Crowley makes an eggy noise. “I don’t need you pitying me, angel.”

“I’m not pitying you. Believe it or not, I don’t quite relish being alone either.”

“Not,” Crowley replies.

“In fact,” Aziraphale continues, “there are a great many things I don’t enjoy doing alone.”

“You could have fooled me.” But Crowley decides to bite. Aziraphale obviously has something up his sleeve. As long as it’s not a card trick or a dead dove, he’s game to find out. “Like what?”

“Like reading …”

“Yeah, right! You forget all about me when you’re reading!”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t like having you around.”

“What else?”

“Drinking …”

Crowley’s mouth pulls down in a thoughtful frown. “All right. I’ll give you that one.”

“Sleeping …”

Crowley laughs. “You don’t sleep.”

“That’s because I don’t like to sleep alone.”

Crowley looks over at Aziraphale, disbelieving, as the angel’s clear blue eyes stare back.

Stare back hopefully.

Crowley doesn’t know what Aziraphale is getting at, but he’s not the type to give in when he’d rather say no. He’s invited Crowley into his bookshop dozens of times to talk and drink and otherwise socialize.

But invite him inside to sleep? Presumably together?

That intrigues Crowley … too much to say no.

“Maybe I should come inside then. It’s been a long night. You look like you might need your rest.”

Aziraphale smiles beneath the violet glow of the restaurant across the street, casting him a wily aura. “That would be a great help to me,” he says, repacking his picnic basket.

“I’m nothing if not helpful,” Crowley says, opening the door and exiting the car, bottle of rum in tow, while Aziraphale finishes up.

Aziraphale shakes his head. “Let’s not get too carried away, my dear.”

#good omens #ineffable husbands #crowley x aziraphale #aziraphale x crowley #frankie writes

[shimmershae]

Remember all the ship imagery we got in the early episodes of this season?  Carol literally sailing toward Daryl in a boat, the ships all over her bedding, the helm in the background as Daryl takes her dinner and a flower, and Daryl’s comments about poking holes in any boats she might use to leave him again?  Well.  It just occurred to me, when Carol had her emotional breakthrough and decided to fight and stick around and work toward putting her demons to rest, i.e. go home to Daryl, it was after a boat literally fell on top of her.  And maybe it was an odd little coincidence, but somehow I don’t think so.

I mean.  The first instance, with Carol literally sailing toward a waiting Daryl was lightly tossed about as our ship finally, well, setting sail.  I know I had a lot of fun with the idea personally.  But shining a different light on it, I think Carol ‘coming home’ to Daryl was twofold.  One, she was literally coming home, albeit somewhat reluctantly because she still hadn’t figured out a way to reconcile her feelings on Henry’s death and all the traumas it pushed to the surface nor all of the emotions being back in the circle of those who know her best kept ever present.  And two, it showed that Daryl is not only her person or place of stability, but that he perhaps has already reached the point where he knows exactly what he wants and that’s Carol herself.  I mean, he’s literally right there, ready and wanting to be her port in the storm.  

Yeah, I don’t know if I’m explaining myself well.  I’m sure someone else can piggyback on this and do a much better job, but I’m going to keep spit balling okay?  Okay.  

The boats on Carol’s bedding were a nice little touch, don’t you think?  Especially since Carol’s been shown to dream about Daryl in that bed.  Not in exactly the way that some of us might want her to, lol, at least not onscreen because our girl did say to Michonne that her dreams were good and that’s why they hurt so very much--why oh why they cut that scene from the aired episode I’ll never understand, unless they wanted to play close to the vest with their hand for a little bit longer (unneeded IMHO since those that don’t want to see are not going to see what’s staring them right in the face until it bites their noses off, but I digress) but still.  It’s been shown and suggested she dreams about Daryl when she sleeps in that bed.  Basically, she only allows herself to semi-admit what she most wants in her dreams, and I don’t remember if we see that bedding again later or not but I did find it kind of weird at the time that she was sleeping on top of the covers.  It’s almost like she doesn’t want to embrace (cover up) the comfort that her subconscious offers her, huh?  Psst.  Daryl.  Or, you know, literally stop running and relax enough to truly let her mind and emotions settle.  

I’m digging a little deep aren’t I?  Oops.  Sorry if I sound semi-delusional.  I am somewhat sleep deprived.  But truly.  My brain cannot accept that all of this is mere coincidence so the hamster wheel is trying to theorize and this is what you get.  Sorry not sorry, lol.  

So where was I?  

So basically Daryl’s had his epiphany.  The years Carol spent by another man’s side weren’t something he reacted to with the usual or stereotypical signs of jealousy because he’s Daryl.  He wants the best for those he loves even at his own expense, but there was some deep-seated stuff there he maybe didn’t recognize right away or likely, as with Carol, didn’t want to immediately confront.   

Sigh.  These two and their shitty self-esteems.  Whatever are we going to do with them?  

Putting the rest behind a cut because this is about to get even longer.  Read at your own risk.  ;)

Shit may not be settled, but Daryl’s more settled and mature than he’s ever been and he knows what he wants:  Carol.  So he’s there waiting on Carol’s boat to sail in.  He’s right there.  Waiting on Carol to have the same epiphany or reach the same conclusion or not, whatever may come, because Dude loves her.  He might not have put words to it, but he’s shown her and us in so very many ways.  Carol might have come to him on the boat, but make no mistake.  At this point in time?  Our man is the captain of this ship.  He’s standing at the helm.  Get it?  The helm in the background?  Er, I’ll shut up before I make myself sound even nuttier, lol.  

Let’s talk a little bit more about Carol, shall we?  

So Carol.  She knows what or who she wants too.  She just hasn’t dared to voice it.  Even in those woods, when her subconscious in the form of Alpha pressed her to admit the truth she wouldn’t say the words out loud.  It’s almost like her keeping those feelings secret is her way of protecting Daryl from the ‘monster’ she feels like she’s become.  

Oh sweet baby girl.  My heart aches so much for her.  She just has no idea.  Really and truly no idea.  

Listen.  Daryl was completely serious about poking holes in all them boats.  And call this a reach if you want to, but I think that little comment of his was twofold as well.  More on that a little later.  

Dude isn’t all that well-versed in matters of the heart, especially with somebody that means so very much to him.  So understandably, he’s not going to automatically get everything right.  And let’s be real here.  He’s still so much more of a show than tell kind of guy so that’s what he’s been doing.  Showing Carol how much he cares.  Demonstrating his love by being there for her, by having her back, and by calling her on her bullshit (but only after she’s taken up all the slack and put them both and their communities in an arguably untenable position). He wants her to stay and he’s done everything within his power to make her want to stay--except say those three little words.  

Which circles me back around to the two-fold part of the holes in the boat comment.  You know where I’m going with this don’t you?  Don’t you, lol?  There’s someone else Daryl hasn’t said those three little words to or about, even after Carol herself tried her best to put them in his mouth.  Our guy went so far as to tell our thick-headed Queen that it’s not like that, not at all, effectively poking the biggest of many holes in the most present ship.  I say present for lack of any better moniker.  Let’s just say that it’s the most threatening in Carol’s mind and subconscious because literally the only person acting like it’s a real thing is Carol.  Kelly’s little wink and nod isn’t something I’m going to take on gospel because let’s just say a thousand and one ships could be launched at a teasing sister’s behest and only one or two be manufactured out of more than popsicle sticks and imagination.  How many cute guys did your little sisters have you in love with when they simply offered you a smile or kind word?  I literally cannot keep track of how many would-be suitors my little sister would have had me have, lol.  The list is simply too long.  It’s one of the things little sisters are so very (obnoxiously) good at--spinning fantasy into a reality of their own making.  But yeah, I’m going off on another tangent.  In case you haven’t noticed, I’m very good at that.    

My point is this, hahaha.  Daryl’s not just willing to poke holes in all the literal boats to keep Carol with him.  The man has also, in his Daryl way, poked holes in the notion that he could feel something romantically for another woman.  Because it isn’t like that.  Not for the captain of this ship.  He knows what he wants whether he’s managed to use his words yet or not.  

Carol’s trickier because she’s not reached the same sort of zen Daryl has yet.  She’s still operating under the erroneous assumption that she’s not good enough for her Mr. Crossbow and has been doing her level-best to steer him toward what she considers his perfect match even though her subconscious has been baiting her to just fess up to her buried truth--that she wants and loves Daryl just as much as he wants and loves her.  

But you know what happened?  

A literal boat fell on top of our girl’s hard head and knocked some sense into her.  Honestly.  While the circumstances were actually heartbreaking--our baby girl’s emotions have been so fucked up for so long over something that couldn’t necessarily be helped in the world she’s been surviving in--I have to laugh now,putting it into this newfound perspective.  Kang literally bashed my baby over the head with her demons and the truth of her feelings.  Seriously.  She held all her so-called ‘failings’ up in her face and had her confront them before confronting her with her biggest fear.  That fear being, you guessed it, that she lose Daryl.  

You know what happened from that point.  

Deciding that she could never let that happen, Carol had her own epiphany--it’s never too late--and she decided to fight and she went home to Daryl.  Really went home to him and yeah, things are still up in the air because Angela Kang wanted to blue ball us just a wee bit more but I can’t be the only one hearing those drums break for their big solo in that old Phil Collins song, lol.  

I can almost taste canon on my tongue and hoo boy is it sweet.  A little bit spicy too.  

Damn the coronavirus.  Seriously.  Send that thing right back to hell.  

I don’t know about y’all but I need that finale yesterday.  

Anyhoo.  If you found your way to this last sentence after this mega stream of consciousness hooey, bless you.  If you feel inclined to add your own thoughts to my sleep-deprived thoughts, be my guest.  

Later, lovelies.  

Keep calm and Caryl the fuck on.  

#The Walking Dead #Caryl #Carol x Daryl #Carol Peletier #Daryl Dixon #Melissa McBride #Norman Reedus #gorgeous people #my precious babies in love #things that make me smile and cry #and giggle and giggle #for reasons #oh my heart

[mymelodyheart]

A Passage In Time ~Halloween Short Story~

  A Passage in Time

 Claire parked into an empty slot at the foothills of Craigh na Dun, the street and open fields packed with cars of stone circles, and Celtic feast days enthusiasts. Jenny, her college friend, mentioned there was a possibility they'd be able to observe a group of local druids dancing to the feast of Samhain. If the ritual hadn't started yet, it could be the highlight of her trip to Inverness.

Bonfires blazed everywhere, their glow lending the atmosphere an air of mystery and something akin to otherwordly. Old fashion looking lanterns hung on wooden posts, and white canopies strung with fairy lights gave the hills a magical atmosphere at this time of night. The sound of bodhran drum beating in the distance and the rush of wind rustling through the trees sent a chill down her spine. There was an unusual, low vibratory hum in her ears, causing a nervous stir in her stomach. It reminded her of a time when she'd gone ghost hunting with Jenny in St Sepulchre's Cemetery in Oxford, frightened out of her wits and very jumpy.

She was so on edge she nearly screamed when the pocket of her coat buzzed.  Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!  She quickly unbuckled her seat belt and fumbled for her phone, hoping it was Jenny. Her friend always came a little earlier than Claire and was usually impatiently and grumpily waiting for her in the wings.

"Claire! I'm so sorry I'm no' gonnae make it. I think I have food poisoning and my tummy isnae right, but I asked my brother to meet ye next to the biggest stone at Craigh na Dun. He's got ginger curls, and he's tall, and his name is Jamie. I ken ye didnae want to be alone. I hope ye dinnae mind my brother coming instead." Jenny's and her definition of tall differed. Whereas tall in Claire's books was above six foot, anyone that towered over her petite friend was considered massive to Jenny.

"Oh, Jen!" Claire wailed, hitting her steering wheel with the palm of her hand. Without her friend, she really didn't want to do this now, but it had taken her over an hour to drive up here. 

"So sorry hen. Please don't bail on my brother. He's going to be there soon. Ohhhh, God ...going to be sick ...bye."

Claire stared at her phone, and her stomach turned. Maybe, like Jen, she was coming down with food poisoning too. The way her insides was churning, it really was beginning to seem that way. "Fucking great," she mumbled miserably to herself. "I didn't even fix my hair, and I don't even have a smidgen of makeup. I just hope her brother is not that cute." 

She peered at the mirror and fluffed her chocolate curls. Her face was nice enough, she supposed, looking at her thoughtful amber eyes, full lips and arched eyebrows. As she found more faults in her face, she sighed wishing she had lipstick in her purse, but nought could be done and how she looked will have to do. 

She took deep cleansing breaths, mustered all the social courage she had, and stepped out of her car. The wind suddenly picked up and caressed her cheeks with cold breeze fingers. She was glad she wore sensible clothes, grateful for the warmth of the turtle-neck cable knit jumper, fitted jeans, hiking boots and down jacket.

Looking up towards the hill, she realised she wasn't far off and could see the tips of the stone circles and people milling about dressed in traditional garb and period costumes. She skipped over some shallow pools and trudged up the incline, pulling down her knitted hat to cover her ears. The hill was fairly steep, so she took a few stops to catch her breath as it wouldn't be a nice look to greet Jenny's brother panting like forge bellows. He would probably get the wrong idea if that ever happened.  Ugh!

She looked towards the top of the hill as she rested and realised she didn't have far to go and the standing stones looked, even more, impressive from where she stood. Her eyes landed on the biggest of them all, and her heart skipped a beat. Something had moved from behind the stone and disappeared through the cluster of trees! She held her breath and peered hard, to make sure she wasn't mistaken. Yes! There it is ...a tall shadow!

Claire's heart started to pound so hard, she thought it might burst out of her ribcage.  Was that a ghost?  The ritual hadn't begun yet, and she was already spooked out of her wits. But she immediately felt silly when the shadow stepped out from behind the tree and motioned to her. He was waving and smiling. It took a few heartbeats for her to register that he was tall, had ginger curls and was dressed in eighteenth-century Highland garb.  Ah, that must be Jamie!

She shyly waved back at the man, who grinned at her as if she was an old friend. When he beckoned to her again, her blood rushed between her ears, and she felt dampness under her arms.  What's the matter, Beauchamp? Watching too many horror films lately?   She swallowed down her nervousness, and she stared harder. He seemed friendly and didn't look surprised to see her. Actually, he looked eager to meet her. She scolded herself for letting her imagination run wild and continued her ascent, almost laughing out loud at her childish reaction.

When she finally reached the top, she looked around. There were quite a lot of people waiting for the Samhain ritual to start, but there were no signs of Jenny's brother. The balefires lit the standing stones in wavering lights, sending shadows scurrying across the grounds and making the whole setting looked like it jumped out of the Old World. She quickly scanned her surroundings, trying to imagine what it might look like under sunlight so as not to dwell too much on her nervousness.

Making her way around the stones, she weaved in and out of throngs of revellers while straining her eyes to look for a tall ginger-haired man. The drum continued to beat, and the cameras clicked nearby, the clash of old and new unsettling Claire further. In the middle of the circle, dressed in a druid costume, stood a gorgeous girl, her red hair wild and loose. She spoke to the crowd about extraordinary people that had a rare ability to hear the stones, seeking its passageway that led to another time.

Claire didn't stop and continued to walk, determined to find Jenny's brother as she listened to the druid girl's chanting. The people huddled closer as they listened to the solemn incantation, either seeking warmth from neighbouring bodies or straining to hear. Claire examined the faces, searching for someone that could be her friend's brother, but her skin crawled when she realised there was no tall red-head.  Who was the man in the shadow, then?

"We call upon the Old Ones known before the measure of time, some named and yet forgotten! Who would bless us with their energies of love and care! Harmonious to our nature, n' the energies of cosmic creation to cast this circle! We create and bind this Sacred Space with Sacred Love and Sacred Trust! To protect those we love and cherish within and without. N' to focus through our will in this space out of time, between worlds for the making of Majick! The Circle is now cast! So mote it be!"

The wind suddenly stilled, and Claire could tell the crowd also felt the sudden change in the air.

"We Summon You and Call you Forth! O' Ancient Ones, of Thought and Sound! Rising, moving in concentration, this seasons night in clear still air, vibrations felt, clear, resounding, in the sound of drums pounding, of Life's Breath and Heartfelt Love! Come be with us this Seasons Night. Join us in our Holy Rite, O' Ancient Ones of Power."

Suddenly, the lantern in the druid girl's hand flickered and puffed out, and the crowd drew in a sharp intake of breaths. 

"What was that?" somebody shouted out.

The druid girl holding the lantern shushed everyone patiently. "It's only the spirit of the ancient ones communicating with us. Dinnae be afraid. Playing with light is their way to make his or her presence known. Please remain calm. This spirit is benevolent. I have a good sense about these things."

Even though a part of her thought it was all for show, Claire couldn't help but feel the shift in the air, as a shiver crawled up her back, making every hair on her body rise.

A cold hand brushed her own, and she let out a blood-curdling scream. Even though she didn't want to look, her body had a mind of its own and turned around. She opened her eyes and swallowed hard, and was relieved and surprised to see a handsome ruddy face with intense blue eyes and ginger curls smiling down at her.

"I beg yer pardon, mistress. It was no' my intention to frighten ye. I only wanted to introduce myself' and see what all the fuss was about."

"J-Jamie?"

He bowed down, one arm swooping elegantly in a semi-circle. "James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, at yer service. Please call me James."

She stifled a giggle knowing it was part of an act for the Samhain festivity.

The red-head girl in the circle glared at Claire. "Lass, yer screams will no' make the spirits want to speak. If ye're too frightened, go somewhere else, if ye please."

Heat crept up Claire's face as she jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "I'm so sorry I got carried away. I'll go now." She turned away from the circle and made her way down the hill.

"Wait, mistress, please! Dinnae let that druid priestess ruin yer evening," he said, grabbing her wrist and still speaking in his Old World accent. "There are other pleasing things to see than listen to her chant." 

Claire stopped on her tracks and smiled shyly, swiping a loose curl away from her face. "I bet there are. It was beginning to get too spooky for me. Maybe you could show me around?" she suggested.

James laughed out loud, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously as he offered her his arm. "Weel, mistress, ye are in luck. It is but my good fortune ye are in need of a person to accompany ye, for I am in need of a fair lass on my arm. Come, let us leave this over-crowded place, and I will give ye a personal and less embellished, account of Craigh na Dun ."

Claire blushed profusely as she wound her arm into his. She was grateful for the darkness of the night, concealing her scarlet face. Although his eighteenth-century Highland accent was spot on, she wished he would cut out the play-acting. He had a languid air about him that put her at ease, and the magical Victorian vibe got her in a romantic mood. Under her tentative hand, his Highland garb felt unusually coarse, and a little cold but his arm was firm and strong underneath the wool fabric of his tartan.

As they made their way down the hill, James turned his face to her, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "Ye never mentioned what I should call ye, and I think mistress will grow bothersome."

Odd that Jenny never mentioned my name to her brother. 

Claire stifled a girlish giggle. "Sorry. I'm not so good at socialising. I tend to forget to do polite things like introducing myself and refraining from screaming in people's faces. My name's Claire ...Claire Beauchamp."

James chuckled, the sound coming from him throaty and deep. "Ach, ye screaming was entirely my blunder. I shouldnae have snuck up on a lass in a dark of the night. It was highly improper of me. I like the name Claire by the way ... it's Sorcha in Gaelic. Both roll off the tongue easily."

The way he said her name made her shiver in pleasure, like speaking her first name was an act of foreplay. It sounded beautiful coming from his mouth, like a poet from the olden times reciting an ode. As awkward as Claire felt she was, Jamie didn't notice and seemed to enjoy her company immensely. She could swear from the bottom of her heart, he blushed like a boy. 

"Ye have an unusual way of speaking," James added, as they navigated the rocky hill. "But I like the sound of yer voice. But I must admit yer clothes are quite unusual too. I think I'm going to call ye, Sassenach."

"Oh!" she breathed. "What does that mean?"

"It simply means ye are an outlander, a stranger from a faraway place if ye will."

"Oh, that's alright then. As long as it doesn't mean anything bad."

"It's not bad at all, Sassenach, not bad at all."

James helped her down from a steep drop and led her towards a tent. There was a blazing bonfire, and an antique-looking lantern hanging from the post outside. Taking in her surroundings, she realised they were further away from the rest of the shelters and the crowd.

Once inside, she noticed the tent didn't look anything like she had seen before, but it looked strong and kept them warm from the outside elements. The floor was covered in the same material as the tent, and there were a couple of comfortable, high backed chairs covered in sheepskin and a small dark stained wood as the table. The oil lamp hung from above, illuminating the space in a soft glow. In the far end was a simple cot, covered in sheepskin as well, the sight of it making her blush.

He guided her towards the chair, pulling it in an invitation. Once she was seated, he took the chair facing her. "Ye must be parched and hungry. I'm begging yer pardon for presuming as I couldnae help but hear the grumble in yer belly."

Claire nodded and smiled. "In fact, I am, and there's no need to apologise. I haven't eaten all day, and if I'm entirely honest, I could eat a scabby dog."

He laughed out loud, and she noticed his eyes crinkling at the sides. His whole face lit up when he smiled, as though it was naturally part of his expression. "Ah, a lass after my own heart. I think I might have just the thing to soothe those hunger pangs." He looked at her with mischief in his eyes, and she bowed her head to hide the blush. "I hope ye like the Highland's fare. Not many travellers in this part of Scotland favour what we have to offer."

Claire grinned. "Don't worry. I can eat anything. Actually, this is not my first time here, and I do like the local food. They're so wholesome and delicious. When you've travelled to places like Egypt and the Middle Americas like me, you become accustomed to trying something new."

James's eyes widened. "Egypt and the Middle Americas? Ye've been to the New World! Ye must be a great adventurer. Unfortunately, I am not as seasoned-travelled as ye. I've been to France as a young lad, to study Latin, Greek and Philosophy."

"Oh! I've only been briefly in Paris. I've lived a semi-nomadic life with my uncle, you see, but I've settled down now in Oxford to study medicine."

James looked impressed. "Women in yer part of the world are very fortunate to be allowed to study, and from what I know, medicine is only meant for the sharpest mind. Here in Scotland, women stay at home and cook and care for the bairns."

She was about to admonish him for that remark, but she stopped. She reminded herself it was all part of the act, so she changed the subject. "Maybe, one day you'll visit Oxford, and I can show you my parents' hometown," she suggested, crossing her fingers under the table.

"Perhaps one day. As I said, I dinnae travel much, and this small sphere of the world comprises the extent of my life. I dinnae meet strangers often, so my manners might be slightly lacking. In fact, I believe I've forgotten all about the food I offered. Excuse my behaviour, it is a rarity I am in a company of a bonnie lass." He held her gaze and leaned in, propping his elbows on the table.

She tried not to gawk at the way his tartan hugged his body in just the right way. He was much too handsome and dashing to be flirting with her. 

He shook his head as if he had to clear it. Perhaps his thoughts were drifting, and he was seeing her in a different light. When he stared into Claire's eyes, he made her feel desirable and alluring for the very first time in her life. And the way he leaned towards her and stared at her lips, caused butterflies to flutter in her belly.

She'd never met anyone who carried themselves like him. She was starting to think his chivalrous and courteous manner wasn't an act. She believed deep down, he was a very charming man with unusual humour. Even though she knew he was acting to suit the mood with his period costume and accent, she was beginning to find it endearing and adorable.

Suddenly he stood up. "Pardon me, Sassenach. I will arrange something for us to eat. I shan't be long."

She nodded and smiled up at him, as she made a mental note, to ask Jenny more about her handsome brother. He was unusual, that's true but in a delightful kind of way. He was at ease with himself and had such an open and inviting manner, unlike most of the men she met, jaded and carrying a lot of hangups.

A few minutes later, a woman in an old fashioned white apron over a dark grey dress and a bonnet came through the opening followed by James. She had a grandmotherly air about her, kind and cuddly. "G' evening, mistress," she greeted, curtsying low and smiling broadly. "A fine All Hallows' Eve to ye. I will be bringing some food in no time, but for the meantime, I brought a flask of whisky to warm up yer cockles."

James took the flask and a couple of pewter from the elderly woman's hands. "Thank ye, Mistress Fitzgibbons. Very kind of ye."

The woman curtsied, and once again, they were alone.

"I hope ye like whisky, Sassenach. It will warm yer belly until the food comes," he said, pouring a whisky in each of the vessels.

"I like anything alcoholic when its this cold. Thank Christ for whisky in this part of the world." She took the pewter of whisky he handed her and took a whiff. It was very unlike any whisky she'd seen and smelled, but it was peaty, just how she liked it.

James sat back down. "I must admit I am overly delighted ye have decided to come with me instead of watching the rituals of Samhain. I've seen it loads of times and having ye as a company is indeed a refreshing change. After we've eaten, perhaps we can take a walk under the moonlight, and by then the people in Craigh na Dun would be long gone. Mistress Fitzgibbons will surely feed us well with rich food and ale, so our energy does not wane. If that's alright with ye ..."

Claire's breath hitched. She was surprised he wanted to spend more time with her. When she realised she hadn't answered him, she clapped a hand over her mouth. "Sorry. I'm... I'm just shocked. I hardly know you, but it seems you are determined to spend time with me. It's just that these things don't normally happen to me. I'd love to, of course, to take a walk under the moonlight."

James frowned. "Well, I must admit I was unusually forward, but I thought we had a connection. It's like I've known ye for many lifetimes, and I would like to understand more about this connection. But permitting me to treat ye to an All Hallows' walk around Craigh na Dun is not the main object of my attention. I guess I should be forthright about that, now, so ye can make an educated choice to leave or stay."

Oh sweet Mother of God, is he trying to seduce me?   She was not the type of person to jump into bed with anyone after the first meeting, no matter how handsome her date was. But the warmth of the tent, the sparkle reflected in James's eyes and the promise of adventure tugged at her heart. So she decided to do a little play-acting herself. "I hope you don't have any dishonourable intentions, kind sir. Perhaps it's high time I remind you that I am a lady."

His cheeks turned bright scarlet. "Oh, Sassenach, no. Ye have mistaken my intentions. I wasnae talking about…" he cleared his throat, tugging at his scarf, "about…" he leaned forward and whispered, "physical amusement."

This time it was her turn to be embarrassed. "Oh, dear, I'm reading this all wrong, aren't I?

He took a deep breath, obviously unhappy about giving her the idea she was a one night stand. He leaned forward, again, this time, he reached out for her hand, and she didn't pull away when she felt the warmth of his grasp. His muscles were strong underneath the skin, firm and calloused from manual work. She liked the fact that he had a worker's hands and a gentleman's manner.

"It isnae my intention to treat ye like anything other than a fine lady, Sassenach." He took a deep breath and brushed her hand with the tips of his fingers, making her heart do multiple cartwheels. Maybe she was affected because she'd never had a man look at her the way James was doing now. "My intention tonight is not to win yer very sumptuous person but to have a long conversation with ye under the moonlight. In hopes, by the end of the evening, ye will not wish to return to whence ye came from, and will, in the future, come back to me." 

Claire's logical, modern head was screaming warnings. Get a grip, Beauchamp, he's just acting like this for the night. In the morning, he will be himself again, and what if you don't like that person? 

She didn't have an answer and was thankful for the return of Mistress Fitzgibbons, balancing a huge tray filled with food in both hands. When the feast was laid out on the table, Claire's mouth watered as her stomach grumbled loudly enough to make the elderly woman grin.

James thanked Mistress Fitzgibbons before she turned around to go. His eyes were dancing playfully as the woman left them and sighed, "Ach to be young and in love…"

James grinned. "Let us eat, drink and be merry and not worry about later. Yer decision about agreeing to accompany an undeserving stranger can wait until after the victuals."

They had a pleasant meal of clootie dumpling, apple frushie, cranachan, scones, and almond cake, barely talking, only to compliment the fare. Instead of tea or coffee to wash down the sweet treats, they were served with warm ale. It was unusual, but it did not taste bad at all, probably too hungry to care.

When she groaned her pleasure, sampling all the food, he winked at her. "See, we are already making memories and connections."

She nodded her head playfully as she stuffed an almond cake into her mouth. Everything was so good, and nothing tasted pre-packaged or stale. It all had the homemade taste of ingredients measured by eye and mixed by hand.

By the end of the feast, they sat back in their seats, sated and glowing from the warmth in the tent. Claire sighed and downed the last of her ale from a beaker. "Okay, I guess I'll have to accompany you for a little bit longer if only to walk off everything I just ate."

He chuckled, his eyes lighting up boyishly. Damn! "I'm looking forward to it, Sassenach and I'm delighted ye accepted my invitation."

Claire had no fight left in her. James was so sweet, his blue eyes always playful, and his conversation light but entertaining. She wanted to spend the evening with him, even if it meant the play-acting was set aside, and the man of her dreams evaporated into thin air by tomorrow morning.

"Shall we go, Sassenach?" he asked quietly, interrupting her reverie and offering her his arm. 

She nodded and stood up, slipping her hand under the warmth of his arm. 

By the time they'd left the tent, the wind was calm, and the air didn't feel as cold. Claire put it down to the food, ale and whisky she'd consumed and her company. She noticed there weren't as many people compared to earlier, but the few that were left were scattered around campfires. They walked past a group of men in their Highland costumes, complete with dirks and swords. One was stood in the middle, preparing to tell a tale of the waterhorse of Loch Garve. Men and women gathered around, looking for the perfect spot. When Jamie gestured if she wanted to listen, she nodded.

They sat further away from the campfire as James took off his plaid and laid it on the ground for her to sit on. With the boulder behind them, they leaned back and sat side by side, his thigh touching hers.

Claire turned to Jamie. "There are few things I love more than waiting for a play or a story to begin," she whispered.

James' arched an eyebrow. "Is that so? Why?"

She shrugged. "I'm not quite sure. Look at everyone ...they are excited but quiet, hopeful but a little uncertain. It introduces a particular mood and air, you know? Like we're all preparing for an experience or adventure if you will. There's nothing else like it. Instead of reading a book, we get to be in it, but not so much a part of it we are not ourselves. We are away from risks and threats. We are safe but affected, and changed. The storytelling is part of that, but really, the mood a storyteller set is the most important part."

He stared at her intently, his body so intuned with hers, she forgot their surrounding. "Ah, Sassenach, ye are a poet. That is precisely accurate. That is how I feel right now, and every time I sit down to listen to stories of the old. And All Hallows' is particularly ripe for atmosphere, do ye not agree? The wind, the fire…"

"The feeling of someone watching you and ghosts just around the corner?" Claire added, getting caught up.

James chuckled. "Ach, Sassenach, what is a ghost really? I am no' frightened of spirits, and do ye want to know why?"

Claire had been terrified of evil spirits and ghosts ever since she watched The Exorcist. So she nodded, wanting to know how anyone could not be afraid of the possibility of a haunting.

"Weel, I am flesh and blood. I am my eyes, my smile and the work I do." He motioned to himself. "But I am also spirit, that immaterial element no one else can claim, and I am anything but frightening. All my ghost would be is me, without the shell. That which makes me me, but less substantially in the world, am I right?"

Claire smiled as she the digested his words, "Well, yes, but you are a wonderful soul. Not every person is. As a woman, I've met my fair share of men with truly terrible spirits. If they die, I wouldn't want them lurking about."

Jame's eyes twinkled. "You are very shrewd, Sassenach. My ma and pa are going to love ye. Maybe if ye are inclined, I'll introduce ye to them after our walk ... that's if my spirit has no' scared ye off, that is…" He waggled his brows and made a funny face.

She slapped his arm and laughed, but her laughter died when she caught him looking at her. For the first time, Claire really looked into Jamie's eyes instead of avoiding it shyly. The smile in them remained, even when his face took on a more serious look. They stared at each other, locked in an intense moment, before turning their attention back to the storyteller.  How could that one stare make me feel like I'm spiralling out of control and into love? Love? Where the hell did that come from? 

"Claire?"

Her heart started to beat as he inched closer and put an arm around her shoulder. "Yes?" she squeaked, unable to look, afraid she would not be able to resist him. But when a finger touched her chin, she was forced to look once more into his beautiful blue eyes.

"Do ye mind if I kiss ye? Because if I don't, I think I'll die, and I'll regret it for the rest of eternity."

Her heart and mind had been playing tug-of-war for the last couple of minutes, but the way he asked and stared at her lips became her undoing. "No, I don't mind at all," she whispered. "But do you think ..."

His lips swooped down upon hers, smothering her words with the sweetest kiss and extracting a soft moan from her mouth. One firm hand gripped her waist and the other moulded to the back of her head, pulling her gently against him. 

She hadn't expected to be kissed today nor to fall in love in the brief time they'd spent together. But his mouth was warm, soft, intoxicating, and all-consuming. She lost track of time and place as everything suddenly seemed to spin out of focus and control, only aware of the movement of his lips and his hands sliding up and down her back.

When they broke their kiss, she stared at him for the longest time, and it was as if she was looking through him for a moment like he was a malfunctioning hologram.

"James?" She gripped his arms in panic, but he felt solid enough, though ice cold.

"I'm here, Sassenach," he whispered.

Why does his voice sound distant?  She turned her head to take in her surroundings, and a chill shook her body. Everything looked odd, like a double-exposed photograph. On the misty surface was a more modern, brighter, lighter version of the hillside, and underneath sat the darker, dirtier, more romantic version of this place.

Suddenly, she felt nauseating fear, her eyes focusing and unfocusing like she was losing grip of reality. The twin pictures swam together in a confusing pattern before her eyes. She turned to James, and it was like she was looking at a ghost of the man she loved.

"James, please don't leave me!" She reached out to him at the same time he reached out to her, but she only grasped air.

"Sassenach!" he called out, his voice was the barest of a whisper, and then just like that, he was gone.

Her surrounding was one big whirlwind around her, images rushing and a loud buzzing sound echoing in her ears. Unable to cope anymore, her eyes closed and she fell to the ground.

..........

"Lass, are ye alright?" Claire felt a gentle hand on her cheek, and she sat up, abruptly.

"James!" She gasped, hoping for a sign of him. She was confused at the sight of unfamiliar faces peering down at her.

The red-headed girl looked worried. "Did ye come with a friend, lass? I thought I saw ye alone. Ye screamed and passed out, but everything is fine now, hen. There was a spirit, a benevolent one, but I think he's gone. I'm afraid ye might have scared him off. Do ye feel like ye can stand?"

Claire ran a hand at the back of her head, deeply confused. She stared around her and was shocked to find a few people encircling her. She shook her head vigorously, probably in an attempt to shake off the cobwebs in her brain. "Where's James?"

People around her muttered and murmured to each other, and the words "fainted," "hit her head," "concussion" reached her ears.

She was about to stand and tell them her head was fine when the pocket of her jacket vibrated. She pulled out her phone and was surprised to see it caked with mud. She swiped the screen to read the message from Jenny.

OMG. I'm so sorry, Claire. Jamie called and said he's on his way. He fell asleep and forgot the time. He said he'd be there soon. Please don't be mad at me. So sorry!

What the hell?   Could Jamie and James be the same person?  She didn't think so. It had to be coincident.

Claire leaned against the boulder to get a foothold and stood as the red-headed girl helped her up. "Do ye feel better now?"

She muttered she was fine and gave the girl a weak smile hoping, they would leave her alone. 

"If ye need anything, just ask for Geillis. That's my name. I'll be over there in the third tent selling some t-shirts," the girl offered, her face still looking worried.

"Thank you," Claire whispered hoarsely. "I'm alright now. I must have passed out because I haven't eaten anything all day. I'll go and get something to eat and drink."

To her relief, Geillis nodded and walked away, followed by the rest of the crowd. Claire stayed where she was, totally confounded by the recent event.  James had to be real, or I am going nuts. It had to have happened because I could still feel his lips against mine.

"James, where are you?" she whispered to the cold air, wiping away the tears that now streamed down her face.

She was about to go when a hand touched her elbow. "Excuse me miss, Are ye Claire Beauchamp?"

Her heart hammered against her ribs at the sound of the familiar voice. Slowly she turned around. "James?" she whispered.

The modern version of James grinned and extended a hand. Gone was his Highland garb and in its place were a sweatshirt under a leather jacket and jeans. "It's Jamie, everyone calls me Jamie," he greeted. "And I'm so sorry, I'm late. I fell asleep and had the strangest dream. But never mind that. Are ye hungry? Shall we go for something to eat? I havenae had anything to eat all day."

Her mouth opened, closed and opened again, unable to string words to form a sentence. When she finally was able to speak again, all she could do was give Jamie her best smile and take his offered hand. "Nice to meet you, Jamie. Ummm ...have we met before? You look someone I know."

He smiled, and his eyes twinkled. "Ah, I was gonnae asked the same thing. Ye look very familiar. How about we talk about it over a glass of ale?" 

Before she could answer, he offered his arms, and he looked delighted when she took it. "Sounds like a grand idea," she said, her heart beating a million miles per hour and she wondered if he could hear it. "Do you know by any chance where we can eat some clootie pudding?"

He laughed out loud. "I know just the place, Sassenach. I know just the place."

And he led her to the same spot where James had taken her, but this time, the tent was much bigger, filled with people drinking and eating. Taking her hand in his, he guided her inside. She was about to point an empty table when he leaned down to her ears and whispered, "By the way, Happy Halloween to ye, Sasssenach. I have a feeling this is going to be the best Halloween ever."

She smiled and off they went to celebrate her first Samhain festivity.

#melodyheart #apassageintime #Claire Beauchamp/Jamie Fraser #outlanderfanfic

[somedayonbroadway]

Newsies Bandstand AU??

Bandstand AU

Since I already had an ask for a Bandstand AU, I wrote a scene! Please enjoy I Know a Guy!

“How’s the house tonight?”

“Good! Lining up outside already!”

Tony nodded, assembling his saxophone steadily in his arms, ready to play a few notes and get warmed up. He might make rent this month after all. That is, if his damn band would show up on time. “Of course Skip’s runnin’ late…” he muttered to himself, checking his watch for what must’ve been the millionth time. “Can’t find a decent piano player that shows up on time…” Shaking his head, he started to warm up anyways.

He failed to notice someone sliding in through the door just beside him.

“Hiya.” The voice caught him off guard. If he hadn’t been beside a chair that he could latch onto so quickly, he might’ve fallen over. But he closed his eyes for a moment, collecting himself before looking over at the man beside him, hardly more than a few years older than him, smirking at him, smugness radiating off of him. “Didn’t mean ta scare ya, pal… I’m lookin’ for Antonio Higgins.”

“Well, ya found him, but he ain’t too keen on talkin’ ta you right about now,” Tony said. “We ain’t open yet.” He turned to continue rehearsing.

But this man wasn’t going to give up so easily. “The backdoor is,” he stated, pointing back to the door he’d just entered with a small grin. Tony just glared. The guy’s smile fell just a little. “Sorry… I… did you used ta play with a cat who went by the name a’ Specs? He called you—“

“Racer…” Tony finished for him, actually turning to face this stranger now. “The drummer. We played a few gigs outta of high school,” he recalled.

Nodding along, the man stepped closer to him. Tony didn’t stop him. “You went into the Air Force—?”

“Navy,” the younger man corrected immediately. He caught himself. He knew lashing out did no good. “What… what is this? My pianist ‘ll be here any second now—“

“I was army. 37th infantry,” the man informed, taking the cap off of his head and biting his lip, suddenly looking slightly nervous. “Specs said you’re good.”

Tony looked down at his shoes for a moment. “Look… I ain’t tryin’ ta be rude but I gotta show ta prepare for—“

“You can really swing, huh?”

This man seemed determined to make sure he could hardly get in a full sentence at a time. Race hated that. “If ya wait in line and pay like everyone else, you’ll find out,” he shot back.

The guy’s smirk fell easily back onto his face. “Ya know Tell Me The Night?”

Tony looked back up at this ridiculous stranger. “What are you smoking?”

The man frowned. “I’m sorry, ya don’t know Tell Me The Night?”

Somewhere in the back of Tony’s mind, he knew it was a challenge. But he’d never been one to back down from a challenge anyhow. So he brought his sax to his lips and began to play with more than just his instrument.

The man grinned, slipping onto the piano bench beside him and playing along easily, fitting his crazy improved notes in perfectly with Tony’s.

When they finished, there was an easier look on both of their faces.

The man at the piano held out his hand. “The name’s Jack,” he introduced. Tony nodded, a small smile falling on his lips as he shook Jack’s hand. “I’m… I’m thinkin’ about starting a band. All vets.”

Pausing at that, Tony stepped away, trying to make himself look busy. “I’m gettin’ a law degree. I can’t—“

“We’ll make it work.” If there was one thing Tony could tell about Jack, is what that he wasn’t one to take no for an answer. Tony admired that. It didn’t make it any less annoying. “There’s this contest on the radio…”

“The NBC thing,” the blond confirmed.

“Bingo,” Jack winked. “They just announced the statewide competition is gonna be held here in Cleveland.” The smug man shrugged. “We have the hometown advantage. What do you say?”

He had such confidence about him. Tony couldn’t help but be drawn to it. “I suppose you’d be the band leader?”

“Naturally,” Jack deadpanned. “That a yes?”

“That’s a ‘Jesus Christ, you’re relentless’,” Tony drawled, running a hand through his curls.

Jack’s raised his eyebrows as though telling this man he already knew that. “You’re welcome.”

Tony let out a small laugh as he positioned his saxophone against his chest. “Is Specs on drums?”

All the energy in the room seemed to be sucked away at that simple question. Jack’s smile fell slowly and he lowered his gaze. “Uh… no… he didn’t make it back…”

Tony’s heart broke again after it had so many times before. He didn’t know if he’d be able to keep stitching it back together. “Oh…”

“Yeah…” Jack reached to rub at the back of his neck. “So… so do you know any other guys? Who served, but young n’ good looking? Like us?”

Squinting, Tony shrugged. “It’s radio. What does it matter?”

“If we win,” Jack said, crossing his arms over his chest and stepping even closer to the younger man. “We get to be in the movies. Do you know any?”

For a moment, Tony genuinely thought about it. If he didn’t give this guy some names, Jack would surely hunt others down just as he’d done to him. Might as well give him some good players and be able to stop the panic attack Jack had nearly caused him. “Sean Conlon. Kicks it on bass. Plays at Oliver’s every weekend. Best of the best when he ain’t high,” he stated, smirking himself when he saw Jack’s eyes widen only slightly. “He’s army too.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Jack insisted, accepting the challenge.

Tony might like this guy after all. “Meet me at the Rio Lounge tomorrow night,” he offered, turning to get the stage set.

But Jack stopped him. “Wait, he plays at the Rio?!” he asked.

Turning back to him, Racer shook his head. “Nope. He drinks there.”

“We’re ready to open, Tony.”

“Let ‘em all in.”

—

“Alright, alright! I got anotha’ one!” Sean laughed, waving over the bartender who’d been serving him all night. He was slightly beyond drunk and the bartender had told him several times that he was going to be cut off soon. It didn’t stop him from sneaking drinks off the folks around him. “A pirate walks into a bar with a ship's steering wheel on the front of his pants. The bartender says 'hey Captain, you've got a steering wheel stuck to your crotch.' The pirate says 'arrgh, it's driving me nuts.'”

“Very funny, Mr. Conlon, but jokes aren’t going to buy you more drinks,” the man behind the counter stated. Sean stuck just tongue out at him, turning around on his stool, coming face to face with familiar blue eyes.

“Spottie… still as soft n’ friendly as eva’, I see…”

“Tell anyone n’ you’re a dead man, ya skinny son of a bitch,” Sean laughed, playfully punching the younger man’s shoulder. “What wind blew carried ya here, Higgins?”

Before Race could even try to respond, he was pulled into a tight hug. “Spot, this Jack Kelly. Kelly, this is Spot,” he introduced, pulling out of the embrace and gesturing to the man standing with a small smile behind him. “Jack, here made it through Solomon Islands…”

Spot looked the man up and down and smiled. “Well, I’ll tickle your catastrophe,” he shrugged. “I liberated Dachau.”

“Jesus…” Jack breathed.

“Hey, Tony told me about your band idea!” Spot gently hit Race in the chest with the back of his hand before reaching back to clasp Jack on the shoulder. “I’ve heard about you,” he explained. “So my cousin marries this Polak, right? Turns out, this guy!” Spot laughed, shaking Jack gently, “played accordion at her wedding! When he was somethin’ like what? Ten years old?”

A small but easily hidden blush crept up Jack’s neck. “Well, ya know the differenve between and accordion and Hitler?” he asked, quickly finding this man enjoyed humor. Spot shrugged. “One perpetrated years of oppression and humiliation on the Polish people… and the other is Hitler.”

It only took Spot a moment before he was engaging in a drunken laughing spell, patting Jack on the back as both of the other men laughed along with him. “You see, ‘I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men’.”

Jack looked between Spot and Racer, trying to figure out what had just been said to him. “I have… no idea what you just said, but I hope that means you’re in,” he shrugged.

Racer rolled his eyes. “It’s Shakespeare. And yeah… that means he’s in.”

A grin spread over Jack’s lips. “Oh great! That’s great! Now all we need are a couple a’ horns n’ a monster on drums!”

Before Race could even think to say anything, Spot already had an arm around Jack’s shoulders. It was slightly awkward, as Jack had about four inches on him, but it didn’t seem to stop either of them. So Race grabbed Spot’s drink and took a sip, watching the exchange ahead of him.

“Well, ya see, I know this guy. His trumpet’s hot but he ain’t no barrel a’ laughs,” Spot explained. He gestured between them. “Although, I think between that two a’ us… we might have a shot at break in’ him,” he smirked. He leaned a bit heavier on Jack and Jack could only laugh.

“Let’s do it.”

“Get your jokes ready, Jack-Be-Nimble-Jack-Be-Quick,” he winked.

Race smiled behind them.

—

Albert played a B flat. It was easy. It should’ve been easy. “Take it from bar four,” he instructed the boy before him.

The boy did not play a B flat. But he continued on anyway.

“Jesus, stop! For the love of…” he pointed to the sheet music in front of his student. “What’s that note right there?”

“B flat,” the boy stated, his voice wavering with nerves.

“How do you miss a B flat?” Albert asked him. “It’s a B flat trumpet!” He was yelling now. He made no attempt to stop or correct himself.

The boy shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “I’m tryin’ my best, Mr. DaSilva…” he muttered.

Albert sighed. “I know. Heartbreaking, isn’t it?” He shook his head and let his own trumpet fall at his side. “I’ll see you next week. Ask you fatha’ if he’s got the money ta get your teeth fixed. Maybe that’ll help.” He had not remorse. The boy begrudgingly packed up his things and went, clearly frustrated.

“Gee, Al. Ya goin’ for teacher of the year, here?”

Albert rolled his eyes, looking towards the door where three men stood, only one of them familiar to him. “Somethin’ like that…”

Spot shoved his hands in his pockets. “Listen, this is the guy who thinks we belong in a band together.” He nodded towards Jack who gave him a quick wave.

Albert wasted no time getting straight to the point. “Who else is playin’ trumpet? I’m not playin’ second—“

“Just you!” Jack insisted. “But we need a trombone.”

“And a drummer,” Race added.

“Has to have served.”

Albert nodded. “I know a guy. Blows like a champ but he’d got a bug up his ass.” He grabbed his trumpet case. “You want perfect… he’s the guy ya want.”

—

“Yeah, I know a guy…” David stated, cleaning his trombone, determined to clear off every smudge. “He’s kind of a mess but a genius on drums.” He shook his head. “He’s got all the rhythm you need.”

Jack grinned, holding out his hand. “Thanks, Davey. It’s good ta have ya on board.”

“David,” the other man corrected.

Still, Jack could only smile. “Thanks, Davey!”

—

“You’re starting a band? Hey! I play the drums!”

It was hard to keep the smile on his face. But Jack did his best. “That’s why we’re here Charlie… think maybe we could hear a bit?”

The kid, younger than the rest of them grinned and hopped on his only remaining leg over to the set up in the corner.

And Jack had never heard anything like it.

It was happening.

It was all happening.

#newsies #newsies live #newsies musical #newsies au #newsies rp #jack kelly #racetrack higgins #spot conlon #crutchie morris #david jacobs #albert dasilva #bandstand #bandstand au #angst #minor character death #ww2 #world war two #anonymous #anon #anon response