#ryan brenner fanfiction

[illshowyourhurricanes]

if anyone is looking for something to read… check out my master list!

#the punisher #billy russo s1 & s2 #ryan brenner #dani's 150 followers event #logan delos #benjamin greene #ben barnes fanfiction

[stressed-chaos]

Memories - Part 20

I think it was a 'I saw it coming' chapter, unlike the bullets. This is filled with fluff, to make up for the heck of a slow burn this story is going through.

If anyone would like to be added to the tag list, they can let me know in the comments!

As always, hope this chapter is nice! Comments are appreciated!

Warnings: Sickness, medicines, mentions of a knife, food, rain. (I think those are about it)

Y/N’s eyes fluttered open just as twilight set in. She squinted her eyes to adjust them to the rays peeking through the curtain and looked at the time, before groaning internally and going back to sleep. It was then she noticed the coughing and groaning sound coming from beside her. Oh right. She was in Ben’s bed, having crawled in there after she wasn’t able to sleep in her own. She groggily turned on her side to see him wiping his nose with a tissue before gagging at his medicine and putting it back on the nightstand. 

Despite Ben’s faith in himself and his immunity, he did, in fact, get sick.

She chuckled quietly before sitting up on her bed, bending over Ben to pick up his medicine, taking his hand and practically shoving the medicine on it. 

“You need to eat this.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Y/N didn’t respond, just raised her eyebrow, giving him the ‘eat it willingly or you will be forced to’ look. He sighed before reluctantly taking the medicine, gulping it down with medicine, cringing at its taste afterwards. “Did you tell them you won’t be able to come today?”

“No, no. I’m perfectly fine, s’just a little cold.”

She kept the back of her hand on his forehead, immediately feeling his burning forehead. She tutted, “Surely you’re fine, sweetie.” If Ben would’ve been deaf, he would’ve smelled the sarcasm. She gently shoved him back onto the bed before covering him with the covers and giving him a thermometer. She asks him about food and after kissing his burning forehead, moved to the kitchen. 

Y/N brought him a bowl of steaming chicken soup with some medicine she asked his mother about. Ben was having a short nap while waiting as much as she hated to wake him up from his peaceful slumber, she knew she had to. Gently shaking him, she waited for him to realize where on earth he was, by checking the thermometer, she turned it to show it to him, as if to prove a point.

“Go on, say it.”

“I told you so.”

“I shouldn’t have asked you to say that.”

She shrugged before gently handing him the chicken soup. Y/N could sense his tiredness and she made a motion for Ben to scoot over a bit and settled on the bed. He kept holding the bowl while she patiently fed him the soup, while also scolding him for his actions, like a mother does with her child.

“I told you it was about to rain, you should’ve listened. But no, you wanted to be your own boss and went all sauntering in the rain. Regretting it now, huh?”

Ben whined and his lips turned into a pout. The corners of Y/N’s lips involuntarily curled upwards. She handed him a tissue before getting up from the bed to take the dirty dishes back but a hand on her wrist stopped her. She turned back to see Ben with the same look as before, pleading puppy dog eyes adding to the already irresistible face. Damn those dark eyes!

Ben’s words were just a whisper, “Stay.”

She contemplated her options. Not that she would leave the house anyway, but laying there with him would also risk her getting sick. It wasn’t much of a choice really, especially with that puppy face, so she just nodded before going to the kitchen and setting the dishes.

If she would’ve been made of ice, the sight of him would’ve made her melt. He was tucked inside the bed from one side and his head was gently resting on the pillow, eyes anticipating her arrival. All that was missing was a teddy bear to make her human form melt. 

She settled herself beside him, getting under the warm covers. Ben, even in his half asleep, pulled her closer to him, her back touching his front and nestled his face in the crook of her neck, with his hands around her waist. The need for a teddy bear was fulfilled. She smiled when he placed a little kiss there. She knew she would be sick the next day and Ben, as if reading her mind, voiced her thoughts, “You know you will be sick tomorrow, right?”

“Doesn’t matter. I have you to take care of me.”

His response was a bit muffled, but Y/N could hear something along the lines of, “that you do.”

Sometime around the nap, their positions had been shifted so Y/N was laying with her head on Ben’s chest and Ben’s chin resting on head. She awoke with a start before realizing her surroundings. She slowly removed her head from under his chin and looked up to see Ben smiling in his sleep. The girl tried to squirm out of his grasp but he just tightened his hold on her. Y/N was trying hard not to wake him up, because she didn’t know how to take care of a sick person, anymore than giving them their pills on time. She tried again and was almost successful before Ben’s eyes fluttered open and with half open optics he saw her. Seeing the distance between them he whined like a little kid and reached out to pull her back in but she was already out of his grasp. 

“Knew sleepy Ben was a cuddler, but sick Ben is a toddler. Ha that rhymes,” she received a hmph in response. 

She gave him his medicine again before his dark orbs could persuade her otherwise. He didn’t look like he was about to go to sleep anytime soon, plus, excessive rest might not aid. Deciding to order takeout, she ordered Ben to move from the bed and fetched a game for them to play. He patted the place beside him and rested his head on her shoulder while they played a round of Ludo. She took little breaks to make coffee and get the pizza they had ordered. Ben won, by the way.

While he was freshening up after their lunch and the small swearing session from Y/N after he was declared triumphant, she cleaned up their mess and as she was putting it away, she noticed a guitar sitting in the corner of the room. She was bewildered having not noticed it before and settled down on the chair near the desk just as Ben came out.

“You have a guitar?”

“Yeah, I got one around a movie I was doing.”

“I’ll have to see that one.”

“Play something?” It came out more as a question, mixed with a sniff. She was handy with a guitar and the one she was holding, was actually both of theirs. She learned when she was teenager, Ben chose a piano, but he had to learn to play one anyway for the film. He missed those little domestic moments they had, blasting some songs around the house during a lazy day. Their jobs didn’t offer much time for bits like these, but they tried to enjoy the some they got, as much as they could. 

A week ago you said to me,

“Do you believe I’ll never be too far?”

If you’re lost just look for me,

You’ll find me in the regions of the summer stars.

Ben felt Y/N was singing the words right to him. The situation being when one of them was going to another city or country for filming. They knew they would be far from each other just physically but emotionally and mentally, they’re never apart. They knew the other would always be there for one another. They would always be each other’s comfort person or their shoulder to cry on. 

He once found her under the night sky one day, after a particularly bad day at school. She was bullied by some good for nothing seniors who thought they were better than anyone else. They had got into a nasty fight afterwards, and despite her repeatedly assuring him she was fine, Ben knew she was lying. They had a night picnic that day and both had danced while making a fool of themselves, both learning dancing isn’t their strong suit, under the natural twinkling blanket of the night sky, to a song that later on became the first dance at their wedding. But that’s a story for another time. 

The fact that we can sit right here and say goodbye

Means we’ve already won

A necessity for apologies between you and me

Baby, there is none.

Ben’s mind went to all the times they fought. Sometimes they were childish, many times it was just teasing, which ended up with one of them chasing the other around the house. There had been a terrible fight about them not being able to make time for each other, which ended up with her walking out of the house into the cold, icy night. It was a fight they both regret to this day, Y/N for walking away without sorting it out calmly, and Ben, for letting it escalate to the point it did.

One time there was a scheduling issue and Ben wasn’t able to make it to an event Y/N had been particularly excited about. Guilt was eating him away and as soon as she came home, he peppered her face with kisses and apologized profusely. She had assured him it wasn’t his fault and apologizing wasn’t necessary but he still let out a string of apologies. He promised he would never repeat that.

We had some good times, didn’t we?

We had some good tricks up our sleeve

Goodbyes are bittersweet

But it’s not the end

I’ll see your face, again

They always had fun with each other. Even if one was tired one day, seeing the other just threw all that down a valley, they could see it in the other’s eyes. There were also little pranks, tricks to enjoy a boring day.

Ben actually had ‘tricks up our sleeve’ once. He was able to convince the crew to let him take the Ka-Bar his character Billy Russo was using to home. Ben slept on the couch that day, but he doesn’t regret his prank. (But don’t tell anyone that, or he might have to sleep on the couch again) 

And you will find me

Yeah, you will find me

In places that we’ve never been

For reasons we don’t understand

Walking in the wind

Ben had found her, he had found his Y/N, even if she wasn’t really his. After that day in the hospital, he, in his shocked state, had failed to visit her and when he finally evaluated the situation and had prepared himself for the worst, she was gone. It had taken him about a month to find her again, but every sleepless night was worth it. He was so overjoyed that he almost went and hugged her, but his mind being the villain it was, reminded him of the truth. He stuck around though, and couldn't really afford it to let her slip away again. 

That day in the cafe, he wasn’t looking for her. He was just taking a little break from everything. But he had found her that day, and for reasons he didn’t know but counted them as fate, a new found rush of confidence had filled him and he initiated a conversation. He knew he would find her, always, no matter where she was.

Walking in the wind

After their song session, added with some more songs, in few of which Ben joined her, they had their dinner and after a final check up, they both just sat beside each other while Y/N read to him, gliding her hands through his hair.

It was safe to say they had a very unproductive day.

#ben barnes #sebastian stan #benjamin barnes #benjamin thomas barnes #ben barnes x reader #ben barnes x y/n #ben barnes x you #sirius black #fanfic #fanfiction #Memories #bin bons #billy russo #sebby stan #ryan brenner #walking in the wind

[the-blind-assassin-12]

The Next One Is Free

A PASSING THROUGH ONE SHOT POV REMIX

A/N: A long long time ago I posted an ask where for people to request befores, afters, or POV changes for any scene/ chapter of any of my stories, and @suchatinyinfinity​ (thanks Dani!) asked for the scene from Passing Through when Ryan and Reader meet from a different POV (which we get from Reader in the main story) and I am sorry it took me so long to get to because I had a blast writing it. It also goes along with the first prompt from this September prompt list- which I am going to try to utilize in some way shape or form through this month in an attempt to write daily. The goal for September is to empty my inbox and catch up on things I have been meaning to write so without further ado... 

Request/ Prompt: Ryan & Reader’s first meeting- POV Remix // September Prompt Day 1- the smell of coffee  

Word Count: 1k

It was a typical Tuesday morning shift at Caribou. 

The bell above the door hadn’t stopped jingling for more than a few seconds at a time as customers came and went. The chiming sound was accompanied by the near constant clanking of ceramic mugs jumbling together in the dishwasher and the drip, drip, hiss of the coffee pots to create a sort of soundtrack for her to work to. With only one song. One long song on an endless loop. 

Maggie stared through the steam of the espresso machine at the line of customers stretching out from the counter. Their number never dwindled to less than four no matter how quickly she filled cups or frothed foam. The fast pace could sometimes be exhausting, but it did help to make the time fly when she was consistently busy. Her eyes darted up to the clock mounted to the wall on the far side of the room, squinting to read the time as a man with broad shoulders stepped into the line. Ten thirty. One more hour to go. You can do this, Mags. 

By then she had already had her slew of early regulars with their routine orders and friendly smiles, their “have a great day hun”s and their “see you tomorrow”s genuine even if they were also routine. The daily stream of half sleeping students stopping in for a pick me up en route to their 9 am class a few blocks over at the UC Denver campus had already come through too, Maggie recognizing a few of them as classmates from her night classes and making small talk about assignments or upcoming exams as she made their drinks. There was also a group of middle aged women who she could count on every other week to take up two tables in the corner while they discussed whatever it was their book club had read recently. Though it seemed like it would do the opposite, seeing certain faces, chatting with the same people, even if it was about the same thing every time, helped make a monotonous job less so. 

Not all regulars were a welcome sight though, and she groaned as she recognized the broad shouldered man in the gray suit as the jerk who had made her new co-worker cry the previous week with his rude demeanor. Ugh. Not this guy again. It was undoubtedly him though, his voice cutting through the busy space as he spoke into the phone pressed to his ear with the same condescending tone he used to order his coffee. Letting out a sigh, Maggie capped the tiny cups she held and cashed out her current customer, mentally crossing her fingers in hopes that the jerk in the suit wouldn’t cause any problems. Please I just want my shift to end in peace. I have one more hour and then I’m free. I really just want it to go smoothly. 

The next customer, it seemed, had heard that silent plea, the man ordering a small coffee with a kind smile. He dropped his change directly into the tip jar, thanking her in a slow southern drawl with a tip of his head. He wrapped his long, tattooed fingers around the cardboard cup she passed him and stepped aside, heading for the table where creamers and sweeteners were stocked. 

Before she could even process the pleasant interaction though, the jerk was barking his order at her and she felt herself struggling to keep a customer service approved smile on her face. The effort wasn’t lost on the woman in line behind him, and she gave Maggie a sympathetic look. Luckily, the well dressed asshole didn’t have any complaints about his coffee this time, and since his order was simple he was out of her hair relatively quickly. Good. Now get out of here before-

But it was too late for him to leave without incident as dark brown liquid splashed onto his coat. Maggie saw it happening in slow motion, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. She was already helping a different set of customers when the nice but apparently clumsy woman who had just shot her a look of solidarity had spilled her beverage. And of course it had to be on him. Maggie watched helplessly as the woman tried to diffuse the situation before it became a shouting match, apologizing for the stain and offering to take care of his drycleaning. More than he deserves, but she’s trying. 

He wasn’t having it though, and just when Maggie wondered if she needed to call for her manager, the kind man with warm eyes was back to intervene. Though he didn’t appear to know the woman, he stepped between her and the jerk and addressed the other man directly. He calmly but sternly repeated what the woman had offered, telling the man to either accept her apology and courtesy or move along. For half a second, Maggie wondered if the well-intentioned canvas and denim clad young man hadn’t made things worse by stepping in, but something in the combination of his tone and the way his calm eyes flashed dark and serious must have made the jerk think twice because he left, grumbling about taking his business to the coffeehouse over on Larimer. Oh. Please do. 

Pressing a fully punched card with a hand-written “next one is free!” on the back into the hero of the morning’s callused palm, Maggie thanked him for ridding the shop of the undesirable customer and poured a fresh cup of coffee for the woman whose beverage the jerk had left wearing. Continuing to help the customers in line, Maggie kept one eye on the pair as they introduced themselves to one another, the woman thanking him again and both of them grinning over their steaming cups. Did I just witness one of those coffee shop meet cutes? Like in hallmark movies and fanfiction? 

Laughing to herself, she watched the two of them leave the shop, the bell announcing their departure, and hoped for one more thing- I hope when he comes in for his free one… they come back together. 

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Thank you for reading! If you would like to be added to or removed from the tags please feel free to let me know or use the form at the top of my masterlist! 

Tags:  @something-tofightfor @suchatinyinfinity @malionnes @thesumofmychoices @gollyderek @pheedraws @beautifuldesastre @alraedesigns @dearmarii @fific7 @obscurilicious @luminex3 @vetseras @blackbirddaredevil23​ @its-my-little-dumpster-fire​ @yespolkadotkitty​

#passing through #POV remix #POV switch #ryan brenner #ryan brenner fanfiction #ryan brenner x reader #ryan brenner x you #ryan brenner x junebug #jackie and ryan fanfiction #ryan meets reader POV remix #introducing maggie the barista #the next one is free

[fific7]

(My photo edit)

ℝ𝕪𝕒𝕟 𝔹𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕣 𝕩 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣

𝑀𝒾𝓃𝒾-𝒮𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈

Open Roads (WIP)

#ryan brenner #ryan brenner x reader #ryan brenner fanfiction #ryan brenner imagine #ryan brenner fanfic #jackie and ryan movie #ben barnes

[ificouldhelpyouforget]

Your Song (Ryan Brenner x Reader)

MASTERLIST

A/N: I am way too scared to try writing for Billy because he is one aggressive mofo. Ryan is such a sweet boi, so Ryan it is. I hope I do Ryan Brenner justice (And the prompt). 🙂 Also, is the title too cheesy? It feels cheesy (This has seriously taken me like thirty minutes to start typing up because I’m hella nervous. Am I the only one who panics before posting?). I think this went on longer than it probably needed to. Haha. Enjoy.

Prompt: 44. tentative kisses given in the dark

Pairing: Ryan Brenner x Reader (first time writing in second-person!)

Rating: M (language and it’s not even that bad)

Words: 2.8k

You stare out of the train car watching the nightscape zoom by. Your feet dangle out the side where the door is opened to the night air. It’s chilly and smells clean despite the train. A box of animal crackers sits open beside you, your cold fingers occasionally grabbing for one. Those cookies always make traveling better, something that didn’t change from your younger years.

Quiet music eases its way through the storage car from somewhere in the dark. You know it well, humming it to yourself often though it’s not as pretty from your mouth. The sound of the guitar soothes you to your core, played by someone you met by chance in the life of never staying in one place too long. A life without a home some would say. It was something you never minded until you came across Ryan Brenner.

It was stupid really why you found yourself on the neverending road to nowhere. You were running again. Guilt and the desire to move ate away at you the longer you stayed with your sister and her husband. They were always too kind to you and never once complained while you were around. You couldn’t take it anymore. You left in the middle of a night with a note to your sister with a promise to visit if you ever made it back to town and an apology.

That was when you found yourself hitchhiking on the outskirts of town to get as far as anyone would take you.

The sweetest gentleman pulled up in his pickup truck and had you hop in the back where he already had a few other hitchhikers. That truck bed was where you met Ryan.

He was on his way out of a town he spent a long time in – the reason being a woman you learned about later on. He said it didn’t end badly, but it bothered him all the same. Before you knew why he left, you saw the turmoil in his dark eyes. A war raged there. One side sought home and the other sought freedom. A feeling you knew all too well.

Chance kept you and Ryan on the same adventure. He got off in the same town as you. You left the same day he did. Three coincidental incidents started the strange and sweet comradery between you both. Traveling was no longer a solo activity and you liked it.

Much to your disappointment, your ability to sing wasn’t on par to join in with Ryan’s street performances. But you sure could dance.

You’d dance alone or with anyone who wanted to join. It was exciting to let yourself go and enjoy life. You met so many fun souls. And the way Ryan smiled at you when your feet stilled made your knees weak. His eyes crinkling in the corners and showing every ounce of mirth he had in his body. His teeth on display even when he looked away from you. It was almost too much for you to handle. The first moment you met him, you thought he was handsome and each time you spoke to him – looked at him, too – only solidified that fact. He was special to you and the feeling grew.

Your face flushes every time he looks your way with an ounce of any emotion. You can’t help feeling at ease with the notes he produces whether from his lips or his guitar. 

The morning you woke up at your next stop, head propped on his shoulder, was the day you couldn’t meet his gaze for more than a few seconds at a time.

You fell hard for Ryan. He’s your home. Everything always feels right when he’s near. You’re safe.

You gaze shifts to the man hidden in the darkness of the train car. You feel the urge to move to the tune he plays. Instead, you grab another animal cracker and look at the starry sky.

You can see so many stars without all the light pollution from big cities. The end of the Milky Way’s arm stretches across the sky, the center of the galaxy under the horizon during the winter months. The sky is even prettier in the summer.

The scuff of boots brings your attention to your travel buddy as he takes a seat next to you. You offer a cookie and Ryan takes one with a smile you can barely see.

Ryan takes off his ratty ball cap, setting it to the side to run his hand through his messy hair. The number of times you daydream about touching just a lock of that dark hair is embarrassingly high.

You grab another cookie to distract your thoughts.

“You doin’ okay?” Ryan asks.

You nod. “Always when we’re on a train. There’s something about it.” You, Ryan. You on this train with me makes it all worth it. “How are you doing?”

“Good.” He puts a cigarette in his mouth and lights it, letting you see the high points of his face for a second. “We should be close to the next switch. Tomorrow, I think. You gonna be ready?”

You scoff. “How long have we done this? I think I’ll be ready, Ryan.”

“Can’t blame me for worryin’.”

You don’t. Train hopping wasn’t a skill you had before meeting Ryan. Buses, kind drivers, and your own two feet were all you needed. But Ryan has a terrifying ability to make you do anything with a single look. You doubt he’s aware of it. He could tell you the Earth is flat and you’d second guess its spherical nature.

“I’m not worried. I have you to help me out, right?”

A breathy chuckle. “Yeah.” He taps your knee and puts his hat back on. “You might wanna pull your feet in. We’re passin’ through a town soon.”

You sigh. “Fine. I guess I will keep both of my legs for now.”

The remainder of his cigarette flies out of the train as he stands. “We don’t wanna get caught either.”

You stand, gathering what’s left of your snack. You stuff the box into your bag. “I guess we should hide for a while, huh?”

The train lurches, brakes squealing in protest.

Both of you lose balance, but he recovers faster to steady you.

The moment his hands grasp your waist, your eyes shoot up to Ryan’s face. He’s staring out of the car while your heart thrums in your chest. You can’t tell if it’s from the train or his hold. Your face burns.

Ryan studies you for a second before releasing you and peeking out of the train car. “This isn’t a stop.”

You swallow and fix your beanie. “And that means…?”

“We’ve gotta hide.” Ryan takes your hand and pulls you over to your bags.

With quick hands, you two stash your bags out of sight with no plans to hop off the train. Once hidden, the two of you huddle in a small cubby the crates of some unknown product create in the car. 

Your knees are pulled up to your chest and you do everything in your power to avoid looking toward Ryan.

He’s so close, squatting in front of you and keeping you boxed in so if a worker spots anyone it’ll be Ryan. 

His scent is everywhere and you feel so small tucked between him and the three barriers around you. You have to close your eyes and take deep breaths to calm your nerves.

“You all right?” His voice is a whisper.

You look at him hardly seeing the concern on his face and nod. “Yeah. I’m good.”

The train finally comes to a full stop, Ryan swaying with it but staying upright. Both of you go quiet and listen.

You hear the faraway call of someone clearing a train car, the call repeating until it’s the next car away. It feels like an hour before the gentle crunch of pebbles sound outside the car you’re hiding in.

You freeze when a flashlight shines over your heads. The intense look in Ryan’s eyes causes your breath to hitch. He’s ready to give himself up if he has to, you can see it in his eyes. You love it and hate it all the same.

Whoever is searching the train shouts his confirmation that it’s clear, allowing you two to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ryan stands just enough to see over the stack of crates a moment before the cars shift to move forward once again. It causes Ryan to fall back on his ass and you to slide into him, sprawling over his legs. You smack his hands away when he tries to make sure you’re okay and you scoot back into the alcove with your knees back up to your chin.

“Sorry,” you murmur, holding yourself steady when the train starts moving again.

Ryan sits up. “S’not your fault. You hurt?”

“No.”

“Good.” Ryan leans against the wall of the train car, lifting his hat just to run his hand through his hair.

“Are you okay?” you ask, playing with the frayed cuffs of your hoodie poking out from under your coat sleeves. “Sounded like your ass took a beating.”

He chuckles. “My ass is fine.”

Yes, it is. Your face flushes. “Uh, good. Glad to know.”

“Tired?”

“I could sleep.”

“Warm enough?”

If only you knew. “Yeah.”

“You’re better off sleepin’ back here in case the train stops again. I can wake you up if anything happens.”

“Sure. Can I grab my bag for a pillow?”

Ryan straightens his legs as best he can. “Just use me. It’s not a good idea to spread out our things if they suspect someone’s ridin’.”

“I can’t use you as a pillow, Ryan,” you say.

“Why not?”

Because I like you, doofus. “What if you need to get up for something?”

Another chuckle. “Lie down, Y/N.”

So you do, your head resting comfortably on his lap. You face away from him in hopes to hide your face, forgetting that he can’t see it anyway. Sleeping against his shoulder is one thing. It doesn’t help when he rests his hand on your head.

You barely keep your heart rate under control, but you’re safe. And that alone is enough to bring you rest.

–––––

It’s still dark when the train jolts you awake.

The first thing you notice is the humming Ryan is doing. It’s a favorite of yours. 

The second thing you notice is the fabric your face is pressed into. Sometime in your sleep, you turned over and hid your face in Ryan’s abdomen. The zipper of his coat is cold against your forehead. 

The last thing you notice is his hand. Your ear is nestled between his thumb and pointer finger, the former rubbing short tracks along your skin.

You take a deep breath and roll onto your back. You catch a glimpse of Ryan’s head resting back against the wall. He moves as soon as his hand settles against your neck. Goosebumps rise under his touch and you are very glad you forgot to put on your scarf.

“How long did I sleep?” You sit up and yawn, ignoring his hand falling in your lap.

He takes it back. “A few hours.”

You hum and stretch, leaning back against the wall beside your friend. You shoulders brush against each other. “Thanks, Ryan.”

A half-smile is sent your way. “It’s nothin’, Y/N.”

You nudge his shoulder. “Do you need to sleep?”

“Nah. Not tired.” Ryan stuffs his hands in his coat pockets. “You can sleep some more if you want.”

You let your head fall on his shoulder. You look up at him once he starts humming again. “I like that song.”

Ryan turns his head a fraction to let you see his amused smirk. “I know. It’s why I sing it.”

You blink. “Really? Because I like it?”

“Yeah.” His voice deepens just enough for you to notice.

“I like everything you sing though.”

“Yeah, but you move differently to it. Did you know that?”

You shake your head. “How is it different?”

He shrugs, moving your head with the gesture. “I think it’s because you feel free. You never take a partner when you start dancin’ to it. You look euphoric and it’s a good look for you. It’s pretty… You’re pretty.”

The air in that train car thins. He thinks I’m pretty?

“I sing it so you can dance.”

A passing light shines in enough for you to see Ryan’s heavy gaze on you.

You lift your head. “D-Do… Do you want me to dance right now?” It’s a miracle he can even hear you.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

You pull Ryan’s hand out of his coat and hold it in both of yours, blindly tracing over the tattoos on his fingers that you memorized months ago. “Another time then.”

Time stops the moment Ryan pulls his hand from yours and presses it against the side of your face. It’s so warm against your already hot skin. And the way his thumb traces the high point of your cheek, brushing against your lower eyelashes, puts your heart in your throat.

You know he’s looking at you because his breath fans over your face. If only there were more lights for you to see how dark his eyes are or the way his lips curve upward as he stares at what little he can see of your face.

This is not happening. There is no way this is real. I’m dreaming. That’s it. I never woke up. You grasp his coat to keep yourself upright, your body wanting to melt right there.

“I wanna kiss you, but I… it might be a bad idea,” he says softly.

Shit. This is totally happening. “W-Why is it a bad idea?” Kiss me anyway, Brenner.

“I won’t wanna let you go.”

You seek out his hand still on your face and cover it with your own. “I plan on sticking by you for as long as you’re willing.” Please, don’t let me go.

The rustling of his coat makes your stomach twist around itself. You can sense Ryan getting closer in the dark and oh how you wish you could see him clearly.

His nose bumps into yours, causing both of you to flinch and chuckle under your breaths. Using the tip of his nose, he runs it up from the corner of your mouth, over the apple of your cheek, and stops at the end of your nose.

Lips brush against yours and Ryan pulls away as if he’s still unsure to commit to it. But he comes back with a light touch. 

Your lips part when he pulls away a second time, a sound of protest coming through that makes him snicker. 

He kisses the corner of your mouth to tease you now.

You’re going to kill me if I’m not already dead.

You lean closer in hopes of connecting again but find yourself hesitating. What if I miss?

Lucky for you, Ryan bridges the gap with the longest kiss so far – though it’s still too short for your liking. You have little time to dwell on it when he kisses you again with such force that the air in your lungs disappears. His hand tangles in your hair, your beanie falling off behind you.

Fuck. Why didn’t we do this sooner? Both of your hands grasp at his hair after knocking away his hat. It’s as soft as you imagined despite not being washed for a day or two. You love it.

You change the angle of your head to deepen the kiss and to make a wild mess of his hair. You crave some sort of light just to see what he looks like after your hands have their time in those dark locks.

Ryan pulls away first to catch his breath, your hands practically glued to his hair. He laughs and nuzzles his face into your neck after almost bumping your heads together.

More goosebumps rise at the touch of his breath and you sigh like some lovesick puppy. “Damn.”

Another bout of laughter comes from Ryan as he sits up again and leans back. Regretfully, you untangle your fingers from his hair.

“Yeah,” he says, wrapping his arm around your shoulders.

You scoot closer to his side and place your head on his shoulder. “I think I lost your hat.”

He snorts. “It’s just a hat. I can find a new one.”

Your lips are still tingling when you press a quick kiss to Ryan’s cheek, his facial hair intensifying the feeling. “Sing the song, yeah?”

“Whatever you want, Y/N.”

You close your eyes as the first notes leave his mouth, the vibration of each note rocking you back into sleep.

The moment Ryan realizes you’re dreaming again, he hums the rest of the song while his fingers brush through your hair.

I’m glad we met, Ryan Brenner.

–––––

Tags: @suchatinyinfinity

#Ryan brenner #Ryan Brenner x reader #Ryan Brenner x You #Jackie and Ryan #Jackie and Ryan fanfiction #Ryan Brenner fanfiction #types of kisses prompt #request #please tell me if this is bad #I have no idea if that was tentative enough #tentative kiss #kiss prompt #fanfiction #and where the crap did the line break go? #I need it back #Ryan Brenner fic #the insecurities with this fic are strong #gif not mine

[heloisedaphnebrightmore]

The thief [Ben Barnes x Reader] - Requested

Title: The thief Pairing: Ben Barnes x Female!Reader Word count: 5.3k Published: 8 April 2021 Author: Heloise Daphne Brightmore Warning: Food, Drinks Summary: Working as a “prop-girl” beside Ben has its ups and downs. He is a blessing to work with and an amazing friend to be around, but having feelings for him quite often distracts you from work and makes it hard to focus. Especially when you have a little thief on your hand who keeps stealing your work, doubling your already frustrating problems. Request: [x]

“Please please please write more Ben Barnes! I live for your Ben fics 🤩 Something where Ben is cheeky maybe?” - Anonymous

Bingo: [x] [x] This is part of my Make me feel Bingo Card by @girl-next-door-writes and Band--psychos 1.5k Followers Bingo Card by @band--psycho

Square filled: Drunken Confession [ @girl-next-door-writes ]

Square filled: Follower Prompt [ @band--psycho ]

Ben Barnes and Characters Masterlist | Masterlists

Make me feel Bingo Masterlist | Real People Masterlist

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Working behind the scenes of a movie set has always been what you dreamed of. You were never quite determined enough to be a director, a producer or a script writer, nor did you have the passion for it, but you certainly had an aesthetic view that just fit perfectly to find the right objects for particular scenes. Therefore, you became the prop-girl. Of course, you had an official title, property assistant to be exact, but seemingly everyone preferred the prop-girl title and after years of fighting it, you just gave in. That was the least of your problems after all.

The amount of effort put into all those blockbuster movies sometimes sucked your soul out. Considering the huge amount of work you have put in, you never really looked at it as a job. You loved what you were doing even if people sometimes looked down on you for being “just” the prop-girl. Even though you had some unpleasant encounters with some of Hollywood’s sweethearts, it never discouraged you, because amongst all the rotten apples, there were always those that made you just a little happier, a little giddier, a little more excited about a new day.

There was a certain person who ticked all the boxes in brightening your day and you often caught yourself staring at him shamelessly. His positivity, refreshing personality and banter always caught you off guard and for mere seconds you even forgot to pay attention to the tasks you were supposed to be completing. You knew you were good at your job, hell you were one of the best, but seemingly Ben’s presence set you back on quite a few occasions.

As you were watching him act out a scene along with his co-star Amber Rose Revah, you tried to focus on organising a dining table for his upcoming scene, but you just couldn’t concentrate when Ben walked around the room half naked with only a towel covering the lower half of his body. No sane person could have paid attention to anything beside Ben. He walked across the set with a straight back, a wide and happy grin across his face, securely holding the top of his towel around his waist. Even if you wanted to look away, you couldn’t have possibly forgotten the view. He wasn’t just a great company, but a very handsome one to look at.

“Prop-girl, that table won’t set itself,” you heard a grumpy voice from behind you and quickly started to set the cutleries and plates in an orderly fashion. Knowing you had to work quickly finally diverted your attention from Ben and the steamy scene about to happen. It wasn’t their first time acting out their bedroom scene and each time it got even more heated. The director didn’t seem to be happy with the outcome, so he kept pushing them to do it over and over again. As you arranged the fruits in a small wooden basket, you tried to forget the tiny little weight settling in your stomach, jealousy resurfacing within you. Knowing you had no right to be jealous as a mere friend, you always attempted to mask it.

As you finished setting the table, you walked back to the gigantic prop room and started searching for another set of objects for the same scene. Each day you arranged everything in an orderly fashion, but many of you worked on different scenes, so it was inevitably a mess most of the time and things were never where you left them. You heaved a heavy sigh, trying to calm yourself down, knowing it would take ages to find what you were looking for and a frustrated state would not help your case.

“Hey, prop-girl, is the scene ready?” you heard the same grumpy voice again. It was your boss, Jerry who seemed to have a grudge against you even though you never talked back to him or went against his orders.

“Not yet, I’m trying to find the cushions for the sofa,” you replied quickly, searching on the shelves, the floor, even in the bin bags that you used to store curtains, tablecloths and bedding sets. “Ah, here,” you exclaimed excitedly as you rushed back to the set, arranging the cushions on the sofa and the armchair beside the table.

“Next time try to be quicker,” he groaned with a disgusted look on his face and left the room. You grimaced at the man, scrunching your nose, his behaviour irritating you each day just a little more.

“That’s not very professional,” you heard a voice from behind you, making you jump. Placing a hand above your heart, you took deep breaths as you turned around to look at your unexpected visitor, although his voice already gave him away. However, this time, to your disappointment, he was wearing a shirt. “Did I scare you?” he asked with an innocent expression.

“No, I just like jumping,” you retorted in a sarcastic manner, making him chuckle, revealing the little crinkles beside his dark irises.

“Sorry, I meant to surprise you, not scare you,” he apologised with a sheepish smile, one that reassured you his apology was anything but genuine.

“Your face doesn’t match your words,” you replied with a half-smile, knowing you couldn’t be mad at him.

“And I thought I was a better actor,” he huffed in fake annoyance. “I’m a fraud,” he added with a grin. But then his expression changed to a more serious one and although he was wearing a smile, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m curious. Why do you let him talk to you like that?” he asked, his smile completely disappearing.

“Ben—,” you sighed as you called his name. “it’s complicated,” you tried to avoid the subject, but he didn’t seem to want to let it go just yet.

“You don’t have to argue, you could just tell him that the way he talks to you makes you uncomfortable,” you knew he just wanted to help, but even the thought of having a conversation with Jerry was tiring. Overthinking was one of your strongest personality traits and to get into a confrontational situation, you needed to mentally prepare, possibly practice different scenarios in which you’d act out what you’d say and how he could react. The simple thought of putting so much effort into such a small issue discouraged you already.

“It’s not that big of a deal. He is just grumpy,” you replied. “Honestly, I don’t want to argue, and I know him, he has been my boss for months and it’s not the first time I am working with him. Sure, he is inconsiderate and fairly annoying, but he is good at his job, he is just not good at communication,” you added.

“That’s not really an excuse, is it?” Ben asked with a frown. “He is in a leading position. He should learn how to communicate, how to manage his people. Mood should not be an issue on a daily basis,” he groaned, dissatisfied by your logic.

“I love that you are so worried, but I’m a big girl, I’m quite sure I can take care of myself,” you offered him a reassuring smile and walked past him to finish the last touches in the room.

“A strong and independent woman,” he chuckled. “You never fail to mention,” he added, making you let out a quiet snort. You could feel his eyes on you as you were moving around, taking care of the smallest little details, the angle of the napkins, the bows on the curtains, the corners of the cushions. As you finished the table, or so you thought you did, you frowned at the sight of the empty wooden basket in the middle of the table. You could clearly recall filing it up with fruits, but they were nowhere to be found.

“I’m telling you we have a thief in this place,” you huffed, throwing your hands in the air, earning a chuckle from Ben.

“What’s the problem?” he asked with a wide grin across his face, his happiness at your misfortune slightly irritating you.

“Each time I use real food as props, someone eats them. This is not a restaurant for god’s sake,” you whined as you headed back to the kitchen to pick up another batch of apples and pears. Ben followed you diligently as if he had no better things to do. You quickly halted and turned around, causing Ben to run into you. He got hold of your waist, steading both of you, before you could have fallen to the ground.

“Why did you stop so abruptly?” he asked with a deep frown, his face ever so close to yours. For a moment you forgot how to talk, how to articulate not even a sentence, but a single word. Your heart was beating in your throat, your pulse rushed through your veins, whilst your chest decided to ignore all the air you so desperately tried to inhale in the slowest of pace. Quickly scolding yourself, you collected all your strength and opened your mouth to talk.

“Why do you keep following me? Don’t you have somewhere to be?” you asked, shaking your head with a suspicious smile, trying to mask how much his closeness affected you, whilst being curious about his intentions.

“Not right now,” he said as he stepped back, watching you, studying you, his gaze penetrating yours, making you slightly flustered. You could feel your cheeks heat up at his intense gaze, starting your heart off in an even quicker pace. Ben was anything but a good influence on your physical and mental health. If it wasn’t your heart going mad for him, then your mind betrayed you.

“Well then find something,” you added, ruder than you wished you had. Trying to regain your self-control, you turned around and continued to walk towards the kitchen.

“I did,” he replied quickly as he started following you. “I’m assisting you,” he chuckled, earning a heavy sigh from you. As much as you enjoyed his company, his presence was anything but helpful when you were supposed to be concentrating on your work. You shook your head in a reply and as you arrived at the kitchen you picked up the fruits you needed and brought them back to the set, placing them where they were supposed to be before someone decided to stuff themselves with the props once again.

“Ben?” you called out to him, earning a humming sound from him. “Would you mind not staring at me?” you asked as you turned around, leaning against the table with your arms folded in front of your chest.

“I’m not staring. I’m observing,” he replied with a mischievous smirk.

“It’s the same thing,” you rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t possibly hide the tiny smile in the corner of your lips. He certainly had a way with words and sometimes it made you feel as though you were losing against him in a battle. “Please, just go and do something. You will have to film the next scene soon,” you added, begging him to give you some space to be able to concentrate on anything but him for a second.

“Fine, I actually have to revise some of the scripts,” he grimaced, although you knew he loved practicing his lines, he loved his job after all.

“Do you want me to wait for you after you finish?” you asked and the wide, enthusiastic grin spreading across his face, made you return his expression. His smile was powerful and whenever he was happy it seemed to be affecting everyone around him, including you.

“Sure, we will finish in a couple of hours,” he nodded and waved at you as he walked back to his trailer. It wasn’t a rare event that you waited for one another and whilst you knew he only thought of it as friends hanging out, for you they meant more. Being with Ben felt like hope, even if deep down you knew you were to remain friends. It hurt, it often left you wondering how you would be able to get over him, but in the end, just being beside him made you the happiest you have ever felt, and you didn’t want to lose that even if you had to stay just friends.

*

It was rather dark and chilly outside by the time Ben finished. As you looked at his trailer and his silhouette appeared from time to time behind the closed curtain of his window, you knew he was rushing to get ready. You knew that the shooting never finished in time, but you still waited, because even if you could only spend half an hour with him, it was more than worth it.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologised as he stepped out of his trailer, closing the door behind him. Half of his jacket was hanging on his side, whilst his other arm already slipped into the other sleeve. His hair was a mess and the belt of his trouser was undone. He was anything but ready to leave.

“I honestly don’t mind waiting, especially when you look like a mess,” you giggled at his state.

“Not funny. I didn’t expect to finish so late,” he replied as he slipped his arm into his sleeve and did his belt.

“It’s fine, don’t worry,” you smiled gently, reassuring him that it was okay. “Do you want to grab something to eat?” you asked as you looked at your watch. “It’s only 10pm so we are not that late,” you added.

“Sure, we can grab something. Maybe we could go to that little pub right beside your flat,” he suggested, and you nodded in agreement. You quite regularly visited that old Irish pub, loving the happy expression on Ben’s face as he explained how much it reminded him of the proper English pubs he grew up around, making him nostalgic. At those times he always told you stories about his past, his childhood, his family and you could have watched endlessly as he drowned in the mass of stories with a cheerful smile and blushing cheeks. You always found it interesting that people barely recognised Ben, but you didn’t mind, because at least you could have him all to yourself even if for just a couple of hours.

It didn’t take you long to arrive at the pub, the taxi Ben called took you there in about 20 minutes. As soon as you stepped inside and took a table, sitting beside each other, you ordered a burger off the menu whilst Ben asked for a fish and chips. Of course, alcoholic beverages could not have been ignored in a pub nor did they stop coming. After the first beer came the second and after the second came the third, but as soon as you reached the 5th round, you couldn’t possibly tell how many you had drank after. You felt tipsy, the pub seemed way too warm for your liking. The music was fairly loud as well, but Ben sat close enough for you to be able to hear him just fine. You have been joking about the silliest things, both of you clearly intoxicated, but daring not to admit your defeat.

“I’m not drunk,” he said, pointing at you with his index finger and a proud smirk across his face. “I’m just very happy,” he added to clarify his state.

“Happiness doesn’t make your words slurred,” you retorted quickly, catching him off guard, chuckling at his surprised expression. He was searching for the right words, almost straining himself in the process, but he didn’t seem to find them.

“Whatever,” he scoffed, but attempted to have a straight face, trying to maintain his pride.

“We are both a bit tipsy, so you are not alone,” you admitted, trying to make him feel a little better, and according to the increasingly growing smile on his face, you seemed to have been successful.

“You just admitted that you are tipsy,” he said with a proud grin. “But I never did,” he chuckled triumphantly.

“You little rascal,” you shook your head, but you had to admit that alcohol and Ben’s closeness was anything but a good influence on your judgment.

“You know, I was wondering about something,” Ben started, catching your attention and curiosity.

“Yeah, what about?” you asked with a questioningly raised brow.

“Why are you so bothered about someone stealing the prop food?” he asked, tilting his head to the side, making you frown. You expected any kind of subjects, but work in that moment. Although it wasn’t unusual, that’s what connected you in the first place.

“Because they are basically eating up my work? Those props are there for a reason. We have a kitchen they can use if they wish to. I have hours of work in those tiny little details so someone stuffing themselves with my work is just frustrating,” you huffed, slightly annoyed at the thought of someone messing with you regardless of it being intentional or unintentional.

“It really does frustrate you, doesn’t it?” he asked as he took a swig of his beer.

“Yes, it’s quite irritating. I just want to know who is doing this to me and why it is so necessary,” you grimaced as you joined Ben in emptying your bottle.

“Have you ever thought about the option that someone might eat your props for the sole purpose of getting your attention?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders.

“What do you mean?” you furrowed in confusion.

“I mean, maybe they want you to think about them,” he tried to clarify.

“Highly unlikely,” you replied with a scoff and disbelieving smile. “And how could I even think about someone whose identity I don’t even know?” you asked, trying to argue his theory.

“Maybe it’s not the identity that they want you to think about, but just their existence. Maybe they like you, but they don’t dare to reveal themselves because they don’t want you to be disappointed or possibly, they don’t want to ruin something. Maybe it’s a childish approach, but they might have thought if they told you that they liked you, it would ruin a friendship,” he said, nonchalantly sipping on his drink, but he didn’t look at you, instead his eyes wandered around the place as if he had never seen it before.

“Ben, do you know who it is?” you asked, being suspicious about his very detailed reply.

“How would I know?” he asked with an innocent expression, making you feel even more curious about his monologue.

“Well, for one you were very detailed in your reply. Two, I just feel like you know more than I do,” you replied with a deep frown across your brows, feeling as though even the last drop of alcohol evaporated from your body.

“I just imagined what I would do if I was that mysterious thief,” he replied in a casual tone, but you just knew him enough to realise that his behaviour was more than unusual. You could have blamed it on the alcohol, his still slightly slurred speech and lack of attention were a sign of him being intoxicated, but there was just something bugging you about him.

“Nah, you know something,” you added as you slipped closer to him in your booth, placing your hand on his arm, your eyes fixed on his, trying to get him to talk with a stern look across your face. Trying to seem serious, you wanted him to spill his secret. You were convinced that you had a firm stance and that Ben would give it up any time.

But he didn’t. Instead he bursted out laughing and reached for your head, petting your hair with a sweet smile across his face. “You’re adorable when you want something,” he chuckled.

“You’re unbelievable,” you huffed, pouting.

“Come on, don’t pout, it makes you even more adorable,” he laughed, his cheeks blushing as he watched your childishly sulking form.

“I’m a grown up woman, I’m anything but adorable,” you retorted in an annoyed tone.

“Then you are cute,” he corrected himself.

“I’m not a child, I’m not cute,” you huffed, feeling frustrated, crossing your arms in front of your chest, showing just how much you despised his adjectives. You sank into the leather seat, trying to hide away from the enjoyment he felt in treating you like a small child.

“What do you want me to call you then, huh?” he asked, but this time there was no smile on his face or a humorous tone in his voice. He looked serious, somewhat determined. “Should I call you sweet and kind?” he asked as he leaned closer. “Or would you prefer pretty? Maybe beautiful and charming?” he continued, instantly decreasing the gap between the two of you after each word. “Or stunning, is that it?” you gulped, feeling startled by the mere inches between you and Ben. You weren’t sure what kind of game he played, but you have never seen him act like that before.

“I—,” words didn’t come, your brain gave up on you. There was just you and Ben’s beautiful dark eyes, blushing cheeks, stubbly jaw and slightly pink lips only inches away from you. That gap he has left between the two of you felt like both physical pain and a life-line you held onto before you could have done something you knew you would have regretted.

“I’m just messing with you,” he chuckled lightly, somewhat awkward as he leaned back into his place, leaving you disappointed as you let out a heavy sigh. For a second you thought he wanted to kiss you, that he was so close because he felt what you did. But soon your foolish thoughts disappeared, realising just how silly they made you look. As if he would ever feel more than friendship, when he was surrounded by hundreds of beautiful women every single day. You knew comparing yourself to all those stunning people wasn’t healthy, but by your train of thoughts they kept you humbled and down to earth.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” he quickly added as he realised how awkward you seemed. Making him feel guilty was the last thing you wanted to do, so you quickly put on a fake smile and shook your head.

“No, no, it’s completely fine,” you tried to reassure him. “I think we should go. We might have drank a bit too much and we have work tomorrow,” you tried to save yourself from further embarrassment.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” he said, quickly standing up, even stumbling slightly. “Oh, that was unexpected,” he chuckled and even against the weird atmosphere, you could couldn’t stop yourself from giggling at his clumsiness.

“I think that just shows how right I am, as always,” you grinned proudly, nudging his shoulder. He just shook his head and quickly asked for the bill. Before you could have even protested, he paid for the food and drinks already. Although you tried to scold him, he just shushed you and attacked your previous statement about how you were always right except when you weren’t.

As you walked towards your flat, you hooked your arm with Ben’s, just like you always did. It seemed strange at first, you still felt somewhat uncomfortable, but there was also some kind of a comfort in being so close to him even though he felt unreachable. However Ben was slightly distracted, he kept looking around as if searching for something or someone, but it was a rather quiet night.

“Is everything okay?” you asked with a suspicious gaze fixed on his handsome face. He halted and turned to you with a serious expression, one that clearly said he had something on his mind, something he wanted to say out loud, but he just couldn’t find the words.

“I really need to tell you something, but I’m not sure now is the right time,” he spoke finally, his words conflicting.

“Well, if you don’t feel like telling me now, you can tell me tomorrow. We will meet anyway,” you added reassuringly, trying not to pressure him.

“ I know,” he heaved a heavy sigh. “But I have been keeping this in for so long, I really feel the need to say it, but at the same time I’m also quite intoxicated which is messing with my head,” he explained and you weren’t sure how to reply. You were of course curious and wanted to know what he wanted to tell you, but at the same time you didn’t want to press him.

“I can’t help you with that, Ben,” you replied. “If you have something to tell me, it’s up to you, although you made me curious now,” you smiled sweetly, trying to lift the serious atmosphere brought up on your pair.

“You know, you were curious why I knew so much about your little prop-thief, right? And I did say that I didn’t know, but I wasn’t telling you the truth,” he confessed, but you didn’t know how to respond. There were so many questions in your head. Why would he lie? Who could it be? Why did they do it? But you weren’t sure what to ask exactly. Luckily you didn’t have to ask anything as Ben decided to continue his monologue. “I wanted to tell you who it was, but it’s not easy to talk about,” he sighed heavily, trying to collect the right words. “When you like someone, it’s hard to tell them, but even harder if you know that it could potentially ruin a friendship that you don’t want to lose. Stealing prop foods or not, that was just a childish way to deal with it, but I thought even if you didn’t know who I was, it would leave you curious and even without an identity I could occupy your thoughts. I thought it was better to remain friends than to ruin any connection we have had, but blame it on the alcohol or the fact that we spend so much time together recently, I just don’t want to hide it anymore,” he cleared his throat awkwardly, waiting for a reply from you, but you were just stunned.

Your eyes widened at the realisation, your lips parted as though you were a gaping fish. “You like me?” you asked as if his confession wasn’t enough, you needed reassurance.

“Yes, I do like you,” he admitted, playing with his short beard, awkwardly running his fingers through his already messy hair. He didn’t dare to look at you, his eyes wandered around the street, focusing on anything but you in that moment, fearing to see rejection in your eyes and so he couldn’t possibly see the slowly growing smile across your face.

“And what would you say if I said I have liked you too?” you asked with a cheeky grin on your face. Ben almost got a whiplash as he turned to you with a shocked expression, one that clearly showed your reply was anything, but expected.

“You have?” he asked with an uncertain tone, but with a tiny smile in the corner of lips and a hidden enthusiasm.

“Yes, for a while now actually,” you chuckled happily.

“You haven’t said anything,” he added questioningly.

“Well, you’re my friend and just like you, I didn’t dare to ruin what we had. And if you haven’t noticed, you’re a well-known actor, Ben, I couldn’t possibly say anything. I didn’t believe I had a chance beside all those beautiful actresses you are working with—”

“You are beautiful,” he cut in quickly.

“—so, I stayed quiet and decided to remain a friend of yours,” you chuckled at his compliment, still feeling as though you were in a dream, as if it wasn’t reality.

“I mean it. You’re stunning, you’re funny, you are such a hard-working person. It’s you that I like not them,” he added with a relieved smile.

“I have to admit, it’s hard to believe,” you chuckled awkwardly. “Do you maybe want to go up to my flat and talk there so we are not this exposed?” you asked quickly, not wanting to discuss your feelings in the middle of the dark street.

“Of course!” he replied and started leading you to your flat. You shook your head, feeling giddy in his presence, giving him a small peck on his cheek, earning a proud smile from him, one that was rather childish than manly, but if anything that made you even happier.

You were about a couple of streets away from your flat, but trying to contain the wide grin from appearing on your face seemed to be an even harder task than you wished to admit. Ben wasn’t blind though, he could see the smile you fought hard against and he couldn’t stop himself from mirroring your expression. He looked around, searching for paparazzi, but found none. Firmly holding onto your arm in his, he pulled you into a small ally, with a playful grin across his face. You squeaked in surprise as you felt the pulling force from Ben and seconds later the cold wall behind your back.

“Why are you trying to hide your smile?” he asked with a playful chuckle.

“I’m not, it’s just hard to believe,” you replied, still feeling uncertain about the situation.

“Maybe if you let me kiss you, that would make it easier for you to believe,” he leaned closer, running his tongue across his bottom lip. That simple movement left you breathless as you swallowed hard, and your gaze seemed to remain on his lips. But as much as you wished Ben to lean closer, he kept the distance. You wanted to nod, say yes, let out any kind of embarrassing noise of approval, but you found any kind of interaction impossible.

Instead, you grabbed his belt and pulled him closer, standing up on your tiptoes, capturing his lips with yours. For a moment Ben was caught off guard, he didn’t expect your reaction, but he didn’t need long to return the kiss just as hungrily as you did in the first place.

You have dreamt of kissing him, wrapping your arms around his neck, whilst his hands drew random circles on your back, but your dreams were nothing compared to reality. Ben’s hold on your waist was firm, but still gentle and his lips against yours felt as though they belonged to you. You couldn’t explain the weakness in your knees, the butterflies in your tummy or the complete emptiness in your mind. There was just Ben and you in that moment and you would have given anything for it to stay like that. But air was something of necessity and when you parted, Ben leaned his forehead against yours matching the rhythm of your heavy breathing.

“That, I think, made it more believable,” Ben spoke up first, making you giggle.

“A few more and it will,” you replied in the same playful manner. “On a side note though, before we go anywhere, you have to promise me that you stop eating my props,” you added, your tone scolding, but humorous.

“If—, I repeat if you kiss me like that every time I feel like stealing your props, then we can work out a deal,” he grinned proudly.

“That’s blackmail, mister,” you exclaimed, but your smile gave you away.

“And what a good one,” he smirked, mentally patting his own shoulder. “Is that a deal then?” he asked.

“Fine! But you better stay far away from my work,” you added in a mock seriousness, knowing even if he did try to steal again, you wouldn’t be able to stay mad at him.

“I think I can manage that,” he chuckled before he closed the gap between you, indulging in the moment a bit longer, knowing both of you have been eagerly waiting to be close to each other.

Notes: If you enjoyed reading this little piece, please don’t forget to leave a like, comment and/or reblog. Your opinion matters and gives us motivation. Thank you ^^

If you enjoy my stories, please consider donating and supporting me on Ko-fi. Of course, it’s completely your choice, I will continue updating for free anyway :) Thank you <3

Ben Barnes taglist: Taglist from now on is in a reblog.

#ben barnes x reader #ben barnes #girl next door's make me feel bingo #band—psychos bingo challenge #ben barnes imagine #ben barnes fanfiction #ben barnes oneshot #ben barnes x reader imagine #ben barnes x reader fanfiction #ben barnes x reader oneshot #ben barnes x yn #ben barnes x y/n #dorian gray x reader #caspian x reader #billy russo x reader #billy russo #darkling #benjamin greene #ryan brenner #logan delos x reader #dorian gray #logan delos #darkling x reader #aleksander morozova #nick tortano #caspian #prince caspian

[flightlessangelwings]

✨ Come join our brand new Ben Barnes Discord Server! ✨

Since there isn’t much in the way of Ben Barnes dedicated servers, @the-purity-pen and I decided to make one! And it’s nice and organized so we can chat about any character, share creations, thirst together, share pictures, and more! Just please be 18+ to join.

Join mr binbons here! 👇

#ben barnes #the Darkling #billy russo #logan delos #benjamin greene #prince caspian #nick tortano #ryan brenner #ben barnes character #ben barnes character fanfiction

[yespolkadotkitty]

Long Way to Go - Chapter 1

Ryan Brenner x OFC, Grace Lin

THANKYOU so much to @the-blind-assassin-12 for casting an eye over this and for friendship and enthusiasm and thankyou to @suchatinyinfinity and @something-tofightfor for being so friendly!

W/C: 1550 ~ Warnings: None? General audiences.

-----

It was hot as hell.

Sweat trickled down the back of my neck as I checked the thermometer in the pastry display case. Melted cream cakes didn’t sell, and I had to keep the served-cold meat bao from spoiling, but at least the fortune cookies, red bean cakes and mochi would be good for hours.

People bustled past, some holding mini electric fans, others cooling themselves with tall iced drinks from the nearby Starbucks.

I took a deep drink from my water bottle. I’d topped up the ice cubes just ten minutes ago and they were already just a memory.

The two girls I employed cleaned tables, their hair scooped up out of their faces, chattering about some party they were off to later, and which popular boys would be attending. Their giggling made me feel every one of my thirty-two years.

The overhead fan whirled silently as the bell above the door tinkled musically, letting in a gaggle of teenagers. They kept me busy for the next few minutes, ordering a bunch of fortune cookies and bao, barely looking up from their phones as they paid me.

As one of the teenagers pulled the shop door open, a gasp of music broke my train of thought (mango or green tea cookies tomorrow?). Curious, I peered out of the window.

On the street corner, sitting against the trunk of a large tree planted in the sidewalk, a man played guitar and sang.

His head was down, but thick, dark hair peeked out from under his battered hat, the brim shading his face from view.

His voice was deep and melancholy, and it pulled at something inside me. I kept the door open, listening.

Quite a little crowd had gathered around him. His fingers danced over the guitar strings effortlessly, his low, sultry voice carrying to me on what little there was of a breeze in New York in July.

I got lost in the lyrics for a moment, and must have leaned on the door too hard. The bell tinkled and I had to hang on to avoid falling face first on the pavement.

Smooth, Lin. Real smooth.

Without skipping a beat, the busker glanced my way. His eyes were the very dark brown of expensive Swiss chocolate, concern shining in their depths.

I smiled to let him know I was okay, and his gaze moved over me for a moment. I felt every second. His eyes smiled first, and then as he finished the last note in a line, his lips curved, too, a dimple flashing above his scruffy beard, and oh. I was a goner. He was the most beautiful man I’d seen in a long time, and this was NYC, so that was saying something.

“Hey, Earth to Grace! You gonna stand there all day?”

The Brooklyn twang jerked me back to reality and I blinked, looking into the face of my delivery guy. “Sorry, Mikey.”

The bulky Asian-American grinned, casting a thumb at the busker.  “He’s all right.”

I tore my gaze away again. “He sure is.”

Mikey wheeled his little hand truck to the storeroom and started to unload as I served a young woman who had questions about allergies. She read my ingredients lists and decided on three pork floss buns, the ones hot from the heated plate. Just going near it made me near-recoil with the steam that bathed my face.

As the customer paid and I thanked her, clipping a business card to the paper bag, I glanced out at the busker. He was drinking from a water bottle, his head tipped back to expose the line of his neck. The bottle was near-empty.

“Hey, Kristi?” 

One of the girls I employed stopped mid-chatter to her colleague about someone called Dwayne and how dreamy he looked in a football jersey, and whipped her head round to me.

“Can you man the counter for a sec?”

She bobbed her head yes and we swapped places. I grabbed a bottle of water from the tall fridge by the door, the shaped plastic cold against my palm. I hesitated, then grabbed another.

The wall of heat enveloped me as soon as I stepped out of the door.

The busker looked up at the sound of the bell, shoulders bunching in his worn white t-shirt as I approached, as if steeling himself for something.

The crowd had thinned between songs, people put off from standing by the sheer heat of a New York summer, but the open guitar case held a bundle of notes, some fives and tens, as well as several scatterings of coins.

“Hi,” I greeted him. “Ma’am,” he drawled, softly. His smile seemed easy, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. 

I suspected that he was wondering if I was gearing up to threaten to call the police on his ass. 

I wasn’t.

I held out the bottles of water. “Thought you might be thirsty.”

“Sure am.” He smiled up at me, fingers drumming on his thigh, but he didn’t attempt to take the water. “‘S very kind of you.”

You stepped closer, offering the bottles and he finally took them from me . His hands brushed mine, his skin warm and tan, a little rough. I noticed the unusual ink on his fingers, wanted to ask, but politeness stopped me.

“Your music is beautiful,” I said as he unscrewed the first bottle, the second held between his knees.

“Thank you, ma’am.” He took a deep drink, and I tried not to feel like a letch, admiring the line of his neck, the bob of his Adam’s apple. “‘S a nice bakery you got there.”

“Thanks. I, um, never thought it’d be a thing. You know? When you dream about something for so long and when it finally comes true, you can’t believe it?”

He met my gaze. “Can’t say I know a whole lot about that.”

For the first time, I took in his attire properly - large burlap backpack, battered army-style boots, the laces frayed, the near-threadbare edges of his hat. “God. I’m so sorry, I’m such an idiot-”

He shook his head, a shy little smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Don’ be. I like it better when folks don’t have to watch their every word ‘round me. I’m Ryan.”

“I’m Grace. The idiot.” I offered a hand and he shook it, and his palm was wide and warm, a little calloused, and sparks of awareness slid up my arm.

“Do you often play around here?” I gestured to the little stretch of the Chinatown of Flushing, Queens, that my bakery sat on.

“No, ma’am. I’m a traveller. Been t’ New York before, but not this particular spot.”

“And how is this particular spot?”

Ryan drummed his fingers on his guitar thoughtfully. “‘S good. Folk are nice, for the most part.” He started on the second bottle of water, his tongue flicking out to over bottom lip after he drank. “Hot as hell, though, and I say that as a Southern boy.”

I opened my mouth to ask where in the South he hailed from, but Kristi appeared in the doorway of my shop. “Grace? Sorry, Mikey needs the auth code for this delivery.”

“Oh, sure.” I turned back to Ryan. “It was good to meet you. Your music is really fantastic.”

He ducked his head, smiling, a little shy. “Mighty kind of you, ma’am.”

By this point another little crowd had gathered, waiting to hear him sing, and I left them to it. I wished I could have the shop door open to hear him, but that would defeat the point of air conditioning.

But even so, throughout the afternoon, I kept glancing over, seeing him still there, singing. During a busy point I asked Kristi to go and bring him another bottle of water, and I saw the smile he flashed her, feeling jealous of the attention, and called myself utterly ridiculous for it. I hadn’t even known Ryan existed a couple of hours ago.

Customers thinned out. It was a weekday, and business always slowed down around six pm. I shut at seven, so at six-thirty I sent Kristi and Susan home. As they opened the door, I caught a line of song in Ryan’s soft, smooth drawl.

Nine hundred more miles, and I’ll be doin’ just fine-

When he finished, after the small crowd had dropped dollar bills and murmured their appreciation, I called out to him.

“You want to come inside? Have a cold drink? Use the air con?”

I saw the hesitation flick over his face, the trepidation mixed with curiosity, and in the end, the latter must’ve won, because he stood up.

“That’s it for today, ladies and gentlemen,” I heard him say to the people circled around him. A man tossed a couple of bills in his guitar case, and Ryan touched his hat in thanks.

The listeners dispersed, and Ryan settled his guitar in his case like a mother swaddling her baby; with utmost gentleness. And then he looked up, smiling, that dimple winking, and walked towards me.

Taglist: @agirllovespancakes

#ryan brenner x ofc #jackie x ryan fic #jackie x ryan au #ben barnes character fanfiction

[benbarnesfrustration]

Cady’s Awakening, Part 1

A Ben Barnes Character Fic.

A Ryan Brenner x Cady (third person) story. This is a very late contribution to @banditthewriter​‘s Ben Barnes Bingo Challenge.  Life got away from me for a bit, so I’m posting this first installment to hold myself accountable to finish. Enjoy!

Synopsis: Cady is a carefree girl who longs for the open road. Does she find her counterpart in a tall, dark hitchhiker?

Rated PG. We haven’t gotten into much fluff yet, but this is a squeaky clean as it gets.

Cady heaved the last sack of grain into the back of her pickup truck, landing it with a heavy whump. She stepped back and wiped a trickle of sweat from her brow. It was usually hot in Timbercreek Canyon, but in July it was damned hot, and the sun was relentless.

About 15 miles south of Amarillo, Timbercreek Canyon is a veritable oasis in the arid Texas desert, providing much-needed irrigation to the many ranches that have sprung up as a result.  Cady’s family ran one of them, Palomino Ridge Ranch. There, horses, cattle, pigs and chickens were raised and sold.  Cady had been helping out at the ranch since she could walk, and stood to inherit from her parents, as she was their only child. However, Cady had her doubts. She’d barely been out of Texas except for ranch business, and wasn’t sure she wanted a future as a rancher without experiencing more of the great wide world.

Cady’s father was sending her to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in the shadow of the Smoky Mountains. She was to deliver several bushels of rye meal and sorghum to a few stops along the way, and upon arrival, collect a thoroughbred stallion to bring back for breeding. It would be a long trip, at least eighteen hours each way, not including stops, but Cady was looking forward to it. She loved the open road and the chance to get out of Texas and see more of the country, and having the wind in her hair as she sang along loudly to her favorite country and blues standards.

She loaded up the rest of her supplies, waved goodbye to her folks, and set out. It was only noon, so she should be able to get a couple of deliveries out of the way before she would need to stop for the night. She drove along, singing and humming along to her tunes; perfectly content.  A few hours later, not long after she made her first drop off, she was surprised to see what appeared to be a young man in the distance, walking along the road. Texas was flat, so she could see him quite a ways out, and she saw him turn and stick out his thumb when he heard the sound of her engine. I’ll be damned, she thought to herself. You don’t see too many hitchhikers around here. She felt a pang of pity for the man. It was hot as hell out here, and there wasn’t another town for miles and miles.  Normally she wouldn’t entertain such a notion as communicating with a hitchhiker, but she legitimately worried about the guy’s safety, so she slowed as she approached him. 

She pulled over to the side of the road, slid over to the passenger side, and leaned out of the window.  She was struck dumb for a moment when she looked the man full in the face. Well that is one good looking fella, she thought. Dark scruffy hair and dark eyes, he was quite literally the definition of “tall dark and handsome,” only he looked like he’d been sleeping rough for a while. He smiled warmly at her, and pushed up the brim of his baseball cap to better see her. Cady noticed he had tattoos on his fingers and arms. I wonder where else he’s got them, she thought devilishly, before pushing that thought aside.  “Miss,” he greeted her politely.

“Well you’re taking your ass in your hands setting out on this road on a day like this,” she chided, but without real bite. He smiled wider, relaxing at her joke.

“I’m afraid I didn’t think this through,” he replied, his smile touching his eyes. He had a vague drawl that Cady couldn’t quite place. Is that West Virginia? Kentucky? He pulled off his hat and swiped his forearm across his sweaty brow. “I don’t suppose you can let me climb in the back of your truck and ride along with you a while? The breeze would do me good.”

Cady thought a moment. She was by no means a clueless girl, and knew that picking up a hitchhiker was a reckless thing to do. But he had kindness in his eyes, and there was just no faking that. “You can ride in the cab with me,” she said. “Get you out of the sun and into the AC for a bit.”

The man nodded, his face more somber. “Thank you miss,” he replied softly. “I’m so grateful.”  He swung his case– which Cady was only now realizing was a guitar case– into the back of the truck along with a worn backpack, and hopped into the truck. Cady cranked the AC, and the man slumped back, a blissful smile on his lips. It made him look quite angelic. “Ahhhh,” the man sighed. “This is nice.”

Cady handed over a bottle of water. “Here, swig on this. You’re probably pretty dehydrated. I’m Cady, by the way.”  The man took the bottle of water with a nod. “Thank you Cady. I’m Ryan. Pleased to meet you.”  Cady smiled at the man– Ryan.  “Now you just sit back and relax,” she said. “How far do you need to go?”  Ryan shrugged. “I don’t really have a destination. I sort of just…go.”

Cady blinked in surprise. Was this guy a drifter? A homeless? While she was surprised, she was no more concerned than she was a moment before. She wondered if she was being very stupid.  

“You just set out and see where the road takes you huh? I kinda like that. Sounds freeing.”

Ryan smiled. “It is, but it’s not without its challenges for sure. Like the pickle I found myself in today…I must say thank you again.”

Cady smiled. “Think nothing of it. I would just be grateful if you would repay my kindness by not stabbing me,” she laughed as she put the truck into gear. “You don’t seem the sort, but you never know.”  

Ryan laughed in return. “Don’t worry Cady, I don’t intend to.”

                                                      *****

They rode on for hours, the time falling away quickly as they talked. Conversation was easy with them. They shared a similar temperament; an ease of manner, and a curiosity about the world. Cady learned that Ryan was a musician, and he usually busked or looked for gigs while he was on the road for extra cash. Cady told Ryan all about her family and ranching, but also spoke of her doubts when it came to her own future in the field. Ryan listened intently, nodding along, contributing platitudes where necessary.  As the sun waned toward evening, Cady pulled into a Waffle House parking lot.  “You hungry?” She asked.

“Starving,” he replied with a smile.  

“Come on then,” Cady said. “I’ll buy you some dinner.”

Ryan’s smile faltered. “I have some money,” he said softly. 

Cady turned to look at him. “I wasn’t suggesting you didn’t,” she replied brightly. “Only that I’d like to buy dinner. Now come on!”

Ryan followed her into the restaurant, where they both soon tucked into breakfast for dinner, as it was what Waffle House was known for; eggs, pancakes, grits, hash browns, bacon, the whole nine yards. They spoke as much as they could as they tucked away the meal.  When they were done, Cady and Ryan walked back to the truck. She paused at the door. “Ryan,” she asked, “what’s the plan? I’m heading all the way to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and I have another ten plus hours on the road ahead of me. I was planning to stop for the night in a couple of hours. I usually just pull off onto a secluded road and sleep in the truck, but you’re welcome to sleep in the back of the truck.

Cady felt a small amount of apprehension creep into her mind. Not because she was worried about Ryan, but because….she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. But Ryan gave her a funny feeling in the pit of her tummy. The way his big dark eyes locked onto hers while they spoke over dinner. The way his smile lit up his face. The way his soul seemed to speak to hers.

She realized with a jolt that the apprehension she was feeling was a fear that they would part ways. That he would be gone from her life. Oh shit– Cady thought to herself. Am I falling for this guy? 

She waited for him to respond, as he had paused to think– or perhaps to calculate a response.

“Cady–” he started, paused, then started over. “Cady, I don’t want to impose, but I’d like to go all the way with you.”

They both seemed to realize how that sounded at the same time. Cady stifled a giggle while Ryan looked horrified. “I mean! Oh lord. No. I mean, I’d like to travel as far as you have to go, if that’s alright with you.” He put his face in his hands and groaned.  Cady laughed. “Relax, I’d be happy to have you.” She put a hand on his arm. “I know that wasn’t what you meant.” 

Would it be so bad if it was?

                                                      *****

They rode on in contented silence for a while before Cady turned to Ryan and asked, “so I’ve been trying to figure out where you’re from, but I just can’t place your accent. I give up,” she chuckled.

“Utah,” Ryan replied. “That’s where I grew up and sort of what I consider home base, but I don’t like to stay in one place too long.”

“Do you still have friends and family there?”

“Some,” Ryan nodded. “A lot of folks have moved on. I’m from a small town and there isn’t much opportunity there.” He shrugged. “It’s beautiful though, surrounded by snow capped mountains and lush forests.”

Cady laughed. “That’s basically the opposite of where I live! It’s the canyonlands of central Texas, practically the desert. Hot, flat, and dry. I spent my childhood chasing lizards and roadrunners.”

“Well we have some of that in Utah, but not the part where I’m from,” Ryan added. “Jumping into creeks and riding horses was what I got up to as a kid.”

“Horses, well that’s something we have in common then,” Cady grinned.  “That’s actually the purpose of going to Kentucky. Sell grain along the way, come home with a new thoroughbred.”

“That must be exciting,” Ryan replied. “Seeing the country and petting horses sounds pretty great.”

“It is, but–” Cady broke off, thinking.  “I’m still doing a job. I’m not free to do as I like. Like you.”

“True,” Ryan said, “but it’d be nice to have someone to go home to. A real family, a place I wanted to put down roots. Now, whenever I’m home, I just can’t wait to hit the road again.”

“So you have nobody that makes you feel like you’re home?”

Ryan turned to fix Cady with his dark eyes. There was something about his spirit that spoke directly to her soul.

“Not yet,” he replied, and smiled.

(to be continued…)

@banditthewriter​

#ben barnes character fic #jackie & ryan fanfiction #ryan brenner fanfic

[illshowyourhurricanes]

A Familiar Face (Part 7)

How about a chapter instead of a Sunday snippet? I love this story, and an update is far overdue!  As a short refresher since I took so long (apologies!), your apartment has been broken into and ransacked. Ryan is with you and helps you sift through the wreckage as much as he is able. But you have a confession to make: you know who is the culprit, and you can’t hide the truth anymore.  (Parts 1-6 can be found on my masterlist!

Rating: PG for a little steaminess

Word count: 3390 (Because Ryan gets to me and I lose any and all self-control.)

Tag list: @obscurilicious​ @the-blind-assassin-12 @something-tofightfor @logan-deloss @lexxierave @madamrogers​ @yannii04​ @gollyderek​ @carlaangel86​ @maydayfigment​ @vetseras​ @thisisparadisemylove​ @malionnes​ @thesandbeneathmytoes​ @crushed-pink-petals-writes​ @delos-destinations​ @luminex3​ @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes​ @tenhargreeves​ @witchygagirl​ @fific7​ @pheedraws​

If you’d like to be added to/removed from my tag list, please just send me an ask or shoot me a DM.

Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Ryan’s eyes crinkled up at the edges when he smiled. It was something you hadn’t discovered early on, like the pensive look that darkened his eyes sometimes or the way their color seemed to dance when he talked about music and places he’d been, things he’d seen. He was always wearing that tattered khaki hat, and the bill cast a shadow over his eyes, shrouding little things from view.

But that night, between guitar picking with calloused fingertips and singing that bursted from his soul, you and Ryan talked; you joked and laughed and the back-and-forth you both indulged in lasted longer than any of your previous conversations had. With Ryan’s overgrown hair brushed back, the only thing obstructing his eyes at times was a chunk of long bangs falling over his forehead. It wasn’t enough, however, to hide those eye crinkles when he laughed, framed by long, dark eyelashes. It was a small feature of his that was only showcased in certain instances, and one that most people wouldn’t notice. But, every time it happened, you felt your heart flip, the way it had just before the cozy house set back deep in the woods had been filled with music.

Your mind kept replaying the melody of the original song he’d played for you. It had stirred something deep inside of you, ignited a place within yourself that you’d never known existed. 

“When did you write Southbound?” Your questions were becoming more personal, and the startling part, the part that made you the happiest, was that Ryan didn’t seem to mind answering them, nor did he seem hesitant to ask questions of his own. “What sparked that melody, those words?”

Ryan set his guitar down gently, leaning the front of the old acoustic against the wall, neck and peg board supporting the instrument. He regarded your face, the glint of genuine curiosity shining in your eyes. He was attentive to the way you were sitting, leaning forward and eager to hear more of his story. 

He’d met many people over the time he’d spent on the roads, living life the way he saw fit. Some of them had been curious about his lifestyle, how long he’d been playing, that sort of thing. He’d met people who had pried for details, almost as if a disguised predator hunting for prey. But you… you were the first person he’d encountered that was interested in more than why he didn’t use plastic guitar picks, but chose thumb and finger picks instead. Ryan wasn’t used to people being interested in him as a person. He was conditioned to keeping to himself, allowing lips curled in disgust at his clothes, rust-stained or dirtied in places from hopping trains,  to roll off his back. He smiled, one of those crooked, small quirks of his lips that he tended to lean toward when he was feeling shy. But it didn’t keep him from answering, and truthfully.

“Just keepin’ myself occupied on trains.  Some’a those rides are long and I use the time to practice, to play.” He flexed his fingers, and you looked down to see the ink decorating his knuckles. That was another story you’d love to hear, what those tattoos meant to him, what they stood for. “I found a melody I liked, kept playin’ around with it, the tuning, the speed, the pickin’. It was a while before the words came. My old notebook is more scratched through words than anythin’ else.”

He looked at you, perched on the edge of the old vintage couch, some of the fabric beginning to wear. He caught your eyes and held your gaze for a lingering moment, andl his focus was drawn downward to your lips. He forced himself to not stare, to continue with his story. 

“But the words came, and I liked ‘em alright. They fit when I paired the lyrics with the music. For a long time, I had two verses, the strumming in the middle, and that was it. Wasn’t until the thick of the winter when I was inspired to finish.”

Ryan stopped there. You wanted to ask him what had inspired him to turn the song in the specific direction it had gone. You wanted to ask him how autobiographical the song was, the parts about leaving home— where home had been, if he’d ever tried to find a permanent place he could be content in. He’d sung a line or so nodding to drinking, and you couldn’t help but feel a strong pull at your heartstrings, and the solemn weight that settled in your chest. Ryan hadn’t had an easy life. 

Instead of responding with words, you surveyed Ryan’s face. He was still just across from you, the fire he’d built still crackling in the fireplace. You felt a chill and lifted your sock-clad feet to the bottom cushion of the sofa you’d been occupying for the evening, hugging your knees to your chest. 

A comfortable silence settled between the two of you, You became lost in thought, with the knowledge that tomorrow would be another very long day. You were making a mental list of things to take care of when Ryan’s voice brought you back to the present. It was such a welcome distraction.  

“Tell me about the diner.” He spoke softly, not much louder than the crackling of the blazing fire he’d built. Standing from where you’d been lounging, you moved to the heart again to toast before the fire. It was difficult to stay still, difficult to focus on anything other than the questions making endless rounds through your head, overwhelming your mind. You could focus on Ryan, though. The diner. You smiled genuinely. My comfort. My home.  It felt like, somehow, Ryan knew how much the diner meant to you… and he did. It was impossible to miss when you were there, working non-stop but never without a smile, never too busy to indulge a patron in warm conversation. It was your safe haven.

“My grandparents opened up the place decades ago,” you started. You paused for a moment and relished the warmth radiating over your back. “They snatched it up with a down payment and a lump sum  of pre-payment of the lease before the building had an interior, when it was just a shell of brick. They knew it would be the perfect location for the business they’d dreamt of opening.” You caught Ryan’s eyes, and there was a smile there, matching the one on his lips as well as your own. “It’s like the American Dream,” you laughed, and continued. “My parents took over…” 

And just as quickly as your grin had come, it vanished with a darkening of your eyes. The shock and bewilderment you’d felt in discovering the state of your apartment was transitioning into outright anger. You could kill your brother. And the thought of him intruding your mind-- just like the way he’d intruded your apartment, your life once again-- reminded you that Ryan still had no idea about what you knew. What had actually happened. 

“And that brings us here,” you finally continued. “I had money saved up, a nice amount. Cash, mostly from tips, so I could buy that building outright when it’s time, take over when my parents grew tired.” You swallowed hard, shoving down the lump in your throat that had been returning unwelcome throughout the evening and night. A slight look of contempt twisted your features, and your eyes began to prickle. You knew what was coming; it was inevitable. “For years, I’ve measured my life in coffee spoons, packs of sweetener and powdered creamer. Working toward that goal is my whole life, and I wouldn’t trade the double shifts or overtime for the world, but right now? I have nothing to show for it.” Hot tears stung your face, and you wiped them away angrily as you gathered the courage to look at Ryan. His gaze was centered on you already, stunningly intense. And you were hit with a realization then:  that if anyone could understand what it was like to have nothing—  next to no money, no home, a sparse amount of belongings— it was Ryan. 

He had no permanent home. You were fairly positive he’d had his fair share of days with little to no money, and everything he owned fit in his pack, with the exception of his guitar. The peace you felt from your epiphany thawed your anger. Your tears were tapering. Sniffing quietly, you moved to the side as Ryan came to tend to the fire. A feeling of understanding hung in the air between the two of you as Ryan added some more kindling to the flames. Your eyes alternated between his movements and the dance of dark shadow with orange firelight moving over his features. You were mesmerized. 

“I know who did it.” Your voice was barely more than a whisper and you were hyper-aware of your heart beating wildly beneath the safety of your rib cage. Ryan brushed his hands together and stood upright, his eyes regarding as he did so. He didn’t seem to be angry at all, but his curiosity was apparent. He was quiet for a moment, but finally answered with a slight nod, the silence remaining. You opened your mouth to apologize again, your self-loathing over lying by omission rising by the minute, but Ryan beat you to the punch.

“ ‘S’not much of my business, I reckon, but you…” He looked at you with a seriousness you’d never expect from him, and your eyes widened with anticipation and dread. “Are you safe, Y/N?” Ryan’s warm, dark eyes were round with concern, and not a touch of anger was present. All you saw was worry and care.

You nodded in response and cast your eyes downward. “It is your business,” you assured him. It’s your business. You were there and you… you helped me bear the brunt of it all. “And I’m sorry, Ryan. Feeling shame isn’t an excuse to lie. Nothing is.” For the first time, you were nervous in front of him, not because of how he made you feel, but because you’d deceived him. If he’d had any trust in you-- which you thought he might-- you’d taken advantage of that.  “I don’t want you to get involved in my mess.” Looking up at him, you locked your eyes with his. He had no further reason to trust you, not in your opinion, but you hoped he’d be able to see the honesty that you were finally giving him, and that he deserved. “You’ve been a light in my life since you’ve been around, and I don’t want to dim that, not while you’re still here casting that glow.” Your cheeks burned at the realization of how corny your words sounded, but corny or not, they were absolute truth.

Closing the short distance between you, Ryan gently took one of your hands in his, tangling his long fingers with yours. He just looked at you for a few seconds, and then, he kissed you with care. His lips were soft against yours, his kiss light, lingering, laced with an air of urgency. One hand cupped your cheek and the other wrapped around your hand just a bit tighter, your fingers lacing with his. He kissed you again, this time with an added tenacity, yet somehow still chaste. When he pulled back to look at you, both for a reaction and to marvel at your beauty, you noticed his chestnut eyes had darkened a shade or two. Your hands were still locked together and you couldn’t seem to draw in a full, steady breath. You got lost in the warmth of his eyes for a moment before your gaze fell to his lips, already craving another taste. 

“I’m sorry, Y/N, I shouldn’t ‘ve—“ You shook your head once and leaned in again, interrupting his very unnecessary apology. The way Ryan kissed was something you’d never experienced before. It was all the evidence you needed to achor the idea that Ryan didn’t need words. His soul was naked when he strummed the steel strings of his guitar, his emotions were on full display in his eyes, and his heart was unmistakably felt in his kiss. It was extraordinary and spellbinding. It was absolute and genuine and something that you wanted to take hold of, grasp tightly, and keep with you. But you knew, instead, eventually, you’ d have to let go. And much sooner, you suspected, than you’d like.

It had been foolish to allow yourself to grow attached to a stranger you may never see again, but you allowed yourself the effort to attempt rationalizing what was serendipitous. It wasn’t lost on you that doing so was a glaring paradox, but what were the chances of Ryan returning to your small town in the first place? You knew now that the reason was Georgie, but that posed another question: what were the chances of you remembering Ryan specifically? Buskers passed through all the time, on their way to or coming from the city. You were accustomed to music floating through the air on your way to the diner when you didn’t have the opening shift, but Ryan’s music wasn’t just a nice tune you’d enjoyed on your way to work. Ryan’s music, his style and way of playing, his voice smooth as honey but rough with passion, wasn’t just music-- it was a force. Ryan in himself was a force, and in the most gentle, remarkable way. 

You pulled back reluctantly, your lips on fire and cheeks ablaze. You’d had one hell of a day, and your emotions were anything but regulated. The last thing you wanted to do was something out of your character, to tarnish your time with Ryan by doing something that, in hindsight, wouldn’t hold a meaning. You opened your eyes to see Ryan studying your face, and he smiled that boyish, crooked quirk of his lips— his incredible lips— that made your heart do somersaults. 

“I’ve been wantin’ to do that for awhile,” he admitted, a slight chuckle accompanying his confession. You laughed, shaking your head more in disbelief than anything else  Ryan brushed his calloused fingertips softly over your forehead, gently curling a few wayward strands of your hair behind your ear. 

“How did you wait so long? I’m irresistible.” You dissolved into laughter and rolled your eyes dramatically, taking him by the hand and leading him the few steps back to the old loveseat you’d claimed as yours earlier in the evening. He followed suit easily, pulling you down to sit on one cushion as he sat on the other. 

“You are,” he told you, but there was no trace of laughter in his voice. His shadow of a smile held affection instead of humor. “You’ve made my time here more’n just playing a couple songs with Georgie. He’s off somewhere now, an’ me? I’m still here.”

It was a simple thing to say, obvious in nature but not in the way Ryan had said it. The connotation in his voice and what he meant was stunning. For a moment, you were quiet, turning his words over in your head. Then, you grinned shyly. 

“You’re something else, Ryan Brenner.” It was something he’d said to you many times, and it had grown into a habit, an inside joke. Turning toward him, you took both of his hands and your expression grew serious. “I owe you an explanation,” you started carefully, “But first I want to thank you for bringing such sunshine into my life since you’ve been here. I always look forward to work, but I found myself not dreading the walk there in the cold. I wanted to make sure to bring you some sort of warmth as thanks, even if it was just a cup of coffee during the day… something pulled me toward you, Ryan, And not for any reason other than how genuine you are. You’re unapologetic in who you are, and there’s no pretense you carry around with you. People like you are all but impossible to come by.”

Now that you were talking, really talking and free of anxiety, you couldn’t stop. Words just came pouring out in bursts with barely a moment between. You could talk to Ryan about how you felt about him for an hour, but you needed to get back to the truth and finish the conversation you’d started earlier. In your moment’s pause,Ryan took advantage of your silence and leaned toward you, pressing his lips to yours again softly, almost as if asking permission.

You hummed slightly against his lips, and you felt the warmth of his palm radiating through the material of your shirt. He pressed his hand to the small of your back, drawing you closer. Again, he gifted you with his mouth against yours, gently coaxing your lips open with his tongue, deepening the kiss. Your arm found its way over his shoulder, your hand curling around his neck and fingers getting lost in the long, dark hair there. You’d easily gotten yourself lost in Ryan, and consciously so. Kissing Ryan felt like home. 

When he broke away, his eyes were dark with desire, yet he simply rested his forehead against yours, inhaling deeply and closing his eyes briefly. You slowly withdrew your fingers from his hair, your arm from his neck and shoulder, but Ryan’s hand remained on your back. The pressure was light, however, and he was gently running his fingertips up and down the middle of your back, straight over the line of your spine. You closed your eyes at first, relishing in his touch, feeling goosebumps pop up atop your skin. You opened your eyes as you felt him remove his forehead from yours, and you focused your gaze downward. Turning over his hand, you traced your index fingers over the tattoos, vertical lines between his middle and lower knuckles.

“It was my brother.” Finally confessing your truth, your voice was tiny, barely audible, and you felt the fall of your heart into the pit of your stomach. Nerves and shame burrowed there as well and spread like venom throughout your body. Your posture changed, your shoulders tense as you hunched into yourself unconsciously. A bitter taste was on your tongue, and that lump had lodged itself in your throat again, rendering your voice useless. You swallowed past it again, and you looked up at Ryan, knowing a simple glance could give you the courage you needed. His eyes were full of warmth and gentle encouragement, and his palm flattened over your back, rubbing gentle circles in effort to soothe you. 

Noel was at rock bottom. Because you’d been forced to change your locks and not give him a key, he’d resorted to breaking down your door and destroying your apartment searching for money that he either owed or needed to sustain his habit. That strength and effort, that apparent absence of remorse in someone who you’d trusted implicitly for years cut you like a knife, but more than that, it terrified you. Your brother had turned into a stranger. 

“I don’t know if I’m safe anymore, Ryan.” You looked up at him in a loss. “I don’t know where to go from here.”

Ryan was not a violent man, but at that moment, he felt a white hot anger for the man who had done this to you, your brother, a man he didn’t even know and had never laid eyes on. A man he hadn’t known existed until two minutes ago. But he was concentrating on what didn’t matter, and he needed to reroute that. You mattered. You were all that mattered to him in that moment, your peace of mind and your safety. Dipping his head, he pressed a kiss to the top of your head and indulged in inhaling the scent of your shampoo.

“We’re gonna figure it, okay? I promise you. I’mma be right here ‘till we do.” He paused and placed his index finger under your chin, drawing your face upward gently and catching your eye. Ryan needed you to see his sincerity. “I’m not goin’ anywhere, Y/N. We’re in this together, you and me.”

#a familiar face #aff #part 7 #a familar face part 7 #aff part 7 #ryan brenner #ryan brenner x reader #ryan brenner fanfic #ben barnes fanfiction

[mfackenthal]

MFR #10 Minipost: The Elementalists, Nightbound, TC&TF and Not Choices

Another list of FanFiction and Art that you should read and look at!

The Elementalists

Nothing Between Us by @queen-among-writers

Devina (MC) is invited to dinner with Beckett’s family.  Beckett’s mother is a piece of work and lets her true colors show.  Beckett handles it.

 From the Bay Window by @the-writerly-night-owl

Beckett is getting married tomorrow.  Come see how his sister and wife-to-be support him.

A Twist of Fate (series) by @fluffy-marshmallow-heart

I’m actually a few chapters behind (I blame tumblr tags not working consistently). In chapter 24, Beckett and Oriana (MC) are engaged and talking about having children.  This leads to Beckett learning more about Oriana’s background with pregnancy scares and depression.  It’s tough stuff, but Beckett takes this news so well.

Learning to Love (series) by @whenyourheartskipsabeat

Come watch Beckett navigate his feelings for Alicia.  So far, it’s the cutest of fluff.

I Just Want to Be with You by @the-writerly-night-owl

Beckett and MC (Ellie) might just make things official …

20 Seconds of Courage (series) by @fluffy-marshmallow-heart

Beckett buys Oriana a drink and so begins the start of a relationship that is better than either of them could ever have imagined.  Come find out why these two are so good for each other.

Stolen (series) by @whenyourheartskipsabeat

When Alicia is abducted during a thief match, will Beckett be able to find her?

Marry Me?  TE Edition by @whenyourheartskipsabeat

Learn how Beckett proposes to Megs.

An Elementalists Wedding by @whenyourheartskipsabeat

Megs and Beckett get married!

Art:

https://raffsbaby.tumblr.com/post/186496651372/choose-your-night-time-beckett-if-you-wanna-be

https://raffsbaby.tumblr.com/post/186520331052/hmmmim-developing-a-crush-maxattack-powell

Shameless Promotion:

The Sum of All Magic by @whenyourheartskipsabeat and @mfackenthal

Clare and I are back with another collaboration.  This one about TE.  Megs X Beckett and Clare x Griffin are in a world where the sun is going out.  Can the ladies figures things out before all Sun Atts are wiped of all of their power?

 Nightbound

I’ll See You in My Dreams by @lizeboredom

Nik is there for Minah when she has a nightmare. Things get a hot when Nik still doesn’t want to quite say things out loud in words.

Insomnia by @queen-among-writers

Nik and Faith Rose (MC) are having trouble sleeping apart.  They find things get better when they sleep in the same better. *wink*

Snow White, Blood Red by @queen-among-writers

This is going to be an amazingly creative combination of Snow White and Nightbound.  Knowing Kass, this is probably already mapped out and it’s going to be fabulous!

Bare body, Bare Soul by @nazario-sayeed

Calling all Nik fans – you need to read this!  It’s infatuation, it’s NSFW, it’s HOT! 

Mr and Mrs. Ryder (series) by @whenyourheartskipsabeat

Our newlyweds are going to become a nighthunter family. 

The Search, Part 1 by @msjpuddleduck

Cal and MC (Isabel) search for something to help them find Cal’s brother.  The flirting is adorable.

Upstate Job by @ernestsinclairs

When a very dangerous but lucrative job crosses Nik’s desk.  He lets Carmen know where he is going next.  Things don’t start as Nik probably hoped …

 Art:

 https://raffsbaby.tumblr.com/post/186340335967/nik-and-cal-maxattack-powell-emerald-bijou

https://keepcreative.tumblr.com/post/186475336715/nik-and-his-rook

  The Crown and The Flame

Last Stand by @kennaxval

It’s the final battle and our queens are all who are left.  The writing is amazing – movie script quality!  In the midst of a battle, we get a proposal that brought tears to my eyes.

The Bet by @kennaxval

When the ladies make a bet – no matter what, everyone wins.  Oh, and Val can be spooked. ;)

Raydan interviews Val and Kenna by @choicecrossover

Really, you should never send a man in to do MFackenthal’s job … but it is a lot of fun to see Raydan squirm as his Queens gush about their love.

Art:

https://raviolicadet.tumblr.com/post/185989315567/a-commission-i-made-for-lifeof314universe-she

 Not Choices but READ IT

Read EVERYTHING by @something-tofightfor but specifically:

Hands to Yourself (2 part series) by @something-tofightfor

You and Logan are married … you bet your husband to go 10 days without sex with you (or himself).  Things aren’t as easy as you anticipated …

Red, White and Boom by @something-tofightfor

You are dating Ben Barnes, it’s the 4th of July, things are still very new … will you get to watch the fireworks together?

Just a Place by @something-tofightfor

You and Ryan Brenner are continuing to grow in each other’s lives.  It’s beautiful and tender.  We make each other better.

Christmas in Wyoming (series) by @something-tofightfor

A Hallmark Christmas in July inspired series where Logan comes to stay at a small resort that is your future.  It’s not nearly as cheesy as you may fear.  You get to feel brilliant and beautiful, experience a rivalry, and get kisses from this beautiful stranger you feel a strong connection with. 

Shameless Promotions:

The MFackenthal Show with Special Guest @eadanga

Come learn about wonderful choices author @eadanga.

The MFackenthal Show with Special Guest @queen-among-writers

Come get some amazing writing advice from @queen-among-writers.

#MFR 10 minipost #not choices in places #The Elementalists #TC&TF #Nightbound

[thecoffeeshopforwriters]

    - Ryan Brenner

Of New Beginnings by @madamrogersstorytelling

Ryan Brenner x reader - No specific warnings apply​

You’re trying to show your friend that she can deal with her Friday stress otherwise than just drinking her head off and see this interesting musician. But it’s unfortunate that you can’t meet him just yet. Well, your friend has a different kind of present for you on your birthday. 

Carole’s note : this series is so beautiful. It feels magical. Jenna’s descriptions are stunning, every detail is perfect. It’s adorable and beautiful and has almost something between melancholia and magic about it. A very good one for our sweet Ryan.

        - Caspian X

A Recipe For Love by @padfootagain

Your life was quiet, working in the Royal Kitchens and craving for a chance to become a cook. But your whole world changes when your eyes meet the King’s gaze…

Jenna’s note : this was one of the first series I ever read when it comes to fanfiction of Caspian and it still is my favorite — also, my favorite of Carole’s works. It’s fluffy, it’s beautiful, a bit heartbreaking but it makes you so happy! I still smile when I even think about it.

      - Billy Russo

He’s Not Here by @something-tofightfor

You meet Billy Russo roughly two years before the events of Season 2 of Daredevil and the loss of Frank Castle’s entire family. 

As you become closer, you learn a great deal about a man that’s never had a reason - or a desire - to make friends. How will your relationship fare as you deal with his chosen lifestyle and your proximity to his inner circle? 

Are you just another girl? Are you more? Do you even want to be? 

Jenna’s note : my favorite series written for Billy. It’s complex, it brings both reader and Billy’s personalities out in the best ways possible. The portrayal of Billy is amazing, he’s feeling and letting those feelings show. And the character of the reader is very interesting as well. The story itself keeps you hooked, it’s very well written and just one of the best ones I’ve read.

Remember The Tin Man by @banditthewriter

The reader gets swept up into a world she thought wasn’t real: Oz. There she meets some unlikely characters. A man without a brain, a man without any courage, and a man without a heart. It’s up to them to save Oz and all of magic. But will she be able to say goodbye once it’s done? There’s no place like home.

Jenna’s note: It’s said for reason that Bandit is the master of writing for Billy Russo. It’s very visible in this series as well! This is different, exciting, interesting and keeps you hooked till the end.

#ben barnes #fic recs

[ificouldhelpyouforget]

Appalachia Adventures: Part 3 (Final)

MASTERLIST

Part 1 • Part 2

A/N: The end is here! I had fun with this even though it’s a bit of a mess. I liked writing about a place I know well enough to give those little details that matter (at least to me). This is by far my favorite part. :) I hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Ryan Brenner x Reader

Rating: M (for suggested themes including some language and mentions of sex)

Words: 5.2k (holy moley)

Tags: @the-blind-assassin-12 @suchatinyinfinity

Fall in the Smokies always is a beautiful sight with rolling multicolor hills as far as the eye can see. But it never lasts long. Fall quickly turns into winter and Christmas is right around the corner.

In Bristol, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Speedway in Lights. The staff put up cute Christmas scenes made of lights for cars to drive through, each car ending up in the pit area if they so choose. Thousands of people go through when the weather is nice and it keeps Bristol busy out of NASCAR season.

You personally love when the lights start up. You can’t get a lot of great pictures, but it’s fun to meet up with friends to make s’mores or try out a few festival rides. You’re happier and love having something to distract you from the busy retail season.

Two weeks before Christmas, you’re finally putting up your tree. Work gets busy around the big holidays and the last thing you want to do is put up decorations. Thankfully, you got a few days off before the late “until midnight” shifts start up for last-minute shoppers. You figure the free time is your opportunity to decorate. You’re thankful for it.

You sip on your glass of cheap Merlot your parents sent you home with the week before. There’s a gentle ting as you place it on your coffee table just as a loud set of knocks sound from your apartment door.

You shuffle over to it, curious who would be knocking after dinner. You can’t check who is there, so you open the door. Your eyes widen.

Ryan Brenner is standing on your tiny porch, his pack on his back, guitar in his hand, and a cheeky grin plastered on his face. “Hey there, Y/N.”

A squeal that deafens even you explodes from your mouth as you leap into his arms and hold him close. Tears spring from your eyes. He’s the first and only friend of Georgie’s to ever come by during the year. Nothing can describe the feeling.

Ryan kisses your forehead as he wipes away the tears on your cheeks.

“I’m not dreamin’?” you ask, poking his chest to be sure.

“Nope. I’m here.”

“This is a good surprise.” You pull Ryan inside. “Very good.”

He smiles at you, his eyes darkening at your words. It makes you anxious and excited all at once.

“Have you eaten anything? I think I have some leftovers from dinner. Or I can make you somethin’.” He follows you into the kitchen after setting his things down. “I’m sorry the house isn’t put together. I didn’t expect anyone and I’m tryin’ to get my tree done before I get swamped with shifts again.”

“I’m okay. Thank you. The kind lady who brought me here made sure I had dinner. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

You giggle. “Welcome to East Tennessee. Ladies love to feed people. Especially handsome young men.”

“Now that you mention it, she was flirtin’ with me.”

His words turn your giggle into a laugh. You easily wrap him in your arms, resting your head on his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.”

You step away. “Make yourself at home. You can have the guest room. Bring the sheets down so I can wash them and I’ll put new ones on once I finish my tree.”

“I can help when I come back down.”

You nod and watch Ryan gather his things and go upstairs, your heart full.

–––––

Morning comes and you sit on your couch in your pajamas wondering if Ryan is actually there. You resisted checking the guest room on your way down, afraid to be disappointed.

The creak of the stairs shocks you out of your daze. Ryan is there. You didn’t dream it. He’s walking down your steps half asleep, hand brushing through his messy hair, and his sleep clothes looking perfect on him. You can’t help wondering what he’s like right when he stirs. Does he smile to himself when he wakes up? Does he lie in bed a bit longer to ponder the day? You wish you could find out.

“Mornin’,” he says in a husky voice as he walks by.

“I wasn’t sure you were really here,” you admit. “I didn’t make anything for breakfast yet.”

Ryan pours himself a mug of coffee. “I can make it. What do you want?”

You join him in the kitchen, trying to look natural while attempting to hide the fact that you were not wearing a bra. If Ryan notices, he doesn’t show it. “Anything is fine.”

“Get ready and I’ll get cookin’.”

“Thank you, Ryan.”

He leans in and kisses your cheek close to your mouth. He appears unfazed.

You turn pink, nod, and scurry to your room. Please tell me something changed for the better. Please, Lord, please.

You don’t dawdle in the shower for long. When you come bouncing down the stairs looking awake and definitely wearing a bra, there’s a plate of eggs, sausage, and toast on the table. A cute smiley face is made with ketchup on top of your eggs. You’re surprised Ryan remembered your love of eggs and ketchup.

Ryan puts a mug of coffee next to it. “This is yours.”

“Thank you, Ryan. Really. You’re amazin’.”

He shrugs humbly. “You’re the one lettin’ me stay here with no warnin’.”

“I’ll always let you stay here. Doesn’t matter when or for how long. Same goes for Georgie. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m gonna let you leave.”

Ryan smiles. “I’m in no rush to be anywhere.”

A blanket of something akin to relief covers you and you smile while taking your seat. You close your eyes for the second Ryan presses his lips to your head.

“Did you eat?”

He nods. “While I was makin’ yours.” He walks out of the kitchen. “I’ll be back down in a bit.”

Again, you watch him go upstairs as you bite into the sausage. You wonder if you should kiss him for being sweet and kind and absolutely wonderful to you.

–––––

A little before you have to leave for your shift, you sit next to Ryan on your couch where he’s fingerpicking a song quietly.

“I have to work the next three nights and then I have a day off. I won’t be home until close to 1 in the mornin’, so don’t wait up, all right? You’re free to eat what you want and go walkin’ if you need to. I figure on my day off we can go through the Speedway in Lights thing and have some fun in the pit area.”

“Sounds great.” He pauses his playing. “Do you want me to bring you dinner? Or come by on your break?”

You blink. “I mean if you want. I usually get food there, but you’re welcome to come by. The Walgreens is just down the street a little ways and I usually get my long break ‘round 7.”

“Don’t buy anything. I’ll bring you somethin’.”

You’re flattered by his generosity. “Okay. Yeah. Thank you.”

“I’ll see you later then, yeah?” His eyes are so bright when he smiles at you.

You nod and leave with a little pep in your step.

–––––

Your coworker, Trish, walks over from cosmetics into the photo lab. “There’s some really cute guy walking around here. Have you seen him yet?”

“I’ve been workin’ on printin’ these photo cards since I got here. They didn’t print right, so I’ve been tryin’ to fix ‘em. I haven’t seen him, no.”

“You’ve gotta see this guy. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a great smile. Your break is next. Go walk by the promo aisle on your way back.”

You turn around to grab your water bottle and a huge smile appears on your face. Ryan is walking toward you with a matching expression.

“Oh, my gosh. That’s him and he’s coming over here.”

You look at her. “His name is Ryan.” And that’s all you give her before walking over to him and wrapping him up in a huge hug.

“Good day?”

“Busy day,” you say. “I need to clock out for dinner and we can go sit in my car. My friend over there is already in love with you.”

He glances at Trish whose mouth is still hanging open. “Your car sounds great.”

It makes you happy he wants to spend your break alone with you. “Wait for me over by the cosmetics counter.”

He says a sweet “yes, ma’am,” and does just that while you look at Trish and stick your tongue out at her. You rush into the employee breakroom to clock out and rush back to Ryan. You don’t hesitate to grab his hand and tugging him out to your car.

Ryan hands you a plastic baggie with a thick sandwich in it. It looks like ham and cheese and it’s warm.

“This looks amazing.” You pull it out. “And it smells just... ah. Thank you again. I appreciate it a lot.”

“Sorry, it’s not much.”

You lean over the center console to kiss his cheek quickly. “It’s perfect. Better than anything I would get in there. Plus you made it for me and that makes it a hundred times better.”

He chuckles. “I’m glad I didn’t smash it.”

You grin and take a bite. It truly is the best ham sandwich you’ve ever had. “You have to feed me more often, Ryan. This is even better than I imagined. Can I do anything for you to say thanks?”

He leans close to you and brushes his lips across your cheekbone. “No need.”

You shiver.

–––––

As you predicted, you get home close to 1. You assume Ryan is in bed, but he’s sitting in your living room watching Southpark.

“You’re nuts stayin’ up this late for no reason.”

Ryan whips his head around and smiles softly. “Makin’ sure you get home safe is a reason.”

Your face warms. “Oh. Thanks. You should get to bed now though. Sleep is important.”

You’re mildly surprised he turns the television off and comes over to you without a fight – not that you expected him to put up one.

Ryan twirls the end of your ponytail with his fingers, letting them brush against your neck as he kisses the side of your head. Your stomach does somersaults. Ryan isn’t nearly as affectionate as you. His touches are throwing you off track. There’s hope growing.

Your eyes follow Ryan up the stairs. You halt your breathing when he looks at you the second before disappearing from your vision.

With timid steps, you follow after him to go to your own room, flipping off lights as you go.

Ryan walks out of his room with his toothbrush and toothpaste as you get to your door. He wishes you a good night of sleep before kissing your forehead. The tone of his voice makes your hair stand on end and your heart beat quicker. It’s like he’s purposely trying to get you to dream of him.

You blush and wish him goodnight before slipping into your room. You have to take a few deep breaths before you can start your nightly process.

Sleep doesn’t come like you want. You spend the first hour wondering what Ryan was doing and if his brain was keeping him up, too. Then your mind takes on a dirtier train of thought that you shut down fast. Thinking about Ryan like that when he’s in the room down the hall isn’t what you want. Not yet, at least.

When you finally fall asleep, your dreams are filled with bits and pieces of some of Ryan’s songs, a deep brown similar to his eye color, and the soothing sound of his voice – though disembodied sometimes.

You feel like death when you wake up. You trudge downstairs where Ryan is once again making breakfast. As soon as he sees you, he frowns and motions you to him.

Listening to his silent request, you put your forehead on his chest and wrap your arms around his waist. He hugs you close, trying not to put the spatula in your hair.

“My fault?”

You shake your head, not wanting him to know that it actually was his fault for taking away your sleep. You would survive with a nap thrown in before work. You don’t want him to feel guilty for teasing you a little. It was your brain that kept you up, that read too far into it.

“Go lie down. I’ll bring your breakfast to you.”

His shirt movies with your head when you nod. You pull away to curl up on the couch.

You nap for about 15 minutes until Ryan wakes you up with the soft clink of the plate on the coffee table. It smells amazing.

“Thank you, Ryan,” you murmur, taking small bites in your sleepy state.

He puts a kiss on the side of your head and leaves you to breakfast. The sweet man doesn’t even bother you as he eats his breakfast in the kitchen.

–––––

The next two days are exhausting with the late nights and catching up on the sleep you missed. You welcome the opportunity to sleep in on your day off.

When you wake up an hour before lunch, you come downstairs to find Ryan lying on the couch watching TV. You mumble a quiet apology for sleeping in before crawling on top of Ryan. Your head settles on his chest and you close your eyes. You don’t care that you’re straddling his waist or that Ryan’s body almost immediately reacts. Sleeping longer sounds too good.

Ryan puts a hand on your back and runs his thumb along your shoulder blade. “Do you need lunch?”

You shake your head and wiggle to snuggle closer to him.

He sucks in a breath and presses his palm flat on your back. “Maybe don’t do that.” He clears his throat.

“Sorry,” you whisper, already falling back asleep. You unintentionally move again, barely catching Ryan suppressing a groan. The sound follows you into your dreams.

You wake up an hour later to find yourself tucked between Ryan and the back of the couch. Nuzzling your face into his neck, you shift to stretch and cuddle up to him better.

He also moves although it’s small.

You pull your head back to see him sleeping, his lips parted slightly. A smile slides onto your face.

There’s something endearing about a man sleeping, something vulnerable. Ryan looks like a beautiful scruffy angel who you adore with your entire being. You brush some of his hair away and let your fingers trace the side of his face.

Ryan takes a deep breath and turns his head to face you. He doesn’t wake.

The temptation is too great to ignore, so you act on it. As gentle as a breeze, you brush your lips against his for a second. It’s not enough to really know, but it’s enough to make your whole body flush. You can hear Georgie making fun of you for being too scared to kiss Ryan when he’s awake.

Carefully, you get off the couch and let Ryan nap a little longer while you get ready for the night at the speedway. You purposely look for something cute and warm in hopes of catching Ryan’s attention more than you already have.

It takes another hour before Ryan wakes up and finds you putting together something quick for dinner.

You smile when you turn to see him watching. “Dinner is almost finished. We’ll leave after.”

“You look nice,” he says.

Joy swells in your chest. “Thanks.”

Ryan stands and stretches, giving you a little peek of his stomach and the little bit of hair trailing down from his bellybutton. You hate how badly you want to reach out and touch him.

You swallow and continue cooking, turning away so Ryan doesn’t catch you staring.

–––––

The drive through the lights is fun. You and Ryan speak some and you show him some of the hidden gems along the track. But the real fun starts when you finally get into the speedway.

You pause at the start of the turn and roll your windows down. When the car ahead of you is almost to the other end, you press on the gas. Laughter fills your car as you drive a little on the steep part of the track. Both of you keep your dopey smiles when you slow the car down and turn into the parking lot. You’re still chuckling while Ryan climbs out of the car after you.

“What do you want to do?” you ask. “There’re a few rides we can try out if you want. We can also go ice skatin’, which is outside the speedway. Either way, I want us to make s’mores by the fire there.”

Ryan brushes your bangs away from your face without altering the beanie on your head. He smiles. “I’ll do whatever you want to do.”

You speak before you can stop yourself. “What I want to do isn’t family-friendly.”

His eyes seem to turn black and your stomach lurches. “Y/N...”

“I don’t know why I said that. Let’s just go eat some s’mores, okay? Then we can pop by the rink for an hour or somethin’.” You turn and rush to the s’more booth without waiting for Ryan. You fuckin’ coward, Y/N.

You find Ryan by the fire pits a few minutes later, two s’more kits in your hands. You pass one to him, loving how the tip of his nose is pink in the cool air. You put your marshmallow on a roasting stick and let the fire brown it until it catches fire. You blow it out before it burns too much.

You’re oblivious to Ryan watching you closely, his kit forgotten by the fire pit while you build your campfire sweet.

As soon as you take your first bite, you moan in pleasure. Nothing beats a good s’more. Your gaze falls on Ryan when you take a second bite and your heart stops.

Ryan is close, almost too close. He reaches for your face, his chilly hands cradling it like porcelain, and his eyes fall to your lips where the s’more left a slight mess. Those eyes, so black in the night meet yours again as if he’s asking.

Your lips part on their own. The corners of his lips tilt upward.

You drop your s’more as you reach for him to force your lips together. You thought you would be the only eager one to finally kiss, but Ryan gives you a run for your money. He almost instantly shoves his tongue past your lips and brings you so close to his body that you can feel his warmth through the several layers of clothes separating you.

It’s the giggles and cheers from spectators that force you two apart, chests heaving.

Ryan licks his lips, his hands back on your face. “The s’mores are good.”

You can’t help laughing. “Yeah, but I think you’re much better.” Standing on your toes, you kiss him again. “Damn.”

His teeth show when he smiles. “Do you want another one?”

“A kiss? Definitely.”

“No, a s’more.”

You shake your head. “You can’t kiss me like that and expect me to want to eat food.”

Ryan places short kisses on your lips. “You’re the one who kissed me while I was sleepin’ and left.”

You hum against his mouth. “Sorry. I’m a coward and couldn’t do it when you were awake. I wasn’t sure anything changed since the last time you visited.”

“I think we can say things changed, Y/N.” Another kiss. “Do you still want to ice skate?”

“Can’t decide,” you admit. “My mind is still catching up.”

“What time do you work tomorrow?” Ryan wraps his arms around your middle and presses his face against your neck.

“I have a mid-shift. I don’t need to be at work until 11.”

He thinks, kissing the place where your jaw meets your ear. “Let’s see how long we can last... ice skating.”

You flush. “Okay. That’ll work. Do you want your s’more?”

“No.” His lips brush the shell of your ear. “I’d rather have you.”

“Don’t talk like that, Ryan. Not here. We won’t make it to the ice rink.”

Ryan chuckles as he bends over to pick up your abandoned treat. He tosses it and offers his kit to someone standing nearby. Your skin tingles when he wraps his arm around you and pulls you toward the car.

You barely hear the Christmas music over your racing heart.

–––––

As soon as you shut your front door, you take off your coat and hang it up. Your hands are sweaty and the room is hot. It doesn’t help when Ryan brushes up against you as he hangs up his coat.

The sexual tension brews in the air. It had been since the kiss. You want to act on it, but you have to know if it’s going to be worth trying or not. He can’t just leave you high and dry once he has you.

“What does this mean, Ryan?” You look at him. “Do you, like, want me? And I mean more than goin’ upstairs and havin’ sex. Will you want me a year from now?

“I don’t want you to think this means you’re in it for the long haul, but I’ve gotta know I can have at least a year with you. You’ve been somethin’ to me for so long and I can’t just let you do what you want with me and be done. You mean a lot to me and I don’t want this to be a mistake.”

Ryan takes your head between his hands, standing so close that your hips touch. “I thought a lot ‘bout what you said last time. You asked if I’d like you next year and I didn’t have the answer you wanted. I’ve obsessed over the possibility, Y/N. I can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout you when I leave. It’s more than your cookin’ or your hospitality.

“You’re not like the other women I’ve been with. You didn’t know me for anything but my voice when we met. I’m more than a guy you think looks good and a guy who performs. I’m just Ryan to you and I’ve never been anything else even when your eyes light up listening to my songs. Kissin’ you hasn’t changed that.”

“So, does that mean this – whatever we’re gonna call it – is gonna last a while?”

His lips touch yours gently. “If that’s what you want.”

“You’re what I want. You’ve been what I want for a long time.” You tangle your hands in his hair and pull him in for the sexiest open-mouth kiss you can muster.

Ryan is more than happy to follow your lead and presses you against the wall with his body. Everything about it lights you on fire.

“We’re supposed to ice skatin’,” you say against his lips. “You’re supposed to fumble on the ice so I can hold your hand to keep you steady.”

“We can go back.” Ryan kisses down your neck.

You moan and shake your head when his teeth graze your pulse point. “Don’t stop. Please.” You almost cry in embarrassment from the neediness in your voice.

And he does as you ask, slowly stripping away another one of your layers that protected you from the bitter air.

Your breath catches when he gets on his knees to press kisses against your stomach once he lifts the hem of your shirt. His free hand follows the curve of your butt and squeezes. You nearly fall over, hands on his shoulders.

“Ryan, we can’t do this at my front door,” you breathe. “At least bring me to the couch.”

Ryan doesn’t say anything. Instead, he stands and drapes you over his shoulder despite your squeals and shouts to put you down. He carries you up to your room where he shuts the door before placing you on your bed. He crawls over you and kisses you deeply. You melt.

–––––

Quiet humming and soft touches wake you up the next morning. You smile and stretch before curling into Ryan’s side. Your kiss the smooth skin there. You can feel the goosebumps on his skin against your lips.

“Mornin’,” he says, brushing your hair with his fingers.

You hum while draping your leg over his waist. “What time is it?”

“You have a few hours before you need to get ready for work.”

“Good. You hungry?”

“I could eat.”

You tilt your head with a smirk when you look at him. “You mean food, right?”

He pecks your lips. “I mean whatever you want me to mean, Y/N.” Ryan turns on his side and rests the palm of his hand on your stomach, his thumb rubbing your skin. He presses more kisses to your lips, all short but still speaking volumes.

You comb through his hair and smile at him. “When you leave, you’ll come back to me, yeah?”

“You want me to leave?”

“I want you to be where you need to be as long as you find your way back here.”

“You’re okay with me travelin’?”

You nod. “I want you to be with me, but I don’t want you to be unhappy about it. One day you’ll stay for good, I hope. Until then, do what you love and I’ll be waitin’ here.”

“You’re not kiddin’?” Ryan’s eyes are wide and soft.

“I’m not kiddin’. This isn’t some ploy to keep you here or anything. I really want you to keep doin’ what you do best. Just come back when you get the chance.”

He kisses you hard. “It won’t be easy for us.”

“Yeah, but I’ve gone a whole year without seein’ you and I managed. Though we hadn’t slept together then.”

Ryan chuckles just as his hand on your stomach moves across your hips. “We’ll have to make up for our time apart. We can get ahead now.”

You suck in a breath as his hand trails farther down your body. A whimper comes out of your mouth when Ryan kisses you and his fingers start working their magic. It takes no time for you to become a puddle beside him.

“Shit, Ryan,” you breathe, wrapping your arms around his shoulders.

He licks your lips before kissing you. “You should get ready for work.”

“Uh-huh.” You kiss him instead of moving.

“I’ll make breakfast.”

“Shower with me.”

He smiles. “Then I can make you breakfast?”

“You can do whatever you want.”

Ryan makes you squeal when he wraps you up in his arms while climbing out of bed. He carries you into the bathroom before leaving a heady kiss on your mouth.

You feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

–––––

Saying goodbye to Ryan involves most of the day in bed without much covering either of you on your day off. It’s just after the new year and you have a couple of days left before work. You want to call in sick for another day, but Ryan planned his departure around your schedule.

Admittedly, you don’t want Ryan to go. But you let him. He’s a wandering soul who needs that freedom and you’re going to let him have it. You’ll look forward to the times he comes back. And he continues to promise with so much determination that your heart swells. Everything will be all right.

Ryan comes back during race weekend that spring. Georgie comes too and smirks when Ryan takes his things into your room. You wink and shut the door behind you. Georgie doesn’t see you and Ryan again until dinner. Of course, he makes his remarks about the situation, not that it bothers either of you.

A couple of years pass the same way. Ryan comes back to Bristol several times in a year and you welcome him in with open arms. Sometimes you argue but the fights never last long because neither of you wants to waste the time you get together. It works.

For a long time, that’s your life. Until one visit where Ryan hangs around a bit longer than usual. He starts accruing things in your apartment and they never seem to be items he can travel with. Though he doesn’t seem to show interest in leaving again.

The oddest part of it all is Ryan’s disappearances during the day. He comes home exhausted but keeps a smile on his face. You finally ask him what’s up and he admits to finding a job. The only thing you hear is he’s decided to stay with you. For good.

Neither of you make it to work on time the next day because of a very long night of showering each other in love. The lack of sleep is well worth it.

You sit next to him on your couch one day watching a movie, your head on his chest. It feels like home.

“I love you,” you say confidently and hug his middle.

Ryan chuckles and kisses your head. “I love you, too.” He pauses and pulls you closer. “Think we should get married sometime?”

Looking at him, you grin and kiss his mouth. “I’ll marry you whenever you want, Ryan.”

“Right now?”

You check your watch. “I’m not sure the courthouse is open this late.”

“Tomorrow then.”

“Okay.”

“Really?”

You shrug. “Why not? I love you and I want to be with you. I wouldn’t have fallen for you if I didn’t want somethin’ long-lastin’. We’ve been together for a long time now.”

“How’d you know I’d stick around?”

“I didn’t. But I had high hopes. I’m optimistic.”

“You’re somethin’ else, Y/N.”

You kiss him. “And you are the best thing to happen to me. I don’t know if I’ve thanked Georgie enough for that album.”

“You would have met me anyway.”

“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure I was in love with you before we met. It would have taken us a lot longer to do somethin’ about it.”

Ryan wraps his arms around you tighter, resting his cheek on your head as you curl into him. “You sure you wanna be a Brenner?”

“Never been surer. Even my parents love you despite the tattoos.” You resituate so you can kiss the large colored one on the inside of his forearm. “I’ve got no problem bein’ Mrs. Brenner.”

He sighs. “You sure the courthouse is closed?”

“It’s almost midnight, so yes, it’s closed.” You straddle his waist and give him a long kiss. “We can do something else though.”

“What’re you thinkin’?” he smirks.

You sneak your fingers under his shirt and roam his skin. “I have some ideas that involve you, me, and just about any surface in this apartment.”

Ryan laughs and pulls you into a kiss. “Where should I bring you, beautiful?”

“To the moon, Ryan.” You giggle and let yourself get washed away in his kisses.

And he brings you to the moon, to the stars, and so far beyond the universe that you have a hard time getting back to Earth.

#Ryan Brenner #Jackie and Ryan #Ryan Brenner fanfiction #Jackie and Ryan fanfiction #fanfiction #east tennessee #bristol tennessee #bristol motor speedway #appalachia #Appalachian mountains #multi chapter fic #Ryan Brenner fic #Ben Barnes fanfiction #he's so cute in this gif

[madamrogersstorytelling]

Day 1: Seven favorite fanfics

I started to read fanfiction about Ben only a short while ago - I can tell it was exactly the moment I fell in love with him, everything about him; his personality, his looks, his performances, the way he just is who he is. There is something extremely inspiring in him, and I totally understand the amount of fanfiction I found while scrolling through Tumblr looking for something to read. I found a lot of good writings.

Ever since I’ve read lots of fics, most of them during nights before sleeping. I’m laying on my bed in darkness reading Ben Barnes fanfiction on Tumblr - what else could I wish for? All those people writig those fics have made me smile and cry and laugh and everything in between and it’s the best thing about being a part of a fandom.

It was nearly impossible to list only seven, and this order may not be exactly accurate. I’m going to say something about every fic so that people know why it is on my list.

1. A Recipe For Love by @padfootagain 

Caspian X/Reader, 12 chapters

“Your life was quiet, working in the Royal Kitchens and craving for a chance to become a cook. But your whole world changes when your eyes meet the King’s gaze…”

I instantly fell in love with this one. There was something magical in the first chapter that I read the second right after it and actually stayed up a bit too late. But I didn’t mind. The story goes on smoothly and with a comfortable pace, the character of the reader is relatable, and Caspian is charming as always. Carole has the talent to write Caspian; her Caspian is in character and in humanly way full of flaws and she shows him as the man he is when he doesn’t have his crown. That’s what I liked in this one: Caspian is written as the man he truly is, the man who knows and carries the weight of his responsibilities as the king of Narnia. But, at the same time, as a man who wants nothing more than to be with a girl he loves.

2. Lioness by @padfootagain

Caspian X/Reader, 6 chapters

“Caspian quickly understands that you are stronger than you look. But as his feelings grow for you, a threat spreads across Narnia as well, and your life is soon at stake. Will he be fast enough to save you? “

This caught my interest after I had finished all Carole’s one shots about Caspian. I could’ve put any of those to this list, I loved them all. What I liked about this one was how strong the character of the reader is. She knows how to use a sword and is not afraid to use it but she isn’t a cold character. As someone who would like to be someone who fights and takes care of herself (in short: I wouldn’t like to be a lady, a princess or anything like that, no. I’d rather be an outlaw, for instance. Quite a hard choice but I wouldn’t be able to live my life as a princess. Or then again, I could be the one who learns to fight and take care of herself. My dream is to be a Ranger of the North), I could relate to the character quite well and was able to imagine myself in her place. This series was exciting, it got me when bad things started to happen but I wasn’t able to stop smiling. And I cried during the last chapter. It was far too beautiful.

3. The Flue In the Summer by @padfootagain

Ben Barnes/Reader, a one shot

“When you come home sick, Ben is here to make sure that you will soon feel better.”

I’m the one who gets sick once during every winter, spring and fall, sometimes even summer. I catch a cold far too easily. (Hell, I think I’m going to be sick soon, my nose is weird...) So this was fun to read haha! Can I call Ben already to get ready for nursing me? I’d need someone like him to take care of me when I’m sick. This one shot is totally the cutest and fluffiest thing ever! When someone is in desperate need for fluff, this should be their go to fic because fluff guaranteed!

4. What's The Coffee For Today? by @that-bwitch​

Ben Barnes/Reader, a one shot

I’m a romantic even if I don’t always sound or seem like one. I like pretty things, happy things. And this was both. I also love coffee shops more than anything; if I lived in the city, I probably wouldn't do anything else, you'd meet me there every day. I've always dreamed of writing in a coffee shop but have never actually found one that was quiet enough. This, I could hear all the sounds and smell the coffee when I read this, I heard Ben's voice and saw his face. I imagined my favorite coffee shop here. But I love the ending. It left a long-lasting smile to my face. I surely will change my attitude towards coffee now haha!

5. Song For Tomorrows by @padfootagain

Ryan Brenner/Reader, a one shot

“Ryan is ready to stay for you, but this is Dangerous for your heart, and you prefer to let him go. But reading the song he wrote for you most definitely affects you.”

Ryan has a special place in my heart (I’ll probably write about this for another day). Finding fanfiction of him made me more than happy. This is actually the first fic I ever read about Ben Barnes and I can say, there is no turning back. There is everything a fic needs to have to make me cry. This is beautiful, this is sad, this is touching... I simply love this piece.

6. Show Me by @banditthewriter

Billy Russo/Reader, a one shot, contains smut

There was something in this one that caught me. It was probably this softer Billy. I love to see this side of him in fanfiction. In this one it is quite visible, he is willing to focus on the character of the reader, not himself. If I had a man like Billy, he would totally destroy me for everyone else. I’d be a goner. And definitely this softer side of him - although, I think I’d somehow get along with that one we see in The Punisher. I get along with strande kind of people. But yes, there is something in this piece, something about Billy in this one. I love him in this.

7. Scary Love by @hxbbit​

Billy Russo/Reader, 5 chapters, contains smut

This was one of the first Billy Russo fanfics I read. I feel like he is quite in character in this (it’s still hard for me to accept the fact that Billy is completely bad, even being a psychopath he is). I think there can still be a soft side of him, he has just hidden it under many layers of armor. And being one of the first ones, this makes me feel like I get the feeling back, the feeling I had about this character when I read this fic. I’m not gonna lie: I love Billy Russo, even though I probably should hate him. He is far too psychological and has an interesting backstory. All of that is visible in this story. This is also very beautiful in a quite tragic way.

—

I’ve read so many good fics that all of them should’ve gotten a mention. Had to leave so many good ones out of the list but there they still are, in my heart and I go back to them quite often. Thank you, writers, for your amazing fics! Continue writing, it’s visible that you’re enjoying it. Lots of love, everyone ❤️

Happy Ben Barnes week!

@benbarnesweek

#benbarnesweek2018 #ben barnes #ben barnes appreciation week #day 1

[the-blind-assassin-12]

Fave fic - Passing Through. Gives me the good shivers.

🥲🥲🥲 it always warms my stupid little heart when I hear nice things about Passing Through… so to hear you say it’s your favorite of mine is really special. I’m hoping to set aside some time this year to give that story the ending it deserves. Thank you so damn much for reading what I write and for being supportive and encouraging and lovely. 🥰

#thank you!! #yespolkadotkitty #nice things #passing through #ryan brenner fanfiction #🥲🥲🥲

[ificouldhelpyouforget]

You choose what happens

In part 2 of Appalachia Adventures, do you want Ryan and Georgie to come back, or just Ryan? Like, Georgie gets sick or something. I've typed one line on my phone and already can't decide between the two.

#she speaks #ryan brenner fic #jackie and ryan #ryan brenner #you choose #reader chooses #jackie and ryan fanfiction #ryan brenner imagine #ryan brenner fanfiction