#ransom thrombey angst

[crazyunsexycool]

The love we gave away

Chapter 5

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x Reader

Word count: 6.9k

Warnings: fluff, angst, smut!, oral (f receiving), sad reader, bit of asshole Ransom

A/N: so here is the next chapter. I’m sorry I guess 😬

Series Masterlist

Song that Faith and reader sing along to

The sun was out providing warmth and another bright day. A light breeze kept you cool enough as you sat on the balcony on the last floor of the hotel you were staying at. It was the perfect place to relax, take in the view and enjoy the free time and inspiration as you sketched new designs. You were waiting for Faith to show up for brunch in your room but you also knew she was a bit on the drunk side when you last saw her.

It was another half hour before Faith finally showed up followed by hotel staff carting food. You had them set everything up out on the balcony and tipped them as they left. Faith groaned as she walked out to the balcony with her huge sunglasses and loungewear on. She plopped herself on one of the chairs and grabbed a strawberry.

“Did you have a good night last night?” You tease.

“Did you?”

“I did, I slept great.”

“With Ransom as your body pillow of course.” Faith smiles.

“Nope. All by myself.”

“Say just kidding right now.” Faith takes off her sunglasses so that you’ll look her in the eyes. “But you were all over each other yesterday. And don’t think I forgot about you telling me everything about your meetup in New York.” She says as she pours herself a cup of coffee.

“Yeah well, we actually met up for the first time a few weeks ago.”

“You’re playing with me.”

“Nope.”

“How did it happen? Why did you guys meet up?” She leans forward and places all of her attention on you once she sees your brilliant smile.

You grabbed your phone and searched for something before turning it toward Faith. She studied the photo for a moment before it clicked. Faith screamed as she grabbed your phone and stared at the picture of the twins you had pulled up.

“How? I mean look at them. They’re beautiful. When did this happen? You have to tell me everything.”

So you did. Over brunch you explained everything that had happened from the moment the twins showed up in your life until now.

“Wow. I mean that’s amazing. So when can I meet my niece and nephew?”

“We can get together when you get back from your honeymoon.”

“Perfect. What about you and Ransom?”

“What about us?” You ask as you pop a grape into your mouth.

“Don’t play dumb it doesn’t suit you. It’s obvious you guys still have feelings for each other. Just the way you looked at each other.” She sighs.

“Nothings going to happen. I mean he has a girlfriend.”

Faith perks up at your statement and then she grins. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“They broke up. Why do you think he’s here alone?”

“I don’t know, I thought she’d fly in today or tomorrow.”

“This is perfect. You’ll be back together before the wedding is over. I can feel it.” Faith does a little happy dance in her seat.

“Well I’m not getting my hopes up. Now let’s go try on your dress.”

You both get up and head to the separate room the dress was being held in. Faith gets into the dress with a little bit of your help and you make notes to add a few finishing touches.

The day went by quicker than you would have liked. The rehearsal dinner was fantastic and now everyone was meeting in the lobby to catch a party bus to go out to a club or two. It wasn’t really your thing but considering you were with people you knew and Faith badgering you to go you got dressed.

In the lobby you were one of the last people down. You wore a gold sequin bodycon mini dress, matching gold stilettos, your hair was down and your makeup was simple with bold lipstick. As your heels clicked against the tiled floor you saw Ransom turn his head in your direction. His jaw went slack as he took you in. He took his time looking at the way the dress hugged your curves. When he finally made eye contact with you his eyes were dark and full of want.

Ransom was dressed in dark brown almost black dress pants and a short sleeve button up with an orange, black, cream and white design on it. He looked good and pulled off the look effortlessly.

“You look stunning.” He says as you get closer to him.

“Well you look quite handsome yourself.”

Heels click behind you as Faith and Scott appear. She was dressed in white and he was dressed in black. Everyone cheers for them as they lead the group outside. Ransom immediately sticks to your side. His hand on your lower back as he guides you to the party bus which could probably be seen from space with all the lights it had on.

Music is already blasting as you get in. Faith and a few of the bridesmaids are already dancing. You on the other hand decide to sit and Ransom follows your lead. His arm drapes behind you.

“Let’s take a picture.” You whisper in his ear and he nods. “I haven’t told the twins that we ran into each other.”

You pull your phone from the clutch you brought with you and Ransom leans in and waits for you to snap a few. Butterflies erupt in your belly as you look at them. You remember what Faith said to you about him being single now. When you look up she’s giving you a wicked grin and a thumbs up. With a quick message you send the kids a picture.

Abigail: You went together? 😱😱

Theodore: make good choices.

You explain to them that you didn’t know he would be there and that you would in fact be making good choices.

****

For the next three hours you go through the same routine. The bus comes to a stop at a club and everyone gets out, excited for the party to continue inside. The group skips the line and are escorted straight to the VIP section. It doesn’t take long for everyone to have drinks in their hands, yourself included. Soon after, Faith and the bridesmaids leave for the dance floor, dragging you along with them.

It doesn’t escape your notice how Ransom hangs out by the area that gives the best view to the dance floor. His eyes rarely leave you as you move around and sway your hips.

Eventually a slower song comes on at the club you’re currently in. It happens to be a song that you and Faith love.

🎶“You know what I'm thinkin', see it in your eyes.

You hate that you want me, hate it when you cry.

You're scared to be lonely, 'specially in the night.”🎶

You sing to each other at the top of your lungs as you sway. Faith looks over your shoulder and smiles before Scott steals her away. But before you can go, hands find their way to your hips. You’re ready to elbow whoever is grabbing you.

“It’s just me, Thimble.” Ransom’s breath tickles your ear as he pulls you into his chest.

Since he doesn’t make a move to leave you begin to dance. And if you decide to grind against him and he doesn’t complain, so what? You’re both single and you know there’s still something between you. For the first time in your life you’re going to take a chance on something. No more carefully calculated plans, just a carefree night and whatever happens, happens.

🎶“The distance and the time between us

It’ll never change my mind ’cause

Baby, I would die for you

Baby, I would die for you, yeah.” 🎶

Ransom sings just for you to hear as he moves with you. You turn your head so that you can look at him and he gives you a nod towards the exit. It’s more than a silent request to leave early but you still nod your head. Ransom smiles, like he did when he was younger. With no ulterior motive other than he’s genuinely happy, you can tell by the way his eyes crinkle. You grab his hand and let him lead you out. Through the crowd you see Faith and smile before sending a wink in her direction. Last thing you see is her jumping up and down in celebration.

The ride back to the hotel is quick and the elevator ride up to your hotel suite is even faster. But it didn’t feel like it at times. None of it mattered though once the door to your suite closed and Ransom pressed you up against it. It had been the first time in a long time that you’ve kissed someone and even longer since you’ve kissed him.

A small moan escapes you as you feel Ransom’s hands everywhere. He’s possessive with his kiss, his tongue dominating yours. It’s obvious you both have more experience now. Ransom moves from your lips to your neck. He finds that spot that makes you weak while he moves a knee between your thighs. The pressure he applies is enough to get you hot and bothered.

“Ransom, please.” You say as your hands find their way to his hair and you tug.

He lifts you and carries you over to the bed without his lips leaving your skin. That all familiar ache that settled between your legs grows. Ransom lays you down softly on the bed. He gives you a quick kiss before standing back up and getting undressed until he’s only in his black boxer briefs.

“Do you want this?” He asks as he moves to hover over you.

“Yes.”

“Good because I don’t think I’d be able to leave now.” He says before he continues to kiss your chest, pulling down the top of your dress and immediately taking a nipple into his mouth.

His hand palms and kneads your other breast before alternating his attention. You whimper and writhe beneath him as your hands explore the expanse of his much more muscular frame. The experience was new but familiar. Both of you had matured and learned new things. Yet it felt like everything was the same. You’re brought back to the moment when you feel Ransom’s hands on your hips as he pushes up the skirt of your dress up. He groans as he observes you.

“Dirty girl,” he says when he realizes you weren’t wearing any underwear. Your breath hitches when his fingers travel through your folds. “No panties and you’re fucking soaked.”

“Panty lines would have ruined the look.” You shrug.

“Well you did look good. But now I’m going to ruin you. And I’m going to start by doing what I’ve thought about doing for the longest time.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m going to taste you.” He says as he settles between your legs.

Ransom starts by kissing your thighs until he reaches your center and then he dives right in. His lips wrap around your clit and he sucks hard and up until this moment you never realized how much you needed Ransom to eat you out. You can’t help the need you feel to push your pussy more into his face but it only seems to spur him on. He groans as he tastes you and you pull on his hair. His tongue moves from your clit to your weeping entrance and back before he adds a finger and pushes in. Ransom’s pace is quick and suddenly he adds a second finger while he continues to flick his tongue over your clit. Your orgasm is rapidly approaching and you feel like you’re on fire.

“Don’t stop. Please.” You say breathlessly. “Gonna come.”

“I can feel it, pretty girl. Doing so good. Be a good girl and come for me.” He commands and you do as you’re told.

Your orgasm washes over you like a tidal wave. You have your eyes closed and your head thrown back in pleasure as you chant his name over and over. When you finally get a hold of your senses you realize Ransom is hovering over you again. This time he’s just watching you. A smile graces his lips and his eyes are full of that sweet and loving gaze he always held for you. It’s almost too much and not enough at the same time.

“You look so beautiful like this.” He murmurs against your lips. With the kiss you taste yourself in his tongue and you gasp.

You do your best to push him so that he’s laying on his back but he doesn’t budge and he chuckles when you roll your eyes. Finally he moves and watches you get rid of the dress which became more of a belt with how it was only around your waist. Vulnerability hits you suddenly. He hasn’t seen you since you were 17. Your body has definitely changed since then and since having the twins. All you want to do is cover yourself up. Ransom notices the sudden change in your demeanor and moves towards the edge of the bed.

“Hey, none of that.”

“I can’t help it. It’s been a while.” You confess.

“So what. C’mere.” He pulls you to stand between his legs. He immediately starts kissing your belly and the stretch marks that remained even after all this time. “You’re so beautiful, don’t hide from me. You gave me the most beautiful gift ever with this body.”

Ransom pulls you back to bed and he settles between your legs again. You can feel how hard he is against your thigh and you move your hand between both your bodies. His breath gets caught in his throat as you palm his hard cock through his underwear before pulling him out.

“Fuck.” He mutters as he ruts into your hand.

Ransom pulls away from you and you move with him. You have the intention of returning the favor. But he pushes you gently back against the bed and then grabs his pants. You give him a confused look until you see that he’s pulling a condom out. Ransom puts it on and is hovering over you again.

You look him straight in the eyes as you line him up and he pushes in. He moans with you as he bottoms out in one quick thrust.

“Still so fucking good. Best pussy I’ve ever had.” He mutters as he starts to move.

“Ran.”

“Tell me pretty girl. What do you want?”

“Faster, please.” You say. Your nails dig into his biceps as you hold on to him.

“Whatever you want, baby.”

Ransom pulls back until he’s kneeling between your legs. His hands are on your hips as he pulls you with him and his eyes never leave yours. Neither of you can break eye contact as he moves faster just like you asked. He hits your g-spot every time and the second orgasm of the night hits you quickly. You say his name over and over again until he’s kissing you.

His hands move from your hips and travel up your body until he’s holding yours over your head. You intertwine your fingers with his and the moment shifts from just getting pleasure to something more. His thrusts slow but are still hard.

“I missed you.” You say, a tear escapes you.

“I missed you too, baby.”

Neither can deny that the attraction is still there. That you still seek each other out for more than talking about the twins. Things between you were left unresolved but as you lay there underneath him you can’t ignore the emotions that bubble under the surface. The possible meaning of having sex after being apart for so long.

“Ransom. S’good.” You mutter between kisses.

“You gonna give me one more?” He looks down at you to find your beautifully blissed out face. “I can feel how tight you are. I know you can give me one more.”

One of his hands leaves yours and he shifts until he can start circling your clit. The added stimulation has your jaw slacking. You mewl and move your hips to meet his thrusts.

“Come with me. Please baby.” You whisper as he hides his face in your neck.

You shudder as Ransom thrusts faster and harder. He grunts against your skin and you know you’re both close to the edge. Your legs wrap around him as his hips stutter with a few more thrusts and you feel yourself being pulled over the edge with him. You can see stars and feel Ransom’s weight on you and nothing has felt better than this in a long time. After a minute of catching his breath Ransom reluctantly pulls out of you softly and lays down beside you.

“That was amazing.” You murmur.

“You’re welcome.”

“Shut up.” You lightly slap his chest as you chuckle.

You feel the bed shift and look to the side to see Ransom get up and go to the bathroom. When he comes back he has a damp hand towel in hand.

“I’m gonna clean you up thimble.”

You hiss at the over sensitivity as he cleans up the mess between your thighs but you thank him anyway. Then he pulls back the covers and lets you get comfortable before sliding in next you and pulling you into his chest. You both stayed awake, the conversation was minimal but Ransom keeps you close. Soon enough he’s kissing you again and you find yourselves wrapped up in each other. Over and over again.

It’s mid morning when you finally stir. There’s a hushed conversation happening as you stretch out in bed and an obvious empty spot next to you. However Ransom saunters in wearing nothing but a bathrobe.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He says as he leans down and gives you a quick kiss on the lips. “Come on, get up. I ordered us some breakfast.”

You stretch again and this time the covers slide down and reveal your chest to him. He does nothing to hide his ogling.

“Maybe we can stay in bed for a few extra minutes.” He says as he moves to lay back down.

You laugh as you cover yourself up again by wrapping the sheets around you.

“Fine,” Ransom pouts. “But hurry up because the water is getting cold.”

“The water?”

Ransom smirks as he leads you to the huge ensuite bathroom where he had prepared a bath for you. There were rose petals floating on the water and the scent of rose and bergamot permeated in the air. The breakfast that Ransom had ordered was set up for easy reach from the bathtub and it was all bite size versions of your favorite foods.

Ransom gets in first and you drop your sheet and he holds a hand out to help you in. Once you’re settled and relaxed Ransom hands you a cup of coffee and he takes his own. You talk about the wedding and work. By the time the water was cold, breakfast was gone and you had to go finish the last few details on Faith’s dress.

“Are you free tonight?” Ransom asks as he stands at the door.

“I should be.”

“Good, I’ll pick you up at five-thirty.” He says before giving you a kiss and leaving before you can protest.

****

“You got dicked down.” Faith states as she walks in on you finishing up the last adjustment her dress needed.

You look over your shoulder and roll your eyes.

“I saw him walking out of your suite and toward the elevator. I knew you’d get back together.”

“Woah,” you raise a hand to stop her. “We had sex… multiple times. But we didn’t talk about getting back together.”

“What are you talking about? It’s inevitable. Your kids are back in your lives, you’re both single and successful. Nothing is getting in the way of you being together. If you don’t end up together right away, you will eventually.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” Faith nods as she looks over the dress one more time. “I’m the bride, I'm never wrong.”

“Why are you here? Didn’t you say you had a whole spa day planned?”

“I booked some things for you too.”

“But I’m adding-“

“The dress is already perfect. The only way it can be more perfect is by me wearing it, which I will, tomorrow. Now let’s go relax.” She pulls your hand as you put away the last of your sewing kit.

“Fine, let’s go.”

“Wow.” Ransom mutters as you open the door. “Stunning.”

You were wearing a simple navy sundress with small white flowers on it and sandals. Your hair was up and away from your face and you kept your makeup simple. Ransom wore a simple short sleeve button up shirt and dark jeans. He pulled you by the waist and kissed you.

“Ready to go?”

“Mhm.” You hummed wide eyed and slightly breathless. The things this man could do to you and you’d happily let him.

****

Ransom had led you to the docks where there was a wooden runabout boat waiting for you. He got in first and offered you his hand so that you could get in before you were whisked away.

You were kept on your toes and pleasantly surprised when the boat was docked at a private beach. Ransom led you further away from the dock and toward a picnic on the beach. It was just in time to watch the sunset.

“This is amazing.”

“Anything for you, thimble.” Ransom kissed your cheek once you settled next to him.

“I didn’t realize you were such a romantic.”

“What, was me climbing up to your dorm room to deliver the foods you were craving during your pregnancy not romantic enough?”

You smile at the memory of that. He did get in trouble more than once for sneaking out of the school grounds in the middle of the night but he never let you down. Those were some of your favorite memories. He would sneak into your room and sit with you and talked to the twins while you ate.

“It was very romantic, you’re right.”

“I know.” He smirked as he handed you a flute of champagne. “I know you don’t really drink but I thought we should celebrate.”

“And what are we celebrating?”

You look at him over the flute of champagne as you take a sip. His ocean blue eyes don’t leave your face for even a moment as he thinks over what he’s going to say. Ransom drinks his champagne in one go.

“Reuniting, meeting the twins, getting a chance to know them.” He starts rambling before he looks down at you. “This.” He says as his lips slot over your perfectly.

The champagne glasses are long forgotten on the picnic blanket as you move to straddle him. Ransom’s hands are lost under the skirt of your dress and you don’t waste any time in unbuttoning his shirt and then undoing his belt. He groans against your lips as you pull him out of his pants and begin to slowly move your hand up and down his hardened length.

“You’re so fucking wet baby.” He mutters as he runs his fingers through your folds.

“I want you.”

“Then take what you want.” Ransom says as he holds your panties to the side.

You line yourself up with his cock and sink down. He’s big so you have to go slow. Once he’s buried to the hilt you stay like that for a moment. Ransom kisses and nips all along your neck before pulling down your dress and taking a nipple into his mouth. As his tongue plays with your pebbled peak you begin to move. A slow roll of your hips here and there until Ransom can’t take it anymore. His hand comes down on your ass.

“Stop fucking teasing, and I know you liked me smacking your ass. I can feel the way this pretty pussy is gripping me.” He says with a growl. “Now move.”

You do as he says and you begin to bounce on his cock. Ransom brings his hands to your hips and he helps you move until he flips you so that he can hover over you. His hips move faster and harder against you. His and your moans mix with the waves lapping up against the shore and the breeze moving the tree branches. Your legs wrap around his waist as you try to pull him closer to you. That fire in your belly that only Ransom seems to ignite is spreading like wildfire and you know you’re close.

“Fuck, right there.” you moan as he hits your g-spot. “Don’t stop.”

“Feel so fucking good.” He grunts into your ear. “Come for me baby. I want to feel you come around my cock.”

Your eyes roll to the back of your head as he begins to circle your clit. With a plea of his name you come undone.

“That’s my fucking girl.” He says as he comes inside you. His lust blown eyes never leaving yours.

The two of you stay there and catch your breath. You can’t help but laugh a bit.

“What’s so funny?” He asks as he pulls back to look down at you. You reach up and fix the few pieces of his hair that have fallen into his face.

“No matter how long it’s been, we still act like horny teenagers. At the first chance of us being alone we start fucking.”

He chuckles before capturing your lips with his.

“I can’t help it that you’re irresistible.”

“Mmhmm.” You say as he slowly pulls out and fixes your dress before tucking himself back in. “This is the best picnic I’ve ever been to.”

“I should hope so.”

The morning of the wedding was going to be chaotic. You could feel it as you practically kicked Ransom out of your suite. After taking a quick shower and getting your hair and makeup done you rush to Faith’s room with all the dresses in hand.

Just as you expected everyone was running around like crazy. You got there just in time to help one of the bridesmaids not rip her dress and then sat in the corner to fix the issue. At some point Faith had had enough of the bickering and chatting and demanded that everyone leave the room except for you. And the photographer of course.

With some music on and some champagne for the bride you helped her into her dress. In the mirror you stood just beside her. She grabbed your hand and looked at you through the mirror, a scene that the photographer captured. It was a sweet moment between friends. She looked beautiful.

“This could be you.” She says after a moment. As she gently smoothed her dress out.

“Oh really? Is our wedding still on then? I have something else I can wear if I’m replacing Scott.”

You laugh but Faith just raises an eyebrow.

“I’m being serious. This could be you and Ran. You were made for each other.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Just his dick?” Faith quips.

You roll your eyes but step away to check your makeup one more time.

“All I’m saying is give yourself a chance, ok? You’re reunited and both of you are single. I mean you spent the last two nights fucking.”

“Ok, can we just stop this conversation right now. It’s your wedding day. All attention should be on you.”

“I’m the bride and I decide what I want to talk about. But you’re right I’m going to be walking down the aisle any second now.”

“Ms. Carter I think we should do some shots of you with your family seeing you for the first time.” The photographer speaks up from the corner of the room.

“I’ll leave you to it and I’ll see you down there.”

****

You had made it down to the lobby of the hotel where the rest of the guests were milling about until the ceremony started. There were at least three hundred guests in attendance. A small wedding, in these social circles. Every once in a while someone would stop to talk to you about wanting you to design something for them or asking how you’ve been. You gave quick answers because you desperately wanted to find Ransom.

As you move closer to the entrance where the ceremony is going to be held you spot him. His hair is styled back and he looks so handsome in his tailored tuxedo. The smile on your face falls when a beautiful tall brunette leans in and kisses him. The issue wasn’t that she kissed him but that he kissed her back.

It was as if the wind had been knocked out of you. You turned on your heel and walked to the nearest bathroom. Taking a few deep breaths you tried not to cry. The last few days had been wonderful but just the thought that he had used you to cheat on who you assumed was his girlfriend made you sick to your stomach. Your phone went off and you grabbed it from your clutch to see a message that you were needed by the mother of the bride. You took some tissue and dabbed the corners of your eyes in order to not cry and ruin your makeup and headed back upstairs.

****

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The only issue you had personally was your seat. The chairs had been arranged in a semicircle and unfortunately for you, Ransom and his girlfriend were right in your line of sight on the groom’s side. You had noticed that he kept scanning the seats, probably trying to find you but you do your best to stay hidden from him.

Thunderous applause snaps you out of your thoughts as the husband and wife kiss for the first time. Everyone stands as Faith and Scott start walking down the aisle. Faith’s eyes find you immediately and she gives you the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. Tears sting your eyes as she starts walking back hand in hand with Scott and then you’re met with ocean blue eyes.

You square your shoulders and your eyes move from him to his date and back. His jaw tightens and you watch as he shakes her off of him. It doesn’t matter though, you turn your attention to getting out of there and up to the bridal suite to help Faith change into her reception dress.

Fortunately you were seated at the family table so you were next to Faith’s parents. Her mother kept you distracted enough to not look around the room in search of Ransom. It wasn’t until Faith and Scott made their grand entrance and had their first dance as husband and wife that you made eye contact again. He was sitting at a table on the opposite side of the dance floor. His date sat next to him dreamily watching the couple dance.

For the next few hours you had to make sure you stayed at a safe distance. You didn’t need to hear his shitty excuse. This wasn’t the time or place for it. He tried to get closer though, on multiple occasions but you made sure to walk away before he could reach you. At some point Scott whisks you away to the dance floor.

“He’s an idiot.” Scott says.

“Who?”

“Ransom. If it makes you feel better he really did break up with her before the wedding. She just showed up today.”

“It really doesn’t but thanks I guess.” You murmur.

“You know when we were in college he was always at parties, getting drunk and doing everything a guy does at a frat house.”

“That’s thrilling. Why are you telling me this?”

“Just making small talk.” He gives you a little smile when he sees you glaring up at him. “One night though got very drunk. It was in May at the end of the semester. He got completely wasted, that’s when he confided in me that he had left the love of his life behind. He felt horrible about it.”

You tensed because the only important date toward the end of May was the twins’ birthday.

“Every year like clockwork he would do the same thing so eventually I started looking out for him. It didn’t click until the yacht that it was you. I should have known because when I brought Fai to meet him they already knew each other. But I’ve never seen Ransom smile like that in my life. I know there must be something else going on and I don’t need to know it but just talk to him. The girl that’s here, she’s nice and all but it’s obvious she’s not you.”

“Are you really being a wingman for him right now?” You ask as you look around the room. Those piercing blue eyes seem to be everywhere you look.

“No, I’m being one for you. I’ve never seen you smile like you have this weekend either. I can’t imagine what happened between you two in high school but isn’t getting past that worth being happy again?”

“That’s the thing Scott, you don’t know what happened.” You say as the song ends and you leave him standing in the middle of the dancefloor.

You try to walk out as fast as you can. All of the day’s emotions were starting to suffocate you and you needed a moment away from it all. The hotel has a lovely garden that overlooks the ocean. With the reception going on it happens to be empty so you take a seat at a bench facing the beach. After a few minutes of silence and you thinking things through you hear rustling behind you and you dread to look over your shoulder only to find Ransom.

“You’ve been avoiding me all day. What is your problem?”

“My problem?” You look at him incredulously. “After the last few days we spent together you show up with another woman on your arm. How am I supposed to feel?”

“She means nothing to me. Is that what this is about? Are you jealous?” He smirks.

“I’m not jealous.” You snap. “I feel used and lied too. Did you really break up with her before the wedding or did you lie about that just so that you could get into someone’s pants?”

Ransom rolls his eyes which only serves to piss you off more. His flippant attitude is not helping the situation and only adding on to your thoughts that he was only using you to have a good time this weekend. If it were true that would be just as devastating as when he walked away without reason.

“I was going to ask you to let me stay in your room when she got here, I just didn’t get a chance to talk to you before the wedding.”

“Didn’t seem like you were trying to get away from her when you shoved your tongue down her throat. Did you think about how I’d feel at all by seeing you with her like that? The answer’s probably not.”

Ok so maybe you were a bit jealous. But in all honesty even if you hadn’t spent most of your time in bed with Ransom for the last few days you would have still been jealous.

You could see the mask that Ransom had methodically crafted to protect himself after years of abuse and fights, slip into place. He’d never just shut down like that on you and whatever was going to happen next wasn’t going to be good. The muscle in his jaw ticked and his hands were balled into fists at his side.

“We aren’t kids anymore, we don't need to be in a relationship to sleep together. What did you think was going to happen? That we’d ride into the sunset together? Don’t be so fucking naive. It was just sex, it didn’t mean anything.”

Every word cut deeper but you didn’t allow yourself to cry. You wouldn’t give him the satisfaction to see your tears.

“I thought you’d have a bit of respect for the mother of your children.”

“What children? The ones you gave away?” He sneers.

It would have hurt less if he would have slapped you across the face. You stared at him with wide eyes, hurt and disbelief written all over your face. Neither of you say anything and you will yourself to turn around and walk away from him. You send Wanda a text and ask her to have the plane ready to leave tonight, you also miss the way Ransom’s shoulders deflate as he watches you walk away.

****

You had packed up everything quickly and had it taken to the plane while you checked out. The wedding was still going on but you texted Hope and let her know you left. Although you were sure no one would miss you. In the lobby of the hotel you check out and head to the restroom before you head to the plane.

As you give yourself a once over in the mirror one of the stall doors open and you come face to face with someone else you didn’t want to see. She gets closer to the sinks and looks up making eye contact with you through the mirror.

“You’re Y/N Y/L/N.” She states excitedly and then groans. “I’m sorry it’s just I’m such a huge fan. I’m Bertie Wilcox.”

“Bertie?”

“It’s short for Alberta. I used to hate it as a kid.” She smiles. “It was actually my boyfriend who gave me the nickname. I’m not sure if I should even call him that. I don’t know where we stand right now.” She rambles as she washes her hands and you turn to look at her. “I guess we’re in a bit of a rough patch. But I hope things work out.”

You give a small hum to acknowledge that you’ve been listening.

“I’m so sorry I don’t tend to ramble about my personal life with someone I just met. This is so embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“The wedding dress was so lovely. I didn’t know you had a wedding line.”

She’s being nice which means she most likely doesn’t know about you and Ransom. It also makes it difficult for you to hate her. What’s happened between you and Ransom really isn’t her fault and she is the one in a relationship with him. You have no right to have any hateful feelings towards her but you still can’t help it. If she hadn’t shown up then tonight would have gone completely different.

“I don’t.”

“Oh. What a shame. You’d definitely take over that industry.” She smiles at you and you give her a half hearted smile back.

“I should go. I have a plane to catch.”

“It was nice meeting you.” She says as she watches you walk away.

She waits a minute before she heads back to the reception. Bertie finds Ransom at the bar and takes the seat beside him. He doesn’t look at her or acknowledges her presence and Bertie can only sigh. For the rest of the night he’s more distant than before. When they do make it upstairs to the suite Ransom had, she takes the bed and he takes the couch.

By the time you get back to New York your eyes sting from having spent most of the time on the flight crying. How did such a good weekend go bad so quickly?

It was still fairly early in the day and the only thing that made you smile was the pictures of Theodore and Abigail for their first day of school. You made sure to have one of them printed so that you could keep it on your desk at work. With a quick text a promise to do something that weekend and wish them a great first day.

Wanda meets you at your apartment and immediately hugs you. You weren’t sure if it’s what you needed because you started crying again. Fortunately Wanda didn’t ask any questions and you only said that you and Ransom had a disagreement but she knew it was more than that.

“I cleared the next two days for you.” She says as she helps you unpack.

“That’s not necessary. I’d much rather work.”

“Then work on new designs but you won’t be meeting any new clients this week.” Wanda crosses her arms over her chest.

You open your mouth to say something but then decide against it. Wanda takes it as a win and gives you one more hug before inviting you over to her place to a dinner party she’s hosting at the end of the week.

After she leaves you take a quick shower and decide to take a nap. At this point you’d been awake for way too long. As you settle into bed your phone rings. You see Abigail’s smiling face and you quickly answer it. She immediately goes into details about her first day and how different schools are in New York than they are in the smaller town in Ohio she grew up in. Theodore adds his own commentary as his face pops into frame. You smile and ask a few questions here and there. After a few minutes they let you go and the need to sleep is stronger. Maybe if you take a nap everything will be better by the time you wake up.

Ch. 6

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[chasingmidnights]

I Think I've Broken Something

Title: I Think I’ve Broken Something 

Summary: After a visit to the Thrombey Manor for a family dinner, which ended after Ransom got into a screaming match with his father. On your way home, you noticed how upset he was and you offered to drive. But he refused, claiming he was fine. That’s how you ended up where you are now. 

Warnings: car accident; mentions of character injuries; Ransom; angst; abandonment; mentions of smoking; I think those are the major ones and I apologize if I miss anything, but you are responsible for what you read. 

Author’s Note: Kind of inspired by a Gilmore Girls episode, except a little more dramatic. 

Word Count: 1,841

Ransom was the first to wake up, lifting his head off of the steering wheel with a groan. He held a hand up to his head, pressing it gently to the side where it hurt. He’s not quite sure why, but he does it anyway, wincing at the contact. As his vision begins to come to, he takes in his surroundings. A large eastern white pine tree was now in front of him and could tell that the front end of his beamer took a lot of damage. He shifted around in his seat and all he could see were the thick trunks of the eastern white pines. Who knows how far from the road he was, he would probably have to get out and walk to find out. But he couldn’t do that quite yet, he needed to check on you first. He’d been avoiding the passenger seat ever since he came to, he couldn’t bare to see what kind of condition you were in. When he finally forces himself to look over at you, his eyes widen in shock and fear. You’re sprawled out over the passenger side dashboard and you’re unconscious. He feels his chest tighten at the sight before him. 

“Shit.” He mumbles to himself. 

He unbuckles his seat belt and he reaches over to you, brushing your soft locks out of the way. A sigh of relief comes out of him when he presses two fingers against your pulse point. You were still alive. But not for much longer, especially if he didn’t call for help soon. Between whatever injuries you had and the dropping temperatures of the Boston winter, he needed to act quickly. He shifts around in his seat and searches for his cell phone to call for help. When he finally found it, he fumbled a few times with it, especially with how bad his hands were shaking. Not just from the cold but the shock of this whole situation. He knew he was too upset to be driving and he should’ve taken up your offer to drive but his anger and stubbornness got the better of him. He knew the road that led to his grandfather’s house like the back of his hand and knew how to expertly handle each curve. However, with his clouded judgment he took one of the curves too fast. That caused him to lose control and to make matters worse, he hit a patch of ice. 

“Shit.” Ransom mumbles again as his phone beeps at him, telling him that there was no signal. 

He shifts around in his seat, taking another look around at his surroundings. Again, he sees nothing but dense forest and pitch darkness. The only light being provided is from the light reflecting off of the snow from the moon. He lets out a frustrated sigh, knowing he has no other option than to get out on foot to find help. He hated the thought of leaving you, even if it were to get help. He didn’t want you to wake up while he was out searching for help. He didn’t want you to think that he had abandoned you. But he had no other choice. So, he takes one last glance at you before he’s shoving the driver’s side door open and climbing out of the beamer to look for help.

A few days later, you wake up in a private hospital room. When your vision became clear and the bright fluorescent light no longer hurt your eyes, you were able to take in your surroundings a little better. You figured the room was standard size for a hospital but on every possible available space was a vase filled with an array of flowers. A small smile begins to tug at the corner of your lips and you instantly think that they’re all from Ransom. The thought immediately warms your heart. Your thoughts are interrupted though when the door to your room begins to open. You try to lean forward to see who it is but it hurts to do so, so you lean back against the pillow of the hospital bed. Your smile falters slightly when you see that it’s your mom, you were hoping it was Ransom. When she finally notices that you’re awake, she hurries over to you while setting her things down along the way. 

“Oh, honey! I’m so glad that you’re awake! You had us all worried there for a moment.” You can tell that she wants to wrap you up in a hug but instead she lovingly tucks some hair behind your ear. 

“Wh-where’s-” You try to ask her where Ransom is but your throat is too dry. Your voice cracks when you try to talk again. 

“Here, let me get you some water.” She then pulls out a bottle of water from one of her bags, twisting off the cap before handing it to you. “Drink, it’ll help.” 

You do as she says and in one long gulp, half of the bottle is gone. You let out a sigh of relief as the water soothes your dry throat. You then try talking again, your voice sounding much better. “Where’s Ransom?” 

Your mom averts your gaze as she tries to come up with an answer. The longer she takes to reply, the more anxious you get, starting to wonder if something bad happened to him. 

“Mom, you’re starting to scare me. Did something happen to him?” You can feel the tears begin to well up in your waterline. 

“Oh honey, no. He’s alive, just no one has seen or heard from him since the night of the accident. It seems as soon as he was cleared, he left.” She answered, her voice filled with sorrow. It’s probably disappointment that you’re hearing but for now, you trick your brain into thinking that it’s sorrow. Or maybe even regretfulness? Either way, you could figure it out later. 

“Oh.” Is all you could manage to say. 

You feel a few tears slip down your cheeks and your heart stings with hurt and disappointment. You thought you knew Ransom better than this, you thought to yourself as you turned your face away from your mom. Granted, you were only six months into the relationship but still you thought Ransom was better than this. You never thought in a million years that Ransom would ditch you in a hospital after a serious accident. You stare blankly at a pink posey bouquet. You felt numb inside and you barely registered that your mom had gently grabbed your hand. It’s not until she squeezes it that you finally register the action. You take a moment before turning to face her again. A small hiccup escapes as a few tears slide down your cheek before you speak up again. 

“When am I allowed to leave?” 

A small, tight-lipped smile appears on your mom’s face. “Well, they would like you to say a few more days, just to make sure you don’t have a concussion or anything worse. But I can get the doctor in here and see what he says.” Your mom then gets up from her chair to get the doctor. 

The next couple of days were a complete blur, constantly in and out of sleep. The meds that they had you on didn’t help either. It turns out that you had to have a few stitches done on your forehead from where your head hit the dashboard. You also had a broken left wrist along with a few cracked ribs. As you were in and out of consciousness, you remember getting a few visitors and at least one of your parents, if not both, constantly being there. You vaguely remember Harlan and Marta coming for a little visit and you’re pretty sure Linda came by for a visit. Honestly, you’re not sure about that one, that one could have very well been the drugs playing tricks on you. Also during your stay, you found out that the multiple bouquets were from friends, family friends, relatives and there was even a set from Harlan and Marta. But learning that none of them were from Ransom made your heart ache. 

What made your heart ache even more was that not once did Ransom visit or try to call you. So, when it was time to be released, it was decided that you would stay with your parents for a while. As you were being wheeled out of the hospital by your mom, all you could think about was Ransom and what did this mean for your relationship? You still hoped that he would call or just show up randomly. You thought to yourself that if either of those happened that there might still be hope for you two yet. But you know what they say about hope. 

Meanwhile, Harlan has a pretty good idea of where his stubborn grandson might be. He had asked Marta to take him over to his grandson’s and she obliged. When they got there, he told her that she could stay in the car and that he shouldn’t be gone long. As he made his way around the house, all he could think about was how much he and his grandson were alike. Almost like two peas in a pod. That’s why when Ransom started to bring you around, you would be just what Ransom needed to grow up and for someone to give him that push he desperately needed. Harlan liked you almost immediately, he knew you would be good for Ransom and give him that push. Harlan hopes that Ransom hasn’t blown his chance with you. 

When Harlan reaches a little footpath, he starts to trek down it. He knows exactly where his grandson is, if his thinking is right and it usually is. Not even the cold weather could keep Ransom from going to his spot. Behind Ransom’s house, there’s a small pond nestled in between the trees. A wooden deck stretches a few feet over the water and that is where he should find Ransom. As soon as the pond comes into view, a sigh of relief comes out of Harlan when he sees Ransom sitting there at the end of the dock. 

When he finally reaches Ransom, the smell of cigarette smoke fills his nostrils. Standing behind Ransom, Harlan places a gentle hand on his shoulder. Even though the gesture was meant to be a comforting one, Harlan doesn’t miss the way that Ransom flinches. “Son.” 

Ransom lets out a puff of smoke from the drag he just took from his cigarette, before taking another drag and doing the same thing. When he finally spoke, Harlan could hear the noticeable shake in his grandson’s voice. “I made sure she was okay.” 

“I know you did, I know you did.” Harlan replies softly, giving his grandson a gentle squeeze of the shoulder. 

He looks out in front of him as Ransom continues to smoke his cigarette. Letting nothing but sounds of the woods fill the air.

#tales of a whumpee newbie #whumptober2022 #writing challenge #october writing challenge #angst prompts #knives out #knives out onehot #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale one shot #chris evans #the thrombeys #harlan thrombey #marta cabrera

[recschrisevans]

Ransom Drysdale | recs

🌸fluff 🔥smut 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦family\pregnancy 🏃‍♀️angst 🌚 dark

....

All's well that ends well to end up with - 🔥🏃🏽‍♀️🌚

friends for lovers with a dark touch, a good option and very good and light writing Classification - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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[krirebr]

More Than This 1

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x f!reader, Steve Rogers & f!reader

Word Count: ~4.1k

Summary: Arranged marriages have always been used to solidify business deals among the ultra-wealthy. Your stepfather wants to be in business with Harlan Thrombey, so now it's your turn.

Warnings: Heavy angst, age difference, adult themes, institutional sexism, a very brief conversation about the possibility of abuse, explicit language, the slooowest burn - Warnings will be added as needed for subsequent parts. All of my work is 18+ - Minors DNI

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

Masterlist

A/N: And here we go! A huge thanks to @drabblewithfrannybarnes for helping me nail down some of the worldbuilding details and @paperweight91 for reading so much of this and especially telling me how to fix the scene that refused to be fixed. You're both the best!!

Any comment, reblog, or ask to let me know what you think will be greatly appreciated. Even if it's just screeching at me. As always, thank you so much for reading! 💜

It was uncommon to be called to your stepfather’s office. The high rise on the edge of Studio City had housed the heads of his family since the silent film era, give or take a remodel and expansion or five. You’d only been here a handful of times, mostly left out of the family business. When his assistant opened the door for you, you were surprised to see a small group of people, all in expensive business attire, surrounding your stepdad, Joseph Rogers, at his desk. Even more surprising was the figure standing in the corner, staring out the window – your mother. 

“Mom?” you asked, unable to hide your confusion. She just gave you a tight smile in return and turned her attention to her husband.

“Sweetheart,” he called to you. It’s what he’d called you since you’d first met him as a child and it had always felt patronizing and empty. You were well aware that you were an annoyance he’d been saddled with when he’d married your mother for her late first husband’s connections. Eighteen years later, you wished he’d drop the pretense already. “Please, have a seat,” he gestured to the leather chair in front of his large oak desk. 

You sat down across from him. “What’s going on?” you asked, an uneasy feeling building in your gut.

“Congratulations are in order,” he said, smiling at you. “You’re engaged.”

Years of experience at bullshit industry and society parties had you pasting on a benign smile. This was your fourth, no fifth engagement, the first one dating all the way back to when you were 10. They’d all dissolved for one reason or another, the business arrangements at the heart of them disintegrating too. But looking around the room at all the extra people in attendance, you knew better than to dismiss this outright. You were older now. Many of your friends from school had found themselves married as part of business deals in the last few years. Love matches were uncommon in the circles you frequented. There wasn’t much patience for love when this much money was at stake. But still, just because it was expected, that didn’t make you any more ready for your turn. 

“That’s wonderful,” you said, putting all your effort into keeping your tone even. “May I ask whom I’m engaged to?” 

“Ransom Drysdale,” Joseph said. “He’s the grandson of Harlan Thrombey, the mystery writer. We’ve been trying to secure the movie rights to his works for years and this should finally cement it. It’s fantastic news for our family and this studio. The joining of our families should create many opportunities for all of us. Ransom is one of the most eligible bachelors in Boston. You should feel very lucky.”

Lucky was the last thing you felt right now, but you kept your face schooled as you ran through your mental Rolodex to try to figure out if you had any social connections to this man. The fact that he lived on the other side of the country made it less likely but not impossible. 

“So,” he continued, sliding a stack of papers across his desk to you, “all you need to do is sign and initial the contract where it’s marked, and we can get started finalizing the details for the wedding next month.”

At that, all your poise disappeared and the smile dropped off your face. “Next month?”

Joseph nodded. “It’s important to strike while the iron is hot with deals like this. So go ahead and sign so that we can all move on to the next stage.”

Your heart thumped wildly in your chest. This was happening. This one was real. “Shouldn’t I read it first?” you asked, somewhat desperately.

He shook his head, “No need,” he said, gesturing to the man you recognized as one of the family lawyers standing beside him. “Julian has already gone through it with a fine-toothed comb. All of our interests are well represented. It’s all in legalese anyway. Impossible to understand if you aren’t a lawyer.” He chuckled and many of the people standing around the desk, staring at you, joined him. 

“I just–” you stammered. You didn’t know what to do, but you knew you couldn’t pick up that pen.

Irritation bloomed on your stepfather’s face. “Lydia!” he called. 

Your mother stopped staring out the window and stepped up to your chair. “Honey,” she said gently, putting her hand on your back. “This will be such a good thing. And then we can get to all the fun parts of planning the wedding!” She picked up the pen and held it out to you. You took a moment to look at her. Her features were drawn and her eyes looked exhausted. She’d looked that way as long as you could remember. It did nothing to reassure you. 

You glanced at the door behind you. You knew you weren’t getting out of this room without signing the contract. You took a deep breath and took the pen from your mother. There was nothing else to do. No other choice. You quickly flipped through the papers, initialing where indicated and signing the last page. Your hand was shaking so badly you weren’t sure any of it was legible.

When you turned over the last page, Joseph clapped his hands together. “Excellent!” He took a large binder off the desk and passed it over to you. “We’ve put some information together for you on your new fiance. Ransom will be in town next week to take you to dinner so that the two of you can get to know each other. Now, I’m sure you want to go celebrate, so we won’t keep you any longer.”

At the clear dismissal, you stood up. Many people in the room offered their congratulations and you nodded to them, forcing a strained smile. Then you made your way out on shaky legs, needing to see the one person who might be able to help you process what had just happened.

You’d been six years old when you and your mother had moved into the Rogers mansion. You were terrified, already able to sense Joseph’s indifference towards you. But your comfort during that time, and all the time after, had been his son, Steve. Twelve years old, still reeling from the death of his mother and just as deeply lonely as you, he’d named himself your protector, shielding you from his father’s annoyance and your mother’s sorrow. He guarded you from monsters when you woke up in the middle of the night after a nightmare and would stare down your bullies on the playground. You were very quickly inseparable. 

When you became engaged the first time when you were ten, sixteen-year-old Steve had taken you out for ice cream, telling you not to worry too much, there was so much time before anything would happen and that everything would be ok. When the arrangement had fallen apart, he’d hugged you and whispered in your ear, “See? I’m always right.”

That was the memory you couldn’t stop thinking about as you let yourself into your stepbrother’s apartment, using the key he’d given you on the day he’d moved in. He wasn’t in his front room, so you moved all the way to the back, to the spare room he used as an art studio. You lightly knocked on the doorframe as you entered, trying not to startle him. He was standing with his hands on his hips, staring at a half-finished painting, but looked over his shoulder as soon as he heard you. There was a warm smile on his face, but it dropped as soon as he took in your expression. “What happened?” he asked as you flopped down onto his couch.

“I think I might be really fucked, Steve,” you said quietly, your hands still shaking. You couldn’t get them to stop.

“What happened?” he asked again, more forcefully this time, as he dragged a chair from the corner of the room so that he could sit right across from you.

“Your dad, he–” You stopped and shook your head. Steve’s face darkened. “I’m engaged,” you said with a helpless shrug.

“Okay,” he said evenly. “That might not be the most dire thing. You’ve been engaged before. Nothing ever comes of it.”

You sighed. “They’ve set a date this time.”

“Oh,” was all he could say at first, surprise on his face. “That’s new.”

“Yeah.” you nodded. “A month from now.”

That had Steve sitting up straight. “The hell?!”

“It’s happening this time. I can feel it.”

“Hey, no,” he said, reaching out to touch your arm. “Let me try to talk some sense into him. Buy you some time. He might listen to me.”

You shook your head. “Everything’s already signed. They made me sign. I don’t think there’s any getting out of it.”

“He give you a name?”

“Ransom Drysdale.”

Before he was able to stop himself, Steve grimaced.

“Fuck,” you muttered, briefly covering your face with your hands.

“No, it’s– I’ve only met him once or twice, ok? I don’t actually know anything about him.”

“But you don’t like him.”

“He’s–” Steve paused, clearly trying to find the words that wouldn’t upset you even more, “a strong personality.” He looked at you carefully. “And he’s older than you. Older than me, even.”

“I know,” you sighed, reaching for your bag and taking out the folder. “They gave me this.”

You handed it to Steve and he paged through it. “This is intense. Do you think they gave him one about you?”

You shrugged. “Dunno. Probably. Can’t imagine it says anything interesting.”  

Steve nodded, seriously. “It’s probably pretty thin. Just the story of that time you completely freaked out when you weren’t allowed to bring Mr. BunBun to school with you.”

You grabbed the pillow next to you and hurled it at him. “You’re such a dick!” you laughed. “I’m very upset!”

He batted the pillow back at you and cackled when it hit you in the chest. “He deserves to know the kind of person he’s marrying. The kind who throws a five-alarm tantrum when she’s separated from her stuffed bunny.”

“I was eight, asshole!” You laughed again but then your brain caught on something Steve had said. “Holy shit, he’s marrying me. I’m getting married. I don’t know anything about him. He could be anyone. You don’t even like him! He could hurt me and–” 

“Hey, no!” Steve interrupted quickly. “I might not know much, but I know that. He won’t do that. I’m sure of it. And if he ever even tried, I’d be there so fast. They’d never find his body.”

“Will he be kind to me?” you asked quietly. He opened his mouth to say something, but you stopped him. “Be honest with me. Please.”

He sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Well,” you said, trying so hard not to cry, “I guess at least now we know exactly how your dad feels about me.”

Steve closed his eyes and quietly said your name. When he opened them, there was a resolved look on his face that was painfully familiar. His ‘I’m going to fix this’ face. He was intractable when he got like this. He set his jaw. “I’m going to talk to Dad.”

You shook your head. “Steve.” Your stepfather was just as intractable as his son. This would only result in a shouting match that wouldn’t go anywhere.

“It’s going to be alright,” he said resolutely.

All you could do was say “OK,” with a wan smile, knowing it was a lie. You lay down on the couch and curled up on your side. “Do you mind if I stay here for a bit?”

“Of course not. Lola good on her own for a while?”

You nodded. Your little dog was probably asleep in her kennel. “Yeah, for a while.”

“Do you mind if I keep working on this?” he asked, gesturing to his painting.

“I like watching you paint,” you said, trying to find comfort in the familiarity of something you’d done since you were small.

He stood up and turned back to his easel, and you did your best to focus on watching him paint and not think about how, if this went through, you’d have to move to Boston and you wouldn’t get to have this time with your brother anymore.

As expected, Steve’s talk with Joseph yielded no results when it came to your future. The only thing it seemed to have any effect on was their own relationship, Steve announcing to you that he was no longer speaking to his father the next time you saw him. You hadn’t expected anything else.

For your part, you spent the next week vacillating between going overboard preparing for your first meeting with Ransom—pouring over your folder on him, making salon appointments, shopping for a dress that would make the right impression—and pretending your problems didn’t exist. As such, the day of the dinner still snuck up on you. You were a nervous wreck. 

The plan was for him to pick you up at your apartment, but an hour before he was supposed to arrive, you got a text from an unfamiliar number telling you to meet him at the restaurant instead. 

So now you sat at the table, alone, in a new dress with your hair done. You’d arrived ten minutes early, and he was now 20 minutes late. You took a deep breath, staring at the empty seat across from you. He would show up. He had to. 

Another ten minutes passed and, as you waived off the server for a third time, you let yourself consider what it would mean if your future husband had stood you up. You should go. It’d be pathetic to stay. And even if he did show up after you’d gone, it’d make a point. Show you had a backbone. You should definitely go.

Just as your hand began to inch toward your handbag on the table, the hostess came through, leading a tall, handsome man to your table. She stopped beside you and then ducked away. The man looked at you critically. He said your name like a question and, when you nodded, he sat down. He didn’t introduce himself, but he could only be Ransom. 

He was dressed nicely in an expensive sweater and slacks, but much more casually than you were and looking around the restaurant than most of the other people there, too. And when he sat down, you could see the places in his sweater where it was threadbare or torn. You tried very hard to not take it as a sign of how he felt about this dinner, felt about you.

You cleared your throat to say something, you weren’t entirely sure what when he glanced at your glass of water. “You don’t drink?”

“No, I do,” you said, but when he smirked you realized how that sounded. “I can,” you amended, but that sounded odd too. “I mean, I don’t have anything against it. I was just waiting for you.”

He snorted. “Well, aren’t you polite?”  His tone made it feel like the worst thing you could possibly be. He flagged down the server and ordered a glass of the Macallan 18, then huffed impatiently while you asked questions about their wine selection. You didn’t know how he could be half an hour late and make you feel bad for taking your time ordering. 

Once you’d finally made your choice and the server left, you tried not to squirm as he gave you a once-over with his eyes. You felt disappointing without really knowing why. You tried to shrug off the feeling, but then Ransom said, “How old even are you?” with scorn in his voice.

You cleared your throat. “Twenty-four,” you tried to say with confidence.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered.

You did your best not to shrink in on yourself. Maybe he was just nervous too. It was a weird situation. But, “Didn’t they tell you about me?”

He snorted again and rolled his eyes. “Gave me a whole binder. I never opened it.”

You looked down at your empty place setting, embarrassed. You’d studied every inch of what they’d given you, hoping to show him how seriously you were taking this and he couldn’t care less. “Oh,” was all you were able to say. 

He grinned a little meanly. “You got one too, didn’t you? Don’t tell me you’ve memorized facts about me that you were ready to rattle off to impress me.”

“No,” you growled out. You weren’t going to let him make you feel small just for trying to show interest in the person you were going to have to spend the rest of your life with.

He swiped one hand over his mouth and chin. “My god,” he muttered, “this whole thing is fucking ridiculous.”

The waitress came back and set down your drinks. Ransom immediately took a large gulp of his scotch. You itched to do the same, but you suddenly felt like proving a point. Even if you weren’t entirely sure what that point was. 

You were ready to order, but Ransom hadn’t glanced at his menu yet. Just as you were about to ask for a few more minutes, he said, “Go ahead and bring me another one of these right away,” and gestured with his drink in dismissal. She nodded and left.

Fuck it, you let yourself take a large drink of your wine. “Do you know what you’re going to have?” you asked, nodding to his menu.

He shook his head. “I have dinner plans after this.”

Heat shot through your whole body. “I thought these were the dinner plans.”

He rolled his eyes again. “Getting a head start on the nagging?” he asked, dryly. “Wow, it’s like we’re already married.”

You opened your mouth to do something, you weren’t sure what. Everything in your mind had gone white. But once again, Ransom beat you to it. “Alright, let’s get this done. You’re moving into my house. Fine. But I already have everything we need, so I expect you to pack light. I don’t need your shit cluttering up everything.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. You didn’t know how to have a conversation with him. Someone who left no room for you and seemed not to care at all about anything you had to say. And then there was the voice in your head that kept shouting about how incredibly important this dinner was to the rest of your life. And now it wasn’t even dinner. So when you opened your mouth to speak, what came out was, “I have a dog.”

He stared at you for a moment, seemingly surprised that you’d spoken at all. “What? No. Absolutely not. You’ll have to get rid of it. I hate dogs.”

You didn’t even bother to try to think through the static in your head. “She’s coming with me. I don’t care what else happens, I’m fucking bringing my dog.”

Ransom just narrowed his eyes and stared at you for a moment, then, “Fine. Just keep it away from me. And if it destroys my house, you’re getting rid of it. I’m serious.”  

“She won’t,” you said, as sure of that as anything. “She’s a good girl.”

“Whatever,” he said, as the server returned with his second drink. He slid his empty glass to the end of the table, then said, “The bill,” without looking at her. As she took his empty away, he continued to you, “I don’t know why you want to deal with a dog and a baby, but…” he shrugged.

You just blinked at him, trying to catch up with the massive leap he’d just taken. “Baby? What? Who said anything about a baby?”

He laughed, loudly. “Oh my god, they didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” you asked, harshly, panic starting to build up in your chest. 

“Of course, they fucking left that to me. There’s a clause in the contract,” he said, “requiring you to get pregnant with my child within the first year.”

You stared over his shoulder, you couldn't look him in the eye, horrified and speechless. You couldn’t breathe. How were you supposed to breathe?

“You seriously didn’t read your own marriage contract?” The judgment in his tone had you shrinking in on yourself. You couldn’t help it.

“They didn’t give me any time,” you said, quietly. “They just made me sign it.”

“And you always do what you’re told, don’t you? Yeah, you look like a good girl.” He said it the same way he’d called you polite when he’d first sat down with you. Like it made you weak. Stupid. You’d never thought so before, but now you wondered if he was right.

“Fuck,” you whispered.

He chuckled humorlessly. “We agree on that,” he said. “This whole thing is fucked.”

At some point, without your notice, the server had returned with Ransom’s card and the receipt. He signed it quickly, then stood up. “Listen, now, at least, we can go back to our parents, tell them we met, chatted, got to know each other. Everything is hunky dory. And then do whatever we want for the next three weeks. Right now, I’m going to try to salvage my night. You go do,” he gestured vaguely at you, “whatever you need to do. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

And then he was gone and you were alone.

You sat in the back seat of the car on the way back to your apartment, running over every moment of your evening. You kept thinking about the way he’d looked at you, talked to you. A baby. You were supposed to have a baby with him. A child that you’d have to raise. By yourself, judging by how invested in all this he seemed to be. Forty, fifty years of him looking at you like that, talking to you like that. And a baby. You leaned forward and asked the driver to take you to your parents’ house instead. 

Once you arrived, you said you needed to speak to your stepfather urgently and were shown to his study. You stood in the middle of the room, too anxious to sit down, and waited. Everyone was making you wait tonight. 

Several minutes later, Joseph finally came in. “We weren’t expecting you tonight,” he said. “How did it go?”

You ignored his question, which you guessed was an answer in itself. “Please don’t make me do this,” you pleaded. 

“Sweetheart,” he sighed, disappointed, and moved over to his bar, pouring himself two fingers of decanted whiskey. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”

“It was. It was awful. He’s– I can’t do this. Please, please don’t make me.” Your voice broke, but you couldn’t be embarrassed about it, not when you were staring down an entire lifetime with him. 

“Everyone gets nervous before their wedding. You’ll be fine. This is important. To all of us.”

“It’s not nerves!” You were close to shouting, suddenly. “You weren’t there. You don’t know. There have to be other families we need things from. It doesn’t have to be this family, does it? It doesn’t have to be right now. Please, please, anything else. I’m begging you, don’t make me marry him, have a child with him.”

He chuckled lightly. “Oh, that’s what this is about. It won’t feel as scary once the baby is here. You’ll make an excellent mother.”

You just stared at him, agape. He wasn’t listening to anything you had to say. “How could you not tell me that was part of the contract? I deserved to know. I wouldn’t have signed!”

His face hardened at that. “You were naive to not expect it. Of course, children are part of this. I admit that the timing is a little fast, but Harlan insisted.”

“Joseph, please listen to me. I can’t. I can’t. Please. If you care about me at all, you won’t make me do this.”

“You’re being ridiculous. It’s done. Everything’s signed. You signed. Now,” he said and took a drink, “it’s getting late. It’s high time you went home. Hopefully, you’ll be able to calm yourself down there.” And then he left the room, ignoring you as your whole world fell apart.

As you left, you passed your mother in the hall. Neither of you said anything.

When you got home, Steve was waiting for you, having already let himself in, holding Lola in one arm. “How did it go?” he asked seriously. You shook your head and finally let the tears fall. He pulled you into his arms, smushing you against your dog, and gently guided you into your home.

Part Two

Tag list is open

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#ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale x female reader #ransom drysdale #chris evans fanfiction #fanfic #steve rogers #knives out #captain america #reader insert #arranged marriage au #kris wrote something #more than this #ce characters

[ronearoundblindly]

Fire & Ice (a RoAR drabble)

Flufftober Day 12, Ransom Drysdale x rich!Reader (see series)

I blame @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory and @brandycranby for encouraging HughSaison. This is fairly loosely related to the prompt but there are a bunch of temperature references/illusions. 🤷🏻‍♀️Hey, I did my best. -> While I'm at it, does anyone want to own up (privately) to being the person who first asked about rich!Reader over a year ago??? I always wonder if that anon is still reading 🥹

Uhhh, angst with a fluffy ending... yeah, yeah, Ro loves writing arguments, we get it.

Warnings: If you've never read my Ransom before, beware. He curses like an angry sailor, inside and outside of his brain. Plus super suggestive language/mentions of sex. LOTS of dialogue. Zero editing. MINORS DNI. WC 1.8k

He cannot fucking believe it's come to this.

"Don't you fucking dare," he snips. “You cannot use a veto. You put me in charge.”

He watches you walk calmly, put away a dish calmly, sit at his couch calmly.

"I've made my decision, and that's final."

"Fuck you." Ran means it, but in his own way. "You said I could choose--"

"Not that," you say, so calmly, too fucking calmly for someone who managed to turn Ransom Drysdale into this, this thing that cares about something so petty for all the wrong--or just different--reasons.

He stretches to his full height and sucks on his tongue for a moment.

You continue to scroll through your phone.

He never thought he’d get married but he’s always loved a good party. Since the ring's not flashy, he wants you in the tiara. He hasn’t given you the ring yet either because…well, because it’s been less than a year and you practically live on the other side of the planet. Call him old-fashioned, but Ransom wants to be home for all the big things. He can plan a damn party though—and the look to match— whenever the hell he wants and for however long he wants.

At length in the quiet, he asks, "why not?"

"Because it's ridiculous, and I'm saying 'no.' Veto."

"You don't get vetoes for--" Ran smothers his frustration, but barely. "Does this have to do with...money? Because you know I’m not talking millions of dollars in real diamonds or something.” But, ya know, he’s expecting a couple hundred thou between colored and semi-precious stones, plus the setting in—would gold or platinum work best for your skin? Grandma Thrombey’s ring is made of yellow gold. Ran guesses he should match that.

The false calm never lifts from you.

Eyes icy and blank, you look at him while his plans keep running amuck. "No."

Two letters. One word. He fucking hates it.

"You'll look beautiful," he yells in annoyance.

The phone drops on the leather couch. "I'm not wearing a crown to be married in. It'll look pretentious, ostentatious. I won't do it and that's that."

"It's a tiara," Ran corrects, "and with a veil, it's near invisible. It’ll include the wedding colors with the stones."

"No."

His blood starts to boil. Don't say it, don't say it, he thinks fleetingly but fails.

"Says the woman with shit taste."

Slowly, calmly, coldly, you walk over to him, stretching to your full height, holding his gaze. You’re wearing one of his sweaters again and nothing else. That’s his favorite look, but only for him.

It’s winter outside, the heater turned up so that your naked skin stays comfortable. You stay comfortably exposed all the time, when he has his way. Comfort is king in Ran’s house. 

Despite being exposed though, he can see how you've made it so far in business—in life—even with shitty taste. Your poker face rivals champions, and you are stalwart in your dedication. There's a hard (and hardening) edge to your simple, sly grin.

You take a deep breath in,  a whiff of him, a sample for assessment.

"Poor--" you sigh "--boy."

His teeth grind together, jaw tight as a vice. How dare you.

Ran's petty, spiteful even when he tries so damn hard to keep it together, and the wound of disinheritance is still fresh enough he cannot abide that sting.

"Burn in hell."

You don’t take the bait and simply cock your head, waiting for his guilty meltdown. So far, he does this at least once a week, sometimes multiple times a day. It bothers you, you’ve told him, that he questions everything instantly, that he can’t trust you or your feelings or his surroundings, that he panics over the idea of ever having to get a job, but it’s also great ammunition against a man-child.

The grin never leaves your lips. You're in fine fighting form tonight. Ran shouldn't have tangoed.

"Go fuck some bimbo's ass."

Oh.

Oh, you bitch.

That's low.

Ransom's face contorts. "It was one time," he gripes, "and we weren't even dating."

Your palm lies flat against his chest. "We'd slept together several times, and you even volunteered for me by then so..."

Ran grabs your hips and brings you close, avoiding your gaze while hoping you keep looking at him, cooling him down, evening his hot temper.

"Of course," you add casually, "that wasn't the first time you did that, was it?"

This is where it gets tricky for him. Ran never had a real relationship before you--not even his 'bond' with his parents compares--but old habits die hard.

He shoves at your hips, spinning you two until your back hits the glass block window between the house and the bare woods outside.

His head ducks to mirror the angle of yours. "Doesn't have to be the last either."

"Hugh," you warn, as threatening as wind across his cheek.

He's gonna regret this. He knows he will, but curiosity gets the better of him.

"Tell me. Tell me why you don't want to wear something gorgeous and fancy for an occasion where you are meant to be gorgeous and fancy."

The turn in your expression is pronounced. He didn't expect you to be more alarmed by his caring than his come-ons.

"Bad form," you finally admit. "Some rich bitch thinks she's a princess. Looks really bad."

"You are rich. You are a--"

"Careful..."

"--I'm saying 'princess.' Calm down," he says to the perfectly, eerily calm woman in his arms. "Would you just fucking let me compliment you?"

Ran fiddles with some hair around your ear, noting proudly how your eyes droop shut slightly at the smallest touch from him. He likes that you respond to him, his distance, his fury, his doubt, and his passion. You make feeling okay. You are his safe space since you've seen him at his lowest.

You see him.

There's very few things in life that make more sense to Ransom than his wife will be the one who sees him and he lets see him. Everyone else and everything else can piss off.

God, he fucking hates that he loves you so much. Why won’t you just wear the fucking crown? You’ve earned it; you’re the one who conquered his demons, not Ran.

He could buy it anyway, have your veil sown straight on it, not give you the chance to argue, or he could take you out to shop, put one in your hands, knock it onto the floor, and claim ‘you break it, you bought it.’ Problem solved, but he’s a petty bitch.

He tucks the edge of his lip into his cheek.

He should be less of a petty bitch.

“What do you want?” Ran asks. “What’s it gonna take?”

He keeps his sharp eyes locked to yours, watching understanding shrink your once-dilating pupils

Change in demeanor. “Oh my god.”

Aaaand there’s the regret. “Don’t make a big deal—“

“HOLY SHIT.”

“It’s not—I’m just—“

“Hugh Fucking Drysdale?! Trying to compromise??? I’ve see it all now.”

“Stop,” he whines, dropping his head to your squirming chest.

“Wait—” you whip out of his arms and hustle back to the couch, retrieving your phone “—do it again.”

He’s too lost in staring up the sweater as you bend over to notice right away.

“Are you filming me?” Disgusting. Childish. Petty, just like him. Maybe he’s had more influence on you than he realized.

“Your face is priceless.”

“Give me that.” Ran doesn’t put much effort into reaching the phone. He would rather win for his cause. “Seriously, what do you want?”

The arm held up falls lax. He has a clear view of your home screen, so you weren’t taking a video. You just wanted to tease him. Fuck, you love to tease him.

Dramatically, your hand frames your chin in thought. “Well, I don’t want something that extravagant to go to waste, but it won’t go with every outfit…”

“No, not with colored stones,” Ran says absently. He guesses you want to get more use out of it. Gross.

“Okay, my compromise is whenever I wear it, you treat me like a princess, or perhaps, your queen.”

“Uh, sure,” he snorts. You already get treated better than any woman he’s ever known…by him, of course. He’s vaguely aware that some people do even more than the bare minimum, but those are other people. Baby steps.

“If that tiara is on my head, Hugh, you become a perfect and adoring gentleman.”

Ran wrinkles his nose. “What?”

“You heard me. That’s my compromise. Dress me that way and you have to treat me like royalty.”

“Like…” He rushes forward to sweep you up, wrapping your legs around his waist and thrusting his hips. “Princess Pussy?”

“Ran. Ew, no.”

“Queen Cunt?” Heh, he chuckles, King Comfort and Queen Cunt. No, don’t say that out loud.

You gag slightly. “Super not what I meant.”

“You’re already going to marry me, but you want me to worship you? No fucking way.” Ransom flat-out laughs.

“How did you get worship out of ‘treat me nicely?’” Your arms tighten around his neck, pulling your faces closer.

He exaggerates a groan. “I don’t know. That’s asking a lot.”

“Oh, right,” you say with a roll of your eyes. “Just keep on being shitty…even to your future wife. What could possibly go wrong?”

He huffs.

Ran is passionate about making you look good, not just because you are on his arm. Sure, he probably focuses on all the wrong things—all the selfish things,—but you easily think of the big picture and completely forget about yourself.

That’s already a balance. That’s already a big compromise.

And yet…

Ran’s looking at your face and admiring your playfulness when he could be ordering you to unzip his pants. He’s more excited to see you decked out pretty things than he is to say he dressed you. He’s concerned with how you refuse to spend money for you even though you’ve put no restrictions on him. That’s…that’s just a different Ransom Drysdale. That’s a man he wouldn’t recognize if he weren’t watching his reflection in your eyes.

Ran pecks a gentle kiss to your waiting lips.

“Okay, princess,” he coos, his arms snaking tighter over your back and his fingers plunging into your hair. He keeps you close, noses touching, hot breath mingling. “Shh, shhh.”

He hears the faintest whine escape you, and he just can’t help himself. He’s a petty bitch.

“Don’t worry, princess. I’ll fuck your ass.”

🙈🙇🏻‍♀️😝

sorry not sorry.

@supraveng @1950schick @patzammit @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @yiiiikesmish @ashesofblackroses @starkleila

[Main Masterlist; The Root of All Ransom Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

#the root of all ransom #ransom drysdale x you #flufftober 2023 #day 12 #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale fanfiction #ransom drysdale fluff #ransom drysdale smut #kinda

[secretswiftymarvelfan]

Court Of Public Opinion - Andy Barber x Reader (Part 2)

A/N: This is the sequel series to Memory Served and will contain major spoilers for that series so go read that one first if you haven’t already!

Summary: Back home with Andy you begin the process of returning back to normal after everything

Word Count: 8.9k

Warnings: Language! Angst! Talk of Pregnancy! Fluff! 

Dividers by me!

Series Masterlist / Masterlist

Chapter 2

The sun was blinding as you stepped outside. Even raising your hand to block the rays did nothing to clear your vision. You tried to take a step forward but stumble, tripping over some material. Looking down you find yourself shrouded in white fabric, you try to kick it away but it doesn’t work, it just gets more tangled.

The more you struggled the worse it got, the material becoming suffocating as it crept further up your body. It seemed to slither like a snake up your body, binding your hands together, pinning your arms to your body.

Gasping for air you tried to scream out for help, for anyone to come and save you. But you’re voice was gone, the material completely trapping you. Your body a prison for your screaming mind.

Your vision began to clear, the blinding light disappearing behind a dark cloud. You look down at yourself to see the white material trapping you was a wedding dress. Your arms were no longer pinned, your mouth uncovered but you were still trapped, your voice silenced.

Looking back up you could see the entire Thrombey family stood waiting for you. Ransom stood in the middle under an arch in a black tux. He gives you a lopsided smile before slowly walking up the aisle towards you.

You wanted to back up, you wanted to scream and run away but you couldn’t. You were frozen in place.

“Hey Kitten, it’s okay,” he says softly his hand cupping your cheek, making you mentally flinch “This is the right thing, it's where you belong, we want our future together right?” He continues his hand dropping to your waist, thumb brushing over your abdomen.

You tried to shake your head, push him away but your body refused to move. You could only watch as a smile grew on his face as he leaned down. The screaming in your head got louder with every inch he moved closer, your stomach turning and flipping.

You woke with a start just as his lips met yours. Your hand clutched your chest as you tried to control your breathing. Your eyes darted around the dark room, the quiet beeping from monitors reminding you that you were in the hospital. A shiver ran through your body, your blanket wrapped around your legs from where you’d turned and tossed in your sleep.

Glancing over at the clock you could see only an hour has passed since you last woke. Despite how exhausted you felt you couldn’t sleep for long. You really tried once Andy and your parents left, but you just couldn’t. Every hour or so you’d wake in a blind panic, your mind cruelly replaying the last 4 months, seeing Ransom’s face smiling back at you, seeing the sinister glint in his eyes. Even though you knew Ransom was in custody you were terrified that he’d find a way to take you back.

You gave up trying to fall back asleep, just staring out the window and watching the sunrise. You’d try and get some sleep when Andy was back when he could protect you. Make sure that no harm would come to you.

You were still staring out the window when the door opened and a nurse walked in carrying a tray full of food “Hi, did you sleep well?” She smiled kindly.

“Yeah,” you lied as you pushed yourself up into a sitting position.

“Oh wait here let me help you” she says quickly moving to help you, fluffing your pillows.

“Thank you,” you say quietly.

She gives you another kind smile and pulls the tray at the end of the bed closer to you. She pours you a glass of water, setting the glass down next to your tray.

“How are you feeling? Anything hurt?” She asks as she looks through your charts and checks the monitors around you.

“Sore but okay,” you say as you look down at your breakfast, your stomach turning at the sight of it.

“Okay,” she nods putting your chart away, frowning slightly when she sees you pushing your food around “You okay? Not hungry?” She asks

You shake your head “Not really” you mutter.

“That’s okay, loss of appetite is common after experiencing a traumatic event” she reassures you “Just eat what you can, you’ll need it for your strength and it will help you recover quicker, your stats are good but your doctor will want you to have eaten something before he discharges you”

You nod your head “Okay, I’ll try”

She smiles warmly down at you “Good, I’ll be back shortly to check on your stitches and re-bandage your leg” she tells you as she makes her way out of the room.

You let out a long sigh staring down at your breakfast. You took a deep breath trying to ignore the turning feeling in your stomach. You grabbed the plastic fork and scooped up a decent amount of scrambled egg. You had only raised it to your mouth when you smelt it and instantly gagged. The fork clattered down to your plate, your fist covering your mouth as you tried to stop yourself from vomiting.

Once the feeling began to pass your reached out with shaking hands to grab your water, taking a small sip to get rid of the stale taste in your mouth. Looking down at your food you felt nauseous just at the sight of it so you pushed the tray as far away as possible.

You had never been a picky eater, if anything you could be quite adventurous. You liked having scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, you knew this hospital food wasn’t going to be the nicest but you should have been fine.

You slumped back in your bed in defeat, telling yourself that you’d try again later once the nausea had passed. As you relaxed your hands moved to rest across your stomach, the motion making you freeze. Your mind running at a million miles per hour as you tried to convince yourself it was nothing, but you couldn’t.

In your dream Ransom had mentioned a future together, his thumb had brushed over your stomach. A motion that would seem strange if it wasn’t for a reason. During your time with him, Ransom said you had an IUD, but you know now that he was lying.

What if your nausea and dream meant something? All the dreams you had with Ransom had been memories trying to break you free. What if this dream was also trying to tell you something? What if Ransom wasn’t only trying to trap you in marriage but with a child too? So that if you ever remembered who you were forever attached to him.

You were startled when the door opened and the nurse walked back in. She glanced down at your plate to see you had barely touched it, giving you a sympathetic smile “Hospital food is never the nicest” she reassures you.

You just give her a weak nod, nervous to even open your mouth just in case.

She begin to check over the cut on your leg, making sure it wasn’t infected. She was just redoing the bandage when you felt brave enough to talk.

“If I needed to see a doctor about something, could I ask you to get them?” You ask quietly.

Her brows furrow slightly as she looks back up at you “Yes, do you know what kind of doctor you need?” She asks.

“An ObGyn,” you say quietly.

Her face soften as she nodded her head “Of course, I’ll page for one urgently” she reassures you, putting her hand on your wrist.

“Thank you” you whisper.

“Not a problem, I’ll take this away but just buzz if you get hungry and I’ll sneak in a jello cup” she winks picking up your uneaten plate of food, managing to get a small smile from you.

Once she was gone you let out a shaky breath of air, trying to stop yourself from crying. You had managed to escape Ransom before he could trap you in marriage, but what if you hadn’t completely escaped him?

“Hi, I’m Dr Roberts you asked to see me?” A kind-looking middle-aged woman in pink scrubs asks walking in.

“Oh uh hi, yeah I uh” you stutter trying to get your words out, your chest feeling tight.

“Breathe,” Dr Roberts says gently, demonstrating a deep breath.

You follow her lead, taking a few deep breaths before finally feeling able to speak once more “I’m worried I might be pregnant” you admit.

Dr Roberts nods her head slowly “Okay, have you had unprotected sex?” She asks you.

“I-I don’t really know, yes? I know I take the pill, but… Ransom he- he told me I had an IUD” you explain stuttering.

Dr Roberts nods her head in understanding “I see, well I can send some of the blood samples that were taken yesterday off for testing, that will be the most accurate way to tell” she tells you “Do you want to talk options now? Or do you know what you want to do?”

“I can’t keep it, I just can’t” you state shaking your head.

“Okay, I’ll make sure the correct procedure is scheduled if the results are positive, would you like to go back onto the pill if it’s negative?” She says glancing down at your chart.

“Yes please” you nod your head.

“Of course, I’ll be back soon,” she says with a gentle smile before walking back out of the room.

As she does so you see Andy standing in the corridor about to enter the room. You swallow nervously as he looks up and down at Dr Roberts giving her a quick nod before walking in. You’d hoped that you could find out and deal with whatever the outcome was without having to tell him. You’d seen how difficult for him to hear what you’d done with Ransom. You wanted to save him future pain but that option was already gone.

“Hey is everything okay?” He asks taking your hand and gently kissing your knuckles.

“Please don’t be mad” you start squeezing his hand “They’re just checking in case I’m pregnant, he- he told me I had the IUD”

Andy lets out a long sigh shaking his head “Sick bastard” he muttered under his breath, he forces a smile putting his other hand over yours, you noticing the bandage that wasn’t there yesterday “Whatever happens I’m going to be standing right beside you, whatever you decide”

“I don’t want it, I can’t have any link to him,” you tell him shaking your head.

“Okay, okay it's okay” Andy reassures you “You don’t have to explain, it's your choice”

You let out a shaky breath, biting your lip as you fought back the tears “Thank you” you whisper.

Andy gives you a brave smile, kissing your hand “Anything for you honey, anything for you”

“What happened to your hand?” You ask nodding to his injured hand.

“It’s nothing” Andy reassures you “I accidentally dropped a glass last night when washing up, cut myself when trying to clear it up”

You knew straight away it was a lie. Andy was not a clumsy person, there was no way that he dropped that glass by accident. It would have been on purpose, you could only guess it was because he was angry, and that you were to blame. You had cheated on him after all.

He then reaches down into the bag he brought with him “I brought you something to eat, hospital food is never nice” he says putting a sizeable brown paper bag down on the tray table, you instantly smell the delicious scent of pastries and your stomach rumbles but you weren’t sure if it was hunger or nausea “I also brought some things from home to make you feel more comfortable” he continues pulling out your favourite blanket and your pillow.

He stands to swap out your hospital pillow for your own and drapes your blanket over you. The scent of home washing over you and all you want to do is snuggle down and fall fast asleep. Your eyes become glassy as you shake your head at his kindness.

“Thank you Andy” you whisper.

Andy gives you a small warm smile as he brushes some hair out of your face “Anything for you honey” he says quietly as he kisses the top of your head, as he pulls away his hand runs down your arm as his fingers intertwined with yours as he sits down on the side of the bed “are you hungry?”

You shake your head gently “No, not yet I’ve only recently woken up” you tell him, it wasn’t strictly a lie, you just hadn’t been asleep for long.

“Okay, it’ll all keep so it's there whenever you get hungry” Andy reassures you.

You give him another small smile before shifting closer and resting your head against him. Your hand slowly running up and down his arms as you let out a long sigh.

“How’s work been?” You ask him after a few moments of silence.

Andy lets out a small huff of a laugh looking down at you “Do you really wanna know?” He asks with a lopsided smile.

You nod your head “Please? I want to hear what you’re up to?”

Andy chuckles gently “Well don’t be mad, but I’ve been working a lot, took on whatever case I could to keep busy, I did an assault case, a burglary case, and most recently a fraud case” he tells you.

“What about that big drug case?” You ask recalling the case he’d been working on before you disappeared.

Andy lets out a long sigh looking down “The guy was prosecuted but I had to step down because…” he says drifting off at the end his eyes meeting yours and you knew exactly what he meant.

“Oh” you mutter “It’s good you won it though”

Andy gives you a small smile nodding his head “Yeah and Neil got fired which made my life easier”

You arch a brow looking up at him “Really? What for?” You ask.

Andy shifted in his seat slightly, clearing his throat “he made some inappropriate comments” he sighs shaking his head.

You could see his jaw clench as he shook his head and you could only guess what those comments were “about me?”

Andy sighs nodding his head “Yeah” he admits quietly.

You run your hand up and down his arm soothingly “I hope you clocked him” you say earning a small chuckle from him.

He gives you a lopsided smile “Got a couple in before Lynn pulled me off him” he smiles.

“I bet she hated having to do that” you smirk.

“Yeah she admitted she’s been wanting to fire him for months,” Andy tells you a smile still on his face.

You were so relieved to see him smile, to have a somewhat normal conversation where you could laugh and smile. A conversation without the heavy dark cloud of the last 4 months lingering over you.

The light air around you disappeared when Dr Roberts walks back into the room. Both you and Andy sit up to attention when you see her. Your eyes scan her face trying to work out what she was going to say before she could even say it. But you couldn’t her poker face was too good.

“Miss Y/L/N I can confirm that your test results all came back as negative” she reports and you hear Andy let out a large unguarded sigh of relief

Glancing up at him you could see just how relieved, his bandaged hand clenching and flexing. You looked down unable to look at him any longer, you hated that you were the cause of his pain, his anger. Guilt washes over you in waves, you were the reason he broke that glass, the reason he’s hurting so much.

“Thank you,” Andy says nodding his head.

Dr Roberts gives you a small smile “I’ve added the pill to your prescription to take home with you later” You could only manage a small nod in response.

You hear the door to your room close as you looked down at your lap, your fingers fiddling. You were relieved that the test had come back negative, you didn’t want to be tied to Ransom forever. You hated that you were even in this situation to begin with, you were so stupid to not question Ransom more, to trust him.

Andy’s hand reaching out to take yours pulled you from your thoughts. You look over as he lifts your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles softly.

“It’s all gonna be okay” he reassures you.

You gave him a small nod of your head even though you didn’t believe it. How was it going to be okay? Even if Ransom went to prison for everything he did to you, everything would be different. The person you were before Ransom was gone, you had changed. Andy had fallen in love with the old you, not this version, you wouldn’t blame him if he decided to walk away.

Maybe it would be easier if you set him free “Andy…” you started shifting to face him but you were interrupted by your parents walking in.

“Hi sweetpea, how are you? Did you sleep well?” Your dad asks as he walks over towards you.

You force a smile looking up at your parents “I’m fine” Your eyes met your mom’s and you could tell she knew you weren’t fine, but she didn’t say anything, she just put her hand on your knee and gave you a reassuring squeeze.

Throughout the rest of the morning, you manage to slowly eat some of the plainer pastries that Andy had brought you. Just slowly ripping small pieces off as and when, listening to your parents talk.

“So your father had the bright idea that instead of just taping over the outlets, he’d take the plastic casing off,” your mom says with a small roll of the eyes as he glanced over at your dad.

“Why faff around with tape when you can get crisp lines without” your dad argues shrugging his shoulders.

You smile gently glancing over at Andy to see him trying to hide his laughter, hand running over his beard to cover his smile.

“But then the outlet in the wall slipped so your father just stuck the screwdriver in to lift it up, forgetting the fact that it was still live” your mom continues making your jaw drop.

“Oh my god Dad! Are you okay?” You gasp in shock.

“It was just a minor shock, I’m completely fine” your dad reassures you.

“My freshly painted cream walls however were completely ruined” your mom huffed making you chuckle.

“The scorch mark went halfway up the wall,” Andy told you “Your dad is still banned from decorating”

“I’m sure he’s not complaining about that” you smirk over at your dad, who winks back at you.

A knock on your hospital door grabs your attention, looking over you see Carrie poking her head into the room. She glances around the room before smiling gently back at you. Tears filled her eyes as she rushes over arms outstretched towards you. You instantly accept her hug, not realising how much you’d missed your best friend.

“I’ve missed you so much” she mutters as she pulls away and wipes the tears from her eyes.

“I missed you too” you smile through your own tears squeezing her hand.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again” she lightly scolds making you chuckle.

“I’ll try not to” you promise.

“Here Carrie, you can sit here,” Andy says standing up from his chair.

“Thanks Andy you’re a godsend” Carrie says with a grateful sigh as she moves to sit down.

“Why don’t we go grab lunch for everyone? Let you girls catch up” your mom suggests standing up.

“Good idea, that cafe down the street looked nice” your dad agrees “Andy do you want to join us?”

Andy glances over at you, his brow arched in question. You wanted to say you were fine, but the idea of Andy leaving you made your heart race. Things between you were different and seemed uncertain but you still trusted him to keep you safe. Andy must have seen the look of hesitancy in your eyes before giving you a reassuring smile.

“Uh no I’m gonna hang back, make sure Carrie doesn’t drop me in it for anything” Andy says with a playful smirk making Carrie roll her eyes.

“I can bide my time Barber” she retorts “Not that I have much anyway, I swear you snagged the only perfect man in Massachusetts” she adds under her breath.

You couldn’t help but smile gently because she was right, Andy was perfect. You couldn’t believe that he wanted you, now more than ever. Looking up at Andy you see the small bashful smile on his face as he shook his head, clearly not agreeing with Carrie.

“Okay, we’ll grab you something, Carrie would you like something?” Your dad asks.

“No I’m good thanks, I ate before I got here” Carrie smiles shaking her head.

“Of course, we’ll be back soon” your mom smiles before gently ushering your dad out the door.

Andy moves to the other side of your bed but instead of sitting down in the chairs vacated by your parents, he perched beside you on the bed, his arm resting behind you. You glance up at him, earning a warm smile in response before he leans down to kiss the top of your head.

As you looked back over at Carrie you see the sad but warm smile on her face. Once you were so familiar with now. The smile that said they were happy and relieved you were back, but so devastated at what had happened.

“I won’t ask if you’re okay” Carrie starts earning a small smile from you “but if you need anything, and I mean anything at all, I’ll be right there for you”

“Thank you Carrie, that means a lot,” you say quietly, her hand squeezing yours “So how are things? Been busy in the office?” You ask desperate to change the subject.

Carrie lets out a quiet chuckle “Good, a little busy but we’ve managed, the series launch party went really well” she tells you.

“Oh that’s good, I wish I’d been there,” you say with a small sigh.

“It's fine you didn’t really miss much, lots of boring schmoozing” Carrie says with a small wave of her hand.

You chuckle gently nodding your head “How’s Harrison?” You ask.

“Still a man-child” she says rolling her eyes “but he got a promotion recently which is great, perfect timing to have some extra cash” she smiles.

“Thinking of going on a holiday with it?” You ask her shifting to face her more.

She smiles gently shaking her head “Not really, we are planning on getting away for a week in a couple of months' time but we booked that before the promotion” she explains “But we are putting it towards something pretty amazing” she adds reaching into her handbag and passing something over to you.

You turn the sheet of paper over, your breath catching when you saw the sonogram “You’re- you’re-“ you stutter unable to say the actual word “How far along are you?” You ask instead.

“Just coming up to four months” Carrie smiles.

“Con-congratulations I didn’t know you guys were trying” you say with a small shake of your head as you pass back the sonogram.

Carrie snorts shaking her head “We weren’t” she states “We’d agreed we were at a place where we were ready if it happened but didn’t want to actually start trying but Harrison’s libido skyrocketed and got me stuck in this situation” she jokes with a roll of her eyes.

“Oh,” you mutter forcing a smile.

You were over the moon for Carrie, you knew she would be the perfect mom. Carrie didn’t know what had happened this morning, you hadn’t even told your parents. If she had, you knew she would have chosen a different way to phrase it.

“Hey is everything okay?” Carrie asks gently, noticing your change in mood.

You glance up at Andy as he shifts awkwardly next to you “We- we uh” he mutters.

“Shit- are you?” Carrie says sitting forward putting her hand on your arm.

“No,” you say shaking your head “I thought I might have been- he- he said I had an IUD, I-I don’t” you explain.

“God the sick bastard” Carrie mutters in disgust “I swear as soon as I see that sick trust fund prick I’m gonna rip him to pieces” she growls.

You let out a weak chuckle at that “Evidently there’ll be a line”

Carrie smiles gently before sighing shaking her head “I’m sorry, if I’d known I would have waited to share the news”

“No, no I’m so happy for you, over the moon really” you reassure her “You’re gonna be an amazing mom”

Carrie smiles warmly back at you “Thank you, we are really excited despite it being a bit of a surprise”

“I’m not surprised” you smile “But um we decided not to tell my parents, they’ve been through enough and the test was negative so I don’t want them to worry over nothing”

Carrie nods in understanding zipping her mouth shut and throwing away the key “secret is safe with me” she promises.

“So how has it been so far, morning sickness wasn’t too bad was it?” You ask hoping to show just how excited you were for her.

“It was rough for a couple of weeks, but poor Nova the smell of dog food just would set me off, Harrison had to make sure he wasn’t late home from work so he could feed her dinner because I couldn’t be in the same room at it,” Carrie says shaking her head, hand over her mouth making you smile since you knew their german shepherd had an appetite of a horse “I swear Nova is getting broody though, I caught her gathering all her toys onto her bed and cuddling them like they were her pups, Harrison says it’s nothing but I swear if he doesn’t hurry up and get her spayed we’re gonna have pups and a baby to contend with”

“That does sound like it could be a handful, a cute handful but still” you chuckle.

“Yeah I would love her to have pups, she’s a sweet German shepherd and I bet she’d have some gorgeous pups” Carrie sighs “guess we could just make sure she’s on the lead when in season so we don’t have any accidents”  she reasons thinking out loud.

“Just hope there isn’t a dog equivalent of Harrison out there” Andy jokes making the three of you chuckle, a warm smile on his face when you look up at him.

“We’re clearly missing out on a joke here” your father smirks as he walks in with your mom carrying coffees and lunch.

“Oh leave them be” your mom scolds as she walks over to you, passing you a small tub “I got you some pasta salad, eat as much or as little as you like” She smiles.

“Thanks Mom” you smile taking the fork she offered.

Your mom smiles as she leans in to kiss your forehead “It’s nothing dear, we’re all here for you and will help you get through this everything will go back to normal I promise” she whispers.

You look up at her as she pulls away, her word’s hitting deeper than she probably realised. You glance up at Andy who was sipping on the coffee your dad had passed him, a smile on his face as your dad told him about the old lady ahead of them in the queue who insisted on paying in coins. Only this morning you were considering letting Andy go, but maybe your mom was right. Maybe you could go back to normal, maybe you and Andy would be alright. But you wouldn’t know if you didn’t try and pushing him away when you needed him most wasn’t going to help.

“Thanks Mom” you smile, resting your hand on top of hers “I needed to hear that”

By 5 pm the hospital finally discharged you and allowed Andy to finally take you home. As he drove you home he kept glancing over to make sure you were okay, finding you just looking out of the window with an unreadable look on your face. He wanted to reach out to take your hand but you held them out of reach. Your chin resting in one hand, the other tucked away as you hugged yourself.

When he pulled up outside the house he heard you let out a deep and shaky sigh as you looked up at the house. Andy put the car in park and turned off the engine. Shifting over to face you he went to reach out to you but hesitated for a moment, second-guessing himself and whether you’d be okay with him touching you, before eventually gently placing his hand on your shoulder.

“You okay?” He asked quietly when you looked over at him.

You gave him the smallest of nods as you swallowed “Yeah, yeah I’m glad to be home” you whispered.

Andy smiled gently nodding his head “I’m glad you’re home too” he says earning a small smile from you.

Climbing out of the car he grabbed the bag from the trunk. As he shut the trunk he could see you had also climbed out of the car, standing with your back to him as you stared up at the house, arms wrapped around your waist.

Walking over he stopped beside you “C’mon let's get inside and get you comfortable” he says.

You nod in response allowing him to wrap his arm around your waist to support you as you limped up the path. He carefully helped you inside the house, taking you straight to the couch so you could sit down.

“Do you want a drink? Water or something?” Andy asked once you were settled.

“Water please,” you say your eyes wandering around the room.

Andy nods heading straight into the kitchen to grab you a glass of water, his hands shaking slightly as he filled the glass. When he returned he crouched down in front of you as he passed you the glass, watching as you took a couple of small sips before holding the glass in your lap. Potentially to stop your uninjured leg from shaking.

“How you feeling?” Andy asked after a moment.

You took a deep breath glancing around the room “I never thought I’d be so relieved to be somewhere I recognised” you admit, when you look back over at Andy he could see your eyes turning glassy.

He moved in an instant, sitting beside you on the couch, his arm wrapped around your shoulders as you leaned in to rest your head on his shoulder. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head as you sniffled back your tears, reminding and reassuring you that you were safe, you were home, and everything was going to be okay.

The sound of Andy’s phone ringing broke the silence in the room. Pulling out his phone he looks down to see it was Frank FaceTiming him. Glancing over at you he sees you already looking down at his phone, the ghost of a smile on your face as you looked at the caller ID photo of Frank and Mary.

“Do you want to talk to them now? Or later, I can say you’re resting up” Andy offers.

You take a deep breath nodding your head, quickly wiping away the last of your tears “Yeah, do I look okay? I don’t want to worry Mary” you ask.

The corners of Andy’s lips twitch upwards “You look beautiful, always do” he smiles gently as he swipes to answer the call.

“Hey, you’re back home, how’s Y/N?” Frank asks when the call connects.

“I’ll let her tell you herself” Andy smiles turning the phone so Frank could see you.

“Hey Frank, I’m doing fine it’s really nice to see you,” you say smiling gently.

“I’m really glad to hear it, it’s great to see you home and safe” Frank smiles.

“Is that her?!” You hear Mary exclaim, both you and Andy chuckling when she jumps onto the couch next to Frank “It is! I’ve missed you so much!”

Andy looks over at you, smiling as you smiled back at Mary. It was the first real smile he’d seen from you and he couldn’t be happier.

“I’ve missed you too sweetie” you smile “How’s school?”

“Normal school is a bit boring, but my university classes are fun” Mary says shrugging her shoulders.

“Good I hope you haven’t been giving your uncle too much grief,” you say with a knowing look.

“Nope,” Mary says shaking her head.

Frank rolls his eyes “No more than usual she means” he corrects making the both of you chuckle.

“So how are you guys? Have you earnt any more girl scout badges Mary?” You ask.

“3! Wait there, I’ll go get them,” Mary says before dashing off and out of shot.

“We’re good, plugging along, I’m just trying to find a good time to get up to see you guys, between my work schedule, Mary’s classes and mother’s schedule it’s proving a bit of a head-scratcher” Frank sighs as he scratches at his beard.

“Don’t worry about your mother, you can stay with us” you say shaking your head, Andy hums in agreement.

“Yeah we have plenty of room here, and it’ll save you a headache” Andy adds earning a huff of laughter from Frank.  

“It’s fine really, I don’t want to give you any hassle or crowd you” Frank sighs shaking his head.

“You won’t be” Andy states “It’ll be nice to see you both… be good for us” he says with a small sigh as he glances over at you, if just seeing Mary manage to make you smile, Andy could only imagine the good it would do to have her here.

“Yeah…” you mutter glancing over at Andy for a second before looking back towards Frank “It’ll be good” you agree quietly, your arms crossing, one hand rubbing your arm.

Frank glanced between Andy and you, his brows furrowing for a second before he nods “Yeah okay, well um I’ll have a look at my work schedule, see when I have a spare weekend” he agrees just before Mary reappears jumping back onto the couch making Frank huff.

“I earnt my pets badge for taking Fred to a meeting, he was very popular,” Mary says holding up the badge for you to see.

Andy watches as the smile returns to your face “Well he is a very cool one-eyed cat” you smile.

You continued to listen to Mary talk about what she’d been up to, Andy watching you the entire time. Relaxing back into the couch for the first time in months, a soft smile on his face as he saw you open and seem more like yourself.

When he heard a knock on the door he quickly jumped up, promising to be right back as he went to go see who it was. He expected it to be your parents even though they said they’d let you settle back in tonight before visiting. The lighter mood that filled the house disappeared when he opened the door and saw the detectives standing outside.

“Mr Barber” Elliot greets with a small nod of the head.

“Detective, are you here with an update?” Andy asks with a small sigh.

“A small one, yes” Elliot nods “May we come inside”

“Uh yeah sure,” Andy says stepping aside to let them im, he leads them towards the living room pausing when he heard your soft laughter “Just wait here a second,” he says holding up his hand.

The detectives nod their heads, Andy lets out a small sigh as he steps inside the living room stopping behind the couch behind you.

He puts his hand on your shoulder as he leans over to whisper in your ear “The police are here, they have an update”

The smile on your face instantly disappears as you look over your shoulder at him, swallowing as you nodded your head “Okay” you mutter your voice barely above a whisper.

Andy gives you a reassuring smile as he rubbed your shoulder before turning his attention back to Frank and Mary “Sorry guys we’re gonna have to go” he says to them.

“Not a problem, we understand” Frank says giving Mary a pointed look when she went to complain “Call us whenever you need okay? We’re here for you guys”

“Thanks, Frank, I’ll talk to you soon,” you tell him with a small nod and tight smile.

Frank nods his eyes darting to Andy with a small smile before the call disconnects. Andy lets out a small sigh as he presses a kiss to the top of your head as he stands to beckon the detectives in.

“Please have a seat,” Andy says gesturing to the couch.

“No need, we unfortunately don’t have much to share” Elliot says with a small sigh glancing over at Detective Wagner.

“CSI were able to identify enough evidence for us to arrest and charge Drysdale, but he wasn’t at home” Wagner explains.

“Where was he? I thought you said he arrested him?” Andy demanded.

“He was at his family home, with his entire family present” Elliot explains.

“Shit” you mutter, dropping your head, hands running into your hair.

“What does that mean?” Andy questions glancing between you and the detectives.

“As we arrested him, he protested his innocence and his family tried to prevent his arrest, it all got a bit heated” Elliot explains with a sigh.

“What did he say? And the family” Andy asks crossing his arms over his chest.

“He said you had been having an affair, that you had chosen to stay with him” Elliot says glancing over at you.

“But that-that’s not true, it’s- it's not, he’s lying!” You stutter shaking your head, your eyes darting over to Andy and back to the detectives.

“We know sweetheart” Andy reassures you, putting his hand on your shoulder.

“We have enough evidence that supports your version of events” Elliot confirms.

“But he’s got his entire family on his side, one of his cousins even live-streamed the whole thing” Wagner explains.

You let out a small huff as you shook your head “Of course they would, they all hated me, except Harlan that is” you mutter.

“He and the nurse remained quiet and inside while we arrested Drysdale,” Wagner said quickly, an excited smile on his face as he spoke about Harlan.

You just hummed nodding your head and hugging yourself tightly as you looked down at the floor.

“We wanted to warn you that it doesn’t seem like Drysdale or his family are going to go down easily” Elliot says glancing between Andy and you.

“What do you mean?” Andy frowns putting his hands on his hips.

“We’re hoping to gather enough evidence that he pleads guilty, but in the instance that he doesn’t, it might be a long trial” Elliot explains with a sigh.

Andy lets out a long sigh hand running down his face and over his beard as he began to pace “How confident are you that you can get him to plead guilty” he says turning back to the detectives.

“Fairly confident, more so if we can prove he orchestrated the accident” Elliot says nodding his head.

But Andy wasn’t convinced, he let out a long sigh shaking his head. Glancing down at you he could see the nervous look on your face. Ransom had already gone to extremes to get you, Andy didn’t doubt he wouldn’t go further to get off free.

“You said the cousin live-streamed it? How far could that go?” Andy questions.

“We stopped it as soon as we could but as far as we can tell his following is predominantly the alt-right, so we aren’t concerned about it spreading into general media” Wagner explains.

“And we won’t be mentioning his name in the statement to the press we’ll release in a few days to announce you’ve been found safe and well” Elliot adds nodding over to you “So currently there’s no link between the two of you as the live stream started after we mentioned the charges”

Andy nods his head “Good, is there anything else?” He asks with a sigh.

“No that’s all, but we’ll let you know about anything we find as soon as we can” Elliot promises.

“Thank you” you mutter glancing up at them.

“Yeah thank you, I’ll um walk you out” Andy says gesturing towards the door.

As the detectives step outside Elliot turns back around to face Andy “We will do all we can to make sure Drysdale goes down for this” he promises.

Andy sighs nodding his head “Thank you” he says before shutting the door.  

Once the door was shut he took a moment to gather himself, pinching the bridge of his nose as he let out a deep long breath. He was angry and frustrated, all he wanted was this to be over, so the both of you could just move on. He wanted it to be simple, for Ransom to be caught red-handed and sent down for his crimes, but it was starting to look like it wasn’t going to be that simple and he hated that.

You’d been through hell already, the thought of you having to go through the trial process where Drysdale’s lawyers would pull apart your testimony in any way they could. Andy knew how tough it was for victims, and if after all that Ransom walked free… Andy didn’t know what he’d do.

Taking a couple of deep breaths Andy turned to walk back towards you only to stop when he saw you stood at the end of the corridor near the bottom of the stairs. Your gaze ran up and down his body as you wrapped your arms around yourself.

“Honey-“ Andy started.

“I um- I’m just gonna take a shower… freshen up a bit,” you tell him glancing down at the floor.

“Yeah, yeah sure… I could run you a bath if you like? Saves you from standing” he offers gesturing to your injured leg.

“No it's okay,” you say shaking your head “the pain killers seem to be working and I uh- I just want to wash everything away”

Andy nods his head “Of course, let me know when you’re done and I can redo your bandages” he says.

“I will… thanks Andy” you mutter before turning and walking up the stairs out of view.

For a second Andy considered following you, to offer any more help but he stopped himself. You clearly wanted some space and if that’s what you needed then he’d do it. All he wants is for you to be okay and be happy again, even if he did feel at a loss of how to do that.

He waited a moment before quietly making his way up the stairs. As he walked down the corridor he poked his head inside the guest room, finding it in a good enough state in case you wanted to sleep there tonight. Carrying on towards the main bedroom he paused outside the closed door, leaning closer to he could hear the shower running.

His hand raised to the door handle to make sure you were okay but he stopped himself. You needed space, so while he gave you that he’ll find other ways to help you. And he was going to start by getting into the head of Drysdale, and find out his angle so he was prepared in case this went to trial.

Walking back downstairs he poured himself a couple of fingers of scotch before grabbing his laptop and sitting down at the kitchen table. As soon as he opened Google it came up with the article on Ransom he was reading last night. Clenching his jaw he closed that tab and opened another and started researching the rest of Ransom’s family.

It didn’t take him too long to find out that Ransom only had two cousins, a girl called Meg and a boy called Jacob. Typing Jacob Thrombey into Google he found various links to blogs and social media pages. Clicking on the link to Jacobs's Instagram page, Andy logged onto his work profile that he’d use to remain anonymous while gathering information and evidence for his cases.

“Fuck sake” Andy muttered taking a sip of scotch when he saw the Livestream wasn’t available on his page anymore.

Taking a stab in the dark Andy began searching for the livestream on other pages in the hopes that Jacob uploaded it elsewhere. He got lucky when he found it deep on a subreddits page, posted by someone else meaning your name hadn’t been linked to it yet.

Andy took a deep breath to prepare himself for what he was about to watch. He even considered closing the laptop and trying to forget about it but he told himself no, he needed to do this. He needed to make Ransom pay, he needed to help you.

Hitting play on the video he instantly has to turn the volume down as the sound of various people shouting plays from the speakers. It looked like pure chaos as the police tried to escort Ransom out of the house, various members of his family getting in the way and shouting at the detectives.

Andy could feel him getting more and more worked up as he listened to the poison that Ransom’s family shouted about you. Calling you a whore and a gold digger. But what made Andy the most pissed was the role Ransom was playing, the role of the jilted lover. He looked heartbroken and confused as the detectives walked him outside, his head shaking as he told them that this was all wrong. That you loved him, and he loved you. That you had plan’s together, that you were leaving your old life for his.

Ransom was trying to paint you as the villain and earn sympathy. That you had tricked him for his money, leaving him heartbroken. Andy just hoped the world saw sense, and believed you over the lies from this trust fund prick. Because you were the victim, not Ransom and Andy would fight to his dying breath the prove that.

Finishing the last of his scotch in one large gulp he slammed his laptop shut. As he turned to stand up he froze when he saw you stood by the entrance to the kitchen. You watched him with wary eyes as he stood up, your eyes darting to his laptop.

“Ho-honey, are you okay? What do you need?” He asks putting his hands on his hips trying to look as calm as possible.

“You said to let you know when I was done so you could redo my bandages” you remind him quietly.

“Oh yeah, of course, sit down and I’ll grab them” he says picking up his laptop and moving aside to let you sit down.

You nod barely even looking at him as you walked past. Andy puts his laptop away before grabbing the bandages from the bag and making his way back over to you. You were looking much more refreshed than before, your hair slightly damp and tied up in a messy bun as you wore an old hoodie of his and some shorts.

Not a word was spoken as Andy bent down to begin re-doing the bandage around your leg. His jaw automatically clenched when he saw the angry cut across your leg, one he prayed wouldn’t scar. He glanced back up at you when your other leg began to bounce nervously, but you avoided his gaze.

“The um guest room is all set up for you to use if you want to get some rest, or um I can sleep in there if you’d prefer to be back in your own bed” Andy offers as he stands back up and begins packing everything away.

“No” you mutter shaking your head “No I don’t want that I- everything has-“ your face scrunched up as you shook your head “I know I can’t avoid this completely, with the investigation and potentially a trial, but I- I just can’t talk or think about it outside of that, not if I want to feel okay… all I want is for everything to be normal again, like it never happened” you breathe out, eyes opening and finding his.

Andy was speechless for a moment, he wanted to argue because he knew deep down it was a bad idea to just pretend it never happened. But then he remembered how happier you seemed talking to Mary, a conversation that had no mention of Ransom, there wasn’t even the dark cloud of him looming in the background and between the lines. So if pretending it never happened helped you feel okay and be happy in the here and now then he’d do it.

Andy finally nods “Of course Honey” he manages to say as he crouches back down in front of you, resting one hand on your knee “Back to normal” he promises.

You let out a heavy sigh of relief, leaning forward to wrap your arms around him “Thank you Andy” you breathed out.

Andy instantly responded wrapping his arms around you, his hand cradling your head as you buried your face in the crook of his neck “Anything for you honey, anything for you” he muttered kissing your temple.

He held onto you, gently stroking your back in a soothing manner waiting for you to pull away whenever you were ready. When you did so you gave him a small but sincere smile that made Andy smile straight back, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Are you hungry for dinner?” Andy asks standing back up.

You give him a small shrug of your shoulders “Not particularly but I should probably try” you tell him.

“Okay well I know there’s some pasta bakes in the fridge and a shepherd’s pie? Do you wanna have a look, pick what you like and I’ll stick it in the oven” Andy suggests gesturing over to the fridge.

“I’m guessing that was my mom’s doing” you smirk standing up and slowly walking over to the fridge.

Andy smiles warmly nodding his head “Yep, she’d always sneak in something whenever she’d visit” he says moving to lean against the kitchen island “So what’s your pick?”

“I think we have to have my mom’s famous tomato and mozzarella pasta bake,” you say pulling it out of the fridge.

“Sounds perfect” Andy smiles walking over towards you “Why don’t you go pick a movie to watch while I stick this in the oven”

“Sounds great thank you Andy” you smile passing him the pasta bake, reaching up to kiss his cheek making Andy’s smile grow.

“It’s nothing, you go relax” he smiles, watching as you made your way back into the living room.

Once dinner was in the oven, Andy followed you into the living room. He smiled to himself as he settled down on the couch and you instantly shuffled closer and relaxed into his side. He wrapped his arms around you and kissed the top of your head as he relaxed for the first time in months.

Much to Andy’s relief that relaxed feeling remained for the rest of the evening. Maybe acting like the past four months hadn’t happened was a good idea after all, at least for now anyway. When Andy stepped out of the bathroom he smiled gently when he saw you were already in bed flicking through the book that had been sitting on your bedside table untouched for the last four months.

As he walked over and climbed into bed, you slid your bookmark to the front of the book before setting it down on the side “Thank you Andy, for everything” you tell him quietly.

Andy smiles gently wrapping his arm around you, gently pulling you into his embrace “It’s nothing, just… just want to see you happy” he whispers as he kisses the top of your head.

When you look up at him with a soft smile, Andy cupped your cheek and carefully guided your lips up to his. You let out a quiet hum and your lips lingered making Andy want to dive back in but he held back. While you wanted everything to be normal he was going to take everything at your pace, he wasn’t going to rush you.

You didn’t seem to mind, settling down so your head was resting on his chest. One hand resting over his heart. Andy kissed the top of your head before turning off the lights and resting his hand on top of yours.

Even though he was exhausted himself, he waited until he felt you fall asleep in his arms. He watched you for a while, still not truly believing you were back in his arms, terrified he’d wake up tomorrow and find the bed empty. He wrapped his arms around you tightly, kissing the top of your head reminding himself that this was real. You were back, he was going to make Ransom pay, and everything would be okay.

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#NiamhWrites #CoPO #andy barber #andy barber x reader #andy barber x you #andy barber fanfiction #andy barber x y/n #ransom drysdale #frank adler #memory served sequel

[nicoline1998enilocin]

So my request would be for ransom.

Male reader (23) bratty soft dom top to a stuck up needy bottom Ransom (26)

Reader graduated art school for illustration but has been just living art life as a ceramics teacher when gets a call from his family about the arranged marriage between him and ransom that was signed over from both their parents when they were kids. For readers family is also another publishing house mainly for graphic novels etc.

Reader and Ransom meet up at thrombes after many years bickering about how they don’t wanna be married. They have rings they have to wear as fiancés before the wedding and cnat have outside relationships.(ransom pissed about that)

Reader goes back to work. Ransoms shows up one late evening as reader is cleaning up and gets on readers nerves and then turns spicy 🥵

They have to go to another dinner at thrombey and reader defends ransom against his drysdale and thrombeey family. Ransom likes that and is falling hard for the reader but ignores it for it’s an arrange marriage and such

But as per the contract have to live together feelings bubble up during a fight and ransom confesses to the reader and runs away cuz he doesn’t know how to deal but reader returns feelings and stuff! Idk I’m not good at writing!!

But yeah!! Love how u write sub ransom!! -⚡️⚡️⚡️

A special bond

PAIRING | Sub!Ransom Drysdale x Soft Dom!Male!Reader

WORD COUNT | 4.2K

SUMMARY | You're forced into an arranged marriage with the one and only Ransom Drysdale, even though neither of you likes the other. After being forced to be close to one another, the tension keeps rising, and it all takes a steamy turn once one of you finally snaps and gives into their feelings.

WARNING(S) | This is your official trigger warning. Do not proceed if any of these topics upset you. Angst, arranged marriage to lovers, swearing, smut [ Sub!Ransom, Soft Dom!Reader, Oral (both receiving), daddy kink, praise kink, implied vanilla sex, unprotected anal sex (wrap it before you tap it!), implied aftercare ].

A/N | Thank you for this fantastic request, sweet Nonnie! This will be my first time writing for a male! reader, so I hope I can do it justice. I had lots of fun exploring more of our favorite Sub!Ransom, so I hope you will enjoy the route I chose for this fic 🖤

Likes, comments and reblogs will be very much appreciated 💚

Divider is made by @firefly-graphics | 18+ banner is made by yours truly,

Main Masterlist | Ransom Drysdale Masterlist

The last bell of the day just went off, and it's time to clean your classroom before going home for the weekend. You've planned to have a leisurely weekend at home, work on some of your digital art, or read a book or two.

Just when your mind wanders to one of the books waiting for you at home, your phone rings in your back pocket, so you put down some of the clay you were about to put away and fish it out, sighing as you see who's calling you.

''What?!'' you spit out at the phone, already annoyed about her calling you. She never calls with any good news, and you have a clue this time would be the same.

''Hello to you too,'' she starts, and you let out a sigh at her comment.

''Tell me what's going on, or I'll hang up,'' you say, but she cuts you off mid-sentence.

''You're coming to dinner at the Thrombey household tomorrow, and you can not say no. Be there at 8 PM, and don't be late,'' she says before saying goodbye and hanging up.

Your heart starts beating faster at the thought of going over there, and you don't like what's probably going on. You drop your phone on your desk and continue cleaning up, reviews of tomorrow taking over your mind.

Tomorrow evening has come way too soon for your liking, and now you're getting ready after your shower, your beard neatly trimmed before putting on your outfit for dinner at the Thrombeys.

As much as you hate your Mom, you would never go against her demanding you be somewhere, having learned that years ago, you do as she says, just to be gone soon after it starts.

When you're ready, you grab your keys and phone before heading out the door and towards your car. When you get in, you close your eyes tightly and hold onto your steering wheel a little too hard to keep yourself calm before driving; you don't want to end up in an accident.

On your drive to the Thrombey estate, you keep thinking about why you ever said no to that job on the other side of the world; that way, you would have to deal with any of these people, especially not your Mom.

When you arrive at the estate, you see a car you didn't want to see, Ransom's Beemer. After a sigh, you put your car in park and put on your jacket before stepping into the cold air outside, ready to walk into the lion's den.

You walk up to the front door and ring the bell, waiting to be walking into literal hell. It doesn't surprise you when the devil herself opens the door, either.

''Hello, Linda,'' you say with faux politeness.

She lets you in after a sigh, barely acknowledging your existence, and you prefer keeping it that way. After taking off your coat and walking into the dining room, you're greeted by Harlan Thrombey, Linda, Richard Drysdale, their son Ransom, and your parents.

After greeting everyone except Ransom, you sit at the table and avoid his gaze. The two of you were the best friends growing up, but after a huge fight, you were never the same and have never seen each other since.

While dinner is served, Linda decides to cut right to the chase, and when she does, you nearly spit out your food all over the table.

''You-'' Linda points at you, and then to Ransom, ''-are getting married later this year,'' she says, and that's all you hear before everything blacks out, and you've fainted.

In the meantime, Ransom has been arguing about not wanting to get married to you - or at all, for that matter - which only made you feel worse by the time you've gotten back into consciousness.

''I'm not fucking marrying him, you are out of your minds!'' Ransom yells at both your parents by the time you're back, and that comment does sting a little. It's not like you were planning on getting married, but that's beside the point.

''D-Do we have any say in this?'' you say, finally back on earth with a pounding headache.

''No, it's all been dealt with, and from now on, both of you are in an exclusive relationship, or I guess I should say you two are officially engaged. That means not fucking everything that moves, Ransom,'' Linda says with a pointed tone.

Ransom's not happy with that, though you have less of a problem. Regardless, it's not like you were in a relationship or getting laid regularly.

The rest of the evening goes by quickly, and most of it goes over your head. All you know is that you'll have to marry the man you've had a huge falling out with, which will happen in less than a few months.

''Thank you for coming, darling. I can't wait to see you on your wedding day,'' your Mom says with a fake smile, and you give one back that's just as fake, trying to keep up appearances.

Today's the day you're officially marrying Ransom, and even though you're very nervous, there's a small part inside of you that's also excited.

If it wasn't for the fact that this is arranged and you have zero say in anything, you would be looking forward to this day, but you don't.

So here you are, in front of the wedding aisle, guests seated, looking at the man you'll be married to in less than a few minutes. His eyes look both angry and... desperate. That can't be right, you think to yourself, and you almost miss the moment you have to say, 'I do.'

''Do you take Hugh Ransom Drysdale to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor, and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?''

''I do,'' you say almost breathless, the realization sinking in that you're about to seal your wedding to your husband with a kiss, one that you have thought many times but were sure would never happen.

Faith can be funny sometimes. And a little cruel, too. But it's mostly funny.

''I now pronounce you two married!'' the officiant says before stepping aside, ensuring he's not in the way of your and Ransom's first kiss. As you take a deep breath, you step closer, and your hand moves to Ransom's waist.

Before you can fully move to him and meet in the middle, Ransom crashes his lips onto yours, knocking the air out of your lungs before you kiss him back; this surprises you.

Despite the surprise, you kiss him back with just as much, if not more, vigor now that you have gotten a taste, and you're immediately addicted, already chasing his lips when he pulls away.

''Let's get out of here,'' you say, and Ransom nods as if a switch inside him was flipped, and you could see it in his eyes. You've seen that look before in some other men, but seeing it in your husband's eyes have you chubbing up in your pants. Ransom is a sub.

You two rush to the suite where you had gotten ready before the wedding, and you quickly close the door behind you as you push Ransom against it.

Your lips immediately find each other again, and you can feel yourself getting even harder now, your dick straining painfully against the zipper of your pants, but you ignore it for now. All you want now is to make Ransom feel good so he can make you feel even better.

Soft moans leave Ransom's lips as you kiss your way down his jaw and neck as you take off his jacket, untie his tie, and unbutton his shirt to expose his beautiful chest to you.

''You look so good, Baby. Are you going to let Daddy make you feel so good?'' you ask, and Ransom's eyes gloss over at the thought, and all he can do is nod slowly.

''Words,'' you demand, and Ransom feels himself getting harder at the demand, his submissive side feeling even better now. And it's not that he doesn't want to talk, but it feels like his whole body is on fire with pure lust, his brain has gone fuzzy from pleasure, and his throat feels filled with cotton balls.

Yet, he manages to squeak out a small yes at your demand, and you reward him with lots of praise and soft kisses on your way down, leaving a kiss between every praise, not leaving a single inch of his chest and stomach untouched.

''You're doing so well for me, listening to me. You're being such a good boy for me, Baby,'' you tell him until you have found your spot on the floor, and your hands are unzipping Ransom's pants and pulling them down to uncover his rigid member.

And when it does, your eyes almost pop out of your head from the surprise because Ransom's a lot bigger than you had anticipated, but you're determined to take every last inch of him in your mouth.

''Holy fuck...'' you whisper before wrapping your hand around his length and slowly moving up and down, earning yourself a bit of pre-cum that leaks from his tip, and you gladly lick it up.

Ransom's head falls back against the door you pushed him against with a loud thud and a groan at the feeling of your hand and mouth on him, and he almost can't take it. Almost. Because on your way down, you told him he's not allowed to cum without permission, and he wants to be your good boy so badly.

To surprise him, you take him into your mouth without warning, and the sound he makes ensures you're fully hard as well at this point, so you open your pants and take yourself out, giving your cock a few leisurely strokes.

The groans you let out at the feeling of him in your mouth are slowly creeping up Ransom's spine, his hands in fists on the side of his body to not make himself cum yet.

You slowly work more of him into your mouth until you take him altogether, thankful for your lack of gag reflex now. You stay like this for a few long seconds before pulling off him and giving Ransom his last order.

''Fuck my throat until you cum for me, Baby. And let Daddy hear how good he makes you feel,'' you say before wrapping your lips around him again, and Ransom does as you tell him, chasing his orgasm as you suck him.

The moans and groans from Ransom are almost pornographic, but it feels so fucking good. Before you know it, you're cumming with a loud cry, too, your cum spurting out in long spurts over the tiles in the room, followed closely by Ransom shooting his into your throat, letting you swallow it all.

''Good boy,'' is the last you say before cleaning him up and ensuring he's come down from his high enough to get back to the party because the two of you are supposed to cut the cake, but you were nowhere to be found.

Ever since the wedding, Ransom hasn't changed a single bit, and he's still stuck up as ever, but now you're living together with his ass too. And that's gained you more fights than you could have ever thought.

But this evening, something felt different. Usually, when Ransom would be late, he would always let you know, but this time he didn't. And even though you don't want to admit it to yourself, you're worried.

You grab your phone again and call Ransom, but to no avail; he needs to pick up. Not even 5 minutes later, you hear the front door open, and Ransom walks in, acting like nothing was happening like you didn't call him three times to see if he's okay. Like he didn't have you worried to death about him.

''Where the fuck have you been?'' you spit out as soon as he walks into the kitchen.

''Why the fuck do you care? It's not like we like each other, so fuck off,'' Ransom spat back at you, but he knows he crossed a line. Despite this, he keeps walking, your eyes burning a hole in the back of his head.

''I care because you're my husband, Ransom. You may not like it, but you're still my husband; we're still married. I thought something had happened to you!'' you say with a raise of your voice, which has Ransom stopping in his tracks.

Despite all your fights over the littlest things, tonight is the first time you've raised your voice at him. And it has the effect you had hoped it would have because he turns around and looks at you mournfully.

''Are you seriously pouting at me? You are fucking unbelievable, Ransom. You know what? I think I'm going to have to punish you for it. Maybe that way you'll learn some actual human decency,'' you say dryly, but Ransom shakes his head.

''Did you forget who's talking here? I believe I am in charge, and you are supposed to listen to me. Get your ass upstairs and get ready in the position. You're not allowed to touch yourself tonight, and you will have to wait until I get there even to move as much as a single muscle,'' you order, and off he goes.

You sigh as you finish the dishes and put the leftovers you saved for Ransom into the fridge. You may be angry at him, but you're not inhumane. He'll have to eat later.

Ransom's been sitting in the bedroom for half an hour, and his knees are starting to hurt, but it gives him an excellent chance to think about what he did. And he did just that, so when you walk into the bedroom with only your boxer briefs still on, he looks up at you with an expectant look.

''Don't look so happy, Ransom. This isn't your punishment yet,'' you tell him, and you can't help but smile at how you see his eyes roam over your chest and abdomen to the tent you've pitched in your underwear.

As much as Ransom gets on your nerves, you still get off on the dynamic the two of you have. Ransom is the needy and subby bottom, insatiable at the best times. You are the equally needy but very giving Dom. This makes every fight worth it because you know you two have nothing but respect for the other person in these moments.

Though Ransom has a funny way of showing it.

''Have you thought about what you did?'' you ask, your voice dropping a little deeper on purpose, which has the desired effect as you see the chill going down Ransom's spine. He's almost where you want him; he needs one last push.

''Y-Yes, Daddy,'' he croaks out, and you slowly walk over to where he's sitting on the bed on his knees, his arms behind his back and his dick soft between his legs. Perfect.

''And?''

''I was h-home late and didn't t-tell you I w-would be,'' he says, a tear escaping and softly trailing down his face. You climb onto the bed and crawl your way to Ransom, grabbing his face softly in your hands, and you bring his forehead to your lips to calm him down.

''I-I'm so s-sorry, Daddy,'' he hiccups through his tears, and you know he is sorry. Seeing this side of him always made you feel a little bad for him, and you don't want him to sink into it too deep, so you pull him into your chest, ignoring all your needs right now and just calming him down.

''Sshhh, I know you are, Baby. It's okay, you're being a good boy for me right now,'' you assure him, and you wrap his hands around your waist as well, pulling him as close as you possibly can while whispering sweet words to him, and he's feeling better.

You pull away and look at him before placing a small kiss on his forehead.

''Do you want to continue with your punishment right now? If not, we will do it when you're in a better headspace,'' you say, and Ransom shakes his head. He doesn't want to continue right now.

''It's okay, come on. Let's lay down and cuddle for a bit, and then we can get some dinner in you,'' you say, but Ransom doesn't budge.

''Want you...'' he says, and this time, he looks into your eyes with pure desire. His eyes are red from crying, and his cheeks are flushed, which gives him an almost innocent look, and you feel a fire deep inside you burning for him.

Feelings you're not ready to give into. It's an arranged marriage; you shouldn't have feelings for this man, but it's getting harder to deny that you do.

Instead of the punishment, you guided Ransom slowly onto his back while giving him lots of kisses, and your lips met in a passionate, love-filled kiss that seemed to go on forever, but it was precisely what the two of you needed now.

The rest of the evening is spent wrapped up in one another, having slow vanilla sex, and it is the first time the two of you are spending your time like this.

Both of you are entirely spent at the end of the evening, and you wouldn't want it any other way. When you two were done, you took a shower together and reheated dinner for Ransom before sitting on the couch and watching TV together.

You both went to bed at the same time and shared more soft kisses and lots of cuddles and suddenly, it felt like this marriage thing might not be so bad after all. If only you could stay in this bubble forever.

''Are you ready to go? We have dinner, remember?'' you tell Ransom, and he walks into the bedroom after getting dressed; you put on your outfit as well.

''How can I forget if you mention it every fucking second of every day?!'' Ransom says as he throws his hands up in the air. Usually, you would have reprimanded him, but he's under much stress due to this dinner, so you let it slide for now.

''Right, I'm ready to go,'' you say after fixing your hair and beard one last time, and you walk out the front door to your car, followed closely by Ransom.

''No, we're taking my car. I'm not getting in that beemer of yours,'' you sigh as you unlock your car, and Ransom sighs, so you send him a pointed look.

''Don't even think about it, Ransom. We don't have time,'' you say, and he gets into the passenger seat of your car without another word. It's quite a long drive, and after a while, you let your hand rest on Ransom's thigh without thinking about it, but Ransom tenses under your touch.

''Oh, fuck,'' you say, and you pull back, but Ransom grabs hold of your wrist and places it back on his thigh without saying a word, and he looks out the window. You can't help but let a small smile escape your lips.

Ransom runs out of your car and into the house when you arrive. He got painfully hard from your hand being so close to where he needed you the most, and he needs some relief.

''What do you think you're doing?'' you ask as you open the bathroom door, and Ransom immediately stops his actions and gets bright red at the fact that he got caught.

''C'mere, let me help you. Want to have Daddy make you feel so good?'' you ask, and Ransom nods shyly. You sink on your knees and take him into your mouth immediately, and it doesn't take long for Ransom to cum in your throat, making you swallow it all.

''Good boy,'' you say before stuffing him back into his pants and heading for dinner.

''W-What about-''

''Later. Now it's time for dinner,'' you say, and Ransom nods before following you into the dining room, where most of his family is already seated.

The conversation landed on the two of you quickly, and you answered every question without missing a beat, glancing over at Ransom repeatedly.

It isn't until Richard makes one more rude comment under his breath about the two of you that you completely snap, and a sea of emotions comes out in a steady stream.

''What is your fucking problem?! You can talk to us like normal humans if you have a problem with me and Ransom. And besides, it is because of you that ensured we're in this to begin with. We have never done anything wrong; we're just living the life that you forced upon us, so you should leave us the fuck alone. Asshole!''

With those words, you storm out of the dining room and hear Ransom say something to them as well, but you're too far away to what exactly.

You run outside and into your car, needing to escape everyone for a while. You can't look at them, and especially not your husband, so you decide to take a drive. Despite running after you as fast as he can, Ransom can only watch as you drive without him.

After about 30 minutes of driving, you stop on the side of the road, and your emotions all come out; you hit the steering wheel, crying and screaming, anything to make yourself feel better, but nothing works.

''What the fuck did I do to deserve this?! I'm fucking married to a guy who hates me, I have a shitty job, and I can't even talk to anyone without feeling like I'm out of place,'' you yell against nothing, and it feels good to finally get those feelings out, even though they're only followed by more tears.

You're ripped from your thoughts when you receive a call from Ransom, but you don't answer the first time. Immediately, he calls again, and this time, you do answer.

''The fuck do you want, Ransom? Can't you leave me alone?'' you sigh as you wipe your tears, but hearing his voice only worsens it. The small fire inside you has become a complete sea of flames, and you can't hide your feelings anymore. But neither can Ransom.

''No, I can't. And you know why? Because I fucking love you. I didn't want to admit it since we're forced into this, but I love you, okay? And I need you to come home because it's fucking unbearable without you here,'' Ransom sighs, and you can't help but laugh.

''The fuck are you laughing at?'' Ransom spits over the phone, but you can't help but laugh uncontrollably because you finally know you feel the same as he does.

''I fucking love you, Ransom. I have for years, even before the fucking fight that tore us apart. So yeah, that's why I agreed to this marriage with you. But it feels so fucking good to tell you I love you, Ransom. I always have, and I promise you every single day from now on just how much,'' you say before driving back to the Thrombey estate and picking him up.

When you finally arrived home, you two were all over each other immediately. They had the most passionate session of sex you've ever had together on the living room couch because neither of you could make it to the bedroom.

''F-fuck, still so tight for me, Baby,'' you whisper in Ransom's ear as you push in after working him open for the most significant part of an hour, drinking in every moan slipping past his lips.

''Such a perfect boy for Daddy, gonna let Daddy use your hole like the fucktoy you are, huh?'' you say with a mischievous grin on his face, and all Ransom can do is nod in agreement while you slowly push in further, groaning at the feeling of him clenching down on you as you stroke his cock.

When you're fully in, you slowly start moving in and out, making Ransom arch his back off the couch and into you, only wanting to be close to you right now.

''D-Daddy!'' he screams out as you continuously thrust against his prostate, and you stroke him through his orgasm, his cum spurting out onto his stomach and chest before you lick it up and work your tongue into his mouth so he can taste himself in your mouth.

''Gonna cum for you, Baby. Fuck, take my cum!'' you groan as you chase your high, and you shoot every last drop deep into Ransom before collapsing on top of him, whispering sweet words to him as you both come down.

Afterward, you take a relaxing bath together, exchanging sweet words and lots of 'I love you ' kisses. Finally, it feels perfect, like you live the life you've always dreamt of.

That night, you fall asleep in your husband's arms, feeling like it's meant to be. Tonight is the first night of the rest of your lives together.

#ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale fanfiction #ransom drysdale fanfic #ransom drysdale one shot #ransom drysdale imagine #ransom drysdale x male reader #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale fluff #ransom drysdale smut #sub!ransom drysdale #sub ransom drysdale #sub!ransom #sub ransom #d/s relationship

[andydrysdalerogers]

Choose Your Words Carefully ~ Ransom Drysdale

Pairings: Ransom Drysdale x F! Reader

Words: 2.2k

Summary: After the events of All Grown Up, you are living with your choices and some of the Thrombeys are not happy…

Warnings: degradation (and not in a good way 😏, Smut, angst, Harlen being an absolute 👑 and Ransom being Ransom.

Divider by @firefly-graphics

AN: it would be recommended to read the first part to understand. You can read it here

You never really regretted your decision. It was the right one for your career, for your life, for you desires.  Because every night, as promised, Ransom was there to take care of you, worship you, make you feel things you never did with Ben.  That night you called Ransom changed your life.  For the better.

Until you met Walt Thrombey.

When you left Ben and went to Ransom, Ransom introduced you to Harlen.  Harlen was so impressed with your skills, he hired you on the spot to be his editor.  Which of course, Walt took exception to. But you took it, not willing to give Walt the satisfaction of knowing how much he got to you. It seems you were accepted by the rest of the Thrombeys and Drysdales except for Joni, who hated competition, and Walt.

"YN! Why are these manuscripts still here?  I thought my father told you to edit and file." Walt was in your face about the stack of manuscripts that you had just received yesterday.

"Walt, since I'm not done editing, I can't file.  I'll have them done by the end of the week."

"That's simply not good enough Miss YLN.  You may be screwing my nephew, but Harlen makes the rules here."

"How does what I do with Ransom affect my job here?"

"Since he must be fucking you stupid, you may want to hold back so you can get your work done. You are just the flavor of the month after all."  Walt let out a cruel laugh as he walked away.

That one hurt.

You finished up the manuscript you were working on and closed up for the evening.  You kept the tears at bay while you drove.  Once you got to your apartment, you send a message to Ransom.

YN: I don't feel up to decorating tonight. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

You changed into Ransom's white cable knit sweater and some knee-high socks.  Making a simple dinner and picking up a book, you made yourself as small as possible on the couch, not wanting to let your emotions get to you. Your phone rang and you saw it was Ransom calling. You debated letting it roll to voicemail but knew that would lead to consequences later. "Hello?"

Princess, what's the matter?

"Nothing.  I'm just tired."

Stop lying to me Princess.

"I had a bad day with Walt ok. I just want to relax and try to get rid of these feelings," you tell him as you try not to sob, a lone tear finally falling.

YN, what did he tell you?

"It doesn't matter Ransom.  I'll be fine.  I'm just not up to decorating for Christmas.  I'll call later ok?"

Princess, don't shut me out.

"I'm not.  I just need some time."  You hang up and curl back up, wanting to get lost in the book you are reading and not think about your boyfriend's family.

An hour later there is a knock at the door that draws you out of your imagination.  You get up and answer to find Random holding some bags and a tree.  "Ransom?"

"Look, I don't give a shit if you are up to it or not.  You are my Princess and I only want to see you happy.  So, we are going to put up these decorations, I'm going to have my way with you and you tell me what that motherfucker said to you." He puts down the bags.  "I care about you Princess." He kisses you deep and you moan at the intrusion.  "There she is, my Princess."

Ransom sets up the tree as you start to unbox all the decorations he bought.  "How did you get the tree here?"

"I tied it to the top of the Beamer. Hopefully I didn't scratch it."

You pour some scotch for Ransom and a hot chocolate for yourself as you decorate around the apartment.  You sit on the floor looking up at the tree when Ransom throws a blanket near the fireplace, along with a couple of pillows.  "Babe, what are you doing?"

"I'm cold and you are in my sweater so I'm going to lie down next to the fire.  Wanna join me?" His look of pure lust fills your eyes, and you crawl over to him and straddle him as he lays on his back. His fingers dance on your thighs, just below the hem of the sweater.  "Have I told you how much I love this look on you?"

"No, you haven't," you say with a hitch in your breath. He runs his hands from your knees and up to your ass, noticing that you aren't wearing shorts like he assumed, just your panties.

"You've been in your panties this whole time?"  You nod and bite your bottom lip. "Oh Princess, were you hoping that I would show up so I can see you like this?"  You nod again slowly.  "Good."  His hands run up north and feels that you haven't been wearing a bra either.  He groans and pulls on your nipple, earning him an arch of your back and a moan that goes down to his balls.

He pulls you down so he can kiss you deep, his tongue invading your mouth, showing his dominance.  Its what you love about him, that he isn't afraid to play you like a violin.  He flips you over, never letting go of the kiss, at the same time hitching a leg over his hip. You can feel his hard cock through his jeans, rubbing it against your cunt, making your moan even louder.

Ransom hooks your panties and starts to slide them down.  He slides down as well and kisses the inside of your legs, teasing you. "Ransom," you whine.

"Do you want me to stop?  Because whiny girls don't get rewards."  He smiled devilishly at you, knowing that you wanted him. He smacked your thigh and you yelped.

"No, I'm sorry."

"Good girl."  He went back to work, nipping and sucking on your skin until he finally lapped at your clit, hearing a porn worthy moan come from you.  "Is my princess happy now?  Hmm... does she like it when I do this to her?"  He began to suck and lick over your cunt and clit, making you squirm and squeal.

"Baby, please!"  You were trying to wait for permission, to relish in the passion you were feeling.

"What do you want princess?  You want to cum?  Want me to taste you?"  Ransom teased with two fingers before plunging them in and hearing you scream.  He pumped his fingers in faster, listening to the squelching from the amount of moisture in your pussy.  "Cum now princess!"

You released with another scream, and he worked you through your climax.  When you started to calm, he pulled his sweater off of your body, leaving you just in your socks and undressed himself.  "You are so beautiful princess. I'm still happy you came to me after the reunion."

"Didn't have a choice baby.  I couldn't leave your dick even if I tried."  You kissed him hard and nipped at his lip.

"Oh princess, this pussy is still the best in the world." He pushed in slowly, almost too slowly, leaving you needy and wanton.  He finally bottomed out and you just needed him to move.  You tilted your hips up and he started, slow at first until he was pounding in you.  He felt you tighten again.  "C'mon princess, I know you have one more in you, I've seen you give me five our first time."

"Ransom, I'm gonna... gonna..."

"Now YN!"

That did it.  You squeezed his cock so hard in your release that it prompted his, pouring everything into you.  You both were sweating, not just from the pleasure but the heat of the fire as well.  As your breathing slowed, Ransom ran his hand through your hair.  "Tell me what happened."

You explain what Walt had said earlier.  Ransom kept hold of his temper, making sure you didn't feel him tense with anger at what Walt was saying to his girl. He could feel your tension and he just wanted to make you feel better.

"Princess, I'll talk to him ok?  He shouldn't be saying those things to you.  He can eat shit for all I care."

"Don't Ransom.  It will just make it worse." You played with his chest hair as he pulled another blanket on you.  "Let's just stay here in this moment."  You went quiet as you laid on his chest.

"What is it princess?  I know you want to say something."

You sigh and steel yourself.  "I think I'm falling in love with you, Ransom."  You kept your head on his chest and hoped you weren't an idiot.

Ransom smiled.  "I thought you knew that I was already in love with you YN."  He kissed your head.  "I wouldn't have brought the tree if I wasn't."

You finally look at him.  "Really?"

He cupped your face.  "Really.  I love you princess. And I'll do anything to see you keep smiling."

Ransom walked into the library, a determined look on his face.  "Grandpa, can I talk to you?"

"Ransom?  Is everything ok?"

"No, its not.  Did you know that Walt has been saying very insulting things to YN?  Making comments about the fact that she is with me?"

Harlen frowned.  This was news to him and disturbing news at that.  "I wasn't aware.  Is she ok?"

"She was crying in my arms last night.  She loves working for you but she is considering leaving."

"Well, we can't have that."  Harlen rose and looked out the window.  "Do you love her Ransom?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Ransom took a defensive pose.

"In this, it matters a great deal."  Harlen smiled.  "You know that I love YN.  She has been the best editor I have ever had and will do anything to keep her.  But I need to know if you are willing to do anything as well."

Ransom could see the wheels turning in his granddad's head.  "Yes, I love her. She's everything to me."

"Good.  That's good.  Because I have an idea."

A few days later, it was Christmas Eve and the family had gathered at the manor.  Ransom made sure to keep you away from Walt and Donna.  They were throwing smug looks at you, knowing you were an invader and probably be gone soon.  They assumed that Ransom would be done with you soon.  You sipped your champagne and made small talk with Linda and Meg.

Harlen approached the middle of the room.  "My dear family, it gives me joy to see you all here tonight, together.  But I have an announcement I would like to make."  The family stilled, wondering what the patriarch would say.  "As you know, I have shifted my focus on writing and left the day-to-day things to Walt and YN.  I've just spoken to our attorneys, and I have decided to stop leading Blood and Wine Publishing."

"Dad, what does that mean?" Walt asked with glee.  He assumed it would leave him in charge of the publishing house and he could finally get rid of you.  He glanced at you, but you remained stoic, your left arm around Ransom's waist.

"It means, son, that I am naming my successor as Editor-In-Chief."  He looked at his family. "I'm leaving the position to my granddaughter."

"What?" The collective question was screeched as eyes swiveled to Meg.  Med who had just started college and had a petrified look on her face.

"You're leaving the position to an 18-year-old?" Linda asked.

"No of course not," Harlen said.  "I'm leaving it to my other granddaughter and my grandson."

Richard laughed.  "You don't have another granddaughter."

"You're right, Richard, my mistake.  I will have another granddaughter in what, Ransom, five months?"

All eyes were on the two of you as you removed your arm from around Ransom's waist and flashed the diamond to the room.  You looked directly at Walt.  "We wanted a spring wedding and May seemed perfect."

"But... how... you slut!" Walt jumped up and Ransom placed himself between the two of you.

"Choose your words wisely Uncle.  Because she is your boss in just a few months."  Ransom gave him a sadistic smile.  "If she lets you keep your job."

Walt stopped with realization that his well being was now in your hands.  You stepped next to Ransom and took his hand. "Linda, Richard, I know this was not how I wanted to tell you about our engagement, but I couldn't be happier with your son.  He is my prince charming."

Ransom looks down at you and leaned over for a passionate kiss.  "Oh princess.  I love you."

"Love you too, my prince."  You smiled at the rest of the family. "I hope this is happy news."  And then you looked at Walt and smirked. "I mean, I guess I was fucked into marriage Walt.  Not so stupid now."

Ransom laughed. The kingdom was theirs and his princess would soon be his queen. Merry Fucking Christmas indeed.

Taglist

@patzammit @texmexdarling @jennmurawski13-writes @firephotogrl74 @slutforchrisjamalevans

#andy's shenanigans #andy's hea #ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale #chris evans #ransom drysdale smut #christmas smut #all grown up #choose your words carefully #knives out au #chris evans character fanfiction

[halfrican-heat]

Ain't Shit (R. Drysdale)

SUMMARY: Set in the Knives Out universe. Ransom wants to be a big happy family and reunite with his girl. But as always, there is more to the story...

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x Black!OC

Warnings: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Cursing, OOC!Ransom, Toxic relationship, Arguing, Single Mom!OC, Ransom cries lol, Heated discussions, Mentions of cheating (It's Ransom, I mean...), Mentions of character death (canon-compliant), Discussions of sex

A/N: I believe that is everything in the warnings, but please let me know if I missed something. As always, please enjoy. Beta'd by @serpentico and my bf :) -Lyv <3

Song Inspo: Ain't Shit - Doja Cat

Masterlist

“No, Steph, I just don’t see the point of having a rich baby daddy if he’s still gonna behave like a fucking deadbeat,” I complain to my sister, rifling through my purse for my keys. “Like he don’t do shit for his damn son or me.”

I sigh, all I wanted was to get into the house. Not be stuck on the damn porch. A cool breeze flutters around me as I shift the phone to my other ear. I shiver a little, digging through my purse a little faster. I know I had them when I got out the car!

“We tried to warn you, sis. That boy ain’t shit and them Thrombey motherfuckers ain’t nothing to mess with. Marta told me they thought she was fucking the grandaddy, girl.”

“Who, Harlan?” I pause. “Marta’s into that geriatric shit?”

“Bitch, for the right amount of money--”

“Stephania,” I warn teasingly, but she continues.

“--I would be, too! They couldn’t prove it. But if she was fucking that old man, I wouldn’t blame her.”

“But ain’t she just his day nurse?” I ask, cradling the phone on my shoulder.  

I rifle more rigorously through my purse. Where the hell are my keys? 

“Yeah, girl! But they asses can’t imagine someone actually being a decent person ‘cause they’re all crooked as hell. They just assume everyone else is, too.”

I suck my teeth, growing irritated because my keys are still missing. “Fuck, Steph, let me call you back. I can’t find my--”

“Keys?”

The deep timbre of his voice sends shivers down my spine. I suck in a short breath, exhaling as I address my sister again. 

“Steph, let me call you back.”

“Wait! Wa--”

I hang up the phone and drop it in my purse. I turn to face Ransom Drysdale who leans casually against my stair railing, dangling my keys from his finger. A lazy smirk graces his features as he shakes my keys at me tauntingly. 

“You dropped ‘em on your way out of the car. You should really pay attention to your surroundings, kitten.”

His grin is cocky as he tosses my keys in the air and catches them. I keep my gaze impassive, crossing my arms over my chest. 

“Ransom, how the hell did you get here?” I ask.

“I drove,” He replies, shrugging. 

“Nig-- Ransom, no. How the hell did you find my house? We don’t exactly share the same area code anymore.”

“Oh,” he replies easily. “Darling, I’m rich. You don’t think I have ways of keeping tabs on my son?”

“Well, you’ve never shown much of an interest in him until now, so…”

Hurt flashes in his eyes, and I feel guilty for a moment. His tone becomes serious as he speaks again. 

“That’s not true, Amalia. Don’t do that.”

“Yeah. Well, Facetime calls aren’t enough, Ransom.”

I snatch my keys from him, quickly opening the door. I intend to slam it behind me, but Ransom shoves his heavy-ass boot in the door. I groan in exasperation, as he follows me inside. I drop my purse on the chair by the door and slip off my shoes. The door shuts quietly behind me. I look back to see Ransom hovering by the door, surveying the space. For a moment, I feel insecure.

My little duplex isn’t much. The living room is modest with nice but inexpensive furniture decorating it. Baby toys are scattered all over the place along with paperwork from my job. A doorway leads directly to the kitchen with a pass-through and barstools. There’s also a little hallway off to the side that leads to the bedrooms and the bathroom. I know it’s not as lavish as Ransom is accustomed to, so I immediately feel defensive over my little home.

But as soon as the insecurity rises, I stomp it down. I did this on my own. Without him. So who gives a fuck what he thinks. After a while, Ransom still has yet to speak.

I sigh, turning my back to him. 

“Take your shoes off if you’re planning on staying.”

I leave Ransom behind, wandering into the kitchen. Rummaging through the fridge, I find some leftovers from the night before and pop them into the microwave. Ransom takes a seat at one of the barstools as I go back to the fridge, pulling out a jar of Arizona tea. I fill a glass and slide it to him wordlessly. I fill up a glass for myself and lean against the counter furthest from him. The low hum of the microwave fills our otherwise silent environment. 

I size Ransom up, taking in the noticeable changes I see in him. He’s not clean-shaven like he was the last time I saw him. Instead, he has a short, well-maintained beard. His hair is parted to the left and gelled precisely enough to give him a “lightly tousled” look. Very corporate. Very…not Ransom. 

His greenish-blue eyes look dull. I would write it off as the lights not doing his eyes justice if not for the reflective glare he’s leveled his cup with. His eyes have lost that vitality and fire I always admired. Instead, there’s something vulnerable about him right now.

Despite this, his physique has not changed one bit. If anything, he’s been working out more. His shoulders fill out his off-white cable knit sweater, a soft look that contrasts his otherwise muscular frame. The muscles of his jaw tense, and I force myself to take a sip of tea instead of reaching to rest my hand on his face. 

The shrill beep of the microwave startles both of us. I whirl around, spilling a bit of my drink on the floor. 

“Fuck,” I curse, pulling my food from the microwave. 

I set the steaming container and my cup on the counter near Ransom and grab some paper towels. 

“Still clumsy as ever, huh, kitten?”

I scoff, wiping at the small puddle on the floor. Standing up, I trash the damp towel and turn to him with my hand on my hip.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Don’t call you what, kitten?” He shoots back, not missing a beat.

I roll my eyes. Just like that, the pensive, tired man from moments ago has disappeared. In his place is the insufferable man-child I fucked around and had a baby with. 

“What are you doing here, anyway?” I ask, fishing through my drawer for a fork.

“I can’t see the mother of my son?” He teases. “After all, I never do anything for you or my son, right?”

Though I know he means it to come across lightheartedly, I can hear the edge in his voice. For the second time today, I feel guilty. I didn’t know he heard that. Still, I’m not going back on a damn thing I said. It’s not like I lied.

“It’s the fucking truth, Ransom. If you want me to take it back then you’re shit out of luck.” 

 He presses a hand to his chest, feigning offense. I toss the lid from the container aside and shove a bite of pasta into my mouth. Ransom continues with the dramatics, of course. 

“How could you possibly say such a thing to the father of your child?”

He continues to “clutch his pearls”, his mouth agape. I chew slowly, arching my eyebrow at him. 

“Are you done?” 

Ransom huffs, rolling his eyes. 

“You act like I had a choice in the matter. Besides, I didn’t make you leave,” He retorts. “You did that on your own.”

I squint at him, swallowing. 

“You wanna go there, Ransom? You wanna do this right now?”

He twists his mouth, tugging his bottom lip with his teeth. Ransom slides from the barstool and strolls around the living room, shoving his hands in his jeans. 

“Where’s my son?”

“That’s not your business,” I say, taking another bite.

He scoffs, flopping himself on the chair by the door. He fidgets in the seat, shifting to remove a stuffed bear from underneath him. He holds the well-loved toy between his fingers, grimacing before tossing it away.

“My son’s whereabouts are my business, kitten. I’m not asking the world of you to tell me where he is.”

“You’re right, you’re not asking the world of me,” I shrug, pushing my food around the bowl. 

Ransom relaxes in the recliner, a smile stretching across his face. He starts to speak.

“Exactly, I’m glad--”

“But I’m not obligated to answer any of your damn questions. So either tell me what you brought your sorry ass here for or leave.”

Ransom’s blue eyes blaze, anger crossing his features.

“You’re a piece of fucking work, you know that?” He bites back, leaning forward. “Get off your high horse, Amalia. You’re the one that fucked off to Albany without a word.”

“Oh, so you do wanna go there!” I exclaim, rounding the pass-through. “Then let’s fucking do it, Drysdale. I’ve been waiting for this conversation.”

He stands to his full height as I confront him. Ransom is heads above me with his six-foot frame, but that doesn’t intimate me in the slightest. I stand chest to chest with him-- well, chest to midsection-- and talk my shit.

“You were the one that couldn’t keep your dick in your pants to save your life! Two hours before our son was born, where were you?”

Ransom grits his teeth, looking to the side. His stance falters a bit. 

“Yeah, you didn’t think I knew that, did you? Tanya can’t keep her mouth closed for shit. If you gonna sleep around, at least find a bitch that doesn’t kiss and tell.”

Ransom at least has the sense to look guilty for one moment before he schools his features into an impassive glare. He crosses his arms, sneering down at me. 

“I didn’t take you for the sensitive type, Amalia. Mad ‘cause that pregnancy pussy wasn’t hitting like you thought it was?” He mocks.

I laugh incredulously. “You wanna make this about my body while I was carrying your child? You wanna act like you didn’t damn near bust a nut every time you looked at me let alone fucked me? Fine, then let’s talk about where you were one week after your son was born.”

“What the hell are you on about? I was in Boston that entire time.”

I scoff. “Ok. Bet.”

I walk away from him, swiftly moving to snatch my phone from my purse. I tap around for a few minutes before shoving the phone in his face.

“That’s not your ass on a beach in Florida then?”

The picture shows Ransom, clear as day, cuddled up with an overly tanned blonde in Tampa, Florida.

Caught, Ransom pushes the phone out of his face. He drags his hand over his mouth, pacing away from me. He crosses back toward the kitchen as I place my phone in my pocket, turning to him with crossed arms. 

“Cat got your tongue, bitch? Ain’t shit to say now, right?”

“Watch it, Amalia.” He snaps. “Who the hell sent you that?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re a liar.”

“Yeah, okay I’m a liar. And you’re a fucking runner. What a pair we make,” He says dryly. “But none of this will hold up in court. Especially not against the best lawyers money can buy.”

The implications of his words hang in the air. His words are like a cold bucket of water suddenly being dropped on my head. For a moment, my world freezes. Questions swirl around my brain, bouncing against every nook and cranny. 

Court? He wants to take this to court? Ransom wants to…what? Petition the courts for custody? Why now? Why is he doing this? What does he want with Shiloh?

 I feel my body go cold as numbness seeps into my bones. The air feels static, almost sharp. Like breathing in tiny bits of glass. Then all at once, everything inside of me becomes deathly calm. My eyes meet his, brown and blue clashing as I step toward him. 

“No, but you know what will hold up? Every sleepless fucking night I’ve had taking care of Shiloh. Every bill, every piece of clothing, and every bit of food I buy for that boy. Every moment I’ve spent with that baby since the second he was born will hold up in court.” I say, moving toward him. 

“And if you think I don’t got the receipts to prove it then you got another motherfucking thing coming.”

I stand directly in front of him, my voice lowering as I look up at him. 

“You wanna take this to court? Let’s. Fucking. Do it.”

Ransom stares down at me, his glare impassive. I steel my resolve, refusing to back down. His eyes search mine. I know he wants to call my bluff, but he can’t. Tucking his lips, Ransom finally looks away and sighs. He runs a hand over his face and then through his hair before pacing around the living room again. I wrap my arms around myself.

The coldness in my bones has settled, leaving me rattled and frozen in place. I stare at Ransom’s discarded glass on the counter. 

Half-empty. 

He paces silently. I stand there, continuing to stare into space. A heaviness settles around us as tension strangles the room. Then, Ransom sighs. A deep, heavy sigh laden with fatigue. He drops onto the recliner as if all the fight in him has vanished. He holds his head in his hands, breathing in deeply. 

He exhales and lifts his head to look at me. His elbows are propped on his knees, hands clasped in front of his mouth. The man from earlier returns. The pensive, tired man with creased eyebrows and the entire world on his shoulders. 

I swallow the pity I feel and give him a heated glare, daring him to break the silence. To piss me off further. 

Instead, his eyes swarm with tears. I watch as his face contorts, a broken sob escaping him. He covers his face with his hands, sobbing silently. 

I stand there watching him, frozen. Unsure of how to proceed. Ransom was never very forthcoming with his emotions. For once, I feel out of my depth with him. Do I comfort him? Or do I leave him alone to deal with his feelings? 

The bitch in me wants to tell him to clean himself up and get the fuck out. 

So, I shift awkwardly on my feet. I go back and forth for what seems like forever as he sits in front of me crying. I avoid looking at him, but the sound of his sobs isn’t exactly something I can ignore. I screw up when I take a glance at him, feeling immediately drawn in by the unabashed emotion on display. I feel myself giving in and wanting to succumb to the desire to console him. My resolve starts to crack and then…

Then, he looks up at me with pained, heavy eyes. My heart wrenches in my chest as he mumbles a garbled apology. I cross to him, sliding to the floor just as he crashes into my arms. The weight of his hug nearly knocks me over but I keep myself upright, holding him close to me. Ransom grips me tightly as I stroke his hair, whispering soft reassurances. He buries his face in my neck as apology after apology tumbles from his lips. 

“I’m sorry, Amalia. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Were he not sobbing his face off, I might feel vindicated. I deserve this apology after all, right? 

I gently shift his face from my neck, encouraging him to sit up on his own. I smile softly at him as he sniffs, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. I brush away a stray tear, stroking his face. He leans into my touch, giving me an all too familiar look. 

I clear my throat and pull my hand away, wiping it on my pant leg. 

“Ransom, what’s going on?” I ask quietly. “Why are you here?”

I steal a glance at him. He stares intently at me as if weighing his options. He licks his lips before releasing a heavy sigh. 

“Harlan is dead.”

The words come out quietly and quickly. They roll off his tongue as easily as a “hello” or “goodbye”. But these words cause my heart to drop and lead fills my chest. My vision blurs and suddenly I can’t see. I blink the tears away and shake my head, searching his face for a lie. He stares back solemnly, tears leaking from his eyes.

“He…no, that’s not possible! He was just…” I trail off. “No…”

He props his arm up on one knee, dragging his other hand over his face. His head lolls back, resting on the recliner. He sniffs, wiping at his nose. 

“He’s dead, Amalia. Died three days ago.”

My lungs feel as though they’re about to give out. 

“How?” I push out, struggling to keep my emotions at bay. “How did he--”

I cut myself off, pressing a hand to my mouth. Ransom’s mouth presses into a thin line. He hesitates before speaking again. 

“Heart complications.”

I release a heavy breath, my chest caving. My hand presses into my chest, trying o relieve the tightness that has accumulated. His words swirl in my mind as I try to comprehend them. Pressure rises in my head, and I think I’m sobbing but I can’t tell. My body feels foreign-- like it’s no longer mine. Like I’m floating above it. 

He was just here, my brain screams. He was fine. He told me he was fine!

I talked to Harlan all the time. After Shiloh was born, Harlan Thrombey was the only person from that damn family to reach out to me at all. He offered money and moral support. I told him I didn’t want a dime. After all, it was Ransom’s responsibility. Not his.

“I guess I have a habit of cleaning up that boy’s messes,” He had said to me. 

Still, the old man reached out weekly to update me on his health and to facetime with Shiloh. Now and then he still tried to send me cash, but I wouldn’t have it. His constant support meant more to me than his money. He stepped in when I felt like I had no one else in the world and, for that, I am eternally grateful. I had plans to surprise him with a visit next month so he could meet Shiloh in person.

But it’s too late now.

Suddenly, I slam back into my body and find myself wracked with sobs that echo off the walls. The tears tumble from my eyes of their own accord as I shrink into myself, curling into a fetal position. Ransom reaches for me, trying to comfort me. I thrash in his arms and push away from him. I don’t want his comfort. I don’t need it. 

But he won’t give up. Instead, he pulls me closer and cages me between his legs, one propped up with the other stretched out. I scream and I cry and I struggle in his arms. Still, he holds me tighter. Eventually, I tire myself out and slump against his chest. I listen to the familiar thrum of his heartbeat and, against my better judgment, start to relax. One of his hands rests gently but solidly on the back of my head while the other rubs my back. I grip his sweater, rubbing the fabric between my fingers. My sniffles fill the otherwise quiet space as everything suddenly comes to a standstill. 

The subtle rise and fall of his chest reminds me of a time before this. Before Shiloh. Before the arguments and the cheating. Before I ever knew who he truly was. My eyes burn again as a new wave of sadness rushes over me. But I stop myself short, refusing to give in to that pain. I buried it, and I can’t go back. 

There are more important things to deal with now. 

I sit up, untangling myself from Ransom. I feel his stare on me as I wipe my face and tuck my hair behind my ear. I cringe inwardly at how much of a mess I’ve probably made of myself. Self-consciously, I run my fingers through my hair and detangle some of the kinks. If this wig wasn’t laid as fuck, I’m sure it would be crooked and matted by now. I drop my hand to my lap with a sigh and bite my lip, searching for something to say. But for once, my words fail me. So, I settle for silence instead. 

But Ransom has other plans it seems. 

He reaches for the hand resting on my lap and holds it in his. He squeezes lightly and I look at him hesitantly. He smiles softly and releases a quiet breath. His thumb strokes the back of my hand as he looks away from me. He faces the direction of the large window behind the chair. The setting sun shines on his face, giving him a warm glow that highlights the green undertones in his eyes. 

He draws his bottom lip in, running his teeth over it before releasing it. He lets out a short breath and nods to himself slightly. His gaze returns to mine, determined. I frown, uncertain of him. I move to withdraw my hand but he rests his other hand on top of mine. He gazes at me imploringly and this sudden change unnerves me further.

“Ransom, what is it?”

“Kitten, I need you to listen carefully to me,” He starts, his voice low. “Promise you’ll hear me out?”

I remove my hand, choosing to stand. Ransom sighs and stands as well. I cross my arms, arching an eyebrow. 

“What is it,” I repeat. 

He rests his hands on his hips. His head tilts towards me a little as he frowns, his forehead creasing. Then, he crosses his arms and turns away from me for a moment. He faces the window, placing one hand over his mouth. I grow impatient and huff. 

“What the hell is it? What are you not saying!”

Ransom sighs and looks at me over his shoulder. He looks back out of the window before finally turning back to me. He lifts his hands, his palms out toward me. 

“Okay, okay. There’s…Harlan left a will,” He says.

I shake my head, shrugging. 

“Okay, and?”

A hand drops to his hip as he drags the other through his hair. 

“Look, my granddad was incredibly fond of you. He loved Shiloh,” Ransom rambles. “And…and so he wanted to take care of the two of you.”

“Yeah, and I told him that I never wanted his money. That Shiloh was your son and that I would be fine. Y’all know that. He knew that.”

Ransom laughs shortly, shrugging. “He was a stubborn bastard. We all knew that.”

I rub at my temples as the beginnings of a headache rise. 

“Get to the fucking point, please.”

“Fuck, okay. Listen,” He says, exasperated. 

He places his hands on my shoulders and levels me with a deep stare. 

“Amalia. Harlan…he left-- fuck.” He pauses, swallowing thickly. “He left half of his estate to you.”

Next Chapter: Bad Reputation

Divider by: @firefly-graphics

Banners by: @maysdigitalarts

Title card by Me :)

Backup Blog: @thegirlonhamilton

Masterlist

#Ransom Drysdale x Reader #Ransom Drysdale x Black!Character #Black reader #black writer #my writing #black fanfiction #angst #hurt/comfort #chris evans #written by me #written by lyv #Ain't Shit - RD #fanfic #black fanfic #ransom drsydale fanfic

[royalsweetteaa]

the way you write ransom makes me lose my mind (in the best way possible) and your dialogue is top tier

maybe you'll consider writing some angst with him if you have the time and feel like it

my prompt idea would be: "Thousands of times we argued and you always won by begging me to stay. But as days go by, I realise more and more that this is not where I belong. So even though it hurts, you're the one who loses today".

but feel free to do whatever, I trust you.

I’ve been waiting for the right time to write something like this and I feel like this is a calling so —

Title: Inevitable ends

WARNING - the following contains: angst (no fluff), break-up, Ransom is manipulate, mentions of sex, toxic relationship.

Y/N’s POV

It’s been one, long and dreadful year since I was first asked to be the black sheep of the Thrombey family’s girlfriend. One year of falling victim to the man who at one moment claimed he worshipped me for being the best thing in his life — to being yelled at for not being good enough for someone so high class such as himself.

There was no in between, a part from the times I tried to leave because I knew I didn’t deserve this. I knew this relationship wasn’t good for either of us. Yet all of the times I almost let go, he always managed to persuade me with false hope. Hope that he would do better.

But he never made genuine efforts to do so.

It almost became a routine in itself. The first week after such a promise, I would be gifted with expensive luxury, ranging from jewelry and dresses to vacation trips to Hawaii. There he would make me fall for his lust of having hot sex at the private beach he had rented. He would sweet talk me in the mornings, keeping the facade that we were a perfect couple. With how much he gave me, I first believed he actually cared. It didn’t make sense to put so much money into making up to me if he didn’t.

Then, after the honey moon phase came to an end, we were back to where we started. Ransom would turn sour, either after a night with his friends at the club, or a family gathering that never seemed to end well - and he always took it out on me.

“I really wish you were more competent because sometimes I feel like I’m the only one doing shit to please your fucking ass.” He would once snap at me.

How dare he? I would ask myself.

How dare he say I don’t do anything when I’m the one who’s actually working to pay my fair share? He hasn’t worked a day in his life and was born with a silver spoon and platter right in front of him. He who didn’t do the cooking or cleaning had the audacity to say I don’t do shit.

I was far from rich, and Ransom’s monthly allowance were added zeros compared to what my workplace payed. I never let that become a discussion of who was going to pay for what though. I payed the percentage of what was deemed appropriate for my stay at Ransom’s modern and luxurious house. I used my own credit card to pay for the food that fed both our stomachs. I gave him real love, affection and support because I truly did love him. How could he say I wasn’t making an effort to please him?

This all led to present time. Ransom had for what might be the thousandth time put up a fight with me, something I had been mentally prepared for since the last time, and I knew this had to be the final straw once and for all. I had left him at mid-argument saying; “I’m done. I’m leaving you, Ransom.”

That seemed to finally shut his mouth, and he could only frown as he tried to follow me.

“Leave me alone. I can’t do this anymore. I tried to be good enough for you but you keep shoving me away and treating me like I’m a goddamn rag doll!”

“You’re not leaving this damn house, Y/N…” Ransom said with his index finger pointing at me. He didn’t seem convinced enough that I meant it, but that was about to change.

“Yes, I am!” I shouted, as I went up the stairs to head to our shared bedroom.

I took out my suitcase and gathered my clothes, not caring to neatly place them inside as I wanted nothing more but to leave.

I could hear him rush upstairs after me, standing at the door in awe that I was still standing my ground. As he saw I was taking my last bundle of socks and underwear, he came over and threw out all the clothes I had gathered out of the suitcase and held the baggage behind his back. I gasped at his childish demeanor, and I proceeded to try reclaiming the baggage so I could put everything back in again.

“Ransom, give me my suitcase back! I’m not staying here anymore.” I told him with all seriousness. It didn’t seem to make him budge as he dodged my arms from reaching behind him.

“You know what?— whatever! I don’t even need all of these clothes! You were the one who bought them for me and I honestly don’t want a single thing from you.” I said as I picked up a selective few of my personal outfits and stepped away.

Most of my old clothes were stored at my parents’ house since Ransom didn’t like my old style. He would buy prettier and sexier clothes because in his own words, “they defined your body better.”

“Y/N, stop fucking around. You’re not leaving me. What, you’re really gonna leave it all behind after a whole year? Do I need to remind you of everything I’ve given you and everywhere I have taken you to make you happy? Is this how you’re thanking me?”

I turned around with a face that could kill, and even Ransom was startled by it. He swallowed as he saw fire behind my eyes, ready to explode if he further tested me with his arrogance.

“Don’t even think about using that against me! You bought me all that stuff and took me to places because apparently an apology or being treated with respect was too much to ask for. Not once did I ask for these things, yet you kept on buying your way around for not taking accountability of being a huge asshole of a boyfriend! You should consider yourself lucky that I fell for your tricks for as long as I did, but it all ends today. You can keep everything you’ve given to me, because I don’t need any of it!”

I stormed right after to the bathroom and gathered my make up and toothbrush onto the pile of clothes I had in my arm.

As I came out again, Ransom blocked the way to the main entrance. I could only huff and turn my heel as I decided to leave through the entrance of the second floor, but Ransom grabbed my arm before I made it to the stairs.

I squealed at how tight he gripped me and I tried to wriggle my arm away, but it wasn’t easy.

“Stop touching me! We’re through, Ransom! We’re done!”

“No…no, we…— we absolutely aren’t! We aren’t through unless I say so!” Ransom tried to keep his stern voice, but I could tell by his body language that he was slowly realizing the reality of the situation and was getting panicked.

For what reason? How could he not see this coming? I had to wonder.

“That isn’t how relationships work! You don’t own me! I’m not going to let you use me like a punching bag anymore!” I argued. I managed to yank my arm out of his grip and I picked up the speed up the stairs to have a head start on my way out.

Ransom had to run after me to stop me from opening the door. He held me by my shoulders and looked me in the eye with pleading eyes.

“Darling, please don’t leave me. I promise to be a better boyfriend. A better man for you. Fuck, I’ll do anything if you don’t walk out of that door. You’re everything to me!”

Liar. What a fucking liar.

I couldn’t help but scoff, though I was feeling anything but amused. “So why the fuck did you treat me like I was the least good thing in your life, huh? Yes, I know you’ve had a rough upbringing with your parents and family neglecting you but that gave you no right to treat me like you did. You need to work on yourself…because as of now, you have been hurting me so much that it almost killed me!”

I could see he was holding back tears as his eyes were getting all glossy. While it was a heartbreaking sight, I was anything but tempted to wrap my arms around and forgive him. My own pain overweighed my mercy, and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of forgiveness because I knew it would put us back to the circle I didn’t want to put myself in anymore.

“I love you, Ransom. I really do. But I can’t love a man who doesn’t respect me. All those thousands of times we argued and you always won by begging me to stay. And I realized more and more that this is not where I belong. So even though it hurts to do this, you're the one who loses today. You’ve lost, Ransom. You’ve lost me.” I whispered my last sentence as a single tear shed from my eye. He loosened his grip, and I took it as the opportunity to leave.

“Goodbye, Ransom.” I said lastly, without turning to face him once more. I would never know I had gotten him on his knees with regret paining his chest as I left the door.

Note from author: no because I had to use all of my self control to not give into Ransom’s will (because I’m his slut).

As I have completed this though, I’m actually very pleased with how it turned out. Thank you for the prompt idea and motivation to finally write some stand alone angst, anon!

Hearts & Reblogs are very appreciated! <3

#anon <3 #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale x y/n #ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale x reader #chris evans #chris evans character fanfiction #cevans characters #chris evans x reader

[ashbrat488]

Speak Now - Ransom Drysdale One Shot

Ransom Drysdale x OFC Angst, fluff Word Count: 1,594

Written: July 6, 2023

Brittan grew up as best friends with Ransom Drysdale her whole life. She was smart, getting a scholarship to his private high school, one his parents afforded no problem. They never accepted Brittan when he started to date her in their junior year of high school. Tolerated would be a better choice of word; barely tolerated.

In college, plans were made... they would graduate, him majoring in creative writing and her in accounting, and then they would marry. But when he told his parents...

1 year ago, just before the start of their senior year in college...

"What do you mean we can't get married?" Brittan frowns, looking down at the ring on her finger; a ring Ransom had specially made just for her with a small emerald cut sapphire with two small diamonds on either side. It was perfect and she was in love with it.

Ransom flinches slightly at the sound of Brittan raising her voice to him, something she never did. He grabbed her hand, turning her attention back up to him with a groan, his heart clenched tightly in his chest, plummeting to the ground at the first sight of the tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry. If I don't marry Camille, my parents will cut me off. And--"

"So?" She rips her hand away from him as he tries to remain calm, keeping his emotions at bay. "You're choosing your money over me?"

"No! I—"

"Yes!" She yells, bringing her hand up to her head, shaking it as she becomes angrier and angrier. "That's what you just said, Ransom!"

"If I don't break up with you and agree to marry Camille, they'll stop paying for college—"

"So what! We can—"

Ransom grabs her, hauling her against his chest, causing her to gasp as he placed his hand over her mouth. "Stop interrupting me, woman!" He takes a few deep breaths as she huffs into his hand, furrowing her brows at him. "If I don't graduate, my grandfather won't give me the publishing company."

She waits until he releases her, fixing her dress with a scoff. "Again, I say... so what? We can help you build your own."

"It's my right as a Thrombey! It's my familial right!"

"Who cares! Aren't I more important?"

"You are important..." Ransom's voice lowers as he watches her chin quiver, his heart shattering as he shatters hers. "But it's the principle of the matter."

"You mean your pride and your money are more important than love," she states as firmly as she can, holding back the tears that threaten to stream her cheeks. "Get out."

"Britt..."

"Get out!" She yells, pulling the ring off her finger to throw at his chest.

He barely catches it before she turns her back on him and he glances down at the small ring. "Britt..." he pleads one final time as he is met with only silence. Reluctantly, he turns to leave her apartment, standing at the open door. "I'll never love anyone else," he mumbles before shutting the door behind him.

His final statement is what finally breaks her, plopping onto the couch in a ball, letting the tears flow easily.

Night Before The Wedding...

Brittan sighs as she hears a knock on the door, forcing her to pause her movie. She knew what was happening this weekend and insisted on hiding in her apartment alone all weekend. She opens the door, surprised to find Ransom's best friend, James standing in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?"

She sighs but moves to the side to let him enter her apartment. "If you're here to tell me not to show up tomorrow, don't worry, I won't..."

"No," he laughs, shaking his head with his hands raised in a small sign of surrender. "Ransom doesn't know I'm here. And I came to ask you to do the opposite..."

"What?" She crosses her arms over her chest, wondering if this was some sort of joke or prank.

"Look, Britt, I like you. And Ransom loves you. You can't let him marry that monster. I don't care if she is better for him on paper according to their families. You and I both know he should be with you. Fight for him."

She scoffs, rolling her eyes as she takes her spot back on her couch, grabbing her glass of wine to down the rest. "I did. I asked him to choose me and that we would work it out. But no, he chose his money and her over me... so. He doesn't give a shit."

"He does..." James digs in his pocket, pulling out something before shoving it into her hand. "He still carries this with him wherever he goes. I only got it away from him because he's wasted already. He's miserable without you. You're both too stubborn to go to the other, so here I am. Come tomorrow, as my date. Stop the wedding..."

Brittan laughs, shaking her head as she looks down at her engagement ring. "You're not serious."

"I'm a thousand percent serious Britt. Please. Don't let him do this..." He watches her continue to stare at the ring. He leans over, kissing the top of her head, hovering for a moment. "They're getting married at 11."

She glances up at him as he smiles before turning to leave her alone in her apartment. She looked back down at the ring, turning it over in her hand...

Wedding day...

Ransom groans, his hand coming up to his chest as James enters the small room he was getting dressed. "Ready to go?"

Ransom takes a deep breath, swallowing the bile in his throat as he nodded. He proceeded to follow James before grabbing his arm. "Do you know what happened to Brittan's ring? I couldn't find it anywhere this morning."

"I have no idea, man. You were pretty out of it last night though. I'm sure you'll find it." He takes his place beside Ransom in the front of the church as he checks his watch: 11:10... She was late. Maybe she wasn't coming. He sighed, wondering if he should say something before the bridal march started and everyone stood.

Ransom tried to find a smile that matched the giant one on Camille's face as she entered the church, but the most he could muster was a grimace as he watched her approach him.

Brittan parked her car in the back of the church, sneaking in the back just as she watched Camille and Ransom. No one had noticed her yet as she backed up into the foyer. "You can do this," she mumbled to herself, smoothing out the line of her red bodycon dress. She nodded to herself, giving herself one more bump of encouragement as she looked down at the engagement ring on her finger.

She hears the words she was waiting for... "Speak now..."

She enters the church with a deep breath, this time letting the doors shut loudly behind her, causing everyone to turn to her. She sees the smile on James' face, giving her more confidence as she walks down the aisle, everyone's eyes burning through her. Her gaze catches on Ransom's as he smiles back at her, his first genuine smile in months.

"Britt..." he whispers as Camille whines beside him.

"Ransom! Make her leave!"

Brittan doesn't let Camille deter her, or Ransom's parents who were trying to move to put a barrier between them before James nudged them out of the way. 6 feet away from them, she stops. "I am not the kind of girl, who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion. But you are not the kind of boy, who should be marrying the wrong girl."

"Britt," he repeats, dropping Camille's hands as he takes a step toward her as Camille tries to stop him but he nudges her away and his eyes fall down to Brittan's engagement ring back on her finger where it belonged. He turned his head toward James as he smirked back at him. 

"Don't say yes, run away now. I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door..."

Ransom swallows hard the lump in his throat as he watches her gracefully turn to leave the church and his attention is pulled back to Camille, her whiney voice piercing his eardrums.

"Ransom!"

He shakes his head, looking back at her, his heart fluttering in his chest for the first time since he walked out of Brittan's door over a year before. "I'm sorry. You can keep the ring..." He runs to the back of the church where he got dressed, shoving his things into his bag before slipping out the side door before anyone could reach him.

Brittan leaned nervously against the passenger side door of her car. She glanced up at the sound of a door shutting to find Ransom running toward her, pulling her into his arms as he reached her. He kissed her hard, pouring in as much emotion he had been holding in for the last year as he could.

He cradled her cheeks when he pulled away, smiling down at her as tears welled her eyes. "I didn't say my vows. I'm so glad you were around. I'm sorry."

"We don't have to speak now. Just get in..." She climbs into the driver's seat as Ransom throws his bag into the back, jumping into the passenger seat as his mother and Camille with her family come out of the church charging for them. Brittan laughs, pulling out onto the road as Ransom grabs her hand... 

#ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale fanfic #ransom drysdale x oc #ransom drysdale one shot #taylor swift music #taylor swift #chris evans #chris evans fanfic #chris evans fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic #knives out #fluffy #angsty #Youtube #speak now

[crazyunsexycool]

The love we gave away.

Chapter 2

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x Reader

Word count: 4.8k

Warning: mentioned child abuse, teenage pregnancy, talks about adoption (should this be a warning?), lil bit of angst.

A/N: this chapter had been written a few days ago but I didn’t want to post it until I posted the current chapter for is it a crime? Anyways, we get a bit of soft Ransom, which he only is with the twins and reader. But don’t worry the drama and the angst will be here soon!!!

Series masterlist

Ransom was a nervous wreck from the moment his assistant handed him the note with your name on it. It had been so long since he spoke to you although he thought about you every single day. He didn’t know how you still managed to have a hold on him. Your relationship had been a first for him. A first of many things actually but he’d never admit it out loud. He’d found love with you. You’d been so gentle with him and from the first date he was hooked.

When you told him you were pregnant he freaked, rightfully so. Linda and Richard Drysdale were going to kill him and he knew your parents weren’t any better. Deep down however he hoped you would have the baby. He didn’t know a single thing about them but if you were as caring and gentle with him he could imagine you would be the same as a mother. The thought itself was outrageous, you both had plans once you graduated high school. One of them was to go on vacation before starting college in the fall. Ransom had been working with his grandfather during the summer as part of a deal that the older man would fund the vacation. He wanted to surprise you and take you to the fashion capital of the world.

The day you told him that you were having twins he was speechless. When you told him you thought it was best to give the babies up for adoption, it broke his heart.

The day the twins were born Ransom finally understood what love truly was. He realized that neither you nor him had a way of taking care of the babies between school and work; there wouldn’t be time to actually look after them. Add on to that that both yours and his parents had pressured you into giving the babies up or being thrown to the streets, neither of you had a choice. Everything went downhill after that and before he realized what had happened you were gone. After that he swore off ever being in a relationship again. At least one that had such a deep emotional connection. Now he was known as a womanizer and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

After he got the courage to call you he was sure he’d been dreaming. The twins had found you and they wanted to meet him too. Once the conversation was over and you said your goodbyes Ransom headed into his walk-in closet and looked for a few minutes for a little box he kept hidden in a corner.

With a sigh Ransom walked back down to his study. He poured himself a drink and sat at his desk, opening the box. Inside there were two little hats, a picture and another small box. The little beanies were what the twins were wearing in the hospital, one pink with a bow and one blue. He’d grabbed them when the twins were being put into some actual clothes. The picture was of the four of you. He sat in the hospital bed beside you, he held your beautiful baby girl while you held your sweet baby boy. You both looked a mess, he was all red faced and with tear filled eyes and it was obvious you had just given birth, you looked so tired. Still you both smiled, they were small sad smiles but they were there. In the small box there was a ring. It was a small promise ring. Something to show you that he loved you no matter what had happened or what was to come. But he lost the courage to give it to you as he watched two total strangers walk out of the hospital with his kids. Leaving both of you empty handed and broken hearted. It’s like you had given away the love you had for each other. The days and even weeks afterwards were horrible. Your cries for your children were gut wrenching and they were burned into his memory.

Ransom started thinking about every question the kids might have and the answer he’d give. Soon he started to worry that they wouldn’t like him, maybe even hate him for giving them up. He fell asleep at his desk, slightly drunk so as to stop the voices of his parents telling him he would never be good enough to have a family of his own.

Before either of you knew it, the day you’d been waiting for had arrived. It was a gloomy Saturday afternoon. Ransom had traveled to New York from Boston a day before. You had sent him the information of the restaurant you’d picked. It was somewhere that had a private room and a back entrance for you to use. To Ransom’s surprise you were very well recognized to the point that sometimes paparazzi followed you along New York.

Ransom arrived early, he was way too nervous to sit in his hotel room for another minute. The private room had floor to ceiling windows and double doors leading to a small balcony that one could use to admire the city.

“Nice view right?” Your voice startled him and you giggled as his head whipped around to look at you. “Hi, Ran.”

“Y/N.” He said breathlessly.

You were even more beautiful than he remembered. The smile you had was genuine and his heart ached as he realized you might be just as happy to see him as he is to see you. He took a few steps to close the gap and pull you into his embrace. This reunion was 14 years in the making and it was long overdue. Why hadn’t either of you seeked the other out?

“You look beautiful.” He murmured in your ear. You were dressed in a simple summer dress and sandals and your hair pulled back. But it was one of your designs so you wore it proudly.

“Thanks, you look great too. How have you been?”

“That’s a loaded question and something I would prefer to answer over drinks.”

“Hhmm. How long are you here for?” You ask as you both take a seat at one of the tables.

“I drive back home tomorrow afternoon.”

“Maybe we can catch up tomorrow morning?” You offer.

“I’d like that.”

The door that leads to the rest of the restaurant opens and Theodore and Abigail walk in. Your eyes are on Ransom as you watch him look at his kids for the first time. It made you want to cry the way his eyes held so much fondness for them.

“Hi, I’m Abigail and this is Theodore.” She introduces herself and puts her hand out for Ransom to take. When he doesn’t move she looks at you and you lay a hand on Ransom’s shoulder.

“Sorry. I’m Ransom, I’m your father.”

It felt surreal for everyone in the room to hear it. This was actually happening, the four of you were together again. Ransom stood and pulled out a seat for Abigail and you knew how nervous he was from the slight shake of his hand. Theodore just gave a quick hello and sat at the empty chair which happened to be next to you and across from Ransom.

“So what have you been doing the last few days? Have you gone to explore the city some more?” You ask to break the tension in the room.

“A bit, we’ve mostly still been unpacking our house.”

A server walks in and takes drink orders before leaving again.

“You can just ask whatever questions you have. I mean we all know why we’re here, there's no need to dance around it.” You offer.

Theodore just nods but doesn’t say anything. Abigail though takes out her phone and you look over at Ransom, silently questioning what is going on. He only shrugs in response and turns back to the twins.

“I wrote down some questions.” Abigail turns her phone for you to look at the notes app opened up. “So how did you two meet?”

“At school. English class, third period to be precise.”

You looked at Ransom, impressed that he remembered that.

“Give me some credit thimble. I offered you the seat next to me and you said ‘no thank you’ with a little scowl on your face.”

“The seat was taken and you pushed the kid out of it, you punk.”

Theodore and Abigail looked at each other and smiled while listening to your bickering.

“Anyways,” you wave your hand dismissively in Ransom’s direction. “After being there a few weeks there was this guy. What was his name? Was it Lance?”

“Yeah.”

“Well this guy Lance was a huge asshole.”

“Woah language thimble.” Ransom motions towards the kids. “Little ears.” Abigail laughs at that but Theodore bites back a smile.

You scoff.

“What was it that you called that guy that answered the door?”

“A dick.” Abigail supplies happily.

“She called my dad a dick. I think their little ears are safe.”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry I didn’t know he was your dad.” Abigail hid her face in her hands.

“Nah it’s ok he really is a dick. But more on him later.” You shrug and Ransom nods in agreement. “Anyways, he kept annoying me about going out with him to the point where he cornered me and said that I should just give up and accept.”

“I hated that guy so I walked up to them and kicked his ass.”

“Then asked me out.” You rolled your eyes and they smiled. “But I said no to him too.”

“It took three weeks before I asked again. Then she said yes.”

“So you guys met and then you just got pregnant?” Theodore spoke up for the first time.

“No, we dated for a year before that ever happened.”

Theodore just stared at you, waiting for the actual story.

“Ok so…”

*****

Almost 16 years ago

“You’re what?” Ransom was freaking out as he paced back and forth in his room at the boarding school.

“I’m pregnant.”

“And you’re sure?”

“Yes. I went to a clinic and they confirmed it. Ransom what are we gonna do? My parents are going to kill me.” You started sobbing into your hands.

“Thimble, baby, no don’t say that.”

He sat down next to you and pulled you into a hug. Ransom wanted to run. He was scared but he couldn’t imagine what it was like for you.

“We’ll figure it out ok? We will, I promise.”

He wasn’t sure how you were going to figure it out. You were both 16 and in high school. If that weren’t enough both of your parents were sure to lose their mind when they found out.

****

Ransom had been right. Richard, his father had beat the crap out of him. He had multiple bruises to prove it. When he finally saw you at school you barely looked at him but by the way you were holding yourself it was obvious something was done to you too.

When the school found out both of you were suspended. Your father had only referred to you as the whore or the slut if he wanted to talk to you. When the baby bump started to show he kicked you out. The only saving grace had been Harlan, Ransom’s grandfather, who had been in the city with the intention of finding out how you were doing. A neighbor had let you stay at the house for a few days but Harlan had offered two things. Security and seeing Ransom again after three months apart with no contact.

The minute you walked into Harlan’s mansion Ransom was on you. You both cried right there in the foyer and Ransom fell to his knees as his hand smoothed out the shirt you were wearing over your bump.

“It’s twins.” You revealed to him once you were able to talk. He looked up at you like a deer caught in headlights.

“There’s two of them?”

You just nodded.

“Ok, that’s fine. We can figure anything out.”

You ran your fingers through his hair and he stood up and pulled you in for a quick kiss.

“Come on you’re staying in my room.”

Ransom’s room was a typical teenage boy’s room. Posters of bands and models on the walls. A mess of clothes on his desk chair. The least surprising was the books that made home of any available corner. He led you to his bed, which wasn’t made, and had you lay back against the headboard. His hand rested on your belly.

“Ransom we need to talk.” You said quietly.

“About what? Is something wrong? Do you want something? I can go down to the kitchen if you’re hungry.”

You shook your head.

“Then what is it?” He moved to sit beside you.

“I’ve been thinking about this a lot.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re breaking up with me.” He pleaded.

“No. It has to do with the babies.”

“Ok?”

“I think it would be better if we put the babies up for adoption.”

“But-“

“Just think about it.” You cut him off. “We don’t know the first thing about taking care of babies. I mean I’ve done some babysitting but it’s not enough. And where would we live?” Tears were already rolling down your cheek. “How would we pay for the things they need?”

“Hey, it’s ok. Why don’t you just rest and we’ll talk about it later.”

“Ok. Just don’t leave me.” You said but he knew you meant more than just leaving you to sleep alone.

“Never.”

Once your breathing evened out Ransom shed a few tears of his own.

****

It was just you and Ransom all alone in a room. The boy had been born first. A few minutes later it was the girl. You cried from relief and pain and grief. They gave you a few minutes alone, just you, Ransom and the babies. He sat in bed next to you. He held your son, while you held your daughter. After a few minutes you switched. You both cried endlessly as you held them and pressed soft kisses to the top of their heads.

“I love you so much. I’m so sorry I can’t be your mommy.” You murmured to each of them softly between sobs.

You could hear Ransom talking to them too. A nurse came in and offered to take a picture of the four of you. Then before you knew it they were being taken away to meet their new family. Ransom laid in bed with you again and did the only thing he could, he held you.

*****

“Did you love each other at least?” Theodore asked, his eyes holding back tears.

“Absolutely.”

“Without a doubt.”

Both of you answer without any hesitation. You look over at Ransom and smile.

“Then why aren’t you still together?”

“Things weren’t easy after you were born. We tried our best but I think we just drifted apart. We were kids just a year older than you are now.”

“We didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did. Having to give you up for adoption was the most difficult thing we’ve ever had to do.” Ransom adds.

“Yeah well, it sounds like a bunch of bullshit.”

“Teddy!” Abigail scolds as the three of you watch him get up and walk out. “I’m sorry about him. A lot has happened in the last year.” She says sadly.

“Don’t worry about it. I can’t imagine what it must be like to find out you’re adopted.”

“I’m gonna go check on him.” Abigail excuses herself.

“Well fuck. This is going great.”

Ransom also gets up and heads towards the balcony. A cigarette in his hand, you grab it before he can light it and throw it away.

“It’s not good for you and we don’t know if they have asthma or something.”

Ransom just scowls at you.

“Uhh I’m so scared.” You stick your tongue out at him.

“Childish is what you are.”

“What if they never want to talk to us again?” You ask with a sigh.

“I don’t think that would happen. At least not on Abigail's part. Theodore seems the most hurt by it all, angry at the world.”

“Yeah, something else must have happened.” You turn back to look at Ransom. “But what do you think?”

He blows a breath out as he collects his thoughts.

“They’re beautiful, amazing. It’s obvious they’ve been well taken care of and loved. What more could we have asked for? That’s what’s always worried me, that the couple that adopted them wouldn’t have really cared for them.”

“Yeah, I thought about that all the time. It kept me up at night sometimes.”

You both stand there in silence with only the sounds of the city filling the air.

“Hey.” You hear from behind you. Abigail stood there with red rimmed eyes. Ransom moves first and places a hesitant hand on her shoulder. “I’m ok. Would it be ok if we kept going?” Her big blue eyes might as well pierce through Ransom because he nods dumbly.

Back inside Theodore is sitting at the table, leaning back, arms crossed over his chest and glowering at the table. The three of you sit back down but he won’t look at any of you. He reminded you so much of Ransom at that age.

“You said that your dad was a dick, were both your parents like that?”

“Loaded question.” Ransom said. “But yeah, my parents aren’t good people. My family as a whole actually. Except for my grandfather, Harlan. He helped us during the pregnancy.”

“Why didn’t he help you after we were born?” Theodore asked.

“Our parents wouldn’t allow it. My parents threatened to call the police and accuse him of kidnapping me since he lives in Boston. And since he’s so well known it would have been a huge issue.”

“Well known?” That piqued Theodore’s interest.

“Have you ever heard of the book called ‘Painting the Midnight sky’?”

“Yeah. It’s a mystery book.”

“Well my grandfather, you’re great grandfather, is the author.”

“Harlan Thrombey is your grandfather?”

“Yup.”

“Oh my god! This is so cool ! We have all his books.” Abigail explains. “I’ve currently been reading ‘When time runs out’ before bed.”

Theodore smiles at her excitement but it fades quickly.

“Well he’ll be happy to know that. I can even get you a copy of the book he’s writing now before it even hits the shelves.”

“Can you really?”

“Definitely.” Ransom smiles.

“What about your parents? You never finished telling us.” Theodore asked as he looked at you.

“They aren’t good people either. My dad’s a drunk, my mom’s a pushover. Or she used to be. It started with her doing as he said or she’d get the beating. Then she just started punishing me for no reason when she realized it made him happy.”

Ransom’s hand rested over yours in order to give you some comfort. When you looked up to meet Theodore and Abigail’s eyes they were horrified.

“I’m sorry, I know that’s horrible to hear but it’s the truth. My- our childhoods weren’t pretty.”

“I had Harlan but your mother-“

Theodore shot Ransom a look that let him know he didn’t see you that way.

“Your biological mother.” Ransom corrected but not without shooting a small glare back at Theodore. “Didn’t have anyone that cared for her in her family.”

“I only got into the private school because a teacher in my high school saw I had potential and he knew that the school had scholarships. He worked so hard to help me get in there. Fortunately it was a boarding school so I didn’t have to be at home five days a week or any days if I didn’t want to. It honestly saved my life.”

No one said anything for a few minutes. The food that had been set in front of you was getting colder by the minute.

“Ask another question. It’s ok I promise.” Ransom told Abigail.

“Did you always want to work in fashion?”

Your face lit up then and you nodded.

“Ever since I was little. I learned to sew when I was like 6. Then before she passed away my grandmother gave me a little sewing kit. After that I always fixed the buttons or little rips on my clothes.”

“What about you? What do you two like to do?”

“I like painting and baking mostly. I also love reading.”

“I like photography and I used to play hockey back home.”

Everyone turned to Ransom and waited for his answer.

“I work in publishing.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Did you always want to work as a publisher?”

“I always knew I wanted to follow in granddad’s footsteps. I wanted to be a writer but I don’t really think I’m good enough. Everything I know, I learned from him. So now I work in publishing.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent like that. Asking questions and everyone answering. Little by little Theodore opened up more. By the end of the get together he had even given you his phone number. Abigail immediately created a group chat between the four of you.

“Do you live in New York too?” Theodore asked Ransom.

“Nah, I live in Boston. It’s way better.”

“I heard that.”

“You were meant to.” Ransom shoots back at you.

You roll your eyes but turn to Abigail.

“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?”

“Very sure. But thank you, and for all of this. I’m glad we were able to get together so quickly.” She said as she moved in to hug you.

“Me too, sweetheart.”

Surprisingly Theodore also gave you a hug. You felt a weight lifted off your shoulders, almost as if he was quietly telling you he didn’t hate you. Then they both hugged Ransom and you could see he was fighting back tears.

You and Ransom said your own quick goodbyes and went your separate ways. The reunion went better than expected although you knew they had more questions about what happened while you were pregnant. It was still a very sensitive subject for you to talk about. But you were willing to relive every part of it if it meant they would understand why you did what you did.

Instead of heading home you went into your studio. There were a few pieces that needed your attention and some inspiration had come to you. The studio was empty, just how you liked it. There was no need to turn on the lights yet as the clouds had started to disappear and the afternoon sun was lighting up the room. You turned some music on and went to work in your corner. There were fabric swatches, markers, pencils, a sketch pad and more sitting around the desk as you drew out some new ideas.

The afternoon turned into evening. The studio lights were now on as you fluttered around the open space. A mannequin sitting in the middle of the room with fabric draped over it as you pinned and shaped it to your liking. The music was still blasting and you were singing along happily unaware of your guest.

“I’m glad to see that some things don’t change.” Ransom’s voice echoed in the studio as the song changed. You screamed with fear since you didn’t expect anyone to be there much less watching you. When you turned he had a hand over his heart and his head thrown back in laughter.

“Ransom you can’t just sneak up on people like that.”

“You need to be more aware of your surroundings.” He said as he lowered the volume on the speaker.

“What are you doing here?”

“I called your phone, you didn’t answer. I had a feeling that you’d be working so I took a chance and came here.” He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest.

You give a little hum as you continue to work with the last piece of loose fabric.

“Today was intense.” You finally say, knowing that that was the reason he was there. “What do you think about the whole situation?”

“I don’t know what to think. They’re great kids, better than what they would have been if I would have raised them.”

You shake your head in disagreement. “I think you would have been a great dad. You still can be, if you decide to have kids. On purpose this time.”

“I doubt that. I’m not a great person and I’d be an awful father now.”

“Ran, you practically dropped everything to come to the city and meet them. If I would have asked you to come to the city the next day you would have done it. That counts for something.”

He shrugged his shoulders and looked away. He couldn’t handle the sincerity your words held.

“I think they’re hiding something though.”

“Me too.” Ransom agreed.

“And I’m not even sure what’s supposed to happen now. Should we talk with their parents? See if they’re ok with all of this?”

“Adoptive. We’re their parents too.” He corrects you.

“You know what I mean. Technically we signed away our rights, Ransom. I just don’t want there to be a big issue and then we can’t see them again at all.” You looked up from the dress you were working on to see him biting his nail the way he did when he was stressed about something.

You stopped what you were doing and walked over to him and pulled his hand away from his mouth. He in turn pulled your hand toward his lips and placed a gentle kiss on your knuckles. Just like old times, it never failed to put a smile on your face.

“I brought you something.” He mumbled quickly while holding up a gift bag.

You smiled as you walked to the corner you had been working in and pulled something out of the drawer.

“It’s not wrapped but I have something for you too.”

You hold up the gift and he smiles as he hands you the gift he’d brought for you. The bag contained a small glass box and inside there was an antique sewing kit beautifully displayed. You smile fondly as you take in each individual item.

“This is beautiful Ransom, thank you.”

“A sweater? How do you even know my measurements?”

“I googled you and eyeballed it.” You smile proudly as he holds it against himself to show that it in fact will fit.

“It’s amazing and the scarf.”

“I hoped you were still into that. I remember you loved your scarves in high school. I know you love your sweaters in the fall.”

“No, I loved the scarf you made me. I never wore scarves before that.” He corrects and you stare at him.

“Why did you wear it if you didn’t like them?”

“You made it for me. No one had ever really thought about my needs like that or cared about my well being. I still have it, you know.” He admitted the last part with a whisper.

You invaded his space rather quickly and snaked your arms around his midsection. Ransom tensed slightly at the unexpected contact but then relaxed as his arms wrapped around you.

“Our parents really are shit aren’t they?”

“Yup.” He says.

“Promise me that you’ll be there for them. We’ll be better than our parents.”

“Y/N…” he said with a sigh. “I’m not a good person. I would probably be a bad influence for them.”

You pulled back slightly and tilted your head so that you could look at him. The worry in your eyes was enough to make him squirm. No one really ever cared for him the way you did and it always caught him off guard.

“Do you want to be in their lives or not? I want an honest answer and you can take time to think about it.”

“Of course I want to be in their lives. I just think I’m not a good person for teenagers to be around. I’m an asshole.”

“You weren’t an asshole today.”

“I was on my very best behavior.”

“Then be on your best behavior when you’re with them.” You say as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not.” You reply while resting your head against his chest again. “You’re going to struggle with it but if you’re serious about being in their lives you’ll try your best and that’s all you can do.”

“You’re so much better at this whole life thing than I am.”

You scoff as you finally pull away from him.

“I’m really not. I throw myself into work because it’s better than trying to have friendships or relationships.”

“Then let’s make a deal.”

You look up at him, curious as to what he’s about to suggest.

“I’ll work on not being such an asshole and you can get some friends.”

“We’re so fucked.” You laugh.

“Yeah, we are. But we’ll do it for the twins.”

“Yeah, we will.”

Ch. 3

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#the love we gave away series #ransom drydale x you #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale x y/n #ransom thrombey x reader #dad!ransom drysdale x mom!reader #ransom drysdale au #hugh ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale series #ransom drysdale angst #ransom drysdale x female!reader

[optimistic-dinosaur-nacho]

Ransom Drysdale x Reader (Dad!AU)

Summary: Ransom Drysdale, a man who didn’t make wise decisions in his teens. Wasting three years of his life in jail, he takes his freedom for another two. Little did he know, a woman he long ago had a thing for, ends up leaving him with a 16-year-old for the holidays. Hazel Rose Drysdale. His daughter.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

This takes place after Knives Out. Family will be mentioned/shown, there will be minor spoilers for Knives Out.

Warnings: Bad parenting, swearing, Ransom being an asshole, minor spoilers for Knives Out, angst, mentions of murder/jail, minor mental abuse, mentions of abortion/pregnancy, Mentions of suicide

I do not consent to have my work hosted on any second party app or site. If you are seeing this fanfiction anywhere but tumblr, it has been reposted without my permission.

Being free was something he’d never experience after jail. Two years after release, he never felt better. Everything was different. His parents never called him at all, sure they were pissed about losing their will for the house and everything inside. Marta was never mentioned since that happened. Five worthless years with the Thrombey and Drysdale families. 

He was fine after his three years in jail. It was hell, he made a couple friends with just a few punches. Being the most charismatic and asshole, he made himself stand out more and he didn’t fear that. He kept his distance between certain men, almost half of them were murderers like him. But theirs were gruesome. Many of them called him the Amateur Senior Killer.

Just like he said to Detective Blanc, his lawyer got him out of a life sentence. So he spent his time going to bars and meeting women as the usual thing he did since. Linda still had Ransom as her son but she never had the guts to speak to him. She’d send him money if she wanted to. Ransom made some off of things he can’t explain to others.

With a swift push for his front door to open, Ransom stepped in and closed his door roughly. His lights were all on, the orange sunset light-like lights dimmed the home as warm and welcoming. His floor to ceiling windows looked out to the trees and other homes that were all large spaces apart from each other. His was at the end of the road and happened to be one of the most expensive homes there. Boston wasn’t cheap. Though he could afford the house.

And then his phone went off. 

He groans and slips his coat off, dropping it on the head of the couch and digging into his pocket. The third ring was cut off once he pushed the green button on the unknown number.

“Hello?” He blurts into the phone. “Hugh?” A female voice says, Ransom furrows his brows and closes his eyes shut. “Who is this?” He asks. The woman on the other end sighed softly. “It’s me.”

“Who?” He was really getting irritated by the lack of answering the damn ‘who is this’ question. “Y/N.” Ransom turns his head to the corner of the room, brows aching by how long he held them furrowed. He chuckles softly, “Is this the blonde chick? I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not interested anymore.”

“It’s Y/N L/N,” You said into the phone more forcefully. You turn to Hazel who sat on the couch listening to your conversation. You quirked a brow at her. Hazel really wanted to be with this asshole? 

“You?” He asks, sounding surprised yet sounding sarcastic, “Well, it’s been a while.” You look at your fingernails, sucking on the inside of your cheek before grinning sarcastically that he couldn’t see. “It has,” You replied in a monotone. “So... where are you now?” He asks, you slightly turn your head to that question. “In San Francisco.” 

“You’re living in a shit city, you know that, right?” He asks, you slightly laugh. “The city’s nice. So far for 16 years, we’ve been doing pretty good.” 

“How are your parents?”

“What do you care?” You asked, you could tell Ransom was grinning on the other end. Who knew you were feisty these days. Ransom stares out his window, imagining where you’d be standing. Watching across the country to see each other as if you were just a few feet away. Some kind of force pulling you two in. A negative one.

He shrugs, “Just starting a conversation.”

You turn away from your window and stare at the mirror in front of you. Ransom shoves his other hand in his pocket and sighed softly. “How is she?” He wondered. You turned to sit on the edge of your bed, “She’s fine.” Your eyes look down into your lap and your other hand pulls the edge of your shirt.

“She wants to see you.”

Ransom scoffed a laugh, “See me?” By his response, you already knew it was going to be difficult for him to not refuse. It would have to take years for him to accept it. But with the amount of thinking of it, it could change his mind. “She wants to fly over to Boston and-” Ransom chuckles again. “-She wants to visit.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve been a hell of a lot busier than I was 5 years ago. So, sorry to crush a little girl’s dream.” Ransom turns away from the window and heads over to the living room. Ransom then heard you scoff. “Bullshit, you sat on your ass all day and night while your mom shined your damn shoes. I’m guessing you would have some hooker do that now, huh?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t do relationships,” He deadpans. 

“Yeah, after what we did.”

“After what you did,” He replies. Ransom was just about to start pushing your buttons now, so you stood up, “It wasn’t my fault. An asshole like you wants to pop his cherry, not me.” 

“You’re the one who said yes.”

You rolled your eyes, “How much are you willing to do it? Name your price.” Ransom smirks confusingly, he laughs, “You’re that desperate to get rid of her.” You shook your head, “No! I’m doing this for her! Sixteen years and you’re scared to be in the same room with her.”

“I’m not scared of anything, I could care less. My father has been a dick to me since I was born. So why be there for her?”

“You’re her father, Hugh,” You replied, “If anything you’re an asshole.”

“That’s nothing new to me. Try another,” He taunts, you realized how much he loved to hear you shout at him. Like he had a bottle for every argument you had and he could sell those bottles a dollar each and get a couple hundred bucks out of it. It could be some turn-on for him. So you scoffed, “Oh, I have more. I rather not say it while she’s in the other room.”

“She doesn’t know?”

“I didn’t bother her to look up your damn name.”

“She would have the chance now if she knows my name. Not everyone lives a happy life, so tell her her father doesn’t want her around and that she will never see this face.” You inhaled sharply to let out more words till you heard the click of line die. Pulling your cell away, his number disappears and your phone returns to your home screen. A picture of you and Hazel at the park with smiles on your faces. Who knew if you didn’t have smiles on your faces if Ransom was still in your life. His family who were completely crazy and every get-together was a total freak show.

You’d be tugging out your hair every day and night, having to worry about someone who was controlling and only cared about what he had in his bank account. Only cared about getting laid every night at the bar. But if you were with him, maybe rent wouldn’t be this hard for you. You’d probably have a better job than a journalist. Became a writer instead. Wrote about something similar to your daughter’s grandfather’s stories.

Though he no longer existed, the company Blood Like Wine Publishing was given away to a young woman. You believed her name was written in the article years ago when the police closed in on the case and arrested someone from the home. Ransom.

He attempted to murder his own grandfather or have someone take his place murdering Harlan, but didn’t get him far with a blackmail and the killing of their housekeeper. Arson for the small clinic and this was something that shocked you years ago. Ransom was the black sheep of the family, you knew it from the first day you met him. 

A quiet kid at first, but weeks later he became a spoiled asshole who pushed every kid into dark pits. You remembered how many times he got you into trouble when you simply just followed him around like a lost dog. He was suspended almost every week. He was never expelled and the rumors spread that his family threatened the school if they ever did expel the boy.

In high school, he got more quiet. The rude comments never faltered. Every day, his face was always dead stare. For hours, he’d go on about how mad his family was. Ain’t that the truth. Never in your life saw Ransom kill someone. You did think of it but never thought he was that crazy to do so. 

Desperate for money. That’s what he wants and you tried to offer him some just so your daughter could see him for once. You worried if he would threaten her and she’d do something irrational and it’d be his fault. But for the most of it, it would be yours. Letting your daughter stay with him. You would consider being the worst mother in the world. If Ransom doesn’t call back, then there would be bad news for your daughter, Hazel. You figured Ransom would say no and it disgusts you that you called him for an answer you knew he’d say. You open the door to the small living room sharing itself with the kitchen, you realize Hazel was in her room with the light on. You almost forgot about the dinner you planned to make so you pulled out the pasta and began to make macaroni and cheese. 

During the dinner, you two ate at the table and began to finish up until Hazel cleared her throat. “So… did you…?” You peer up at her and softly breathed through your nose. “I…” You began, but the words weren’t ready to come out, but you had to think, “...did, but there was no answer. He might have changed his number.” Hazel looked down at her plate and took a spoonful of pasta. “But I’ll promise you, I’ll show you what Boston looks like.” Hazel was starting to almost pout but she kept her emotions to herself. “Rosie, baby…” You reached for her hand and gently held it. “Your father was not a good person years ago even when I was your age. His family is just as bad. I want to do what you want to do, but I also want to protect you because they never protected me.”

You let go of her hand and sighed. 

Ransom was throwing off his coat after noon and felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He picks it up, “Hi, I’m a little busy. Can you call me another time?” He asks. “Mr. Drysdale, you can’t just reject the help.” He smirks and adjusts the phone, “Uh, yeah, I don’t pay for a therapist, my mother did, her money not mine, so I can reject it.”

“That’s not how that works, Ransom. After your release, the judge suggests you look into treatment and coping with your family’s problems with someone who can help you.” Ransom sits down and sighs, “Gwen, I just don’t feel like talking about myself or my family. Fuck them.” Gwen is Ransom’s current therapist after his release and in the first weeks of it, his sessions with her were the worst of his life. He felt like he was forced to talk about everything and he didn’t share a lot of it. Everything was about his family and his grandfather that he didn’t want to talk shit about. 

“I’m assuming something bad came up in your week, Ransom.”

“Fucking ex called me last night about a our daughter wanting to come to Boston, but fuck her.”

“A daughter?” Gwen asks. “Not my kid,” Ransom scoffs. Gwen hums on the other end, “Have you been intimate with this ex?” Ransom drew his head back into those days of high school. “Like a horn-dog.” Gwen responds with a soft okay. Ransom realizes he’s been pushed without thinking, “But that’s not what I want to talk about.”

“I think we should,” Gwen says, “There may be something to resolve with it.” Ransom shakes his head, “I left her when I was 18 after that I didn’t have any problems. Except my mother flipping over that I have a daughter roaming around but I’m sure that bitch cheated.” Gwen hums again, “We can talk more about this daughter of yours on Thursday. So I’ll set the appointment and I hope you come and drop by, Ransom.”

“I don’t think s–”

“Goodbye.” Ransom stops and the line dies, his hand falls to his thigh and he stares at his phone. His fingers grip the edge of his case and he yells, throwing his phone across the room. “Fuck!” Ransom didn’t know why he got angry, was it the idea of his therapist knowing his daughter is roaming on this earth or that his ex is still alive?

.

You were in the office, typing away on another paper about the ideal of financial planning and it was due in the next day or two. “How’s the paper going?” Charles asks, peering over the small separating walls. You jump at the slightest, “Oh, it’s going well, I just need a couple more sentences and it should be able to go into the papers.” Charles gives you his softest grin of approval, “Fantastic, Eddie will be so pleased.” Charles stayed there until you made your way to the copy machine and printed out the papers. He leaned on the counter. “Are you doing okay?” He asked. You look up to him and pinched your brows inward.

“Yes? Why?”

“I can tell by how tense you are.”

“I’m fine, I just didn’t get enough sleep,” You chuckle it off and staple the papers together. “Maybe you should take the rest of the few hours off then, sweetheart.” You smiled softly at him and shook your head. “I can’t do that.” Charles shrugs, “Not if I say so.” You peer at him. He nods you off, “Go take it off, or allow me to get you some brunch.”

“My lunch break doesn’t start till 12.” Charles takes the papers out of your hand gently and hands them to Susan. “Can you slide these into Eddie’s bin, please?” She nods and walks off with them allowing you to somewhat relax. He gestures. “Come on, I’ll take you to Homeroom.” You follow Charles down to the large parking lot and see his car parked in the Reserved Area. 

He opens the passenger door for you and you politely thank him as he hums and closes the door after you. Charles was always a man with a king heart, you never noticed if he has a wife or his own kids, but you never see a ring on his finger. “Alright,” He sighs, sliding in the driver’s seat. “I hope you like mac and cheese, Homeroom is known to have such good food.” 

You didn’t reject his offer of choice because you were there before but so long ago. You couldn’t help but admire Charles as such a great person you have ever met.

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#bad blood series #ransom drysdale x reader #father!ransom drysdale x reader #optimistic-dinosaur-nacho #opti-dino-nacho #chris evans x reader #ransom drysdale imagine #requests closed

[abbatoirablaze]

The Thrombey Christmas Party, Ex Wive's Club

Word Count: 2k

Warnings:  angst, mild violence, mentions of slapping.

“Hey…it’s not your fault…”

Ransom frowned as he looked over his shoulder at his wife. 

He had expected Lily to blow off the family Christmas party ever since his mother took Curtis’ side when it came to Maritza, but what he hadn’t expected was their last interaction together. 

She’d been on less than friendly terms with him when Rose came into the picture, stating that ‘he had a new little daughter he could mold into a perfect child.’  And she found it necessary to scream that at him any time he tried to contact her. 

Jess knew how much those words had hurt him though, especially during the last time that Ransom had tried to invite her over to dinner. 

He’d ended up sobbing against Jess’ chest for an hour when she showed up wasted, calling him the most horrible father to have ever existed.  She had shown up well after the time he’d told her, after Evan and Rosie were both in bed, but that wasn’t what bothered him.

“Ransom…”

Ransom’s jaw twitched as he fought back the angry words that flooded his mind.  His daughter was very obviously wasted, and was dressing like she was about to go to the clubs. 

“Lil-“

“Are you going to invite me in?” she growled, cutting her father off.  She rolled her eyes at her father as he stepped to the side and opened the door a little more.

“You’re late,” he reminded her softly, “Jess put Evan and Rose down, so-“

“Don’t wake the little bastards, got it!” she said with another roll of her eyes.

“Hey…they’re your siblings!”

“And they’re my siblings because you fucked an underage girl the first time, then ended up marrying her and not pulling out the second time.”

“LILY-“

“Hugh?” Jess asked, hearing the distressed tone from her husband’s voice, “Is everything okay?”

Lily mumbled something under her breath as her former best friend, and step mother came down the hall to greet them.  On an instant she was at his side, kissing his shoulder. 

“Sorry,” he sighed, giving her a solemn look, “I know you just put the kids down!”

“Lily…” Jess frowned, looking at the woman her own age, “You’re late…I put dinner away already, but if you’re hungr-“

“I didn’t come over to eat and play happy little family,” she hissed, before her eyes met her fathers’ once more, “I’m not hungry!”

“Well why did you come then?” Ransom asked quickly, “because I wanted to talk to you about-“

“I know that grandma is selling her real estate company and we all get a share of the funds.” She said quickly, “I want my share.”

“I have no control over that, Lil…” he muttered, shaking his head as he crossed his own arms over his chest, “but even if I did, I wouldn’t try harassing your Linda over-“

“SERIOUSLY?” she screeched, “that money is mine!  She wants to lock it up under some bullshit trust and you’re just going to let her?”

“Lil-“

“YOU’RE A SHIT FATHER, RANSOM,” she spat, glaring daggers at her father, “I COME TO YOU FOR ONE THING AND YOU CAN’T EVEN DO IT.  YOU’RE SO WRAPPED AROUND MY EX BEST FRIEND’S PUSSY THAT YOU CAN’T HELP YOUR FIRST CHILD!  I’M JUST HERE BECAUSE YOU COULDN’T PULL OUT IN TIME.”

She had continued her rant, but upstairs, the parents could hear Rose waking up as she began to cry. 

“Shit…” Jess hissed.  She pressed a kiss to her husband’s shoulder, “I’m sorry…I-“

“Go take care of Rose,” Ransom confirmed before he cut his daughter off, “Lily, stop!”

“Or what?” she hissed as Jess ran towards the stairs to coo her agitated daughter. 

“Lil-“

The fact that Lily had no problem shredding Ransom to bits any chance she could really ate away at Jess.

She wanted to be supportive of her husband. 

“If it makes you feel better, it’s probably just because she hates me!” Jess offered with a frown as she bounced little one and a half year old Rose on her hip, “she’s still not over the idea of us being married…you know you’re an amazing father, and husband, Hugh.  You are always there for us just like you try to be there for her.  You’ve made an amazing relationship with Maritza despite it all as well!”

He gave a heavy sigh, and she knew that in that moment, despite her best efforts, there wasn’t anything that she could truly say to right what was going on in his head. 

“Da-da!” Rosie giggled, looking at her father with adoring eyes. 

Ransom’s eyes snapped to hers, and the worry faded as she reached out for him.  His little chubby-cheeked angel smiled at her father, and it helped calm him, if only slightly.

“I think someone wants you to hold her, daddy!” Jess giggled, shooting her husband a wink. 

Ransom bit his lip, holding back the new feelings that were quickly pushing their way forward.  His eyes raked over his wife’s body, and then he took another look towards the entrance, and then scanned the room. 

Everyone was off in their own little worlds. 

His cousins and their respective families were having their normal pissing contests. 

And Curtis had come with Maritza, Sasha, and her two children, who were all actively engaged in talking to his own mother, who had recently sold her real estate empire to focus on being a great woman to her grandchildren and great grandchild. 

Meanwhile, his own son was smiling, learning how to play Go with Harlan. 

“You know…if you call me daddy again like that, we may have to sneak off,” Ransom teased lightly as he took his daughter from his wife’s arms, “I’ve been been chomping at the bit for another little baby boy…and I know you have too!”

“We did say we wanted to wait until the end of the year…”

“And it’s already here!” he smiled. 

She shot him a wink and leaned up, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, “maybe if daddy’s been good this year, when we tuck the babies in…he can unwrap a special gift from mommy then!”

Lust hit Ransom like a freight train and his eyes twinkled at the thought, “a special gift from mommy?”

“Da-da!” Rosie repeated, reaching out to grab Ransom’s face. 

Jess couldn’t help but laugh as their daughter pouted at her father, angry that she was being ignored while in his arms. 

Ransom’s gaze met his daughters, and she held firm on her straight face.

“Looks like you’ve got to smooth it over with baby Drysdale first, daddy…” she smirked, “I’m going to go get her bottle from the kitchen…will you be alright?”

“Right,” Ransom nodded, stepping over to his mother.  He bounced Rose on his hip as he made his way to her, “I know who can cheer you up, little miss sass.”

Linda looked up from her grand-daughter, and towards her son.  Her smile grew when she saw her youngest grandchild, “Rosie!”

“NANA!” the baby squealed excitedly, making grabby hands at her.  Linda lit up, mirroring the baby’s actions, before pulling her into her arms.

“Oh, there’s my baby!”

“Nana baby!” she repeated happily, snuggling into her grandmother as she called herself her grandmother’s baby. 

Ransom smiled, happy to see the calm in his family.  He looked at Curtis and noticed his own grandchild looking up at him.  Maritza giggled as she waved to him.

‘Hello angel’ Ransom mouthed, while brokenly signing the words he’d been learning through his tutor every week, ‘pretty dress for Christmas!’

‘Thank you dum-dum’

“Mr. Curtis, why did Maritza call Mr. Ransom a dumb dumb?”

Curtis chuckled as Michael looked at the little girl bewildered, “she’s not calling him a dumb dumb, Michael.  That’s her name for him.  Mr. Ransom doesn’t want to be called grandpa, and her mother always called him by his first name.  but the name Ransom sounded like ‘dumb dumb’ when she first got her cochlear implant…and that just sort of stuck.”

“That’s silly!” Ashley giggled from beside her stepsister.  She signed to her, ‘why not call him grumpy?  He never smiles unless he’s with Miss. Jess!’

“Hey, I saw that sign!” Ransom teased, signing along as well as speaking, to let his grand daughter feel included still.  He reached for her and scooped her up, and she began giggling once more, “tell them I’m not a dumb dumb, Maritza!  Tell them I’m not grumpy either.”

‘No, grumpy!’ the little girl giggled, snuggling into him.  She made the sign for ‘I love you dum dum,’ and he felt himself melting a little more at the girl that stole his heart in an entirely new way.

“Well what do we have here?” a voice called loudly.

Ransom frowned when he saw his daughter in the entryway of the sitting room, a man who he’d recognized as another trust fund asshole who was pretty close to his own age on her arm.  His nose twitched as the expensive cologne swam over them in a tidal wave.

“Eddie…” Ransom growled, sucking on his teeth.

Off to the corner, Rose, surprised at the noise, had jumped in her grandmother’s arms, and had begun to cry. 

“Ugh,” Lily groaned, “will someone shut that little brat up!”

“Excuse you?”

The room went silent as Jess came back in from the kitchen, a warmed bottle in her hand.

“Go shut your little bastard up, will you?” Lily groaned as she stepped into the room and started towards the bar to make herself a drink.

Maritza shrunk into Ransom’s arms, trying to make herself as small as possible.

Jess saw red when she stalked towards her stepdaughter, and ripped the sunglasses from her face, throwing them to the ground, “don’t you dare call your little sister a bastard, Lily Drysdale!”

“THOSE WERE SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR GLASSES!” she shrieked, rage filling her voice, “WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?”

“Lil-“

“YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER, JESS!” She screamed at her former friend, eyes glassy as she screamed at the woman she practically grew up with, “DON’T START ACTING LIKE IT JUST BECAUSE MY DAD COULDN’T PULL OUT!”

“Lily!”

“This is why I don’t come to these stupid family functions,” she spat, glaring at her great grandfather.  She shook her head and Harlan frowned, “I tried.  But her.  My dad.  Grandma.  And now you have my ex-husband and his new whore-“

Lily stopped speaking when Jess slapped her hard across the face.

“You will not talk down on the people in this room, Lily Drysdale!” Jess said in a low, even tone.  She ripped the drink out of her stepdaughter’s hands and tossed it into the fireplace beside her, “we came together because we are a family…and we’re here for each other, despite our differences.  If you can’t support that, if you want to act like a spoiled brat in front of us…in front of your own daughter who you haven’t seen since that court case, then you can leave.  Because we don’t need that toxicity, Lily!  We’re doing just fine without you!”

Lily, surprised that someone had actually stood up to her, looked to her father, her lip wobbling as she looked to him for support, “d-daddy….ar-are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

Ransom swallowed down everything he had felt about his own relationship with his daughter.  He looked into his arms to see his own granddaughter.  Her smile having long since faded since her mother came into the room, she was clinging to him like she was scared for her life. 

‘Make her go away, dum dum…’ she signed, the fear evident in her eyes. 

Ransom brushed the hair out of her eyes and looked at his daughter once more.

“What the hell did she sign?” Lily growled as she pushed herself away from the tense situation with Jess, “she wants me here, doesn’t she?  Tell Jess to fuck off an-“

“You need to leave, Lil…” Ransom said with a frown as he cut his daughter off.  He looked to Curtis and passed Maritza back to her father, then crossed the room, looping his arm around his wife’s waist, “you can’t be here…not like this, Lil…”

#ex wive's club #1shot #one shot #25 days of christmas #the thrombey christmas party #ransom drysdale #soft ransom #hugh ransom drysdale #knives out #knives out au

[krirebr]

More Than This 2

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x f!reader, Steve Rogers & f!reader

Word Count: ~6.1k

Summary: Arranged marriages have always been used to solidify business deals among the ultra-wealthy. Your stepfather wants to be in business with Harlan Thrombey, so now it's your turn.

Warnings: Heavy angst, age difference, adult themes, institutional sexism, no noncon but some fear of it, excessive alcohol use, explicit language, the slooowest burn - Warnings will be added as needed for subsequent parts. All of my work is 18+ - Minors DNI

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

Part One

Masterlist

A/N: Another part already??? This one has just been flowing right out of me. It occurs to me that I should probably explicitly state that this will have a happy ending! Possibly very far in the future, but it will happen!! 😂😭

Huge thanks again to @paperweight91 for reading so much of this and letting me know when I was on the right track.

Visual references for the ring and dress can be found here.

Any comment, reblog, or ask to let me know what you think will be greatly appreciated. Even if it's just screeching at me. As always, thank you so much for reading! 💜

Despite your best efforts, the next three weeks went by in a blink.

The engagement ring arrived the day after your disastrous dinner with Ransom. It was beautiful—a round diamond with a smaller sapphire on each side, set in swirling filigree. You wondered who picked it. Certainly not Ransom. Probably someone’s assistant. It felt like fire around your finger.

You’d packed up the small apartment you loved so much. Sorting everything into what you would bring and what would be put into storage – the latter category was much bigger. You sat in your living room, surrounded by boxes, and cried, with Steve beside you and Lola nervously shaking in your lap. 

Your mother took you to pick your dress. She sat on the plush couch in the appointment-only boutique and sipped champagne while you tried on dress after dress that the attendants brought you. Her favorite was an ivory satin ballgown with off-the-shoulder short sleeves, a bow at the bottom of the back, and a very wide skirt. She cried when you put it on. You told her it was your favorite too, because you just didn’t have it in you to have an opinion.

 The Thrombey clan came into town the week before the wedding. Their time was mostly spent in meetings with Joseph and his team. Meeting the new extended family was to be left for the wedding festivities.

You hadn’t heard a word from Ransom. You’d thought of texting him a few times but couldn’t see the point in it. He’d made his feelings on you and your upcoming marriage clear. Any added effort would just be torturing yourself.

Then, suddenly, the rehearsal dinner was passing without incident. It was a catered affair, held at your parents’ house. Despite being one of the two nominal guests of honor, aside from the initial introductions, you were mostly ignored, as business remained the topic at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Ransom was there, of course, seated next to you, even, but he did his best to avoid you. You were torn between intense relief for the moment and absolute terror for what it meant for your future. When you noticed him quietly ducking out, you took the opportunity to leave as well, hoping most people would think you’d absconded together. The thought made you laugh bitterly.

You spent your last night of freedom snuggled up with Lola in Steve’s guest room. You barely slept.

Now, you sat in a plush robe in front of the vanity in the large hotel suite that sat several floors above the event hall you’d be getting married in in just over one hour. Steve sat sentinel in an armchair near you, already in his tux. People had been coming in and out all day – manicurists, aestheticians, makeup artists, hairstylists, your mother until she’d gotten called away for the pictures they didn't need you for. The female members of Ransom’s family too. His aunt, Joni, had only been in briefly, saying that the energy of the room was all wrong and she’d had to leave. Her daughter Meg had sat with you for a while, but she just kept complaining about how awful Ransom was and Steve eventually kicked her out, probably trying to spare you a panic attack. And then there was Ransom’s mother, Linda. She had been in a few times ‘to check on the progress.’ You’d tried very hard not to get stressed out by her, but she was very… severe, and you felt about a foot tall every time she looked at you. And now here she was, again.

“Darling,” she said, and you tried not to balk at the fact that you’d know this woman for less than 24 hours and she was already using endearments, “you’ll be needed for pictures soon and you aren’t dressed yet?”

You gestured to the two people at the rolling clothing rack who were carefully removing your dress from the garment bag. “We’re about to start putting it on. I’ll be ready soon.”

“Fantastic. Maybe it’s time for Steve to go then,” she cut a glance to your stepbrother.

“Not fucking likely,” he muttered. He’d been stuck to you like glue all day.

Linda’s eyebrows crawled up to her hairline. “I just think that some people might find it inappropriate for you to be in here while your sister gets dressed.”

He stood up and took a step toward her. “I’ll turn around,” he growled.

“Steve,” you sighed. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.” It wasn’t. You wouldn’t be, but none of that could be helped.

He looked at you carefully, his eyes flitting over your face. Finally, he nodded, “OK. I’ll see you out there then.” With a quick, reassuring touch to your arm, he left. 

Linda watched him leave and once he was out the door, she turned to you and said, “You and your stepbrother are very close, aren’t you?”

Something about her tone made you incredibly wary. “Yes,” you said cautiously, “he’s my best friend.”

“Isn’t that lovely?” she said with a thin-lipped smile that made it clear she thought anything but. 

You noted her reaction as you returned her smile and removed your robe. You let the attendants help you step into the dress where they’d pooled it on the floor. They pulled it up around you and you stood still as they fastened and arranged the dress on you. All under Linda’s watchful eye, her arms crossed over her chest. When it was all done and you’d stepped into your heels, you turned to her so that she could give the approval you could feel she was dying to give.

“Well, aren’t you just a dream,” she said. Just as you were about to thank her, she added, “Although, I suppose it would be hard not to be, with all these people working on you, huh?” Her tone was warm and friendly, but you took it as the cut down you knew she meant it to be. 

Still, you smiled. “Well, we should probably get down there, shouldn’t we?”

Everyone oohed and aahed appropriately when you arrived at the courtyard space reserved for photographs. Your mother was crying again. Joseph smiled at you, possibly the warmest smile he’d ever given you, and said “Beautiful,” but it was less like a compliment and more confirmation that everything was the way he needed it to be, like he was commenting on furniture. You smiled anyway and thanked him, then moved where the photographers directed you. 

This round of pre-ceremony pictures was reserved for the families. Ransom had already done his and then been dismissed, to ‘preserve the big reveal’ you were told. You’d been asked earlier if you wanted to do first-look photos and declined. That had been interpreted as you wanting to have the big moment when you walked down the aisle to him. Instead, you just knew that he wouldn’t give them the reaction they were looking for. You’d rather spare yourself that embarrassment. 

The thing about these arrangements was that while they were all about business and everyone knew it, people still wanted the trappings of romance. The big wedding at a fancy venue, awe on the groom’s face when he saw the bride in her dress for the first time, a joyful reception with speeches about true love. It had made you roll your eyes when you’d gone to friends’ weddings, but now that it was your own, it all made you want to scream. 

You posed with Linda and Ransom’s father, Richard, a benign smile on your face. And then it was Harlan’s turn. “You look absolutely lovely,” he said to you, kindly. “You’re going to be so good for my grandson.” You responded with that same placid smile. You wondered if anyone had told Ransom that he was going to be good for you. You doubted it. That part didn’t seem to matter.

Next, it was time for your own family. Your mother and Joseph, together and then separately, and then Steve joined you for the full family. Once that was done, the photographers started to dismiss you, but you stopped them. “I want a few with just me and Steve.”

They looked at you and then Joseph and Linda, “That’s not on the list of required shots.”

“I don’t care,” you said, “I want them.”

“Darling,” Linda started, and you wanted to growl, “I’m not sure there’s time.”

“I don’t care,” you said again, “everyone can wait the five minutes this is going to take. I’m the bride, I doubt they’ll start without me. Isn’t today my day?”

Linda took a step back and nodded to the photographers but you could feel her watching you as Steve stepped up to you. “And people think I’m the troll,” he said, low enough for only you to hear. 

You smiled, possibly your first genuine smile all day. “You are the troll,” you said. “I’m the sweet one who does what she’s told without complaint.”

He snorted, “Sure,” and turned his head as the photographers directed. 

When it was all done, you took a deep breath and tried to prepare yourself as everyone but you and Steve began to make their way back inside.

“You ready?” he asked, concern all over his face.

You shook your head. “Not even remotely.”

He looked over your shoulder. “I know–” he began but stopped for a moment before he started again. “I know that if she had lived, we never would have met, but I still think, sometimes, about how much my mom would have loved you. Just as much as I do.”

“Steve,” you gasped.

He grabbed both of your hands. “You are the strongest, bravest person I know and you can do this.”

Your eyes welled up as you squeezed his hands, feeling like you’d completely fall apart if you let go. “I don’t know if I can,” you whispered.

“Hey,” he said, oh so gently, “all you have to do right now is get through the ceremony. That’s it. You don’t need to think about what comes after. Focus on what’s directly in front of you. Nothing else. Just walk down the aisle and say I do when it’s your turn. That’s it. You can do that. I know you can do that. I wish you didn’t have to, but you can.”

 You took a deep breath. And another. And then you nodded. “I can.”

He smiled, big and genuine and still more than a little sad. He pulled you in for a hug, exceedingly careful to not mess anything up, and said again, “You can. I know you can.”

Someone stepped out of the big French doors leading into the vestibule your party was gathering in and waved frantically at you. Another deep breath. “OK,” you said.

He just nodded and guided you back inside.

Joseph walked you down the aisle. It wasn’t your choice, but this day had always been more about him than it ever was about you, so of course he would be the one to walk you. You would have chosen Steve. But you also would have chosen not to do this at all. 

The walk was both agonizingly long and much, much too short. Ransom waited for you at the end of it, dressed in a designer tux and devastatingly handsome. You searched his face for anything, but he remained completely stoic, his eyes hard. You had to look away.

There were so many people gathered to watch your life change forever. As you gazed over the faces of the people seated on your side, you weren’t sure you recognized even half of them. You realized with a jolt that this was the most alone you’d ever felt, in this hall surrounded by hundreds of people, all eyes on you.

So much sooner than you were ready for, you’d arrived at the front, Joseph placing you in front of Ransom and joining your hands together. Ransom’s hands were soft and his grasp wasn’t nearly as harsh as you’d expected. You took a deep breath—every other thought since you’d stepped into the hall was to remind yourself to keep breathing—and met his gaze. It was still hard, but, maybe, maybe there wasn’t hate there.

Maybe you just didn’t know him well enough yet to be able to tell. 

The ceremony went quickly. You struggled to focus on the officiant’s words. It was like you were in a sort of fugue state. But you repeated after him when you were supposed to. You said ‘I do’ when you were prompted. You played your part.

Ransom did too. You’d half expected him to just not show up at all, or walk out part-way through, or something but he was under the same familial pressures as you, you reasoned. At the end of the day, you all just did what you were told.

Before you knew it, it was done. There was a ring on your finger and one on his. You barely remembered placing it there. You registered the officiant saying “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” and stared at Ransom. You expected him to swoop in and take what was his, but he paused. There was a clear question in his eyes. Shocked, you realized he was asking permission. As subtly as you could, you nodded. He gave a barely perceptible nod back and then he was kissing you. It wasn’t chaste, exactly, but it certainly wasn’t passionate either. Open-mouthed, but no tongue, and done quickly, the faintest taste of whiskey on his lips. Everyone applauded.

   The processional music started and you began to move without even realizing it, Ransom right beside you. And in that moment, when you had nothing else to focus on, no other immediate job to do, everything hit you. Holy fuck, you were married. This man beside you was your husband. One of your knees buckled and your steady leg caught the edge of your dress and just as you were sure you were about to go down, someone grabbed your hand and you felt another hand on your opposite hip, holding you up. “Wait to collapse in private, if you can,” Ransom murmured to you, dryly, then basically carried you the rest of the way down the aisle. 

You were both ushered into a small sitting room off the main hall for a moment of privacy as your guests were moved into the ballroom where the reception would take place and before you would take pictures with your new husband. Once the two of you were alone, you tried to steady your breathing and shove down the panic clawing its way up your throat. You were married. It had actually happened. It was real. You steadied yourself on the bookshelf beside you and tried to think about what Steve had said. Focus on what was directly in front of you. You’d gotten through the ceremony by doing that, so now it was just pictures and the reception. That was all you had to worry about. You could do that. You could.

“You good?” Ransom’s voice cut through your internal monologue and you turned back around to face him where he was standing on the other side of the small room, pasting that fucking smile on your face. 

“Yes, I’m fine. Today is just a lot. But I’m fine. Thank you for helping me, before.”

“Well,” he smirked, “I couldn’t have my new wife embarrass me thirty seconds in, could I?”

Your smile went brittle and a small voice in your head chanted fifty years of this but you tamped it down. Pictures and the reception. Pictures and the reception. That was all you had to get through right now.

There was a light knock and then the door opened. One of the photographers peeked in, a camera in their hand. “Sorry to interrupt,” they said. “Just wanted to get some intimate, candid shots, before we go outside for the formal pictures.” Their eyes moved between you and Ransom and you knew they were measuring the space between you.

You shook your head and tried to keep your tone friendly. “No need, just the formal ones are fine.” You didn’t need any more documentation of this day than was absolutely necessary. 

“Oh,” they said, surprised, “well, Mrs. Drysdale wanted–”

“Linda can fuck right off,” Ransom interrupted. “We’ll come outside now.” He shouldered his way past them and out the door. You just smiled and followed him, the photographer chasing after you both.

The pictures went quickly, you both seeming to want them over with as fast as possible. He didn’t say much to you, aside from the occasional exclamation like, “Jesus Christ, is this skirt big enough?” when he tried to move around you or pose behind you. The photographers kept trying to get you to look at each other, but when you did, it clearly didn’t give them the result they wanted, so they moved on quickly.

Afterward, you were escorted into the ballroom, where your entrance was met with applause. Your face was beginning to hurt from all the placid smiling you’d done all day. 

You blanched when you realized that you and Ransom were the only ones seated at the head table. You wouldn’t have anyone to talk to. 

There was still some time before dinner would be served. You could already see people beginning to make their way toward you to offer their congratulations to fill the time. A server appeared at your table and you asked for a glass of champagne. Ransom requested his usual scotch then added, “There’s an extra hundred in it for you if you make sure I’m never holding an empty glass tonight.”

You could see the disaster waiting to happen, so you tried a quiet “Ransom,” as the server left, not really thinking before you said something.

He let out a hollow chuckle. “If that’s the kind of wife you’re going to be, let me tell you right now, this marriage isn’t going to work. I don’t respond well to nagging.”

You took a breath, “I wasn’t trying to nag,” you said, “I just–”

“Ransom!” a loud voice interrupted you. You looked over to see Ransom’s uncle, Walt, approaching your table. You’d been introduced to him very briefly the night before. “Congratulations on finally growing up and settling down,” he said, once he stood in front of his nephew. You felt Ransom stiffen next to you, but his face just had an obnoxious smirk on it. Walt’s eyes briefly cut to you but then returned to Ransom. “Although, she’s pretty young, isn’t she?”

Ransom rolled his eyes, still smirking. “Well, it’s not like I picked her, is it Walt? You got a problem with it, go tell Mom or Grandad.” 

You bit your lip at being spoken about like you weren’t sitting right there. But you knew better than to cause a scene, so you quietly said, “Excuse me,” and left the table. Neither of them seemed to notice, locked in a hostile stare-down.

You’d only made it a few feet when someone you didn’t recognize was pulling you aside to offer their congratulations. You smiled and politely nodded through it and when it was done you were grabbed by someone else and then someone else. You crossed paths with Steve briefly before you were both pulled in other directions. You only got a break when they started serving dinner. You got back to your seat to find Ransom sitting alone, sipping his scotch as full plates of food were placed before you. You didn’t have much of an appetite.

You picked at your food and mostly moved it around the plate, while Ransom ate hungrily beside you. Neither of you said anything. After the second course was served, the speeches started. Joseph mostly spoke about the two families coming together and all the opportunities that represented. You wanted to stage whisper to him that it was customary to at least mention the couple at some point, but then he sprinkled Ransom’s name in. A brief mention of how proud he was to be gaining a son like him. You wanted to laugh. They barely knew each other. As if Joseph cared at all about what kind of man he was giving you to. You were finally mentioned at the very end as he toasted his “beautiful stepdaughter and her new husband. To a long and fruitful marriage!” You wanted to break something.

Harlan, for his part, was much more focused. He, of course, referenced all the new opportunities this would bring, it was why you were all here, after all. But he mostly talked about his grandson, how much he loved him, all the potential Ransom had, and once again, how good you were going to be for him. You wondered if you just started screaming right there, what people would do. 

As for Ransom, judging by his body language, he seemed to enjoy both speeches just as much as you had. You wondered if the rest of the guests could feel how miserable you both were and just chose to ignore it. Probably.

When the speeches were done and the tables were cleared, it was time for your first dance. Ransom made it clear by the way he stood up that this was the last thing he wanted to be doing. You tried not to let it bother you, it wasn’t like you were especially excited about this either, and kept your head held high as you came around the table to join him. He took your hand to lead you onto the dance floor and you were once again surprised by the way he held it gently when you’d half-expected him to drag you out there.

You hadn’t chosen whatever song you were about to dance to. You could’ve, probably, but you’d begged off of most of the decision-making for the day, unable to drum up an opinion on any of it. So you had no right to complain as the opening strains of “At Last” filled the ballroom, but you had to stifle an eye-roll anyway. Of course, they went for something that romantic, that cliche. They were all lucky you didn’t burst out laughing.

Ransom pulled you in close with a hand on your lower back, as you put one of yours on his shoulder and he took your other hand in his. It all felt strangely respectful, the way his hand didn’t wander from the small of your back and he held you close but not too close, with plenty of breathing room between you. You weren’t sure how to wrap your head around it, what it all meant.

He was a good dancer, most likely the product of formal dance lessons as a teenager, just like you’d had. It made it easy to keep your polite smile in place as all eyes in the room were on you.

“You’re good at that,” Ransom said.

You shrugged. “A variety of dance classes since I was seven.”

He chuckled. “No, I meant the smiling thing.” When you just looked at him, confused, he continued. “Unless you’re much dumber than I think, you hate this just as much as I do. But look at you, that smile hasn’t dropped all fucking day. You’re having such a nice time, aren’t you? Being the good girl they all expect you to be. Can’t ever let them know you’re upset. Oh no, that just isn’t done.”

You nearly tripped, but you had the good grace to keep going. You kept your face pleasant to everyone watching as you gritted out “And what am I supposed to do instead, huh? Glower and glare because I didn’t get what I wanted? Be an asshole to everyone? And where exactly would that get me? We’re both here, Ransom, stuck in this. At least my way of dealing with it doesn’t make anyone else’s life more difficult.”

He chuckled again. “No one’s but mine,” he said, but instead of just irritation, there was a glimmer in his eye, too, that you couldn’t begin to interpret. It was almost like part of him was having fun. 

The song ended, fading into the next, and more couples joined you on the dance floor. Keeping your hand in his, Ransom led you back to the table, depositing you there and grabbing his drink, before disappearing amongst the tables. 

Ransom didn’t come back. You'd stayed at the table for a bit, for want of anything else to do. When you got bored of that, you wandered through the crowd, accepting congratulations and trying to find familiar faces. You knew there were a few of your own friends in attendance, but you were afraid to face them, knowing you’d see pity on the faces of the luckily single and recognition on those who were already married. You wouldn’t see much of them anymore anyway, with you leaving for Boston the next day. You couldn’t think about that yet. Focus on what’s in front of you.

You were periodically offered champagne from a passing server and you accepted every time, leading to you now feeling pleasantly floaty. It was a nice break from just how very much you’d been feeling the rest of the day.

You arrived back at your seat, without really intending to, to find Steve waiting for you. He was staring into the corner of the room with a disgruntled expression. “I could fucking kill him,” he mumbled.

You followed his gaze and found Ransom with a group of Harvard-looking bros doing shots by the bar. You shrugged. “He’s getting drunk over there and I’m getting drunk over here,” you said as you downed your champagne and began looking around for a server. 

Steve sighed your name. “Come on, let’s sit down.”

He guided you to a chair and then sat down beside you. “Where’d you get off to?” you asked.

Steve rolled his eyes and groaned. “Dad,” was all he said. You nodded. For all that he wasn’t in your situation, as his father’s heir, he had many heavy responsibilities and obligations weighing on him. You were both caged in by this family.

“Does that mean you’re speaking to him again?” you asked, your voice free of judgment.

Even so, he grimaced. “Only when I have to.” He sighed and looked at you. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Steve,” you said, sincerely.

He shook his head. “It’s not.” He paused, then, “I wish there’d been a way for me to stop this.”

“Steve,” you sighed. It wasn’t worth talking about again.

Over by the bar, Ransom let out a loud, hearty laugh that carried over to where you were sitting. Steve glared. “You don’t deserve this,”

You shrugged. “It’s what I have, I guess.” Then before he could continue the conversation, you added, “Can we please talk about anything else?”

He looked at you carefully and then nodded. “Sure,” he said, the sympathy in his eyes almost too much for you to bear, and then launched into a twenty-minute explanation of the painting he was working on. You didn’t think you’d ever been more grateful for him. And you hadn’t even thought to ask a server for more champagne. 

The conversation only ended when your mother appeared in front of you. Steve stood up to greet her, smiling warmly, and then excused himself, squeezing your hand as he went.

“Honey, we’re going to go. I just wanted to make sure I said goodbye to you first.”

You stood up and hugged her. “You’ll be there to send us off tomorrow, right?”

“Oh, honey, no. Joseph had something come up and you know how hard it is for me to get around by myself.”

You felt the bottom drop out of everything. “You’re not going to say goodbye?”

“Of course, I am, darling. That’s what I’m doing right now.”

Suddenly, only focusing on what was directly in front of you was impossible. You were married to a stranger who couldn’t stand you. Tomorrow, you would be leaving everything you knew to go to a new home where you didn’t have anything or anyone. And your mom wouldn’t even be there to say goodbye.

“Steve would come to get you, you know he would,” you tried desperately.

“Honey, no, I can’t,” she said firmly and it took everything in you not to burst into tears. “Now, come on,” she drew you into another hug. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“Mom,” you whispered, your voice so thick. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Of course, you can,” she pulled back and looked you in the eye. “I know it seems hard, now, but it’ll be easier than you think to keep him happy.” She gently touched your cheek. “All you have to do is listen, and not argue too much. You’re going to be such a good wife and mother. I just know it.” 

She leaned forward to hug you again and you went stiff in her arms. Everything she’d gone through – two marriages that weren’t her choice, a husband that was so cold to her and her daughter, a lonely life. And here she was, offering you up for the same fate. You didn’t know how you were supposed to bear this.

“Have a safe flight,” she whispered in your ear and then she was gone. You didn’t watch her go. You just sank back into your chair, ready for the night to end. 

A while later, you heard someone call your name. You turned around to see Richard. “I think it’s time for Ransom to call it a night.” You followed Richard’s gaze to see Ransom slumped over in a chair. You almost asked him why he was telling you. Then you remembered that Ransom was your husband now. Your problem, your responsibility. You nodded to Richard and thanked him, smiling at him, of fucking course. 

When you got to Ransom, he looked up at you and laughed. “Well, if it isn’t the wife!” he slurred. “We were just talking about you.” You looked over at the men on either side of him, equally drunk, and tried not to feel too humiliated. 

The crowd was thinning, but there were still people around and you could feel their eyes on you, so you did your best to keep your tone and face calm. “Ransom, it’s time to go up to our room.” 

One of his companions snickered and you were suddenly struck by what might await you in that room. You’d been so focused on just getting through the next thing that you’d protected yourself from thinking about what he might want, what he might demand, once you were alone. But looking at him now, as he struggled to stand up or get any control over his body at all, you hoped that you might be safe for this night, at least. 

Steve appeared at your elbow. “Fucking ridiculous,” he mumbled, low enough that it didn’t seem to be for you. Then louder he asked, “You need help getting him up to the room?”

You turned to him to answer, but then you saw Linda over his shoulder, watching you both carefully. You shook your head. “No, you can’t. I’ll be fine. I’ll–” Ransom took that moment to fall loudly back into his chair. He was way too big for you to handle on your own. You sighed and looked around for anyone who might help. “I’ll get Richard to help me.”

Steve looked at you confused. “I can do it.”

“I know,” you said, “but I just can’t let you. It– The way it would look,” you shook your head again.

You could tell he still didn’t get it, but he let it drop. “Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you need anything between now and then,” he sent a scathing look to Ransom, “you call me.”

You nodded, knowing you wouldn’t, as he squeezed your wrist and left and you went to track down Richard.

After much struggle, you finally got Ransom into the honeymoon suite, Richard retreating as soon as his son was safely dumped into an armchair next to the bed. And then you were alone with him. You just stared at him for a moment, then asked, “Can you get yourself undressed?”

“ ‘fcourse,” he mumbled, then thrashed around in his tux jacket. You put a hand on his shoulder, trying to still his wild movements, then tugged off the jacket. You carefully began unbuttoning his shirt, trying to touch him no more than absolutely necessary, but he still smirked at you. “That desperate to get me naked?” he asked. You rolled your eyes and tried to keep going, but a hand on your wrist stopped you. “Hey,” he said, very seriously. He tried to lock eyes with you, but his kept drooping, as he continued. “We don’t have to do anything t’night. Not if you don’t want.”

You scoffed. “Yeah?” you asked. “Is that you or your whiskey dick talking?” You regretted it immediately, you were so tired. You waited for the insult to land, to see how he’d react, but he’d stopped paying attention, his head lolling against the back of the chair. You finished with the buttons and kneeled in front of him to take off his shoes. When that was done, you stood back up. “Please tell me you can get your own pants.”

He nodded, shrugging off his unbuttoned shirt, and stood up. He struggled with his belt for a few minutes, but eventually got it off, then pawed at his fly until he was able to undo that as well. As he moved to the bed, his pants slowly slid down his legs. You tried not to look at him, but you couldn’t help yourself. Under any other circumstances, you would find him so beautiful. It wasn’t fair. How dare he look like that and treat you like this. Just another aspect of this whole fucking mess that made you want to cry.

He stumbled to the edge of the bed and then threw himself forward, collapsing onto it face down, lying across it diagonally. Almost immediately, he started snoring. You just stood there a moment, watching him take up the entire bed. Fuck. It was fine. It’s not like you were going to sleep much anyway. You tugged his pants the rest of the way off his legs and threw them onto the pile of the rest of his clothes. 

You turned your attention back to yourself and stopped, suddenly gripped by panic. You tried to reach behind yourself and begin unfastening your dress, but the line of delicate hook and eye fastenings was too difficult to get without being able to see them. And you couldn’t reach all of them anyway. Oh god, you were going to be stuck in your dress all night. 

There was no one to help you. Ransom was out like a light and would be too drunk and clumsy even if he were conscious. Your mom had gone home. You couldn’t call Steve. He would come help at the drop of a hat, but if anyone saw him coming into your room… No. You were completely alone.

Every feeling you’d tried to push down and ignore this whole awful day came bubbling to the surface. You finally cried, your body wracked with sobs. You couldn’t control it. As you did, you still tried to wrestle with your dress, but your panic and sorrow made getting out of it impossible. So you sank down to the ground and just let the tears come. 

When you were finally all cried out, you stood up and moved to the bathroom. You took off your makeup and took down your hair, redoing it in the way you always slept in. You brushed your teeth and finished up with your skincare routine. Then you went back into the bedroom and grabbed a blanket off the bed. You moved into the adjoining living room and sank down onto the couch, arranging your giant dress around you. You turned on the TV and settled on a marathon of some procedural crime show you were pretty sure you’d seen before. You couldn’t decide whether or not you wanted the night to go quickly.

Tag list is open

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#ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale x female reader #chris evans fanfiction #fanfic #knives out #steve rogers #steve rogers & reader #captain america #reader insert #arranged marriage au #ce characters #kris wrote something #more than this

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Miscellaneous Masterlist

* indicates smut/18+

! indicates dark!fic

Ransom Drysdale

* Rubber? I Don’t Even Like Her. (Oneshot)

Summary: While at a party at the Thrombey mansion, you run into someone you had no desire to ever see again.

Warnings: language, toxic relationship, slight angst, SMUT

* The Elephant in the Room (Oneshot)

Summary: You attend the Thrombeys’ annual Christmas party. The main event of the night? The family’s time-honored tradition: White Elephant.

Warnings: language, 18+ content

#navigation #miscellaneous masterlist #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale x reader #knives out