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bellysoupset · 23 days

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Leo's Birthday

Soooo this fic actually takes place 4 fics in the future and I'll make sure to leave it in the correct order in the masterlist. But I wrote it first and I don't have the patience to wait to post!

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“Hey, Wagner,” Dean poked his head inside of the empty conference room, where Leo was hunched over his papers, reading over a previous case similar to the one he was currently handling.

It was only his third case, he couldn’t fumble it.

“Yeah?” Leo didn’t bother looking up, so he startled when Dean suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders, “Martin, what are you doi-”

“Mark your page,” Dean bossed, squeezing his shoulder, with a smile on his face, “I gotta show you something.”

Leo scoffed at the order, but his curiosity was piqued and he obeyed, marking his page and putting the files away inside his case. They walked out of the conference room together and then entered the elevator.

“Where are we going…?” Leo frowned as Dean pressed the last digit. The top floor only had Mrs. Mitchell’s office and the rooftop…

“Wait and see,” Dean was bouncing on his feet and Leo squinted, suddenly very suspicious. Surely his co-worker wouldn’t be this happy over bad news, they were friends, so-

The door opened and Leo nearly jumped out of his skin as a huge “SURPRISE!” followed.

He startled, his back hitting the inside of the elevator, then let out a chuckle at his own expense. His coworkers were all gathered around the door. Sandra, Chuck, Nicole from the reception, Mrs. Mitchell — his boss! —, others as well.

Sandy was holding a box with a bento cake and two cupcakes inside of it. The icing was a deep, forest green, with golden flakes all over it. Their office’s colors.

“You didn’t think you could hide your birthday from us, did you Wagner? We’re professional snoopers,” Dean messed up his hair, shoving Leo out of the elevator. There was a table on the rooftop and they had piled on little tea sandwiches, more green cupcakes and a champagne bottle.

Leo’s chest squeezed with happiness, “I wasn’t hiding anything, I - I love this, thank you,” he interrupted himself, as Sandra passed the box with the mini cake and cupcakes to Chuck’s hands and pulled him into a hug to congratulate him.

It was nearly the end of their day, so they spent an hour there celebrating. Leo devoured his cake. It was almost too much for one sitting, but he hadn’t had lunch, so that hit just the right spot.

Still, as they wrapped up, he was feeling full enough he decided to skip on the two cupcakes and just bring them home for later.

“Go home, Wagner,” Mrs. Mitchell patted his arm, “and next year we hope to know with more advance than Dean guessing because he was snooping during lunch,” she rolled her eyes, “so we can have a proper lunch in celebration.”

“This was amazing, I don’t need anything else, ma’am,” Leo blushed and she wrinkled her nose at his line.

“Don’t settle for less than you deserve, Wagner. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind.”

She talked like their football coach, Leo thought with a smile, nodding and heading to the elevator. Maybe that was why he liked her so much.

Having two hours more than he had expected, Leo took his time driving home, stopping along the way to pick up flowers for their apartment and treats for JD.

Leo called Vince, but he didn’t pick up, indicating he was on the road. Jonah was surely still at the hospital. Leo took a long shower, then hit the dial to Luke, while putting the two remaining cupcakes in the fridge, taking a needless bite of one. He was bored and ready to start his birthday celebrations.

“Hi kid,” Luke picked up on the second ring, “sorry, I’m in the middle of something. Is this anything urgent?”

“No,” Leo pouted, “we can talk at the restaurant, I was just bored and wanted to chat.”

“Sorry,” Lucas sounded busy, “I’m in the shelter-”

“The homeless shelter?” Leo raised his eyebrows, squishing the phone between his cheek and shoulder and falling down to his knees as he saw JD get out from under the couch, “what are you doing there?”

“I started working here yesterday,” Luke was breathless, “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner. See you in a couple hours, kid.”

“See you,” Leo sighed, hanging up and then getting down on his stomach on the floor in order to grab his cat. JD let out an indignant meow at Leo snatching her, falling into a baby position as he cradled her, “hi baby. My cute, fluffy, prickly baby,” he said in a childish voice, feeling the judgment oozing out of his pet.

Jonah came home just as Leo was starting to get restless, moving around with nothing to do since he hadn’t planned to have free time.

“Hi!” Jon jumped as he saw Leo sprawled on the couch, already all dressed for the night, with JD getting her fur all over his fancy buttoned up shirt, since she was curled up on his stomach, “you’re home early, I was hoping- I was thinking you’d-”

Leo lifted up his head from the couch cushion, eyebrows raised at Jon’s uncharacteristic fumbling of words, “hoping I was gone?”

“Don’t say it like that,” Jonah scoffed, neatly tucking away his shoes and circling the couch in order to look at him, “don’t you look nice.”

“Thank you,” Leo grinned, lazily scratching JD’s head, “my boss gave me the last two hours of my day off, but uh… I had nothing to do, so I’ve been here, bothering JD.”

“She looks super bothered,” Jonah rolled his eyes, as their spotted cat was purring, rolled up on herself like a snake, on top of Leo, “well, I was planning on leaving this on top of the bed with a letter that said how much I love you and how incredibly successful and attentive and loving I think you are and how I wanna wake up next to you for the rest of my days, but since you’re here…” Jon sat at the edge of the couch, handing him a large silver wrapped box, “it’s nothing flashy, but you’re a lawyer, so I think I’m allowed-”

Leo raised a hand to shut him up, removing the lid of the box and then letting out a whistle, while JD got up to sniff at the wrapping paper, “this is stunning… You got my name engraved?”

“Stamped,” Jonah corrected, as Leo pulled out the dark leather case from the box, eyebrows raised at the marking that said Mr. Leo Wagner - Juris Doctorate, “I left some space there for the hyphenated Banks, if you make up your mind about it…”

Leo’s cheeks hurt from smiling, “I love it. I’m gonna use it every damn day… And I’m considering the Banks, I promise,” he leaned in to grab Jon’s shirt, pulling him for a kiss, “I love it, thank you.”

“I love you,” Jon shrugged, thumb pushing slightly on Leo’s chin, “I’m gonna shower and we can go- Stop letting JD cuddle when you’re dressed up, bloody hell, Leo.”

“She’s cute!” Leo cried out as Jon got up from the couch and rushed out. He was still completely enchanted by his new case. There were fancy instructions of use and a bottle of leather conditioner in the box, as well as a life-long warranty that made him snort.

As they made it to the restaurant, Leo’s stomach was starting to hurt from hunger. Even though he had had his mini cake in the office, three hours had passed and he was a big guy, just that wasn’t even remotely enough to sustain him.

Bella, Luke and Wendy were already inside and Leo rushed to them. The couple had literally just gotten back from their honeymoon three days ago and they hadn’t had a chance to meet yet.

“C’mere, blondie,” Bella pulled on the collar of his shirt, pulling him into a tight hug, “congratulations, Leo.”

Leo melted into the hug, wrapping his arms around her and taking Bella’s feet off the ground, tipping his body back.

They were already a bottle of wine in — not that much, considering there were five of them — when Vince entered the restaurant.

“I’m so so sorry,” Vince cried out, stripping his biker jacket and throwing it to Luke, “there was a huge tree in the road and no one could get through – it’s not important – Give me a hug!” Vin practically manhandled Leo out of his chair and the blonde let out a squeak at the ribs crushing hug, “happy birthday, kiddo.”

“I-Can’t. Breathe,” Leo gasped, making Vince chuckle and drop him. Leo dizzily staggered back, practically falling into his seat.

Conversation went on easily after that. Leo retold that evening’s events, not hiding how proud and happy he was that his boss had joined in the celebration, and Wendy had a million tales to share about the fifty different things she was doing. Luke and Bella couldn’t shut up about the Maldives, still grossly all over each other despite spending nearly a month away with no one but each other’s company.

Jonah brought up Angie’s proposition while they went through the second main dish – lobster — and Luke shrugged, “I think it’s a brilliant idea.”

“Of course you do, you don’t work,” Jonah wrinkled his nose, causing Luke to glare at him and Leo to snort, continuing to eat his food.

“I’ll have you know I actually got a job,” Lucas shrugged, as if those weren’t big news and didn’t mean a lot, considering how much of his mental health deteriorating was tied to his career path or lack of one.

“What’s the job?!” Vince practically rattled him and Luke chuckled, pushing his hands away.

“I’m a charity fundraiser,” Lucas was almost beaming with how happy he was and Bella threw an arm around his shoulders, planting a big lipstick-red kiss on his cheek, “I’m not gonna take credit for this, it was actually a culmination of my therapist asking me to get a couple vocational therapy sessions, my beautiful wife telling me to stop sulking about being rich, and me finally using my head.”

“Whatever does that mean?” Leo asked, leaning back on his chair. His stomach was stuffed with food and there was still dessert to go. He fidgeted on his seat, wishing he could rub his belly or loosen up his belt, but it would be bad form in an upscale place such as this.

“Well, I have the political connections thanks to my mom, I have the glamorous connections thanks to my dad, but I never wanted to do anything with those. They always felt like a burden,” Luke blushed, “but that was silly. There’s people who’d kill to be able to get things as easily as I can, so I realized I can use these connections for good-”

“By making rich people give away their money,” Vince chuckled, clicking his glass with Bella and the ginger nodded almost smugly.

“It’s not just that,” Luke whined, but he didn’t seem offended, “you actually need to know laws, but lucky me, I’m a Poli Sci major… And I happen to be really good at leading teams and bossing people.”

“We already knew that, Captain,” Leo winked at Luke, leaning to his side and half resting against Jonah, as the conversation continued, Wendy was full of questions about Luke’s new position, even after him saying he was not in charge of anything, but working under a guy. She had that ambitious little sparkle in her eye that often found a twin in Jonah’s.

Not this time, tonight Jon was too busy saving all of his heart eyes for Leo. He leaned in, pressing his nose to the blonde’s temple and smiling, “enjoying yourself?”

“Uh-hum,” Leo nodded, biting down a grimace as his stomach cramped. Maybe he had overdone it… He just needed a moment, Leo thought, breathing through it and glaring in disgust to his empty plate. He really shouldn’t have cleared the plate.

Probably noticing his grimace, a waiter quickly came to retrieve all the plates, then hung around as they chatted about dessert. Leo felt a wave of revulsion at the thought of eating another bite. His tummy was packed and he could feel a lump in his throat.

He coughed lightly against his fist and squeezed Jon’s knee, “order me a water? I gotta go to the bathroom.”

“Of course,” Jon nodded, still lazily studying the menu and letting out a chuckle as Wendy pulled her chair closer to him, impromptu giving him advice on what to pick.

Leo circled the table, when he passed by the guys, Vince darted out a hand in a teasing manner, giving his back a pat.

It wouldn’t have mattered on any other day, but stuffed as he was, the little friendly pat — that was a bit rough, given Vince never seemed to have understood he was not the size of a kitten — caused a sick burp to come up.

It fizzled out in his throat, but brought with it the taste of his dinner, causing Leo to shudder. He burst into the men’s room and caught a glimpse of his face.

The wine had done a decent job at masking his paleness, because despite the fact he had turned belly-fish white in the last couple of minutes, the alcohol still caused the top of his cheeks to be a starkling pink.

He leaned over the sink, splashing his face with water and taking some soothing breaths. The hunched over position caused his stomach to slosh dangerously and Leo let out yet another little burp under his breath, glancing at the door nervously as he touched his belly.

Deciding he didn’t want to risk getting walked on by one of his friends, Leo stumbled to the private stalls and locked the door. He sat on the toilet instead of leaning over it like his belly was begging him to, then spread his legs out and undid his belt.

The relief was instantaneous and Leo all but melted as the nausea eased up. He planted a hand on his stomach, tugging up his black button up, and scrunched up his face as he looked at his belly. His abs were a far cry from the morning, now his stomach was taut and stretched out, gurgling non stop.

It wasn’t something they’d be able to hear over the chatting and the soft piano music in the restaurant, but in the empty bathroom he could hear it clearly. Leo groaned, planting the heel of his hand to his tummy and pressing in little circles.

The belly rub wasn’t quite successful and nowhere near as nice as Jonah’s were, but at least it managed to bring up yet another breathy burp- He lurched forward with a much bigger one, that nearly morphed into a retch. Leo slapped a hand over his mouth, shocked and breathing hard, trying to understand if his stomach was going to reject his dinner.

Instead, the near gag seemed to have calmed things down a bit. He carefully removed his hand from his lips, wiping the clammy sweat from his upper lip and breathing out. That was close.

Figuring he had been gone long enough, Leo begrudgingly got up, closing his belt once more and tucking his shirt in. He splashed his face with some more cold water and took a breath, forcing himself to get out of the bathroom.

The minute he walked out, a hand was planted over his eyes and everything went dark. Leo let out a startled squeak, which morphed into a hiccup and Jonah laughed at the noise, kissing his cheek.

“Relax,” he whispered in his ear, guiding Leo to walk forward, blindly, “happy birthday, baby.”

He lowered his hand and Leo realized Jon had walked him back to their table. Now their friends were standing and there was a large cake in the middle of the table, with candles sticking out and already alight.

Just the sight of it made his stomach churn, but Leo wasn’t lying when he smiled. The effort his friends had gone through to get him the perfect cake mattered much more than his bellyache and he shoved it to the back of his mind, grinning like crazy as they started to chorus in the happy birthday song.

Leo’s cheek turned a deep red as he noticed other strangers looking at their table, some even joining the singing. He turned his head, hiding it on Jonah’s shoulder and his fiance smiled, squeezing him closer as they finished up the song and Leo leaned to blow out the candles.

He got pulled in yet another round of hugs and finally Leo fell back down on his seat, on the opposite side of the table. The brief truce he had earned from his tummy back in the bathroom was broken and he was hiccuping, causing Vince to giggle as he let out a little squeaky-toy noise.

“That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard,” Vin chuckled, pushing a plate with a slice of cake his way and then passing Jonah another one, “dig in, kiddo, it’s your favorite. Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate.”

Sounded like hell, Leo thought with a small grimace, but then his stomach sank as he heard Vince’s next words, “my mom was appalled she shouldn’t put in any fruit.”

“Your mom- Ma made my cake?” Leo asked, both moved and completely distraught as he realized there was no way he could avoid eating now.

“Sorry guys, there was a huge tree on the road,” Wendy mimicked her boyfriend’s excuse from before, forcing a deep voice, “he was late because it was a whole logistic nightmare to bring the cake from Doveport, but Ma insisted, you’re like… Her favorite.”

Luke scoffed, “which is very unfair, I’d just like to point it out,” he said in a teasing way, “I’m supposed to be the favorite.”

“Shut up, Luke,” Bella chuckled, shushing him with a little kiss and stealing a piece of his slice of cake, even though she had her own.

Leo eyed the cake with disgust, nodding and forcing a smile. His mouth watered at the thought of pushing any more sweetness in his tummy, but he ignored it, grabbing the fork.

Jonah was scratching his back with one hand, continuing to eat and humming in agreement to the compliments about Ma’s cooking and the fact Leo was her favorite out of Vince’s friends. He was blissfully unaware of the turmoil his boyfriend was in and barely registered as Leo pushed half of his slice on his plate, giving up halfway through.

He couldn’t even swallow what was currently in his mouth. Leo tried gulping it down, but his throat was refusing to cooperate. He hiccuped again and this time he couldn’t help but groan, as liquid rocketed up his throat.

“I’m gonna get the bill,” Jonah whispered, squeezing his nape and getting up, beating Luke to it.

Leo groaned, barely trying to hide how shitty he was feeling. His friends were all getting up and then Vince circled the table, grinning, “are you drunk, kiddo? That was almost nothing compared to what I’ve seen you drink-”

“No-” he finally managed to gulp down the chocolate mess in his mouth and felt cold sweat break out on his back, his stomach immediately rejecting it, “ate- ate- HIC!- Fuck, too much…”

Vince chuckled, grabbing his arm, “Okay, let’s go outside for some air. C’mon-”

He gently shoved Leo forward and they walked out of the restaurant, Leo continuing to hiccup.

The cool air was nice, but Leo knew he was past the point where a breeze could help. He cupped his mouth, muffling yet another little burp and groaning as a hiccup shook him once more, causing his stomach to clench.

“Shit- Vince,” Leo grabbed his friend’s arm, gulping down nervously and trying to communicate he was gonna puke-

“BOO!” Wendy jumped on him and Leo lost his weak hold on his stomach. He let out a choking noise and folded in half, puking all over the patch of sidewalk and Wendy’s pink and green heels.

It was so violent that Leo felt dizzy. His eyes stung with humiliation and his nose with the acid that tickled it. He stayed bent down, unable to straighten up not only because he was so embarrassed, but because his belly felt far from settled.

He closed his eyes, letting out a whimper, and then felt a hand in the middle of his back, rubbing up and down. Too rough to be Jonah’s.

“What the hell, Leo?” Wendy groaned, while Luke said, “Wen, chill out,” and helped him straighten up. He was the one who had stepped closer. Vince and Bella looked equally shocked, Bella was the one carrying the box with the rest of his cake and she was clutching it to her chest.

“Sorry-” Leo groaned, feeling his whole face burn and his throat close up, now with tears, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry-”

“It’s fine,” Wendy scoffed, as Vince grabbed her by her armpits and helped her slide out of her shoes without having to touch the chocolate vomit covering them, “god, this is gross…”

“Wendy,” Luke stressed, squeezing Leo’s shoulder, “what’s wrong, Leo?”

“Sorry,” he groaned again, sniffling pitifully, “I just- I just had so much to eat and then Wendy startled me and- Why did you startle me?!”

“Because you were hiccuping!” Wendy scoffed, with a disgusted frown on, using Bella’s shoulder to steady herself as she tiptoed away from the mess. Vince seemed to have gotten over the shock and only looked amused, snorting at his girlfriend’s answer, “I was trying to help!”

“Amazing,” Jonah said, half amused, half annoyed, jumping down the last steps and joining them outside, “Leo, are you okay?”

“I wanna die,” Leo groaned, but at least the nausea had calmed down a little. Not fully, he still felt stuffed and his stomach was still churning, but he no longer felt like he was going to throw up right at that minute…

“You’re fine, Wendy will live,” Jonah rolled his eyes at Wendy’s little huff, but she did sigh and nod.

“Just because it’s your birthday I won’t yell at you,” she said, then in a much kinder voice, “at least do you feel better?”

“Not really,” Leo admitted, leaning on Jonah’s touch and wanting to crawl up somewhere dark and die. More people were leaving the restaurant and he wanted to hide away from their eyes, feeling like everyone knew… His stomach churned and he planted a hand on it, grimacing, “can we go home?”

Jon frowned, touching his face lightly, subtly checking for any heat, then nodded when he felt none, “yeah, of course. You guys can keep the cake, I don’t think anyone is going to eat it at home,” his voice had a slightly humorous tone and Leo blushed, but just the thought of the chocolate cake made his belly gurgle.

He groaned, “don’t even talk about it,” Leo wrapped an arm around his middle, squeezing his eyes shut as the queasiness started to come back. Luke thumped on his back in a sympathetic manner.

“Feel better, kiddo,” he smiled, “and happy birthday.”

Leo whined as the rest of their friends did the same, side stepping the mess to tell him goodbye, Wendy being the last one.

She squeezed his arm, “happy birthday, Leo,” her tone was teasing, “at least the hiccups stopped?”

“God, go away,” Leo groaned, muffling a burp in his hand and she grinned, kissing Jonah’s cheek.

“You owe me a new pair of Jimmy Choo’s” Wendy warned him, waving and running to where Vince was waiting for her on his bike.

Leo let out a sigh, falling against Jonah and groaning when his fiance let out a little chuckle at his expense. “What the fuck is a Jimmy Choo?” Leo asked, his voice muffled by Jon’s shirt, allowing the other man to pull him back to the car.

#sickfic #overeating #emeto #emetophilia #mywriting #leo wagner #food poisoning #uh that's sort of a spoiler

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seenoversundown · 3 months

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Saccharine

Daniel x Fem OC

Warnings: 18+ Smut (Minors DNI) Oral (m receiving) penetrative sex, teasing, use of 'daddy' / daddy kink, Fluff and other cute things as well.

Word Count: 4.4k (4444 to be exact 🤭)

Author's Note: Couldn't get this idea out of my brain after I made that Valentine's Day post! Just thought it would be a little too cute.

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Saccharine (adjective): 1. excessively sweet or sentimental.

Daniel POV

“Please, Daniel, just tell me where we’re going.” She huffs as she crosses her arms. “You know how I do with surprises.”

“We both know that’s a lie, Melody. We’re almost there anyways.” I laugh as I squeeze her thigh.

It doesn’t take us long before we’re pulling into her surprise. I catch her constantly looking up recipes and watching videos of bakers online. I’m so excited that I’ve nailed this Valentine’s Day date that it feels like I’m having heart palpitations when I reach Melody's door. I can’t wait to see my girl’s face when she figures out what we’re doing.

“Are you okay?” I snap back to reality quickly to her looking at me with a concerned look. I can’t help but laugh and press a quick kiss to her forehead before holding out my hand to help her out of the car.

“Just excited for our date, Ducky.”

“I’d be more excited if you’d tell me what we’re doing.” The sentence comes out through her gritted teeth.

“Haven’t you learned just to trust me?” I open the door and place my hand on the small of her back to guide her through. As soon as the sweet, sweet smell of baked goods hits our noses, she halts to a complete stop. “Something wrong?”

“Are we where I think we are?” Her hazel eyes light up in anticipation as she pulls my hand.

“You’ll just have to see.” I pop my shoulders but can’t help the smile that starts to appear on my face. “Let’s go, we don’t want to be late.”

We continued down a long brick hallway until we reached a door with delicate cursive on the glass. I watch Melody’s high ponytail of curls tilt to the side as she starts to piece together where we are. I let my eyes travel down my girl. Her soft red dress hit mid-thigh, and as soon as she came out of the bedroom this morning, I had to fight the urge to tell her we were staying home. Paired with her green denim jacket and short Doc Martens, my dream girl looks every bit of the dream that she is. She turns and catches me checking her out; I don’t make any attempt to hide it.

“Mr. Wagner. This is no place to check out my ass when there are sweets on the other side of this door. Rosemary’s Confectionery? Seriously?” Melody’s arms wrap around my waist and squeeze tight; an involuntary groan escapes my lips as I wrap mine around her shoulders. “Her cinnamon rolls are my favorite. I’ve been trying to figure out the recipe for years. Daniel.”

I simply stick two fingers under her chin and press my lips to hers, enjoying her speechless moment. I turn her back to face the door, reaching around her to knock on the door. It doesn’t take long for a small older woman to answer the door.

“Mrs. Lennox, thank you for taking the time today-“ I begin before she quickly cuts me off with a wave.

“I told you on the phone, Daniel, call me Rosemary. I insist.” I watch her smile at my girl. “You, my beautiful dear, must be Melody. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Daniel. I hope you don’t mind me saying I’m quite excited for this afternoon; it’s been some time since I’ve taught a class. I hope I’m not too rusty.”

“Thank you for having us today, Rosemary.” I watch as Melody takes Rosemary’s hands in hers. The women have a quiet moment before Melody continues. “You make some of mine and our daughter’s favorite sweets. I’m excited for this afternoon, too; anything you teach us will be perfect.”

Our daughter. My heart stops every time I hear that phrase used regarding her ours.

“Then there’s no time to waste, sweetheart!” Rosemary takes Melody by the hand, leading her further inside her studio. “Tell me more about your girl.”

This room is more significant than I thought, with its brick walls and tall windows, but Rosemary looks right at home. She walks over to a wall lined with different-sized aprons and finds my girl a soft green one that matches her outfit. I watch her excitedly throw it over her head, quick to get her curls out from under the neck strap. It wasn’t long before I saw Melody walking back towards me with a darker green apron.

“Matches your eyes.” She says as she pops up on her toes to kiss me on the chin. I wasted no time swinging it over my head and turning to let her tie it for me. Once fully secured, I turn back to reach my hand to Mel’s cheek and place a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Well, aren’t you two just perfection.” Rosemary's voice almost startled me, forgetting where we were momentarily.

“It’s all my girl, Rosemary. I’m just lucky enough to be here.” I wink at Rosemary, but my eyes never leave my girl.

“Let’s get started. We can talk while the dough proofs.”

I thought this would be me sitting back, watching Melody and Rosemary buzz around her kitchen, but it didn’t take long for me to realize I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

“Daniel, make sure all of those raspberries are smushed to bits. We need them to be very spreadable, dear.” Rosemary calls out from where she and Melody have been working on our dough. She didn’t even turn to look at me to know I had slowly stopped, distracted by a particular someone’s round ass and short dress. I try to focus back on the half-smashed berries before me, curious how a dessert cinnamon roll would even work. Is it even called a cinnamon roll if there’s no cinnamon inside?

“Hey, Rosemary,” I call out, watching both women turn to me. Instantly, I regret what I’m about to say and feel stupid, but I can’t help it now. “Do you still call the raspberry cinnamon roll a cinnamon roll?” As I finished my question, my head naturally lolled to the side, and Melody’s laugh rang out through the air.

“No, dear, I don’t call them cinnamon rolls. I lovingly refer to them as raspberry rolls since they have raspberries.” My cheeks get hot as Rosemary finishes her explanation, seemingly taking extra time to really dumb it down for me.

“That definitely makes sense.” My hand goes to my head as I involuntarily pull at my hair.

“Any other questions, Daniel?” Melody’s tone is sarcastic and teasing; I expect nothing less. Since I’m already on a roll, I continue.

“If I have your undivided attention. Are cinnamon rolls technically considered a dessert? If so, why do we eat them at breakfast?”

Melody turns her entire body to Rosemary. “This is why he’s good with Iris. They ask the same questions.” Her sentence ends with a laugh. “I promise we can trust him with knives; we’ve already been over that safety course.” They both laugh at that and turn back to the dough, ignoring my questions. Fair.

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The small workspace is filled with the smell of warm, fruity baked goods. I lean against the freshly cleaned counter as I watch Melody separate and place our warm delicacies into individual boxes, complete with an entire container of that delicious icing.

“Thank you for today, Rosemary. It was truly a pleasure to spend time and learn from you.” The small woman leans in for a hug, which I eagerly return. “We’ll definitely be making these until the end of time.”

“I promise I’ll bring Iris by so you can meet her. She’d love it here.” I watch as Melody goes in for her hug with Rosemary. The embrace is tender, so tender I find my throat getting tight that I have to look away. “Ready to get going, Daniel? I’m excited to show our girl what we made today.”

“Absolutely.” I grab her waist and bring her to me to kiss her forehead before grabbing our boxes of edible treasure. “Thank you again, Rosemary. Seriously.”

“The pleasure was mine. You two remind me of the love I shared with my Arnold. Please come by anytime. Melody, I’ll be expecting you and Iris soon. You have my number. Drive safe out there.” She grabs Melody’s hand a final time before letting us head out.

The cold February air is brutal once we eventually hit the outdoors. I watch as Melody shivers, takes her scarf, and pulls it up past her nose, leaving only her hazel eyes visible.

“Fuck, why do we live where it hurts my face? I miss the sun.”

“We live here because we wouldn’t last a day where there are bugs bigger than your hand.”

“Right, how do Australians even survive? Absolutely not.” I can’t help but laugh at her as I find my keys in my pocket and hit the automatic starter to my car. I made Sam help me install my automatic starter shortly after Melody moved in. With the precious cargo I have these days, I can’t afford to wait for my car to warm up or my girls to be cold. Once Melody spots the headlights on our car, she starts to run.

“Sweet, sweet warmth!” She screams as she barrels towards our car. I’ve already learned that I should unlock the car on winter days. She doesn’t wait for me to open her door when that’s all that separates her from regulating her body temperature. Once I reach the car, I place the baked goods next to Iris’s car seat, which has permanent residence in the backseat.

“Way to leave me in the snow,” I say as I settle into the driver's seat, shoving my hands in front of the heaters to try and warm my icicle fingers.

“Sorry, baby. You know how it goes.” I look over to her and see she’s already removed her scarf. “I’m also excited to get home and have our treats.”

“How do you even have room for more? I watched you try one of each, and you wouldn’t share.”

“One, how dare you judge me. And two, do you see this figure?” Her hands fan down her body. “Strictly run on baked goods. I was doomed when you brought us to Rosemary’s, and you knew that.”

“You never cease to amaze me.”

“That’s much better.” Her laugh, my favorite noise, fills the car. I reach over to place my hand on her cheek and bring her lips to mine. Her hands quickly find the sides of my jacket, trying to pull me closer over the center console. I nip once, twice on her bottom lip before running my tongue along it, just to be met by hers. We make out for a minute or two in the front seat before she pulls away. “Thank you for today, Daniel. I had a lot of fun.”

“Who says it’s over?” I let my grin take over my face as I watched the gears in her brain turn. “Buckle up, Ducky. We have plans.” I take the stunned silence as my opportunity to start driving. It isn’t until we hit the highway that Melody finally says something.

“Where are we going?”

“Classified.” I see her cross her arms out of the corner of my eye.

“Where’s Iris?” Melody’s head is fully turned to face me, one eyebrow raised.

“Sleepover with Gramps, complete with her new doll.”

“How did you get a secret from my dad?”

“Easy; no grandparent says no to a night with their favorite grandkid.” I also brought him cinnamon rolls from Rosemary’s last week. I also ensured he had all our streaming logins but omitted those facts. I glance over to her, who still has a skeptical look. “Just relax, baby. I got this.”

Like our daughter, Melody has a wild ability to fall asleep in any moving car. We made it about half an hour before it got a little too quiet, and that’s when I realized. I trace small circles on her open skin where my hand rests on her thigh as I drive us through wooded backroads. The GPS on my phone says we are about ten minutes from our destination, and I hope I don’t miss it. The sun is starting to set, and if I miss this driveway, I’ll have to double back in the dark, and I just want this drive to be over. Thankfully, the driveway is so well-marked I have no issue just pulling right into our overnight getaway.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

A small, modern black cabin sits in a wooded clearing softly lit by the setting sun. Melody has been sending me these Instagram posts from this company that has these across the country, and I just knew it would be perfect for tonight. I softly grip her leg and shake it lightly, helping her wake up. Her hands fly up to her eyes, rubbing the sleep out of them. She blinks several times and looks around until her eyes set on the cabin.

“Daniel is this-”

“There’s only one way to find out, Melody.” She grins at me, her wild, happy grin, and I can’t help but return it. “Our bag’s in the trunk. The code should be our anniversary. Unlock the door for us, and I’ll meet you inside?”

She’s out of the car and racing to the front door before I can say anything else. I laugh, grab our bag and goodies, and race inside after her. When I make my way in, I see Melody taking off her jacket while taking in the cabin.

The slender cabin is covered in rich woods and white linens, and near the front door is a small kitchen area perfect for warming our cinnamon rolls later on. The bed on the opposite end of the cabin is a king-sized behemoth in front of an equally behemoth-sized window. That window, I assumed would be a problem, but we’re the only cabin around for miles. Standing in the middle of the room, she looks angelic, glancing at every little thing.

“Is it good?” I ask her as I set down our things and remove my jacket.

“I can’t believe you did this.” She says as she makes her way to me. Her arms snake around my waist and pull me close. I place my hands on her jaw. “It’s more than good, thank you.” I bring her lips to mine, eager to taste her.

My girl must feel the same way because the moment our lips connect, her hands tighten on my sweater. I tilt her jaw up for better access and slowly let my hand trail down her neck. A delicious moan sneaks past her lips that I want to devour. My hand softly settles at the base of her neck as the other makes its way to her ass. The way the fabric of her dress is, it slides in my hands giving me easy access to direct skin. I sink my fingers in, which grants me another moan from her.

Moving my lips to her ear, I say, “I love this fucking dress.” A soft nip to her ear. “Did you wear it to drive me crazy today?”

“Yes,” she rushes out as her head bobs. “I knew it would work.” My confident fucking girl.

I softly push her back onto the bed and greet the tip of her dress with my fingers. I kiss her inner thighs as I slowly move my hands up, taking the hem of her dress with them. When I finally expose her, a devilish grin becomes plastered.

“You truly are some sort of witch, baby.” I can’t take my eyes off of her soft pink lace thong. The way it makes her skin look more rich is making me salivate.

“Keep unwrapping your present, Daniel.” Melody’s voice is dark and low, contrasting what she usually sounds like. I’m obsessed with the fact that only I get to witness this side of her. I keep sliding her dress up until it’s over her head. She lays before me in a matching pink set, looking fucking delectable. Her dark curls fan around her as her hazel eyes watch me take her in.

“I am one lucky man.” I say as I tear my dark blue sweater over my head. My hands fall to my belt buckle and start to unfasten it, and I watch her eyes drop down. “I have an idea, hold on baby.” I turn away from her towards the other end of the cabin, where the kitchen area starts.

“You’re going to make me wait and go to the kitchen? Do you remember the last time you were alone in a kitchen?” My head whips back towards Melody’s direction, where she’s now sitting up and watching me with a smirk on her face.

“I’m fine in the kitchen, thank you.”

“And that’s why we aren’t in charge of holiday dinners anymore?”

“Oh, you’re fucking asking for it tonight.” With the icing container in my hand, I race over to where she sits, and her squeals fill the air. Quickly, I place the container on the bedside table as I approach my girl. “You think you can bring up the Great Holiday Disaster at a time like this?” I get onto my knees in front of her. I let my breath hit right between her thighs and watched her pelvis jerk up, trying to get any form of reciprocation from me. “You know that’s a sensitive subject.” I kiss the very top of her pelvis over her underwear and pull away to stand over her.

Melody whines in protest, “Baby, please. I need you.”

“Should’ve thought about that before you let your attitude run wild. There will be consequences, baby.” I watch her eyes dart to my side, then back to me with a mischievous glint; whatever she’s about to do can’t be good.

“I think I know how to make it up to you, Daddy.” She’s on all fours now, crawling towards me. I fight the urge to let my eyes roll back and growl. She knows exactly what she’s up to. It doesn’t take long before she’s on her knees on the bed before me, fiddling with the sides of my belt buckle.

“Melody,” my voice is low in warning. My girl, however, is unphased. She looks up at me through her long dark lashes that I swear make her eyes look more green than hazel from this angle, and I groan. “You’re treading dangerous waters now.”

“Am I?” She says as she fully undoes my belt and moves to the button of my pants. My erection is pressing so tightly against the zipper on my jeans that there’s no way she doesn’t notice it. Like she can read my mind, she undoes the button and lets her thumb lightly graze the top of the head of my penis.

“Fuck me,” is all I can say as I start to gather her curls wanting to see her face. She presses a kiss right above where my boxer briefs meet my skin, and I swear I feel myself set on fire.

“I plan to,” she quickly quips back. “Lay down, baby. Let me make it up to you.” Her voice is angelic and soft. I can’t help but follow her instructions. I crawl up towards the head of the bed and sit like a king as I watch her walk around the small space. I’m enjoying the view of her perky ass and the way her back flexes as she puts her curls into a high ponytail when she turns with the icing container in hand. Melody makes her way back to me with a devilish look. I just get harder thinking about what she might do.

“Take your pants off for me, Daniel.” I quickly oblige, fumbling over the zipper and pulling them off. “I’ve been thinking about doing this since we made the icing earlier.” She kneels between my legs. “Can you take off your undershirt for me, Daddy?” I swear I start to become incoherent as I listen to her and jerk off my shirt, too eager to see what’s coming next.

Melody bends down and presses a kiss on the band of my boxer briefs, and as I’m about to protest the tease, her tan manicured finger curls around the top of the band and starts to pull down. Her eyes stay on my face the entire time she pulls them down my legs, flitting only to my now-free erection. She takes the top of the icing container off and hovers over my chest.

“I’m ready for my dessert,” she says as she starts to slowly pour the runny icing down the center of my chest, leading to my aching cock. She’s focused as she makes her icing trail, her eyes getting darker as she reaches my erection. I jump slightly when the cool icing touches me, but Melody leaves her other hand on me as a comforting touch of warmth. When she does reach my erection, she carefully pours it right on the head so it drips down all sides of me.

“You look fucking delicious.” Melody’s lips attach to my chest first, and I moan. Her warm tongue laps up the icing while playing with my nipple. She nips at it once before giving the other equal attention. I watch her as she moves right above my belly button and lays her tongue flat on me, licking the rest of the icing off my chest in one long, languid stroke. “You are fucking delicious. God, Daniel.”

She wraps her beautiful dark lips around the head of my cock and licks lightly. My hips buck at the feeling of her, always so perfect. It doesn’t take her long before she’s taking me down the back of her throat, lightly moaning as she works me.

“Melody, baby,” my voice is harsh as I pull up on her curls. “I don’t wanna come in your mouth; I wanna come in you.” I barely even finish my sentence before my girl climbs on top of me and peels off her own underwear. She places her slit directly on my cock and slowly slides up and down, lubricating me in her wetness.

“This doesn’t feel like a punishment,” Melody says as she lines herself up with the head of my cock. She teases both of us, bobbing so only my head goes in to pull it back out. I grab her hips and slam her down to the hilt. Her moan rings out. “Baby, yes.” My hands move her hips so she’s lightly grinding against me. “You feel so fucking good.”

“Your pussy was made only for me,” I say as my hands travel up her body. My fingers graze right under her breasts, the pretty pink lace a stark contrast to her dark nipples, making them look more enticing.

“I need more, Daniel. Please.” With that, I flip us over so she’s under me. Taking her left leg, I pull it up towards her chest, giving me better access.

“Show me how you touch yourself, Melody.” Her hand goes straight to her clit in quick circles while she watches me thrust into her. It doesn’t take long before I start to feel her walls begin to flutter around my cock. “You’re close, aren’t you, Baby?”

“Yes, God, Daniel, pleaseyes,” her moans become more incoherent as my thrusts become sloppy.

“Come for me; show me how pretty you are when you come.” I slide my free hand up to her neck, lightly squeeze, and feel my girl come undone. I’m right behind her as I thrust once, twice, before my vision starts to black out, and I am still inside of her. “Fuck, you feel so good.”

I collapse on top of her with my cock still inside and nuzzle into her neck. I feel her koala-like grip around my body as she does the same. We stayed like that for a few moments before I separated myself. I quickly go to the bathroom, take care of myself, and grab a warm washcloth for her, but before I can even turn around, I feel a hand snake around my waist.

“You should’ve waited in bed, Mel. I was coming back to you.” Her grip only gets tighter from behind.

“Sleepy, want to shower.” She murmurs into my skin. I can’t help but laugh at my girl, turning to face her. In front of me, in all of her naked glory, stands Melody. I take her face and kiss her forehead; her hazel eyes are tired but happy.

“Okay, how about a bath instead? I don’t think you could stand a shower, love.”

A happy hum is the only response I get as I watch her eyes close.

“Sit on the counter for me, I’ll start it for us.”

I keep my hands on her hips and help her as she hops onto the counter. I feel her eyes on me as I wander around this foreign bathroom. What she doesn’t know, however, is that I already stashed a small bag of our toiletries, including her fancy bath supplies. I watch her eyes light up as she spots the Lush bag in my hand.

“I thought you refused to go into that store alone.”

“Who says I went alone? I might have had a little helper with me. She picked the bath bomb for tonight, too, so you better like it.”

“Which one did she get?” I say nothing as I hand her the covered bath bomb; she’ll know which one it is as soon as she sees it. Her laugh is loud, almost startling. “You let her get us Sex Bomb? Daniel.”

“What? We have another year until she can read, and she liked the smell.”

“I hate to break this to you, but our girl can definitely read a little. She’s already halfway through kindergarten.”

“Fuck.” I watch Melody throw it in the tub, then reach out her hands for me.

“I love the bath bomb, thank you.”

“That’s why you can’t say it without laughing.”

“Exactly.”

I turn off the tub, check the temperature, and then pull Melody off the counter. I get into the bath first, position myself at the back, and then hold up my hand to help my girl inside. She easily nestles herself up against me, a perfect puzzle piece. Everything about today, my life, is ideal, and it’s all because of the girl in my arms.

“Hey, Melody?”

“Yeah, Baby?”

“I love you, Happy Valentine’s Day”

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Masterlist | Taglist (or reply and I can add you)

Taglist Besties: Surprise babies! Here's some Daniel fluff & smut for you! 🩷

@gvfsstardust , @myleftsock , @imleavingyoufornewyork , @mindastreamofcolours , @dont-go-home-without-me , @literal-dead-leaf , @mackalah , @writingcold , @i-love-gvf , @earthgrlsreasy , @violet-hayes , @musicspeaks

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radicalrascals · 3 months

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[GIF Pack] Wagner Moura

Following this link you’ll find 132 gifs (245x150) of Wagner Moura as Other John in Mr. & Mrs. Smith from 2024. Wagner Moura is a Brazilian actor and was 47 at the time of filming.

Please reblog and/or like if you plan on using these. Do not claim as your own. Do not include in gif hunts. Thank you. Please check out my other roleplay gifs here.

Trigger-warnings: alcohol, flashing lights, guns

#Roleplay Resources #Wagner Moura #Other John #Mr. & Mrs. Smith #Mr & Mrs Smith #Mr and Mrs Smith #Wagner Moura Gif Pack #Roleplay Gifs #Wagner Moura Gif Hunt #Gif Pack #Gif Hunt #brazilianfcs #Muse: Rafael

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katyawriteswhump · 3 months

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Bed of Roses (steddie love month, day 17)

For @steddielovemonth, Day 17 prompt: Love is about a hand reaching out to you so you don't get lost (@yournowheregirl ) Thank you <3

Rating: M. CW: prostitution, unwanted kink/abuse/pet-names (NOT between Steddie) alcoholism, substance abuse. Tags: rockstar Eddie, rent-boy Steve, make-up fic, angst, shameless perversion of Bon Jovi lyrics. WC: 2,000.

...

“'Cause a bottle of vodka's still lodged in my head…”

In his dressing room, pre-show, Eddie grasped his second bottle of vodka in an unsteady hand.

“…and some blonde gave me nightmares; I think that she’s still in my bed.”

This was NOT GOOD. Eddie had gotten sap-fest Bon Jovi lyrics slithering around his brain. He couldn’t for the life of him remember his own lyrics.

“Hey, Amigo,” he announced to the vodka. “I got a venue of ten thousand to entertain, and you’re literally my Obi-Wan—my only hope.” He caressed the bottle’s label. “80% proof, huh, Baby?”

I’m serious, Eddie, you’ve had enough. You WANT to follow Kurt Cobain into the 27-Club?

Riiiight. That was not a Bon Jovi lyric. That sounded more like Steve Harrington, in sensible-parent mode, hands planted on his slender hips.

The tears struck fast. Eddie clonked the bottle onto the dressing table then followed it, pressing his heavy head to the glass.

He seriously didn’t want to die. However, he was so through with this life. Of any life, without Steve. The cavity where his heart once lay veered between grating emptiness and an unbearable pain.

His fingers twitched toward the bottle. Screw it, the show must go on, and he’d lost his only light in the darkness…

“… as I dream about movies, they won't make of me when I'm dead.”

That still wasn’t one of his own darn lyrics. In fact, he couldn’t remember a single goddamn word of any of Corroded Coffin’s songs.

A sharp knock on the dressing-room door had him squealing like a little piggy. An old guy poked his head in.

“Who the hell are you?”

“You hired me, Mr Munson. Dirk Gordon—Private Dick?”

“Ah… Yeah, so I did.” Eddie’s rotten heart hammered way too fast. “Have you..?"

“Yes, Mr Munson. I believe I’ve found him.”

…

“What do you mean, you're not gonna pay me?” Steve wrapped his arms tight around himself. The only heating in his boss’s rundown office came from the guy’s endless chain of cigarettes. “I spent the whole evening simpering at that old dragon. You told me she liked music—I talked music endlessly.”

“You yammered on about some death-metal garbage. She likes Wagner.”

Steve wrinkled his nose. “What’s Wagner? That crusty old film-star?”

“Oh, Steve, Steve, Steve. What am I gonna do with you?” His boss sauntered around the desk and hooked an arm around him.

Jesus, you stink.

“You’re good-looking, kid, you’re charming, but you simply can’t cut it with that kind of high-end client.”

“She seemed happy.” Steve shrugged his shoulders, failing to shake the guy off him. “She paid you, right?”

“Not the full whack, and you got a fancy meal out of the bitch. Look, I’ll give you your cut, if you do better tonight.”

He squeezed the back of Steve’s neck. Steve tried not to shudder. When his boss produced a piece of paper and wedged it down the back of Steve’s skin-tight jeans, he stopped trying to hide his revulsion.

“Details are all there. He’s a banking exec, early forties—no more dinners and dances with Doris, you’re spending the night at his house.”

A dry lump clogged Steve’s throat. “Is he gonna want..?”

“Sex? Christ on a bike, what trade do you think you’re in?” He squeezed Steve’s butt.

“Jesus fu—” Steve bit his lip, fixed on his damp sneakers.

“Believe me, Steve, your hair ain’t your best asset. You’re gonna have to sell that plump lil’ ass for real, sooner or later.”

Steve flinched, then schooled his features as blankly as he could.

“This guy’s got a few kinks, but as Johns go, he’s a pussycat.” He lifted Steve’s drooping chin with his knuckles. “Show him what ya got, Sport.”

Steve couldn’t get out into the drab morning fast enough. He retrieved the paper from his underwear, shoved it in a pocket unread, then stumbled, zombie-like, into a diner. “Black coffee, please? It’s an emergency.”

The waitress smiled. “You want breakfast, Steve?”

He shook his head, though his stomach grumbled.

He ended up slumped on the table, his face pillowed in his arms. Christ, ‘male escort’ had never seemed like a great idea, but he’d figured the pay would beat waiting tables. So how come he was still behind on his rent, and that he still couldn’t afford to eat some days, let alone buy his pain meds?

He muffled a miserable laugh in his elbow. He genuinely wished he could afford to get smashed, get high, because nothing could fill that gaping black hole of pain. Even worse, one of his fave Bon Jovi songs was playing on the radio, and SO not helping:

“Tonight I won't be alone, but you know that don't mean I'm not lonely.” Shit! He was fighting back dumbass tears already. “I got nothing to prove, for it’s you I’d die to defend.”

Why the hell did he run away? He can’t recall any reason that mattered anymore. “I’m sorry, Eddie,” he mumbled. “I miss you so much.”

Somebody touched his elbow, and he jolted up. “Sorry, hon,’” said the waitress, “we need this table for dine-in customers.”

“Right.” Steve swiped any tell-tale moisture from his cheekbones. “I’ll clear outta your way.”

...

“Ready for playtime, Bunny Rabbit?”

Steve’s skin crawled, and his face burned. He’d gotten his head in the client’s lap, and the guy was playing with his hair. It would be tolerable, he guessed, if he’d not so often laid in Eddie’s lap like this, and… Christ, Eddie! Steve shut out the unwanted touching and began to drift. He was so beyond tired. And that song from the diner crept back:

“Now as you close your eyes, know I'll be thinking about you. While my mistress—she calls me to stand in her spotlight again…”

The pinch on his cheek startled Steve back to the present. “You kipping there, Bunny Rabbit?”

“Uh… er, sorry, Daddy.” Uuuuuuurgh! “Whatever you want, Daddy.” He dared sit up. “I’ll grab a condom and, uh… stuff.”

“Hey, hey, hey.” When Steve went to rise, his arm was grabbed, and he was held in place. “I don’t like rubbers, Cutie.”

“You heard of this thing called AIDS?” Dipshit!

Steve wrenched his arm free. The guy raised his hand and slapped him. Which wasn’t exactly out-of-the-blue, because face-slapping had been listed among this repellent son-of-a-bitch’s kinks.

“I’m paying top whack for you.” He leaned over Steve, suddenly kinda huge and scary, not least because Steve now saw double. “Your pimp said you were clean, so I’m gonna have you any way I like.”

“I… uh…” Steve kicked the bastard’s shin and shoved him hard. “Go to hell, asshole.”

He fled out into the night, still dizzy from the blow. He pulled his mesh vest back on over his head. The icy wind bit, and he realised he’d left his only jacket behind.

“Jesus Christ! JESUS CHRIST!” He kicked a lamppost, holding back on venting the true force of his feelings. Still hurt.

He limped off up the street, fast as he could. The ache in his toes at least distracted him from the ringing in his ears. An hour later, he stumbled around the corner of his block, thinking only of throwing himself into his bed, while he still had one.

He was so close, when the hairs on the back of his neck stood suddenly on end. Through the haze of his exhaustion, he realised a car crawled up the gutter behind him.

Had Mr Happy-Slappy-Sleazebag come after him? Then again, Steve’s pursuer could be anybody. After all, he was walking through a red-light district, shivering his ass off. Dressed like the whore I am. Hahaha!

The car pulled up right beside him. A blacked-out window rolled down.

Steve ran, turning sharp up a dark alley, then… Shit, shit, SHIT AGAIN! He was only a hundred yards from his digs, and yet he was so messed-up that he’d sprinted up a dead-end.

He nearly kicked the bricks. Instead, he punched them, as if that would blast through the solid wall. He turned about, bit his grazed fist, and sank slowly onto his haunches.

Two figures approached up the alley, silhouetted against the lights of the street behind. Get up, Harrington! GET UP! His legs wouldn’t obey, and his breaths came only as rapid gasps. Nothing felt real anymore. Am I gonna die..? I’m gonna die!

A hand stretched out of the gloom.

Steve stared at it—at the familiar chunky silver rings, which couldn’t be real. He glanced up, and… wtf? It was Eddie, apart from it wasn’t Eddie. This dude looked more like Eddie’s ghost. Steve’s eyes fluttered closed.

Maybe I scored some Benzos after all, and totally ODd.

“Stevie?”

No mistaking that voice. If this was a trip, it was a good one. Steve pried an eye open, and Eddie’s hand was still there. Steve took it, let it help him to his feet, because… Why not? Suddenly, they were in each other’s arms, clasping each other tightly. This is real. You’re real! Eddie reeked of booze, and also of something devastatingly comforting and familiar. Somebody’s wretched sobs shook through them both.

“I’m s-sorry.” Steve sounded broken. “I-I honestly don't know why I left anymore. I was such an idiot.”

“No. I was the idiot. I’m sorry, too. So very fucking sorry.” Eddie sniffed hard, lifted his tear stained cheek from Steve’s shoulder. “I’ve not been doing so good without you.”

Steve blinked the moisture from his vision. He wondered if he looked as wrecked as Eddie—red-eyed and waxy pale, under the distant glimmer of the streetlamps. Probably. If he hadn't leaned against Eddie, his legs would’ve given out again.

He laughed, without knowing why. Eddie laughed too, and it warmed Steve’s soul. “Gonna be honest, Eddie—not been doing so good without you, either.”

…

When Eddie got out of rehab, Steve waited on the steps of the clinic, hand stretched out to take his. He pulled Eddie close, and then into a sweet, lingering kiss that renewed Eddie more thoroughly than even a lengthy booze-free sleep.

“I’m never going through that again,” said Eddie, his lips still brushing against Steve’s.

Not least because I never ever want to be parted from you again, even for a fortnight.

“Yeah, but you’re dry, Eddie, and you’re alive. I’d say that’s goddamn metal of you.”

They started back to the car, hands still clasped tightly. “Not gonna take credit, Stevie. You’re what got me through.”

“You might’ve got me out of a fix, so we’re even.” Steve’s sigh rode on a wistful sadness. “I mean, I was so lost. Thinking of you was all that kept me… I dunno, alive, I guess. You know, I kept on thinking about that Bon Jovi song.”

“Uh, you know how I feel about Bon J—"

Too late. Steve burst into song: “Well, I'm so far away, each step that I take is on my way home. A king's ransom in dimes I'd give each night to see through this pay-phone—”

Eddie pressed fingers to his boyfriend’s parted lips. “As much as I hate cutting you off in your prime—two teensy-weensy issues. Firstly, I had no idea where you were, and you never called! Second, what’s wrong with my blood-and-death drenched lyrics?”

Steve took Eddie’s fingers and kissed them: “Hurt too much to think about them.”

“You know what, Sweetheart? Hurt too much to sing them, without you around. Even though none of them are actually love songs.” Eddie raised his gaze to the heavens, and looped his arms around Steve. “Go figure.”

“You sure they’re not love songs? C’mon—they’re all secretly about me, right? Only coded or something. I’ll crack it one day.”

Steve’s gently mocking smile destroyed him, in the best possible way. They tumbled into a French kiss, and he resigned himself willingly to the only thing that mattered:

“And the truth is… Baby, you’re all that I need.”

...

Thanks for reading <3 Likes, comments and reblogs always much appreciated :)

(also part of my steve whump fic series on ao3).

#steddielovemonth #steddie #steddie fic #steddie fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington whump #steve harrington x eddie munson #eddie munson #steve x eddie #rock star eddie munson #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things fanfic #steddie fanfiction #eddie x steve #steddie love month

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secretswiftymarvelfan · 1 year

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Court Of Public Opinion - Andy Barber x Reader (Part 1)

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

Summary: 4 months have passed since your disappearance and Andy is beginning to lose hope. However a miracle is just around the corner, but it comes with its own complications

Word Count: 8.1k

Warnings: Language! Angst! Talk of Abduction! Talk of Violence!

Dividers by me!

Series Masterlist / Masterlist

Chapter 1

Andy felt like a shell of a man, barely alive, only just existing. His eyes were unfocused as the room filled with indistinct conversation and the sound of camera shutters as the press took photos. He didn’t want to be here, he wanted to be anywhere else but here. He didn’t want to listen to the recap of the case, didn’t want to see the sympathetic looks from everyone.

He just wanted you.

“Mr Barber, is there anything you want to say to Y/N if she’s out there?” One of the reporters asked.

Andy blinked a couple of times pulling himself from the trance he was in. He glances over towards your parents who gave him a small reassuring smile before he looked back out towards the sea of reporters.

He clears his throat nodding his head slightly as he got his thoughts in order “Yes” he mutters before finding the main camera and looking directly down the lens “Y/N, sweetheart, I don’t know if you’ll ever see this but if you do please reach out, just to let us know you’re safe, and if there’s someone out there who knows where she is, or know what happened please help us” he pleads, looking down as his voice breaks.

He tries to sniffle back his tears as he feels the all too familiar dark cloud and clenching sensation in his chest. Something he felt so often it was more like an old friend now.

He feels your mom reach out beneath the table and squeeze his hand. He glances over seeing her glassy eyes looking back at him, she gives him a reassuring smile that just breaks his heart even more because she looked just like you. All Andy could see was your face whenever you tried to cheer him up or reassured him that he was going to win this case.

After what felt like hours the press conference was over and Andy and your parents were able to file out of the room, away from the scrutiny of the press. Once in the next room your mom turned to face him, wrapping her arms around him.

“I’m sorry” Andy muttered shaking his head as she hugs him.

“Honey you have nothing to apologise for, you did a great job, I’m so proud of you” she smiled reaching up to quickly wipe away his tears.

“We both are, we know you’re doing everything you can,” your father says putting his hand on Andy’s shoulder.

The detectives working on the case then walk over “We want to thank you for agreeing to this press conference, we understand how difficult it must have been” Lieutenant Elliot says as he shakes Andy’s hand.

“But we’re hoping this will lead to a breakthrough, it’s going to be on statewide news and there’s a hotline assigned now so we might get some hits,” Detective Wagner says.

“We hope so too” your father sighs nodding his head.

“We’ll be in touch if we hear anything, in the meantime head home and try and get some rest,” Elliot says before the both of them bid their goodbyes.

“C’mon Andy let's head home,” your mom says rubbing his arms soothingly, Andy just nods and lets her gently guide him out of the building.

As your father drove them all back to Andy’s house, Andy was just staring out the window. His eyes closed as he replayed the last time he saw you, the way you kissed him, smiled at him as you backed the car onto the road, blowing him a kiss as you pulled away. He’d give anything to have another chance, to hold you tight and not let you leave, beg you to wait just one day so he could drive you both to your parents' house.

Everyone was silent as they walked into the house, your mom making a beeline for the kitchen. Your dad just clapped Andy on the shoulder offering him a drink, Andy gave him a small nod before walking towards the kitchen where he found your mom throwing away last night’s take-out containers.

“You don’t need to do that,” Andy tells her gently, putting his hand on her arms as she went to wipe down the counter.

“I know” she sighs “I just like to keep busy” she admits sadly.

“I know, but c’mon,” Andy says gently, taking the cloth from her.

“I miss her” your mom sniffles.

“I do too” Andy whispers wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly.

For the rest of the afternoon, they all tried to relax and talk about anything except you and your disappearance. Your parents asked Andy how the fraud case he was working on was going, he in turn asked how they were, and if your dad had caught any big fish since they last spoke.

“We should probably start heading home love” your dad says squeezing your mom’s knee.

“Yeah you’re right” she sighs nodding her head before glancing over at Andy “Do you want to come back with us Andy? It must be hard being here with constant reminders of her” she offers nodding to your blanket draped over your reading chair in the corner.

“Or go see Frank for a bit, a change of scenery might do you some good” your dad suggests.

Andy shakes his head “No I’m good, working and keeping busy is what is helping at the moment, if I stopped…” Andy sighs.

Your dad gives him a small smile nodding his head “Okay, but the offer is always there” he reminds him.

“Thank you, drive safe,” Andy says as he walks the both to the door.

“We will, call if you need us” your mom reminds him giving him a quick friendly kiss on the cheek before stepping outside.

He stands by the door, waving them off as they drove away. Letting out a long sigh he walked back inside, closing the door behind him before making his way into the kitchen.

Opening up the fridge to grab a beer he couldn’t help but let out a weak snort when he saw your mom had filled it with meals he could just put in the oven. He spots a note on top of one of the pasta dishes.

All those takeouts won’t be doing you any good, take care of yourself Andy

Andy smiles gently as he grabs the pasta dish and puts it in the oven. He’s always admired your parents and how loving and supportive they were. As soon as they’d met him they accepted him, treated him like a son. And they had raised you, this amazing smart gorgeous intelligent woman that he missed so so much.

Letting out a shaky breath he abandoned his beer and reached for something stronger. Grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the side and pouring himself a healthy measure, swallowing it back in one go.

Once his dinner was ready he grabbed his laptop and began working while he ate. He knew you would rather he relax and watch some TV, there were many nights that you’d grab him by the tie and drag him away from his laptop. But you weren’t here and the only way he could keep his head above water was to keep going, keep working, because silence was suffocating.

He’d just pushed his empty plate away, washing his food down with more scotch when his phone started ringing. He instantly reached for it, hoping it was the police with news, letting out a disappointed “hey” when he saw it was just Frank.

“Hey, I was just checking in, seeing how you were after the conference” Frank greets.

Andy lets out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead tiredly “It was how it’s to be expected, painful” he admits.

“But it’ll be helpful though right? Get more people looking” Frank says somewhat hopefully.

“Maybe I dunno, it’s just fuck all those faces looking back at me, the sympathy” Andy mutters running his hand down his face.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Not when they’re all clearly thinking she’s dead and I should just move on” Andy scoffs.

There’s silence for a beat “but you don’t think that do you”

“No… maybe fuck I don’t know, I just don’t understand it all” Andy groans.

“Barber I swear to god you better get your head out of your ass before I catch the next flight up to Boston and kick your ass, she’s out there somewhere” Frank says growling.

“But where? Why doesn’t she want to be found? Has she just up and left me? Is that why she dumped the car and everything in it?” Andy demands getting more worked up.

“I don’t know Andy, I wish I did, but look we know that there was no evidence of a crash or something, and she wouldn’t have left you, she loves you Andy and she would have gone to her parents” Frank reasons.

“So you’re saying someone might have taken her?” Andy huffs

There was another beat of silence before Frank sighed “I don’t know, maybe… but there wasn’t a sign of struggle” he says making Andy sigh deeply “Look just don’t give up hope, hopefully the press conference will do some good, get more people on the lookout, give the case more attention, we all know that’s been lacking”

“Yeah I guess” Andy murmurs as he takes a sip of scotch

“And the offer of staying on my couch is still there, I know Mary would love to see you or we could try and visit you” Frank offers.

“No save your money, and sanity by not staying with your mother, I’ll be fine” Andy says making Frank chuckle quietly.

“Sure but don’t hide away, and keep in contact, it’s all gonna work out” Frank reassures him.

“I will promise, how’s the gremlin?” Andy asks changing the topic.

Frank lets out a long groan which makes Andy chuckle weakly “She slammed her bedroom door on my hand this morning”

“Ouch, what did you do to deserve that,” Andy asks.

“Said she couldn’t go to girl scouts because she refused to do anything in Gym class the day before” Frank explains with a huff.

“Let me guess, she was doing maths instead” Andy chuckles knowingly.

“Yep god she’s such a backwards kid” Franks snorts.

“Yeah, but you love her” Andy points out.

“Yeah I do, but look it’s getting late and you should be trying to get some sleep not working yourself to death” Frank says knowingly.

“I dunno” Andy sighs shaking his head.

“Andrew Stephen Barber, get some sleep, it’s what Y/N would want” Frank warns.

“Okay, fine I’ll try” Andy concedes.

“Good, I’ll talk to you soon and I’ll try and get up to you soon” Frank promises.

“Okay, talk to you soon” Andy sighs before hanging up the phone.

Deafening silence fills the room as soon as the call disconnects. Andy sighing sadly as he looks around the empty house trying desperately not to lose hope.

When Andy woke the following morning, he glanced to the side like he’d done every morning, still expecting to see you peacefully asleep next to him. But just like every morning for the past 4 months, there was just an empty, cold space next to him.

Staring back up at the ceiling he let out a long sigh. He had a strange feeling in his gut that just made him want to pull the covers back up, fall back asleep and maybe if he was lucky, dream of you. He seriously considered just not going to work today but he knew he needed to, he needed to keep busy, he couldn’t let his head slip under water.

So he dragged himself out of bed and forced himself to get ready for the day. His body went into autopilot as he slipped on his suit and straightened his tie. At least he knew he had a busy day ahead of him, meeting after meeting that should keep his mind occupied enough.

Walking into the office he kept his eyes on the floor, avoiding the sight of sympathetic looks he always got. He’d thought that he’d get used to it eventually but the longer it went on the worse it got. They reminded him of what he’d lost, that with every day that passed people gave up hope you’d ever be found.

As soon as he was able to he shut his office door, pulling the blinds down so there could be no prying eyes. Dumping his bag down at his desk he got straight to work, grabbed files he needed and hit notebook.

Walking back out he paused by this assistant’s desk “Is meeting room D ready?” He asks her.

“Yes, and I’ve closed all the blinds already” she nods.

“Good, keep hold of this for me, let me know if anything important happens,” he says passing her his phone.

“Oh- oh yeah of course,” she says “Are you sure you don’t want it with you, just in case?”

“No I don’t want our witnesses being disturbed or put off, we might lose out on critical information” Andy states shaking his head.

“Right, yes of course, uh your first meeting isn’t for another half an hour do you want me to get a coffee or do anything?” She offers shifting nervously in her seat.

“A coffee would be fine, I’ll be in meeting room D setting up” Andy says pointing down the corridor.

“Coming right up,” she says with a small smile pushing herself up from her chair.

Andy gives her a curt nod before walking off in the opposite direction towards the meeting room. It was the oldest and smallest in the building, barely used for that reason. But Andy had picked it specifically because it was also far out of the way of the main hub of the office. It was a safe little refuge from everyone and their sad smiles.

He was just sorting through everything he needed when he heard the door open, and glancing up to see his boss Lynn walking in. She walks over placing a cup of coffee and a croissant down in front of him.

“Intercepted your assistant and thought I’d make the delivery myself, even snagged you the last pastry in case you hadn’t eaten,” she says.

“Thanks, you didn’t have to” Andy mumbles taking to cup of coffee and taking a large sip, looking back down at his work.

When he didn’t hear her leave he glances back up to see her studying him, arms crossed, a concerned look on her face.

“Is there anything you need?” He asks with a sigh.

“You know you don’t have to be in today, you can take the day off and just recuperate after yesterday” she tells him.

“Lynn I’m fine” he states.

“Barber I’m looking right at you and I know you’re not fine, did you even sleep last night?” She says shaking her head at him.

“Yes I did, and I ate, and I had a shower, I don’t need a caretaker” he snaps.

Lynn doesn’t even flinch, she just arches a brow “Considering what you’re going through i’ll let that slide” she tells him, Andy just gives her a small remorseful sigh “Nobody will think less of you Andy” she says walking around the desk, leaning against the side of it “yesterday would have dug a lot of stuff up, you should be looking after yourself”

“I am,” Andy says shaking his head “going home and doing nothing will just make me feel worse, I need to keep busy”

Lynn sighs nodding her head “Okay, but go home if you’re struggling, take the access stairwell if you want to avoid everyone” she says standing back up.

“Thank you,” Andy says with a weak smile.

“It's okay, now eat” she orders pointing to the croissant as she leaves.

He rolls his eyes but grabs the croissant and takes a large bite, his stomach rumbling as soon as he did so. Clearly much hungrier than he was willing to admit.

The morning moved past in a blur of meetings with witnesses, taking their statements and trying to piece together a case. He ended up working through his lunch, not wanting to leave the safety of meeting room D.

It was around 3 pm that he heard a knock on the door “Yeah?” He called out to whoever it was.

His assistant pokes her head in the door “Sorry I’m not sure if it’s important but an unknown number has been trying to call you for the past hour?” She says walking in, holding out his phone.

“Is it the same number?” Andy asks frowning in confusion as he takes his phone.

“I don’t know, it was a withheld number, it might just be press but I thought I’d tell you,” she says shrugging her shoulders.

Andy lets out a long sigh, with the press conference yesterday he knew there was a chance he’d get hounded by them. All of them hoping for an exclusive.

“Thanks, I’ll keep hold of it and answer when they next call, find out what’s going on” he sighs sliding his phone into his jacket pocket.

“Sure, do you want me to get anything?” She offers.

“No, just send in the next witness when they’re here,” Andy says with a small shake of his head, already going back to scribbling down some notes.

“Of course” she nods before stepping back out of the room.

It was barely 10 minutes later when the door to the meeting room opened. Andy glanced up expecting to see another witness but he instantly stands when he sees Lynn and Lieutenant Elliot walk in.

“Apologies for bursting in at your place of work, but since you weren’t answering your calls I thought it best to check in” Elliot explains.

“I-I left it with my assistant, is everything okay? Has something happened?” Andy asks, begging that it was good news.

“Y/N has been found, she managed to make her way to Newton police station with the help of a member of the general public just over an hour and a half ago,” Elliot tells him.

Andy’s heart stopped. Even though he prayed and begged that you turn up and come back to him, the longer it went on the less he believed it was actually happening. He had to blink a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Is-is she okay? What happened?” Andy stutters in shock.

“She’s injured but okay, Detective Wagner has officers with her now at Newton General Hospital, we can now confirm though that she was abducted” He explains with a heavy sigh.

“Fuck” Andy mutters running his hand down his face.

“I’ve already gathered your things for you, do you want me to drive you over Andy?” Lynn offers putting his coat and bag down on the table.

“I-i- uh” Andy stutters his hands shaking as he tried to shove his belongings into his bag.

“I’ll drive you” Lynn states putting her hand on his wrist.

Andy just swallows the lump in his throat nodding his head gratefully, shoving the last of his stuff in his bag. He quickly pulls on his coat and follows them out of the room.

“If you give me your car keys I can organise an officer to bring your car to the hospital for you” Elliot offers as the three of them walk down the access stairwell into the garage.

“Thank you” Andy mutters “Have you called her parents?” He asks as he passes Elliot his keys.

“Yes, they’re on their way, should arrive in over an hour or so” Elliot answered nodding his head.

“Good, fuck they’re gonna be so happy” Andy mutters shaking his head.

“We all are, I’ll see you at the hospital,” Elliot says walking towards his car.

Andy follows Lynn over to her car, quickly climbing in and doing up his seatbelt. Lynn wastes no time and pulls out of the garage and towards the hospital.

As she drives, Andy texts your friend and coworker, Carrie, and Frank to tell them you’d been found. Frank called Andy almost immediately.

“Are you serious? Please tell me you’re being fucking serious” Frank demands as soon as the line connects.

“I’m being serious, I’m on the way to the hospital now” Andy confirms, still struggling to believe it was true.

“Shit. Is she okay? what happened?” Frank questions.

“She’s hurt, but apparently she’s fine, it’s probably just precautionary, she turned up at the police station over an hour ago, she’d been fucking abducted” Andy states shaking his head, as soon as he found out who took you he was going to kill them.

“Fuck, do they know who took her?” Frank asks.

“I don’t know, but whoever it is I’m gonna fucking kill them” Andy growls, earning a look from Lynn.

“I’ll help, but look I’ll let you go and me and Mary will try and get up as soon as we can” Frank promises.

“Thank you Frank, I’ll talk to you soon” Andy says hanging up just as they were pulling up into the hospital car park.

Andy didn’t even wait for the car to stop completely before he jumped out. Lynn shouted after him as he ran into the building. From his knowledge as ADA and visiting other victims, he already knew what floor of the hospital they would have taken you, running straight into the elevator, slamming the button to make the door close.

As soon as they opened back up he ran out, straight to the front desk “where is she?” He demanded his voice booming down the corridor.

The nurse blinks in surprise, pointing down the corridor where there were armed guards stood outside. Andy’s breath caught, worry washing over him, was the risk to you so great that you needed armed guards outside your room.

Rushing down the corridor the guards thankfully step aside allowing him to burst straight into the room. As soon as he saw you he froze. You looked so broken, your hands and wrist bandaged, a couple of cuts on your face, a large bandage on your leg. His eyes scanned over every inch of your body unable to believe you were here.

“Andy” you whispered, your voice hoarse, cracking as you spoke.

Andy almost completely broke down hearing your voice. It was real, you were here. You were alive, hurt but alive. Every emotion he’d been trying to hold back broke free, tears falling in sheer relief.

He nodded his head “Honey” he choked out, surging forward wrapping his arms around you tightly, burying his face in the crook of your neck.

He held onto you as you completely broke down, your fingers clutching at his coat as if you were scared he was going to disappear. Andy mentally scolded himself for ever thinking you’d up and just left him.

Andy pulled back from the hug to cup your cheeks, his eyes meeting your tearful ones “fuck Honey I’m so happy to see you, I can’t believe you’re here” he admits shaking his head.

Your lower lip begins to wobble, your fingers gripping his wrists tightly as you shook your head, shame clear on your face “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” you stuttered.

Andy’s heart breaks hearing you say that, this wasn’t your fault, none of this was “No, no stop that” he says gently as he kisses your forehead “You have nothing to apologise for” he tells you, his eyes meeting yours to drive his point home “you’re safe now and that’s all that matters, nothing else, and we’ll work this all out, we’ll make him pay for whatever he did to you” he promises.

The look of relief washes over your face, tears streaming down your face, ones that Andy quickly wipes away “I’m so happy to see you” you whisper shaking your head.

Andy couldn’t stop the small smile that broke out on his face when he hears that. To know you were safe and back home with him, that you wanted to be home.

“Me too, so, so much” smiles softly, leaning in to kiss you.

Andy felt you hesitate for a moment, long enough to make Andy worry. Questioning what your captor had done to you, what had made you freeze, Andy’s mind instantly went to the worst case scenario.

Before Andy had a chance to question it, you responded kissing him back eagerly. Andy breathes out a sigh of relief, holding back a sob as he kissed you deeply. He honestly didn’t think he’d ever get to hold you like this again, all of his sheer joy, love and relief pouring out into the kiss.

“Where-where is everyone else?” You asked once you broke away from the kiss.

“Carrie will be here tomorrow, Frank and Mary will visit as soon as they can, your parents are making their way over now, they’ll be here in an hour or so,” Andy tells you, his thumbs gently running over your cheeks.

“And they’re all okay? He- he told me my parents were dead” you ask nervously.

Andy blinks in surprise shaking his head, his heart breaking to know you actually believed that “They’re all fine, happy and healthy, they’re so happy you’re safe” Andy reassures you, one hand dropping to take your hand squeezing it gently.

“Oh thank god” you choke out in relief, Andy instantly wrapped his arms around you, kissing the top of your head as he held you.

Andy glances over his shoulder when he hears the door to your room open, Lieutenant Elliot and Detective Wagner walking in “Hi, I’m sorry to interrupt the reunion but I thought I better introduce myself, I’m Lieutenant Elliott, I’ll be the head detective on your case” Elliot says introducing himself.

Andy rises to his full height, turning to face the detectives “Have you got him yet? The man who abducted her?” Andy demands, his hand resting on your shoulder.

“Yes, we arrested him a few minutes ago” Elliott nods “We’ll be questioning him later tonight but we need to know what happened to you before we can do so” he explains nodding to you.

You glance up at Andy swallowing nervously “Yeah… sure” you mutter looking back over at the detective.

Andy could tell how nervous and apprehensive you were, he knew this wasn’t going to be easy for you. He hated having to ask witnesses and victims to recount their stories, relive their pain.

“Take your time honey, don’t rush it if you’re not ready” Andy reassures you.

“No, I’m ready…” you say looking back up at him “It just won’t be easy for you to hear”

Andy takes a deep breath nodding his head. He knew it was important to find out what happened to you, it gave them a chance of sending the perp down for good. But he also didn’t want to hear the horrors you’d been subjected to the past 4 months, have you relive them. Looking down at you, all he saw was worry in your eyes, worry for him, you’d been abducted and you were worrying for him. Something that spoke volumes of your sweet and caring soul.

Andy didn’t want you worrying about him, so he put on a brave face and forced a smile “Whatever happened I’ll be right here the entire time” he reassures you, whatever happened surely wasn’t as bad as what he was imagining in his head.

You nod your head slightly before looking over at the detective “I’m ready”

Elliot nods his head moving to set a tape recorder down on the tray table at the end of your bed “Okay, we’re going to record this and be making notes so it can be your official statement, we may ask a couple of questions when you’re finished to clear a few things up but otherwise, we won’t interrupt” he explains pressing record.

You glance over at Andy so he gives you a reassuring nod as he sits down in the chair next to your bed, keeping hold of your hand to remind you that he was there.

“Okay, so um I can just about remember the accident, it was at a crossroads just north of Boston, a really quiet area and this red van must have blown a stop sign or something because it just crashed straight into the side of me” you start swallowing nervously “I must have been knocked out because I can remember being treated at the site but then I woke up again at Mass Gen, and I couldn’t remember anything, not even my own name” you explain.

Andy takes a deep breath as he tries to make sense of it all, glancing over at the detectives he could see they were equally confused. The investigation into your disappearance had found your car miles away in Sudbury, not a scratch on it.

“When I woke up he was there, I didn’t instantly recognise him but he told me his name was Ransom Drysdale and that he was my fiancé” you continue, Andy felt his mouth go dry hearing the name of your captor for the first time.

“He said my name was Dorothy, or Dory, I guess that was some sick joke in the end” you mutter shaking your head, “he said we’d been in an argument and I stormed out, got into the accident as I was driving away from him” you continue before sighing deeply “he was so sweet and charming and looked so devastated that I was hurt that I trusted him, he kinda looked like you too,” you say looking over at Andy “so maybe that made me trust him too”

Andy glanced down for a second before forcing a reassuring smile back at you. He didn’t want you to know how sick he felt.

“He got the doctor to discharge me and he took me home to his house, that was when I had my first memory, of him standing at a bar, which just made me trust him more. He told me how we met, that it was at an event and he’d hit on me but I turned him down, which was true because I know now that I was dating Andy. But at the time I didn’t know that and he said he chased me and wore me down until I finally agreed” you explained,

Andy could recall that night, you’d even pointed Ransom out to him when you told him he’d hit on you. You had laughed when Andy got all possessive and told him you’d never go for someone like Ransom. If he could Andy would go back in time and beat Ransom up, preventing all this from happening.

“He said because I didn’t remember him we could take things slow and rebuild the relationship, which is what we did. He introduced me to his family, took me out on a date to a fancy restaurant, and stood up for me when his family called me a gold-digging whore” you continue shaking your head.

Andy bit his lip as he looked down at the floor in disbelief. Ransom had convinced you of this sick lie, made you live in this fantasy he’d created.

“We lived like any engaged couple would, he brought me the occasional present and looked after me when I felt sad and frustrated about my lack of memories” you sigh shaking your head “And he even convinced me to start planning our wedding, moving it forward to what would have been tomorrow under the guise that his grandfather was gravely ill, had I not seen the news and the press conference and remembered everything well almost everything, some things are still fuzzy” you admit, sniffling as you began to well up.

Andy squeezed your hand reassuringly, he’d hated every moment of that press conference, but knowing it was the trigger that brought you back brought him some peace.

“Ransom was out at the time, so I tried to leave before he got home but he arrived home just as I was running up the stairs to pack a bag” You recall “he knew straight away that I remembered, screamed at me that he was better, that I belonged with him. I tried to run away, running into the kitchen to go out the backdoor, but he caught me, dragging me by my hair. I managed to grab a knife but he grabbed my wrist, causing me to cut myself as he forced the knife out of my hands” you say gesturing to your leg “he then dragged me by my hair up the stairs and locked me in a closet, there was a small window that I managed to break and crawl out off, I fell onto the roof of the garage before jumping down onto solid ground. I then just ran, straight for the main road which is where I found Colin and he brought me to you guys” you say finishing your story.

Silence falls in the room with the exception of the detectives scribbling in their notebooks. You look over at Andy, with tears in your eyes, Andy just gives you a weak smile, kissing your knuckles softly.

“Thank you, that must not have been easy, we just have a few questions to help fill in some gaps if you don’t mind,” Elliot says “Take your time, but the more detail the better, we want to charge him for as much as possible”

“What charges are we looking at already?” Andy asks.

“Abduction, false imprisonment and assault” Elliot answers with a small nod.

Andy sighs nodding his head in understanding leaning back in his chair, thumb brushing over your knuckles to help calm him down.

“What questions do you have?” You ask getting the conversation back on track.

Elliot gives you a small smile before he begins to ask all the questions he had. He asked you about Ransom and his family. What lies he told whenever you did remember something, like what he said about your parents. They asked for more detail about the date Ransom took you on and the people you met while under his control.

“Can you tell me where in the house the closet was that he locked you in?” Elliot asked.

“It-uh- it was upstairs, third door on the left,” you say your voice shaky.

“Okay, we’ll pass those detail onto CSI so they can pinpoint where in the house to look,” Elliot tells you before shifting in his seat “I just have one last question,” he says “Did you engage in sexual intercourse with Mr Drysdale?” He asks clearing his throat uncomfortably.

Andy practically froze. His heart hammering in his chest and his stomach turning making him feel physically sick. So sick he glanced to the side spotting a small bin just in case. You’d said that you had lived like an engaged couple with Ransom, but he hadn’t considered the possibility that you might have slept with him. Maybe he was trying to be blissfully ignorant of it, pretending it didn’t happen, that it wasn’t the reason you hesitated when he kissed you.

Glancing over at you he could see your lower lip wobbling as you looked down at your lap. The look of devastation and shame on your face already gave him your answer, he knew before you nodded and whispered a broken yes.

“Okay, we’ll let you rest now, you’re statement and the evidence we’ll collect tonight will be enough to charge him, but we will need more to get a guilty conviction so we’ll be in touch as we make progress,” Elliot says quietly as he and Wagner stand up.

Andy gives them a small grateful nod as they go. You had pulled your hand from his to wipe away your tears, while Andy just ran a hand down his face staring at a spot on the floor as he tried to process everything he’d learnt. Part of him thought this might just be some sick twisted nightmare but it wasn’t. This was all real, everything had actually happened to you. Andy didn’t know whether to be angry or sad or both.

Looking over at you, you were already looking over at him tears streaming down your face “Please don’t hate me” you choked out shaking your head.

Andy felt his heart completely breaking, he hated that you could even think that “No” he whispered, his voice breaking “No I don’t hate you, I could never hate you,” he tells you reaching out to take your hand.

“If I’d known I’d never have gone through with it, let him touch me or- or-” you say stuttering over your words.

“I know, I know honey I know” Andy sighs lifting your hand to his lips “It's okay, we’ll get through this, we’ll make him pay” he promises.

“So we’re good?” you ask uncertainty clear in your voice.

“Yeah we’re good, we’ll always be good” Andy promises, standing up so he could lean over and kiss you “You’re home now”

You wrap your arms around him tightly, burying your head into his chest “I’m home” you repeat “I’m home”

Andy held onto you tightly, rubbing your back soothingly, kissing the top of your head. He held back his own tears as he heard and felt yours. He didn’t let go until he heard your sobs subside, even then he only pulled back enough to see your exhausted face.

“Get some rest honey, you need it,” he says softly.

“Will you stay?” You ask looking up at him.

“I’m not going anywhere, I promise” Andy whispers kissing the top of your head “Now c’mon lie down”

You nod your head shuffling over so Andy could perch on the side of the bed. You snuggled into his side, something that made him smile softly since he missed this so much. It didn’t take long at all for you to fall asleep, holding onto his arm that he wrapped around you. Andy remained completely still and silent as you slept, only moving to kiss the top of your head.

About half an hour later Andy heard movement outside the room. Looking up he saw your mom and dad slowly opening the door. Your mom’s shaking hand moved to cup her mouth as she laid eyes on you, both your parents had tears of joy in their eyes.

Andy held up a finger to his lips, telling them to be quiet. While he knew you’d want to see your parents, especially after what Ransom had told you, he knew you needed the sleep more. Your parents nodded their heads in understanding, quietly slipping into the room.

‘Is she okay?’ Your mom mouthed to him.

Andy nods his head in answer, glancing down at you still deeply asleep. He looked back up at your parents and knew they’d be desperate to know what happened, so he nodded to the door mouthing ‘I’ll explain outside’

Your parents nodded their heads with grateful looks on their faces, quietly moving back out of the room. Once the door was shut he carefully slipped out from the bed, making sure not to wake you. He paused by the side of the bed to make sure you were still fast asleep before slipping out of the room.

As soon as he was outside your parents enveloped him in a tight hug he didn’t realise he needed.

“I’ll be quick because I don’t want her to wake up and I’m not there” he starts sniffling back his tears “but uh she got into a car accident and woke up with no memories, didn’t know who she was, this man Ransom Drysdale convinced her that he was her fiancé, why I don’t know, but she’s been living in this sick fantasy of his the past four months, she got all her memories back when she saw the press conference we did yesterday and he attacked her when she tried to escape” Andy explains breathing out a deep and shaky breath when he was done.

“Fucking hell” your dad mutters shaking his head “Have they caught this Drysdale guy?”

“Yes and they’re questioning and will be charging him tonight” Andy confirms nodding his head.

“Good he better stay locked up because I swear to god if I ever see him” your mom growls, fists clenched.

Andy couldn’t stop the small smile that pulled at his lips “I’ll be right behind you” he says “We should probably head back in there before she wakes up”

Your parents nod their heads in agreement, following him silently back into the room. He breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw you were still fast asleep, sitting down next to you, gently taking your hand and kissing your knuckles.

You remained asleep for another couple of hours before slowly stirring. Your eyes met Andy’s first, a tired smile on your face before you looked over and saw your parents.

“Mom, Dad” you whimper in disbelief.

“Hey sweetpea, it's okay we’re here, you’re okay” your dad comforts you.

“I’m so happy to see you, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to scare you” you cry, clinging to your mom’s hand.

“It's okay you have nothing to apologise for, we’re just happy you’re home” your mom reassures you, kissing your forehead.

“I missed you so much” you mutter shaking your head.

“We missed you too sweetpea, so so much” your dad says softly.

The hospital let Andy and your parents stay longer than the usual visiting hours but eventually, he had to leave. He promised you that he be back as soon as visiting hours started the next day as he left.

The police had put your parents up at a local hotel which Andy was grateful for. They asked him if he’d rather they stayed with him but Andy politely declined. He had a lot to process and he wanted to do that alone.

The first place Andy went when he got home was upstairs to the bedroom. He tossed his suit jacket on the bed as he walked into the closet a clear goal in mind. Moving into the furthest corner of the closet he opened his sock drawer, pushing everything aside before he found what he was looking for.

He let out a small but shaky sigh when he saw the small navy velvet box. His hand was shaking when he reached out to grab it, he hadn’t touched or looked at this box in the past 4 months, it had been far too painful. He wasn’t sure if now was any easier, the irony painfully clear to him.

His hand shook as he reached out to grab the box, opening it to reveal the engagement ring it held. One that he’d spent months trying to find, to make sure it was perfect, that it was perfectly you. The weekend you disappeared was the one he was going to propose.

He’d had everything perfectly planned, he was going to drive up to Vermont to meet you and your parents. He’d take you out on your favourite hiking trail, the one you’d taken him on when he first met your parents. He’d wait until you reached your favourite spot, a large pine tree that had stood for centuries before he’d get down on one knee and promise to love you for centuries.

But he never got the chance. The evening you left he’d gotten a call from your mom asking if he knew where you were. Instead of getting ready for what should have been the happiest day of his life so far, he was consumed by worry as you were reported missing.

He closed the box with a loud snap, shoving it back deep into the drawer before slamming it shut. His body was shaking was restless energy as he made his way back downstairs.

Walking into the kitchen Andy poured himself a large glass of scotch before grabbing his laptop. He knew it was a bad idea but he needed to know every he could about Ransom Drysdale, he wanted to find anything he could that could help send him down for life.

Just typing the name into Google Andy found a wealth of articles on Drysdale and his family. He found tabloid articles about Ransom and party and drug-filled college days. He found news pieces about his parents and his grandfather’s publishing house.

It was clear to Andy that the Thrombey Drysdale family was one that didn’t care about anyone besides themselves. That if they threw enough money at a problem that it would just go away.

Andy was not going to be a problem that would go away. He would do anything he could to tear this family down and make them pay for what they did to you, what they let Ransom do to you.

Near the bottom of the second search page, Andy found a news article that caught his eye. It was an article from just over a year ago, one about Harlan Thombey's new apprentice.

The more Andy read the more his blood began to boil. The article was a clear attempt at building a good reputation for Ransom as he began working with his grandfather, the both of them working on a book together. If Andy had to guess he’d say that Ransom probably slept with the reporter too. There was no shortage of compliments, the article calling him Boston’s most eligible bachelor.

Andy took a large swig of his drink glancing to the side where he saw a picture of you and him on the wall. You were taking a photo of the two of you while on a hike with your parents, your smile wide as Andy kissed your cheek. He let out a long sigh remembering that day, you’d been so happy, he could still hear your laughter.

Looking back at his laptop his eyes landed on all the complimentary words the reporter had used to describe Ransom. He couldn’t look at it any longer, slamming his laptop shut he began pacing back and forth, tumbler in hand.

He was a mess and he knew it. He knew he should just go to bed, it had been a long and emotional day, and he wasn’t going to be in a good state of mind. But he couldn’t stop himself from his pacing. His mind ran at a similar rate.

He began to run through everything he had learnt today, still trying to make sense of it all. Trying to understand how and why Ransom did what he did, why he had picked you. Sipping at his scotch as he paced he began to focus on the details, trying to use his skills as ADA to piece together the story, what they could use in the case against Drysdale.

But his brain refused to focus on the details he needed, instead they focused on the details that he wished he could forget. The ones about how Ransom treated you, looked after you, fought in your corner, loved you. Andy tried to tell himself it was all part of the rouse, that it meant nothing. But to you, with no memories, it had been real.

What if Ransom treated you better than Andy did? What if Ransom could provide for you in a way Andy never could? Andy could spend weeks head deep In a case, you told him that it didn’t bother you, but what if it did? What if having someone like Ransom who would be home at the same time every day was better for you? What if Ransom was a better lover?

Anger got the better of Andy. He growled in rage throwing his tumbler of scotch at the wall, narrowly missing the photo of you and him. The glass instantly shattered with a loud crash, scotch dripping down the wall to the floor. Andy’s chest heaving with rage, as he stared at the mess he made, his gaze flickering to the photo.

No.

Andy couldn’t think like this. He knew the answer to all those questions. Ransom was a sick individual who hurt and trick you, there was no way you would ever pick him over Andy. Yes Andy had his flaws but the loved you shared was true, built on truths not lies.

All his anger left his body as he slumped down, his knees completely giving out as he sunk to the floor. He held his head in his hands as sobs racked his body. Months of pain finally broke free in one failed sweep. He had you back, but nothing was ever going to be the same. He could only pray that you’d get through this together because Andy knew he couldn’t survive without you.

Sharing is caring so please reblog and leave a comment to really make my day!

This series has no schedule, please don’t ask when it will be updated!

Series Masterlist / Masterlist

I don’t have a taglist but follow @secretswiftymarvelfanlibrary and turn on post notifications to stay up to date!

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

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paladin-of-nerd-fandom65 · 2 months

Note

Who are your top 5/10 favorite Marvel characters?

Thanks 🙂

Ah, Ambitious Aren’t we? Eh, why not? I think I got a comprehensive list ;-)

For you buddy @confusedhummingbird

1) Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man

2) Doctor Victor Von Doom

3) Steve Rogers, Captain America

4) Bruce Banner, The Incredible/Immortal Hulk

5) Bucky Barnes, The Winter Soldier

6) Miles Morales, The Ultimate Spider-Man

7) Ben Grimm, Everyone’s Favorite fun loving Blue eyed Thing

8) Billy Kaplan Maximoff, Wiccan and Tommy Shepherd Maximoff, Speed

9) Kamala Khan, Miss Marvel

10) The Next Avengers (James Rogers, Torunn, Azari, Pym Jr, and Barton II; first seen in the animated direct to dvd film of the same name)

Honorable Mentions: Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch; Anne Marie, Rouge; Laura Kinney Howlet, Wolverine; Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler; Reed Richards, Mr Fantastic; Susan Storm-Richards, The Invisible Woman; Johnny Storm, The Human Torch; Erik Lehnssherr, Magneto; Tony Stark, The Invincible Iron Man; Jean Grey, Phoenix; Mary Jane Watson, The Amazing Spinneret; Harry Osborn, The Green Goblin; Galactus, Devourer of Worlds; and finally J Jonah Jameson of the Daily Bugle

#marvel #peter parker #victor von doom #steve rogers #bucky barnes #miles morales #ben grimm #fantastic four #billy kaplan #tommy shepherd #young avengers #kamala khan #next avengers

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hearts-hunger · 1 year

Text

it's a wonderful life || danny wagner x reader

Read on AO3 | Masterlist

Summary: You and Danny spend a quiet night in decorating your tree and watching the first snowfall.

Pairings: Danny x Wife!Reader | Genre: fluff | Word Count: 2.8k | Warnings: none!

A/N: This fic is the definition of "a fic I wrote for myself" because the reader is a teacher and her favorite Christmas movie is It's a Wonderful Life. Nevertheless, it's very sweet, and I hope you enjoy this little holiday treat ♡

“Danny! I’m home!”

You nudged the door closed as you came inside, arms full of gift bags and cellophane-wrapped treats and the collection of coffee mugs you’d taken to work but rarely remembered to bring home. You’d just finished your last half-day at school before winter break, and it was a nice change of pace to be happy and energetic when you came home from work instead of dragging yourself right to the couch for a nap.

You went to the kitchen table and dropped off your bounty, looking over each item with a full heart. There were handmade Christmas cards that said “thank you for being my teacher, Mrs. Wagner!” in messy, loving scrawl; there were baked goodies from parents sent in festive tins; there were gift cards and candles and all manner of little gifts given with notes that valued the hard work and love you poured into your students every day. As excited as you were to enjoy your gifts over the break, you appreciated even more the reminder that your work didn’t go unnoticed and the generous hearts the gifts were given from.

“Dan,” you called again, smiling as you peeked inside one of the tins. “That mom gave me more of those pizzelles you love.”

You expected to get a response to that — the same mom of one of your middle schoolers had given you a batch of cookies at Thanksgiving, and Danny had eaten almost all of them — but you didn’t hear anything. Snagging a piece of peppermint bark from one of the gift bags and grabbing a pizzelle for Danny, you headed out of the kitchen and went to find your husband.

You found him in his music room, sitting behind the drums with headphones on. It was no wonder he couldn’t hear you calling him; he had the volume so loud you could hear the demo of one of the new songs they’d been workshopping. He looked much more casual and comfortable than you were expecting. He usually liked to get “dressed up” for work, usually in his black jeans and a sweater, but he was in sweatpants and his well-loved Abbey Road t-shirt as he started to tap out a beat on the toms.

You stepped closer to his kit and gave him a little wave in greeting, hoping to catch his attention without startling him. When he noticed you, he gave you a surprised, delighted grin that warmed you straight through.

“Hi, baby,” he said, pausing the demo and letting his headphones rest on his neck. His voice was hoarse, and your happiness at seeing him quickly turned to worry.

“Oh, honey,” you said. “You sound awful.” You came around to his side of the kit and put your hand to his forehead. He hadn't gotten up with you that morning like he usually did, and you’d suspected he didn’t feel well; he was definitely warm now, and his cheeks held a rosy, feverish color.

“I’m okay,” he said, and though his voice was a wreck, he didn’t sound concerned. “I’ve been taking medicine. It’s just a cold.”

You tutted and moved your hand to cradle his cheek. “Poor thing. I’m sorry you don’t feel good.”

He smiled. “Thanks, sweetheart. Do you feel alright? You’re home early.”

“Half-day, remember?” You held out his cookie. “And I got lots of presents.”

“Sweet!” he said, taking the pizzelle and giving an exaggerated sigh when he bit into it. “It’s so nice to be married to a teacher.”

You laughed. “You might not think so when you see the stack of grading I have to do.”

He waved you off. “I’ll help you. We’ll get it done today or tomorrow so you can enjoy your break.” He looked up at you. “Hey, speaking of enjoying your break, I made you hot chocolate.”

You grinned. “Really?”

He chuckled. “Yes, really. Come on, I’ll make you a cup.”

You followed him into the kitchen, fussing over him a little as he muffled a few coughs behind the collar of his shirt. He smiled when you rubbed a hand over his back, assuring you that he was fine but thankful for your concern. Danny had always been a low-maintenance patient when seasonal illnesses came through, content to take it easy and let himself rest. You knew he’d tell you if he was really feeling bad and decided not to worry overly.

He had you sit at the table while he ladled hot chocolate into a pair of mugs. His mom had a fantastic slow-cooker recipe for hot chocolate; she’d made it the first time Danny brought you home for Christmas, a few months after you started dating, and he’d asked his mom for a copy of the recipe that same night so he could always know how to make it for you. He made it on special occasions and when you needed some cheering up, and sometimes he made it just as a little surprise for you.

“Thank you,” you said, gratefully accepting the warm mug he handed you. You took a cautious sip; it was wonderful, creamy and cinnamony and rich.

“Good?” he asked.

You gave a contented hum. “Like a melted bar of chocolate.”

He smiled, looking through the gifts you’d set on the table. “All this is from your kids?”

“Aren’t they sweet?” you said. “I always forget how nice it is on the last day before break. Everybody’s in such a good mood, there’s an air of excitement and festivity, there’s gifts and parties and sixth-graders belting out Christmas carols... it’s lovely.”

Danny gave you a warm smile. “I’m glad you had a good day, sweetheart. Are you happy to be on break?”

“Yes,” you admitted with a soft laugh. “It’ll be nice to sleep in and not worry about work for a few weeks. And to have lots of time with you.”

You offered your hand, and he took it with a gentle kiss to your knuckles.

“I have some ideas on how we could spend all that time,” he said, running his thumb over your wedding ring.

You smiled. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

He met your eyes and raised a suggestive brow. “We could... decorate the Christmas tree.”

You laughed, and he grinned as he watched you. You took his hand and spread his fingers so you could kiss his palm.

“I’d love to decorate the tree,” you said. You looked over your shoulder to see the full, beautiful tree in front of the bay windows in the living room. “It looks so... not-sparkly right now.”

He chuckled. “I guess we’d better make it sparkly, then.”

Danny put on Christmas music and started stringing the lights on the tree while you fished around in the attic for your box of ornaments. Your collection was small so far, both of you adding to it each Christmas since you’d been together, and you treasured each ornament and the memories they held.

“Oh, Dan, it’s so pretty!” you said when you came into the living room, admiring the lighted tree. He stepped back from it and looked it over, adjusting a few strings of lights until it was perfect.

“You found the ornaments?” he asked.

You held the box up. “Sir yes sir.”

He gave a soft laugh and motioned you over to the coffee table. You set the box down and took off the top with a flourish, revealing the sparkly, colorful ornaments nestled in festive tissue paper.

“Do the honors, Mrs. Wagner,” he said. “First ornament of the year.”

You smiled and gave him a quick kiss. “Thanks, honey.” You picked a handmade one, a small cross-stitch hoop with the Greta Van Fleet logo carefully and lovingly stitched by Danny’s grandmother. She’d given each of the boys one, and they found a spot of honor on every Kiszka-Wagner tree each year.

You and Danny took your time decorating the tree, waxing poetic about the stories behind each ornament. You hung the ornament Jake had given you last year, a red globe with a cut-out picture of himself in the Oliver Reed/Santa getup modge-podged onto it; on the branch next to it Danny hung a polaroid of the two of you at your wedding with “Mr. and Mrs. Wagner” written below in his familiar handwriting. Your collection was equal parts beautiful craft-fair baubles and mementos of your relationship and jokey gifts from loved ones, and you thought it was perfect.

When most of the ornaments were hung, Danny’s enthusiasm started to flag as his fever caught up to him. He refilled your mug and took another dose of Tylenol while he was in the kitchen, nudging the ornament box to the side so he could sit on the coffee table when he came back.

“You sure do know how to put a Christmas tree together, Mrs. Wagner.”

You smiled. “I try. You’re just gonna watch?”

He sighed and nodded, pressing the heel of his hand against his brow. “Yeah, I feel kind of lightheaded all of a sudden. But I’ll put one up high for you if you need me to.”

You kissed his forehead. “You just stay right there, Daniel.”

He smiled and followed you with his gaze as you went back to work. He pointed out when you needed to move something a little to the left and added in his own commentary as you reminisced on the “I’m a Danny girl” ornament you’d bought from a shop on Etsy.

“You remember how sweet she was?” you asked. “I sent her that picture with the two of us holding it and she posted it on her shop’s Instagram with the cutest caption.”

“Lots of hearts and crying emojis, as I recall,” Danny said fondly. “And she told you she sold every last one of them that year.”

You smiled at the memory. “I’m glad she did.”

Danny looked into the box and pulled out the last ornament, your heart turning over as he gently picked it up.

“This one’s my favorite, though,” he said.

“Do you want to put it on?” you asked. You wanted him to, but you’d do it gladly if he wasn't feeling well.

He stood, cradling the little drum kit spangled with tiny Christmas lights. “Of course I do, honey.”

He hung it on a branch and brushed his fingers over the small, handwritten note attached to it. You’d intended for him to take it off when you'd given it to him that year, but he'd said he wanted to keep it forever.

“To the heartbeat of the band and my very favorite little drummer boy,” he read, affection in his voice. “Merry Christmas, Dan. I love you very much.”

It was dated the first Christmas you spent together, and you remembered how shy and nervous you’d been when you gave it to him. He’d loved it then and cherished it now, and he gave you a chaste kiss when you came close.

“Am I still your favorite little drummer boy?” he asked.

You smiled. “Yes,” you said simply.

“I love you, Mrs. Wagner.”

You touched your hand to his cheek. “I love you too, Mr. Wagner.”

You tidied up after the decorating and made a quick lunch, sitting at the table with Danny and sampling the goodies you’d brought from school. You talked about spending Christmas with the boys, knowing your home would be full of warmth and laughter all through the holidays as you and your best friends gathered to drink and play music and enjoy each other's company.

“Sam and Birdie want to do New Year's at their house,” you said. “They want to do a liquor exchange.”

Danny laughed. “Even though we all know it doesn't matter who gets what drink?” he said. “It’s all gonna be gone that night.”

You smiled. You were so glad you were finally done with work for the holidays and had nothing on the agenda but spending time with the ones you loved.

“Are we going to your parents’ this year?” you asked.

“They invited us,” he said. “I told them I’d ask you.”

“I’d love to go,” you said. “The boys are going home next weekend, and maybe we could all ride up together if you’re feeling up to it.”

He grinned. “Sure. I’d like a good old fashioned Kiszka-Wagner road trip. We haven't done one in a while.”

You stood to put the dishes in the sink and came back to drape your arms over Danny’s shoulders. You pressed your cheek to the top of his soft curls.

“Are you feeling any better?” you asked.

He patted your hand. “Now that you’re home I am.”

You kissed his cheek. “I think we should lay on the couch and watch a movie.”

“You’re tired?” he asked, turning to look at you.

“No, but you need to rest, and I want a Danny cuddle.”

He smiled. “As you wish, my love.”

You gave him a last squeeze before you went to set up your couch with a nest of pillows and blankets. Danny gave you his favorite sweater when you changed into more comfortable clothes, and he held you in a snuggly bear hug as It’s a Wonderful Life started to play.

“It’s weird that you can quote this entire movie,” he said affectionately when you’d said the iconic “lasso the moon” scene word for word along with George Bailey.

You laughed. “You married a woman of many talents.”

He kissed your nose. “I sure did.”

Near the middle of the movie, Danny fell asleep and you carefully untangled yourself from the blankets to sit on the floor in front of the couch and wrap presents. The sun set and left your living room with the cosy glow of the Christmas tree, the sound of Danny’s soft, congested snoring a comfort mixed with the sound of the black and white film you knew by heart.

After a while, you felt a gentle tug on your hair and turned to see Danny, drowsy and soft with sleep.

“Hi, honey,” you said softly. “You feel okay?”

He hummed in agreement. “It’s snowing. I didn’t know if you’d noticed.”

You looked out through the bay windows to the woods beyond and saw a beautiful, heavy snowfall drifting through the branches. You gasped in delight.

“It is snowing!” You stood and raced to the back door, going out to the porch and sticking your hand out. You gave a joyful laugh when snowflakes landed on your palm. “Come see, Danny!”

He followed you out, wrapped in a blanket cape, and stood under the shelter of the porch as you pulled on your rainboots and went out into the yard.

You looked back at him. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

He smiled. “Yes, sweetheart. It’s wonderful.” As taken as you were with the snow, he seemed even more enchanted by you.

You came up to the porch, breathless, cheeks flushed.

“You know I love you more than snow, right?” you asked.

He tucked a snow-dusted curl behind your ear. “Then I must be one lucky guy.”

You smiled as he kissed you.

“Go play for a minute,” he said. “I’d come with you, but — ” As if on cue, he muffled a volley of coughs in the blanket. “I’m on death’s door.”

You laughed. “Josh’s flair for the dramatic is rubbing off on you, I see.” You patted his chest. “We can go inside so you don't freeze.”

“No, I want you to enjoy it,” he said. “I’ll be alright.”

He gave you a sweet smile and brushed your hair back from your face. “You sure are cute with snowflakes in your hair, honey.”

You blushed and gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you, Danny.”

You went back out and tipped your face up towards the sky, giggling when snowflakes fell on your cheeks. You loved the snow, and you'd been waiting for the first snowfall since it started getting colder. When the chill started to catch up with you, you came back to Danny and went into his open arms.

“Hi,” you said, muffled against his chest.

He smiled. “Hi, baby. I’m glad it’s snowing for you.”

You met his eyes. “Me too,” you said, beaming up at him. “Let's get warm and watch it from inside our very cosy house.”

He led you back to the couch, and the two of you snuggled up by the light of the tree and watched the snow fall. The end of the movie played as Danny peppered your face with gentle kisses and held you close.

“You know what?” he asked softly.

You smiled. “What?”

He kissed your cheek. “It’s always a wonderful life when I'm with you.”

You turned your face to him and he gave a gentle laugh when your noses bumped together.

“I love you very much, Danny.”

He kissed you. “My sweetheart,” he said, smiley and soft and oh so tender. “I love you very much too.”

fic taglist: @starshine-wagner @jakeydoesit @shutupdevvie @allieisacrybaby

gvf taglist: @gvfrry @ohhey1293 @the-chaotic-cow @mountain-in-springtime @xserenax-13 @stardustjtk @brooke-gvf @weightofdreams-gvf @jakeydoesit @gretasmokerising @loofypoofy @hayley1623 @doodle417 @finestoflines @brokenbellz @bowievanfleet @s0livagant @trplshotofdopamine @strugglingtodoshit @deadbeat-z @s-u-t @kay-jordan @gretavanfleas @jakeyboiiiiiii @gretavansteph @gretavanbitches @myownparadise96 @luverleaver @weightofdreamz @greatervanfleet @maedesculpaeusoubi @jakekiszkasbestie @pineapple-photographer @baguettejuliette @alexxavicry @levi-wants-ur-bones @carlybubs @cowboysamkiszka

danny taglist: @tearsofbri @busybeingtrash @myway-late

sorry if tumblr didn’t tag you — it’s stupid sometimes. but i’m real thankful for you, sweet peaches! and if you’re a new bestie and would like to be added to my taglist, check out the form right here!

#let me know what you think! i like this one <3 #danny wagner x reader #danny wagner fluff #danny wagner fanfiction #greta van fleet fanfiction #gvf fanfiction #gvf fluff #maddie writes stuff!

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writingcold · 10 months

Text

Hi! Here we are at Chapter Two! If you’ve not read the previous chapter, you can find the Master List for B & W here. We might still be in setup mode, but you’ll want to start at our first part to get into our lovely characters.

Chapter two finds our new shop girl, Cora, in a bit of a bind. There is more character background and story building in this piece. Please be patient! There’s a lot to build here!

**This is a piece of fiction. I have put in a lot of work researching, writing, rewriting, editing, tossing it all and starting over. I do not know the guys of GVF. They became my muses for this long ass story.**

Thanks to @whitesuitjake for the Jake edit in the cover.

Thanks to @gardensgatedaisy and @lvnterninthenight - Britt and Bobbie, ilysm. Thank you for all your support. (You’re probably getting tired of me thanking you, but too damn bad. Y’all are fucking amazing.)

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Content Warnings: None. Just some pain and injury. Of course, language, mentions of drinking, smoking. It is the 1920’s.

Word count: approx. 5700

Chapter Two: Wounds and New Friends, Cora’s POV

The end of day three of her trial week found Cora standing in the alley peeling away the shoe of her left foot. She had landed wrong coming off one of the ladders, pressing the back of her tight shoe into the thick skin of her heel. The cut was made worse from ten hours of standing, with the back of the shoe digging further into the wound. Walking had become excruciating due to the bruising. Her legs trembled as she fished her handkerchief from her handbag and wrapped it around her heel. She bared her teeth as she tried to push her foot back into the shoe, but sucked in a loud groan when her foot just would not accept the prison of leather.

“Hey there,” a masculine voice called out from the street. “Need help?”

She wiped at her face, hoping that Daniel did not see the pain. “I’m fine, thank you. Just a cut.”

Mr. Daniel Wagner, from what she was able to discern from her past few days, was close with all the Kiszka brothers, but he was particularly close with the youngest, Samuel. His lean frame entered the alley slowly, his near black eyes taking in her condition. He pushed back his hat as he bent, hands held behind his back so as not to intimidate her with his closeness. He was dressed in pressed slacks, dress shirt and vest, his jacket folded in his hands. Cora was unsure of what his duties at the store were, but he always seemed to be working in several areas of the store and office.

“That is not good, Miss Janas,” he said with a sympathetic nod. “Come on. Let’s get you situated. Sam’s good with these things.”

He bent and picked up the shoe then assisted her towards the back of the building. Cora had not been to the area, keeping to the store only, and certainly not the dancehall, though the music that flowed out into the street was always interesting. The garage had three wide carriage doors, all of which were open to allow the cooler evening air in. The deep red brick was neatly kept, but the cavernous inside looked chaotic with tools and shelves full of metal and parts she had no idea what could be in existence for, and the smell of oil and gasoline hung heavy.

“Sammy!” Daniel called out as they approached a garage. “Sammy, I need you.”

Samuel Kiszka was an anomaly - he wore his hair longer, but yanked back under his hat so that it bunched up against his shirt collar. His face was always rich with thought, like he was working out complex problems that she would never hope to understand. His lanky frame was not as tall as Daniel’s, but he seemed to be too big for his actual size. He was dressed in tweed trousers and an undershirt with his suspenders hanging down on his waist. The moment he saw her, he ripped the suspenders up and over his shoulders, disappearing for a moment, only to return as he was drawing a jacket across his torso.

“Sorry, Miss Janas. Was working on the Earl - I mean the automobile,” Sam replied, his warm eyes drifting down to her foot that she gingerly was standing on the ball of her foot. “Oh, that’s awful. Daniel, bring her in. Let’s get that cleaned up.”

“Really, it’ll be fine,” she insisted even as Daniel tugged at her to move towards a chair in the corner. “I need to be getting home.”

“On that foot - I don’t think so. Besides, do you really want to walk home? You’ll get blood all over your lovely shoes,” Sam said with a grin.

Before she could stop him, he had a knife out and cut the thick brown stockings at the calf to slowly pull away from the wound. She let out a yip and couldn’t take her foot away if she tried, Sam had her leg in the vice of his large hand.

“What?” he asked without even looking up at her.

“These are… were my only pair,” she whispered, eyes on the discarded piece of stocking.

“You can buy another pair from the shop,” Sam remarked without a glance at her.

“I don’t have the money,” she whispered as her stomach stabbed with embarrassment.

Daniel’s hand came down on her shoulder. “We’ll get you over to my Molly’s house. I’m sure she has a spare pair that you can have.”

“But I really need to get home,” she started, but her jaw dropped as Sam brought up a rag pressing it to the wound.

He shook his head. “Damn sister, it’s like you sliced the whole of your heel in these things. Danny, go grab me some water, please.”

Daniel disappeared for a few minutes while Sam leaned back on his haunches and pulled a silver cigarette holder from his pocket. He held one to her in offering, but she shook her head. Her mother did not like the habit, so she had never tried. He struck a match and lit his own as his eyes squinted at her foot. With the water retrieved, he set into cleaning away the dried and fresh blood with a look of seriousness.

“Well, you’re lucky there’s no sign of infection,” he said quietly, dabbing at the heel.

“Sammy, how’s my baby…” A fourth voice, full of smoothness, stopped as his heels hit the cement of the garage. “What the hell boys? What’s going on here?”

Cora looked up to see Jacob, hand on one hip, face surprised, not in a good way. The dark button up and vest strained under the crisp linen of his suit. She recoiled, bringing her hands tighter against her abdomen like she could disappear. In the few days of working in the store, she noticed that any time that man was around, the air grew tense, like fabric pulled too tight. He was typically quiet. When he did talk it was low, almost hidden, and usually only to the eldest of the clan. The other shop girl, Renee, no matter what she was doing, would drop away and find something in the opposite direction of the store to do. She said that Jacob had an awful temper and to just steer clear.

“She’s hurt, Jake,” Sam remarked without looking up from his work.

“I caught her in the alley trying to fix it herself,” Daniel said, moving closer to her.

The man’s dark eyes swung from Samuel to Daniel to Cora and she could not stop the visible flinch. The silence that followed made even Sam stop in his actions.

“She’s Josh’s new shop girl,” he said quietly, each word punctuated with a tightness that felt like a hard drum.

“Not news to us, brother,” Samuel remarked, finally looking up at his older brother. “She’s hurt, Jacob. We’re not keeping her here against her will or anything.”

Cora blinked hard, trying not to crumble under the man’s attention like she did something wrong. She tried to tug her leg back. Sam held it firm, shooting her an annoyed expression. The curse that fell from Jacob’s mouth made her blush. His mouth fixed into a fine line as his eyes narrowed at her.

“Get her home,” he said firmly. “Don’t need any worried mamas coming round here.”

“Gotta take her to Molly’s first, Jake,” Daniel said with a nod.

The flare of incredulousness that washed over him made him seem all the scarier. “Why’s that?”

“Had to cut her stocking away. It was her only pair,” Samuel said quietly, as he bent to inspect the wound closer.

“Then take her back into the shop,” Jacob scolded.

“Jake,” Danny said softly, shaking his head.

Jacob’s dark eyes landed directly on her as if seeing through her. Cora tried to make herself as small as possible. Once he had her gaze however, she could not look away. The hard set of his mouth and jaw made her visibly shudder. She watched as he dropped his gaze, tugging his hat off to smooth his hair back. The brown wave that he immediately hid once more caught her attention. Unlike his twin who kept his hair short, with soft curls, Jacob’s was longer in the front to slick back in the more current style. Faded sunshine struck him, making the dark brown brighten and soften his edges for a moment. A moment she took note that there was something beyond the anger that prickled beneath his skin. Cora felt the fear of his thunder drain away for seconds, taking in how he held himself in a tight form, but his eyes on her - surely his visage of her did not hold concern? He took the corner of his mouth between his teeth before retreating and pushing back an air of annoyance.

“Fine. Take the Kissel. Get her to Molly’s, but do not linger. I mean it, you two,” he said in a hard voice. “Get her home and get your asses back here. Josh is not going to like this. At all.”

“Does he have to know?” Sam remarked as the elder brother began walking away.

“Don’t be a wise ass, Samuel,” Jacob called out in a path of smoke.

Cora finally took a full breath. “Really, I can make it home on my own, fellas. I’ll be fine.”

“Committed now, babe,” Samuel said, rising up to cross the garage to a cabinet. He returned with thin material and a small jar of salve. “We’ll get you over to Molly’s and get you home. Josh won’t bluster at us too bad.”

“I just don’t want to cause trouble,” she said quietly.

“No trouble, doll. Let us handle it,” Daniel said, calm oozing from him to surround her.

She winced as he first smeared a large fingerful of the strong scented balm across the wound, then watched quietly as Sam wrapped her foot tightly before trying to get the shoe back on. It stung a little, but admittedly it felt much better. She followed them to an auto that was out back of the garage. The polished silver sedan was the fanciest car she had ever seen. Samuel held the door open for her and helped her inside before sliding into the front seat next to Daniel. Before she knew it, they were in the nest of bungalows that she had tried to tell her mother about. Even in the long shadows of the early evening, her eyes dragged across each of the neat little box-like buildings. They rolled to a jerky stop, catching Cora off guard and causing her to rock back against the seat with a thud.

Samuel held his hand out for her as he opened her door, assisting her out of the car like she was special. She followed the two towards the small home, painted a bright blue with white trim. The door flew open to let out a soft looking woman who wrapped herself about Daniel like no one was watching. The musical laughter made her blush as they kissed in front of her.

“Molly, this is Miss Janas. She’s the new shop girl,” Danny said, finally giving her a reprieve from her blush.

The look the woman gave to Daniel was one of surprise. Cora hobbled a bit up the walk, catching the eye of Molly immediately. “Please, I’m Cora,” she said, attempting a smile.

“I destroyed her stockings,” Samuel replied leaning in to kiss Molly on the cheek. “I’m hoping you can help.”

“What do you mean ‘destroyed’, Samuel. Do I need to straighten you out for something you did to this little lady?” she said with a lot of sass, but a hardness in her eyes that let Cora know she was serious.

“No, ma’am. Miss Cora hurt her foot,” Samuel said with a shake of his head. “Your knight rescued her from the alley and brought her to me. We thought maybe you could share a pair?”

Molly’s quick smile and bright eyes were immediately disarming. She nodded and waved the three inside. “I’m sure I have something that will work for you. And perhaps we can get you gussied up, baby. I can’t believe Joshua allows you to wear that in his store.”

“He asked if I could get another dress, but I needed to make money first,” she said, embarrassed as the words fell from her mouth.

Molly stopped cold with a hard look. “Please tell me he didn’t just give you a week’s trial?”

“Yes - a week’s trial and if I do well -”

Molly groaned with a finger point at Sam. “I’m telling you, that little brat may have charm on his side, but I swear, one of these girls someday is going to put him in his place. Let’s see if it’s you, Miss Cora.”

She looked back at Samuel and Daniel as the woman pulled her by the hand towards the front door. Molly grumbled about her being like the perfect kind of skinny and how she would kill to have the ability to wear any form of drop waist without the boobs getting in the way.

She was met instantly with the scent of lilac as she stepped gingerly up the stairs, onto the narrow porch and into the home. It had four rooms and a bath. The luxury of the idea of four rooms with a bath - running water, no outhouse - for one person made her look upon Molly like she was the richest person in town, though she knew it was not true. The plain white and wood clad walls were warm as the curvy dancer dragged her to the back bedroom with a snap of electric light.

Cora’s eyes popped at the amount of clothing the woman had strewn about the small bedroom. These were not just day dresses, they were dancing girl glad rags that made her blush at how much leg would show if she donned such an item. Each was covered with adornment such as splashes of sequins and crystals, and beadwork that she had never seen in person, just on the picture show screen. She was relieved when Molly opened a wardrobe to reveal modern, yet much more modest attire.

“If you plan on getting past this week's trial, you’re going to need this one,” she said with a confident nod. She pulled out a dusty colored tan skirt with an emerald under top and a smart little jacket that was the same color as the skirt. “Now, it’s not too flashy, but just enough so that Joshua will notice that you are attempting to fit into his shop.”

Cora gazed at the garment with a kind eye. Molly was right, the green would be the snap, but the tan would dull down that overall look to be more suitable. Just as she was to thank her, Molly was back to the wardrobe, pulling out a soft rose colored blouse and matching cream colored jacket that also matched the skirt. The grin that tugged at her mouth before throwing it at her was full of playfulness.

“One more,” she said with a nod. “This one will be for Jacob.”

“Pardon?” Cora stumbled as Molly was combing through the pieces.

“Oh, honey. I know a Jake girl when I see one,” she laughed.

Cora straightened. Her mouth opened but nothing came out, until she finally swallowed hard. “I - I don’t know if I understand what you’re implying.”

Molly stopped in her search to look at her, bottom lip in between her teeth. The coy gleam in her eye sparkled. “Look, doll. I’m just saying that Jacob, for the hardass that he can be, has a type, and you certainly are it. Wispy, pretty, smart. His trifecta.”

She squinted her eyes at Cora for a long moment waiting to see if there was an argument to be made. Cora decided to remain quiet, feigning interest in a baby blue skirt that was laid out on the bed, full of crystals and sequins. Molly turned her back once more, resuming her search.

“Ha! This,” she cooed as she pulled out a drop waist dress that was clearly too small for her lush curves. “This is what you need to wear on Saturday. You hear me? Save it for the last day of the trial.”

Molly held up a dark blue chiffon overdress with a waist that would reach just below mid thigh. There was black trim that boxed out the neckline and at the wrists and hem. The underdress was a rich jeweled blue silk, with embossed flowers of colors blended in the blue, that would only peek out when she moved. Down the sleeves and up both sides were embroidered floral designs with tiny glass beading. It looked luxurious compared to anything that she had ever worn before. Cora took the garment with care as she could not help but close her eyes at the feel of the expensive fabric. Molly had a pair of thin stockings in one hand and thicker brown in the other, waiting for Cora to catch up.

“I can’t pay you for this, Molly,” she said quietly, a flame of shame crossing her cheeks.

“It’s fine, doll. You’ll owe me nothing more than getting through that trial and getting Joshua to hire you permanently,” the woman said with a grin. “Shoes. Those damn things cut you up because they’re too small. These will do you better.”

Soft leather mary janes greeted her when she looked down at the woman’s next offerings. Tears struck her cheeks, hot and fat as her breath caught.

“Aren’t you just the sweetest,” Molly drawled, wiping at Cora’s cheeks with a rough thumb.

“Jake was serious about hurrying up,” Sam called. “I don’t need him to switch me.”

“When are you going to realize that you’re bigger than he is, Samuel?” Molly called, helping her to fold all the items neatly. “Give him a little chin music one time and I’m telling you - he’ll back down.”

Cora rolled her lips into her mouth to keep from smiling.

“Crack him once and he’ll put lead in my belly,” Sam jabbed back. “Come on. It can’t be that hard. We gotta go.”

Molly rolled her eyes, but relented. The two women strolled out, the new shoes on her feet felt more like pillows than shoes. Daniel and Sam were already waiting at the door for her, shooing her along outside. In a repeat at the garage, Samuel held his hand up for her as he held the door open. He grinned as Daniel started the car and they rumbled out of town in a hurry.

Between the jumps, bumps, and sways, Cora felt like her backside would be bruised. She held onto her newly acquired treasures tightly so as not to lose them in the darkness of the seat. Her heart fluttered as they made turns and curves in the near black of the evening with only two very dim lights to lead the way. She wondered how Daniel could see anything, but thought it was best to be left unasked. They had her home in a quarter of the time that it would have taken if she had walked. As they rolled to a loud stop, she saw her mother and younger siblings stream out of the tiny cottage they called home.

With flair, Samuel slid out from his seat and made a big deal of helping Cora out and ensuring that she had all of her items before closing the door. He assisted her to the front of the car before she looked up at him.

“Thank you for this,” she said quietly. “Please tell Daniel I appreciate him, too. That was the bee's knees. Truly. I’ve never been in an automobile before.”

He smiled at her, his dark eyes catching a bit of the light from the lights of the house. “We’ll see you tomorrow then, Miss Cora.”

She smiled at the formal tone as he turned back to the automobile. The look on her mother’s face was distrustful and angry. She tried not to limp as she walked towards her family, but by the time she reached the door, the littles were swarming her and nearly took her down as the pain flared in her foot.

“That better not become a habit, Cora,” her mother scolded before turning and heading inside.

“Yes, Mama,” she said, looking over her shoulder as Sam and Danny disappeared into the distance.

“I suppose there is a reason for that nonsense,” Rosemary continued. “Honestly. Riding in an automobile with two strange men.”

“Mr. Kiszka and Mr. Wagner are respectable gentlemen, Mama,” Cora said as she sat her outfits down on the table to remove her jacket. “They were only helping me out.”

“And why is that?” she asked as she pulled the pot of beans off the woodstove.

Cora’s eyes went to the hand-me-down shoes that were on her feet as if she could guide her mother to notice. “I cut my foot on my oxfords. They helped me and did not think I needed to walk home because of the injury.”

Her mother paused as she started dishing out bowls of the thick mush. “What did they expect in return?”

“What?” Cora sat up straight, her face blushing at the connotation.

“You come home in an expensive auto, with two men. One of your stockings is cut away. You have new clothes and shoes. What am I supposed to think?” her mother said with a hard edge.

She placed her hand on the clothes protectively. “Mr. Samuel patched up my foot, Mama. That was all. It was an act of kindness. Friendship.”

Her mother shook her head and called out for the children to get to the table. Cora stood and moved her items into the shared bedroom of the family before joining them once again at the table. There was no sound as they prayed, ate, and left the meal finished. Junie was sullen as she dried the dishes next to Cora who was washing. Their mother was in the other room, settling down the youngest of the brood.

“I’ve met him,” Junie whispered, looking to make sure their mother did not hear.

“I cannot believe that she is making you do this, Junie,” Cora remarked, not really caring if her voice could be heard or not. “It’s not right. I should be the one she’s trying to get rid of, not you.”

Junie shrugged at her. “But I can’t work like you. We all know that, big sister. She’s going to keep you for as long as she can. She’s even got you convinced that you have to support this family when, really, you can be anywhere and we’d be just fine.”

Cora knew that she had an overdeveloped sense of responsibility, but she could not fathom a reality that allowed for her to not be ensuring her family be taken care of.

“Will you show me your new rags? I love the shoes,” she cooed as she set the bowls in a stack on the table for the next day’s meal.

“You said you met Mr. Archer?” Cora asked after she checked over her shoulder.

“He seems like he is quiet,” Junie whispered. “His children are mean.”

“You don’t have to do this, Junebug,” she said as her heart dropped into her belly.

“I don’t have the same prospects as you do, Cora. This is my one chance to alleviate hardship on this family. I can do my part,” she said quietly.

“You had better wash that whore perfume out of those clothes tonight,” their mother remarked as she sat back down at the table.

“Yes, Mama,” Cora said as she grabbed the wash basin to move outside. “Junie, can you get the clothes please?”

It would give her a reason to show the girl the outfits that otherwise would have to wait until she actually wore them. Junie retrieved the clothes and the washboard on her way outside.

“They smell like lilacs,” Junie said dreamily.

“Her whole house smelled like that,” Cora said as she tried to explain what had happened and the woman who was so very generous with her clothes.

“What does Molly do that she can have the ability to just give away clothing like this?” Junie chirped, her fingers lingering on the dark blue fabric of the outfit she was to wear on Saturday.

Cora looked at the propped open door and found that her mother stood just inside, watching the girls chatter. Swallowing, she started to drag the tan skirt across the bumps of the board.

“Go ahead and tell her what your new friend does for her money, Cora,” her mother said firmly. “I’d like to know as well.”

Thinking back on the brief time she had with Molly, she realized that what Molly actually did to earn her way never was broached. The clothing was that of a night life - flapper attire with pretty crystals and glitz that she was sure the woman was probably the most glamorous woman in town. “I’m going to assume that she works in the dancehall, Mama.”

“You know what kind of women work in the dancehall, Cora,” Rosemary said sharply.

“Doesn’t mean that they cannot be friends,” Cora said just as sharp, her eyes hard. “She was a lovely woman who was willing to help me. That means in turn, she has helped this family. That counts for something.”

“Junie, to bed now,” her mother demanded.

“She’s going to be a married woman, Mama, perhaps she needs to hear this conversation,” Cora remarked, swishing the skirt in the water.

“Cora,” her mother fumed.

“You can’t call someone a whore just because they work in the dancehall,” she said firmly. “And I, for one, will not fault a woman for doing what she needs to in order to survive. Especially in this world of men.”

“Remember that when it has to be your mother, sister or yourself,” Rosemary said in a hard voice.

“If marriage is your only reason for women to be allowed to be close to men or have sex, then there really is no real difference between a married woman and a whore and no reason to look upon either differently. Both must survive within the confines of men and the structure they provide,” Cora continued, voice matching her mother’s as she started wringing the skirt out into the basin.

Junie’s mouth dropped open at her sister’s brashness. Cora held her ground, not liking that her mother did not have trouble looking down her nose at a woman who was doing what she could to live, no different than themselves with their family. Rosemary stood with her painfully thin arms folded across her chest.

“Junie, to bed now, girl,” her mother ordered before turning her back on her daughters. “Cora, I would think that perhaps you should whet your tongue a bit and feed your brain in reality before you run your mouth off again on matters you have no idea what you speak of.”

Hanging the skirt on the line, she set into washing the rest of the items. When her hands wrapped around the dark blue number, her eyes rolled closed. Molly had called her a Jake girl. She had said that she was his ‘type’. She had no idea what any of that meant other than perhaps that she could catch his eye. Perhaps that would mean that she could make him smile? Samuel and Daniel were quick to laugh with happiness. Mr. Joshua was brimming with smiles, though she was sure that those were part of his professional manner. Mr. Jacob was always serious. His dark eyes holding onto something that she could never quite understand or ever see all of what was going on with him. His thunderstorm of a temper was always chaotic and unpredictable, save for one thing, there was always calm afterwards.

The strong vision of him standing in the corner of Mr. Joshua’s office, hands splayed on the desk and looking over whatever his twin was showing him blazed in her thoughts. The way his eyes always met hers, too hard at first, then softening as if he could sense that she needed a more delicate touch. It made her stomach flutter and unexplored knowledge dance through her mind.

Chapter Two: Pt. 2 Molly POV

“Please do not tell me that you hurt that poor girl to get her to me,” she said as Danny sat down next to her, a sarcastic grin tugging at the corner of her plump lips.

He scrunched up his face. “No, it was just a coincidence. I’m actually afraid that if I would not have seen her, she would have kept trying to walk on it.”

“She’s really a doll, though, Danny,” Molly said, clinking her glass of sherry against his mug of beer. “She seems like she can hold herself rather well.”

“Sam thinks that she runs numbers when she is collecting goods,” he remarked. “And I overheard Joshua commenting that she’s a natural with customers. Folks know her from church and foster right into that connection.”

She paused for a moment before leaning over his shoulder. “I hope we didn’t turn things for her by meddling.”

“Why whatever do you mean, meddling?” Josh said as he appeared behind Danny. “Which ‘her’ are you talking about?”

Molly looked up at him over the rim of her glass. He was with Catherine, and Jacob was following right behind. Her stomach soured at the sight of the eldest’s interest. Danny sat up straight as Josh held Catherine’s chair for her to sit. Jacob looked on edge. Samuel and Susannah were wise to remain at the bar. She wished she could crawl under the table and join them. Clearing her throat, she nodded at Danny.

“That new girl of your’s, Joshua,” Molly said, surprised that her voice was as strong as it was. “Danny found her in the alley with a cut heel.”

Josh sat down, eyes narrowed like he was studying the situation. “Well, if she’s injured, then perhaps that’s proof that she can’t do that job after all.”

“She got hurt in your shop,” Molly scoffed.

“No different if you got hurt down here, Miss Molly,” he said, leaning towards Catherine. “If you can’t perform, you wouldn’t be working here.”

“Kind of an idiot-”

“Molly,” Danny broke in, voice firm.

“Kind of a poor business move, Mr. Kiszka,” she continued, ignoring him and shifting into professional mode. “From what I hear she’s been good for your little front of a store. I just gave her some window dressing to level the playing field, boss.”

Josh shook his head. “Alright. Enough of the banter. What the fuck happened today and why is Molly calling me an idiot?”

“Josh,” Jacob said, his voice low. “Miss Cora cut her foot. Sam and Danny helped her out. That’s all. I sent them over to Molly’s to get her cleaned up and on her way home.”

“How droll,” Catherine sighed, rolling her eyes. “Why is this even important?”

Molly noticed that Jake glared at the woman before regrouping. “It was not anything that should affect the shop, is what I’m saying.”

Danny tapped her shoulder. “Come on, Mols. Let’s go dance.”

She let him take her hand. She heard Catherine scoff behind her. Molly tried to turn back around but Danny wouldn’t allow her to return to the table.

“Sweetheart,” he whispered, tugging her tight against him. “Let Jake take care of it.”

“But-”

He swept her out and dipped her down before spinning her, effectively ending the conversation. Molly could not keep her eyes from Catherine, Joshua and Jacob. She said something that made Jake shoot venom. In a chain reaction, Joshua leaned forward, mouth hard like he ended the conversation, leaving smoke and cinders behind. Danny swept her around once more to recapture her attention.

“Leave it,” he whispered, eyes squarely on her own.

Molly screwed her mouth to the side. She reluctantly turned her attention away from the fire that was obviously brewing between the twins. The fuel had been there, growing since Bea had scrammed five months before; since Catherine had strolled onto the scene three months ago; since the family booted them out of Detroit to take the reins on the UP twenty months ago. Molly had been a constant, witnessing the slaughter that Josh had brought to the family from the moment they set foot in Kingsford. She had fallen in love with the tall, dark stranger the moment she had strolled into the dancehall to meet the new proprietors and Daniel stood on the fringes looking like he had choked on a lightning bolt.

Wetting her lips, she pushed her smile to the fore as her fingertips grazed Danny’s chin. The blackness of his eyes and the warmth of his aura filled her with the moment. Instead of arguing, she pulled closer to him and dropped the attention to the group behind them where it belonged.

Hope you enjoyed this bit. Next chapter is one of my favorites and contains our first Jacob POV.

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bellysoupset · 7 months

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Hello! I love everything you've been posting lately!! ❤️ I have a request: Maybe Leo has a stressful day at court, and Jon doesn't want to worry him so when Leo gets home he finds Jonah with JD on the bed... hints that something's wrong? Or maybe Jon never shows up to a shift/is sent home and then we could get Wendy/Leo interactions? ~ 🐆

This one is some good, old cold sickfic, with loads of comfort. Really just a cozy fic.

----

Leo: I cannot wait to go home 😭

He pressed send and leaned in, rubbing his eyes until he saw stars. Everything that could possibly go wrong today, had done so. It had started with him missing his alarm and only waking up thanks to Jon's, an hour later than he should be.

He hadn't had breakfast until much later, had gotten yelled at by a snobby client who had a stick up their asses, had burned his tongue on his coffee and then proceeded to drop the little paper cup, only for it to be the last cup the machine produced for the rest of the day since it decided to break. Had gotten one of his researches sent back because of a minor, dumb mistake on his part and skipped lunch to work on it, only to get the surprise news he'd be joining during a court day, because Sandy, the other paralegal, was sick.

So now he was standing in the waiting room of the courthouse, with a headache from hunger and caffeine withdrawal, itching to piss, in a sour mood.

He stared at the phone screen, hoping Jonah would at least text back, so he wouldn't be bored to tears, but no such luck.

"What's wrong, Wagner?" Cole, one of the paralegals he actually liked, asked. Leo grimaced.

"This is taking forever," he whispered back and Cole let out a huff in agreement.

"You'd think rich people wouldn't argue for three months straight over who gets to keep a car, uh," he whispered, rolling his eyes and Leo couldn't help but agree with a chuckle.

By the time he finally got to go home, it was night already. At least he'd have a fat paycheck with all the extra hours, Leo thought, head pounding as he drove back to their building.

"Hi, Matt," Leo yawned against his fist, as he stopped on the first floor instead of going straight upstairs, a box of blueberry muffins in his hand, the other one holding a cardboard tray with three coffees, "got this for you," He planted the muffins and one of the coffees on the front desk.

"How many times do I have to say, Mr. Wagner, I cannot accept-"

"Oh no," Leo rolled his eyes, pushing the muffins across the desk, "it seems I forgot all these muffins here. I guess someone will have to eat them so they won't go to waste," he smiled cheekily, "have a good night, Matthew."

"Have a good night, Mr. Wag-"

"It's Leo!" he yelled back, already rushing to the elevator and receiving a fond eyeroll as an answer.

Since they lived on the second to last floor, Leo leaned against the elevator wall and almost fell asleep on the spot. He blinked awake with the DING! of the elevator arriving and dragged inside, hands shaking around his keys, thanks to the coffee withdrawal.

He expected JD to come running to meet him, Jonah to be in the living room binging the new true crime documentary series that was consuming his day and night...

But no.

Leo frowned, kicking off his shoes by the door and tugging at his tie as he entered the apartment, "Jon? JD?" he wondered if Jonah had left... But his car was in the garage, "Jonah, are you in the bath- Oh" he lowered his voice immediately upon walking in the bedroom.

Jonah was curled on his side, passed out and JD was snuggled up under his arm, her little head resting on his chin. Leo's heart plummeted straight to his stomach as he melted at the cuteness and he fished out his phone, taking a blurry picture.

The noise made their cat look up, open her blue eyes at him and then meow, causing Leo to cringe.

"No, JD, stay-" he whispered, "stay, don't mov-" she got up from her cocoon in Jonah's arms and trotted to him, meowing loudly as she hooked her claws on his pants, a sound he unmistakenly knew meant she was hungry.

Jonah stirred and opened his eyes, a hand blindly reaching out for JD, which caused Leo to smile even more.

"Looking for your teddy bear?"

"Uhm?" Jonah blinked at him, too sleepy to compute the teasing, "what time... What time is it?"

"Almost nine," Leo said bitterly, sitting on the bed and stripping his blazer, while JD climbed his lap and pawed his chest, asking for pets with an indignant meow, "hi, sweetheart."

"Hi," Jonah smiled lazily, even if he knew damn well Leo meant the kitten. He sat up against the headboard, rubbing his eyes, "fuck, when I went to sleep it was light out."

Leo raised his eyebrows, looking up from JD's innocent blue eyes, "light out? Straight after class...?" That was very uncanny, "are you feeling okay, babe?"

"Yeah," Jonah grimaced, still looking absolutely exhausted, "why did you just get home at 9 PM, Leo?"

"Court," he scoffed, falling on his side and resting his head on Jon's thigh, allowing JD to walk over him and sit on his chest, "it dragged. All that because of a fucking car."

Jonah let out a soft smile, "what model?"

"....Aston whatever?" Leo rolled his eyes, "doesn't matter."

"It kinda fucking matters if it was an Aston Martin, Leo," Jonah chuckled, petting his hair and then suddenly his whole body jerked with a sneeze as Jonah rushed to hide his face in the pillow.

Leo raised his head and JD jumped from his chest, walking to Jon to investigate the sudden noise.

"Jon?"

Three quick sneezes followed and then he straightened up, eyes teary with the effort, "I'm fine."

"Yeah, you're fine-" Leo leaned in, planting his hand to Jon's forehead. Heat met his hand, but nothing concerning, "I think you're feverish."

"Great," Jonah scoffed, forehead resting on his touch, "just great."

"Don't be pouty," Leo teased, smiling, "have you eaten anything?"

"Not since lunch," he yawned again, rubbing his eyes, "I'm not hungry..."

"Well, doctor Banks, I'll have you know you need to eat in order to take meds," Leo rolled his eyes, "So, soup or something else?"

Jonah let out a small scoff, pulling JD closer and curling up on his side, "whatever is easier," he kissed the top of JD's head, smiling as she snuggled closer with a small meow.

Leo could've melted on the spot, he wasn't even sure if he hadn't. His face burned and he cleared his throat, forcefully looking away, "okay... I'll check the fridge, be right back."

Soup was as bothersome as making anything else, so he figured it'd be soup. Leo was leaning against the counter, scrolling down his phone while he waited for the vegetables to boil over, when suddenly there was a weight on his back, Jonah draping himself over him.

"You left me all alone," Jon scoffed, voice muffled by his shoulder and Leo opened a smug smile, wrapping his hands around Jon's wrists and pulling him even closer.

"I don't think I've ever seen you with a cold," he said, turning his face to plant a kiss on his boyfriend's temple, pressed to his shoulder, "you're clingy."

"I'm not," Jonah mumbled, his voice scratchy, "you're just warm."

"Of course," Leo mocked, stirring the soup, "I didn't know what was your favorite soup, so it's just a mix match of all veggies we had."

"Uhm," Jonah shrugged, refusing to pull back, "I don't care, I'm not hungry."

"But you're not feeling queasy, are you?" Leo frowned, then let out a small relieved sigh when Jonah shook his head no.

"Just fucking exhausted... And my head hurts."

"Better this way," he turned around, so he could properly hug the other man and Jonah let out a little happy hum. Jon was taller than him, but by only a couple inches, and with Leo standing straight while he was hunched over, he could hide his face in the blonde's neck.

"No class for you tomorrow," Leo decided, feeling the steady heat pressed to his neck. It was a testament of how shitty Jon felt that he didn't put up a fight at all.

"Did you talk with your boss?" Jon mumbled, sounding sleepy.

"What about?"

"The promotion?"

"Nope," Leo's cheeks burned, "look, I'm not gonna bring it up. They normally give promotions out at the turn of the year, I won't press on it. It's just October."

"And if they don't?" Jonah shivered and Leo started rubbing his back.

"I appreciate the faith-"

"Shut up," Jon groaned, leaning more of his weight in and causing Leo's back to hit the handle of the pan. He moved them away from the stove, hiding a smile in Jon's mop of tight curls, "I meant, if they don't give you the promotion, you're leaving the firm for one that actually appreciates you, right? You're a lawyer, not a paralegal."

"And you, are sick," Leo grinned, pulling back so he could look him in the eyes, "stop worrying about this, Jon."

"I'm not worried," Jonah scrunched up his nose, looking offended, "I'm just saying, you deserve to be treated-"

"You're sweet, but I'm not having this conversation before January," Leo shut him up with a small kiss and Jonah let out an unhappy sigh.

"I think you should keep it in mind," Jon pulled on the collar of Leo's shirt, "I'm gonna get you sick."

"Yeah, we're way past that," Leo bumped his nose with his, then turned back around, "soup's almost ready, you want to eat in the dining table or bed?"

"I have the sniffles, I'm not in a retirement home," Jonah scoffed, before immediately being hit by a coughing fit, "di-dining room."

Leo couldn't help but chuckle, filling up both bowls for them and bringing it to the dining room. Very rarely they bothered with a table cloth, but Jonah always made him use a rest under the plate. Whatever for, Leo wasn't sure, considering there was a thick glass on top of the table top, to protect the rich wood.

He had noticed it before, Jonah had manners ingrained deeply into him, but they came out in the worst way possible, making him seem more rude, instead of polite.

Leo wasn't aware he was starving, until he started to eat. He had forgotten to salt the soup, but that didn't stop him from eating half the bowl before he had the spirit to get up and grab the seasoning. He took his plate back with him to the kitchen and filled it up, sprinkling some salt and pepper and top and grabbing shredded cheese in the fridge on his way back to the table.

Jonah was stirring his soup lazily, he had barely drained three or four spoonful's and had a grimace on his face.

"I forgot to add salt," Leo said, planting it before his boyfriend and the other man shrugged, glancing up.

"I don't feel like eating..." His head was resting on his hand and Leo let out a heavy sigh.

"C'mon, Jon, at least half the bowl... You can't take the meds otherwise."

"That's bull," Jonah groaned, rubbing his sore eyes and sniffling, forcefully clearing his throat. When he spoke again, his voice was a raspy whisper, "I wanna go back to bed."

"Eat just a little more, baby," Leo bargained, putting his soup aside and scooting his chair closer, "c'mon, you know you'll get nauseous if you don't have anything in your tummy later."

"Tummy," Jon's lips curled up in an amused smile and he nodded, obediently forcing down four more spoonful's, before dropping the cutlery back on the bowl with a metallic clank, "I'm done."

"Dammit, Jon..." the blonde said quietly, but then Jonah pulled his chair closer and rested his cheek on Leo's shoulder, muffling a cough on his fist, "I'll be fast..."

"No, it's fine," Jonah mumbled, nuzzling his neck, "take your time finishing, I'm fine."

It was so very out of character for Jon to be this gracious, it caused Leo to snort. He started to eat back up, only for Jonah to let out a little hum five minutes later.

"Yours smells better than mine," he said quietly, so Leo changed the path of this spoonful he was bringing to his own mouth, directing it to his boyfriend's.

Jonah dutifully opened his mouth, letting out a content sigh and Leo bit down an amused smile. He was never letting him live it down.

All in all, even though it took him nearly thirty minutes, Leo managed to feed Jonah another half bowl, probably contracting his cold while doing it.

He pressed a kiss to the other man's feverish forehead, "okay, bed now, you're sleeping on me."

"I'm... not," Jon yawned, blinking heavily, "I'm so warm."

"I wonder why," Leo teased, grabbing his arm and hoisting Jonah up, "c''mon, just stay awake a little longer."

"Cuddle?"

"I need to clean up the kitchen..."

"Leave it," Jonah stumbled inside their bedroom, falling face first in the bed and nearly taking Leo with him, a fistful of his shirt squeeze in his hand, "cuddle."

"You're the cutest thing when you have a cold," Leo grinned, climbing in and wrapping himself around the other man, "I might just start giving you colds on purpose."

"You're a terrible person," Jonah sighed, guiding Leo's hand up to his head and closing his eyes, a smile painting his lips as his hair started to be petted, "but I love you."

#sickfic #colds #fever #jonah banks #cuteness #🐆 anon #mywriting

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