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#she’s an older country lady but that doesn’t excuse it
jankwritten · 4 months
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Ooooo I’m seething.
One of my coworkers yesterday was joking that I should “say that [you’re] racist to get out of jury duty”, which, fine, it’s an extreme and someone who’s older (like she is) would maybe find that acceptable.
Well today, we somehow got on the topic of them taking down old confederate (racist) statues, and she starts up about how we’re “erasing history” and all that. And then she pulls out the bomb: “I wouldn’t ever wear a BLM shirt in public, because that’s racist! If I wore a white lives matter shirt, I’d be on the news!”
…okay. Tell me you don’t understand the cultural and social impact racism has had on the overall “view” of black lives without telling me. Tell me you don’t understand nuance or subtlety without so many words.
“I mean, they’re basically saying all other lives don’t matter.”
No, they’re saying HISTORICALLY black lives have been treated as lesser, and therefore the movement is to shed light on that uncomfortable truth, and force us to reconsider our view of black lives. Force us to approach our biases, conscious or unconscious.
If the phrase Black Lives Matter makes you so uncomfortable and defensive, you’re the one who has something to work on. If you think it implies that all other lives matter less, if you think it’s saying ONLY Black Lives Matter, or Black Lives Matter More, then you have some biases you need to address.
It’s a simple phrase. Black lives do matter. Just like all lives matter. But all lives don’t have centuries long history of abuse, of neglect and mistreatment and vile, awful shit that is inexcusable and will never be made up for, that still continues on to this day. And that’s why it’s important to emphasize that, yes, while all lives matter, Black lives have historically been treated as lesser than, and that’s fucked up. So Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter just as much.
Fuck you, coworker. You’re a coward for not even looking me in the eye when I explained how your view was wrong. You’re a coward for bringing this up and then immediately changing the subject when you realized you wouldn’t get away with it.
Anyway does anyone know where I can buy a BLM hoodie that directly supports the movement so I can wear it around the office.
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ystrike1 · 4 months
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Betrayal of Dignity - By KIMPA (8.5/10)
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Sometimes, bad men make great Kings. This particular Duke is absolutely a yandere, but he's also after the throne. He's also one of the few obsessive male characters I can actually imagine in power. He knows how to plan ahead. He's horrible. She's a good and forthright woman. The drama is killer.
Two sisters.
The pretty pink one and the disabled one.
What do you think their relationship is like?
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You're wrong.
Chloe is disabled, yes, but she is a capable older sister. Her father, servants, and her sister all treat her with respect. Even when those who discriminate do not.
Alice is a romantic girl, with no brains in her skull. She's supposed to save her family from debt by wedding a wealthy Count....but she cheats on him. Her lover impregnates her, and they run away together...happily? Yes, Alice was never cut out for life as a noble wife. Her husband treats her well. They're passionately in love. Chloe loves her too much to force her to do anything. Their father feels the same.
The spoiled, beautiful daughter leaves the picture.
What about the debt?
There's only one child left. Chloe. She is respected in the walls of her mansion, but nowhere else.
No sane man would marry a woman with a crippled leg.
(This setting is painfully realistic. A couple hundred years ago disabled people had little to no rights. Chloe is a rare exception as a noble daughter who is loved and protected by her father.)
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Chloe has no idea, but she does have an admirer.
His name is Duke Daimien Thisse. He fell in love with her three years ago, but she has no clue. He bullied her. He called her naive. Arrogant. He ripped her cane from her hands to show her how weak she was. She naturally assumed he's just another man who dislikes disabled people.
She met the Duke when he was at war. His men camped in her forest, behind her home. She nursed some of his fghters back to health.
Naive Chloe was unaware. As she treated the men they ridiculed her, and they tossed more inappropriate comments on top. They did not deserve her help, but she gave it.
Duke Thisse stole her cane because he was frustrated. He hated watching her care for the boorish men in his army, who whispered behind her back. So, he insulted her to her face to test her true character.
Chloe was too perfect. He suspected she was acting, as an excuse to get close to him and seduce him. He does know about her monetary situation after all.
She rejects him and proves that kindness isn't a weakness. She didn’t know the men were insulting her, but it doesn’t matter to her. They were protecting her country. Her land. She felt obligated to help, as an upstanding noble lady.
Duke Thisse is smitten.
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He does get worse though. This guy is every single red flag. His fascination with Chloe stays a secret. A real one. Nobody knows he loves her. Chloe thinks he's marrying her to weaken his position on purpose, because he wants the Crown Prince to look stronger. She thinks she's a tool and she's half right. Marrying Chloe does give the Duke camouflage. He looks like a loyal dog...but he's been planning this marriage and a rebellion for three years.
Chloe won't be his Duchess.
She will be his Queen.
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Daimien is also the most jealous and vindictive man on earth. He does bully and plot against his own wife when she pays attention to other men. He's un-fucking-unbearable. He threatens to kill her and her family more than once. She thinks it's because of his honor or something but no. He just does that when she mentions another man too many times.
He even throws a hissy fit when she tries to visit her own father.
This handsome servant, Gillies, figures out how twisted the Duke is. He's purely in love with his kind lady, and the persistent hero actually succeeds in exposing the rot.
Chloe finds out how deep the corruption goes far too late.
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Duke Thisse doesn't tell Chloe anything. This mistress??? Fake. She's a royal spy and he feels nothing for her, but he uses this fake lover to torment Chloe. To test her and embarrass her. To see her pure true self once more. Chloe maintains her dignity, even when she must invite said mistress to a tea party.
Duke Thisse uses the death of this fake mistress to trick Chloe into loving him. He frames Chloe. He makes it look like she murdered the other woman out of jealousy, and then he saves her from life in jail.
That "selfless deed" earns her love.
Chloe earnestly lavishes love on the monster that has been tormenting her for years.
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Even the Crown Prince is a pawn.
Duke Thisse needs him to to die at the right time, in the right place.
The mad prince realizes that Daimien married Chloe for love, and he gets more suspicious.
His feelings mess with the plan.
The rebellion will come regardless.
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Romance begins to blossom when the Duke actually says I love you. It's not cheesy. It makes perfect sense. Chloe doesn't want money or promises. She wants to know if he saved her from a murder charge out of love.
(If only she knew)
He says yes.
It would have been so romantic if we, the readers, didn't know what was going on in his head.
By the way they don't consumate their marriage until they confirm their love. The Duke gets some points with that. He only wanted to lay with her if she felt the same way. He avoided all intimacy until that day. Now she does reciprocate....but he's been planting those feelings for almost four years.
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Their love blossoms into something beautiful.
Chloe is pregnant and they all live happily...
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The Crown Prince is a mentally deranged maniac. The people are turning against him.
The Duke wants more than love.
He wants to protect the nation he fought for in war.
He wants power. He wants to be King, and he has chosen a Queen.
Side note he only wants Chloe to have one baby, because he's familiar with the dangers of childbirth. I'll give him points for that one...again. He sucks but he's not the worst husband to have.
They don't live happily ever after.
Duke Thisse has more goals to strive for beyond happiness, and that's awesome. He's not a nice man, but he's obsessive and he's not bland. He's not boring on screen. That's for sure.
Chloe is an extremely cool woman, without superpowers. There is no secret ingredient. She's just a hard worker. One of her legs doesn't freaking work, and she's still more imposing than most.
Lots of people hate this one.
I think they need to read the fine print. Maybe one or two more times. On the surface this is a tale of abuse and manipulation...but remember there's no magic. Chloe never wanted to marry for love. She has no lover waiting for her.
Being the wife of a Duke isn't supposed to be easy. It's extra hard if he's ambitious.
That's conveyed very well.
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heavyhitterheaux · 2 years
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I’m Doing This For Us
First Lady of Private Garden Fic
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AN: we love how supportive first lady is when it comes to her husband and making sure that he’s okay
Synopsis: Jack has been working non-stop for the last few months and you quickly grow concerned about him not taking the time out for himself
Pairing: Husband!Jack Harlow x Wife!Reader
Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere
You were laughing at something Saweetie had said when your phone lit up alerting you to a FaceTime call from one of your other best friends, Urban.
You were currently out at dinner with Saweetie, Normani, Megan, SZA, and your older sister Danielle to catch up on some quality girl time while your husband and best friends were currently on tour.
"Hmm, I wonder what he's calling for?"
"Go ahead and answer, babe. It might be important."
You excused yourself from the table to go to a more quiet location near the bathrooms and hit accept.
"Urby baby, everything okay?"
"Uhh hey and no."
A look of concern quickly flashed across your face and your mind immediately went towards your husband.
"What's wrong?"
"Jack really isn't acting like himself. I don't know if it's because of the crazy schedule but...."
"What exactly is he doing?"
"He's just off. He's irritable and snaps at anyone about the tiniest thing."
That was definitely not your husband.
Jack was the sweetest, kindest soul and was always so thankful for his team and all that they did for him so this was completely out of left field.
"And you know it's bad if I had to call you."
You simply sighed.
"Hmm okay. Let me move some things around and hopefully I can meet up with yall in Sweden."
"Please because everyone is walking on eggshells around him. Me included. Everyone is trying to avoid him as much as possible."
"Okay I'll see you soon."
"Okay."
You hung up with Urban and quickly rejoined the girls at the table.
Your older sister Danielle immediately knew something was off from the change in your mood and the concerned look on your face.
"You okay?" She asked while grabbing your hand.
You and your older sister were extremely close and you went to her about anything and everything.
She adored the relationship that you and Jack had and always said that she wouldn’t want for you to be with anybody else.
"Yeah, but apparently my husband isn't."
"What did he do? What’s going on?" Megan asked while stealing a fry from Normani.
"Urban said he just isn't acting like himself. I honestly think it's because he's overwhelmed. His schedule has been absolutely crazy since March."
"That would make sense and he's probably missing you on top of that so I know that it doesn't help."
You and Jack would get into a mood when you missed each other and everyone knew to steer clear.
"I'll text Brandi to move a few things around for me and catch the next flight out to Sweden."
"Hmm I hope he's okay."
You sighed.
"Me too and this is exactly what I was afraid of. When he originally told me all that he had lined up, I told him that he has to be mindful to let his body rest in between."
"He literally has been in a different country almost every other day." Saweetie added while taking a sip of her martini.
"He has. I just hope that the team can hold out until I get there. Everyone is walking on eggshells apparently. Urban included."
"Oh no, then I know it's bad." Sza replied while breaking apart a mozzarella stick.
"Exactly."
---
As promised, you had just gotten to the venue in Sweden where Jack would be performing and you heard a sigh of relief from Urban as he spotted you.
"Hey Urby." You said while he brought you in a hug and kissed your forehead.
"Can't even tell you how happy I am to see you."
"Because you missed me or because your best friend is acting out of pocket and you need for his wife to fix it?"
"Ehh, a little bit of both. Come on he's this way."
You followed Urban until you were outside of Jack's dressing room door.
Urban said a silent prayer for you before going to find Neelam and hoped that you would be able to fix whatever was wrong with his best friend.
You simply knocked on the door and was met with your irritated husband.
"What now?"
You simply opened the door and made eye contact with your husband who was sitting on the couch.
He then got a look of surprise on his face.
"Baby, what are you doing here?" He asked as he came over and embraced you.
He gave you several kisses before you answered his question.
He led the both of you back to the couch and he proceeded to slide you onto his lap.
"Urban called me and he's very worried about you. Truth be told so am I smush."
"I promise you I'm fine." Jack answered while fixing one of your curls that had fallen in front of your face.
"Don't give me that baby. You aren't fine. And that's okay."
"Y/N...."
"No, you know better than to lie to your wife. Doesn't this scenario seem familiar? The same exact thing happened to me last year and you came to visit me on tour. I was overwhelmed and right now I think you are too." (Go Read Missin My Baby)
All Jack did was sigh.
"It's just so much and I feel like I can't come up for air."
"And I told you when you first told me in March about all the things you were doing and that you need to give yourself breaks in between."
"I just.... I guess I was so excited that I didn't even think about that."
"When Urban told me that everyone had been walking on eggshells I immediately knew something was wrong because I know my baby and he doesn’t act like that unless something is going on."
"And I miss you so that doesn't help either."
"But I'm here now, okay? You know all you have to do is say the word and I'll be there."
"How long are you staying?" Jack asked as he played with your wedding ring.
"As long as my smush needs me." You responded while kissing his nose.
"I feel like such an ass."
"Just move on from it, baby. And try to do better."
"You know why I wanted to do all these things this year?" Jack asked you while you started to play with his curls.
"Why?" You asked as you then moved to play with his beard which happened to be one of your favorite things to do.
"To make sure we had above and beyond for our children."
You looked up at him and your eyes immediately started to water.
"Aww smush. You’re about to make me cry."
"I just... I want to make sure we're secure before we have them since I know you mentioned you were ready for them."
"They are going to have the best daddy in the world."
"And they won't want for anything."
"I love you so so much Jackman Thomas."
"But not more than I love you Y/N Y/M/N." Jack replied while kissing you.
"Don't start."
"But it's true."
"And another thing. Have you actually been sleeping?"
Jack quickly avoided your gaze.
"Jackman...."
"It's only for two hours at a time..."
"Baby, no. That is not going to work with all that you have to do."
"I'm just... I worry about you."
"But, why? I'm okay, I promise."
"I guess being away from each other for a stretch of time gets me anxious."
"You have always be an overthinker. But I'm fine. Promise."
"Can you stay until tour is over?" Jack eagerly asked. He already knew the answer was going to be no, but he figured that he would ask anyway.
"Umm, baby I don't know about all that but I will visit as much as I can. And just think in December we get to have our wedding. Our real wedding."
"I can’t wait for that mamas. Then I can actually take you on a real honeymoon. Since ours before consisted of moving to Atlanta with Urban."
"Then the only job you'll have after that is to get me pregnant."
"Shit, say less mamas."
Jack then started to stare off into space and you waved your hand in front of his face to get his attention.
"Baby, what are you thinking about?"
"All the different positions I can put you in to make sure I get a baby in you on the first try."
"Lord help me."
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wa-royal-tea · 2 years
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Previous | Beginning | Next
(Transcript under the cut - Click Pics for HQ Version!)
@thebrixtons​​​
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News Anchor: As the royal engagement tour kicks off at the beginning of this month, all eyes are on the royal couple as they went all around the country, giving the people a chance to meet with the Crown Prince and his Crown Princess-to-be.
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Child 1: Princess Lina, Princess Lina. Is being a Princess fun?
Catalina: Well, being a Princess is fun because I get to meet and play with you here.
Child 2: Can I be a Prince too? I wanna wear a crown like the one I see on TV!
Catalina: Of course you can! You can be a Princess or a Prince when you all feel better. So you better listen to your doctors and eat your medicines, alright?
Children: Okay!
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Announcer: And the first place goes to Miss Zakir from the Literature department!
Alfie: Congratulations, Miss Zakir. You did great.
Farah: Thank you, your highness.
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Caretaker:—and this is the throne room. The Silver throne has been sat by several generations of monarchs from House Frederick before the official residence was changed. 
Caretaker: It is said that the throne was made of silver fabrics gifted by the Emperor of Cordelia centuries ago when King Henry ascended to the throne.
Catalina: *whispering* Wow, you guys have a very strong relationship with the Cordelians.
Alfie: *whispering* I know. It’s kind of surprising honestly. They aren’t as supportive with other nations. We’re not sure why.
Caretaker: Now, onto the next room—
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Catalina: Is the Prime Minister’s wife mad at me or am I overthinking this?
Alfie: I think she’s annoyed.
Catalina: What? Why? Did I do something wrong?
Alfie: I saw you using your index finger to point at something when talking to her. She’s older than you. It’s rude.
Catalina: Oh my god, I didn’t know! I wasn’t told about this when I was briefed earlier.
Alfie: Hey, don’t beat yourself up. It was an honest mistake. Just don’t do it again after this.
Catalina:...
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Interviewer: What do you think of the Princess so far?
Person 1: I think she’s fine. I’ve seen videos of the children’s hospital visit and she’s quite good with the kids. They look comfortable with her.
Person 2: I was at the station on the first day. She was so friendly. I saw that she even took a bouquet from one of the people there!
Person 3: I don’t really know what to feel about her. Yes, she might be nice but that doesn’t erase what her family had done in the past. People still died because of her grandfather.
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Maid 1: *whispering* I heard from one of Queen Mary’s staffs that she’s getting frustrated at Queen Sofia now.
Maid 2: Oh my god, why? Did something happen?
Maid 1: Apparently Queen Mary complained to one of her staffs that she thinks Queen Sofia is not taking this wedding planning thing seriously. She’s always late to meetings and by the end of the day, Queen Mary had to decide everything all by herself.
Dania: *clears throat*
Maid 1: *startled* Oh my god! Your majesty! W-we didn’t see you there.
Dania: Ladies, do you not have work to do? Why are we chatting here? Come on, get to work.
Maids: Yes, Miss Dania. Please, excuse us, ma’am.
Dania: I apologize for their behaviour, ma’am. I’ll have the head of staff reprimand them as soon as possible.
Sofia:...
Dania: Ma’am? Is everything alright? If you want me to do something about earlier—
Sofia: I don’t want to talk about it. I want to know how is the engagement tour going on now.
Dania: So far everything is going fine. Princess Catalina’s approval ratings are also increasing steadily. There are still people who aren’t fond of her but that is expected.
Sofia: Hm. Good. Have you contacted Mary’s assistant for the next meeting with the planner?
Dania: I have. I’ve contacted both Inej and Suong. Just in case.
Sofia: Right. I don’t want her to get frustrated with me if I missed a meeting in the future.
Dania:...of course.
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queenmiarys · 2 years
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Book: The Royal Romance/ the Royal Heir
Pairing Maxwell x Julianna, Liam x Madeline, Liam x Julianna
Series Summary: this book starts off in book two before the engagement tour, the Beaumont’s don’t have financial issues Bertrand and Savannah are alread y married their son is three, this Maxwell is not canon.
All characters belong to Pixelberry, I just borrow them to tell my story.
Warning: strong sexual content, profanity violence and gun violence, this is not suitable for anyone under 18, if you read you acknowledge that you are 18 years or older: and
Word count 2,652
Crossed
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Chapter 1. Return
It’s the morning of the engagement ball and Juliana is dreading this day. She’s in deep thought while, she looks out over the garden, from her bedroom window.
“Lady Juliana” may I have this dance?
“For you anything your Majesty.
“Meet me in my quarters in an hour.
Okay, I’ll be there.
“I have something for you
“Liam what is this?
“This is a Necklace I brought for you to wear tonight, after all we’ll be engaged, I want the world to know you are mine.
“She wouldn’t
“Got damnit, they set her up!
What is it?
“This someone got pictures of you look like you’re involved with Tariq.
“Lady Juliana “I have been asked to escort you out along with the Beaumont’s.
Where is Juliana? “I need to speak with her.
“Son, please you must let her go we can’t have that type of person ruling our country, “it’s time to pick son.
“I pick lady Madeleine.
That’s the last thing she heard before they walked out.
She’s pulled from thought by a knock on the door. “Good morning, Max.
“Morning Jewels,” look I know you’re down about Liam and Madeline, “but you know he doesn’t love her, or have any feelings towards her right?
She shook her head. “Max you are the only one who has been there for me, I don’t know what I’ll do if you weren’t there for me, I excuse Hana she’s overseas but what’s the others excuse, Max grabbed her hand about to kiss her when they noticed Drake, they stepped apart.
Hey guys, I was wondering if I could speak to you, for a minute alone Rodriguez?
“Drake, you can speak in front of Max, it’s not like you been there, “or Liam for that matter.
“I totally deserve that, and I am truly sorry Li just thought it’ll be safer if I kept my distance from you, “me being his best friend and all. here he asked me to give you this.
She reads over the letter before handing it to Maxwell.
“Do you think that’s safe meeting with Liam? Max said in a concerned tone as anger boiled through him but he quickly formed a fake smile.
“Max it’s okay; I really need to see for myself what Liam has to say, “I still have feelings for him, but I will not be involved with him while he’s engaged.
Drake didn’t say anything, but he wondered if Max was hiding feelings for her, what am I thinking no way.
“We have a family meeting in 20 minutes he lied, Drake it’s family only, I’ll see you later, but I got to go change for this meeting you know how my brother gets.
“Okay man, going to meet up with Li.
He watched Drake leave, then returned to her room unnoticed, he closed the door and locked it, grabbing her around her waist started showering her with kisses down her neck, they undressed each other, she rubbed her hands down his ripped chest as she looked deep into his blue eyes. he threw her on the bed, she spread her legs to give him better access to her dripping wet center, he licked and flicked his tongue over her click,” come for me jewels, her body trembled beneath him as she came in his mouth, he caught her in a kiss before she got on her knees taking all of his hardened length into her mouth deep throating him. “That’s it baby you see what you do to me oh my God that feels incredible! he lays back on the bed and she climbs on top of him lowering herself slowly as she rides him, he takes both breasts into his mouth, she now feels every inch of him, oh shit yes Max that’s it right there, he gives her a wicked grin as he takes control; rotating his hips in a circular motion, damn you are so tight and wet for me, he went deeper inside her, she screamed his name several times before coming multiple times, he flips her over to her side and enters her again, pumping into her harder before his release, she came again just before he found his own release, they lay besides each other breathing hard trying to catch their breath, once they’re calm they shower and got dressed, they give each other one last kiss and he leaves.
Maxwell I been looking all over for you this morning, how’s Juliana this morning?
“Morning Bertrand, she’s fine, just been down over Li engagement, I tried talking to her to give her a little encouragement.
“Very well Then, just make sure she’s ready. “Before I forget, did you give her the gowns that Liam sent?
He let out a sigh, “yes but she liked the blue dress I picked, I didn’t tell her that Liam sent them. “But I don’t believe she liked them.
“Okay as long as she’s presentable to the king. “We are good.
His jaw clenched. “Bertrand, I got to go meet Drake. He walked down to the kitchen asking the chef to prepare lunch for Juliana
She sits at her desk on her laptop, there’s a knock on the door, you may enter.
“Ms. Rodriguez, Lord Beaumont asked that lunch be prepared for you. lemon chicken, asparagus and apple pie and a glass of red wine, would that be all “Ms. Rodriguez”
Jeffrey that’ll be all. “Thank you, the man nods and closes the door. she calls Max, “thank you for lunch and I’m sorry about earlier.
Jewels don’t say sorry you can’t help how you feel, but I’ve told you I love you and I’ll do anything for you.
She smiled into the phone, thanks Max, where are you?
“Just meeting with Drake then I have a few things to do before we head to Fydelia this afternoon, “did you ever see what Li wanted?
“Oh shit, I completely forgot about it, after what we did this morning, “I went back to sleep, Jeffrey just bought me lunch up
“Okay I lo, Drake was walking up, “I’ll talk later and he quickly ended his call.
“Hey man, don’t stop on my account! you must tell me about this new woman in your life you are glowing man, he laughs.
there is no one special in my life he lied, I was just talking to Bertrand, he just lost a bet we made.
Drake nodded wondering why one of his best friends would lie to him, I wonder do I know her or him, at least I think he like guys Drake thought to himself.
“Hello earth to Drake let’s play ball.
Max was playing too well, Drake knew something was bothering him, he actually won the game, he was to serious Drake thought it’s definitely something on his mind. “Hey man good game, do you mind telling me what got you all worked up?
It’s jewels, after you left the waterworks begin, I honestly don’t know if she can handle seeing the man she loves with another woman, she’s completely destroyed and she doesn’t want people seeing her that way, I really feel bad for her
“I don’t like how Li got engaged knowing he was in love with another woman, but that doesn’t excuse how you’re acting though, he raises his eyebrow
I’m just going through some personal stuff not even jewels or no body else knows about and I don’t wish to talk about it okay? He thought this would at least throw him in another direction for a while; he didn’t need Drake prying
Okay I’m bagging off, but whenever you are ready to talk I’m here.
It’s the night of the engagement ball, and everyone who’s important is there, Liam is looking around for Juliana and he hasn’t seen her yet, Madeleine is sitting with him watching the guest arrive. “You’re waiting on that little whore, aren’t you?
Through his clenched jaw he spoke, “don’t ever talk about her like that again, make no mistake she’s the woman I love the only woman I love.
She sighs, “ that very same woman who cheated on you and caused you embarrassment, you picked me and I can be whatever you want even in bed, just ask Leo
“We both know that wasn’t real. “And, I am not interested in you that way! This is only out of obligation till Juliana can clear her name.
“Hmmm, she saw Max and Juliana enter, she couldn’t put her finger on it but something was different about Julianna she had a glow and it wasn’t from Liam she thought.
An older woman walked up, hello Dear you must be the famous Lady Juliana? I’ve heard so much about you but don’t worry I don’t believe everything I hear, “now that I met you in person, by the way I’m Madeleine’s mother Adelaide. “You know anybody else would been scared and ashamed to show their face after what happened, nice to meet you, it’s good to have someone around who knows how to have some fun,” you can teach my daughter a thing or two. she looked between her and Maxwell. Are you two together? You make a beautiful couple and I bet you’ll have beautiful children together. She smiles
With all do respect Mrs. Amaranth, he’s like a brother she lied, Max played along then they walked away
I’m going to show you later how turned on I am right now, he said in a voice only she could hear
By this time Liam walked over. “Juliana, you look absolutely stunning tonight, “did Drake give you, my letter? look we can’t talk, here so let’s meet in half hour.
“Yes, he did and I’ll meet to hear you out but that’s all, Liam stuck out with out being seen, a few seconds later she spotted Max giving him a look, he came over
“What happened?
“He wants me to meet him in a half hour, he kissed her on the cheek
Be careful jewels and if you need me call me, do you need me to follow? just in case.
She looked into his eyes she saw it he really was in love with her, she made her expression unreadable like Liam taught her
I’ll be okay, I really should go; “I’ll see you when I return. She got into a waiting car and she slipped the driver the address, it takes about 20 minutes to arrive, they pulled up to what look like a residential home, what is this she asked.
An older man was standing in the doorway waiting my arrival, “Lady Juliana, I presume? Yes, right this way Madam, there were two plates at the dining table, Liam came down the stairs, “ my love please sit.
“HOW ARE YOU SITTING THERE ACTING LIKE NOTHING HAS CHANGED? “FOR GOD SAKES YOU’RE NOW ENGAGED TO MADELEINE WHO HATES MY FUCKING GUTS!!
My love please I just want to talk.
Okay your majesty you have 15 minutes so go ahead, and let’s make something very clear as long as you are engaged, you will not touch me or anything we are just friends until you get out of that engagement, I am not a good pretender, I am trying to be a lady but I will lay hands if Madeleine continues to come at me.
I’m sorry he gave a sad look, are you sure I can’t touch you? I crave you the two times that we’ve made love, “had me wanting more, I can’t get enough of you my love, but I respect your wishes my love and I understand.
I will not be the king’s whore or Mistress
“Juliana, I want you to be my wife not mistress I love you, please eat something I never saw you eat.
I ate a big lunch before leaving Ramsford, my nerves are so bad coming here seeing you engaged I can’t eat I probably won’t sleep, so what is this place?
It’s my townhouse I come here to get away from court now Madeleine and my father I swear that man wants to know about every part of my life.
Do Drake and Max know about this place?
They do, why do you ask?
So, let me get this straight you had this place and I’m just finding out?
It’s not like that my love I got this place last month, my father or no one else knows, I had my lawyer draw up NDA, all the staff here signed so did my guards.
“Okay well your time is up, I want to go back home not to Madeleine but back to Ramsford I can’t do this Liam.
But Max or Bertrand isn’t there let me call Max
Hello Li what’s going on, sure I can do that; where is she now; oh, they left with her already, okay on the way, he finally made it home.
“Jewels are you here? She ran up to him catching him in a passionate kiss, running her hands down his ripped chest he picked her up and she wrapped her leg’s around him as he entered her, still sore from this morning she lowered her self down slowly and started riding him as he placed her tits in his mouth sucking each of them they both came at the same time, after they both fell asleep
The next morning, they both woke up to their phones ringing, “Hello?
where the hell are you two?
Bertrand, “I was requested by the king himself to go home and look after her, when I got home, she was already asleep I ordered out and went to bed.
Go wake her please and come back, you two represents house Beaumont so we must show that we’re united and we have each other backs we need the whole family here.
“So, he wants me to come back Juliana spoke
“Yes, please for me I will help you get through this, look you said you wanted to see the world one day, it’ll be fucked up to see Li with Madeleine but look at all the cool places we’ll go to, you would love it, “ I want to ask you honestly how do you feel about me?
Well, it’s so complicated I love you but I also love Liam
Do you just love me like a brother or is it something else?
“Max, you know it’s more there, I mean I wouldn’t let someone I believe is a brother do things you do to me, your touch has relaxed me it’s like a drug to my body, I’ve tried to stop but I’m hooked.
Jewels look I’m yours, I would give you the world, I can’t force you to not love Liam but if you can’t clear your name would you stay and consider giving us a real chance, “I don’t want to hide this anymore, I don’t want you hurt over seeing them together I want you happy, I want to be the one who makes you happy.
“Max, please let me think about everything okay, I’m sorry to be so confused but I promise I’ll make a decision soon, let’s head back to Fydelia.
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beatriz-olivalves · 10 months
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Flower Beds on Top of a Hill
He doesn’t really remember when everything went cold. It was a gradual process, though, so maybe that gives him a sort of excuse. Something like an afterthought, as if one would wonder about it after a long day of plain existence, not paying much attention to anything. 
What he does remember is feeling the unease that lingered in the air every time someone mentioned the rumors. It got worse whenever people would actually go out of their ways to talk about it, discuss it, or even argue over it. What started off as mere conspiracy whispers, which people wouldn’t even bat an eye at, then weighed down in the back of everyone’s minds in the form of desperate, hopeless wheezes. 
Aster remembers sitting by the TV in his living room and hearing the man in the news talk about the possibility of a new confrontation between nations Aster-doesn’t-care and Aster-can’t-be-bothered-to-make-an-effort-to-remember. It really was funny how, compared to how slow it took for the world to recompose itself and recover its slight sliver of hope of surviving, the people – or, should Aster say, the systems – of those two countries were so eager and fast to tear each other apart. 
Nuclear bombing was not something pleasant to be seen. Much lessen when it’s so close to home. Aster also remembers desperately grabbing his sister’s wrist and looking her straight in the eyes when he told her to flee to their parents’ house. Said it’d be safer for her there, all the way across the country. Aster remembers ignoring her claims about how it didn’t make any sense that he was sending her off when he had no intention of staying with them, but for some reason the urge to do so overcame any semblance of his critical thinking. Some nonsensical older-brotherly pride, he is now aware. He remembers receiving calls from the police after his hometown was bombarded, too. The lady over the phone spoke softly, as if she was afraid he would break after processing the news. She sounded like she might be crying, too, but maybe that was just the ringing in Aster’s ears, like air crackling with electricity. He remembers feeling empty, and he remembers being sick and staring at the remnants of yesterday’s dinner in the toilet seat. Aster remembers all of it. 
And maybe it’s good that he does. Perhaps it is the only thing that can ease his mind around the fact that he is now the only one left around. Maybe it’s good that in the last memories he has of his family, his mom, dad and sister look like real people. Healthy complexions. Functional limbs and organs. Eyes full of life. Aster reckons that he’d be more broken inside had his family been gone after exposure to the consequences of the nuclear bombs. Aster remembers telling himself to shut up, because that didn’t really matter anymore. 
If Aster let himself get back on his word from before, he does remember when everything got cold. It was around the time he started noticing the streets getting emptier. Turns out the first bombings were only the tip of the iceberg; soon after, everyone else got to feel on their skin the effects of greed, envy and thirst for power. Too bad there weren’t many people left to witness the world, much like humankind himself, crumbling to pieces. Desert streets weren’t something someone would ever dream of seeing in big cities like Wiley, and Aster knew that. Aster has started to think he didn’t know many things after all, though. 
Experiencing the death of an entire race had to be one of the most miserable things, Aster pondered one day, struggling to keep warm under all the blankets he owned and staring defeatedly at his small TV, which, with no electricity left in the country, no longer worked, not even to display static of a channel that was long ago taken off air because of the war. Aster remembers getting to the conclusion that being one of the last humans alive was also very humiliating, as if some greater force was out there, toying with his mind by showing how unimportant and ungrateful everybody had been one day. 
All Aster does is remember, as of now. Because that’s all he has left. 
Nuclear winter was a term he’d come up with to have something to call everything that was happening in the world. Or maybe it was just the country, he wouldn’t know. Nor would he survive traveling to find out. Or, he thought one day, it was maybe just Wiley, really. But Aster still doubts it to this day. He doesn’t think all the electrical storms, the acid rains, the brutal winds are all exclusive to good old Wiley. No, Aster knows at least half the globe is in shreds, not unlike Aster’s own mind. 
Eventually he had to leave his dorm, seeing as he couldn’t, for the life of him, keep himself warm, and lighting a fire inside a cramped studio apartment made up predominantly of wood wasn’t exactly the best of ideas. He was almost out of food, too, so there wasn’t much else to consider. 
Aster wandered around Wiley when the weather let him through, taking refuge whenever he could stop and think clearly about what the hell he would do next. He made it his motivation to keep going, finding ways to start fires with his bare hands, scavenging for medicine and antiseptics. Trying his damn best not to absolutely fall apart whenever he had to break into someone’s house and wipe their food cupboards clean while under the scrutiny of dead eyes that used to belong to people who breathed, cried and hyperventilated just like Aster. Robbing the gone and defenseless wasn’t something he ever planned on doing. 
Aster didn’t know why he was still there. Still doesn’t, if he’s being quite honest. It didn’t feel like being chosen by the deities to be a demonstration of power, of resistance, a whole god on Earth. It certainly did not make Aster feel special, either. To be dead must hurt, he figures, but to be the only one alive is no different than death itself, anyway. 
One day, after making it to a supermarket and getting his hands on every single item of clothing, blankets, medicine and food that was either not too long out of date or still okay-looking, Aster arrived at a massive building he recognized as being a unit of a famous chain of hotels. That was when he vaguely realized he must’ve crossed the border of the neighboring city. He didn’t know how long he had been in Lahey, but he guessed it couldn’t be that long. He couldn’t care less, either. 
After some good months walking around Wiley with nothing but the corpses of both people and the city as company, he guessed trying to give himself the slightest semblance of comfort wasn’t too much to ask for. The hotel in Lahey ended up being a true light at the end of the tunnel for Aster, and it was around sweeping dusty floors and figuring out how he would store his inventory – both brought from the outside and found in the hotel – that he started building his new routine. 
Time, as much as it was a social construct, could do terrible things to human judgment, which, if Aster stopped to really think about it, was also a social construct. He guesses it was given more importance since it was apparently more visible and insistent for the world. Aster remembers claiming to not one living soul that he would trade in a heartbeat  his ability to think straight – think at all – for having more time with his mom. But, now, all the time he had was spent moping around, investigating the infinity of the hotel rooms, crying quietly every time he came across unfortunate clients that didn’t have enough time (there it was again!) to perish at home with loved ones, or hated ones, or acquaintances, or strangers. Every single one who, once, had a life as well. Aster roamed the hotel corridors, the hotel kitchens, the hotel rooms, dragging his feet in a dance that lasted a little over two years. 
And, unsurprisingly, he was still alone. Aster still had all the time in the world to himself. 
Maintaining a sequence of actions was complex when the world was ending and one had nobody to share their frustrations with. Some days Aster woke up feeling almost normal, as if he was still able to feel anything other than aloneness and cold. Those days had him going up and down the stairs nonstop, or doing laps in the hotel pool, which was starting to get green and all gross, but it wasn’t like Aster was any better; he couldn’t remember the last time he saw his hands entirely clean. Running water was a luxury he reckoned he was only able to have access to because he was in the prestigious part of Lahey, but that didn’t mean he would waste it on unnecessary situations rather than save it for when he really needed it. 
However, there were also some days Aster couldn’t even muster up the courage to force his eyes open. He just let himself lie in his expensive king-sized bed, in what he figured was the biggest suite in the hotel, and regrettably existed. Aster would stare at the ceiling, unshed tears in his eyes, willing his covers to crawl on top of him, over his face, and just-
Just end it all. Because there were times Aster couldn’t remember what his favorite flavor of ice cream was. He couldn’t remember which of his dad’s cheeks carried this fine scar from running the razor blade over an inflamed ingrown hair repeatedly for years. One time, Aster choked on a sob because he couldn’t, for nothing that was most sacred in that forsaken world, remember his sister’s name. Aster can’t even remember, now. 
He would just suck it up and go back to sleep. Not like wallowing in his deepest sorrows would make any difference. 
About three months prior, Aster had found an analog watch inside the nightstand drawer of a fortunately empty room during one of his many expeditions. The watch, to his utter surprise, still worked perfectly, and he took finding it as a sign he should put a stopper on his idling. 
Aster started handling the watch as he would his newborn child, because now he could actually get a grasp on at least a bit of assurance that the world was, in fact, spinning. He’d found a stack of calendars in a house shortly after leaving his dorm, and had used almost three out of the fifteen or so he’d smuggled into his backpack, but, somehow, seeing the watch move its hands seemed like something magical, otherworldly even. Aster has really been the only one out there for almost three years now. 
He’s taken a liking to going to the terrace of the building these days. Religiously, every Friday afternoon he’ll get up there, wipe the acid snow from his favorite spot with a reserved rag he’d keep only for that, and sit down, wrapping his scarf tight around his neck carefully not to tangle it in his now long hair. Then he’ll answer to the skies’ callings and look up to stare at the stars. Aster had the impression they would start giving him explanations as to why everything happened so suddenly and so fast, why it all went wrong for him, in particular. But, just to make things new around Aster, he was wrong. And he got no answers whatsoever. 
Aster once remembered. He once remembered everything he deemed important enough for himself and for his family. Also the things that weren’t important at all. 
Aster misses simple things, too. He misses the taste of his grandma’s homemade pastries, the feeling of his best friend’s arms around his middle when she thought she’d done bad on one of her finals. What he misses most, some nights, is the feeling one gets on their hands or feet when they’re really cold but they manage to get warmed up, whether by clothing or pouring warm water over them. See, it’s not the finished product, when they’re nice and warm and cozy – although that feeling is also irrefutably appreciated in nuclear winter –, but the process in-between, when one can tell their hands are still cold, but touching them to other parts of the body reveals a latent warmth emanating from them. Like a reminder everything will eventually settle down and, unarguably, be okay.
Some Fridays he needs to force himself to look down from the sky, because it seems like he might never gather the courage to come back to reality from his daydreams. On nights like those, he presses his chest against the elevated edge of the building while standing on his tiptoes and just screams. Screams and cries and sobs and hiccups to his heart’s content. There was no one around to see him behave like an overgrown bratty child, after all, and that is precisely why he can’t control himself for what always felt like hours on end. 
Some other nights are lighter on his heart. He bids the stars goodbye, promising to be there again the following week, and proceeds to go back to his room on one of the highest floors. 
It is one of those tranquil nights when Aster finds himself absentmindedly humming a once familiar tune, one he used to be very fond of, but now he doesn’t remember its name or who it was by. Aster can’t remember many things nowadays. He’s been under the impression he’d had his 25th birthday some day prior, but then again, he doesn’t remember. 
The beat he reproduces matches his steps on top of the elevated edge of the terrace, which he has been used to climbing since some weeks ago. Aster stopped being scared of a lot of things lately, so he didn’t give it much thought. 
Aster mumbles a steady rhythm, gliding his eyes through the landscape: decadent, dirty, traces of an afterglow of proud grandness. The melody makes him blink furiously, overwhelmed with nostalgia of what once was and apparently would never be again. The flow of the song grows in a restless and insatiable crescendo, and Aster makes the mistake of looking at his watch, only to find that its hands are stagnant.
Just for a moment, he falters. And, in a split half second, his socked feet slip. 
It is while falling down a fifty-story high building that Aster lets himself wonder, for the very last time, why he was the one who was still there, why he was the one who was still breathing. He asks himself how insignificant it would feel to be the one human being resistant to prolonged exposure to radiation and die from falling off a building, only to realize that he does know exactly what it feels like. For he was – has been – the very last one left in this world, yet this is how he’s saying farewell to everything and everyone that has already left him long, long ago. 
And it’s like an accident.
Santo André, 24 de abril de 2020
Beatriz Moya de Carvalho Olivalves
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sin | regency!bucky
pairing: regency!bucky barnes x regency!reader
warnings: sexism, fluff, angst, regency style dialogue, 18+ ONLY, not historically accurate with writing liberties
masterlist (touch)
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would it be a sin if i can’t help falling in love with you ...
Y/N stood outside her father’s office with her arms crossed. It appeared the moment someone had caught wind of the impending engagement between her and the newly discovered and unmasked prince and now her mother, brothers and staff were downstairs, holding out a majority of families attempting to invite them for dinner and courting her older brothers. It appeared the woman who was once expected to marry as well as her sisters had outdone them in a drastic manner; she was gonna marry into royalty and not just any type of royalty. She was marrying into a line which meant her children were going to be in line for one of the highest positions in a country. She was not ready to be a princess, she was not ready to even prepare to be a princess. She would be the worse princess in the whole world. Perhaps her sisters would fit the job description better but she did not.
Her mind rambling was interrupted by the lock of her father’s office opening. She got up from the bench, straightening her dress and her posture as both men exited the office. 
     - I will be checking on your mother. - her father excused himself, leaving the two recently betrothed couple staring at one another.
     - We should go to the drawing room. - she turned around, leading the way while Lord Barnes followed behind her. 
Ensuring no staff was around, she shut the big white doors, before turning to him with a look he didn’t expect from a bride to be. Actually, he’d seen this look before and he wasn’t entirely sure where it was coming from. Scratch that, he knew where it was coming from, yet any other lady in London would be jumping for joy if they discovered their future husband was in line to inherit the crown. 
    - Through all of our conversations, didn’t it occur for you to mention you were ... royalty?
    - I didn’t want the whole of London’s mammas following me. 
    - Did you consider mentioning it when you proposed to me, your highness?
    - I didn’t think it was important. - he walked closer to her, leaning his head down. - It doesn’t matter, my lady. I am the same person you’ve met. 
    - Surely you’re expected to marry a princess, not me. 
    - It’s not important. - he held her hands in his, kissing the top of each one. - Your father has given his blessing and we’ve discussed setting a trust for your dowry so you can choose what to do with it. 
    - No, you didn’t tell me. - she took her hands away from him. - I do not know how to be a princess or how to be the wife of the future king. In all honesty, my lord, I barely know how to be a wife at all.
    - My lady, I barely know how to be a prince myself but it does not matter. I do not wish to marry a suitable princess, I wish to marry you and there’s no lovelier woman than you.
Y/N turned around to collect herself, his words echoing in her mind. She didn’t want to be the woman who swooned at compliments regarding her appearance yet there had to be something to him as whenever he called her lovely, she couldn’t help but feel her whole body heat up. She almost felt numb, floating through the room in a cloud of romantic feelings. She was not that type of woman, but she was the type to fall in love and right now, right now she was in love. Merely acknowledging it felt like a weight lifting from her chest. She was in love and that feeling was overwhelming the fact she was nervous about being a princess.
James took a step forward towards her, his hand tracing the line from her wrist to her shoulder while the other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. 
    - Nothing would make me more happy than to be your husband, my lady.
    - That does not hide the fact you did not tell me of your birth right. 
    - My birth right is not important. - he turned her around, the two close enough to feel each other’s breath. - You are and I wish to spend the rest of my days pleasing you. 
    - You didn’t even bought me flowers. - she put her hand against his chest. - I like flowers. 
    - Then I’ll buy you every garden in London if necessary. 
    - Every garden in London would not be enough.
    - Every garden in the world. 
James Barnes was nothing but a collector of fine things. In Romania, he almost did it to a fault after his mother passed away. He collected anything and everything, if it existed and he wanted it, then he’d get it. If she only knew, she would know he was not joking when he said he’d give her every garden. He’d give her everything. 
   - We can get married at the Meyer estate or your ancestral home. It doesn’t matter, we can get married here and stay here until ...
   - Until you become king? We’ll just ignore it and then make something up when the time comes along? - she interrupted him. 
    - Why are you so worried? Most ladies would be jumping for joy at the idea of becoming a princess, my lady. 
    - I do not wanna be an embarrassment to you and I wish you had trust me enough to tell me about this. 
    - The reason why I didn’t tell you, Miss Vernillane, is because we barely spoke and when we did I barely controlled myself. 
   - What is that supposed to mean? - she crossed her arms. 
James chuckled at her naivety; of course she would be naive to it, perhaps knowing a bit from growing the youngest in a big family, but naive nevertheless as a lady of her standing usually was. She was definitely different from the other woman who had warmed his bed and he couldn’t help but feel excited, even aroused, at the mere idea of teaching her. His ring finger traced the back of her hand on his chest, his thumb pressing on her palm. 
   - It means that I can barely wait for our wedding night, my lady. 
   - You didn’t wait for our engagement to kiss me. 
   - Are you asking for our wedding night to be before our wedding, Miss Vernillane? - he smirked. - Are you that eager? Perhaps you need to be kissed more. 
   - Your highness may struggle at controlling his passions but I certainly do not. 
   - You do admit you have passions. 
   - Wouldn’t have accepted you proposal if I felt nothing towards you, my lord.
   - You ought to call me James. - his hands rested on her waist. - I do not want to be called your higher or my lord. I want you to call me by my name, want to hear you say it. 
   - That is incredibly improper, James.
   - I thought we were past being proper with each other. - his hand rested on her hip.
Her eyes rose from her natural level view up, looking into his azure eyes which studied her like any other of the paintings in the drawing room. Her breathe was irregular as he got closer to her. Her mind no longer fought against it, after all she was engaged and if her family were to catch them, she was after all ready to be married. However, she shouldn’t be eager to do this, to put in cause her family honour but she couldn’t resist it. Just as his lips grazed hers and his hold on her hip tightened, the lock turned. She pushed away from him, straightening her dress as her mother entered the room with widened eyes. 
    - Everything well, mother?
    - I am sorry to interrupt your conversation. I am sure you two have a lot to catch up regarding the impending nuptials but I just had to tell you. 
    - What happened? - she attempted to regain her breathe and posture, however, she could still feel his touch which had moved to her lower back. 
    - The Queen has requested your presence for tea. - she moved to hold her daughter’s hands. However, while she looked proud to have her daughter be acknowledged by the Queen, James’ expression faltered. - This is great for you and for our family. 
(...)
Her mother had taken this meeting has lightly as she had any meeting her sisters had had with their suitors before they were married. To say she had overdone it was an understatement. She had rushed to the modiste that evening and had a dress made in light lilac to look ‘innocent and proper’ and she was carrying the family’s diamond heirlooms. She understood the magnitude of having tea with the Queen but it was expected when she was now engaged to another monarch herself. She was led over to the tea parlour by one of the Queen’s lady’s maid, the doors opening to reveal her in all her glory and sat next to her James. She bowed to the best of her abilities before the doors shut behind her. In all honesty, she barely knew what to do or how to act. She had not been trained for any of this; James had. He got up from his seating position, offering her help to seat before taking his seat next to her. 
   - Miss Vernillane, you look lovely. - the Queen addressed her. - I summoned you two here because I’ve heard some rumours regarding an impending engagement. 
   - It is not a rumour, your highness. - James took the lead. - I have asked for Miss Vernillane’s hand and she has accepted. 
   - Perhaps Miss Vernillane is not aware but we had a deal, James. 
Y/N turned her face towards him wondering how much more he was hiding from her. He didn’t speak much, not about his family or his role. She guessed she’d never thought of asking but the last thing she wanted was to become the target of the Queen of England.
   - I did not know of any of this. - she interrupted the argument the two monarchs had been having with each other. - If the issue is that I may have approached Lord Barnes with the intent of social climbing. I have no issues with where my family stands and I am very proud of our ancestors. 
   - Why did you accept his proposal, Miss Vernillane?
   - I thought he was the most self centred man I ever met. - she sighed. - He was argumentative and clearly thought that my education was below his. Sometimes, he could be rude and inconsiderate of other people around him but he was the only person who spoke to me. Spoke to me as the person that I am, not my sister’s elligible sister, not the season’s diamond and not my dowery. I accepted his proposal because he feels like my closest friend and love, whatever it is the poets may describe, just crept in without me noticing it. 
The Queen stared almost in awe at the debutante in front of her, settling down the tea cup on its matching plate. She looked over to James, cocking her head slightly to the side. 
   - Why did you make her an offer, James?
   - I love her. - he replied as if it was the most simplest of facts, taking Y/N by surprise. - She is equally argumentative and refuses to back down from any argument even if she’s wrong. She’s opinionated and sometimes poisoned with the idea of romance but I find every trace of it even more endearing. I love every single flaw and I couldn’t stand to watch her take someone else’s hand. She deserves someone who loves her and truth is, she’s plaguing my waking and sleeping thoughts. I cannot dream of being separate from her any longer. 
   - Well ... - she sighed, folding her hands over her lap. - Who am I to stand in the way of love?
   - I believe she’ll be a better princess than any other royal woman. 
   - I’ll offer you the alliance I promised your father; however, I do have one request. You shall host your wedding in London at the end of the season. 
taglist: @esposamultifandom​ @learisa​ @alyssiamarierenee​ @eclecticpatrolroadlawyer​​ @deaniu​ @irespostthingsiwanttoseelater​ @reader-without-a-story​ @bbgem329​ @janita​ @bluevxnus​ @sebsgirl71479​ @maan24​ @thewritersoldier1918​
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americancowgirl19 · 3 years
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Tommy’s Little Girl
Summary: You’re the most precious thing to Thomas Shelby. So, when a guy comes into your life he isn’t the most supportive.
Warnings: fluff, angst, cursing
Reader: Female Reader
Pairings: Tommy Shelby x Daughter!Reader, Reader x Male Character (H/n = His name, he can be whoever you want)
Word Count: 5,261
A/n: This was a request by an anon - Please can I request that Tommy Shelby’s daughter becomes engaged to a man behind his back and he refuses to acknowledge the engagement while the rest of the family do. After six months, just before the wedding, Tommy finally comes around to the idea... So, I added a few things to this request, I hope you still like it! I was just going to do the scene that the anon requested but I personally love writing who stories and backgrounds and shit so you get to see an entire life at Tommy’s daughter with the request included! Oh, and John doesn’t die cause fuck that.
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You were the ultimate daddy’s girl. From the moment you were born you and your father were inseparable. The only thing that tore you apart was the war. You were barely two years old when he went off to serve his country.
When he left he entrusted Polly to look after you. Of course she treated you as if you were her own. She protected you as fiercely as she protected your father, uncles and aunt. Especially when your Aunt Kitty, Kitty Jurossi, showed up demanding that you were to go with her.
Kitty is your mother’s sister. She never approved of Greta being with Tommy. While Tommy taking care of Greta in her final days and loving her as he did was honorable, Kitty knew what kind of man he is. She knew what kind of family he had, what kind of business he partook in. She didn’t want you around them.
Polly always thought it was amusing how Kitty waited until Tommy was out of country to try and collect you. Kitty wrongfully assumed that Polly would just hand you over. Your mother’s sister was lucky she was able to return to her home with her life, especially when she tried to forcefully take you.
You remembered that day very vaguely. You don’t remember what happened but you remembered the yelling, someone grabbing you painfully and how scared you were. Your father had just left you for the longest time in your life and now this woman was trying to take you from the person you considered your mother.
The years without your father were long and unmemorable. When he finally returned home you were five going on six. You waited on the train platform with Polly, Ada and Finn. Polly kept a tight hold on you as the soldiers came off the train and went to their families.
You tried to find him but you were far too short and all of them were wearing the same uniform and cap. You jumped in your spot just itching to run into his arms. It didn’t matter that you didn’t really remember specific details of him. You remembered the feeling you had with him. You remembered being safe and happy with him. You remembered being sad and lonely without him. You’d rather be safe and happy than the other part.
“There they are!” Ada shouts. Your head darts to where she was pointing. When you spotted him not even Polly was able to hold you back.
You remember him shoving his way through the others to get to you. When you were close he dropped to his knees and pulled you into his arms. You clung to him.
Then, just like before he left, the two of you were inseparable once again. The only time you weren’t together was when you were sleeping (although on rough nights you often found your way in his bed) or when he had dangerous Peaky business.
You were the Shelby princess. You were untouchable. You didn’t figure out how much you could get away with until you were older. You could murder his best friend - not that you ever killed anyone - and the longest he’d stay mad at you would be a few hours, a day at most.
Anything you wanted was yours. You were spoiled but you were also kind and generous. You had bratty streaks but who didn’t? You may have been the light of your father’s life but you were John’s partner in crime. Whenever his own kids got too much or he wanted to pick on his brother’s you were the one he came too.
As much as he did truly enjoy spending time with you, John also knew that with you by his side he wouldn’t get into as much trouble as he would without you. All you had to do was give your pretty little smile and bat those eyelashes and Tommy was wrapped around your finger.
Even when your siblings came into the world you were number one. You didn’t exactly like Charlie, not Grace, at first. They stole your father’s attention, something you weren’t used to sharing. Eventually you warmed up to them.
You were sad when Grace died but not nearly to the extreme as your father. His heart break broke your own heart. You felt as if nothing you did eased his pain. In reality, you were the one person keeping him from completely spiraling. He spiraled but just being with you managed to slowly bring him back.
You were a little more welcoming toward Lizzie and then Ruby. By the time Ruby came around you adored Charlie. Ruby quickly wiggled her way into your heart. You became fiercely protective of them. You helped Lizzie with them when Tommy got too busy. When you needed a break you joined your father to the office and he would continue explaining what he did.
To you, life was perfect. You had everything you needed and everything you wanted. Tommy kept you in the business just enough to satisfy you but not enough to put you directly in danger. You didn’t understand a lot of the politics and drama within the family but to you it didn’t matter. You had your family, you had your fun, and life was great.
Then, as you were creeping up on your mid-twenties, you met the man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. You were in the market with Lizzie, Polly, and Ruby. You had wandered a bit from the others. There was some jewelry you were looking at when he came over. 
He was tall, muscular, and extremely handsome. He had a boyish smile and a flirtatious personality. It didn’t take you long to also figure out that he was clumsy and adorable. You were instantly hooked.
You two talked (flirted) for longer than you thought. Before you knew it Polly, Lizzie and Ruby were rejoining you. Polly was weary of him but it was obvious that he quickly won Lizzie over.
Much to your displeasure, once the three of them showed up you were quickly whisked away from him. Polly had said it was time to go and not many people were brave enough to argue with her. 
Even on the way home you thought about him. You hoped that you would see him again but you figured it was unlikely.
Word got around about you meeting Mr. Handsome at the market. Your uncles teased you and Ada interrogated you. Your father was oddly quiet on the other hand. He didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t. He just hoped that your paths wouldn’t cross again.
Tommy knew you were getting older but that didn’t mean he liked it. He wanted you to stay his little girl for a while longer. He wished you were still small enough to ride on his shoulders and small enough for him to engulf you in his arms. But you were growing into a beautiful young lady. Whether he liked it or not other men were bound to recognize your beauty and seek you out. He had been lucky, for the most part, about your disinterest in dating, but it wasn’t going to last.
Most of the women your age were already married with at least one child. You were content by yourself. You were gaining responsibilities with the business and being your father’s personal helper. Even though you were content you wanted more. You wanted your own family to come home to with your own kids.
Fortunately, for Tommy, you wouldn’t see the boy from the market for quite some time. It had been so long you had forgotten about him. Until suddenly he showed back up.
The Shelby’s were having a night at the fights. You were enjoying yourself. You didn’t get dolled up often but when you did you went all out. You felt beautiful thus making you feel confident. On top of that, everyone knew exactly who you were which meant heads turned in your direction everywhere you went. You felt important, untouchable. 
You sat with your aunt Ada, Aunt Polly, and step mother Lizzie. The three of you were talking amongst yourselves while the boys hollered at the match in front of them. When the fighters changed out you happened to look up and there he was.
Ada had been talking to you but you suddenly stopped listening. He was bigger, more muscular, than you remember. He didn’t seem as clumsy anymore yet he was just as handsome. 
“Y/n,” Ada shouts over the crowd.
“Oh, will you look at that,” Lizzie states looking at who you were staring at.
“Who’s he?” Ada questions. Lizzie reminds her about the guy from the market you had met over a year prior. You continued to ignore them.
Right before the match started his eyes connected with yours. He obviously recognized you. He sent you the same boyish smile he had in the market causing a light blush to come to your cheeks. He bravely sent you a wink before focusing on the fight.
Your eyes remained glued on him with Tommy’s eyes started at you. He had noticed the interaction and didn’t like it in the slightest.
When the match ended, with his unfortunate loss, you excused yourself to the loo. You weren’t fooling anybody. Everyone who paid attention knew where you were going and Tommy had half a mind to stop you when something grabbed his attention. The split second his attention was off of you gave you the time you needed to disappear into the crowd.
“H/n,” You say, standing in the doorway of the locker room. You were slightly nervous - a lot nervous - but you weren’t 100% sober so that helped. His head snapped up at the sound of your voice.
“Y/n,” He says, turning away from his locker and toward you. “Shelby,” He adds. You hadn’t told him who you were. It was obvious he hadn’t known back then and you wanted to keep it that way.
“In the flesh,” You gave him a twirl. “You fought well tonight,”
“I lost,” He deadpanned but didn’t look all that bothered by it..
“Caught me attention,” You told him.
“Guess it wasn’t a complete loss then, aye?” He smirks. “How about you make me a winner tonight and agree to a date?” You blushed.
“I can do that,” You agreed.
From there your relationship blossomed. The two of you fell for each other quickly. He started showing up around the family more. Your uncles hazed him, Ada and Polly constantly interrogated him, and your father silently judged him. No matter how hard you or H/n tried, your father never came around.
H/n didn’t care about Tommy’s disapproval of him. He loved you with all his heart and nobody was going to keep you from him. He may be funny, charismatic and handsome but he knew he was selfish with a side of possessive. In his mind, you were his and he wasn’t letting you go. He would do anything to keep you and to keep you happy.
It honestly was no surprise that less than a year later the two of you were engaged. He had taken you out on a picnic under the stars on a beach. You had dinner, went swimming and had a fire in the sand. While stargazing he proposed with a beautiful ring. You didn’t hesitate to say yes.
The next day, as you two were makin breakfast, you asked how your father handled him asking for permission when H/n told you he never asked. It shocked you that H/n didn’t talk to Tommy first. You knew when it came to your father H/n was a little rebellious but this was different. Honestly, you were a bit upset he didn’t speak with Tommy first. 
It hadn’t even been twenty four hours since your engagement and the two of you were thrown into a fight. A minor one but a fight nonetheless. He didn’t see why it mattered seeing as the two of you were getting married with or without his permission. You argued that it wasn’t his permission you were looking for but your blessing. H/n didn’t understand just how close you and Tommy are but you wished he would at least respect it.
Eventually, he apologized when he finally noticed just how important Tommy’s approval meant to you. You promised H/n that you would marry him no matter what but keeping it from your father was not an option. H/n promised to talk to him.
A few days passed and then a week. H/n still didn’t talk to Tommy. You were fed up and decided to do it yourself. When you arrived at the Arrow House all you found were Lizzie and Ruby. 
Ruby instantly spotted the ring. You desperately wanted to talk to Tommy first but since you weren’t getting passed you sister not Lizzie you conceded.
“So, when did he pop the question?” Ruby asked.
“About two weeks ago,” You answered, a large smile on your face. “He asked me on the beach under the stars,” Ruby swooned but Lizzie didn’t seem to be paying attention anymore. You looked at her. You tensed noticing her looking behind you. Slowly, you turned around and saw your father standing there.
His eyes stare into your eyes and for the first time in your life you can’t figure out what he was thinking. He seemed emotionless but you couldn’t tell if the look in his eyes was anger or disappointment. His eyes glanced down at your hand, at your ring.
“Dad, I-” You didn’t get a chance to explain. He turned around and walked out of the house. You were shocked. He never did that to you. He always let you speak no matter what he was feeling. When you snapped out of it you quickly went after him but he was already in the car driving down the road. “Dad! Wait, please!” But he just keeps driving.
“He’ll come around,” Ruby tries to comfort but her words just go in one ear and right out the other.
For weeks your father avoided you like the plague. You walked into a room, he walked out. You tried to talk, he talked over you. You tried to get his attention, he ignored you. You tried for over a month before deciding to give him some space and focus on planning your wedding.
With the help of Ada, Ruby, Polly, and Esme you planned the wedding. Every day you got a step closer to the date. Every day you got more excited. Yet one thing continued to dampen your mood.
“Y/n, come in,” Esme greets, stepping aside to let you into her home.
“Is John here? I want to talk to him,” You say, fiddling with your fingers nervously. Esme smiles kindly and nods.
“Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll fetch him,” She suggests before disappearing into the house. You walk into the parlor. You smile and play with your cousins for a bit before John finally joins you.
“I wanted to ask you something,” You say after he shoos the kids away. He gives you his attention. You take in a deep breath as tears mist over your eyes. He looks more concerned by the second. “I was wondering if you... would walk me down the aisle,” John frowns his eyebrows.
“You want me?” He asks, shocked. “What about Tom-”
“He hasn’t spoken to me for months,” You snap, struggling to keep your tears from falling. “He can hardly look at me or stand to be in the same room. I think it’s safe to say he’s not coming,” You try to sound angry but curse silently when your voice grows more shaky. John sighs.
“Come here, sweetheart,” He opens his arms and you quickly close the distance between the two of you. He holds you tightly as you cry in his chest. “Tommy’s being a right arse at the moment, everyone knows that,” He mutters. “But nothing in the world is going to stop him from walking you down that aisle,”
“H/n being at the end of it might,” You mutter. John laughs quietly.
“Love, if Tommy really hated H/n, he would be dead by now,” John says truthfully. You see the logic in his statement but it hardly lifts your spirits. 
“The wedding is in two weeks,” You whisper. “He hasn’t budged yet,”
“I want you to do something for me,” John says, pulling back just enough to look at your face and wipe your tears. “I want you to think through your entire life and tell me a time where you didn’t get your way with Tommy,” John challenges. “I’m not even going to wait because it never bloody happened,” You smile a bit. “Now, this has been the longest you’ve had to wait for him to come around but trust me, he is incapable of not doing what you want,”
“Will you still be on standby?” You ask him. He smirks and kisses your forehead.
“Of course,” He whispers. “Bloody hell, has anyone said no to you before?” He asks, smirking as he steps away from you.
“What can I say? I’m everyone’s sweetheart,” You smile. John rolls his eyes and offers for you to stay for dinner, which you accept.
When you returned home you noticed H/n was home as well. You had moved out of Arrow house before the engagement, something your father strongly disagreed with.
When you walked inside, H/n was waiting up for you. You hadn’t meant to be home so late. It’s just when you’re with John and his kids they just make the time fly by. Luckily, H/n didn’t seem upset just tired.
“Come here,” He mutters, opening his arms. You smile and settle in his lap enjoying the feeling of his thick arms wrapped around your body. “Were you at Arrow House?” He asks.
“No, I went to see Uncle John,” You tell him. He hums curiously. “I wanted to ask if he’d walk me down the aisle,” You whisper. H/n holds you tighter.
“I’m sorry, Y/n,” He whispers to you. “I shouldn’t have proposed without asking for his blessing or at least mentioning it to him,”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” You grumbled before sighing. “But this is much more than that. Something else is bothering him,”
“You’re his precious girl, he’ll talk eventually,” He reassures you. You don’t respond, you simply cuddle deeper into his embrace.
A week passed. You had five days until your wedding. You woke up excited as you daydreamed about the day. However, your happiness didn’t last.
BRITIAN     AT    WAR    WITH    GERMANY
Your father and uncles had fought in the first war. The supposed ‘war to end all wars’. Now, only a short few years later there was another war. A war the next generation would fight. A war your H/n volunteered to join.
You were in the kitchen cleaning up. You were doing everything you could to keep buys. Britain was officially at war and you were terrified. You knew everything was going to change. Deep down you knew it would happen but it didn’t register until he was right in front of you.
“When do you leave?” You whisper, desperately trying to stay together as you look at H/n. He was in his uniform with papers in his hand.
“Thursday,” H/n hesitantly whispers. You close your eyes and hang your head. Not only was your soon-to-be husband going off to fight this war but he was leaving before your wedding. On top of that, you only had two more days with him.
“Why do you have to leave?” You whimpered. He doesn’t answer. He just closes the gap between the two of you and pulls you into a tight hug. He hugged you as if he could single handedly keep you from falling apart.
“I will come back to you, Y/n Shelby,” He states firmly. “Heaven nor hell will keep me from you, you have me word,”
“I love you,” You whisper, clinging to him. He pulls back just enough to tilt your head up to his lips. He doesn’t verbally respond but he tries to pour all his love and determination to return to you in the breathtaking kiss.
You cling to him for as long as you can but eventually have to let him go. While he didn’t leave until Thursday he had much to get done before then. He promised he would be back in a few hours but you didn’t want to be alone.
The first thing you did was go to Polly. You froze when you saw her drying her cheeks. Finn had volunteered as well. Together you both cried. 
Finn might have technically been your uncle but he was more of a brother. There was only a few years difference between the two of you. Polly had raised you both. You hated that you could possibly not only lose H/n but Finn as well.
Luckily Charlie was still too young to join but only for another year. You had no doubt that he would join up the first chance he got. He’s Tommy’s son. Neither of them were good at backing down.
When you left Polly you went to Arrow House. You were done. You were done with your father’s stubbornness. You were done with his silence and his judgmental stares. He could be mad about the wedding all he wanted but you needed him to come back to you.
“Did H/n..?” Lizzie’s voice dissipates. She didn’t want to finish the question and she didn’t have too. You just nod and accept her comforting hug. You’ve cried the majority of the day and knew you weren’t done yet. You knew the second you went face to face with Tommy you’d fall apart all over again.
“Where is he?” You ask.
“In his office,” Lizzie says knowing exactly who you were wanting. “Most likely on his second bottle by now,” You sighed, rubbing your face tiredly. “I’ll make some tea,” You send her a smile and a nod.
You don’t even bother to knock, you rarely did. There wasn’t a room you knew about that you weren’t welcome into. Inside you found your father slouched in his chair with a full glass in his hands. He doesn’t bother to look at you. You don’t even know if he registers your presence. 
“I don’t know what you’re so mad at me about,” You began. Your voice sounded strong and you hoped it stayed that way. “Yes, H/n asked me to marry him. No, I didn’t know at the time that he didn’t talk to you but get over it. You haven’t made his time in this family easy, no wonder he doesn’t want to talk to you. 
“When you found out you found out too soon. I was there to talk to you about it but Ruby and Lizzie saw me first. This wasn’t something I wanted to keep from you, I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry,” You whisper. Hope fills you a bit when he glances at you in the corner of his eye. “I know something else is bothering you but I don’t know what it is and I need you to work it out some how because I need you, dad,” You whimper. 
He finally looks at you. 
“These last few months have been so hard without you and now H/n is going off to war, I’m not sure if I’m even going to get married, and you still won’t fucking talk to me!” You shouted but the tears in your eyes betrays your anger. “I’m scared out of my mind I’m going to lose H/n, that I’m going to lose Finn... That I already lost you,” A few tears fall down your face. “I’m sorry for whatever I did, please forgive me because I need you so fucking back,”
By the end you were close to sobbing and falling to you knees. You sobbed but you never fell. Tommy was out of his seat and was wrapping his arms around you before your knees could give away.
He leads you to the couch and sits down. You curl into his chest like you used to do when you were younger. He hums quietly and rocks you.
“You didn’t lose me, darling girl,” He whispers to you. “I’m so sorry for the way I’ve acted. I should have never treated you like I have. No, I don’t like H/n but not because of who he is but because he’s taking my little girl from me,” You tilt your head to look at him. “For nearly 26 years you have been the center of my world,” He whispers quietly. “Through everything, you have been the most important constant in my life. There were many times you were my only source of happiness, my only will to live,” He admits. “I’m terrified of what I’ll do without you,”
“You’ll never be without me,” You whisper to him. “I live ten minutes away and you’ll still see me daily whether H/n likes it or not,” Tommy smiles a bit. “And maybe when the war is over you’ll have more mini me’s running around,” Tommy scowls at the thought of the process of making children rather than the thought of the actual kids.
“You’re happy with him?” You nod. “You love him and he loves you?” You nod again. “Has he hurt you?” You shake your head. He sighs, slightly frustrated with the lack of reason to murder H/n. Not that he really needed a reason but he knew if he did he would hurt you. He’s already hurt you enough as it is. “Then you have my blessing,” You smile at him.
“He leaves before the wedding,” You whisper. He shrugs.
“So, move the wedding up,” He says nonchalantly. 
“How are we going to set everything up before Thursday?” You ask. He smirks.
“You don’t worry about a thing,” He kisses your forehead. “Let me call Ada, Pol, and Esme. They’ll help you get ready and I’ll worry about the rest,”
“You avoided this wedding the entire time, now you’re going to plan in within a few hours?” You ask.
“I’m Thomas Shelby,” He said as if it were the cure to all diseases. “Up you get,” He gently pushes you out of his lap. “No worrying,” He points at you before kissing your forehead again.
“Who’s going to want to celebrate at a time like this?” You ask before he leaves. He turns toward you and smiles softly.
“Right now is the perfect time to celebrate a moment like this,” Tommy tells you. You can see the honesty in his eyes and can tell he’s briefly reliving the past. You hate that his past is always haunting him and you pray that you’ll be able to help H/s if... when he comes back to you. “Relax, get ready, and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
It didn’t take long for Ada, Polly and Esme to show up. Polly had your dress and Ada had your accessories. The three of them with Lizzie and Ruby helped you get ready for the wedding.
As you got ready, Tommy went to your home where he found H/n just returning. It was obvious that he was surprised to see Tommy but he invited his future in-law inside nonetheless.
“I was a few years younger than you when I was shipped off to France,” Tommy explained to him. “When I returned I wasn’t the same. Nobody who goes through what we went through, what you will go through, returns the same,” Tommy warns. “Y/n was five or six when I got back. She helped give me a reason to keep waking up, to keep moving. When you come back, you’ll need someone that will be able to anchor you into the present. Don’t push people away, especially Y/n... She won’t let you,” Tommy advises with a soft smile as he thinks about you.
“I won’t,” H/s vows.
“You say that now but I promise it’ll be very tempting when you return,” Tommy says. Casually, Tommy walks closer. “Everyone that returns deals with the past differently. I won’t judge you for the drinks you’ll have or even the drugs you may take,” Tommy shrugs. “But if you come back and you turn violent again Y/n at any point. If you so much as hurt her one time, I will personally dig your grave and put you in it,” Tommy promises. “You will come back, you’ll deal with it however you can, and you’ll take care of Y/n and the family you’ll have. If you can’t do that, don’t marry her and walk away now.”
“I love you daughter. I want her happy and I’ll give my life to keep her safe,” H/s vows.
“Good,” Tommy nods. “That’s my little girl. Her happiness is everything to me. You give me one reason to kill you and I promise you and whatever god is out there that I will take that chance,”
“Understood,” H/n slowly nods.
“Good,” Tommy nods again. “Well, let’s get going, you’re getting married in a few hours,” Tommy says walking toward the door. He pulls out a cigarette and begins to light it.
“I am?” H/n calls out confused. Tommy just keeps walking and H/n jogs to catch up.
A few hours later, John and Arthur show up to collect the women.
“Your chariot awaits madam,” Arthur announces loudly. You couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as he leads you to the car. John winks at you playfully.
“Told you he’d come around,” John teased.
“Should have cried in front of him sooner, that usually does the trick,” You joke back. John grins wider and kisses your head.
“Alright! Let’s get a move on, we’ve got a wedding to get too!” Arthur hollers. When you arrive where the rest of the gypsies and Peaky Blinders are, they cheer for your arrival.
Tommy greets you at the car looking handsome as ever.
“I hope I’m still allowed to walk you down,” He mutters helping you out of the car.
“Of course,” You smile leaning into him. He kisses your head and leads you toward the aisle. At the end you find H/s standing there looking breathtaking. “I’m scared,” You whisper.
“That’s alright,” He promises, slowly walking you toward your future husband. “There’s going to be moment where you’re scared but there will never be a moment where you’re alone,” He tells you. You tighten your arm around his. “These last few months will never happen again,” He vows. “I’ll be there anytime and every time you need me,”
“I know,” You whisper. 
When you reach the end, Tommy turns toward you. You smile up at him. He gently cups the side of your face.
“I love you,” He whispers, gently kissing your forehead. His lips linger as he remembers the day you were born, the day he left and came back from the war. He remembered every moment he shared with you. He hated that future memories would be shared with H/n but as long as you were there he wouldn’t mind.
“I love you too,” You whisper back, basking in the warmth and safety of his embrace for a moment longer. Tommy hesitantly steps back. You both share a smile before he hands you off to your soon-to-be husband.
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xxxavo · 3 years
Note
Sin getting upset bc he see’s Kouen flirting with his s/o (I mean they both already don’t like each other).So sins getting all alpha dog and is trying to get him to bck off
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Requested by: anonymous
Warnings: A hint of verbal NSFW towards the end? (better known as...LIMEy) Not swear words but a few rude words? Idk
Suddenly getting back into Magi so might be a few imagines being thrown around here and there, depends on how long this lasts!! Feeling a NSFW scenario manifesting itself into my drafts after writing this, I won't lie, but no actual NSFW content today my little imuchakk's! Hope you enjoy!
Sinbad had always liked banquets, weather they be ones held in the kingdom of Sindria, or at his biggest rivals, the Kou empire. There was something exciting about the prospect of consuming alcohol in foreign lands after an important political meeting that made Sinbad feel on top of the world. It was rare for things in Sinbad’s life not to go his way, or to not end up leading towards something better then what he had lost. For this reason, King Sinbad was to an extent, a go-with-the-flow kind of man. Especially with loyal followers such as his generals and his beloved wife!
His beloved was of course very loyal, incredibly so...but, there were people who did not care for that loyalty of hers. This included a certain Kou empire red head who went by the name of Kouen.
“No need to look so sour, Sin.” Ja’far commented beside him, though he was enjoying the fact his King was abandoning his poor drinking habits to instead stay sober and focused, even if he was focusing on his wife and Kouen Ren flirting. “You told her to be pleasant and friendly towards Kouen to gain his favour. I don’t understand why you’re so jealous.” That was enough to make Sinbads eyes flicker from the generous laughter of his wife to the smug face of his right hand man.
“Me!? Jealous!?”
“Hmm.” Masrur agreed from the other side of Sinbad. The King’s neck practically snapped to the fanalis.
“Why would I, of all people, be jealous?”
“Because you’re wife is a smart, sophisticated lady who could do a lot better than a man who drinks sake and shamelessly prances around woman as if he was a young teen in his glory years.” Golden eyes met red ones in a baffled expression of offense.
“That’s a low blow, Ja’far.”
“Hmm.” Again, Masrur voiced his opinion rather humbly. Unlike the other two, Masrur had not taken his eyes away from the Queen, curious to see how her little game would play out; He loved how cunning she was.
The Queen, unlike Sinbad, was sensible. When he was busy hiding from Ja’far she was busy doing the work for him and cleaning up all his messes. Masrur liked how through thick and thin she stayed by Sinbad’s side whilst being the role model his country needed. She may as well have been a general. However, that didn’t mean she didn’t find herself sick of him sometimes.
Unfortunately old habits died hard. Sinbad was an infamous lady killer, flirting and charming any woman he deemed beautiful. No longer did he take it any further but Masrur could always see it in the Queen’s eyes whenever she got upset or jealous with his ministrations. As much as she tried to hide it, Masrur was a man who saw much, yet said very little.
The fanalis saw the way the cogs in her head turned the moment Sinbad had told her to “Gain Kouen’s favour in any way you can! I’m sure he’ll be much more linient with me if he enjoys the company of my other half” and the way she made sure her corset was on tighter and her breasts were pushed up higher only confirmed his supicions. Sinbad was about to get a very bitter taste of his own flirtatious medicine.
The Queen was, despite being middle aged, very beautiful. If she wasn’t married to King Sinbad, Masrur was certain many men would be throwing themselves at her feet. Kouen would possibly be one of those.
The next thing Masrur knew a grumpy Sinbad was pulling on his cheek, his gaze in the same direction as his. “What is it Masrur? What are they saying!? Surely you will stick by your King! Unlike this traitor—“
“Tsk.”
“Please Masrur. My wife could be in danger.” Sinbad dramatized. Masrur practically had to stop himself from commenting on how pathetic the King looked. “I need those fanalis ears of yours...”
“Fine.”
“Did you know, you’re my favourite?”
“I swear to Solomon Sinbad if you—“
Drowning out the advisor and the King, Masrur honed his attention on the Queen and Kouen who sat sharing a bottle of red wine.
“Oh no. No more for me please.” Just as Kouen was about to tip some more of the red liquor in her glass, the Queen politely bowed her head, fluttering her lashes. “My tolerance for alcohol isn’t the greatest thing in the world.”
“Oh?.” Kouen hummed, nodding in response before filling up his own. “I expected you to perhaps be a little more like you’re husband.”
“An old drunkard?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“But is it not what you meant?”
“I—“ Kouen seemed at a loss for words for a second, perhaps embarrassed, but saved himself rather quickly without a hint of emotion on his face. “What I meant was, a lover of a banquet. Sinbad has attended many, I assumed you would have been more on par with him when it came to drinking and party games.”
The Queen watched Kouen take a sip of his wine, her lips pulling up into a soft smirk. “Something tells me Kouen if I was anything like my husband you wouldn’t want to be sat here with me.” Kouen was slow to place down his drink, his sharp eyes meeting Sinbad’s wife’s.
“Would you rather me sit elsewhere?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“But is it not what you meant?” Now, it was his turn to smirk.
“I—“ With a soft laugh, the regal woman before Kouen grew flustered, picking up her glass and swirling the remaining wine contents around to allow her to look elsewhere. “You really are as they say Kouen. Quite an interesting man. I enjoy getting to know you.” Lifting up her head, the Queen rose an eyebrow, a smile now residing on her face. “Every word I say sinks in doesn’t it?”
“Your highness. If any man does not listen to you, does he really deserve to be in your presence? If my sisters were simply cast aside, I wouldn’t be so forgiving to the suitor who was to do that.” It was a lie, the Queen had heard of Kouen and his family sending off the young princess to he married to a King who wanted nothing more then a pretty face. Was there more to the story? Most likely. But was that the gist of it? Yes. However, to indulge both Kouen and continue to gain the nervous attention of her husband shuffling in his seat, the Queen sighed out gently.
“You’re close to your family...?” It was hard to hear the rest, Sinbad practically chewing off his own hand right beside Masrurs ear.
“What are they saying!?” Simply, Masrur shrugged. “Something about family.” It was no fun telling Sinbad everything. Groaning, Sinbad flopped back into his seat, picking up his wine with a pout.
“It doesn’t taste the same knowing at the end of the night she’s not going to be dragging me back to our room...”
“Who? Her highness?” The three men all turned abruptly to face Kogyoku, who smiled sheepishly. “I’m awfully sorry...” she stuttered out. “I didn’t mean to pry, I just came to say hello and over heard you talking."
Knowing that any ill intentions towards Kougyoku’s older brother would harm his reputation with the Kou empire, Sinbad put on his best charming smile, acting as though he wasn’t emotionally conflicted on the inside. “Ah Princess. What a pleasure to be seeing you again. Are you enjoying the banquet?” With a smile, the pinkette nodded her head.
“I am very much your highness. I hope you’re also enjoying yourself.” With that, her eyes flickered upwards to the Queen of Sindrian and the most influential man in the whole of the Kou empire. “It seems her highness is enjoying herself to. I’ve never seen Kouen so invested in somebody. It’s a real testimony to your wife.” Kougyoku was of course NOT JEALOUS. Not once had she imagined herself sat on Sinbad's lap as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear! Nether the less, she continued her façade, knowing that after all it was her duty.
”They’re so deep in conversation, I wonder what they’re talking about.” Her words aren’t helping the purple male.
“As do I...”
“Kouen seems so relaxed around her highness. They really do get along don’t they?” Was she trying to give him a heart attack?
With a delightful laugh Sinbad nodded before finally rising to his feet. "They do indeed. In fact I feel a little bit left out. Perhaps I should pau the two a visit. Excuse me Princess, I do hope of seeing you again soon." Lifting her hand to his lips, Sinbad placed a soft kiss to the back of her hand before walking towards his wife and that thing trying to take her away. The King of Sindria looked at peace with all around him as he strode over, all intentions of causing havoc and disrupting the calm atmosphere completely gone for his being. At least it looked that way. If it didn't, he wouldn't have been a good King.
The two at the table saw him coming before he arrived and where as Kouen greeted him with a cut nod, seemingly displeased he was interrupting his time with his wife, who simply sent him a passive smile.
"Ah Your highness." Not Sin, not Sinbad, not my King, not my love. Just your highness. "Me and Kouen here--" Yet they were on first name basis? "Were just discussing-- Hmmph!"
As done many times before by the womanizer, Sinbad encased the back of his wife's head, bringing her face towards his own and then slamming their lips together in a rather mighty display right in front of the red princes eyes. He made sure it lasted. And his Queen? Who was she to deny Sinbads advances? As usual she practically melted into his affectionate assault, fragile hands moving to clasp at Sinbad's robes in an attempt to lull him closer...but two could play at that game. Pulling back from his beloved, Sinbad made sure to smirk, staring into her eyes for a brief moment. It was his way of saying "I'll get you back for this".
The sexual tension was undeniable and Sinbad had hoped Kouen could sense her thighs rubbing together like he could, because that was the closest Kouen would get.
"Hm? Talking about what? I didn't quite catch that my Queen."
Meanwhile, back at Sinbad's table, Ja'far sighed in aggravation as he watched the scene Sinbad caused in absolute horror. "Honestly, this man really does test my patience! Can he not just let his wife butter up Kouen! If anything it benefits us!"
"Hmm."
"Just for one second, can he think about anything else other then his-"
"Dick?"
"I was going to say pride but that works too."
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honey-boyyoongi · 3 years
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Pairing ➪ Y/n x Yoongi | Y/n x Jungkook
Word count ➪ 3.1k
Warning ➪ not beta read; angst; I am sorry in advance
Previous Fic Masterlist
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Jungkook has been laying on your lap for what seems, hours. You haven’t spoken to him in a year, maybe a little more. A ‘hi’ here and there when Mrs. Jeon invites you, and Yoongi to events. You can never say no to her. Slowly, you start noticing Sooyoung showed up less, and less. Jungkook always gave the excuses, ‘She’s not feeling well’, ‘Sooyoung has a work project she has to get done’, ‘Her friend is having a baby, and she’s the birthing partner’, ‘She’s housesitting for her brother’. They never seemed to stop. Mr. and Mrs. Jeon were understanding, but visibly disappointed. As far as everyone knew, everything was perfect. Until it wasn’t. Your mother told you it was about children. Jungkook wanted children, but Sooyoung was not sure if she ever wanted to be a mother. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with not wanting children, and not wanting the commitment of it. But they wanted different things.
What Jungkook never told his parents was how messy it was. The harsh words, the long nights, large amounts of tears shed on both ends, and the feelings of failure. Jungkook wanted to make it work. He wants to believe Sooyoung wanted to make it work. Within the week Sooyoung had moved into her co-worker’s place, at the end of the month the papers were signed, by four months the divorce was final, and Sooyoung had accepted a transfer to a sister location across the country. It was fine for a while, at least Jungkook tried to convince himself it was fine. The days felt long, dreary.
He tried to get back into painting, boxing, and other hobbies he had pre-Sooyoung. He started hanging out with friends more, Namjoon was more than happy to catch up over some beers from his favorite brewery. He even started talking to Yoongi more. They were work partners, regardless of that, their chatter never went past the needed communication to complete the necessary work. Jungkook started slowly, asking Yoongi if he wanted a coffee while he got his own. Inviting him to lunch with Namjoon. Even making jokes here, and there. It’s not what it was before, but they’re getting there.
He moved out of the apartment that him, and Sooyoung shared. It was difficult, but he’ll make this new space home. It’s definitely smaller than his previous apartment. Cozier, he wants to say. Jungkook fills it up with art that had been put in storage, his salvaged knick knacks, pictures with his friends and family. His parents gift him new kitchenware. His older brother helps paint. Namjoon gives him some new plants to care for, and Yoongi comes over to assemble some furniture because ‘you need the help kid’. A few weeks post-divorce, he feels good, normal. He’s out with his mom at the mall when he finally sees her.
He wants to say she’s more beautiful than he remembers, but all he can focus on is the bump she has. His mom catches his line of sight, “Oh, look at my Yn-ie. She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?” He nods in response. “She’s eight months now, Mrs. Min says it’s a girl. They’re so excited, Hyeri says Yoonie has been talking non-stop about the baby,” his mother chatters. She talks his ear off about the Min baby. The name, the nursery, heck even the baby shower the moms threw as a surprise. He’s happy for her, for them. He ignores the ache in his chest the rest of the outing.
His mother, bless her heart, goes up to Y/n. Asks how she’s doing, how baby min is doing. “Surprisingly energetic,” she jokes, “Yoongi says she gets it from him, but this is the same man that knocks out if he gets comfortable enough on anything.”
While his mom is chatting Y/n up, he takes her in. She cut her hair to a lob, waves a little more defined. Her smile lines are a little more prevalent. Eyes sparkling, a bit tired looking, the baby must be giving her a hard time if it’s kicking up a storm in there. She rubs her belly in comforting motions, as she talks with his mom. He can’t help admiring her features.
“What do you think, kookie?”
Jungkook stared at his mother, and Y/n, “I’m sorry what?”
His mother sighed, “He’s been like this for a bit, sweetie. Nothing sweetheart.”
They keep chatting about the baby. He tells his mom he has to finish his errands. She waves him away with a ‘be careful’ and ‘love you’. Y/n waves goodbye with a shy look. They walk slowly to the nearest bench, his mother’s hands waving around as she speaks.
He doesn’t know how he gets to Y/n’s house. One drink turned into three then six and a half. All doubles, of course. The bartender could tell he was drowning his sorrows, and promptly cut him off as he was ordering his seventh drink, but instead of a double a triple. His angel of a bartender helped him order an Uber to the nearest place he could remember. Once he arrived at the apartment complex, he made the very unsteady way to Yoongi’s and Y/n’s apartment. He knocked on the door heavily. It felt like a long time until Y/n answered.
She looked so pretty. In her cute little pj’s, belly accentuated by the soft material. Her cheeks a little rosy from the effort of walking at this point in her pregnancy.
Surprise filled her face, “Jungkook, what are you doing here?”
He pouts, swaying a bit as he tries to find his footing, “I.. I miss you. It’s been hard these last few months without you.”
“Are you drunk,” Y/n asks worried.
Jungkook hiccups in response, “In my defense, the nice bartender lady cut me off.” Y/n sighs, she could call Mrs. Jeon to come get Jungkook. But she doesn’t want her to see him this inebriated. The feelings of the divorce probably caught up with him and were too overwhelming. Y/n doesn’t know what to do, but decides to take care of Jungkook like she used to.
Y/n takes his hand, and gently guides him to the large side of the L-shape couch. She avoids putting any of Jungkook’s weight on herself while gently, as gently as she can place a drunk man, sitting him. She coaxes Jungkook to slowly drink a full glass of water to sober up, with little difficulty thank goodness. After a moment or two of adjustment on the couch that wouldn’t make her uncomfortable, Y/n settles next to Jungkook. It would be better to be closer to him, as to avoid the unavoidable struggle that movement seems to have these days.
Jungkook must be finding it difficult to sit upright, as he ends up laying down. Feet dangling on the edge, head on the available part of your lap, his face looking away from your belly. He starts to hum quietly, nothing specific really, it’s calming.
“Can you pet my hair, please,” Jungkook mumbles. Y/n nods, “Sure. Your hair has gotten long, I like it. It suits you.”
Jungkook slurs, “Thanks, Sooyoung hated it long. Said it made me look messy.” She hummed in distaste, “She also hated anything that wasn’t to her liking. I’ve missed you too Kook. It’s been weird not having you around.”
He snuggles deeper into her lap finding comfort in her warmth, “I know. You don't know how much I’ve been wanting to call you, and just tell you all the things that happened.”
Y/n nudges Jungkook up, she settles more comfortably into her spot and nudges Jungkook back down. He decides he’s no longer satisfied with looking at the wall in front of him, and with the most grace he can muster he turns to face Y/n’s belly. If he was sober enough he could’ve seen the pink rising in her ears. He grabs her hand and places it back on his head to keep receiving his favorite head scratches. Maybe it’s the whiskey, but he feels like he’s having a staring contest with Y/n’s belly. He’s strangely okay with that, until he feels the (surprisingly) hard kick of baby min on his cheek.
Jungkook lets out a groan, and follows it up with an antagonistic soft poke at the spot the kick came from. “Your kid isn’t even here yet and it’s already bullying me,” he sighs. “You’re supposed to be nice to your elders,” he tells her. Y/n giggles, “She’s a kicker. Sometimes she’ll wake me up in the middle of the night. I don’t know where she got this energy from. My mother in law says her boys weren’t too rowdy, and mom says I wasn't a kicker, but more of a crier. So that’s something to look forward to.”
Jungkook laughs, he wants to say she still is. He looks up at her, “Is it okay if I touch your belly?” Y/n is a little shocked. The few times he’s seen her, he’s never mentioned anything about her pregnancy. She wants to question him, but decides against it. She gives him a soft nod, and guides his hand to her belly. “Be gentle,” Y/n tells him.
Jungkook moves his hand in small, soft circles. Making quiet noises of contentment. A few minutes of silence pass by with no words exchanged. It feels comfortable, even a little nostalgic to how things were pre-marriages. “Kids,” Jungkook says.
“What?” Y/n asks.
“We divorced over kids,” he says more firmly, “Sooyoung wasn’t sure if she wanted kids. You already know I wanted them. We couldn’t come to an agreement of when we would start trying. She wanted to wait because she was up for a promotion at work, and she didn’t want to pass it up by staying home with the kids. I told her I was okay being at home with them, the good thing about my job is that I can work from home, if needed. I could be the stay at home dad, be part time until we were comfortable enough to put them in daycare and go back to full time. She said she’d think about it.”
He sniffles, and buries his face into Y/n’s belly. She starts to caress his hair to comfort him, “It’s okay, take your time.”
Jungkook sniffled a bit more, rubbing little circles on her belly with his thumb, “She said we would talk more about it. A little before you got married we talked about it again, but she kept saying she can’t do her job and be pregnant. I told her she wouldn’t do it herself, I would help her. We were a unit. She refused to talk about it after that. Any time I wanted to have a talk about it, it turned into something bigger and ugly. A few months ago I mentioned that mom had told me you were pregnant.” He paused for a moment, wondering if it was appropriate to go on. Y/n kept playing with his hair, encouraging him to speak when he’s comfortable.
“I made a comment..,” Jungkook mumbles, “I made a comment about how I couldn’t wait for our kids to be running around together. Sooyoung got angry. She said that would never happen. I asked her why, you were still my friend, so is Yoongi. Why wouldn’t I want our kids to be friends too?”
Y/n hummed, not sure how to react to Sooyoung’s statement. “Is that what started the argument?”
He nodded, “Yeah. I got upset, I told her that she can’t keep avoiding my friends, I missed you guys and wanted to be how we were. I wanted you to, at least, be amicable. I didn’t expect her to be best friends with you guys.” Jungkook got quiet once again. He could feel baby Min moving. He wanted to feel what he’s missing these past several months.
“So, clearly she didn’t like us,” Y/n jokes.
Jungkook chuckled dryly, “Clearly. She said how do I expect her to be friends with the person she’ll always be second best to. As well as the people that blamed her for us not being together.”
“I told her Joon and Yoongi don’t blame her for anything,” he said, “She wasn’t second best to anyone, and you’ve been my friend for years. Sooyoung didn’t believe it. I asked her if we all somehow got along, why wouldn’t our kids be friends. She said there wasn’t going to be any kids for yours to be friends with. I asked her what she meant.” Jungkook choked up at the memory, “Sooyoung said after some thinking, she wasn’t sure if she ever wanted kids. She doesn’t know if she can commit herself to that role. She says she has her career ahead of her and I can’t make her be a mom.”
Jungkook started to tear up, “I told her I’m not expecting her to be a stay at home mom. I repeated that I would be a stay at home parent… She… She said she’s not sure if she wants to have kids at all. Sooyoung said it’s too much responsibility.”
He started to sob, his body shaking from the increased intensity. “I couldn’t believe it. When we were dating she said she wanted kids. I’m not upset that she doesn’t want any, it’s her choice. I’m upset that she lied to me about it.”
Y/n’s heart aches for her friend, she knows how much Jungkook wanted kids. Namjoon might be the one buying baby shoes because he finds them cute, but Jungkook has always talked about being a dad. Always talked about how he wanted to be the type of parent his were, that encouraged him to thrive in his likes and talents. He was passionate about it.
“We talked all night. We couldn’t come to any type of resolution. So we decided to separate. This was something that was non-negotiable.”
“Is that what led to the divorce,” Y/n asked.
Jungkook nodded, “She stayed at a coworker’s place that she’s friends with. We didn’t talk for a couple weeks. Sooyoung reached out first. She said this is something she won’t change her mind on. She’s sorry for not being truthful about her stance on kids. We decided to divorce. We settled pretty quickly. It’s signed and official as of last month.”
“I’m sorry kook,” Y/n whispered.
You were sorry, he knew you were. He keeps rubbing your belly, feeling baby Min follow around. Wanting to feel the comfort of having you around.
Jungkook ends up falling in and out of sleep. He doesn’t know how long he lays there for.
“No, I’m fine.”
“He’s asleep right now.”
Who were you talking to?
“No, Yoonie, it's fine. He’s sleeping and he didn’t do anything. I think the divorce finally got to him.”
He heard you pause, but didn’t hear anyone else in the apartment. You must be speaking with Yoongi on the phone.
“No, we just talked about it. He was pretty upset, obviously.”
You continued to play with his hair, brushing out the knots with your fingers. He hummed lowly, snuggling closer to your belly. Baby Min must’ve had the same idea because she was still squirming around. Yoongi assured you he would be home soon with Namjoon to get Jungkook home.
“Y/n?”
“Yes, Kook,” You answered.
He sits up, eyes puffy, and cheeks stained with tears. “Do you ever think about us?”
“Like? Our friendship? Of course, all the time,” you answer.
He scoots closer facing you, and reaches out to hold your hand. “No, I’m talking about us. What we could’ve been.”
“I did, but not anymore,” you answered honestly, “You chose Sooyoung, kook. I wasn’t going to wait forever. I deserved, and still deserve to be happy. And I am happy. You shouldn’t think about the what if’s.”
Jungkook sniffled. “I do,” he whispered, “All the time. I think about what if, I had worked up the courage to confess to you on one of our last movie nights? Things would’ve been different. We would’ve been happy. We would’ve gotten married, and had the wedding you always talked about.” He paused, he’s trying so hard not to cry about it. “We would’ve had those cats you wanted, and we would’ve finally adopted the dog that hangs around the convenience store. We would’ve had a baby. We would’ve been a family. I should’ve said something, shown you how much I loved you. How much I still love you.”
You pulled your hand away from him, “But you didn’t, you chose Sooyoung kook. I loved you, I still love you, but not how you want me to. Maybe things would’ve been different, but it’s too late.”
Jungkook starts to sob, he knows it’s too late. It felt bittersweet to hear that she still loves him.
-
Namjoon takes Jungkook home. He feels everything, yet nothing. Maybe he can start fresh with no what if’s to cling on to.
Joon helps him get cleaned up, and lays him down in his cold bed. He lets himself dream of what could’ve been.
“How are my girls doing?” Jungkook asked, while caressing your growing tummy. “SHE,” you pointed, “is giving mommy a hard time. S’been kicking all morning. She’s definitely YOUR daughter.” Jungkook lets out a sympathetic giggle. Your baby has been a pain in your butt, more like your bladder, since she could move. Mrs. Jeon says her youngest was the exact same, and to expect an energetic baby once she’s out. She’ll be all smiles, and sweet giggles, as well as a pain to put to sleep. Maybe she’ll take after her father and sleep like a log your mother in law jokes. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of doctors appointments, birthing classes, nesting, nesting, and more nesting. The nursery has changed colors three times, Jungkook was insistent on doing art on the walls to give it a personal touch. Took a whole weekend, but now your baby girl will be slumbering under the stars.
Both of you have gone through the recommended parenting books, gotten advice from the grandmothers and aunties, Jungkook might’ve panicked a little at the repeated visual of you giving birth. But, it’s all part of the process. He’s been enjoying giving little facts he’s been learning from the shared pregnancy tracker.
“Babe, did you know our baby is the size of a cherry today?”
“Hey, by now they grew all their toes.”
“Did you know our baby can pee? In the womb?”
“Jungkook, what the fuck dude?”
Other than the obvious pregnancy issues, things have been smooth sailing. His favorite thing to do these days has been laying his head on your lap caressing your belly. If it was up to him he’d stay there for hours drawing patterns with his fingers, singing to his baby, feeling her movements.
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A/N: Heyyyyyyyy~~~ originally I wasn’t gonna do an epilogue, but I got the idea after talking about a headcanon I had with my sister. Happy (super) late birthday to Jungkookie ❤️ hopefully in my next fic involving you, you get to be happy lol. Feedback is appreciated ❤️
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yutahoes · 3 years
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3Bs Project #1: (Biyoushi)
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3Bs are known as the three male professions that women should avoid to date in Japan: a biyoushi (hairstylist), a band member, and a bartender.  
pairing : hairstylist! Yuta Nakamoto x homebody! Reader
word count : 3.3k words
genre : angst, fluff, a little crack because of Ten
summary : Your bestfriend dragged you to a hair salon because of a blind date. Who would have known that you’ll fall for the hairstylist? 
taglist:  @ailoveyuta @aiforyuu @yutazen01 @2-3-t-i​ @cosmiclatte28  @readers-posts @ytzvivi @onefoureightfive     
This is supposed to to be one of the fics I write the Spring Fling event from one NCT network but things happened at home that I can’t write anything. I also feel bad for not posting any scenarios these past few days so please accept this apology even if it’s late.  
"I don't want to."
"Y/N, you needed this." Your bestfriend, Ten, sighed. "All you do is stay in your room all day. You need to go out, have a life." 
You rolled your eyes at that. You're happy staying inside your room, the scent of coffee and old page books tingling your senses. The life that you're comfortable with. "When was the last time you went on a date with someone?" 
"I'm not interested." 
"I didn't say anything." You stared at him, eyebrows raised. You knew him like the back of your hand, it must be another guy he's setting you up with. "Okay okay, but he's nice. You'll be a great match." You shook your head at that. 
The last time he introduced you to his friend, you became the mess you are today. "Come on, please. I told him that I'm introducing him to someone, please save me." 
"Don't you have any female friends?" 
"You're my favorite." You had to smile at that. You knew Ten wouldn't harm you, even apologizing profusely for what his friend did to you. "Please, Y/N." 
You breathed heavily then nodded. Here goes nothing. 
--
Ten suggested that you should do something about yourself first. You had taken decent baths, what does he mean by that? "When was the last time you had a salon appointment?" He asked, holding your hair. You shrugged, you haven't really thought about it. "This won't do. Let's get you a haircut." 
That's honestly not bad so you went with him to this hair salon owned by his friend. The interior was really pretty, a seemingly calming place. Maybe you'll get your salon appointments here from now on. Your friend talked to someone inside the salon and you waited, sitting on the couch. All this trouble because of a blind date. Ten might be introducing you to some hotshot. 
The curtains opened as your friend called you inside, gesturing to a chair for you to sit. "I already talked to Yuta about what to do to you. Just trust him." Should you? You cannot trust Ten but you feel bad that he's doing this much for you.
A guy your age, with shiny black hair, went out of the other side of the curtain with hairdressing tools on a cart. You thought Yuta is a girl, surprised he is a guy. He's going to do your hair? "Yuta, this is Y/N. Baby, this is Yuta. He styles my hair and he's amazing in his job." The other man smiled warmly and you have to note that he looks handsome. "I'll leave you to him. I have to get you some clothes." 
You called for your friend's name but he was already out of the curtain you went in earlier. You sighed then sat up properly when the guy pushed the cart with tools beside you. "Hi." he greeted, sitting on a stool behind you. Your eyes met on the mirror in front and you gave him a timid smile. "A blind date?" 
You nodded. How did he know that? Did Ten tell him? "We have to charm the guy you're going to see, don't we?" Again, you nodded with a smile. "What style do you want with your hair?" 
"I'm honestly not sure." You whispered, realizing that you must have thought about this before going here. "Is it rude if I ask you to just do what you want with my hair?" He chuckled before shaking his head. "You can cut it or even color it." 
He held your hair and you felt yourself tingle at the gentleness of his touch. "Your hair feels silky. I want to color it but we don't have time." He mumbled, "I'll just layer your hair and do some curls." You nodded, it's his craft and he knows what he's doing. 
Ten was right, you just have to trust him. 
His hands felt light in your hair, the sound of the scissors occupying the silence along with the faint music from the radio. You saw how your hair changed drastically in every snip and when he styled your hair using the curling iron, you only gasped. You look different and it's just a simple haircut. 
"Wow, you look…" Ten gasped as Yuta removed the black cloth covering your body from the hair he cut. "That's some real magic, Yuta."
He shook his head, staring at you. "She's pretty, to begin with." You felt a blush on your cheeks as he said those words. He stood in front of you, twirling a curled hair. "If your date goes well, would you like to color your hair pink? It will look nice." 
You nodded, wanting to color your hair instead of the date to go well. 
Damn it. You don't even want to go on a date but now, you want this date to go well so you can color your hair and meet the hairstylist again. 
So you listened patiently to this hotshot guy, that is supposed to be Ten's friend, yap about his trip abroad and that you should go out of the country to live your life. All night, he kept on saying things about himself not even bothering to ask you a question. He even ordered cheesecake for you, which you do not even like, wanting the carrot cake. Instead of driving you home with his Maserati, he asked you to take a cab. 
And then he ghosted you. No message, no call. Nothing. You kind of expected it but maybe, you aren't meant to date someone. 
You ruffled your hair in annoyance, a strand of hair falling in front of your face. Maybe you should reinvent yourself. Try again. Be a rebel. Live your life. 
You'll color your hair pink. 
You don't even know how to ask Ten about the hair salon's number to get an appointment so you just went to the said salon and hoped that it isn't that busy. That Yuta is there to help you. 
A young man was in the reception, asking you what you need and if you have an appointment. "No, I don't." You answered then smiled. "I'll just come back…" 
The curtains opened and Yuta came out with an older woman next to him. He gave you a smile before facing the woman who held his shoulder, sliding a hand down on his arm. "Thank you, darling. I'll see you soon." Yuta thanked her and she took some cash from her purse to pay, even giving Yuta some more cash that surprised you. That's a huge tip. Is Yuta just a hairstylist? 
"You're back," he said when the older woman left the shop and you nodded. "You're finally coloring your hair?" You nodded. "It will take some time though, do you have anything else to do after?" 
"No. But I haven't had an appointment so…" 
"It's fine. We're closing anyway." It makes you feel bad. He's staying extra hours just for you. "Haechan, you can go first. Just close the door when you leave, I'll lock up after this." 
The younger nodded. "Hyung, there are CCTVs here. Just a reminder." 
"I know, you punk." He said before turning to you, "Shall we?" Shall you? Why are you suddenly nervous? He told you to sit on the chair facing the mirrors. "So, pink?" You hummed in response. 
"I can just go back tomorrow if you want." 
"You're already here. And please, just tonight, can you save me from loneliness?" Your eyes widened at that. What? "No, that sounded wrong." He said with a giggle. "I just don't want to go home early to an empty apartment." 
So he lives alone? No wife? No girlfriend? But of course, you cannot ask that. It would be weird. 
Yuta sat on the stool behind you, mixing something from a plastic bowl. "So the date went well?"
You sighed then shook your head. Why does he have to remind you of that? He put some chemical in your hair, "What happened?" He's curious? Even Ten didn't ask you what happened. "If you're comfortable telling me." But then, maybe he can tell you what's wrong with you. He's a guy after all. 
So you told him about what happened, that he's a nice guy but he seemed so high for you. He's so accomplished that you feel like a potato next to him. "Did he call you?" You shook your head then stopped, apologizing for your action. "He's a jerk. If he doesn't like you, he should say something. Not make you wait. That's such a dick move."  
You giggled. Why is he so angry? "I hope you don't feel bad about yourself. You deserve more than that stupid excuse for a guy." Again, you laughed. He had his way with words. He might be a ladies' man. 
"I'm done with the dating thing." You mumbled. "It's more fun to stay at home."
"Then your pink hair will be useless."
It was one of the decisions that you didn't regret. Yuta was right, the pink hair does look good. It doesn't look awkward than what you imagined and you thanked him repeatedly for the new look. He shook his head, pushing the loose strand of your hair behind your ear. "It suits you because you're pretty." 
Damn, why is he like this? You could feel your heartbeat wilding in your chest. "It's late. I'll walk you home." Your eyes widened in surprise. He'll walk you home? He started fixing the things he used while you think of something, anything just to not let him walk you home. 
"You don't have to walk me home. I'll just take the bus."
"Then let me just walk you to the bus stop." You nodded, waiting for him and seated on the couch by the reception. It is truly dark, did it really take a long time for her hair to turn pink? When you heard the light switch gets turned off, you stood up and Yuta went out from the other side of the curtain wearing a different shirt, a faint smell of musky cologne hitting your nose. "Let's go." 
You nodded then followed him to the door which he opened for you. The walk was kind of short but you were thankful that he's gentleman enough to walk to the dangerous side of the road. "How many stops before you get home?" 
"Five stops then a little walk." 
Yuta nodded, thinking deeply. "An hour tops." He whispered that made you look at him. He took out his phone, handing it to you. "Put your number in, I'll message you." This is weird. "If you're not home after an hour, I'll call the cops." You giggle at that, handing back his phone which had your number in. He called your number and it vibrated on your pocket, "Or message me if you got home." 
The bus is approaching yet you don't want to leave. Yuta is so charming, it's crazy. You like talking to him. "Thank you, Yuta." You said while standing up, watching as the bus opened the doors.
"Take care, Y/N." He said in the softest yet audible voice possible.
It was when you sat on the bus when you realized things. He makes your heart flutter. He's such a gentleman. And he listens to you. You like a guy like him.
You like him. 
You saw your reflection from the dark window amidst the city lights. This is just you. You'll never be enough for him. He's perfect. You shouldn't keep your hopes up. You saw a strand of pink hair on your shoulder and gasp, you didn't even pay him. Quickly, you typed in a message apologizing that you forgot to pay him or give him a tip and even saying that you'll just send the payment online or tomorrow. 
A reply came quickly, 'It's fine. Thank you for letting me play on your hair.' 
You giggled. Play? The color is really pretty and it’s just playing for him? He is amazing. 'I'm sorry. I'll pay you, I promise.' 
'No worries, Y/N.' Another one, 'But can you not give up on dating yet? Go on dates, make boys cry. You deserve it.' 
Go on dates? He wanted you to go meet other guys? And you thought there's something special between the two of you. Maybe it's just you. 
Why is this more heartbreaking than that guy from the blind date not calling you back? 
'I will. Thank you again, Yuta.' You closed your phone, sighing hard. 
You do like him. 
----
"Y/N, wakey wakey." Ten sang, opening the door of your room and you covered your head with the blanket. "Oh, you colored your hair pink. It looks good." He complimented, sitting on your bed. 
You groaned. It's still early. "It's been two days." 
"And your phone is unreachable." He grabbed your phone from the bedside table, opening it to reveal endless pings and missed calls. "Yuta? The hairstylist Yuta? Yuta Nakamoto?" You didn't know that Yuta is Japanese, he's so fluent in the language. And why is Ten reacting like that? Your phone vibrated, followed by a ringtone for calls. "Yuta is calling."
But before you could get your phone, Ten already clicked the phone and from the speaker, you can hear the worry in Yuta's voice. "God, Y/N. What happened to you? Are you kidnapped or something? Hey, can you answer? Should I call the police?" 
Ten gave you a knowing look but you just shook your head. "Hi, Yuta." He greeted and the said guy stopped then asked who it was. "It's Ten." You heard a breath of relief on the other line. Why is he shaking you like this? "Y/N?" You don't want to talk to him yet so you gestured for Ten to cut off the call by moving your finger across your neck. "She's dead." 
"What?" You slapped Ten's arm before getting the phone from him, transferring it to handset mode. "What do you mean she's dead? Ten!" Why does he sound so angry? 
"Yuta." You called and he stopped. "It's Y/N. Ten is just being stupid." The other guy rolled his eyes at that.
"Hey." There was a softness in his voice when he said that word. "I was worried. What happened?" 
I like you. And it doesn't seem like you like me too. So I have to guard my heart, that's what happened. "I got sick. Sorry." 
"Are you feeling any better now? Do you want anything?" Your stomach felt sick at that, like little butterflies fluttering their wings inside you. Why is he like this? "You should rest. I'm sorry for calling you, I'm just worried." 
"Thank you." You don't want to say anything. You might blow your cover. And before he could say anything else, you dropped the call. You lie on your bed once again, covering yourself with a blanket. Why does this have to happen to you? You were having a quiet life. Now, he's shaking you up like this. 
Ten pulled the blanket away from you. "You like him, don't you?" You nodded, tears springing from your eyes. He doesn't seem like he likes you too. You told him about the older woman while sobbing in his arms and how he listens to you. How your heart misbehaves when he's near and how you can feel the butterflies inside you because of his voice. "They were right when they said that it's hard to date a hairstylist. They usually have female customers but it's their job." He explained and you nodded. "Should I ask Yuta? I'm going to the salon today anyways."  
You shook your head. This your own feelings, you can take care of it. "But can you just send him my payment for the hair color?" 
"You didn't even pay for it?" 
-----
It's been days since the last call from Yuta and every time you can see the pink strand of your hair, you can't help but wonder what he is doing. Is he also thinking about you? You sighed, that was a stupid question. Of course not. Why would he? 
And it's frustrating to know that you were heartbroken by a guy who was never yours in the first place. More reasons to stop yourself from dating. 
You saw your phone blinked, a message from Ten 'Come to Moon Cafe, 2 pm.' 
You rolled your eyes, another blind date. 'Please Y/N. I'll stop if he's not the right guy for you.' Why is he so sure of this? 
'And he's begging me to have this date with you.' What? He was the one who wanted to date you? 
You were hopeful. Maybe this is it. But damn it, this can lead to another heartbreak. 
You were curious. Who is this guy? The waitress welcomed you, asking for a reservation and you said your name, "Your date is here." Already? Your hands were sweating as you followed her to the table where your date is. A mop of black hair is all you can see before you stop in front of a table. 
Your eyes widened in surprise. Yuta. "Hi." he greeted, standing immediately. The waitress said that she'll be back with the menu as he slid the chair for you to sit on.
"Wait. You?" You asked when he sat opposite you, napkins in front of him. 
He nodded then handed you the paper bouquet made from the napkins. "I didn't know if you liked flowers so this is safer. I'll just buy you one later if you want." You shook your head. This is cute. He sighed, a heavy breath as if relieving some nerves. "I'm sorry. I kinda asked Ten for help just to see you."
So this isn't a date. Maybe he's just worried about you. You were right, this can lead to a heartbreak. But you're happy that it was still Yuta. "I like talking to you, Y/N." You stared at him in surprise. What? "I like hearing your stories, especially your voice." Is this some kind of a fever dream? "And I deeply regret that I didn't get to walk you home that night. I mean, I don't have a fancy car but I really want to spend time with you." 
You gasped. Is this all true? Yuta is saying those words to you? "But please, don't be burdened. This is just my feelings, I can take care of it." You were thankful for the waitress bringing in the menu that you hid your face with the object, promising to kill Ten the next time you see each other. "Y/N, what do you want?" He's asking you what you want? 
"The cheesecakes are our…" 
Yuta shook his head, "She doesn't like cheesecakes." He listens. 
A smile crept on your lips as you told the waitress that you wanted the strawberry cake. Yuta ordered a carrot cake, the cake that you were craving back at the blind date. He's listening. The guy gave you a warm awkward smile when the waitress left the table, "I like your hair." 
Weird. You just let your hair down today. If you just knew that you're going on a date with a hairstylist, you should have paid more attention to how you look. You smiled, leaning closer to the table. He was right, you should go on dates. "Then, Yuta, can I make you cry?" 
He smiled, nodding at you. "If that's what you want, I won't stop you." 
"I like you too, Yuta." 
Once again, he smiled. The smile that made your heart beat rapidly in your chest. The smile that made the butterflies in your stomach flutter. The smile that makes you weak in your knees. 
Damn it! You're in love. You're going to marry this guy.
This is definitely the last time Ten introduces you to someone. 
249 notes · View notes
janetbrown711 · 3 years
Note
Can we get a one-shot between yakko and max at the party? Please
Parties.
Yakko remembered those, though they were far and few between. Angelina wasn't necessarily one to celebrate often, but his parents told them tales of celebrations in the past. Singing, dancing, laughing, falling in love, it sounded exciting.
Well- okay, Yakko had technically been to parties before. However, they always lacked the spirit and energy and- well... fun his parents described them with. His grandmother's parties were stiff and uncomfortable, and usually without his siblings.
However, his mother's coronation party was the complete opposite of that. There was music- fiddles and the like- the kind of music that made you want to dance and brought smiles to faces the second the hair touched the strings. There was dancing, real dancing, the fun kind with stomping and twirling that made people lose their breath without even minding because of how fun it was. There was food, there was art, there was singing, there were people- tons of them.
There was a prince.
Yakko hadn't seen him before.
He was a dog- likely no older than Yakko himself. He looked like he was trying to have a good time, but the outfit he was put into was clearly not meant for this level of activity. His hair was messy, with a crown crooked on his head. His eyes were dark like a smoky quartz, and they were looking around the room, attempting to calm an anxiety within (Yakko could relate to that).
The prince made eye contact with Yakko.
Yakko looked back.
"Yakko! Who're ya looking at?" Wakko appeared out of the blue, tugging on Yakko's sleeve and snapping him out of the trance.
"N-no one," He lied. It wasn't like he knew who he was, though he was a prince and most certainly not a nobody.
"But you were looking at someone, telllll meeeee," Wakko tugged on his sleeve.
"Weren't you drawing with chalk?" Yakko huffed.
"Yeah, but you were making heart eyes and I wanted to see," Wakko crossed his arms, huffing right back.
"I-i wasn't actually making heart eyes, right?" Yakko panicked. Wakko and Dot giggled.
"No, but you looked really silly," She grinned cheekily. Yakko rolled his eyes.
"You should talk to him," Dot said, pointing to the prince.
"Put your arm down, it's rude to point," He put her arm down for her, embarrassed. Dot giggled more.
"Talk to him or else we will," She smirked.
"Nope- uh- that's alright, I can talk to him," Yakko quickly said, already making his way to the mysterious prince, Wakko and Dot watching a bit from behind, before Yakko gave them a look and they (wisely) scattered.
Yakko was about halfway there when he realized he had no idea what on earth he was supposed to say to him. He hadn't interacted with someone his age since- well... ever. Much less someone who made him feel like this.
He should've prepared more. He had read many books on romance and even just social interaction. He had read numerous social interactions, both good and bad, and yet his mind was blank as to what to say.
Well, it looked like he was going to have to improvise because before he knew it, his feet had dragged him over and he was right beside the prince, with just enough distance not to be noticed by him yet.
"Okay Yakko, you get one shot," He whispered to himself in preparation. God- he hadn't felt this nervous in a while.
"So... you... come here often?" He asked. The prince turned and looked at him, slightly startled.
"A-aren't you the crown prince?" He asked, his face flushing slightly.
"Oh my god- that was a terrible introduction," Yakko facepalmed. To his surprise, this made the prince laugh.
"It's cool, I-i can get nervous too," He said.
"Sorry, yeah. Can I- uh, start over?" Yakko asked, laughing nervously.
"Okay," The other prince laughed too, which made Yakko's heart flutter a bit.
"My name is Yakko Warner of- well- Warnernstock, but I think you figured that out," Yakko held his hand out.
"I'm Prince Max Goof of Disneyland," Max said, shaking it.
"Disneyland, huh? that's not too far away," Yakko said.
"We border Warnstock, though the castle is right in the middle of the country so it did take a few hours," Max nodded to himself.
"Sooo... what's it like there?" Yakko asked, internally cringing at just how terrible this conversation was. He usually loved talking- why was he so bad at it now?
"It's- uh- well- it's interesting," Max said, scratching the back of his neck. "My dad works with my uncles Mickey and Donald in running the kingdom, and we technically have a really big family that can get pretty overwhelming at times," He explained. "Used to be more, but Mom died when I was born and Uncle Oswald died in a war when I was 5."
"I thought my mom was dead for awhile, so I kinda relate," Yakko said.
"Your grandma is dead too, right?" Max asked.
"Yeah, but that's not a bad thing," Yakko said, just now realizing that the conversation took an odd turn.
"Don't doubt that, from what I've heard," Max laughed, which made Yakko relax.
Maybe this wasn't going terribly.
"But yeah, it's interesting there. What's it like over here in Warnerstock? It's my first time," Max asked.
"It's chaotic too. My grandma-" Yakko paused, not really sure how much he wanted to share. He had just met Max, he didn't want to scare him away this early.
"My grandma was... a piece of work, but my parents are pretty cool," Yakko said, scanning around for them, and finding them on the dance floor happy as can be.
"And I have two younger siblings, so that's... fun," He added, suddenly becoming aware of just how weird and... deeply wrong his life had been up to this point.
"Oh yeah, I think I've seen them around. I think your brother tried drawing chalk around where I was standing so I tried to move but he wouldn't let me till he was finished," Max recalled.
"Sorry- they can be a real handful," Yakko blushed, embarrassed.
"Yeah, Dot and Wakko can stir up a lot of chaos," Yakko tried to say so with a happy, fond look at their mischief, but instead memories of the times it got them in serious trouble flooded his mind, and he frowned.
"Are you- uh- okay?" Max asked.
"I'm... fine. I'm fine," Yakko shook his head, forcing the memories down. "I'm sorry, I just... it's been a lot lately."
"I can believe that, from what I've heard," Max nodded, his eyes soft and sympathetic. Yakko could only nod.
"But hey, at least things are looking up now, huh?" The foreign prince did his best to lift his spirits.
"That is one way to look at it," Yakko agreed, forcing down the knotted feeling in his stomach.
There was a pause, neither prince knowing what to say, each unsure of their emotions, or where to go next in their conversation.
"So... what's your family like?" Yakko asked, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"My dad is... well, he's something alright," Max looked away, embarrassed.
"What do you mean?" Yakko raised an eyebrow.
"He's- well... Goofy. That's his name," Max shrugged. "Though my uncles are pretty cool, though they aren't my uncles in the literal sense," He quickly shifted the subject.
"That must be cool. Both of my parents were only children," Yakko didn't push.
"Yeah. But that doesn't mean it's all great, I'm still an only child. I'm sure it's great to have some siblings around," Max said.
"They do keep things interesting," Yakko snorted, looking through the crowd, finding them spying on him yet again. He shot them another look, and the two scattered.
"But I don't know anyone my own age really, and at times I've felt more like a parent than a sibling," Yakko admitted, though he didn't know why.
"I don't know anyone my own age really either," Max said.
"But... I could know you, if you want," He offered. Yakko looked at him, and found he was blushing and looking away.
"I wouldn't mind that," He said, a small smile growing on his face. Max looked at him and smiled back, the fluttering feeling returning.
"You're really-..." Cute? Pretty? Handsome? Yakko knew a thousand words but he had no idea how to describe Max's appearance, especially in a way that made sense.
"Cool?" Max seemed to know his plight.
"Yes! Cool," Yakko snapped his fingers, which made Max laugh.
"You're... cool," He said.
"Thanks," Max punched his arm lightly. "You're cool too."
Another pause. Yakko was becoming increasingly aware that he simply had no idea how on earth to talk to anyone who wasn't a family member. He had no idea what normal things for people like Max were.
Yakko realized he had no idea how to be a kid.
"Do you wanna dance?" Max asked, snapping him out of the train of thought.
"O-oh, uh- I'm a terrible dancer, I couldn't possibly-" Yakko made excuses as his eyes went to the dance floor, where he discovered his parents were watching him too. They both had goofy grins on their faces and gave him a big thumbs up and Yakko's face turned bright red.
"Oh I'm a terrible dancer too, I just figured it'd be fun. I've been observing them long enough, I think I figured it out," Max said.
"Well I guess if you really want, we can be terrible together," Yakko couldn't look him in the eyes, his face still as red as a tomato.
"I-i mean if you don't want to..." Max put his hands in his pockets.
"No, it- it'll be fun. Let's do it," Yakko shook away the flustered feeling, holding his hand out for Max. Max took it.
"I'm not joking when I say I'm a terrible dancer though. I once had to dance with a lady and I nearly tore her dress because I kept stepping on it," Max admitted sheepishly as Yakko took him towards where the people were dancing.
"Well lucky for you, I'm no lady and have no dress to tear," He said, surprised at his sudden wit. Good- maybe that meant he stop embarrassing himself and have a good conversation.
"Y-yeah," Max said. God- he was just so-... so-
Yakko was starting to get annoyed at his suddenly small vocabulary.
"I think I actually know this dance. I'll wait for an opening and then you can follow my lead," Yakko told him.
"Ok-okay, if that's what you want then-" Max couldn't finish his sentence before Yakko found an opening and before he knew it, they were pulled into a dance.
Yakko was thankful he actually paid attention to the book on dances and read the full thing, because while his grandmother had only wanted him to read the formal, ballroom dances, he read the whole thing through and found the town dance section and now knew what he was doing. A luck Max clearly didn't have, but that almost made it more fun. He had only just met Max, but it was clear Max trusted and liked him to some extent, and Yakko felt the same. There was just something about him Yakko couldn't describe.
"Relax, it's all fun," Yakko said to him, and Max loosened up a bit, making the movement a lot easier. Soon, the speed picked up, and the stomps and jumps intensified and the rest of the world just melted away, as all the boys were focused on were each other. Sure, there were a few times that they stepped on each other's feet or they were off from everyone else, but they just laughed it off and continued having fun.
Fun.
Despite how much Yakko embarrassed himself, he was having fun.
Hell- this was probably the most fun he had ever had in his whole life. All of his previous stress and anxieties melted away- this was fun.
Max was fun.
Yakko really, really liked him.
Eventually, after a long while of dancing, the song came to an end, and Yakko and Max were left panting as they stood close to each other. For a moment they looked into each other's eyes, before realizing where they were and both taking a step back.
"Well that was- well-" Max really wasn't one for words, was he?
"It was fun," Yakko said for him. The foreign prince nodded.
"It was fun," He grinned a little.
"You totally lied to me though, you're a good dancer," Max punched his arm again. Yakko laughed.
"I meant more like- ballroom stuff. I'm so terrible at ballroom dancing, my grandmother basically banned me from dancing," He snorted.
"I've basically banned myself- I dance a lot like my dad... usually," Max said. Yakko had never met Goofy, but from the name alone he could get a pretty good picture.
"Don't sell yourself short, you were pretty good," Yakko encouraged as they began to walk back to their previous place.
"Yeah... well... thanks," Max said. "I..." He stopped to think about his words.
"I don't have a lot of friends... especially those my age. People usually find me- well- awkward and weird and... like my dad, basically. But you're... you're cool," He managed to say.
God, Yakko could relate to that.
"You're cool too," Yakko said, looking him in the eyes.
They stood in an entranced silence for a little while, before they heard the music start up again, and they watched the dancers for a while.
"So... what do you like to do? Got any... hobbies?" Max asked.
"I read and study a lot," Yakko shrugged.
"You like studying?" Max genuinely questioned.
Yakko thought about that. "I mean... I think so? I don't know... I guess I just do it a lot."
"Ah," was all Max could really say to that.
Stupid trauma.
"What about you?" Yakko switched the conversation.
"I like doing sports, they're one of my bigger strengths," Max replied.
"That makes one of us- I'm pretty sure no one can be less pathetic than me," He snorted. "Even my seven-year-old sister is better at sword fighting than me."
"And it's not like I don't have the genes or anything- my dad's a knight for crying out loud, I don't know why I have a bad case of noodle arms," Yakko joked, which made Max laugh.
"You don't have to be physically strong, being smart is equally as good," he said.
"Until you have to protect people," Yakko thought to himself.
"Yeah," He said aloud.
Stupid, stupid trauma.
"Besides, I could try and give pointers if you wanted," Max said. That snapped Yakko out of those thoughts in an instant.
"P-pointers? When would we do that?" He asked. Max shrugged.
"I dunno. But what I do know is that you can visit my kingdom anytime, uncle Mickey and my dad love guests," He invited.
"Is... is that normal?" Yakko asked. Max blinked.
"Yeah? Did- have you never had any guests at your castle?" He asked, trying his best not to sound weirded out.
"Outside of the occasional ambassador and ball, no," Yakko admitted.
"Well, then I guess you'll definitely have to come over sometime," Max said.
"Yeah... I guess I will," Yakko managed to smile.
Suddenly, it dawned on Yakko how late it was becoming. The crowds grew smaller and smaller, as the sun had set hours ago. He looked around and saw someone wearing the emblem of Disneyland who looked like they were watching over Max sitting and possibly waiting for them to be done so he could take him home. Yakko frowned.
"You have to go now, don't you?" Yakko asked. Max looked at the man Yakko had noticed. He sighed.
"It is really late... don't get me wrong though- this was easily the most fun I've had in a long, long time," Max said. "I just- I have to go home eventually."
"No, trust me, i get it," Yakko smiled softly at him. Max returned the look.
"I'll... I'll see you again though, right? You'll stop by my castle?" He asked.
"Of course," Yakko nodded seriously.
The man across the way seemed to take notice of the lack of conversation, making his way towards the pair. Yakko sighed.
"I'll see you later then," He said.
"Yeah, see you," Max didn't know what to do so he punched his arm lightly before waving and going with the guard.
"See you..." Yakko said to himself, watching him go.
Max sure was something...
"Did you have fun tonight?" A voice from behind startled Yakko.
"Oh mom- it's just you," He relaxed. "Yeah- I did."
"Your siblings are both practically asleep, not that I'm surprised," Lena chuckled. Yakko scanned the area for them and found them both curled up by the bonfire. He snorted.
"That's Wakko and Dot alright: boundless energy until they crash," He said. Lena nodded.
"Who was that prince?" His mother asked with a slight smirk. Yakko blushed.
"His name is Max, he's from Disneyland," He said.
"Disneyland... I haven't heard from them in a long time," Lena thought out loud.
"Well, he seems to really like you," She looked back at him.
"He's cool," Yakko shrugged.
"Just 'cool?'" Lena teased. Yakko gave her a weird look. Lena laughed.
"Never mind, you'll figure it all out in due time," She wrapped an arm around him as they began walking back inside.
"What about Wakko and Dot?" Yakko asked, looking back at them.
"Your father will carry them to bed, they'll be fine," Lena said. Yakko nodded to himself.
"So... Max, hm? Do you want to see him again?" She asked.
"Can I?" He asked. Lena chuckled.
"Of course, it's been so long since I've spoken to them, and now that I'm queen, a visit or two isn't beyond reason," Lena said.
"Oh right, you are the queen," Yakko realized.
"Strange, right?" She joked.
It was strange, to think of his grandmother in the past tense. She was queen. His mother is queen.
"Yep," He said, before sighing.
"I think I'm gonna go to bed," he said.
"After all that, I bet. Goodnight darling," Lena gave him a hug, which he quickly returned before going back inside without her.
So this was what it was like to be a normal kid... well- attempting to be a normal kid, anyway. Parties, fun, making friends, butterflies...
Yakko was going to have to do a lot more studying this next while to see if he could get a grasp on what it was exactly he felt for Max, otherwise, he was certain he was going to go mad.
Still, despite the emotional swirl in his chest, he knew he had a good time. Max was cool and Yakko liked being around him-- that much he couldn't deny.
Yakko couldn't wait to see him again.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 The End
195 notes · View notes
deonideatta · 3 years
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@ohcoolnice @whyyoudo I couldn't get the concept of han seok and junwoo being two different people out of my head so on this vincenzo-less sunday I give you a loose rewrite of canon where jun woo is the third jang brother and han seok's twin!
They were born jang han seok and jang han sol, and han seok is the older twin. They were separated when they were very young, because of han seok and an incident which ended up with han sol in the hospital. It was supposed to be temporary, but one of the house staff took pity on the poor child and smuggled him away. His name was changed to jun woo and they didn't find him again until both him and han seok were adults
They grew up very differently, han seok under the jang family, tormenting han seo and becoming the unhinged, solitary figure we all know and hate, and jun woo in an adopted family somewhere across the country into the dorky, sweet intern we knew for a bit and loved
Both of them somehow ended up spending time in america, though neither knew and they never met. Han seok because his father sent him there and jun woo because he got a scholarship to go to university there
Very few people now know about han seok himself, much less his twin brother. Before han seok's chairman takeover, most people think han seo is the only jang child
Jun woo knows he has a twin brother, but he doesnt know who he is. He can't remember his name or his face, or those of his real family. When he receives an offer for a job at wusang, he takes it as a learning opportunity and accepts
The only one who has all the cards is han seok, and so when he hears that jun woo has become an intern at wusang he decides its time to play them
So he spends people to observe and record jun woo, and after things start heating up and chayenzo declares war on babel, he kidnaps and threatens him, and tells him that he has to let him cosplay as him so that he can scope out the increasing threat
This is not how jun woo had ever thought meeting his long lost twin brother would go. He tries to put up a fight, but han seok hits him in the stomach with the hockey stick he's wielding like some kind of ancient weapon so hard that he spits out blood, and that takes the fight out of him
Han seok crouches down in front of jun woo and stares him in the eye, and it's like looking into a mirror except his reflection is staring at him with chillingly blank eyes.
It's the same for han seok, except his reflection looks back with open terror. The feeling it gives him is unpleasant and han seok doesn't like seeing weakness like that on a face that could pass for his own. But if he wants to get what he wants, he can't harm his twin too much just yet
Visually they're identical, so han seok passes perfectly for jun woo. He doesn't get all his mannerisms right at first, but with practice basically no one can tell the difference unless they look hard enough to notice that han seok's eyes are always empty even when he's copying jun woo's biggest grin.
A part of han seok feels a flash of jealousy at the fact that his twin has had a pleasant and fulfilling life while he's had to live neglected in the shadows for so long, so he takes extra satisfaction in the way jun woo's face falls when he appears in front of him for the first time dressed in his work attire, indistinguishable from jun woo on the average week day, backpack and all.
To spite him even further, han seok mimics his cheery, enthusiastic way of speaking, smiling so widely that it's mocking, and embraces the glee that jun woo's downtrodden expression gives him
He does hate having to curl his hair to copy jun woo's usual hairstyle though
At this point han seo finds out he has a second older brother, because han seok wants him to be able to continue to act normal and not freak out if he sees him cosplaying as jun woo
This brother is identical to his other one but actually really nice to him and it's both incredible and completely terrifying. It takes han seo a while to warm up to jun woo because he looks so much like han seok, as well as for fear of han seok's reaction, but he gets there
Whenever they meet (usually bc of han seok) the two bond over their shared fear and hatred of han seok. There's twice the himbo power. Incredible
Jun woo had had no idea that he had a younger (half) brother, and his heart goes out to him for having to live under han seok's abuse for so long
So he makes an effort to get to know han seo when han seok isn't around to yell at them. Han seo appreciates this a lot, because jun woo is like han seok on his incredibly rare good days except much better and all the time
Being a veteran at Handling Han SeokTM, he gives jun woo tips on how to get on han seok's good side and avoid getting things thrown at you
Jun woo tells han seo that one day when they get free of han seok they should take a trip to disneyland. Han seo, who has never been to an amusement park before, makes him promise it
Han seok's babel boss reveal presentation goes more or less the same way, except it's also a twin reveal and choi myung hee and mr han have to deal with the fact that not only is their intern the babel chairman's twin brother, but they have also been switching places regularly
Meanwhile cha young, who is out there living her best anti big pharma life, thinks jun woo is acting weird. Some days he's super bubbly, almost too bubbly, and on other days he's more subdued, seemingly a bit on edge.
Biggest red flag comes when she, him and vincenzo eat spicy food together
The spicy food tolerance gene missed han seok altogether and endowed han seo and jun woo with its power
So though he doesn't protest when cha young orders the extremely spicy dish jun woo usually gets for him, han seok struggles to finish the food almost as much as vincenzo does
Cha young thinks that's really sus, but she keeps her questions to herself because there's really no explanation for it unless jun woo was replaced by a government clone or aliens. Or his secret identical twin. Hah, imagine
She files the thought away for later and they continue to dig into the man behind han seo and babel. They find out about han seok, but there's no remaining information about jun woo in the files because the jang family thought losing him was supremely embarrassing so they tried to make sure no one knew
Meanwhile han seok is super happy he's gained another protective shield. If babel gets into trouble he can force han seo to go to jail for him, and if he ever gets personally exposed he can make jun woo take the fall for him. Genius
For that purpose he makes sure no one except the babel quartet know about him and jun woo being twins
He finds that it's interesting living as jun woo though, people interact with him in a way they never do when he's han seok. Jun woo's neighbours say hello to him when he goes by, and the lady in the local convenience store makes small talk with him and asks how his new job is going. And cha young is an incredibly unusual person, han seok finds that he has some level of attraction to her, and enjoys her company
While han seo is a puppet, jun woo is a mask, a protective measure and a means to explore the world, and han seok mentally pats himself on the back for having such useful brothers
But he has to stop spending time pretending to be jun woo for now bc he knows his identity is at risk of being discovered by jipuragi squad as they hunt down the person who exposed vincenzo as a mafia member
So when vincenzo does find out that han seok is allegedly jun woo, and tells cha young, it actually isn't han seok she's sitting with when she receives the news
Naturally she doesn't know this, and she feels supremely betrayed
And when vincenzo breaks into 'han seok's' house, it's actually jun woo's house. Jun woo, who was not expecting the mafia to break into his house, is understandably scared. The kneeling gun scene goes down, except there is no bravado on jun woo's part and he's genuinely terrified
Vincenzo is arrested as planned, and jun woo meets cha young in the police station as she goes to help vincenzo
She's furious, and jun woo honestly denies that it was him who killed her father and the babel victims, unable to expose that it was han seok because he's scared of the consequences and because it sounds like such a ridiculous excuse
Poor guy gets the double slap intended for his twin brother
When han seok hears about it he laughs a lot. Jun woo is understandably angry about his reaction, but he is forced to seethe in silence
Nevertheless han seok decides to go into hiding (and forces jun woo to do the same somewhere else, hiring guards to make sure he doesn't leave) because even if chayenzo think jun woo is the babel chairman, they still have the same face
Unfortunately for han seok this means that vincenzo's spy squad see him going into his own safe house, and he gets to be the victim of the drugged water
After a few more near death scares courtesy of the local mafia man, choi myung hee suggests he reveal himself as chairman so he doesn't die at the hands of vincenzo unknown and like a loser. And so he does
At the expense of jun woo, whose identity has more or less been stolen now, and who is now indefinitely confined to the family property han seok had him hide in
The war begins all out, and jipuragi squad works hard at removing han seok's support circle, starting with daechang daily, then the anti-union activities
Han seo watches all this unfold and starts to wonder how he can get his better older brother free while taking down the other one
The answer comes to him when he sees chayenzo cover han seok with pigs blood. They're the only people who seemed to consistently be able to one up han seok, and he has only heard good things about cha young from jun woo, not to mention the fact that surely even han seok can't defeat a mafia member in the long run
So he asks mr han to help him meet vincenzo, and he tells him he has twin older brothers and asks for his help in betraying the bad one and saving the good one
Vincenzo thinks he's messing with him, and turns down han seo's request to be on the same side
But then jipuragi squad opens the guillotine file, and there below han seok's escapades in homicide and the details on han seo's suffering, is the shocking secret of the jang family, the existence of a 3rd jang brother, han seok's twin brother jang han sol
Cha young remembers how jun woo hadn't been able to eat spicy food that one time and suddenly everything makes sense
For his part vincenzo remembers what han seo had said and mentally kicks himself for thinking it was a lie
They puzzle over what this could mean and where han seok's twin brother could be now. Is the man who revealed himself as the babel chairman the real han seok? Are both of them evil? Is one being used by the other?
Cha young silently wonders which times jun woo had just been jun woo, and which times she had been eating lunch or joking with han seok the babel chairman and serial murderer
They decide they have to find the other jang twin in order to answer their questions
Problem is that he's been absent from work for the past 2 weeks, and when vincenzo breaks into his house, it looks like it hasn't been lived in for quite a while
The trail seems to lead nowhere, and they turn their attention back to tearing down babel, with the new knowledge sitting uncomfortably in the backs of their minds
And then han seo shows up at the jipuragi office in all his coffee wielding glory to plead his cooler older brother's case again
This time, to han seo's surprise, they listen to him patiently when he tells them about his older brothers. He makes sure to stress that the only one he wants to betray is han seok, and that jun woo has done nothing wrong
If the fact that they've read the part of the guillotine file that talked about what han seo had had to suffer under han seok makes it easier for them to believe him, he doesn't have to know that
The only way they can strike at han seok and simultaneously clear jun woo of suspicion is to reveal that they're twins
To do that they have to find jun woo. Han seo doesn't know where exactly he is, but he tells them that han seok would probably try and use jun woo as a shield should he ever be sent to jail
The guillotine file gives them what they need to force the prosecution to put han seok behind bars under fabricated charges. It wouldn't last long once actual investigation starts, but hopefully it will be enough
Han seok takes the bait, unknowingly, and shuttles jun woo off in his place. There's not much that irritates him as much as the thought of going to jail, and this is the perfect chance to test jun woo's loyalty. It also gives him a blind spot to operate, while his enemies think he's in jail. You can't dodge a hidden dagger and all that.
When the jipuragi squad watches the arrest of the babel chairman on the news, there's a nervous hunch to 'han seok's' shoulders, and the impassive smile he seems to be going for isn't quite right
Vincenzo and cha young go to visit him in jail
When they first see him, cha young immediately feels bad, despite herself. He looks like he hasn't slept well in ages, and his expression is far from his usual cheer, sober and sullen. This had better really be jun woo, she does not want to ever feel pity for jang han seok
It is jun woo, and he really hasn't slept well in ages, as reuniting with han seok and his violent tendencies has reawakened the memories from his childhood in the jang household that he had supressed, causing all kinds of nightmares
He doesn't look up as they enter and sit opposite him. Cha Young takes charge, and vincenzo lingers behind her, a solid and present support
When she speaks his head snaps up at the sound of her voice, before he seems to want to correct himself and looks away
When he looks at her again there are no traces of jun woo in his face, his expression haughty and unbothered
It's chillingly like the han seok they had sat across following the pig's blood incident, and cha young has to work hard to push down the flare of anger the expression causes
She decides not to beat around the bush. She presses the printed page of the jang han sol section of the guillotine file up against the glass, and watches as jun woo's eyes widen, the facade falling as quickly as he had donned it
Jun woo takes in the picture of the two identical little boys and has to squeeze his eyes shut at the wave of fear that hits him
In its wake is a small flare of hope. If they know he isn't han seok, maybe they can help him
Cha young watches as jun woo seems to deflate at the sight of the document, and now she's sure it isn't han seok, because she's never seen him allow himself to show any form of weakness
When jun woo looks up again, there is determination mixed in with the weariness in his eyes
A while later, cha young exhales shakily as they walk out, vincenzo's hand steady and comforting on her back. She's surprised at how relieved she is to know that the jun woo she had known had not been an elaborate set up, a con which had seen her at some of her lowest moments. Her heart goes out to jun woo, but there's an undeniable joy at the confirmation that her friend still exists, because it means he can be saved
The plan is simply to collect evidence of the fact that jun woo is not han seok. Best case scenario a video of them together, though a good photo will do as well. It would also work if they can somehow get footage of han seok out and about while jun woo is in jail
The first obvious course of action is to look for cctv footage. They hunt high and low through the cameras at babel, at wusang, and around han seok and jun woo's houses, but the searches are largely fruitless
With han seo's help, they locate the safehouses han seok likes to hide out in, and vincenzo sends men to snoop around each property. This ultimately pays off when, at the 3rd property, han seok is spotted standing by a window.
The second stage begins with Mr ahn's help, and they get a swat team to raid the house han seok is hiding out in.
Fully believing that everyone thinks you're in jail makes you sloppy, and han seok doesn't see it coming until the black vehicles are speeding down his driveway
He doesn't stop to take anything much, he grabs a hockey stick and he runs, wild and angry, out into the dark of the woods surrounding the house
Vincenzo watches him charge into the forest on the cctv footage retrieved from the house and smirks
The footage hits the news the next day. The headline is in large, bold letters, "Chairman Jang Han Seok spotted at holiday residence, despite prison sentence." The picture below the tagline serves as the final blow, side by side images of Han Seok sprinting away from the house, and an identical man sitting demurely in a jail cell.
As the story breaks, people begin to step forward, old employees of the jang household who had known and seen both han seok and han sol. There's nothing like good gossip to get people talking, and the shocking secret of the jang twins makes the rounds in record time
Jun woo's identity is rechecked, and he is set free
Cha young, vincenzo and han seo go to meet him when he gets out. Han seo tackles him in a hug, and cha young smacks him heartily on the back. Vincenzo doesn't react much but he does shoot jun woo a smile.
Han seok hasn't been seen in days, and jun woo is unbelievably happy to be himself again
It isn't over yet though, babel still needs to pay and han seok still needs to be found. Search parties comb through the woods around the house regularly, but there's still no sign of him. In the meantime, jipuragi prepares their final attack.
Han seo lets jun woo stay with him, and the house is fortified by multiple levels of guards
It's still mildly unsettling for han seo to have someone with han seok's face in his house, in his own safe space, but jun woo makes for a far better housemate than han seok ever was, and gradually he relaxes
For a few days, despite the tension of not knowing where your psychopath brother who probably really wants to kill you could be lurking, when there is a spare moment in the evening, han seo and jun woo catch up on years of lost brotherhood
Han seo tells him about his mother, and jun woo talks about his adopted family. Neither of them mention han seok, they skirt around his name like he doesn’t exist, like speaking their trauma aloud to someone who had been there too would make it too real to bear. Jun woo knows he had gotten the better end of the deal, he had been separated from han seok pretty early. Han seo had lost too many years of his life to their psychopath brother, and jun woo isn't sure he knows how to confront that, or how to comfort him. He hopes he can learn
Han seo wants to ask what exactly had happened to lead to jun woo being removed from the jang household and separated from han seok, but he doesnt dare. Maybe later, maybe when they aren't still worried about what han seok could do to them
Then the jipuragi squad files their lawsuit against babel. Han seok still hasn't been heard from, and they begin to wonder if he got lost in the woods. Maybe he fell of a cliff, or into a river
Either way, the trial goes spectacularly badly for babel, aided by the fact that vincenzo had threatened the unjust judge before the trial. The verdict is guilty, and it serves as a means to kick-start further investigation into previously dismissed babel trials
The day after the trial, han seok reappears
He was lost in the woods for a while, but he found his way out and laid low for a while plotting a way to get back at vincenzo and cha young for destroying his backup plans and destroying his family and company's reputation. He will also have to deal with his traitorous brothers.
It's a big blow, but it's not one he cannot recover from. All he has to do is get his revenge, terrify his brothers back into submission, and go back to his plans for his babel.
So he requests the kidnapping of cha young, and he gets his men to attack the guards at han seo's house and take her there, cornering his brothers. He strolls in when he gets word that everything is done, cocky and confident, twirling a gun between his fingers
He takes in the open fear on han seo's face, the frightened anger on jun woo's face, and the sneer on cha young's face, and he laughs. They are consistent to the very end, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
All that’s left is vincenzo, and a short while after a brief and taunt filled phone call he arrives, eyes wide and angry. Han seok does not waste time in pointing his gun at the mafia man. He stops where he is, still glaring at han seok, eyes darting regularly to cha young
Because he is never one to turn down some fun, in a bid to further anger vincenzo, han seok crouches down and points the gun to cha young's head. He watches at vincenzo's face twists with anger and worry, and he revels in it. Out of the corner of his eye he sees jun woo has moved in front of han seo, like he's protecting him, and han seok wants to laugh
He speaks to cha young in jun woo's voice to spite them both, mockingly sounding out his words in his twin's bright tone
But suddenly vincenzo drops to his knees to plead for cha young's life, and han seok grins in satisfaction. The satisfaction is shortlived, however, as something solid suddenly crashes into the back of his head
It dazes him enough that he lets go of cha young for a moment, and she takes the chance to headbutt him so hard that he drops the gun. Vincenzo pounces almost immediately, and aims a kick to han seok's head, knocking him out
The last thing he sees before everything fades to black is his spitting image standing a distance away, holding a dented art deco lamp.
When they are sure han seok has been knocked out for real, the relief that sweeps the room is palpable. Han seo slumps down and jun woo moves to check on him as vincenzo unties cha young
Jun woo moves to call the police, but vincenzo tells him not to. 
Instead, he makes a call of his own, and soon two men enter and carry out the still unconscious han seok. Jun woo wants to ask where they’re taking him, but there’s a dark glint in vincenzo’s eyes that makes him swallow the question.
None of them see han seok again until he’s on the news. His body is found in a river near the family property he had first run away from, and the consensus seems to be that he fell in and drowned while lost in the woods
The whole matter has vincenzo written all over it, but no one is going to ask about it
Han seo and jun woo hold a funeral for him because it would be suspicious if they didn’t, but they work hard to make it as underwhelming as possible. When han seo cant stop shaking (whether it’s in weariness, relief, or anger at any traces of grief, jun woo can’t tell, and honestly neither can han seo) as they stand in front of the portrait of their deceased brother, jun woo silently rests a hand on his back.
After that is over with, they take a break to have a small ‘han seok is gone’ party, and then they both throw themselves into work
Han seo takes charge of babel, firing all of han seok’s people and working hard at cleaning up the stain of corruption he’d left behind. He works hard to transform the company’s reputation, and begins the process of compensating all the people who had been wronged by them in some shape or form
Jun woo leaves wusang and starts his own law firm. Han seo makes the company his first customer, and jun woo tries hard to run his firm without any traces of what made lawyers at wusang such monsters
Cha young and him have a friendly law firm rivalry going, much to vincenzo’s amusement
When they aren’t working, jun woo and han seo hang out a lot. Jun woo is determined to replace han seo’s memories of a terrible older brother with better ones with a more pleasant older brother. Han seo still struggles sometimes with seeing han seok in jun woo, but he’s more than happy to overwrite han seok’s image in his mind with jun woo’s
A few months after everything is stable again, they do take that trip to disneyland. The picture they take outside the park is framed on both their desks.
The next year, vincenzo and cha young get married, and han seo and jun woo attend the wedding. They bring expensive gifts, and jun woo cries like it’s his own family getting married. Cha young rolls her eyes at him, but she’s pleased to have him there
It will take a while to move on fully from the damage han seok caused, but they are all working hard at it. Because now han seok is gone for good, and everything is fine.
bonus
The Incident that led to han sol becoming jun woo happened when he and han seok were 6 and han seok, having decided that they had to see who was the superior twin, challenged him to a fight to the death
It was traumatic to the point that jun woo repressed all the memories of his childhood with han seok
Han seo once called jun woo hyung when speaking to han seok, and han seok got really angry and threw a lamp at him
Before vincenzo finishes off han seok, cha young slaps him six times to make up for the two slaps she mistakenly gave jun woo
After everything blows over, jun woo takes han seo with him the next time he goes to visit his adopted family. They dote on him like he's their family too, and han seo feels more loved than he has since he lost his mother. He says so to jun woo, and from then on he takes him along whenever he visits them
Cha young, jun woo and han seo meet up sometimes to eat spicy food, both because they like it but also to spite han seok’s memory just that little bit more
Because han seok died before he could find out about vincenzo’s mother, she’s alive and well and vincenzo visits her regularly
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Here is my @maribat-secret-santa-2020 gift for @liquid-luck-00
I’m really sorry It’s not finished (i had trouble finishing it due to school and some rough mental health problems) but I will be posting the outline so you can know the rest of what I had planned!
again i’m so so so sorry it’s not done. happy new year! please enjoy!
:readmore:
Marinette and the Runaway Assassin
~
Marinette Grason and the Runaway Assassin
The first thing they could remember was always flying.
Their parents always told them that the first thing a Grayson ever did was fly.
Whether it be him tossing his sister in the air as she did flips, or flying on the low swing trapeze with his mother and father. they were born soaring.
Their family was the best of the best. Humans with the agility and grace of birds. Their family never stayed on the ground for long. Nothing could keep a Grayson on the ground.
Until they fell.
Their wonderful parents never flew again.
~
Dick was trying his best to keep it together, for his sister, but the pain was almost too much. He was just 16. What was he supposed to do now? He wasn’t of age to care for Marinette and he certainly didn't have much money at all.
It was two days after the fall that killed their parents. Dick had cried himself to sleep, so full of grief, stress and uncertainty the night before. He wanted, no, needed to keep his sister safe, but what were they supposed to do? Live on the street? Marinette deserved better than that. Not to mention her schooling. There was just so many things he needed to think about he had no idea if they’d ever even survive -
A knock sounded at the door, startling Dick from his thoughts.
“Excuse me,” a deep voice came from behind the door, “I would like to speak to a mister Dick Grayson.” With those words the pit inside his stomach grew. It was probably some social worker coming to separate him from the only family he had left.
Dick opened the door and saw a large man with dark hair and blue eyes in a suit, “If you’re here to take me and my sister to some orphanage, leave now. It’s not going to happen. Get lost.” Dick, the normally polite boy, ended his statement by quickly closing the door.
“Wait!” The man jumped in, using his foot to jam the door. “I’m not a social worker. Mister Grayson I presume?” Dick just narrowed his eyes and nodded his head, “My name is Bruce Wayne. I was hoping to come to an arrangement that would greatly help you and your sister.
Dick had the urge to scoff, but he let the man, Bruce, continue.
“You see, I lost my parents at a young age as well. I want to make you and Miss Marinette my wards. You two would both get to live in my manor with your own room and have all the things you two would need to live a happy life. And you would not be separated. This can all happen effective immediately, as soon as you say the word. So, What do you say?”
This was insane. It was everything he and Mari could need. They could lead a normal, safe, and good life. There were so many goods that could come of this and yet…
Graysons are never tied to the ground my little robin. We must never be afraid to spread our own wings and soar. We are free spirits and we fly our own way.
With only that thought in his head, his ressove hardened.
“While I appreciate the offer Mister Wayne, I’m afraid I have to decline.” He began, “My parents used to say that we should never let ourselves be tied down. They were free-spirited and loved to travel. I want my sister and I to continue their legacy.”
Bruce looked a little shocked at this, and also a bit put out., but he quickly covered it with a determined look of his own.
“I see. If I cannot assist with housing, please let me help in any other way possible. Money is no issue, I can promise you that.” Bruce looked so ready to help them. And hell, if they couldn't use the help.
Dick was at a loss for words, “I- Mister Wayne- I can’t thank you enough!” Marinette would get to have the life their parents would have wanted for her. He didn’t have to worry about money any more. They could be free and go where the wind would take them. This flood of relief he felt did ease his grief a little for only a moment. It was one weight lifted off his shoulders.
“It’s the least I could do Mister Grayson.” He nodded, looking a bit relieved himself.
“Please, call me Dick Mister Wayne.” At that Bruce’s mouth quirked upwards the tiniest bit.
“Only if you call me Bruce.”
~
Over the next few years, Dick and Marinette went everywhere imaginable, traveling with the circus.
Eventually they decided to travel at their own pace. Marinette instided they spend more time in their favorite countries. They spent a few months in each, both gathering a love for each culture and language. Marinette especially took a bit of every country with her, absorbing each like a sponge.
Without the circus to keep them active in their travels and with barely any means to keep themselves protected, Dick and Marinette accumulated a mesh of different fighting styles. Neither ever truly mastered one, but both fought in a way very specific to them.
~
Currently somewhere in Italy, the two were waiting for one of their mentors to arrive for a meeting.
“Duckie!!” Marinette, now nine, ran to her brother with that particular spark in her eye, “Duckie! Guess what!”
Dick, smiled a little at the familiar nickname, “What’s up Nettie?”
Marinette jumped up and down excitedly. “Look what I can do!”
The small girl smiled and ran a little ways into the field nearby and did three handsprings to the shock, and pride of her brother.
“Good job Marinette,“ A voice that was not Dick‘s called from behind them, “I’m glad to see that you are improving well.”
An overall average looking man in his late 30’s wearing a firm, yet warm expression walked towards them.
Their mentor, Malachi Dobraski.
“Uncle Chi!” The Marinettw siblings voiced, running to him.
Malachi’s mouth turned upwards at the sibling’s outburst. “Yes, yes I have finally arrived. You two are, of course, ever so humbled to be in my presence.” There was a stretch of silence before the three burst out in laughter.
“Wonderful to see you two as always.” He said as he bent down to give Marinette a hug.
“So what did you need Malachi? You never call meetings so early in the month.” Dick said as he turned to face him.
Malachi hummed in an impressed manner, “Very astute Richard. I asked you here today because I wanted you to meet a friend of mine I had mentioned earlier. Gina, If you remember.”
At the mention of the woman Marinette perked up, The one who travels all around the world like us? We really get to meet her?” She topped off her questions with a wiggle of excitement.
“We’ll have to see about that Nettie.” Dick spoke fondly as he smiled at his sister’s antics. He then turned his attention to Malachi, “Will she be in town soon? You’re rarely one to throw out praise for no reason and you’ve spoken highly of her in the past.”
“She is a lady well deserving of my praise, Richard. To answer your question, yes. Ms. Gina will be in town Thursday evening.” their mentor said with another small grin.
Dick hummed while tapping his chin, “That’s about two days from now. Unfortunately me and Mari probably won’t be able to meet with her right away. We’re tied up until Saturday I believe. Will she be in town for long?”
“Gina is a free spirit, so it’s hard to say. However she has been interested in you two since I mentioned I was taking students again. I expect she’ll stay long enough to meet you.”
“That’s great!” Dick said, as cheerful as ever, “That settles it then.”
“Yay! We get to meet aunt Gina!” Marinette exclaimed, jumping up and down.
Instead of correcting his sister, Dick just shook his head with a laugh. Why does everyone we hear of instantly become family?
~
Marinette sat at a tall table in a quiet cafe. Her tiny legs swung eagerly underneath her as she hummed to herself. Her brother was up at the counter ordering their drinks. She was sketching, or trying to. It was really hard to focus when she was so full of jitters.
Today was the day they were supposed to meet Ms. Gina and while Marinette was excited, she was just as, if not more, nervous. She has always been this way with new people.
————————
That is the end of what i have written BUT NOW the outline:
Section One
Dick is older in this 16/17
Mari is 5 or 6
They grow up with their parents, until they die, again.
Dick is old enough to be emancipated/take custody of Mari
(Bruce didn’t adopt them but he helped Dick get emancipated and gave them loads of money)
Their parents were free spirits and loved to travel
Dick decides they should keep that alive.
The two stay with the circus traveling for around a year
And they continue to travel for 1 or 2 years
They meet Gina
Dick kinda wants to settle down Gina recommends Paris
They go to Paris
They get an apartment (thank you plot convenient Bruce money)
(she’s around 10 or 11 now. He’s 19 or 20 now)
Dick wants Mari to make friends or get a feel for regular school so she goes to FD
Section Two
Separately, Damian and the league are in turmoil (the coup happens)
Thalia might die Idk
Damian, not knowing what else to do, flees to Paris?
Tom and Sabine have always wanted children but were never successful
They find this aggressive child on the streets of course they take him in
Damian would grumble about their ‘lower status’ but would of course be secretly grateful and surprised at the unconditional love and care he receives from T and S
Section THree
Back to Mari
Being raised by Dick, she learned to be true to herself and also headstrong
She takes no crap from Chloé
(She eventually learns of her situation with her mother and they become less aggressive towards each other)
(she also learns a lot of different skills and fashion things)
Section Four
Damian arrives at FD
(He’s like 10 or 11 Mari is like 11)
Damian and Mari are both ahead of the curriculum (Both home schooled) same class
She is her kind self, doesn't know anyone else well and Dami is another new kid.
They stick together out of a sort of necessity
He’s cold at first but (go figure) he softens for her eventually
They slowly grow closer as friends
Dick becomes another behaviour mentor and Brother esq figure to Dami
Dick also sees Daminette’s in love right away
He teases Mari about it
Bada Boom they're 13 now
Section Five
Miraculos canon GO
Mari gets ladybug Dami gets cat
Mari doesn't get a crush on Adrien (the gum incident doesn’t happen because Chlo and Mari are on better terms)
Mari and Dami both immediately recognize each other in costume
Mari’s outfit is black with red detailing sans her cape/glider that’s full red with the five black spots. Has deep red boots that go up to the knee. Her ribbons are longer and can detach to use as a makeshift ribbon dance things (she also goes by Ladybird instead of Ladybug)
Damian’s outfit is his assassin outfit but black and tan undertones with cat ears (his pupils don’t change to slits) Damian goes by Leopard
Dick notices a change immediately He confronts Mari, She caves and tells him too
(She consequently reveals Damian’s Identity as well. No one could have that kind of chemistry with Mari that quickly)
He signs her up for many martial arts classes (She already had training in a few, picking up a lot from her travels)
Damian also helps train Mari in some ~Assassin Skills~
Basically, they’re bad asses.
The only thing stopping them from defeating Hawkey boy quickly is the fact that they can’t find where he is
Section Six
Moving on, Salt
Lila happens
Lila still sets her sights on Adrian (he’s got money at this point Damian is just a baker's boy to Lila.
Lila isolates the two from the rest of the class, even more so than they already were
Damian thinks the class are even bigger idiots
Lila is still an awful person and wants to make both Dami and Mari’s live miserable
Lila tries to go to Dick about Mari “bullying” her
He laughs in her face (he choses laughter instead of seething anger. thanks Hawky)
Lila then tries to get through to Tom and Sabine about Damian
This time it works, they have less reason to trust Damian (and he was also a major prick when they first took him in
(this happens over a year or so. Lila slowly gaining the trust of the class and Tom and Sabine)
The environment gets very toxic Dami and Mari decide to leave the school and go to online schooling (like at college level)
Section Seven
Time skip. They are 16 now
The two have had feelings for a while, they now realize them
Dami is less emotionally stunted, having both Dick and Mari around (Tom and Sabine too but they kinda suck now) so he doesn’t panic much
Mari is full panic mode
Dick is just in the corner all smug-like. (“you didn’t know you loved him? I’ve known this for years”)
Que pining
Lots of pining
There’s some angst, Tom and Sabine are negligent towards Damian (not mean but still neglectful)
He ends up staying with Dick and Mari more often than not
Eventually they both confess after a particularly rough akuma battle (the one where mari becomes the guardian?)
Both of them almost watched the other die. That was too heartbreaking for either of them to not confess
So they are together now.
It was an easy transition, they were already married pretty much
They’ve already figured out who Hawky boy is. They just need evidence
They get evidence. They also discover Lila was working with him
They take care of the Hawkmoth situation
Section Eight
Everything is good now right? Wrong
Batman Finally goes to Paris once Hawky is defeated,
(he kept in touch with Dick all these years and knew what was going on, {He practically became their “uncle Bruce”} He only stayed away cuz Hawkmoth)
When Damian sees Bruce visiting Mari’s House he freezes,
Mari: “what's wrong Dami?”
Dami: *whispers in her ear*
M: “He’s your WHAT???”
D; *whispers more*
M: “I- You- Um- WHAT”
D: *walks up to Bruce* “Hello, I know this is an odd way to meet but I am sure you know of Thalia Al’ Ghoul.” *B nods wairily* “Yes, well, I am your son. And unfortunately hers as well.”
“Yes, I’d be perfectly happy to do a blood test.”
Dick and Mari are shook
“Damian, You must come to live with me in Gotham”
Dun
Dun
Dunnnnnn!!!!!
End Part One
Again I am sincerely sorry I was not able to complete this story in time. Like I said before, I will (maybe/probably) be finishing this and planning a part two! I hope you enjoyed! (even though it’s the first fanfic i’ve written)
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Text
"I need to do this. Zuko, Z-zuzu you know, you understand. He will find this amusing. Father will give me more time." Her eyes were blown wide with fear, silent tears streaming down her checks. He remembers when she would come crying to him like this when they were children.
She had been tiny then, still whole, but oh so very strong. Head held high, she would wait until the servents cleared his rooms before collapsing into sobs. There had been precious little that could make her cry even then, and Father had started desensitizing them to death early. But Azula, so small, so young, hadn't taken well to the lessons, not yet.
Zuko's family was filled with monsters. He wasn't the exception. He had stared at her, with all the love an older sibling could give to a little sister, and broken her so Father couldn't, like he had done to him.
He remembers comforting her, fixing her crown and wiping her face, before taking her small hand into his and sneaking into the prison. He remembers bribing the guards at the end of every lesson with silk cloth, leather shoes, and embroidered bags of rice, and teaching her how to hurt humans so Father wouldn't have to.
His fingers curl on top of hers-so old, already fourteen and her hands are still so small-like they use to, giving her strength, guiding her blade. He leans forward, grunting a little as the blade slides all the way to the hilt, to whisper advise in her ear.
"Twist the blade until the edge faces up. A hole will be harder and more painful to heal then a tear."
Her breath hitches in the next inhale, but she does not sob like she use to. He feels so proud of her, of her strength and at her resolve when the pain in his abdomen flares white hot. Zuko stumbles, but he catches himself before he can fall on Azula because he refuses to let his little sister deal with more then what she has to before she needs to. He hates to break her even more at all but he needs to.
Father had broken him with his love, and raged and stomped on him when his sharp edges didn't poke out to hurt anyone but himself. Father had picked and prodded at him until his insides were glass sand, not big enough to break free but sharp enough to hurt with each step, to tear his lungs with each breath and scrap at his bones.
He couldn't have left Azula with Father. But he also couldn't leave her with Mother who picked up and dropped her glass children equally and without warning, disgusted by the shards they left behind. Or Uncle, who sanded down his edges for them, but who's shaving floated in the air to cut bite and sting nor their cousin who's molten glass center ran so hot that his sheer presence fixed him and unavailablity left a void so cold he broke all over again. He had broken her so Father wouldn't feel the need to, so Mother's love and indifference wouldn't leave her desperate to please and hurting, so Uncle's careless words wouldn't cut into her skin and bury into her heart, so she would keep herself at a distance with their cousin and not break at his very absence.
Azula, better then him at everything, had broken in a way to hurt others, she learned to fit the pieces of herself to walk without hurting, had lived under Father's approval without falling victim to it as he had. When Father had burned half of his face and cruelly given him hope in the form of an impossible task, he had chased even whispers of it, not to come back to his sister or people, nor had he after a twisted sense of loyalty to the Fire Lord but out of nessercery. He had needed to go back home to the fire and pain, where burns and words and exhaustion would melt the glass whole again and grant him rest until the next time Father had him shattered.
Blood slipped through his fingers and reached hers despite his best efforts. He hoped his glass wouldn't sting her too badly or for too long.
"Good," he praised. She had always needed praise when she got like this when they were little. She was still so small. "Now run the knife up and stop before the heart."
He refused to leave her without instruction, to leave her alone while she was still so frail. He had always imagined himself a quick death, earth on the battlefield, the jumping in front of the blade of an assassin, tasting poison and warning his family before he passed, but for her he would hold on as long as he could. He curls up as metal tears his insides, muffling his scream on her shoulder to try to give her more time. Briefly, he stares at the ceiling and its glowing green stalactites and wonders when he ended up on the ground.
Her face is there, lips parted in shock, eyes bright with unshed tears. She won't let them fall again but he thinks it might of been nice for someone to publicly mourn him. He figures it won't matter to him for much longer anyway.
Her hand, still on the knife, shakes so he musters up the strength to lift his to hold to hers, but he forgets to factor in gravity and his vision goes white when he accidently shifts the knife inside him. Her eyes are dead when he comes back to, and part of him is comforted by the fact that in their three years apart, this part of her still hasn't changed. But his time is running out and he needs to tell her how to sell this to Father.
"Tell him... tell him-" his throat is dry and he can't shallow but he needs to finish this. Azula, so smart, so old, so small, sees and leans to hear better. He hears the screams and booms of battle but they sound far away from their little bubble. He wonders why the Avartar and his teachers haven't yet left.
"Tell him what knife you used. He'll ... he'll find it funny if you tell ... Uncle." It would hurt him to learn that the knife he gifted him would be the thing to kill him but-
"It will be enough to excuse my lack of fire," her eyes widen as realization sets in.
Azula was p e r f e c t; Uncle had betrayed their country, he could suffer the consequences.
The edges of his vision darken. He needs to hurry.
"Do," he tastes blood in the back of his throat. It feels like shards. "Do what you need to . . . to survive." Lie, steal, kill. Kill Father or the Avatar.
"You were always better the second time." These words come out like a whisper but by the widening of her eyes he knows she heard, can tell she understands. He hates doing this to her but the sounds of fighting are getting closer. They're almost here now.
"Lala, you're perfect."
Her face blanks. Azula isn't perfect, not yet, but she will tear herself and anyone opposing her apart for the next hour trying to be. As long as she gets out of this alive he doesn't care. Ty Lee and Mai have always been able to put her back together.
She stands smoothly, taking the knife with her. He barely feels it.
Blue eyes and dark skin replace her. He doesn't know his name but he can see him panicking. He wonders why. Pain flares up as he applys pressure to his wound and he no longer cares. Water Tribe can go die.
The scene starts moving and pain flares up periodically. Azula screams words. He doesn't know what she said but he wants to stay. He claws at blues and trys to summon fire but his inner fire is just dying embers now. He gets pulled in tighter. He wonders if the blue will let him go if he pukes.
Suddenly there is wind and stars and he is oh so very cold. Water smothers the last of his inner flames and agonizingly knits him back together. It hurts less as it continues. Zuko knows it is not a good thing. Water can heal but it cannot replace blood. He will die and Azula will be safe because of it.
Faces surround him with worry but he doesn't want them. He wants the sister he raised, the uncle that tried, the girls who already mourned him once and shouldn't have to again. He don't want enemies and strangers. But he never gets what he wants. He used up all his luck being born.
He looks at the stars and trys to will the sunrise. He knows it will not come. Zuko had been born at night away from Agni' presence. He was probably destined to die away from it too. He still hopes for the warmth of His rays.
His breath shallows. He hears Lu Ten's voice humming a song loud and clear and his mind fills in the lyrics of a soilder coming home from war. In the distant he notices the warm laughter of his lady grandmother, the grumbling voice of his grand sire, the quacking of turtleducks and the overwhelming sent of fire lilies. He briefly wonder about the whereabouts of Mother.
The sounds get louder. Home.
Over the sky of Ba Sing Se, the sound of sobs get muffled into warm bodies as faces turn to hide away from the glare of the rising sun.
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fallenfurther · 3 years
Text
Homecoming
This is a story I’ve been planning for over a year and finally feel readyish to post it. This first chapter has been reread about ten times so it’s about time to release it. It introduces the main OC for the story, which will spend the next fifteen chapters exploring Jeff’s return to earth before Josie comes back into play. 
Thank you @misssquidtracy for being my cheerleader, this would be no where near as far written if you hadn’t enjoyed it so. 
I hope you enjoy chapter one, which is set between Series 2 and 3. 
AO3 and FFN
First Impressions
Josie stood outside the hall and took a deep breath. You can do this, she thought, you already have the invite for the invite only event. They might be the big bosses, the people who matter, but you matter too. You just have to network. Don't sell yourself short. 
She steeled herself again and swallowed. She really didn't belong here. London was a long way from the compassionate community she grew up with in Scotland. But the idea of getting stuck there and never fulfilling her dreams made her determined, despite the imposter syndrome that plagued her. She looked down at herself and tried to feel comfortable. They were her smartest clothes: a black pencil skirt, blouse with frilly collar and a fitted, thanks to Nancy's excellent seamstress skills, suit jacket. They were all high street brands which wouldn't compare to the designer suits and dresses she'd be mingling with. The only saving grace was the simple diamond chain around her neck. Worth more to Josie than anyone would know, and it gave her the courage she needed. Brushing down her jacket and holding her head high she strode forwards.
She had been so fixated on herself that she almost bumped into a mature couple. Josie stumbled out an apology and let them in first. Flustered, and having lost any semblance of confidence, she entered the room. 
****
Another networking event, this time forced on him by Lady Penelope. Scott scouted out the room as he sipped his Scotch. Many eyes were on the two Tracy brothers, all wanting but not yet daring, to approach. The power of his presence in a room of businessmen never ceased to amaze him. 
"Found someone you like yet?" Gordon chimed cheerfully from beside him, though Scott knew him well enough to hear the bored undertone. Penelope had invited Gordon and of course he had said yes, his brother absolutely smitten with the lady. Scott shook his head. Events like this maintained Tracy Industries reputation, though they also gave Scott his player reputation. It was an easy place to pick up a girlfriend or let off some steam. Scott surveyed the room again. Within sight there were a few women who appealed to him. 
"I don't always leave with someone." 
Scott took a sip of his drink. 
"Oh, so you're not the ever-successful ladies’ man we thought you were?" Gordon teased. 
"Well, I didn't say that." Scott chuckled. "I just don't always want company."
Gordon rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. I bet you've had many failed conquests. You just don't want to admit it."
Scott shook his head. "You believe what you want, Gordon."
"Bet you can't get a random woman to sleep with you," Gordon challenged. 
Scott bit his lip, trying not to rise to Gordon's bait. Yes, Scott had been planning to find some company for the evening, but a bet? He shouldn't sink to that. Thankfully, the CEO of a small engineering company that had worked with Tracy Industries a year ago strolled over. Scott slipped into CEO mode and exchanged the required pleasantries and confirmed that they were considering working with their company again, before one last handshake. 
"So, the Great Scott Tracy is backing down from a challenge?"
Scott rolled his eyes. Gordon was bored and just trying to find a way to entertain himself, but Scott did like a challenge. What's the worst that could happen? With a sigh, he gave in. 
"What are the stakes?"
"If you can't seduce the woman I pick, then you give the swimming pool its biannual clean."
"And if I win, you are on deck lounger duty for a month."
“Deal.”
Gordon held out his hand and Scott shook it. He knew this was a bad idea, but it 
would liven up the evening a little, and Scott was in the mood for a little fun. Something to help him relax after a tough week. His brother’s eyes scouted the room looking for the ideal candidate. The smirk that appeared on Gordon’s face worried him. 
“The next woman to walk through the door.”
Scott raised his eyebrow. It was a gamble, but Scott understood why Gordon had 
done it. He nodded and took a sip of his drink. Both men had their eyes on the door. A few people left, but no one entered. When the door finally opened, they both held their breath. An older couple entered, their outfits and demeanour radiating their importance. A quick sideward glance at Gordon confirmed he was holding back a laugh. Scott sighed before looking back toward the couple. Behind them the door opened again and in walked a lone woman. 
“That one, the nervous blond.” Gordon announced. 
A nod from Scott and he accepted the challenge. His eyes surveyed the woman. She was young, probably about Virgil’s age, and she definitely looked uncomfortable. Her clothing was smart and fitted her well, but he could tell they weren’t the high end fashion that many were wearing that evening. Her hair was loose, brushing down past her shoulders, and there was nothing wrong with her features. She had the kind of appearance most people would look over, including himself, for someone more striking. Scott started to formulate a strike plan. He knew he had to avoid overwhelming her, she probably wouldn’t be expecting to get the attention he was going to give her. He turned back to his brother; whose attention had turned to something else. Scott followed Gordon’s gaze to see Lady Penelope with a tall man, laughing away. The man was obviously flirting with the aristocrat. The clenched jaw and stiffened stance of the aquanaut gave in to jealousy he was feeling. Without a second thought, Gordon strolled over to the gathering and joined in, a fake smile plastered his face. Scott shook his head, before turning back to his target. 
****
The glass was chilled in her hand, and Josie took a sip of the non-alcoholic mojito with the hopes it would help steady her nerves. Practicing her breathing techniques briefly, she turned around only to come face to chest with someone. She was flustered again and felt heat rise in her cheeks. Her eyes fell on the man in front of her and her heart jumped. 
She froze. Her instincts put her on high alert. This man looked like trouble, and she had just made contact with his deep blue eyes. He smiled at her, dimples deepening in his cheeks when he did so. Mind over body, mind over body, she repeated in her head. It was the intensity he gave off, the way he held himself like he was in control. He hadn't been surprised by her almost bumping into him. He'd know she was there and hadn't moved. She'd seen this before at university, she'd learnt the signs from experience. But still, why did they always have to be attractive? Why did they always gravitate to her? Josie rolled her shoulders back and gave him a brief nod. 
“Excuse me.” Josie smiled politely, ducking as gracefully as she could past him. 
“I’ve not seen you here before.”
Josie paused. His deep voice demanded her attention. She was here to network, at least she could get him over and done with. She could keep her cool, watch out for his game. Josie was wiser now. She turned around and held out her hand.
“Josie McNelly, engineer for Taybrooke Aeronautics, Satellite division.”
He shook her hand firmly. The man looked familiar, though she couldn't place where from. 
“Scott Tracy, CEO of Tracy Industries.”
That explained the familiarity. She smile grew as she thought of her brother’s prized 
poster of Jeff Tracy which had hung above his bed. Josie could see the resemblance 
to the astronaut. Same eyes for certain. She'd been shocked at the sudden loss of the great Jeff Tracy. Not that her brother had ever met him, but the astronaut had been such a big part of their childhood. Especially the fights over who was greater, her admiration for Neil Armstrong was still just as strong. The memories threw her, and suddenly she had no idea what to say next. How do you network again? What do you talk about with the CEO of Tracy Industries, one of the best engineering companies in the world? Facts about the company filled Josie's head and thankfully one stood out.
"Tracy Industries doesn't have a UK branch, so may I ask what brings you to London?" 
Josie took a deep breath as the man paused; glad she could make an impression. She congratulated herself while remembering what she was here to do. She'd failed to get a job at Tracy Industries on multiple occasions, maybe this could be a way in. She almost laughed at herself. The CEO was unlikely to care for someone as low down the pecking order as she. Part of her wanted to try, just in case. If people less qualified could get experience and jobs over her by knowing the right people, maybe she could too. That was why she was here, to get the contacts so she could play their game. 
"You've done your research. Tracy Industries works with some UK based companies that are represented here tonight, and the event is being hosted by a good friend of mine. I've not heard of Taybrooke Aeronautics before, care to give me some insight?"
His strikingly blue eyes gazed down at her with sincerity. It threw Josie to see it in someone she suspected of having ulterior motives, however she'd tried to keep her cool. Staying wary, she engaged with him. 
"Taybrooke Aeronautics is a small Scottish company. It started with plane design and manufacturing then branched out into satellites and astronautical technology. It's well known for its niche and unique satellite designs. It's entirely based in Scotland and has various sites throughout the country."
"Have they done anything I might have heard of?"
"Have you heard of Global One?" 
"The GDF's space station."
"Yes, the thrusters that keep it in orbit are a product of Taybrooke Aeronautics. They are actually my design."
"Your design? Aren't they normally developed by a team of engineers."
The surprise on Mr Tracy's face was priceless. It wasn't the first time people were shocked by what Josie could do, and she was planning to make sure it wasn't the last. If she wanted to become a big name rocket designer, she was going to have to blow a few minds. 
"The initial design was mine, obviously other engineers had input over materials and the like, but the actual design hasn't changed much. Taybrooke owns the patent, but my name is on it, so you can check it if you don't believe me. They aren't the only thing I've designed that's currently on orbit. Two of my resistojet rockets were used in some private satellites that were launched late last year."
Josie refused to hide her pride. Her family was proud of her achievements even if they didn't understand them. It was why she was here, to continue making them proud of her. She and her brother had had a dream and she was going to fulfil it if she could. 
"That's impressive. Have you considered applying for a role in the Tracy Industries aeronautical department? I'm sure we are always in need of people with your kind of skills."
Josie took a deep breath. She wanted to believe Mr Tracy. Every engineer wanted a job at Tracy Industries, it was considered one of the industry leads and had fantastic employee benefits. The company was known worldwide for taking care of its workforce, but she had never made the cut. Neither did she believe this man would remember her beyond today. It was time to end this conversation and see if anyone here might actually be interested in hiring an engineer. Josie met his gaze and prepared to say her piece. 
"I have applied for various aeronautical and astronautical roles at Tracy Industries since graduating. I've been called to interview twice, one at the European branch in Germany and another at the Japanese branch. Both times I was turned away for lack of experience. The Japanese branch didn't believe I would fit in with the company's culture and the European job was given to the son of one of the employees. It appears that I’m currently not what Tracy Industries is seeking. It’s been interesting talking with you Mr Tracy, but I have just spotted someone that I would really like to speak with, so if you’d kindly excuse me. Have a pleasant rest of the evening.” 
Josie turned and strode away from Mr Tracy. She headed into the crowd, not looking back, keeping her eyes open for the people she'd flagged on the short guest list she had managed to obtain. There were representatives here that might help get her into the industry. Not that she wouldn't stop applying to Tracy Industries jobs, a girl could dream, but she was realistic. Josie knew she had to work her way up and she needed to make the right contacts. 
****
Scott watched Josie walk away. She weaved into the crowd and disappeared from his sight. Gordon had lucked out and this bet was going to be harder than he thought. Miss McNelly may be nervous, but there was something beneath her words and her guard was up. He would have to change his approach, and unfortunately, he couldn't use Tracy Industries as bait. Josie wanted a job and she seemed to believe Tracy Industries didn't want her. Even if he could promise her a job, he was sure she wouldn't believe him. Scott was so used to women warming to him, swooning over his smile, and in many cases excited by the prospect of spending the evening with someone from International Rescue. Josie hadn't even mentioned it or made an indication that she knew he was part of the elusive organisation. Scott headed to the bar and ordered another scotch. He lent against the polished wood, swirling the drink in thought. He had to get her to lower her guard, to open up. His eyes hit the crowd and he sighed. Scott knew he was going to have to take the plunge. 
Almost an hour later and Scott hadn't been able to get close to Miss McNelly. He'd glimpsed her but being in the crowd meant he had to be polite to the other attendees, especially those who the company did business with. Duty called without the usual klaxon that echoed through the villa. Although Scott did want to be rescued from the current conversation; fisheries in the Atlantic were more Gordon's realm. He inspected the room, going from head to head in search of Miss McNelly. He easily spotted Gordon, standing next to Lady Penelope who was conversing with a young businessman. At least his brother wasn't having much luck either. Continuing, he spotted Mr Sandip with whom he'd had a pleasant conversation with at a previous gala. Excusing himself, Scott headed over to the man, but as he neared, Scott got a glimpse of whom he was talking to. Josie's hands were moving as she described something, and as he stepped up to the pair, he could hear the enthusiasm in her voice. There was a sparkle in her grey eyes that hadn't been there previously. 
"Mr Tracy! How good to see you again? How have you been?"
Mitchell Sandip had spotted him out of the corner of his eye and had turned to offer him a hand, which Scott took with a smile. 
"I'm very well, thank you, though I wasn't expecting to see you here." 
"Yes, well, the representative from the engineering department that was meant to attend became unwell. With so few people free to come, I drew the short straw. Though, seeing you has greatly improved my night."
Scott laughed at the accountant, his friendly demeanour had charmed Scott last time they had met. 
"Now, Mr Tracy, have you met Miss McNelly? She has quite the head for numbers. Unfortunately, she's not after an accounting job otherwise I'd snap her up before anyone else could!"
Scott turned to the woman in question, eyebrow raised. Head for numbers, well she was an engineer. He watched her straight up and nod politely at him. 
"I'm rather good with calculations.”
Mitchell's hand landed on Scott's arm, drawing his attention away from Miss McNelly. The shorter man's hazel eyes peered up at him full of excitement.
"She's being incredibly modest, Mr Tracy. I was certain someone was pilfering funds, and after a week I managed to work out who and how, but I hadn't mentioned it to anyone yet. I’ve just finished collecting all the evidence and sent it to HR. Well, I was just discussing yearly finances with Mr Yang over there, and I was just throwing a lot of numbers about, as you do, trying to show off, when Miss McNelly pipes up saying my calculations are wrong. I told her they weren't, and she said they had to be unless someone was swindling money. I was shocked that she could work it out like that, then she rattled off her calculations faster than anything. Like I said, I hadn’t told anyone and Miss McNelly here was able to work it out in minutes. Obviously, I had to confirm this wasn’t just a one off, so Mr Yang and I rattled a few numbers off, and Josie performed the calculations there and then. All in her head and fast as can be. It was incredible!"
Scott turned with Mitchell back to Miss McNelly. There was a proud smile on her face, even if he could see that she was still nervous. Her fingers were playing gently with the hem of her jacket. 
"I've always been fast with numbers."
"Are you certain you don't want to be an accountant?"
Miss McNelly laughed, a blush coming to her cheeks. 
"As I told the Professor during my interview at Cambridge, when he asked why I was pursuing a career in engineering over mathematics; for me mathematics is easy. I don't want to be bored. I want to be challenged." 
A cheeky grin graced Josie's lips, obviously warming to Mitchell's easy charm. It was hard not to smile around Mitchell, the man had a unique manner that just set people at ease. 
"How about a drink then?" 
“Fantastic idea, Mr Tracy. I’m sure Miss McNelly is in need of one too.”
Scott beckoned over a waiter, who swiftly moved around the other attendees to reach them. 
"I'll have a sherry, if you don't mind."
"I'll have a Scotch please. What would you like, Miss McNelly, another mojito?"
Josie hesitated a moment and seemed to become uneasy, her fingers returning to her hem. 
"Another mojito would be lovely, thank you." 
"Is that all?"
"Yes, thank you."
Scott dismissed the waiter, still intrigued by Miss McNelly. There was so much to uncover, and although he was starting to feel that he'd be cleaning the pool next week, he hadn't given up. Mitchell was just the person he needed to help break down those walls of hers.
"So, a Cambridge graduate then? I've a friend who did engineering at Cambridge university."
"Yes, it's a fantastic institution. It took me a year to find my feet, but I thrived once I did. Did you visit your friend while he was there?"
Scott chuckled slightly at the thought of visiting Brains at university. His father hadn't met the man yet and he would have been a kid himself. 
"No, I never got the chance."
"That's a shame. It's like a world of its own. All the best equipment within old buildings and traditions which go back centuries. Although it was fun at the start, with all the formal dinners and dressing up in your gown, it does get a little mundane after the umpteenth time. Sure, it's a three course meal with wine from some excellent chefs, but you can't eat that rich food every day and it's expensive. I could keep myself fed and watered for a week for the price of two evening meals!"
"I must admit, I didn't make the best decisions when it came to food during my first years in the Air Force."
Scott thought back to the instant noodles and takeaways he'd indulged in on the weekends. The freedom that came with not having to eat Grandma's home cooking had been liberating. Though he did eventually learn to cook a few simple dishes during his time in the Air Force. 
"Most of us make bad choices at university. It comes with being young and free." 
There was a sadness in her tone and her face dimmed slightly. What mistakes had this woman made that she regretted? Did it have something to do with the guard she hid behind? She put on a forced smile, and he knew he had to keep her engaged. Unfortunately, Lady Penelope and Gordon decided to make their entrance to the group. 
"Oh! Why hello Lady Penelope, and you are…."
Mitchell held out his hand to Gordon, who shook it with his usual amount of enthusiasm. Out of the corner of his eye, Scott caught the movement of Miss McNelly's hand. She was once again fiddling with her jacket. 
"Gordon Tracy."
"Ahhh, Mr Tracy's brother. I see the resemblance now."
Scott hid his laugh behind a grin, though he caught Miss McNelly’s eyes darting between him and Gordon. He wondered if she was picking up on the same resemblance. Scott watched as Lady Penelope, and then Gordon, introduced themselves. The drinks they had ordered arrived, and Scott noted the way Miss McNelly took a tentative sip of the drink. The small talk started, though Scott caught the small sips she took frequently, as a way to keep herself busy. She was definitely out of her element, which might explain why her guard was up. He listened in, gaining snippets of information about the woman. Gordon was keen to keep her chatting, probably as a way of distracting her from him, thus improving the chances Scott was going to lose the bet. After a while, Miss McNelly politely excused herself. Scott watched as she headed in the direction of the bathrooms, he hoped that meant she’d be back. 
“Miss McNelly is quite the interesting character, don’t you think Scott?”
Scott could see the small grin on his brother's face and the gleam in his eye that revealed to Scott the hidden meaning. Gordon thought the bet was his and he’d gotten out of his chore. Another business associate of Tracy Industries joined their group and stole Scott’s attention. Miss McNelly never returned. 
****
Finally getting away from yet another business proposal, Scott headed to the bar where Gordon was perched. He lent against it and turned to survey the room with his brother. 
"No success then?"
"As much as you've had with Lady Penelope."
Scott's eyes fell on Miss McNelly. She was chatting with Mitchell again. Maybe he still had a chance. Turning to the bartender he ordered a Scotch and mojito. Gordon raised his eyebrow at the order. 
"One last chance. I'm not going to give in that easily."
Scott grabbed the drinks and headed toward Miss McNelly. She'd just shaken hands with Mitchell and the man had turned to chase down someone on the other side of the room. He took a breath and turned on the charm. 
***
Josie watched Mr Sandip hurry after someone and smiled to herself. He'd promised to pass on her details to recruitment. She was feeling beat but was pretty pleased with her efforts. She'd sold her company and thrown out a few business cards. Hopefully she'd made her mark. The whole event hadn't been as bad as she'd expected, though that one alcoholic drink had eased her nerves a little. She was happy to have been able to keep it to one. Glancing at her watch, she confirmed it was late and she still had some travelling to do. It was time for her to leave. 
"Miss McNelly, care to have a drink with me?"
Dread filled her as the familiar voice spoke from behind. Turning she immediately noticed Mr Tracy was standing between her and the exit. She took a deep breath. In the man's hands were two drinks: an amber spirit and a mojito. Her breath caught in her throat, the situation bringing her back to a night she wanted to forget.
"You got me a drink?" 
She stared at the glass. She suspected it had alcohol in it, having ordered one in front of him, but what else did it contain? She couldn't confirm it wasn't spiked. Would he do that sort of thing? Save people one day, drug them the next? Rich people never made sense to her though. They defied logic. 
"I thought we could chat a little more." 
He held out the mojito, forcing Josie to make a choice. Did she trust the man? She looked up into his face. He had a warm smile that met his eyes and she wanted to trust him. She wanted so much to believe he was a good guy. But her fear was there, deep inside as it always was, and she couldn't. She smiled at him as she reached out her right hand and plucked the glass of what she hoped was scotch, from his grip. Josie kept her eyes locked on his as she raised the glass to her lips. The amber liquid was not one she'd tried before, probably a vintage out of her price range. She was thankful it wasn't peaty; she hates those. His mouth dropped in shock as he looked at the cocktail in his hand. Josie couldn’t help the smile as she fought not to laugh. She let the liquid roll over her tongue and down her throat. 
"I'm Scottish and it's the end of the night. You never asked me what I wanted." 
She locked eyes with him as the shock faded from his face. Mr Tracy glanced down at the cocktail briefly, indecision in his eyes. Josie was still on edge, ready to step back if she had to. She decided to test the water. 
"Take a sip. The mojitos here are the best."
Josie challenged him. If he refused to drink it then it must be spiked. If it wasn't, there was no reason not to take a sip. His hand stayed where it was. 
"I'd rather the scotch."
"This scotch is mine now, and you don't want to waste that drink now, do you?"
****
Miss McNelly's face was serious. Scott felt slightly uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze. It was a challenge. For some reason, she wanted him to drink the mojito. He hadn’t expected her to take his drink and she had sipped it without grimacing. Never before had he met someone who acted as she did. Most people wanted to know more about him, most pestered about International Rescue, but not Miss McNelly. It felt like she had never warmed to him, even if she had seemed better and more relaxed during their conversation with Mitchell. Scott didn't want to drink the mojito; it was his most despised cocktail. What was this woman's game? 
"No, thank you."
"Fine." 
Scott was shocked again when Miss McNelly took the cocktail from him. What happened next, happened both at lightning speed and in slow motion. There was nothing Scott could do to stop it. 
"Thank you for the drink, but I don't appreciate the attention you've given me. I tried to make it clear I wasn't interested."
The cocktail glass was thrust in his direction, its contents flying out at him. Ice and mint hit his face as the sticky fluid started to soak into his shirt. As if that wasn't enough Miss McNelly stood on her toes, stretched up and poured the scotch into his hair. It trickled down his neck. 
“I’m not interested.”
Miss McNelly stalked past him. Scott didn't know how to react. One part of him wanted to storm after her and demand an explanation, though that would probably make things worse. This is what he gets for accepting a silly bet. He turned on his heel and headed towards the exit. Gordon was sitting at the bar and the smirk on his face became laugher as Scott approached. His brother was struggling to stay in his stool. 
"I'm calling it a night."
"Sure Scott….I look forward...to watching you...clean the pool." Gordon gasped between spasms of laughter. 
****
Josie bolted. She started running once she had heard the door shut. She didn't stop, not looking back and running as fast as she could to the nearest light rail station. Fear was a great motivator, and she didn't slow until she was on the platform where she gasped for breath. Josie had never been a runner. She hated it. Her eyes never left the entrance until she was on the train. Only then could she start to relax. Once in the carriage the tears started to fall. She’d overreacted. She'd made a scene. Her body shook. How stupid could she be? Slipping her phone out of her jacket she swiped up her call history and tapped the first person on the list. 
****
Josie lay back on the bench. It was around the corner from the hostel she’d booked for the night. The cheapest way to stay in London was to share a bunk bed with a stranger. There was no way she could have a private conversation in a room of sleeping people, and this random street bench was the easiest option. If there was ever someone she needed right now, it was her best friend Graham. His thick Scottish accent rang out from her phone. 
“Seriously Josie, ye need to stop seeing every man as a potential threat. Cannae a man just be polite?”
“I don’t suspect all men, just the ones that make me feel uncomfortable.”
“Ye said this guy was Scott Tracy, right?”
“Yes.”
“Scott Tracy, the Commander of International Rescue and pilot of Thunderbird One?”
“Maybe, I can’t remember which one flies which.”
“Hold on, ye can list every damned fact available about the Thunderbirds, but ye cannae tell me who pilots them?”
“You sound like my brother! Why should I care who flies the Thunderbird? I want to know how they fly!”
Graham rolled his eyes, and Josie couldn’t help but laugh at him. She twisted onto her front, her arm aching from holding her phone in the air. 
“Well, I’ve looked him up and I think ye would have been safe to drink that mojito. Although I’ll admit that he probably was hitting on ye. According to the gossip blogs he has picked up the odd girlfriend from events like that. Not that they last long, with him spending most of his time savin' people. If ye hadn’t been so aggressive ye could be heading back to Scotland with a great story! Imagine being able to say ye slept with the pilot of Thunderbird One!”
“A. I prefer Thunderbird Three. B. I’d rather spend the night with Thunderbird One herself. C. If I’d known, I would have given him your number.”
Josie stuck her tongue out, only to watch Graham contort his face in response. They both ended up in a fit of giggles. 
“At least ye still have a good story for the next campfire. Many girls have slept with Mr Thunderbird One, but I doubt many can claim they threw a drink in his face.”
A groan left Josie as she placed her forehead against the wood, breathing in its damp musk. She was never going to forget this and once it’d been passed round the town, it would definitely make its way to work. They would never let her go to another event again. 
“I’m an idiot. The whole night was pointless. No one is going to want to hire me now.”
“Definitely an idiot. They only let those into private schools.”
Josie scowled at her friend, though she was fighting a smile. It was an old joke, one that Graham used when she needed to see perspective. It reminded both of them how far they had come. Even if Josie was still stuck in Scotland. She yawned at the same time as the fifteen-minute warning was announced on Graham’s end. 
“Looks like we’re both in bunks tonight.” 
“Righty-ho. G'night Josie.”
"G’night Grey.”
Josie was just about to end the call when Graham decided to get the last word in. 
“And Jo, FYI Gordon Tracy pilots Thunderbird Four.”
Josie glared at him. The last thing she heard was Graham’s laughter as the screen went black. Cradling her phone in her hand, she stared at it, before turning her head to the sky. She couldn't see the stars that she knew were there. Josie may not have her dream job, yet, but Graham always reminded her of how lucky she was.
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