#where was the possibility of Nico losing then both angst | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

waywardodysseys · 4 years

Text

Campo di Battaglia - Chapter 7

violazione

Pairing: Mob!Ransom Drysdale x reader

Warnings: sex dream, male masturbation, cussing, angst, hot & heavy action

Author’s note: I’m tagging people who might like this; my gratitude is overflowing for one of the best people in the world @zechs-merquise

This is a Knives Out AU where the Thrombey family is in the mafia world.

Campo di Battaglia - Chps. 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

The fireplace crackles as Ransom pulls her into his arms. He’s glad they decided to stay in, instead of heading out. The weatherman predicted only five inches of snow and now it's closing in on ten.

“We’re going to have a white Christmas,” she remarks, as she rests her head against him, “it's going to be really beautiful.”

Ransom kisses her neck tenderly as he moves a hand down her side, “It’s not the only thing.”

She giggles. He thinks it’s the sweetest sound ever. “Hugh.”

Ransom moans at her saying his first name. “Only you can call me by that name.”

She hums as he moves his mouth down her shoulder. The sensation of his trimmed winter beard sends goosebumps across her flesh. She arches her back as he finds the sweet spot at the base of her neck again.

“Please,” she whispers, “I need you.”

“I want to take my time,” Ransom teases as he snakes a hand under her negligee.

“Hugh,” she lowly moans as his hand moves up and cups her breast, “please. I can't wait.”

Ransom moves his other hand under the sheer fabric and cups her other breast. His thumbs flick her nipples, causing her to moan once again. He knows she wants more.

She slips from his arms and turns to face him. Her mouth crashes against his as her hands travel over his shirtless chest and pushes him slowly back against the faux fur rug in front of the fireplace.

Y/N straddles his body then pulls away to look down at him.

He smiles up at her. He loves it when she takes control. He keeps his blue eyes on her as she yanks her negligee off. His hands roam over her warm flesh and cup her breasts. Ransom sits up and flicks his tongue over one nipple then the other.

She grinds against him as her hands fly to his head. Her fingers moving through his hair. “Hugh,” she purrs.

“Y/N, my queen, my everything,” Ransom punctuates each name with a kiss down the valley between her breasts before he reaches up to cup her face, bringing her mouth down to his. He kisses her deeply then pulls away breathlessly.

She looks down into his ocean blue eyes and smiles. Ransom sees the love in her eyes she has for him. They’ve come so far from the first day he walked into her bookshop months ago.

She roams a hand over his chest and palms his hard cock over his jeans. She grins as she pushes Ransom back down and nips at his neck. “I want what is mine.”

“Take me, I’m all yours,” Ransom growls as she begins to leave a trail of kisses down his chest and stomach. He feels her hands undoing his pants, feels one hand reaching in and grabs his hard cock.

She kneels between his open legs as she pushes his jeans down over his hips, exposing his cock. Within seconds her mouth is engulfing his cock and her tongue is swirling around the tip.

Ransom sucks in a breath as his hands card themselves through her hair. Her mouth is soft and warm around his cock but he can't wait to be buried deep within her slick walls as she rides him.

“Y/N,” Ransom pants as his orgasm simmers within him, “mmm--yes--”

She moves her head up and down his cock, lathering him with her saliva. She swirls her tongue around the tip, teasing him and tasting his juices. She feels his fingers tighten against her scalp as his orgasm rises rapidly.

“Ride me Y/N,” Ransom pants as he gently grinds against your mouth, “I need to be inside you. Now.”

Ransom sees her give a devilish grin as she releases his cock from her mouth. She crawls up his body and straddles him, reaching back towards his cock. Ransom keeps his eyes on his hardened cock as she sinks slowly onto it.

“Fuck, yes!” Ransom hisses as he feels her slick walls around him.

He places his hands on her hips as she begins riding him slowly. Her hands splayed on his chest, her fingers finding refuge by digging into his skin. Ransom takes her all in as he thrusts up to meet the rolling of her hips.

“Oh--Hugh,” she gasps as her fingernails dig in deeper.

Ransom doesn’t mind her marks in his skin. He belongs to her, no other woman. This woman with her tilted head to the side and arched back, her teeth biting at her bottom lip. This beautiful woman riding him is his, and his alone.

“Come for me my queen,” Ransom growls as his own hands grasp her hips tightly as he thrusts more roughly up into her, “come for me.”

Ransom feels her slick walls vibrating around his cock. At the sensation of feeling her climax against him, Ransom moans loudly, “Y/N!” He thrusts up once more, making sure he’s buried deep as he empties himself inside of her.

Seconds after coming down from the high, she falls on top of Ransom’s chest. Ransom wraps his arms around her, holding her tight against him. He doesn't want to let go, never will let go.

He skims a finger down her spine as he whispers, “Marry me?”

Ransom wakes with a startled gasp. His cock’s already hard and the ache building inside of him needs to be released. He’s enthralled by her, utterly consumed by everything she is. He had his first taste of her tonight and he couldn't get enough. He wanted more; he needed more.

Marry me. The phrase lingers in his mind as he lies back against the headboard. He never thought marriage was possible for him. Due to the trainwreck that was his parents' marriage he was forced to grow up in, it was always something that seemed unreachable to him but with her it could be . With her by his side, he could take on anything - the world, his family, her father. She would be his ally, his only ally within this god forsaken kingdom. And in return, he would be her ally. Fair is fair in the game of love.

Ransom reaches under the sheet and begins to stroke his aching cock as he remembers her pillowy soft lips against his. How they parted for him so he could explore more. He remembers one of her hands traveling up his arm and the other on his side. He had felt her fingers grasping onto him, it felt like she didn't want to let go either.

He thinks about her sleeping in his bed, inside his house. He thinks, is she able to smell me on my sheets? Does it turn her on? Would she be touching herself in my bed? Or maybe, she touches herself in the shower?

He had professed his love for her and he hadn't even been with her in the most intimate way two people could be together. He was ready to lay his life down and risk it all for her, but he felt she wasn't ready to do the same. He knew he had a long road ahead of him to prove himself to her. He had to find out who did this to her because if he didn’t, he knew he would lose her, and that could never happen.

Ransom grunts loudly as he climaxes, ropes of hot liquid cover his hand and belly. The high from the orgasm keeps his body on fire as he thinks about her riding him, her fingernails digging into his skin, marking him. She is the only woman for him.

“Y/N,” Ransom moans as he closes his eyes and lets sleep pull him under.

-------

Nora pours herself a cup of coffee as she hears Harry walk into the kitchen. She could tell something was amiss last night when Harry came back to the house alone. He had looked pissed off and mumbled his response of ‘with that no good son of a bitch’ when she had asked him where Y/N was. Nora knew not to press any further when Harry was angry, so she dropped the subject.

When she watched Y/N walk in the door with Nico two hours later, and Nora had seen the distraught look and slight redness in her eyes, her suspicions were confirmed. She had wanted to press about the events of the evening but didn’t ask when you had only whispered, “I’m going to bed.”

Nora’s mind raced with worry and questions. She knew they had gone to Thrombey Manor to have dinner with Ransom. Nora knew the night wasn’t going to go well. Placing Ransom Drysdale, mob boss, in a room with Harry Y/L/N, FBI agent, was a horrible idea and gauging from both Harry and Y/N’s moods when they returned, the night did not go as planned.

Judging by the sour look donning Harry’s features as he enters the kitchen, it seems sleep did not come easy, if at all, for the angry father last night. Nora isn’t exactly sure how this early morning conversation is going to go but she decides to go for it. “Good morning, Harry,” Nora utters as she takes a sip of the hot caffeinated liquid she uses as fuel.

“Morning Nora,” Harry’s voice is curt and clipped with anger. He pours himself a cup of coffee as well and takes a sip.

“Still leaving today?” She gently inquires, trying not to sound as if she is prying.

“I am,” Harry rests against the kitchen island. He hasn’t talked much to Nora regarding Ransom Drysdale. Harry sneers at the thought of his name. “Nora?”

“Yes?” Nora hums, turning herself towards Harry, giving him her full attention.

“What’s your perception of Ransom Drysdale?”

Nora snorts adding a distasteful eye-roll before she answers, “I went to high school with him. He was your run-of-the-mill rich kid. Although he was more of a troublemaker and a douchebag. The smart ones in school knew to avoid him. The others, though, well they just fell right in, went along with his lifestyle and all the trouble that came with it.”

“Guessing you didn’t run with his crowd?”

Nora shakes her head, “I did not.”

“And now, what's your impression?”

“I still think he's trouble because of his lifestyle but,” Nora pauses, “ever since Y/N walked into his life I can tell he’s changed. Well, trying to change for the better.” Nora glances over at Harry, “Did she tell you he sent bouquets of flowers to her shop for three weeks? Every day the shop was open, a bouquet of flowers was delivered to her.”

Harry shakes his head, takes a sip. “She did not.”

Nora smiles, “I think there’s some good in him, and with her in his life, he’s trying his damnedest to be a good man. He showed up at the hospital the night of the fire. I saw the concern on his face, heard the worry in his voice,” she walks over to Harry, “he even admitted he cared for her. When he said he did, I didn’t want to believe him, but I heard the genuine sincerity in his voice when he said he cared for her and she’s the only person he truly cares for.”

“And what do you think of all this protection?” Harry gestures around, referring to the house and the men outside guarding the place.

Nora shrugs, “To the average person, like me, it seems a little too much but he wants to protect her. I honestly think he’d scorch the very earth we stand on if something ever happened to her. I also think he’d die for her if it meant she was alive and happy, and safe.”

“She’s lucky to have you as her best friend,” Harry remarks.

Nora smiles, “And she’s lucky to have you as her father.” Nora reaches out and pats the top of Harry’s hand when she sees you walking towards the kitchen, “it was good to see you again. Don’t be a stranger,” Nora walks away from Harry and towards her room.

Harry smiles weakly, “Good to see you too.” Harry turns around and lets his tired eyes sweep over you. He had a restless night, barely any sleep had come because his mind was racked with his daughter and the mob boss. He had thought of ways to force you to come out to Vegas, return home and live in the same city as Rose and him. You’d even be in the same time zone as your step brothers.

You walk into the kitchen and glance at your father. “Restless night?”

“I want you to come home!” Harry grounds out.

“I’m staying dad,” you retort as you pour a cup of coffee.

“Tell me, why do you want to stay?” Harry questions as he gives you a once over. You’re his baby girl. He doesn’t want to lose you, doesn’t want the next call he receives to be one informing him you are missing, or worse, dead.

“Why do you need a reason?” You inquire as you take a sip of coffee. “I’m a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions.”

Harry leans back against the counter, “You want to stay because of him, don’t you?” Harry presses on when you don’t answer, “If he wasn’t involved in any way, shape, or form, when all this happened, I bet you’d be on the plane with me, heading back to Vegas.”

“Maybe you are right, dad. However, that's not how this situation has worked out. This is my home now and I won't let someone scare me into leaving. Besides I am needed here, I have people I need to look out for and take care of.” You rest your forearms on the cold countertop. It is a welcome relief to your skin that has become heated due to the frustration this conversation with your father is causing.

“That is a load of bullshit, Y/N! You want to stay because of him. He is nothing but a monster, sweetie. You need to see him the way everyone else does.”

You push up from the counter, something in you snapped when your father called Ransom a monster, “Ransom is human dad! Is he perfect? Absolutely not. But what you fail to see is, he is trying to be a better person, for me. He admires you for taking a stand against him for my sake! He acknowledges I am your daughter and you want me safe! He has never laid a hand on me! He’s defended my honor, and has killed a man because that specific man touched me without my consent! He may be ruthless and an asshole, but when it comes to me he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I am safe. Ransom is willing to show me he has a heart and cares.” You argue in return.

Harry averts his gaze, purses his lips. “He killed someone?”

“Yes,” you respond sharply. “You know what he does, who he is. You know he can do what he pleases and get away with it.”

Harry knows, without a doubt, Ransom has killed people in cold blood. All mob bosses pull the trigger without hesitation. He’d been on several cases back in Vegas involving the mafia and found the dead bodies piled up. He’s seen firsthand watching the mob boss pull the trigger as well. And here is his daughter, getting involved with a mob boss. “I knew I should’ve never let you come out here!” Harry yells, slamming his fist on the counter causing some of the coffee in his cup to spill out onto the countertop. Seeing the mess, he pinches the bridge of his nose before he then remarks, “What happens when the rest of his family finds out about what I do? You won’t be safe then.”

“He told you last night, he’d rather turn them all in, in order to protect me and to keep me safe.” You shake your head, realizing this conversation is going to only get worse.

Harry motions a circle with his hand. “It could just as easily get out to other mafia families I am law enforcement! Mafia families will not accept you because of your father’s profession Y/N! They will hunt you down and kill you, and more than likely kill Ransom too because he was involved with a federal agent’s daughter. They will make it known to everyone he can never be trusted again!” Harry points at you, “Which could lead to the two of you going into witness protection!”

“So?” You shout at him, “At least I’d have him!” Wait a second, back up. Are you admitting you care for Ransom? You two would spend the rest of your days in some back wood town with new identities and never see your family again. Never see Nora again. You’d have each other and it seems, that’s all that mattered to you.

You picture the scenario in your head: Ransom with a full grown beard coming home in a suit, him finding you in the kitchen cooking dinner, a scruffy yet fluffy dog perched on a dog bed. You and Ransom going at it like teenagers every chance you get because you can’t get enough of one another. Simple wedding bands on both his and yours fourth left fingers. Maybe the pitter patter of little feet because you two want to pass on the love you have for one another to a child. Secretive visits from Nora and your family, even though it was forbidden to do so, but you knew your father would find a way to see you and make sure Nora could see you too.

Harry glances at you after minutes of silence, “So there is something between you and Ransom? Because last night it seemed one sided, and it was all coming from him.”

You still didn’t know how you felt about him yet you had just pictured being with him because you did grow to love him. There was no one else trying to break through your scenario, no one else you wanted to be with for the rest of your life. No one else you wanted to come home to at the end of the day and wrap you in their arms then make love while dinner’s burning on the stove. No one except Ransom.

“Y/N?” Harry inquires softly.

“I,” you begin. You wait several beats before continuing, “I don’t know how I feel about him. I just know if I leave now, I will regret it for the rest of my life.”

“And that’s why you want to stay?”

You nod your head, “Yes.” You look away and then back at your dad, “Ransom even suggested I go back home, and I told him I couldn’t. I didn’t admit to him I don’t know how I feel. I just,” you stutter, “I just, I can’t be states away knowing he’s here alone trying to figure out what happened. I need to be here, I want to be here.”

Love knows no bounds, Harry thinks as he walks over and embraces you. “If that’s what you want then so be it.” He pulls back and cups your cheek, “But I need you to know, if I get another call and your well-being is in danger, I will not hold back. He will end up in the hospital from the pain and wrath I will bring upon him. Understood?”

You smile weakly, “Yes dad. I understand.”

Harry places a kiss on your forehead, “And I swear to God, if that boy breaks your heart I will make sure he is six feet under.”

“Dad!”

“You’re still my daughter sweetie. He still needs to prove himself worthy of you. To me, and to you as well. Don’t give into him so quickly, know what you feel before you take the leap and commit yourself as being Ransom’s other half.” Harry looks at you and smiles. He sees your mother in your features. Harry wonders what you’d think of her past, but this isn’t the time to divulge that particular information.

“I am taking my time dad. He’s been sending flowers for the past three weeks and I haven't given in.” Your feelings hadn’t (though they were on the verge of it), but your body sure had.

“Good. Make him earn you. Make him see you are worth more than anything else in this world.” Harry remarks, “Now let me finish packing, and you and your personal bodyguard may escort me to the airport.”

-------

A couple days later, you find yourself in the middle of a baking spree. Unfortunately when your anxiety tended to run off the rails, baking was your only comfort but fortunately for Nico, your willing guinea pig, he always had a sweet tooth. You had to do something to occupy yourself, you can't sit and stare at four walls endlessly. You are in the kitchen, pulling out different ingredients while Nico sits at the island bartop with his self-made scorecard on a notepad in front of him. He’s made a list of everything you’ve made within the last twenty-four hours which featured two columns, one with a thumbs up and the other with a thumbs down.

“You’ve made six sweet treats so far Y/N,” Nico remarks. “What’s going to be lucky number seven?”

“I don’t know,” you huff as you look through a recipe book. “Is there something you want to try? Like you’ve always wondered about a particular sweet but never had it?”

Nico laughs. “Um, let me think,” his eyes glance down at the scorecard, “we’ve done chocolate chip cookies, Mississippi mud cake, caramel apple cupcakes, cinnamon twirl cookies, layered turtle cheesecake, and Hummingbird cake.” Nico thinks for a minute, “I haven't had pecan meltaways in years. My grandmother used to make them all the time for Christmas then she passed away. I’d love to have those again.”

You smile at Nico, “I’m sure I can find a recipe.”

You begin flipping through the cookbook, something you had brought with you from your apartment. It had family recipes from your grandmother, even some from your mom. You knew you’d have tons of free time therefore willing yourself to cook more.

You try not to think of what’s going on currently - the burned down bookstore, talking with the insurance company about a payout. The store had been fully paid off within three years of opening it, thanks to Harlan he had gifted the bookstore to you in your name for your birthday one year.

Harlan had slid over an envelope to you, one night at Thrombey Manor. One of the rare occasions you had been in the house outside of your weekly afternoon visits.

“What is this?”

“Open it. See for yourself.” Harlan had responded.

You had taken the envelope and opened it. You gasped when you saw what he had done. “Harlan, this,” you had stammered, “you didn't have to do this.”

Harlan had shrugged, taken a sip of wine. “You’re like a daughter to me Y/N. I wanted to give you your dream. It fully belongs to you. Only you. Not the bank and you. Just you.”

You had felt the tears escape, “This is amazing. Thank you.”

Harlan had grinned, “You’re welcome.”

You now think about fire chief Kinzel telling you the fire was arson. Which meant it was intentionally set and someone was trying to send a message but you had no idea who. You were still having trouble remembering the details of the event. Everything was still fuzzy.

“You find anything?” Nico inquires, bringing your focus back to finding a recipe.

You smile, “I did. Looks like my grandmother made them too.” You set the book down and begin gathering up the supplies you need to start making the covered powdered sugar treats.

Ransom parks his Beamer outside of his personal house. He nods towards the men who are standing guard outside as he walks into the front door. Once inside he hears laughter coming from the kitchen. He makes his way towards the sound and his eyes land on you and Nico rolling cookie dough.

Ransom shrugs off his jacket and smiles, “May I join in on the fun?”

You and Nico look up. You smile widely, “As long as you don't mind getting flour on your clothes.”

Ransom rolls up his sleeves, “I don't mind at all.”

Nico takes this opportunity to excuse himself to check the perimeter and check in with the guards outside. He knows Ransom would prefer to do the baking with you, and you alone.

You and Ransom roll the dough into one inch balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Ransom places the tray in the oven then proceeds to help you roll more cookie dough into balls and place them on another cookie sheet.

“How have you been?” Ransom questions as he finishes placing a rolled up cookie dough ball on the cookie sheet.

“Good,” you reply nonchalantly as you begin placing dirty dishes into the sink.

Ransom walks up behind you and wraps his arms around you. “Talk to me, Y/N.”

You turn around in his arms and look into his ocean blue eyes, “Fire chief Kinzel says the bookshop was officially ruled as arson. I don’t understand any of this Ransom. I mean, someone intentionally tried to kill me!” You feel the tears threatening to spill out of your eyes which causes you to pause, “And everything is still fuzzy. It’s almost as if someone drugged me beforehand to make sure I died in that fire.”

Ransom moves his arms and cups your cheeks, “Hey, you are alive. You are safe. You are with me,” his thumbs wipe away at your tears which finally spilled over, “I said nothing will happen to you under my protection. I promise nothing will happen to you.”

“But what if they are after you?” You sniffle as tears keep flowing out, “I, uh, I…” can’t lose you. You don't have the courage to say those words aloud yet you feel them down in your gut.

“I am right here Y/N,” Ransom brushes his mouth against yours, “okay? I am right here. If someone is after me, then I will take care of it. Don’t worry because as long as you are in my life I promise you, you will not lose me and I will come home to you. You will never have to receive the devastating news about my death.”

You nod your head as you wrap your arms around Ransom and burrow yourself into him. You feel Ransom move his fingers through your hair then feel his hand move down your back. You soak him in as the kitchen begins to smell of pecans and cookies.

“You’ll meet with me?” Ransom inquires into his phone as he paces the master bedroom. His eyes roaming over the made bed. His mind begins to wonder about your body under his sheets.

On the other end of the phone Luca Ferretti smiles, “Of course I’ll meet with you Ransom. Come down to New York. I can throw you a dinner or a party, better yet a dinner party. Congratulating you on becoming boss of the Thrombey family.”

Ransom smirks. “I don't need anything fancy Luca.”

“What?” Luca questions. “No drugs, no girls?”

Ransom was done with all that. “None of it Luca. Promise me.”

Luca sighs, “You must tell me who she is Ransom. Because the Ransom Drysdale I know never turns down the chance to party when he comes down here.”

She’s the woman I love, the woman I need to keep safe. The woman I want beside me. The woman I will do anything for. Ransom smiles, “I’ll see you tomorrow Luca.”

“See you then. Addio Ransom.” Luca remarks before disconnecting the call.

Ransom slides his phone into his pocket, walks over to the bed and sits down. He reaches down with a hand touching the bedding. He hardens as his mind wonders to the sex dream he had nights ago. He smiles as he recalls you being in his dreams the past two nights as well.

He needs you, wants you. He knows he’ll never have his fill of you. “Fuck,” Ransom hisses under his breath.

“Everything okay?” You inquire as you stand on the threshold and cross your arms.

Ransom shuffles on the bed. He doesn't want you to see he’s hard and ready to pounce on you. He wants to take you when you are ready to have him. “Everything is fine.”

You raise a brow but don't ask him what’s on his mind, instead you ask, “May I ask for a favor?”

Ransom laughs, “Anything.”

“Nora and I are meeting Marta for lunch. We want Fran to come as well.” You remark as you uncross your arms and walk into the bedroom. “It’s been a while since the four of us have gotten together.”

“Out of everything you could ask of me, you want me to release Fran for a day?”

“Yes,” you respond as you walk over to the bed. You place a finger under Ransom’s chin, “Do I need to persuade you?”

“Persuade me how?” He questions with a raised brow and a tease in his voice.

You straddle his lap, feel his hardness which causes you to raise a brow in return. You remain silent as you run a hand up over his stomach and chest. The fabric of the cable-knit sweater he’s wearing is soft. “Well, we haven’t-”

Ransom stops you by pressing his mouth against yours. He pulls you up against him. Minutes later he pulls faintly back and looks at you. “You can have whatever you want Y/N.” He cups your cheek then glides his thumb over your lips, “But our first time is not going to be the result from a game of persuasion.” Because I want it to be special.

You gently push his hand away from your face while easing him back against the mattress. You crush your mouth against his as you grind against him. You feel his hands on your hips. At first they are light then you feel them dig into you. In a flash of a second, he rolls you onto your back and you are looking up into his piercing blue eyes. “Ransom,” you murmur as you lean up and press your lips against his neck.

Ransom closes his eyes. Here you are eager and ready for him but he wants to be a gentleman and take you out for dinner and dancing before he devours you. He feels if he takes you now, he’ll lose all control and ravish you savagely like a starving beast. “Y/N,” Ransom whispers as he cups your cheek, pulling you away from his neck. He looks into your eyes as he runs a finger down your cheek then across your jaw, “I have to go down to New York City, for a business meeting. I should only be gone a couple of days.”

Your eyes turn into slits as you look at him and ground out, “Way to change the subject, Hugh.” You were becoming sexually frustrated; you are sexually frustrated! You haven’t had sex in months. “Do you not want me?” Suddenly your voice is small as you try to hide your desperation to feel him inside of you.

Ransom frowns slightly and nods his head, “Of course, I do.”

You slide your hand down over the fabric of his sweater. Your fingers fumble with the hem, raising it slightly. You then trace your fingers along the waistband of his pants. “Then please Ransom,” you plead through hooded eyes as you look into his blue eyes, “let me feel you.”

He presses his mouth against yours then dips down and presses his mouth against the pulse point of your neck. “You have no idea how badly I want you, need you. I am ravenous for you, and if I were to take you now, I wouldn't hold back.” Ransom cups your cheek, returns his gaze back to your face, “When I return I will take you somewhere special.”

You open your eyes wide and raise a brow, wondering what he meant by not holding himself back. You then smile and place your hand on top of his. “Somewhere special, huh?” You were trying to quell your aching libido and be respectful of Ransom’s decision but it was a hard fought battle. You needed him to touch, feel, and kiss you on other places of your body.

“I want to wine and dine you. Show you an evening of magic, make it unforgettable.”

You have to admit this is a pleasant outcome, not one you expected but are happy with. Despite being absolutely desperate and ravenous for him, you are pleased he is trying to earn his way into your bed, “Fine but I have one request.”

Ransom smirks. “Name it.”

You loop your arms around his neck, pulling him back down. Your lips are millimeters from his. “I want you in that three piece charcoal suit again.”

“Your wish is my command.” Ransom’s eyes shine as he smiles at you.

You smile brightly, “Good. I will have you when you return.” You skim your fingers along his flesh above the waistband of pants. You travel them around to his back. His skin is warm and taut against your fingers. You teasingly glide your lips over his then pull gently on his bottom lip with your teeth. You release his lip before softly informing him, “All of you, Ransom Drysdale.”

Fuck me, Ransom thinks at your teasing. He cups your cheek, strokes your skin with his thumb, “You will have me, my queen. You will always have me. I am yours. Only yours Y/N. You have my heart, and soon enough, you will have me to your heart’s content, your body’s content. Anything you want from me, want to do to me. You can keep me under lock and key because there’s no one else in my life I will ever want, or ever need. You’re the air I need to breathe, you’re the water I need to survive. I know with you, I will have it all.”

Ransom Drysdale. Soft. How could this man be open and forthcoming with you? The mob boss and killer. And apparently he’s all yours. You feel him wipe at an escaping tear, “Make sure you come back to me Ransom. That’s all I ask. Please.”

Ransom smiles, presses his forehead against yours, “I’m taking a few of my men. I will make it back to you,” Ransom brushes his mouth against yours, “I promise.”

As Ransom pulls away, you pull his head back down and capture his mouth, kissing him deeply. You kiss him with passion, part of you knowing he will make it back to you, the other part fearful this could be the last time your eyes see him.

Minutes later the two of you break apart. Both of you breathless.

Ransom removes himself from the bed. “I’ll be back before you know it. Like I was never gone in the first place,” Ransom utters as he pulls you forward and off the bed. He reaches over and runs a thumb over your swollen lips. “I love you.”

You still don't know how you feel towards him. You’re at a loss of words but you manage to murmur, “Please come home to me Ransom.”

The word home doesn't escape Ransom’s ears as he takes one of your hands. He runs his thumb over the skin then kisses your wrist, “For you, I will.”

You watch as Ransom walks out the bedroom door. You hear him walk down the flight of stairs then hear the front door close. You walk over to the floor to ceiling windows and push aside the curtain, watching him walk towards his Beamer. A black SUV follows close behind him. Your heart racing as you fear for the worse yet hope for the best as well. You mentally begin counting down the minutes until you see him again. You were finally going to have Ransom Drysdale, a long awaited prize you desperately wanted to claim.

-------

That evening, after Ransom had left, you and the ladies made the decision to unwind by heading downtown to visit one of the many clubs the city has to offer. Fran, Marta, and Nora suggest Elysium. You agree to the suggestion, plastering on a fake excited smile but your heart pounds, recalling the last time you had gone there with Ransom.

The memory flashes in your mind of the asshole that wouldn't take no for an answer. He had bought you a drink and while you had taken the drink out of kindness, your mouth never touched the glass, fearful for what could be in it. You had been kind but then he started touching you which made you feel uncomfortable then he had grasp your arm tightly and began dragging you off and that’s when your knight in shining armor had arrived.

Nico pulls the SUV up to the valet area of the club. You can hear the vibration of the music bouncing off the walls from inside the vehicle. The only thoughts in your head as you exit the car are of Ransom. Nico stands close, acting as a shield. “You okay?” Nico inquires with a soft voice. He knows what happened here and it makes him much more protective of you. He takes a moment to pull you to the side as Mikhail helps the other ladies out of the SUV, “Are you sure you want to be here?” He asks with concern in his eyes. He was trying to spare you of the unpleasant memories from weeks ago.

You slide your eyes over to Nico then back towards the tall overweight bouncer who lets the six of you walk right in, instead of waiting in line like the rest of the people standing by to get in. “I’m fine, I’ve got you to watch over me. Thanks for asking.” You offer him a reassuring smile. It was the truth, you did feel much safer knowing Nico was going to be by your side all night.

Nico raises a brow yet remains silent, he’s not totally convinced but he follows behind you just the same. You’ve become like a sister to him over the last month. He doesn't like seeing you sad or angry. He wants to make sure you are happy and safe, no matter where you are whether it’s with your girlfriends, or with the boss.

Nico clears his throat, “If you wanna leave,” he touches your arm making sure only you can hear him, “let me know. I will drive you straight back to Ransom’s.”

You greatly appreciate the fact Nico is trying to give you an out, “Thank you Nico. I will keep that in mind. For now let’s just enjoy the evening.”

Mikhail approaches the two of you, “Let’s get the ladies upstairs to the VIP area.”

“We aren't VIPs Mikhail,” you announce, eyebrows raised.

Mikhail shrugs, “You are now. You’re with the boss now, ma’am. I informed the boss earlier of your evening plans and he called ahead to set up a table for you and your friends. He wanted to make sure you had a nice night out.” Mikhail looks you over, “He made sure to emphasize to me, we keep an eye on you at all times, or else.”

You look between Mikhail and Nico, “Or else, what?” You had an inkling what the answer was going to be.

“I certainly don’t intend to find out, miss Y/N.” Mikhail chuckles which breaks the tension of the prospect of Ransom’s threats.

Nora slides up to your side, wrapping her arms around you, “Come on gorgeous. Let’s go to the dance floor. I need you as my wingwoman, for I intend to get lucky tonight.”

“We have a table in the VIP section,” you mention as she begins pulling you away from Mikhail and Nico.

Nora looks at the men, “The table will still be there when we are done dancing, right boys?” Mikhail and Nico nod curtly. “Good,” Nora laughs then she tugs on you, “come on! Have some fun!”

Julian sits in his office, watching the security cameras. His eyes moving from one screen to the next. His adrenaline spikes the moment he spots her. Ransom’s girl. Julian can’t help but moan aloud when he sees her walking into the club. He notices she’s with three other ladies and two of Ransom’s men. Julian smirks as he recalls Ransom informing him he was going to be out of town for a couple of days.

“Business down in New York City,” Ransom had remarked, “I’m sure you can handle things.”

Julian had grinned, “no worries Ransom. You have the family business to run. I most definitely can handle Elysium while you are away.”

Julian’s pants tighten, his eyes are memorizing her shape on the screen; every curve of her body is committed to memory. It’s been months since their encounter in the bookstore and here she is, without Ransom. It’s like the gods above are purposefully dangling her in front of him, like he's a starved lion and she is a delicious meal waiting to be eaten. And oh how he would eat her. His cock is throbbing in his pants. It’s screaming at him to be released. Julian knows full well he can't go parading around the club with a hard-on.

“Fuck,” Julian groans out as his fingers urgently get his pants undone. He pushes them down his hips, giving him enough room to take out his cock which he begins stroking as his eyes remain on her while his mind thinks of those plush lips sucking him off.

“Oh, fuck yes,” Julian gasps. He closes his eyes, remembering her name. “Y/N.” The nametag she wore that day accented her chest perfectly, his memory recalled with perfect clarity. He loved the way her name rolled off his tongue. He even repeated her name while telling her goodbye because he wanted to hear her name on his lips one more time. “Y/N,” he moans loudly as his orgasm rises.

He’s picturing her straddling him in the chair he’s sitting in. She’s lifting her dress up as she sinks slowly onto his cock then begins riding him slowly. Julian can only speculate how tight she is but it's enough to feed his fantasy. He imagines she would want to take her time and relish in the feeling of his cock but because he feels so good inside her she quickens as her own orgasm builds.

Julian’s orgasm crashes within him as he strokes himself rapidly. His labored breath fills the quiet room as ropes of hot liquid squirt out from the end of his cock. I have to have her. I need to have her. I want her!

Julian hurriedly cleans himself up and makes himself presentable the moment he sees the group head to the VIP section. This gave him the perfect opportunity to mingle and get his hands on her. He heads out of his office and into the VIP section of the club. He drinks in the vision of her as he draws closer to the table. She will be mine. Fuck Ransom Drysdale.

You giggle as you take a sip of the drink you ordered. You knew the bartender wasn’t going to spike your drink with any poison since it was implied by your new VIP status you were with Ransom Drysdale.

You freeze. Did you just imply you and Ransom were an actual couple? You were still getting used to the notion. You had told him you were going to take a chance on him. You wanted to take that chance, you wanted to be with him. You had even told him before he left you wanted to be with him intimately and he didn't tell you no. He had informed you he wanted you the same way but with dinner involved. You smile to yourself, Ransom Drysdale wanted to feed you properly then devour you for dessert.

You inwardly moan as you take a sip of the alcohol. Damn him for leaving you hot and bothered. Now you couldn't wait until he returned.

“Ladies,” a smooth deep voice announces, “good evening. Welcome to Elysium.”

All of you stop laughing and talking to look at the man who walked up to the table. You raise a brow as you recognize him from a few months ago at the bookstore. His brown hair is slightly longer and light brown fuzz covers the bottom half of his face. You slide your eyes at the other ladies, notice Marta and Fran give each other a quick look then back at the gentleman.

He looks directly at you and smiles, not only with his lips but his blue eyes. He even makes a move to sit down next to you. Nico immediately moves forward, his hand grips Julian’s shoulder tightly, “You need to leave.” The man looks at Nico and waves the bodyguard off, “You should know I mean no harm.” He then looks at you, “We’ve met before. I’m Julian Grey. I’d like to thank you for your book recommendation.”

You smile politely, “You’re welcome.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?” He motions to the other ladies, “Enjoying a nice girls night out?”

“You could say that,” Fran responds dryly. Marta is quick to elbow her friend. “What?” She hisses out as she looks at Marta who just shakes her head.

Julian leans back against the booth. He waits several seconds before shifting his body so his front is against your side. He rests on one hand on your leg, while the other hand moves some hair away from your neck. He leans in and inhales your perfume, “I’d like to return the favor for your excellent recommendation.”

His closeness is sending goosebumps across your skin, and not the good kind. You push his hand off your leg and pull away under the guise of grabbing your drink. “I’m with someone.” Promptly informing him before you take a sip of your drink to settle your nerves.

Julian gives a frown as he makes a show of looking around the room, “I don't see him here with you. He shouldn't have let you out when there’s plenty of men who will snatch you up in a heartbeat.”

You feel bile and alcohol mixing in your stomach as it threatens to come up your throat. You shoot a pleading look over to Nico who is quick to intervene again, “I think it’s time you go, Grey.”

Julian looks and smiles at Nico, “Leave us alone.” He turns his attention back to you when he runs a finger along your jaw, “Maybe we should take this elsewhere?”

You swat his hand away from your face and Nico’s gun is pulled from his holster. He doesn’t give a shit if Julian is Ransom’s business partner. He is making you uncomfortable and was warned plenty of times to back off. Nico discreetly puts the muzzle of his gun against the back of Julian’s head. “Hands off the lady,” he growls into Julian’s ear.

“Mister Grey?” A small feminine voice interrupts from the front of the table breaking the extremely tense situation.

Julian huffs angrily, “What is it?”

“I’m sorry, but you’re needed at the bar downstairs.” The woman responds not noticing what was just happening moments before.

Julian glances back towards Nico who pulls the gun away from his head. He stands and straightens his clothes before he disappears from the table. All eyes on him as he walks down the stairs towards the first floor of the club.

After several beats, Nora is at your side, rubbing your arms trying to comfort you, “Well that was interesting.” She breaks the silence trying to ease the left over tension.

“Julian Grey is an absolute sleazeball. I heard he treats women like his own personal property,” Fran adds. “Don't think about him. Just, ugh, no.” Fran shivers, feeling chills. She quickly takes a drink, trying to warm herself back up, then she looks at Nico, “I think we should make a toast to the real hero here: Nico. Cheers to our brave defender.” Fran raises her glass causing the other girls to happily join in the toast, “TO NICO!” They shout. Nico remains stoic but the intense shade of pink on his face betrays him.

Nora quickly side eyes you after the toast, “Can we circle back for a moment to your previous comment, you’re ‘with someone’? Are you and Ransom official?”

Marta and Fran lean forward quizzically, both wondering what Ransom is to you as well.

You sigh heavily as you rub your temples. “I, uh, I don't know. Okay?” Did you really want to announce something to your friends that wasn't exactly official? The words boyfriend and girlfriend haven't been thrown out in any conversation. Just that you were his and you were going to take a chance on him. You recall him declaring ‘I am yours’ the day prior thus informing you, Ransom is yours. All yours. But you were still trying to figure out your own feelings for him.

“Honey,” Nora begins as she sees the lost and frustrated look on your face, “I didn't mean to upset you. I was asking a question. You obviously feel something for him.”

You can’t help but let out a long heavy sigh. Your body slumps down into the chair dramatically, “I don’t know, you guys. There's something between us. What exactly it is, I have no idea. I am still trying to figure it out.” You pull yourself up and down the rest of your drink. Alcohol is acting as a truth serum now, your lips are getting looser, “Am I attracted to Ransom? Yes. Do I want to fuck him? Hell yes.”

The admission causes the girls to scream out and catcall you. “God be praised! She finally admits it!” Fran raises her hands to the sky. You are left laughing and shaking your head at your friend's reaction. “I’m sorry Y/N, but I’ve been rooting for the two of you to get together this whole time. Ever since you came into Ransom’s life, he has been in a better mood, been less of an asshole. It has made my life a whole lot easier.” Fran admits.

Something about her statement hit deep in your heart. While you knew what Ransom felt for you, you were unaware of the real life impact your relationship was having. To hear from an outside party your influence on Ransom and being in his life was changing him for the better, made something bloom in your soul.

Nora downed the rest of her drink, “I hate to admit it, but I agree with Fran. The way he acted when you were in the hospital and afterwards? That is not the guy I knew growing up. Who knew Ransom Drysdale could actually show genuine concern for another person aside from himself?”

You nod your head and shoot your friend a sly smile, “You make it sound as though you are beginning to accept him.”

Nora sighs and rolls her eyes, “Yeah, yeah, don’t read too much into it. He’s in your life and you told us both to get used to one another. So, here I am, trying to get used to him being in your life.”

“Thank you Nora,” you then look at the other ladies. Suddenly you feel tears in your eyes, “I’m sorry.” You quickly wipe them away with a wet chuckle. Your friends' words really touched you and made you feel more at ease in your decision to give Ransom a chance.

“No worries Y/N,” Marta responds as she gets up from her seat and gives you a hug, “we still love you.” Fran and Nora join in Marta’s hug. You let out a happy sound of awe because of the love your drunk friends are showing you.

The events of the evening have left you exhausted. All you were now wanting to do was go home and take a shower, crawl into bed, and call Ransom. After your confession, and your friends subsequent confessions, you were really missing Ransom. You needed to hear his voice.

Your eyes search for Nico and he immediately knows you want to leave. You stand and look at the girls, “I’m going to go home. You ladies staying here?”

A beautiful woman sits down next to Nora. Nora’s eyes light up as she wraps her arm around the woman who joined them then winks at you, “I’m good.” Nora’s gaze is fixed on her new friend.

You smile and laugh at her then look at Fran and Marta. “And you two? I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow?”

Marta and Fran nod their heads and smile at you. “Yes.” They say in unison.

As you leave, you stop in front of Mikhail, “Keep them safe please.” You know he will regardless but you feel the need to say it. Mikhail smiles and nods, “Absolutely.” His assurance makes you feel better knowing your friends are watched over and will be safely escorted home.

Nico comes to your side, “Let’s get you home, shall we?” He gestures towards the door. He follows closely behind you but at the same time he also keeps an eye out for Julian, making sure he doesn't try to follow you out of the club.

The ride back to Ransom’s house is quiet. You can't stand the silence anymore so you ask Nico a question. One you’ve been curious to ask but never had the opportunity to.

“Nico, has Ransom ever done anything like this before for anyone else?” You pause. “The security, the personal house.”

Nico tightens his hands on the steering wheel and clears his throat, “He has not. Ransom has never gone to the lengths he has to make sure you are safe, for another person.” Nico wasn't going to lie to you. “You’re the first person and the only woman he has ever wanted to protect. He wants to make sure you are safe and happy. As long as I’ve known him, you’re the only person he has shown this much personal attention to; you are someone he genuinely cares about.”

You hum in response. This evening has been emotionally overwhelming and the alcohol buzzing through your system was not helping with your mental well-being. You rest your head against the window. The coolness against your skin offers a small respite against your heated flesh. Nico glances up to the rearview mirror, sees you looking out the window. “Y/N, are you alright?”

“Yeah…” your response was low but Nico still heard you, “I’ll be okay once you get me home.”

Julian hurriedly makes his way back up the stairs and towards the table where Y/N was sitting at. He doesn't see her so he scans the rest of the VIP section, even makes his way towards the railing and looks down at the throng of people moving to the music. He can’t spot her. She’s nowhere to be found.

“Fuck,” Julian hisses under his breath as he runs a hand through his hair. Goddamn it! She’s to be mine!

Minutes pass by before his eyes watch the ladies gather up their things and begin to walk towards him. He hears a couple of words thrown out, enough to make out they are going to be having lunch together tomorrow at Bostonia Public House.

Julian’s blood begins to hum. He ran all the scenarios in his head of how he could make Y/N his. Unfortunately each time, it ended with her out of his reach. If he can't have her, he might as well do Linda’s bidding. He pulls out his phone and dials the number to the man he’s hired. “Listen carefully. I know where she’s going to be. It’s time to do what you were hired to do.

Nico listens to the shower start and pulls out his phone. He dials Ransom’s number as he makes his way downstairs.

“Nico. How did it go tonight? She okay?” Ransom asks. He tried to make her evening out with her friends as nice as possible while making sure she was safe.

“She’s fine, boss. We’re back home, but I need to tell you something.” Nico sighs, and looks up at the ceiling. He was not looking forward to this conversation.

“Out with it.” Ransom demands.

Nico rests against the kitchen island, “Julian took a shine to her at the club, he was hitting on her. He was touching her trying to feel her up.” Nico could hear Ransom growling but he continues, “I warned him, I told him to get his hands off her but he didn't listen. Y/N pushed him off, said she was with someone. Even after that, he put his hands on her trying to feel her up. I put my gun against the back of his head and warned him for the last time to get his hands off her, luckily for him though he got called away.”

Silence greets Nico’s ear. He has no idea what Ransom was thinking or planning. Nico had to let Ransom know what Julian had done. He had no idea if she was going to tell him about the encounter so Nico had to inform him of it. Nico knew the two men were friends and business partners, but he also knew Julian crossed the line in a big way tonight. “Boss?” Nico presses.

“Thank you Nico. I appreciate you telling me.” Ransom grounds out.

“Welcome.” Nico murmurs before he hears the noise of the call being disconnected. Fuck, Nico thinks as he hangs his head, hoping he didn’t make his boss a raving madman hellbent on revenge when he returned to Boston.

After showering and scrubbing your body clean three times, you pull on your oversized nightshirt and slip into bed. The sheets are cool against your skin as you reach over and find your phone. You notice a couple missed texts from Nora, Marta, and Fran. All of them telling you they were headed home and would see you at lunch tomorrow. You also notice the couple of missed calls from Ransom, the most recent one was five minutes ago.

You press his name and listen as the sound of the phone ringing begins.

“Hey you,” Ransom greets. His voice sounds like he's stressed but trying to hide it from you.

You hear the slight edge to his voice, “Ransom? Everything okay?”

“Now that I’m talking to you, yes. How was Elysium?”

“Fine, except some guy, named Julian? I think, was hitting on me. I told him I was with someone but he didn't listen. Nico had to step in, but then the guy got called away,” you sigh, “the whole experience left me kind of sour the rest of the night, but the girls cheered me up.”

“Are you okay?” His voice is soft yet filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m okay…” You lie back on the bed, your limbs sprawled out.

Sensing you wanted to change the subject, Ransom circles back to focus on your earlier statement. “So you’re with someone, huh?” He inquires with a tease to his voice. “Do I know the guy?”

You roll your eyes, and flip over to lay on your stomach, “Maybe. He’s very handsome, got some of the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen. He can be stubborn sometimes but he's sweet and he means well. Oh! And he looks really good in a suit.” You bite your lip trying to hide your smile.

On the other end of the line, Ransom is grinning like a fool. He feels like a high schooler head over heels for his first crush. He’s never ever felt this way before, it's an intoxicating feeling, “Sounds like a hell of a guy, what’s his name?” Ransom waits with bated breath for your answer.

“His name is Ransom Drysdale, do you know him?” You are enjoying this little game. It easily washes away the events from earlier.

“In fact, I do.” Ransom chuckles, “but you know something, I heard that he’s already got a woman. She’s gorgeous, absolutely unbelievable and wicked smart. I mean, she’s gotta be in order to put up with him. And rumor has it, he’s hopelessly in love with her. So in love with her, in fact, he would rather be home with her than dealing with business matters out of state.” Ransom scrubs his hand down his face. He’s really happy at this moment and he doesn't think he’s ever been this happy.

You are blinking away tears, his words have you misty eyed, “Is that right?” You smother a wet laugh.

“Oh yeah.” He reassures. While you may not be able to see him, you can almost hear his smile.

“I miss you.” You admit because you did, you really did miss him. What you wouldn’t give to be in his arms right at this very moment.

“And I miss you too,” Ransom sighs lightly on the other end, “I should be home the day after tomorrow and when I am, I am going to put that charcoal suit on for you, take you out to a romantic dinner and then bring you back home and devour you.”

Your body floods with heat. You swallow since your throat feels dry. You couldn't wait to finally have him and lay your eyes upon his naked flesh, feel his lips moving over your skin, and him finally claiming you. Fuck, you think as you muse on the upcoming sex dreams that were surely coming your way tonight.

“Y/N?” Ransom questions with a whisper.

Should you tease him in return? This could quickly turn into phone sex but it wouldn't be as satisfying as the real thing. You clear your throat, “I can’t wait.” Truth is you really couldn’t but alas fate was cruel and waiting is what you had to do.

“I should let you get to sleep.” Ransom looks at the time on his phone and sees that it's late, “Sleep well, beautiful. I will be home before you know it.”

You weren't sure how to end the call so you opted for the simplest route, “Goodnight, handsome.” You hang up first, slightly out of fear of saying something you weren't quite ready to say out loud. You go to sleep, with a smile on your face, hopeful and excited for your future with Ransom. While darkness still looms overhead, you let yourself revel in a little bit of happiness for once in your life.

-------

The following day, you and Nora meet with Fran and Marta for lunch in downtown Boston at Bostonia Public House. The four of you are sitting at a table on the second floor of the two-story restaurant. The air is filled with its vibrant bar atmosphere and sociable sophistication; it makes for the start of a happy afternoon. Nearby, Nico was perched at the high-top bar with Mikhail by his side. The two bodyguards were engaged in light conversation but every so often stopped to do a quick visual sweep of the area.

“Where does Ransom find these guys?” Marta asks, as she eyes Nico and Mikhail. “Are all of them this good looking?” Nico suddenly makes eye contact with her gaze which causes her to quickly look away and grab her drink effectively hiding her blushing face from him.

All four of you laugh. Nora snorts and pipes out, “someone seems to be needy. Make yourself more obvious why don't you.”

Marta flaps her hand at Nora and shushes her quickly, “Stop they’ll hear you! I don’t need that kind of attention.”

You cover your mouth with your hand trying to silence the giggles threatening to escape. You felt bad for Marta. You knew she didn’t have time for a private life in the last few years because she was always taking care of Harlan. These days however, were a different story. You take a sip of water before starting in, “You know, Marta, Nico’s a sweetheart. He reminds me of my stepbrothers - caring, protective, heart of gold. Mikhail’s a little more serious but still nice. If you let me know which one you fancy, I can put in a good word for you.” Your sly smile causes her to bury her face in her hands and muffle a frustrated shriek.

“Yeah, Marta, spill the tea. Who's got your panties in a twist?” Fran wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

You, Nora, and Fran all giggle while Marta blushes.

“Oh! You three hush!” Her voice is muffled as her head is still buried in her hands. You reach over and rub her back, feeling bad for teasing her so much. Marta lifts her head and sighs dramatically, “Nico. okay? Nico’s is the one I fancy. I mean, look at him-” She turns to stare at him dreamily, “He’s just so handsome.”

“She’s right.” Fran remarks. “Italian boys are notoriously good looking and it doesn't help they are all really good in the sack.”

“Fran!” You exclaim as your eyebrows shoot up to your hairline.

Fran shrugs her shoulder in lieu of an apology, “What? I am just saying Marta never stood a chance! He’s an Italian stallion. He was designed to make women weak in the knees!” Fran makes a show of giving Nico a seductive looking over.

“Marta, I would like to formally apologize for our dear Fran’s mouth.” You grab her hand, bringing her attention to you.

“Do not apologize Y/N.” Marta states as she looks at you. “I knew what I was getting into when I became friends with her. However, if we can circle back to your offer of putting a good word for me with Nico, I would appreciate it.” She gives you a hopeful smile.

You lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek, “Anything for you. I want you to be happy. In fact, when Ransom gets back I will talk to him about maybe seeing if he can give Nico some free time so you two can go on a date. He told me last night he should be home tomorrow, so I will ask him then.”

Marta squeals with delight. The waiter came to the table delivering your food. After making sure everything was all right with your meals, he left, leaving the four of you to dig into your food.

Nora broke the momentary silence, “You said you talked to him last night?” She asks as she takes a sip of her drink. “Look, I know I asked you last night but-” Three pairs of eyes stare at you intently before Nora asks her question, “are you two a couple or what?”

“We are,” you pause for effect, “we are a couple. I am with him, and he is with me. We are together. We talked about it last night and, yeah.”

“I knew it!” Fran exclaims. “Like I said last night, he’s a changed man because of you.” She snorts, “For once in his life he finally has someone to care for, to care about.” Fran then smiles at you, “I’m so glad it’s you. ”

“I am happy for you Y/N,” Marta declares before taking a bite of her food, “he has always needed someone to keep him grounded. Harlan always did his best but sometimes it didn’t stick as much as he would have liked. Ransom always had his mother in his ear poisoning the good wisdom Harlan tried to instill in him.” Marta’s expression turned sour at the thought of Linda.

Nora nodded and agreed with Marta’s accurate description, “I believe that. I’ve only had rare interactions with Linda through the many years I’ve lived here, but she’s always been a conniving bitch. You don’t need to be a psychologist to see she’s got her claws deep in Ransom. I think she's one of the main reasons he did a lot of the shit he did when he was younger.” She took a bite of her food and swallowed it before continuing, “Although, I think as Ransom got older, he saw what his mother was trying to do and pulled away which gave him a fighting chance to be his own man which, in turn, has led to this positive change in his behavior since he met you, Y/N. All that aside, you do know if that douchebag breaks your heart we will be right there to take down his ass.” She motions to Marta and Fran.

“Yep.” “Yes.” Fran and Marta agree at once.

“Thank you ladies. I love all three of you so much.” You announce before taking another sip of water.

After lunch is over, the four of you stand outside and hug one another goodbye. You and Nora watch Fran and Marta walk towards their car before you two turn around and are escorted towards the SUV you and Nora had ridden down to the restaurant by Nico in front of you and Mikhail behind you.

You take that moment to lean into Nora’s space, “Hey, so I have a favor to ask of you. When Ransom gets back, he said he plans on taking me to dinner. It’s going to be our first real date and he said he was going to take me somewhere special.”

Nora gives you that knowing look, “You don’t know what to wear, do you?”

You shake your head, “No, and knowing him it’ll be somewhere fancy, somewhere where we can be unbothered and alone.”

Nora hooks her arm through yours. “That actually works out in my favor because Amanda, the woman from last night, wants to go out and I need to find an outfit for my date too.”

You rest your head on Nora’s shoulder and smile, “That sounds great. We can tell Nico and Mikhail we want to go to the mall, or wherever.”

“Y/N--,” Nora begins before the sounds of gunshots ring out through the air.

~ ~ ~

Translations:

campo di battaglia - battlefield

violazione - breach

addio - goodbye

#ransom drysdale #mob!ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale au #knives out au #knives out #campo di battaglia #campo di battaglia chapter 7 #ransom drysdale fanfiction #series #multichapter #mob!ransom thrombey #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale x y/n

140 notes · View notes

nostalgic-pancakes · 3 years

Text

Room 73- Chapter 3/8

The ghost is spoken to, but we also see more character trauma. (at least Virgil and Logan are having an okay time)

Pairings: Implied Thomas/OC, implied sibling-y c!Terrence and c!Valerie, sibling-y Analogical, Creativitwins and Moceit, platonic DLAMPR (soon to have a T in it!), and Romantic husbands Remile! (Also married parents but they don’t have names yet)

Read on AO3!

Word count: 2217

Warnings: References to shifty parenting, unhealthy relationships with food, depression, and of course, the general angst that comes with being yanno... dead for about a century with implications of period-typical sexism and the fallout that death has on your loved ones. Stay safe!

Other notes: Hi! I know this is sooner than usual (and also a bit shorter than usual) but I really wanted to get this out early, because there's two other things I'm working on! A c!Thomas-centric number+1 with friends and side interactions, and a Cartoon Therapy oneshot collection (with only cartoon therapy characters! no sides!) that has found family, Dot and Larry VS the internet, and everyone punting mitchell in the face because he deserves it. You can vote for which one you'd like to see posted FIRST on here!

Now, sorry for that wall of text- here’s the chapter!

——————————————————————————–

Thomas didn’t have anything even remotely resembling a clue as to how he just did that. He hasn’t been able to so much as move for decades, now. Almost a century!

(The only reason he still knows the time is because classrooms date the boards. Everett is 96, Val 95, Terrence 87. )

But somehow, somehow these highschool kids around Thomas’s (? do ghost years count?) age managed to hear him hiss, and now he can talk to them.

In the words of that one kid here in the fifties who was usually half seas over, “ fucking shit!”

The one with the glasses (Logan? Or was it Nico? Naw, Logan.) is still tapping on the funny small glowing box. A phone, or something. (It looks too small to be a telephone, and it has no wires, but the future is pretty crazy!) and the other one, Janus is looking at the space that he inhabits like it’s on fire. Whatever else is happening today is happening, but the corner that Thomas lives in is definitely not on fire, that’s for sure.

Janus begins to step forward a bit, towards Thomas (!!!), and attempts to touch him. His hand goes through, like most things do (bar the occasional stray acid droplet, but they don’t burn anymore) and he pulls it back slowly.

Logan clears his throat, looking up from his ‘phone’ and at Thomas.

“Hello.” he says cautiously, not daring to hope. But Thomas can’t get the words out anymore, it’s like the single work took too much out of him to say it back. So he tries hissing in the morse code that Daddy taught him and (and he taught Val, because she’s amazing, woman or not) hoping, hoping they’d figure it out.

.... .. (hi)

Janus looks confused, but Logan lights up immediately, tapping frantically on his ‘phone’, until it shows something with morse code translations written on it.

“Could you possibly repeat that?” asks Logan, and he’s beaming, and that face is now one of the nicest faces he’s seen since he died. So Thomas tries again. It saps a little energy out of him, but not enough to really be an issue. Not like talking.

“Hello there, uh… do you have a name?”

- .... --- -- .- ... (Thomas)

“Thomas. That’s a nice name. Is it alright if we ask what year you ar- were from?” That question was unexpected, but one Thomas was willing to answer.

.---- ----. ..--- --... (1927)

“Nineteen twenty-seven”. Huh. Wasn’t this part of town a boy’s military school at some point back then?” asks Logan, and Thomas hisses again to signify the yes. He was a student there, under Pop’s behest, while Val stayed home to get ready for being married, even though she was all of eight years old and barely old enough to start her midwife training with basic first aid.

He wonders if she ever got to join the Red Cross like she’d dreamed to do. He hopes so.

Logan’s still asking questions, but Thomas is getting tired again, and the extra clarity letting him reminisce about his family is not helping at all. He makes a series of somewhat weaker clicks, trying to convey he’s tired, and Janus seems to pick up on it, patting Logan on the shoulder and motioning at the door for them to leave, citing a ‘Virgil and Patton’ (brothers?) as a reason to go soon, anyways. Logan huffs a bit, though clearly as a jest, and they say their goodbyes, probaby, based on their hand movements, but by now, Thomas has faded enough to lose a bit of track.

…

“Hey, Val.”

'___'

“Yeah, this is a gravestone. Didn’t expect you to reply. Well, I was always the talkative one before,a dn I can do it again.”

'___'

“So uh, Hey! It’s me again, Terrence, coming with the daisies as usual. I can’t believe that it’s me doing this, ya doof. It was supposed to be you, Val.”

'___'

“Yeah, I guess I should go back soon. Everett’s cold isn’t getting better, nor worse. I wonder what you’d do.”

'___'

“Yes, love you too. I hope you, Barry and Linda are doing alright up there. We’ll… probably see you soon anyways.”

'___'

“Hey- tell Thomas we said hello, and that we still miss him. All the time. Eighty years should be long enough, but it really isn’t, is it?”

(Tommy isn’t here.) …

“Okay, so you’re saying that the ghost, a literal ass ghost--”

“Language!” chirped Patton. It was starting to become routine. “Sorry Pat but okay, so a ghost talked to you over morse code??!!” Exclaimed Virgil, his tone getting more and more excited by the syllable.

“Yes, I literally just said that Virgil.” huffs Logan, pressing his knuckles to his temple. He loves his twin, but times like this really test his (already dwindling) patience with shenanigans.

“Okay, so what did he tell you??” asks Virgil, looking almost starry-eyes with the sheer level of excitement. It’s been a while since Virgil was this excited about something.

Logan clears his throat and taps Janus’s shoulder, taking him away from something he was talking about with Patton, which was involving hushed voices of some sort. Janus extracts the notebook from one of the many, many button-up pockets in his cloak (Patton is good at economical design, whie Janus handles the drama), after scrambling around for a few seconds trying to locate first the book, then the page, handing it to him very quickly before jumping right back into his conversation with Patton. Logan is mildly perturbed by this action, but tries to ‘roll with it’, as Roman would say if he took the bus.

“His name is Thomas, or at least we’re relatively sure that he’s a he, and he died in nineteen-twenty-seven. He was a student here back when the plot of land that is now Haley-Dove lower and upper secondary was a boy’s military school. He began to exhaust himself around here, so we dropped the questions.” Virgil nods, perusing the notes, scribbly as they are that Logan’s made as if they were a short story written by an author he really respects, like Leigh Bardugo, possibly. It makes Logan oddly happy to think about it that way. Virgil’s eyes keep widening over the course of his reading, to levels that are almost comical. Janus and Patton’s conversation has gotten a bit louder, but not enough to hear, still. At the moment, he can’t really bring himself to care. In the end, the bus stops before Virgil can finish reading, so Logan gives him the navy-covered notebook to keep for now and return for dinner, with the instruction to add in his own commentary and ideas on a different page.

Patton and Janus leave the bus last out of everyone, looking rather perturbed and avoiding each other’s gaze, though they’re still clutching each other’s hands tightly. Logan will likely ask what happened on Monday. For now, Amma is at the bus stop, waving at them. She’s the only Indian woman on the stop, so, decently easy to see. Amma picks up Logan’s bag, even though he’s insisted for years that he’s “adjusted accordingly for years, and does not require any assistance!”. Amma usually just retaliates that he shouldn’t need to get used to something with a rather strange expression, but he’s digressing now.

(She started saying it after middle school, and everything that happened there.)

“Hi!” she exclaims, while taking Logan’s bag. Virgil just has his laptop bag and notebook, with his headphones around his neck. They both smile the same.

“Hey, Amma. How’re you doing?” Practiced. Synced. It works every time, as Amma’s grin gets even wider, causing Virgil to start stimming with his ring and Logan to start flapping his own hands.

“Sooo- how’s your day? I see Logan’s notebook with you, V!”

“It’s for a…” Virgil looks at Logan, quietly betraying the fact that he has no clue what to say. Logan indicates to the lizard along the cobblestone path, and his twin’s expression changes into dawning comprehension, as he quickly finishes his sentence.

“It’s for a report on Lizards, Amma, that I’m doing with Remus. You know, Roman’s brother?” she nods, and then smirks.

“Oh, you mean the boy you have a cruuuuuusssshhhh on?” she teases, and Virgil goes red immediately, batting her hand away from his hair, where she was ruffling it.

Wait- how did Virgil have a crush on Roman? They had been friends for all of two weeks, and did not display any crush-like symptoms such as reddening of face, gushing about the crush for hours or purposely trying to get into more situations with the crush, or even doing simple things like taking an obnoxiously long time on singular texts. To his relief, Virgil shakes his head.

“No, it’s not a crush. He’s a good friend, but no.” he says, a bit more seriously, but not dismissively. To Logan, because Logan can hear those things, he says “Not yet.” Logan does not bring it up yet, because it feels like Virgil might need some process time for that, and besides, they share a room. Logan can grill him later, when Virgil is willing to be teased lightly. Or well, he hopes he’s light enough.

…

Mom and Dad are fighting again.

It’s not like the walls are soundproof, no matter what they seem to think. The argument is pretty typical. Small issue begins with civil conversation, becomes slight aggression as two very different people are unable to see eye to eye, and then someone in the middle of a bout of particularly aggressive mood makes an attack on personality, and then it’s all ‘fuck off’’s and crying.

Yeah. it’s a thing. But Remus and Roman know what to do- it’s the fight law. Headphones on, loud playlist on, door shut and internet in full use to avoid the fact that their parents are incapable of shutting the fuck up. This is fine.

Actually no, that’s what Roman says, but Remus knows it isn’t. Roman’s just too scared of conflict by now to bring it up. And who’s fault might that be, huh? (okay, so maybe Remus is a bit resentful.)

Whatever. It’s not like they’ll stop if he and Roman tell them. They’ve tried before.

The problem is that they’re good people. And parents. They definitely try to be the best parents possible. But Remus (unlike Roman) has never had the illusion that his parents are gods, only to have that slowly broken down over time to see his parents as people. They’ve always been people to him- people who try their hardest, but also fall flat in other areas, areas that also happen to be important.

But he should probably make his way to the kitchen to make some fruit salad. Roman probably isn’t going to eat anything else tonight, with how he seems to be doing. Otherwise, those stomach acids are going to gargle and gurgle till they consume his stomach whole! (it doesn’t feel fun to imagine that, so he stops)

(he’s so angry that those idiots thought it was a fucking joke. It’s something he and Virgil agree on, for sure.)

And if Remus tears the granola packet wrapper a little too harshly? Well, it’s not like anyone’s going to hear it at this rate.

…

Patton and Janus aren’t talking to each other, which is probably the one thing he never expected from them.

But they aren’t, and it’s becoming more concerning by the hour. They’re still hanging out together, currently working on one of their sewing projects- embroidering a hoodie in protection sigils as a paid commission for the witch’s girl, and they seem okay in each other’s presence, but they aren’t talking to each other. Just making overly meaningful eye contact, and looking away as quickly as they met eyes.

Patton in particular seems to be pretty upset, as a marked difference from his usual demeanor. He’s pricking his fingers left and right, something that never usually happens, choosing to hand stitch rather than go ahead with the sewing machine that he got for christmas, which was being used by Janus for the moment. In fact, Emile was about to get him some bandaids when he overheard them speak to each other for the first time since they got back.

“Pat, you can’t keep it in forever. You can't. It’ll kill you.”

Patton isn’t replying.

“It almost killed me, Pat please, please just… say something.” Patton does say something after that, but Emile can’t hear it, and he doesn’t feel like it’s something he’s meant to hear anyway. Janus lightens up after that, and Patton starts talking again, monosyllabically and softly, but Janus seems so relieved, that that must be a good thing.

Emile goes, heart heavy, and decides to speak with Remy about the best ways to show that they’re there for Janus and Patton. They’ve only been living with him for a few months, but they feel like their kids, and Emile (and definitely Remy- he’s the ultimate parent-friend) wants the best for them, and for them to be happy. They didn’t deserve the lot they got.

Hopefully, he and Remy can prove that yes, some things are

#sanders sides #sanders sides fanfiction #ts logan #ts remus #character thomas #ts emile #ct emile #tw foster care #tw food #tw eating disorders #tw grief #tw sexism #tw implied bullying #vee's writing #series: room 73 #do NOT repost i will come and stab you #or just send tumblr after you

1 note · View note

thedyingmoon · 5 years

Note

I dont know if im doing this correctly... god i hope so. Im a virgin at tumblr and at sending asks. First i need to tell you that I love your writing, "I see my future before me" is amazing and so enjoyable and "chat buddies" is so funny. I love vergil and V so much. Now i wanna ask something i know you say that you dont do smut and thats perfectly fine, but... what about a romantic/make out session with V inside a Phone thingy. Hugs and kisses(you dont have to do it if you feel unconfi with it)

Hello! I'm so sorry this took a long time to do. 🙈🙈🙈

Anyway, here you go. Enjoy!

A/N: Written while listening to Rachmaninoff ( the king of angst ) Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor.

***

🖤 Stay 🖤

***

youtube

Everything was ruined the moment you decided to confess to him.

Well, yeah, at first you thought he was intimidating and all, considering the fact that he kept to himself most of the time and actually gave no shits to others around him. And during those times when he did bother to join the team, he would always assert dominance over everyone, including you, and that would make things a bit harder, albeit more organized, since any of you no longer had to formulate proper strategies, since he already made some.

But, you had to admit that, during those times when you do get to go with him during missions, you learned his gestures, his distinct mannerisms, heck, even his habit of quoting poetry. And then, you realized that he was actually not the person you thought he was when you first saw him.

The cleverness of his every action, the tenacity to stay alive, the authority he exudes, the kindness he radiates, the sheer strength of his willpower,...

... his love for poetry, his deep voice, his emerald - colored eyes, his smile,...

... and yes, that smile,...

Ah, yes. It was safe to say that, after a month of being with the tattooed poet, you fell head over heels for him.

And that, alone, was a vast understatement.

And it came to the point where keeping your feelings all to yourself was no longer bearable that you just had to confess ( with a little urging from the others, especially Griffon, who kind of sensed your feelings from the very beginning ).

So, one day, that one fateful day, you mustered up all the courage you could, walked up to him and called his attention.

Then, you said it, the dreaded three words, matched and laced by other jumbled phrases and sentences that you could barely remember.

And, just like that, he told you, flat out, that the feelings aren't mutual, and that he could not, would not, reciprocate through any means.

Of course, you two came to a point where a sort of friendship was established between the two of you.

But,...

Everything was ruined the moment you decided to confess to him.

No.

More like fucked up.

And that was three whole months ago since that summer month.

Despite the embarrassing situation you two were in because of that failed attempt at an honest - to - goodness confession, you still went on missions together because no other Demon Hunter in your team could match his unique skills than you ( the others are just too brash and unrefined ). Of course, the first few weeks were very awkward. The two of you found it hard to look into each other's eyes and you barely talked to each other. The atmosphere around the two of you felt heavy and stiffling that you honestly regretted your decision to confess and ruin your decent friendship.

But, soon enough, after a few more days, you learned to move casually around him like before. You managed to maintain eye contact with him for a few minutes and regained your confidence to speak with him without feeling uncomfortable.

A few days after those torturous weeks, you learned to be yourself once more, despite the fact that you cried yourself to sleep for nights on end after his rejection.

Despite the fact that you tried to hide the bags under your eyes with heavy foundation,...

Despite the fact that you stopped listening to music entirely because every song, every lyric, every story, reminded you of him,...

Despite the fact that you were losing your appetite and that the others were beginning to notice your weight loss,...

Despite the fact the you hid all the hurt behind a smile while telling everyone that you're okay,...

Despite the fact that it hurt you even more to see him on a daily basis, reluctantly reminding yourself that you two were just not meant for each other and that you should move on.

...

And move on, you shall.

You were still in this one - sided painful loop of emotions that one cold and dreary day out in an unknown town with V for a mission when something truly unexpected happened.

You and V made your way to the only phone booth in town ( which was located in the middle of an almost empty road a few kilometers away from the next distinguishable establishment or building ) to call Nico and let her know that you successfully finished your mission.

As usual, V was the one who entered the booth to use the phone while you patiently waited outside.

Your back was turned against him all this time but, you suddenly felt an urge to look back at him like something, like an unknown force, pushed you to do it.

And there he was, actually staring at you as he talked to Nico on the phone. He had this strange look in his eyes and his eyebrows were furrowed as if he was deep in thought.

Your own eyebrows furrowed as well.

Was there something wrong?

However, you were not given the chance to muse about this any longer as rain started falling from the sky. You gasped and flinched with the sudden coldness, instinctively trying to cover your head with your hands as you made your way inside the booth. And as you entered, the cramped space did nothing but heighten the tension that V seemed to sense around you, and it actually made you very, very uncomfortable.

Well, there's no other way, right? He has to put up with the lack of space. After all, it would be for the last time -

"Who is Leon?"

At the sound of utter confusion and shock in his deep voice, you glanced up at the man who was only mere inches away from you.

"Oh, he's,..." you began, uncertain how he found out about Leon Kennedy. But, of course! Nico had to mention him to V. " ... my new partner. A high profile client from Europe has commissioned us to take on a top secret mission the day after tomorrow."

To those simple words you just uttered, V's eyes widened even more.

"So, you're,..." V began, his face getting darker by the second. "... you're coming back, right?"

Damn you for being such a big mouth, Nico!

You bit your lip, thinking it was no use to hide the secret from V any longer.

"V, I'm staying there. For good."

Silence. At first, you thought his stricken reaction would only be momentary, since he really didn't have any sort of connection to you to begin with, so there's actually no use in him even reacting, at all.

Until,...

"You're leaving and you never once told me while the others already know." He pressed on, his voice suspiciously getting darker and darker. Like he actually cared about you leaving him. "Why?"

You laughed nervously at his question, actually feeling kind of cornered that V was interrogating you this way like some kind of a criminal.

But, why even bother? You are nothing to him, and you knew that! You learned the hard way,...

"Aren't you happy that I'm finally getting a much better career opportunity?" You attempted to answer in a light - hearted, even jesting, tone, hoping, praying, for the gravity of your words to reach V. "I mean, me! The second rate Demon Hunter me finally getting a once in a lifetime chance to work at a better place! How cool is that?"

"You did not,... answer,... my question."

You slightly drew back at what you just witnessed. Somehow, V looked conflicted in some way. His eyes, which was giving you intense stares since that moment he talked to Nico on the phone, never left yours, and his posture looked more intimidating than ever before.

And he looked mad, and,... possibly hurt,... at the same time for some reason,...

You only sighed. "V, I see no reason to let you know. I mean, hey, at least you won't have to deal with my shit any longer."

"I never,... said,... you were shit."

Once again, you flinched at his words. "Don't make this any harder for the both of us. We both know this would happen any time, and you know this is inevitable."

To your utter shock and total fear, the man slammed a hand against the glass door of the booth mere inches away from the side of your face. Your shoulders tensed, your eyes closed, you were so confused as to what was going on between the two of you.

And so, so scared.

Why, V? Why?

"I' am making this harder for the both of us?!" You never heard V talk in such a way, and it honestly frightened you to the core. This is not the V you were used to. He was kind, and gentle, he was soft, and above all, understanding,...

But, all of those things were absent from him, and you honestly don't know anymore who you were talking with.

"Please, V, stop this - "

"Are you just escaping me, then?"

Your eyes snapped open, and when you finally looked at his eyes, you saw the hurt, the anguish, the torment in them.

There was no mistaking it.

He didn't want you to leave. At all.

"Maybe."

You flinched as another hand slammed on the door, this time on the opposite side. That's it, you were hopelessly trapped by the man.

By the man you still adored above all else.

"Why?!"

"I want to move on, V!" The words came out of your mouth ripped your heart apart, the gravity and truth in them hurting you and torturing you from the inside. "Every time I see you, my eyes sting. Every time I hear your voice, my chest hurts. Every time I see your face, my body goes weak. I thought I cried enough for you but, I was wrong! How stupid of me to think I was finally learning to move on but, no! As always, I'm wrong!"

"(Y/N),..."

"You listen: I want to go away from here, away from you, as far as possible! So I could learn to be myself again! So I could learn to enjoy the things I once loved! So I could learn to smile without getting hurt again!

"I love you so much, V. But, I know I mean nothing to you! I know you never cared! I know I'll never be good enough for you! I'm not worthy! And I don't want to impose my feelings for you any longer because then I know you would only drift away from me further until I could no longer reach you!

"So, please, let me go! Set the both of us free!"

"No."

"WHY?!"

The man's eyes finally started to glisten with the unshed tears that tortured him for weeks since that moment you confessed to him.

Of course he noticed how your eyes were always red and how they have huge bags under them. Of course he noticed how you stopped listening to music - the thing you adored so, so much. Of course he noticed how you were losing your vitality and not only your weight and appetite. Of course he knew that smile of yours was only a facade to hide your sadness.

Of course he knew you wanted to move on.

But, who could blame him for acting this way?

During the course of those three months since that infamous confession, a strange kind of emotion has awoken inside V. At first, he simply ignored this, since he assumed that what you were feeling for him was merely some kind of infatuation of some sort and nothing too deep.

However, as days passed, he began seeing more and more of you in a different light. For the first time in many days, he saw the gracefulness in your movements. He saw how you selflessly cared about others around you. He saw how you unconditionally showed kindness even to the lowest of beings that others might consider trash.

And, above all, he missed your little talks about yourself. He missed the sweet voice that greets his ears each morning whenever you sing to your favorite songs on the radio. He missed how you doted on him and him alone and how you ignored Dante's childish demands for attention, despite his twin brother being the clearly better man than him.

And he missed how you said you loved him and him alone.

And he damn wanted to hear you say those words to him once more.

But, you were leaving him. For good.

You would drift far away from him like a long lost childhood memory.

Then, you would learn to love another.

And this inevitability hurt him. Tore his heart apart.

And the pain was so fucking unbearable.

"Stay. Please." He pleaded, begged, you, his voice lowered and anguished.

To this, you simply shook your head.

"I have made my decision, and you have no choice but to understand and respect it."

"No!"

"Please, V! I beg you - "

And the sadness crept even closer to you as the man took hold of the back of your head and crashed his soft lips against yours, moving in a rushed and certain way that successfully conveyed the untold emotions he had for you.

You tried to push him away, to wake up from this wishful thinking that he's doing everything he can to not let you leave him. But, the gentle strokes of his hands against your back, those whispers of his that begged you to stay, those lips which were locked against yours in heated passion and deep longing that betrayed and conveyed his true feelings to you,...

... that warmth of his and those forbidden sensations it caused your body to have that slowly breached and destroyed the high defenses you put up for your poor and hurt little heart,...

Oh, God! Why?! Why are you falling all over again?!

"I love you,..." the man whispered as his lips softly brushed againts your now tear - stained cheeks. "I love you. I love you so,... so much."

"V,..."

The man cupped your cheeks and laid his forehead against yours, his eyes melting yours, finally making you cave in with his pleas.

"I know this is too selfish of me to ask, but,... I beg you,..." he whispered, his hot breath mixing against yours. "Please, do not,... leave me. Stay."

You closed your eyes, the action making you shed even more tears.

For how you could you refuse him now?

For all the things that happened between the of you for the last months,...

For all the things that unfolded between the two of you in that cramped and hot phone booth,...

Of course, you love him.

And you definitely couldn't leave him alone now.

Nico, who arrived a few moments ago with your luggage inside her van, witnessed everything. With a smug and proud smile on her lips for her two team mates, she dialled a number and waited.

"Hello?"

"Leon, it's me."

"Hey. What time will she arrive on the airport? I want to personally escort her, myself."

"I think that won't be necessary."

"Why is that?"

"Umm, I guess she found another,... a new,... leash on life. She's not going. I'm sorry."

"Oh. That's too bad. Then, I would let the President know. I guess I'll be going to Spain alone."

"Ah, yeah. Thanks, Leon."

"No problem."

"Don't let those zombies bite. And get the girl out."

"Will do."

***

🖤🖤🖤

***

#devil may cry 5 #vitale sparda #stay #v x reader #v x you #devil may oneshot #angst you very much #ask

62 notes · View notes

jacksonroseroth · 5 years

Text

Welcome To The Neighborhood Epilogue

A/N: You guys...it’s me. Did you really not see this coming? XD Anyway, here’s the epilogue and the FINAL FINALE of mine and @badwolf-in-the-impala‘s Welcome To The Neighborhood. Hope you enjoy it!

Warnings: Issues with pregnancy, angst, sibling angst

Words: 2,059

Moodboard made by @badwolf-in-the-impala, none of the pictures are ours.

Previous Chapter

A week or so passed and everyone quickly reverted to how things were before. Now that Nico was dead and Bastien, Kacey hoped, was dead somewhere too, her fears quickly faded and she threw herself into her life with Opie and the club. Harper, on the other hand, couldn't shake the events that weighed on her. Following an argument with Jax, Harper told him that she needed time and she couldn’t be with him anymore. While it hurt Jax to hear her say it, he agreed to give her a little space, not thinking they would actually end things.

After getting the news that she was pregnant, with Jax’s baby, Harper was reduced to nothing more than a bundle of frazzled nerves. She needed someone to turn to, but she wasn’t quite ready to tell Kacey about it all. Instead, she turned to Gemma, hoping she could offer some advice that would make her feel better.

Harper knocked on Gemma’s door and waited, chewing her lip and picking at her nails. The door finally swung open and Gemma smiled, pulling her into a hug. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you doing?” Gemma asked, leading her in before she shut the door.

“Um, I’m okay.” She said, rather unconvincingly. Gemma looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong?” Gemma asked, leading her to the couch where they sat down. Harper sighed and bit at her nail.

“S-Something happened and I can’t tell Kacey yet. I can’t tell anyone and I feel like I’m slowly losing my mind.” Harper blurted out, desperately wanting to get it all out but still worried. Gemma shifted and said, “Harper, honey, just tell me what’s going on. I can’t help if I don’t know.”

Taking a slow, steady breath, holding it in for a moment before letting it out and turning to her, Harper said, “I’m pregnant.”

It took her a moment to process it all, while she was overjoyed, Gemma could see that Harper was shaken by it. Gemma sighed and shook her head as she watched Harper pull her legs up. She stood and took a few steps before she turned to her and said, “Jax know?”

Harper shook her head and stayed silent for a moment before she looked at Gemma and said, “Gemma, you can’t tell him.”

“Course not, darlin’. That’s your job.” Gemma said, with a small smirk. When Harper didn't share her amusement, Gemma’s smirk faded as Harper said, “No.”

She stared at the floor for a moment before she looked up at her and said, “No one is going to tell him. He’s not going to know.”

Gemma blinked and shifted, putting a hand on her hip and said, “Harper. You’re not thinkin’ of...You know...Right?”

Harper sighed and stood, taking a few steps away from her as she said, “God, Gemma. No!”

She sighed and pushed her hands through her hair, pacing slowly before she finally looked at Gemma and said, slowly, “I’m not staying.”

She fiddled with her fingers and nails, waiting for Gemma to respond, but Gemma merely stared at her for what seemed like an hour before she finally chuckled and said, “Okay, Harper. That’s-That’s a good one, babe.”

Harper scrunched up her face, confused and annoyed and said, “No, really, Gemma. I’m not staying. I-I can’t stay here in Charming and be with Jax after this. He-He wouldn’t want me and I wouldn’t blame him...And besides, there’s no way this baby could survive. I mean...Hell, I’ll probably miscarry within the week from the trauma!”

Gemma marched over to her, wanting to slap her straight, but decided to simply say, rather firmly, “Don’t you say that. You put it out there and it happens. Don't curse this baby because you made a mistake.”

“Gemma--It was more than a mistake. I almost got my sister and your son killed!” Harper shouted.

“Almost! And I know it happened for a good reason! It was an accident and they both survived.” Gemma said. “That’s no reason to run away and, especially, abandon your sister!”

“Well, I-” Harper took a minute, suddenly unsure of herself and said, “I was going to ask her to leave with me.”

Gemma blinked, tilting her head as she shifted her feet. “You’d take Kacey with you? Away from Ope? Harper, have you seen them lately? They’re in love. You cannot ask her to leave him like that.”

The words hit Harper like a ton of bricks and she realized, Gemma was right. It was almost as selfish as keeping Jax in the dark about her pregnancy. But that was something Harper decided on to not hurt Jax, even more, when she left. It was about time Kacey was with a man who treated her right and protected her, in a way Harper knew she never could. She was in love and Harper would be damned if she would be the reason Kacey lost it. Taking a breath and dropping her hands, letting them slap against her jean-clad thighs, she said, “You’re right. I can’t.”

With that, Harper turned on her heel and went to the table to grab her purse, digging around for her keys. Gemma was frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do, then she quickly followed after her. Grabbing Harper’s upper arm, Gemma stopped her and said, “Hang on. Harper...You’re not still leaving, are you? You cannot hurt my Jax like this. You need to stay and work on things and take care of that baby.”

Calmly, Harper pulled her arm from Gemma’s grasp and said, “Gemma, I love you and respect you so deeply. I understand that family is important to you. But I honestly don’t see this ending well.”

As Harper turned to the door and opened it, Gemma said, “If you leave, I will tell Jax.” Those words made Harper stop in her tracks. While she had decided to change her mind about Kacey, keeping this pregnancy a secret from Jax was something she wouldn’t. Harper looked back at her and said, “If I stay you’ll keep it a secret? Until I decide I want to tell him?”

Gemma nodded and said, “You’ve got my word, darlin’...But only if you stay.”

Harper gave a soft sigh and glanced away, weighing her options. Taking one last glance at Gemma, Harper walked out, hightailing it to her truck. Gemma sighed, listening to the beat up old Ford rumble to life and take off.

A week had passed and Harper stuck around but avoided Jax at all costs. She stopped showing up at TM and the Clubhouse and was absent from any and all events at Gemma’s. When Gemma didn't see the truck in the driveway that weekend, she had half a mind to tell Jax, as Harper seemingly didn't keep up her end of the bargain. But Clay told her that Harper had brought the truck in for a routine check-up and oil change, it ending up that she needed new parts. The truck was back in the driveway Monday night and Gemma saw Harper leave for her shift at the diner the next day. She was satisfied that Harper had taken the time to think things over and decided to stay; That is until Kacey came running down to Gemma’s that night, screaming that Harper was bleeding out on the bathroom floor. They rushed her to the hospital and stayed with her until she was discharged and Kacey brought her home.

Gemma was heartbroken when Kacey relayed the news that Harper told her, only to Gemma, that Harper had a miscarriage. Kacey herself was shocked that her sister was even pregnant. She was hurt that Harper told Gemma and not her, but she understood her sister’s thinking. Dealing with everything that happened, Harper kept herself locked in her room until Kacey took the hint and spent a few nights at Opie’s, swinging by Gemma’s on the last day before she went home.

“Hey, darlin’!” Gemma said with a big smile, opening her arms wide as Kacey walked in with her bags, setting them down before she embraced Gemma. “Oh...So…”

Gemma sighed as she grabbed one of Kacey’s bags, helping her inside before she closed the door and turned to her. She smiled and said, “How’s your sister? Have you talked to her at all?”

Kacey’s smile faded into a sad frown as she shook her head. “No. She’s not answering any of my calls or texts.” She said, slipping her purse off her shoulder, sitting down at the table as Gemma went into the kitchen to pour them both a cup of coffee. When she came back, handing a cup to Kacey, she asked, “Is Jax still gone?”

“Yeah. But he’s kept in touch. Said he’s headin’ back down from Tacoma today.” Gemma said, taking a sip out of her mug once she sat down.

“Did he sound any better?” Kacey asked. While Jax and the rest of the club were kept in the dark about Harper’s pregnancy, Jax was still broken up about Harper ending things with him. With Clay’s blessing and Bobby taking over his VP duties until he came back, Jax rode up to Tacoma and stayed there for a few days to clear his head.

“A little. He’s still upset, but I think he’s doin’ better. The trip seemed to help.” Gemma said. Kacey sighed and gave a small smile, picking up her cup and bringing it to her lips and taking a sip. Outside, they heard the rumble of a motorcycle and the two women looked at each other, confused. Answering Kacey’s unspoken question, Gemma stood and said, as she went to the front door, “That can't possibly be him…”

Kacey took a big gulp of her coffee before following Gemma out the front door to look down the street, only to find Harper’s bike riding off, a backpack strapped to her and two bundles on either side of her Harley. Kacey’s eyes went wide and she screamed for her sister, running down the street in an attempt to chase her. Gemma whispered a soft ‘Oh, shit’ before quickly walking down the sidewalk, watching Harper get smaller and smaller until she disappeared around the corner. Kacey made it to their driveway before the realization hit her that Harper probably wasn’t coming back and she collapsed on their front lawn. Tears streaming down her face by the time Gemma caught up to her, Kacey covered her face and sobbed. Gemma pulled Kacey to her feet and held her close, her own eyes filling with tears.

“Shh...Shh...It’s okay, baby. It’s okay.” Gemma said softly, consoling Kacey as she rubbed her back. Faint flapping caught Gemma’s attention and she looked over to Harper’s truck. A paper trapped under the windshield wiper flapped in the breeze. Gemma let go of Kacey and made a beeline for the truck, snatching it from under the blade and reading it over. Her heart nearly stopped and before she could stop her, Kacey ripped it from her hands, reading it with a tear-blurred vision that only got worse with every word.

Kacey. Gemma.

I know I promised Gemma I’d stay in Charming, but I just can’t anymore. Please tell Jax this isn’t his fault, but mine. I love him too much to stay this close to him and still be hurt. Kacey, I’m leaving my truck for you. I know you hate it and will probably set it on fire like you promised, and that’s fine. I left some money for the house on the counter. I don’t know if I’ll come back, but I don’t want you to lose the house because I left. Gemma. Please do not tell Jax about the miscarriage. It’ll only hurt him more to know that I kept it from him and lost the baby. I promise I’ll stay out of trouble, if I can. Please take care of Kacey or at least make sure Opie will.

I’m sorry.

As Kacey screamed, crumpling up the paper in her hands, Gemma caught her as she began to fall, sobbing into Gemma’s chest. Kneeling to the ground with her, Gemma gasped for breath while fighting her own tears. She knew Harper was hurt and needed time, but she never thought that she’d actually leave.

Hope you guys liked it! Feel free to drop a comment! If you want to be tagged in future fics/chapters, let me know! I’ll add you to the list!

@tephi101 @shieldmaiden25 @staystrongsoa @badwolf-in-the-impala @captstefanbrandt @imgoldielikehawn @grungyblonde @courtrae89 @romanchronicles @crazyanonymous4u

14 notes · View notes

buoyantsaturn · 5 years

Text

I’m in Hell (5/?)

summary: Will meets Nico’s dad. Nico meets Will’s mom. Angst follows.

word count: 12,426 (73,086 total)

read on ao3 | read part four | read part three | read part two | read part one

Nico called Annabeth as he started packing up a suitcase for him and Will. The three of them would be leaving for California with Hazel and Frank the next morning to introduce Frank and Will to Nico’s father, and Nico had no idea how to orchestrate a meet the parents. Meeting Will’s dad hadn’t exactly gone well, and Nico knew that his own father wasn’t going to be a peach, but he could only hope that there wouldn’t be any punches thrown - it would likely be a close call.

Seeing as Annabeth had had to introduce her mother and Percy, Nico figured she would give the best advice on how to handle a potentially dangerous situation.

“You’re taking Will home to meet your dad?” Annabeth asked, obviously surprised. “I didn’t realize things had gotten so serious already.”

“Yeah, well, I had a pretty shitty run-in with his dad, so I figured I’d repay the favor,” Nico said with a roll of his eyes as he opened up the closet. “Anyway, do you have any advice? I know your mom hates Percy, so I’m sure that first meeting wasn’t great.”

“There was quite a bit of name-calling,” Annabeth admitted, “but I wasn’t about to let her take any kind of control over my life, you know? She wasn’t around when I was growing up, so she doesn’t get a say in what I do as an adult, and I told her that. I made it clear that I was just showing her a basic courtesy in introducing her to my boyfriend before we got married, and I told her that if she continued to treat Percy like shit, then she wouldn’t be invited to the wedding.”

Nico stared into the closet as he thought. Should he pack nice clothes in case he was expected to go to Mass? “So, is that what I should say to my dad?”

“You’re an adult, Nico. I can’t tell you what you should say any more than your dad can,” Annabeth said. “I know how terribly your dad treated you when you were a teenager, but you don’t have to sit back and take it anymore. You need to make it clear that you and Will are together, and don’t even give him the chance to give you shit about it.”

Nico turned away from the closet, deciding against packing any dress clothes. “Oh, and I guess I should let you know that Will and I are engaged.”

“Yeah, I figured. Congrats, by the way.”

“What do you mean, you figured? I was expecting you to be surprised!”

“You and Hazel swore you would never go back there unless you were both engaged. If I remember correctly, you even said something about needing protection from your dad.”

“I forgot that other people knew about that.”

“Hey, since you’re going to California, you should try to meet up with Reyna. I bet she’d love to see you, and maybe introducing Will to her will be good practice, and you’ll be less nervous to introduce him to your dad.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m more anxious about Reyna and Will meeting than anything else. My dad’s just gonna take one look at Will and say he disapproves, or something, but Reyna? She’ll grill him within an inch of his life!”

“She’ll just want to make sure Will’s treating you right,” Annabeth teased.

Nico rolled his eyes. “It’s not like LA and San Francisco are anywhere near each other, anyway. I think it’d be pretty hard for us to meet up.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try.”

Nico sighed. “Fine. I’ll text her. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I gotta finish packing before Will gets home, but I’ll let you know how everything goes.”

“Looking forward to it. Bye, Nico. Love you.”

“Uh huh.”

Nico ended the call and went to Bianca’s room to make sure she was packing.

Frank and Hazel met them at the Solace household early the next morning so that they could carpool to the airport. They had a very early flight, which mean that they had to be to the airport before the sun had even risen, and both Bianca and Will were still practically asleep as they loaded into the backseat of Hazel’s car. Nico had barely slept the night before, too anxious about the plane ride and seeing his father, and had already been awake when Will’s alarm went off.

Nico crammed into the backseat with Will and Bianca, their suitcases piled into the trunk, and they drove off to the airport. It was Will and Bianca’s first time on a plane, so Bianca had gotten the window seat with Will in the middle so that Nico could be as far from the window as possible.

Will set his hand over Nico’s where he was gripping the armrest so tight that his knuckles had turned white. “Are you going to be alright, Darling?”

Nico pressed his head back against the seat. “I hate planes.”

“We didn’t have to do this,” Will told him.

The plane rocked gently as they hit a small patch of turbulence, and Nico squeezed his eyes shut. “I owe it to my teenage self.”

Will stroked his thumb across the back of Nico’s hand. “How so?”

Nico groaned, gritting his teeth. “I don’t know!” “Okay, sorry,” Will said with a chuckle, pressing a kiss to the side of Nico’s head. “Why don’t you try to sleep? It might make the flight easier on you.”

“I don’t think I could.”

“Just try.” Will patted his shoulder with his free hand. “I’ve got the perfect pillow for you right here.”

“Your bony shoulder?”

“It’s not that bony!” Will argued. “Just...sleep. We’ll be on the ground in no time.”

With a huff, Nico leaned against Will’s side and moved his death-grip from the arm rest to Will’s bicep. Will pressed a kiss to the top of Nico’s head, and after a few moments Nico’s hold on him relaxed as he started to fall asleep.

He managed to sleep until the plane started its descent, and held Will’s hand so tightly he started losing feeling in his fingers until the wheels stopped rolling on the runway and Nico finally let go.

From landing to exiting the plane to collecting their suitcases from baggage claim, nearly an hour had passed. Nico had been about to call his dad or maybe a cab, whichever he got an answer from first, but then Hazel pointed something out across the entryway.

“Does that sign say di Angelo?” she asked, pointing to a man in a suit who was holding up a sign.

“Your dad sent a car for us?” Will asked.

Nico scoffed. “He couldn’t even pick us up himself.” He grabbed the handle of his suitcase with one hand and Bianca’s hand with the other, and started leading the group toward the driver.

Thankfully, he’d sent the small limo - both because the bigger one was always embarrassing, and because there had always been the chance they wouldn’t all fit in a smaller car. “I always forget that you come from money,” Frank said as the driver opened the door for them.

“Is this the normal treatment?” Will asked.

“Just be happy he sent the smaller limo,” Hazel said as she climbed into the car, and Nico smiled. As much as he was dreading seeing his father, he was glad he had Hazel there with him. “I’m sure you can imagine how embarrassing it was for me to get picked up from summer camp in a stretch limo.”

“That must’ve been tough on you, honey,” Frank teased as he followed her inside.

As Will and Bianca took their seats, Nico brought their suitcases to the trunk for the driver to put away before he climbed inside the limo, shutting the door behind himself.

The car started to pull away from the curb, and Will asked, “So, is there any last-minute information on your dad you forgot to share that we should know?”

Nico slumped against Will’s side. “If you see him drinking, don’t go near him. Actually, if he starts drinking then we’re leaving. We’ll get a hotel, or something.”

Will wrapped an arm around Nico and pressed a comforting kiss to the side of his head. “Anything else?”

“How should we address him?” Frank asked. “Mr. di Angelo? Or...his first name? What is his first name?”

“Don’t even bother addressing him,” Nico said at the same time that Hazel replied, “I think sir would probably be best.”

“What about your stepmom?” Frank asked.

“Oh, she’s great!” Hazel said with a smile. “She’ll be there now, but Dad probably has to work today, so hopefully he won’t be home until later.”

It was lunchtime when they arrived at Nico’s giant childhood home. As the driver removed their suitcases from the trunk, Nico pulled Will aside and hugged him.

“Thank you for doing this,” he said softly. “Thank you for coming here with me. But… Before we go in there, before anything happens, I want to tell you that I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, or how I’m gonna act, but if I say anything, or do anything-- If I snap at you--” Nico groaned and buried his face in Will’s chest. “Don’t hate me for it. Whatever happens, please don’t hate me afterwards.”

Will kissed the top of his head. “I could never hate you, Darling.”

Nico took a deep breath and said, “Okay. Let’s go.”

They grabbed their suitcases, and with Frank, Hazel, and Bianca, they made their way into the house. Nico didn’t bother knocking before he stepped inside and called out, “Hello? Seph?”

He expected to hear the clicking of high-heeled shoes coming toward them, but instead heard soft-soled shoes until his father was standing in front of them.

Will watched as Nico wiped all emotion from his face as he met eyes with his father.

“No hello for your own father?” he asked.

“Hi, Dad,” Hazel replied, as Nico said, “Hello, Hades.”

Hades’s eyes narrowed at his son. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to these others?”

Hazel stepped forward, pulling Frank with her by the hand, and said, “Dad, this is Frank, my fiance.”

Frank held out his free hand. “Hello, sir, it’s nice to meet you,” he said as he shook Hades’s hand.

Hades turned to Nico expectantly.

Nico gestured to Will and said, “This is Will.” Then he set a hand on Bianca’s shoulder and brought her out from behind her father. “And this is his daughter, Bianca.”

Hades’s eyes widened, obviously startled as he stared down at the little girl, but quickly school his features. He cleared his throat before he spoke. “Persephone is setting the table for lunch. Please show Will to the guest room--”

“We’re engaged.”

Hades appeared to deflate, and the look on his face could only be described as disappointment. “I’ll see you for lunch.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Will reached forward and squeezed Nico’s hand. “That could’ve been worse, right?”

“I doubt it,” Nico replied, and tugged at Will’s hand. “C’mon, let’s take our stuff upstairs.”

The five of them went up the stairs, dragging their suitcases along behind them, and parted ways to separate bedrooms. Nico and Will left their suitcase in Nico’s childhood bedroom before dropping Bianca’s off in the nearest guest room.

Hazel and Frank were already at the table with Hades and Persephone once they’d made it back downstairs and into the dining room. Persephone stood from her seat with a smile when she saw them enter.

“You must be Will!” she said, and shook his hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you.” She looked down to find Bianca, and crouched down to shake her hand as well. “And Bianca, it’s so nice to meet you, too!” When she straightened again, she said, “Please, take your seats! It’s been so long since I’ve heard from you, I can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to!”

As Nico, Will, and Bianca sat down at the table, Hazel said, “We wanted to come down to let you both know that Frank and I are engaged.”

“And so are we,” Will tagged on.

Persephone gasped, glancing between the two couples. “That’s fantastic! How did it happen? Who asked who? Oh, I just love proposal stories! And Hazel, you must have a ring, right? Let me see!”

“Oh, no ring,” Hazel said. “And it’s not much of a story, either.”

“I just graduated from West Point,” Frank told her. “I moved into Hazel’s apartment after school ended, and we started talking about marriage and agreed that we’re on the same page. So, we’re engaged, just without the ring or the proposal.”

“Very modern of you,” Persephone said, and turned to Nico and Will across the table. “And what about you? Nico, I didn’t even know you were seeing anybody! You should’ve told us when we called on your birthday.”

Nico tried his best not to sink down in his chair as he muttered, “We weren’t together yet.”

Will cleared his throat. “We had had a few conversations about getting married someday, and we were on the same page, or at least I’d thought we were, but then I got down on my knees at breakfast one morning and asked, and Nico said no--”

Nico felt himself starting to smile. “I didn’t say no, I--”

Hades cleared his throat from where he sat at the end of the table, and stood up. “Excuse me.” He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, and Nico felt the smile drop from his face.

Will grabbed Nico’s hand, and tried to carry on. “I asked, and he said no, but I think that’s just because he wanted to be the one to ask.”

Nico tried to listen, tried to contribute to the conversation for the rest of the meal, but his anger was keeping him from focusing on anything for too long. By the time they’d all finished eating, Hades still hadn’t returned to the table, and Nico was certain that it was because of him - because of Will.

Nico offered to take their empty dishes into the kitchen, and dropped them in the sink before he started toward his father’s office. He could see Hades sitting at his desk through the glass doors.

Nico knocked, not waiting for a response before he walked inside. He stood in the doorway for a moment in silence, though Hades never acknowledged him. “You missed lunch. And hearing about my engagement.”

“Seems I have,” Hades replied, not looking up from the papers on his desk.

Nico crossed his arms. “Do you even have an excuse?”

“I had to take a phone call.”

“Your phone wasn’t ringing.”

“It was on silent.”

“Just admit that you hate the idea of your son marrying another man!” Nico shouted, and tensed at the volume of his own voice. He gripped his t-shirt in his fist to avoid digging his nails into his own arm, and ducked his head when Hades finally turned to look at him.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Hades said, fighting to keep the volume of his voice under control, “I’m just a little surprised!”

“What’s so surprising? You never thought your emotionally stunted son would ever find someone?”

“I’m surprised because you nearly stopped speaking to me after your sister died. Your birthday was the first time you’d spoken to me since you moved as far away as you possibly could without leaving the country, and for an hour-long phone call, you still barely said a word! Now you just show up at my doorstep with a fiance and a daughter who looks exactly like your dead sister, and you never even told me you were gay!”

Nico’s jaw dropped. “My whole life, I only ever talked about Percy Jackson! How did you not realize I was gay?”

Hades pinched the bridge of his nose and heaved a sigh. “I just want to be included in your life, Nico. I’m your father, and I love you, and I miss you, and I want to see you more than once every three years.”

“Then why don’t you act like it?” Nico spat. “You refused to even acknowledge me for months after Bianca died! Oh, except for when you were drunk, and then you were taking swings at me! You don’t hit the people you love!”

“Which is why I got sober!” Hades shouted, and Nico startled back a few steps, flinching like he was afraid of being hit even from across the room. Hades had lowered his voice when he continued by saying, “I haven’t had a drink in over a year. I called you on your birthday to make amends, but I couldn’t get the words out, so I kept stalling until you hung up on me--”

“I didn’t. There was a snowstorm.”

“--but I wanted to apologize.”

“Then do it. Right now. Apologize.”

Hades opened his mouth and shut it again without saying a word. He took a breath a tried again, but still no sound came out.

“That’s what I thought.”

Nico turned and left Hades’s office, leaving the door open behind him. He wandered the main floor until he found the others relaxing in the living room. Persephone was in an armchair and Frank and Hazel were sharing the loveseat. Bianca appeared to be playing a game on Will’s phone as she sat on one end of the couch, and Will sat on the other end with one arm draped over the back of the couch, almost like an invitation.

Nico sat down beside him, feeling as though he was shaking like a leaf, and hadn’t even noticed that he was scratching at his own arm until Will pulled his hand away. He pressed a kiss to Nico’s knuckles before intertwining their fingers. “Are you alright, Darling?” he whispered, and Nico shook his head. He curled up against Will’s side and tried to listen to the conversation around him.

Nico had successfully managed to avoid seeing his father for the rest of the day - aside from one very tense family dinner - and was getting ready for bed when Hazel dragged him back downstairs and into the living room. Hades was pacing in front of the couch, and looked up when the two entered the room. Nico tried to turn around and leave, but Hazel kept a strong grip on his wrist and forced him to sit next to her on the couch.

“Thank you, Hazel, for bringing him,” Hades said, and Nico rolled his eyes and he slumped back against the couch with crossed arms.

“I would’ve fought harder if I’d known what this was about.”

Hazel squeezed his hand in warning, so Nico shut his mouth.

Hades sat down awkwardly on the coffee table in front of them, and folded his hands on his lap. He took a breath and said, “When the two of you left, it broke my heart. I realized how poorly I’d treated the both of you over the years, and knew that I needed to change in order to get back on your good side - if I ever was in the first place. It was a long and difficult road, but I’ve officially been sober for a little over a year now. It’s important to my sobriety that I make amends to the people I’ve hurt in the past, and for the good of our family, I would like to apologize to you both. I acted out after Bianca’s death, and I treated you both so terribly. Nico, I am so sorry that I blamed you for her death, and for every time I hit you--”

“You hit him?” Hazel hissed, but this time Nico squeezed her hand to hold her back. Now that Hades was finally talking, Nico wanted to hear what he had to say.

Hades continued, “And I want to apologize for my behavior today. You fiances didn’t deserve that treatment, and your daughter deserves to have a grandfather… If you’ll have me.”

“That’s not up to me. It’s up to Will.”

“Of course,” Hades said with a nod, and turned to Hazel. “And Frank deserves an apology as well, but you are my children, and I should have said these things to you years ago. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, but I do ask that you accept my amends.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Hazel said, and stood up. She waited until Hades stood as well, and wrapped her arms around him.

Nico stood as well, though he wasn’t about to hug Hades, and tried to sneak off as Hazel left, but Hades stopped him with a, “Nico, wait, please.” He stepped around the coffee table and went to one of the bookshelves built into the wall. He returned with what looked like a photo album, and claimed Hazel’s seat on the couch. Hades stared up at Nico expectantly until he sat back down.

Hades flipped open the cover of the photo album, and the first picture inside was of Bianca and Maria. “This book has every picture of your mother that I have, and just about every picture of Bianca. I thought you would like to have it.” He held out the album until Nico took it from him, and slowly started to flip through the pages.

“Really?” Nico asked, and Hades nodded. “Thanks...Dad.”

Hades set a hand on Nico’s shoulder and smiled. “Goodnight, son.”

He stood and left the room, leaving Nico alone with the photo album. He got lost in his memories as he flipped through the pages, completely forgetting about his plan to sleep until he heard footsteps entering the room.

“You alright, babe?” Will asked as he made his way over to the couch. He leaned against the back, peering over Nico’s shoulder at the book in his lap. “What’s that?”

“A photo album,” Nico answered. “My dad just gave it to me. Come here.” He patted the space next to him, inviting Will to sit, and leaned into his side once he had. Nico set the album between them as he continued to slowly flip through the pages, pointing out pictures and describing the memory behind them.

“This is my mother,” Nico said, pointing to a picture of Maria. She must’ve gotten dressed up for something, because in the photo she was wearing a black cocktail dress with a full face of makeup.

“She’s beautiful,” Will commented. “You look just like her.”

Nico blushed. Had Will just called him beautiful? He flipped the page again, and heard Will gasp beside him. He picked up the album and brought it closer to his face as if it would give him a better look on a perfectly clear picture.

“That looks like…”

“Bianca,” Nico finished for him.

“Yeah, but--”

“That’s my sister,” Nico said, “Bianca.”

Will stared at him with wide eyes, his mouth dropping open like he wanted to speak, but no words were coming out. When Nico started to laugh, Will finally said, “They look exactly the same.”

“Not exactly,” Nico replied. “Bi has more freckles, and her hair is a little bit lighter.”

“How come you never told me? I mean, you had to notice, right?”

“Yeah, of course. The first second I saw her, I noticed, and it freaked me out. Same with my dad.”

“Nico,” Will said, dropping his gaze back to the photo, “how can two unrelated people look so similar?”

“I don’t know, but I think you’re worrying about this a little too much,” Nico said with a smile. “I think you need to get some sleep, because I know I do.”

Will sighed. “You’re right, let’s go to bed.” He stood up and set the album on the coffee table before he took Nico’s hand and pulled him up off the couch.

When Will finally managed to drag Nico out of bed and downstairs for breakfast, Nico saw Hades pulling Frank into the next room, and he realized that Will would probably be next in line for an amends. Nico led Will straight past the dining room and into the kitchen in the hope that he could hide Will for a little while longer in order to prepare him for what was about to come.

When they got to the kitchen, they found Hazel at the stove and Bianca sitting on the island.

“What’s going on?” Nico asked as Will said good morning to his daughter.

“Hazel’s making eggs for me,” Bianca answered.

“We’re not really sure what Seph made for breakfast,” Hazel elaborated, “so I didn’t want to risk letting Bianca eat it.”

“Thank you,” Will replied.

Nico stepped up to the stove and spoke quietly in the hope that only Hazel would hear him when he said, “So, Dad’s talking to Frank.”

Hazel bit her lip before saying, “I know. I think it’ll be fine, but I’m a little nervous.”

“Will’s probably next, right?”

“I would think so.”

“Next for what?” Will asked, and Nico winced. “Should I be concerned?”

“Probably not,” Hazel replied.

Nico cleared his throat. “Um. Dad got sober, and he’s going around making amends. He’s probably coming to you next.”

“Oh. Oh! Well, that’s great, right? And that means he talked to both of you already, so you’ve accepted his amends and you can move past it now.” Nico and Hazel shared a look. “You did accept his amends, right? It’s important to his sobriety that you do that. It’s really difficult for someone to put themselves out there during an amends, and you don’t have to forgive them but you have to accept the amends.”

Nico dropped his gaze and crossed his arms. “Yeah, uh. I guess I probably should do that.”

Bianca pulled on Will’s sleeve to get his attention. “Daddy, what’s an amends?”

“It’s sort of like a fancy apology,” Will answered.

“What makes it fancy?”

Will took a breath. “You have to...take special classes to learn how to do it.”

“Oh. Sounds boring.”

“But it’s important to apologize to people because it will help you to remember not to do the same thing over again.”

Nico huffed. “Alright, I’ll go accept his amends.”

As he left the kitchen, Hazel turned off the stove and announced, “Eggs are ready!”

Will raised an eyebrow at her. “Did you accept his amends?”

“I said thank you, isn’t that good enough?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

Hazel groaned. “God, you’re such a dad.” She followed after Nico to find Hades, and passed Frank in the hallway. He smiled and offered a thumbs-up, so Hazel figured it couldn’t have been too bad.

She had to follow the sound of Nico’s voice in order to find them.

“I don’t forgive you,” she heard him say as she rounded the corner, finally spotting them just outside of Hades’s office, “and I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive you, but I...accept your amends.”

Hades smiled, though it came off rather sad. “Thank you, Nico.”

“You probably want to talk to Will now, right?” Nico asked, and Hades nodded. “I’ll go get him.”

He turned to head back to the kitchen, nodding at Hazel as he passed. He heard Hazel accept Hades’s amends just before he was out of earshot, and soon found Will just where he’d left him. “It’s your turn,” he said. “He’s waiting for you by his office.”

“And where’s that?” Will asked.

“By the door to the garden.”

Will sighed. “Babe, I couldn’t find the front door right now if I tried. I didn’t know there was a garden.”

“Down the hall, turn right, it’s the glass doors on your left.”

“Thank you.” He pressed a kiss to Nico’s forehead before he left the room.

Will followed Nico’s directions until he found himself, for the first time, alone with Hades. “Hello, sir,” he greeted. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes, I--” he cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable. “I’m sure Nico has shared with you how horribly I used to treat him, and I hope he has told you that I tried to reconnect with him last night after making an amends. I’m about a year sober, you see--”

“I know, Nico told me,” Will said, hoping to ease Hades’s discomfort.

“I want to apologize to you for my behavior yesterday. I had no right to treat you as coldly as I did, and I hope you can forgive me for that.”

“Thank you, sir. I accept your apology,” Will replied.

“I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement, as well. It’s clear to me that you make my son very happy, and after everything he’s been through - after everything I’ve put him through - he deserves all the happiness in the world. Thank you for taking care of him when I could not.”

At the end of the weekend, the five of them were more than ready to leave. Nico had made sure to pack up the night before so that they could leave quickly after waking up, though Will seemed to have a different plan.

As Nico tried to stand up to get dressed, Will pulled him back down into the bed. “Will, we have a plane to catch.”

“Actually, there’s been a slight change of plans,” Will told him, wrapping an arm around his waist to keep him from going anywhere. “We’re not leaving with Frank and Hazel.”

“Will, I am not staying here any longer than I absolutely have to, and that timer runs out in about half an hour.”

“We’re still leaving before lunch, we’re just taking a different flight back home. Our flight has a layover. In Nashville. For two days.”

“Two days?”

“I want you to meet my mom.”

Nico relaxed and tensed up again in under a second. “Your mom? Really?”

“Yeah, really. I just spent the whole weekend with your dad and stepmom. I’m in your childhood bedroom right now, of course I want you to meet my mom,” Will said with a chuckle. He pressed himself closer and knocked his forehead gently against Nico’s. “We’re gonna get married someday, and if my mom gets an invitation without ever meeting you, she’s gonna be pissed. I’d never hear the end of it.”

“Nobody’s ever brought me home to meet their mom before,” Nico said softly. “Do you think she’ll like me?”

“She’s going to love you,” Will assured him, and leaned in for a kiss. “Almost as much as I do, but nobody could love you like I do.”

Nico frowned. “Careful, that almost sounded like an insult.”

“What? How?”

“You made it sound like I’m unlovable.”

“No I didn’t! I said that I love you so much that nobody could ever compete with me!”

“You said that nobody could ever love me--”

“That’s not what I said, and you know it!” Nico snorted, and Will gasped. “You’re doing this on purpose! Do you think it’s fun to get me all riled up?”

“Maybe. You’re cute when you’re trying to prove your love for me.”

“Oh, I’ll show you cute,” Will said, and rolled himself on top of his fiance as he started to pepper his face with kisses.

Nico was just as fidgety and anxious as the last time he’d gotten on a plane, and had just about broken every bone in Will’s hand when they hit a rough patch of turbulence.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this a third time,” Nico complained as he squeezed his eyes shut and slammed his head back against the seat. “I hate planes.”

“If I’d known about your fear of flying, then I wouldn’t have planned for this,” Will told him. “But it’s too late now.”

“I hate you,” Nico groaned.

“No you don’t.”

“Well, I don’t like you very much.”

“You love me.”

“Just because I love you doesn’t mean I have to like you.”

Due to the time change and their later flight, the plane landed around ten at night, and after getting off the plane, picking up their bags from baggage claim, and finding a cab, they didn’t even leave the airport until eleven.

Bianca fell asleep in the cab, so when they finally arrived at Naomi Solace’s house, Nico had to carry her to the door while Will collected their suitcases. Will let them in without knocking by using the spare key his mother kept under a rock near the door, hoping that he wouldn’t accidentally wake Naomi as they settled in for the night.

They’d barely made it into the house before a light turned on in the hallway. A woman came around the corner into the entryway, pulling a bathrobe on over her pajamas, and squinting to see in the dark. “Will, honey, is that you?”

“Hi, Mama,” Will whispered, stepping forward and pulling Naomi into a hug.

“You scared me half to death! What are you doing here?” She pushed herself away and stepped around Will as she said, “Where’s my favorite little girl?”

When Nico met Naomi’s gaze, he wanted to shrink down and hide.

“Will,” Naomi said to her son, though she kept her gaze locked on Nico as she spoke, “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Will was at Nico’s side in a second, placing an arm around his waist carefully so as to not disturb Bianca who was still asleep in Nico’s arms. “Mama, this is Nico.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Solace,” Nico said.

“Oh, honey, please, call me Naomi.” She glanced between them for a moment, her face twisted up in confusion. Finally, she said, “Well, as much as I would love to stay up and chat, I think we all ought to head off to bed. Will, I’m sure you can get yourselves settled in.”

“Of course. We’ll see you in the morning.” Will hugged Naomi once more before she ventured back into the house.

Will kicked off his shoes before taking Bianca from Nico so that he could do the same, and led Nico further into the house. He put Bianca to bed in her old room - it looked just like it had when they’d left - before taking Nico across the hall to Will’s room.

“I think that went well,” Will told him as he shut the door behind them.

“Really?” Nico asked. “She looked surprised, and not really in a good way.”

Will walked toward him and wrapped his arms around Nico. “So, I probably should’ve told her we were coming, but I wanted to surprise her. I don’t think it went poorly, do you?”

“It could’ve been better! Did your mom know that you’re bi?”

Will frowned. “Of course she did. Why would you think she didn’t?”

“She didn’t look happy, and--” Nico took a breath. “Okay, so, apparently, I never told my dad I was gay. I thought I did!” he said quickly before Will could interrupt. “But I guess I didn’t. I don’t know how he didn’t catch on even without me telling him, but--”

“You brought me home to meet your dad who thought you were straight,” Will said, and in a second he started to laugh. “What a way to come out, huh?”

Nico rolled his eyes. “Alright, well, it’s not that funny.”

“It kind of is.” Will dropped his head to rest against Nico’s. “I promise you, my mom knows I’m bi. I told her when I was in high school, and she… She was quiet, but she wasn’t upset.”

“So she most likely won’t throw me out of the house when she finds out we’re engaged?”

Will shrugged. “Probably not.”

“You’re not making me feel any better about this.”

Will had woken up early and had found his mom in the kitchen making breakfast. He’d tried to help, but just like Nico, Naomi refused to let Will anywhere near the stove. Bianca woke up just in time for breakfast, and when they sat down to eat, Naomi started asking about Nico - mainly about where he was.

After breakfast, Naomi decided to go on a grocery run, and Bianca volunteered to go with her. As soon as they left, Will returned to his old bedroom to check on Nico, only to see that he was already awake and scrolling through his phone.

Will walked up to him and knelt beside the bed, resting his chin on the mattress and waiting for Nico to set his phone aside. “Good morning,” he said when Nico finally met his gaze. “You missed breakfast. Are you alright?”

“What if your mom doesn’t like me?” Nico whispered.

“She won’t like you at all if you never get out of bed,” Will replied. “She’s gonna think you’re lazy, and then you’ll never get on her good side.”

“You’re terrible at this, did you know that?”

“C’mon, get up. Mom took Bi to the store, so we have the place to ourselves for a little while. Come get breakfast, and when they get back, I’ll help you convince my mom of how amazing you are.”

“Fine,” Nico said with a huff.

They went out to the kitchen where Nico reheated the leftover french toast that Naomi had made, and after he ate, the two of them went to the living room to watch some TV while they waited for Naomi and Bianca to return. After spending the weekend in Nico’s giant childhood home, he found comfort in the smaller size of Naomi’s house - it felt like the perfect environment to raise family, unlike the immaculate mansion in which he’d been raised. It was cozier here, and even with his spiked anxiety, Nico felt more comfortable in Naomi’s living room than he’d felt the entire weekend at his father’s house.

After a while, Nico heard the front door creak open, and Naomi called out, “Will, honey, is Nico awake yet?”

“Yeah, Mama, he’s right here,” Will answered, and Nico tensed. Will pulled him close on the couch and wound an arm around him, pressing a kiss to the side of his head.

“Oh, good, can you come help me with the dishes, dear?”

“Be right there.” Will was already standing when Naomi came around the corner.

“Oh, sorry, Will, I meant Nico,” she said with a smile in Nico’s direction. “If you’re that eager to help, Will, then you and Bianca can unpack all the groceries we just picked up.”

The kitchen was a little cramped with all four of them in there, but Nico was a lot more comfortable knowing that he wasn’t alone.

As Naomi started to fill the sink with water, she asked, “Now, honey, why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself?”

Nico hesitated. “What do you want to know?” Will was trying to give him an encouraging smile over his mother’s shoulder, but it wasn’t making Nico feel any better.

“Anything you want to tell me,” she said. “Where are you from? How old are you? Where did you go to college? Ooh, and how did the two of you meet?”

As Naomi began washing the dishes from breakfast, Nico grabbed a towel to dry up after her. “Alright, well, uh. I was born in Venice, Italy, but I grew up in Los Angeles, then I moved to New York when I was twenty. I took all of my college classes online, so that all the moving around wouldn’t interfere with them, and I’m still waiting on my final grades from this last semester to see if I graduated. And, uh, I’m twenty-three, but we met when I was twenty-two.”

“Twenty-three?” Naomi repeated, eyeing her son. “I didn’t take you as a cradle-robber, William.”

“Mama, please,” Will whined, but perked up as soon as he saw Nico smiling.

“Now, tell me how the two of you met,” Naomi demanded, turning her gaze back to Nico.

Nico paused, biting his lip before he answered. “I was a creative writing major, and I was kind of in a rut with my writing. One of my friends suggested I go on one of those babysitter websites to see if taking care of someone’s kid would give me inspiration.”

“And he was the best babysitter I ever hired,” Will said dreamily as he put a few boxes away on a high shelf.

“You were Bianca’s babysitter?” Naomi asked in a tone that was making Nico nervous, and she raised an eyebrow at him.

“At first, yes,” Nico stuttered.

Will crossed the kitchen to press a kiss to Nico’s cheek before he said, “He won me over with his cooking and great sense of humor.”

“Of course, always about the food with you,” Naomi said, and while Will shot her a hurt look, Nico was starting to like her. “What was it that did him in? Brownies? He can’t say no to brownies.”

“Trust me, I know,” Nico said. “I made him a chocolate lava cake for his birthday.”

Naomi gasped. “I don’t know how he didn’t marry you on the spot.”

“I’m hurt, Mama,” Will said as Nico started to laugh. “I can’t believe this, the two people I love most - besides you, Bi, of course I love you the most - treating me in such a way. I won’t stand for it. C’mon, Bi.” Will took Bianca out of the kitchen, leaving Nico alone with Naomi.

Nico took a breath. He supposed now was as good a time as ever. He checked over his shoulder to make sure that Will had actually left before he cleared his throat and said, “Ms. Solace?”

“Naomi, honey, call me Naomi.”

“Of course, Naomi,” Nico tried again. “This is… This might sound a bit strange and old fashioned, but I was hoping for your permission-- Your blessing to marry your son.”

Naomi shut off the water and set down the sponge she’d been using to scrub dishes. She turned to Nico with a sigh and a, “Honey,” and Nico prepared himself to be let down easy. “You don’t need my permission. And you had my blessing the second you walked into my house and I saw you treating my granddaughter like she was your own. The only permission you need is Will’s, but it seems like you’re already the person he loves most in the world, so I don’t think you’ll have any problems.”

“Thank you, Naomi,” Nico said.

“You’ve got nothing to thank me for,” she told him. “I should be thanking you for taking such good care of them. When Will got that job in New York, I didn’t know how he was going to survive on his own. If it weren’t for you, he would have run himself into the ground for sure.”

“That’s absolutely right,” Nico said.

“Of course it’s right!” Naomi laughed, but calmed herself down quickly, and when she spoke again she used a much quieter voice. “Now, I couldn’t help but notice the rings the two of you have been wearing. Does that mean…?”

Nico couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, we’re engaged. Not even for a month yet, but I’m really glad that Will brought me here. It was very important for me to get your blessing.”

“You are the sweetest thing,” Naomi told him. “I can’t believe Will was able to find someone so perfect for him, yet here you are.”

“Mama, I thought you were done embarrassing my when I graduated med school,” Will’s voice came from across the room. Nico whipped around to see him leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed and a soft smile across his lips - he looked like he’d been standing there long enough to get comfortable.

“A mother is never done embarrassing her baby,” Naomi said. She bumped Nico with her shoulder and nodded her head towards Will. “Go on, I can finish these on my own.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind--”

“It’s fine, honey.” Naomi plucked the towel out of Nico’s hands and shooed him away.

Will lead Nico into the living room where Bianca was watching TV, and they sat together on the couch. “I can’t believe you asked my mom for her blessing,” Will said quietly as he draped an arm around Nico’s shoulders.

Nico pushed himself about a foot away from him. “What? How much of that did you hear?”

Will hummed. “Just about all of it. About how you’re so old fashioned and need my mother’s blessing to marry me. About how you kept me from running myself into the ground - which I wouldn’t have done, by the way, I would’ve been fine.”

“You would’ve killed yourself and Bianca, but go on.”

“About how you’re perfect.”

“I’m pretty sure that was ‘perfect for you,’ not perfect perfect,” Nico corrected.

“I’m pretty sure you’re perfect.”

Ever since they’d gotten home, Nico had seemed worn down. He didn’t appear to be sleeping much, and he was yawning constantly. He dragged his feet when he walked and he’d consistently been nodding off on the couch, and Will didn’t know he should be concerned or if Nico was just jetlagged.

When Will tried to ask about it, Nico shrugged him off. “I haven’t gotten my exam grades yet,” Nico told him. “I guess I’m just a little worked up over it. I’ll be fine.”

“If you say so,” Will replied, and kissed Nico’s cheek before heading off to work.

He tried to keep his mind off of it while he was working - Nico said he was fine, and Will needed to trust that he knew how to take care of himself. He checked on patients, assisted in surgeries, had lunch with Lou Ellen when she came to the hospital for physical therapy. It was a long day, relaxing compared to most but long nonetheless, and he wanted nothing more than to return home to his fiance and his daughter.

He texted Nico when he left the hospital, and while he usually got a response almost immediately, he wasn’t concerned when the response never came. It probably just meant that Nico was cooking, and just the thought of dinner made Will’s stomach growl. However, when he walked through the door, he didn’t see Nico in the kitchen, and he didn’t smell anything cooking. He saw Bianca sitting at the table with a box of crayons and a stack of coloring books, and she shushed him when he dropped his keys on the counter.

“Nico’s sleeping,” she stage whispered.

Will frowned. “Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he’s just sleeping. Do you wanna color with me?”

Will hesitated - should he check on Nico, or leave him to rest since he so clearly needed it? - but ended up sitting next to Bianca at the table and claimed a page in one of her coloring books. His stomach growled once more as he started to color, so he said, “Do you want pizza tonight?”

Nico was woken up by a gentle hand on his arm and a soft voice calling his name. He ground the heels of his palms into his eyes as he sat up, unaware that he’d even fallen asleep, and he definitely wasn’t feeling any more rested than he had earlier.

Will was kneeling on the ground in front of the couch, concern written all over his features. “Are you okay?” he asked, pressing the back of his hand to Nico’s forehead, and Nico was confused.

“Of course I am, why?” Nico responded, tugging Will’s hand away.

“You’ve been asleep since before I got home,” Will told him. “Have you not been sleeping well?”

Nico shrugged, and then, as he’d just remembered something important, jumped to his feet. “I never made dinner.”

“We ordered pizza.”

Nico’s shoulders drooped. “Oh. Okay,” he muttered, hand creeping up to grip at his other wrist. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have fallen asleep, I--”

Will snatched Nico’s hand away from his wrist before he could dig his nails into his skin. “You don’t have to apologize, I’m just worried about you.”

“You’ve got enough to worry about, so I should’ve been awake to make dinner,” Nico told him, tugging at Will’s hands. “I’m sorry.”

“Nico--”

The doorbell rang, and Nico squeezed Will’s hands. “I’ll get it,” Nico said, reaching up to peck at Will’s lips before moving away from his fiance.

Will had a surgery to study for the next morning, so after Bianca had gone to bed he’d brought out his laptop and patient notes and reviewed the surgical plan until he could recite it in his sleep. He’d glanced over at Nico once or twice during his studying to catch him staring blankly at whatever show was on TV, and saw that he soon started nodding off.

“Babe,” Will said after Nico’s eyes had been closed for a solid minute. “Don’t you think you’d be more comfortable if you went to bed?”

Nico shook his head a rubbed at his eyes, adjusting himself until he was sitting up straighter on the couch. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Will asked. “Do you want to talk about...something?”

“You’re working. I don’t want to bother you.”

“You’re my fiance. You’re allowed to bother me.”

Nico hunched his shoulders up. “I’m fine.”

“Alright, but when I go to bed in a little while, you’re coming with me.”

Nico grumbled something in reply, and Will went back to work. In another twenty minutes or so, he felt confident enough in his memory and comfortable enough that a quick review before the surgery would be all he needed, and he put his work away. When he turned to his side, he saw Nico fast sleep against the arm of the couch.

Will reached over and brushed a bit of hair behind Nico’s ear. It was getting long enough that Will had started to notice a wavy texture to it - he was going to miss those little waves if Nico ever got a haircut.

“Nico,” he said softly. “It’s time for bed, Darling.”

Nico grunted, but didn’t move.

“C’mon, babe, you know you hate sleeping on this couch,” Will tried again. “I’d carry you if I could.”

Nico made another noise of complaint, though this time he sat up and leaned against Will’s side.

“Oh, no. You’re not falling asleep on me now. Stand up, let’s go.” Will stood up and pulled Nico with him before he draped an arm around Nico’s waist to lead him to their bedroom. Nico was asleep once again as soon as his head hit the pillow.

A short while after Will had fallen asleep, Nico sat upright with a gasp, his hands fisted in the sheets and a ringing in his ears. He didn’t remember most of the dream - just like every other nightmare he’d had since returning home - but he knew that the last thing he saw before he opened his eyes was his father swinging an empty bottle of whiskey straight at his head.

He took a few deep breaths as he scrubbed his hands over his face before carefully rising out of bed. He left the room, shutting the door softly behind him, and headed toward the kitchen for a glass of water. As he went to set the glass in the sink, he saw all the unwashed dishes from dinner and felt a surge of guilt rush through him. He couldn’t cook or clean? How could he expect Will to keep him around?

Nico splashed cold water on his face. Thinking that way would only lead to a shame spiral, and he was only thinking that way because he was tired. He should just...wash all of the dishes, and then he could go to bed. It would be the perfect way to get his mind off of his nightmares, and maybe he would be too tired to have any more dreams.

He was midway through scrubbing one of the plates when the faucet shut off and an arm wrapped around his waist. “Babe. What are you doing.”

“I didn’t do the dishes after dinner,” Nico replied.

“So you thought you would do them at--” Will glanced at the clock on the microwave, “--two-fifteen in the morning?”

“I wasn’t tired,” Nico lied.

“Babe.” Will sighed and dropped his head onto Nico’s shoulder. “I don’t have the time to argue with you. I have a surgery in the morning, and I need to sleep, and I’m not going back to bed without you.”

“I told you, I’m not tired.”

“Come back anyway. It’s better for you to rest even if you’re not going to sleep, they proved it on MythBusters.”

Nico snorted. “Alright, fine.” He set the plate back in the sink and allowed Will to lead him back to bed. He was asleep again in seconds.

“No, no! Please, no!”

Will’s eyes shot open at the sound of Nico’s shouting. He felt his arm being jostled as Nico reached out for him, and soon Nico’s shouts were replaced with sobs. Will couldn’t see him well in the dark, but he felt as Nico clutched at his shirt and tried to hide his face in Will’s chest.

“Nico?” Will questioned, running his fingers through dark, tangled hair.

“I’m sorry,” Nico hiccuped against Will’s chest. “I didn’t want to wake you, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Will told him, wrapping his arms around Nico’s shaking form. “What’s wrong, what happened?”

“Bia, it-- She was in the woods, and then in the road, and there were headlights and it wasn’t Bia anymore, it was Bi-- Bianca, I watched that car hit her and--” He choked on his words, clawing at Will’s shoulders and trying to get a grip on something.

“Darling,” Will whispered, holding his fiance closer.

Nico took a breath and continued. “And then I-I was at my dad’s, and someone knocked on the door so I answered it. It was that asshole drunk, b-but Bia wasn’t there. I-it was you, W-Will, and you were d-dead. There was s-so m-m-much blood and I could see your eyes, Will--” He heaved a breath, and Will pushed him up until they were both sitting. He switched on the bedside lamp and reached up to frame Nico’s face with his hands.

“Darling, look at me,” Will told him. “Look at my eyes, sweetheart, I’m fine. I’m alive, you’re alive, Bi’s alive. You’re just overtired and stressed, but there’s nothing to worry about, I promise.” He pulled Nico against his chest once again and stroked his hand up and down Nico’s back. “Just try to relax, Darling, everything’s alright.”

“I’m so sorry,” Nico whispered. “I… I didn’t want to worry you, and I know you have surgery, but I--” Nico hiccuped again and wiped at the tears still streaming from his eyes. “I’m so scared that you’ll leave me. Please don’t leave me. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you, Will, please don’t leave me.”

Will tightened his hold on Nico, running his fingers through Nico’s hair once more. “I won’t, Nico, I promise, I promise.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Nico’s had, and held him until Nico’s sobs had finally quieted down. “Let’s lay back down, Darling. It’s still the middle of the night and you and I both need to rest.” He relaxed his hold and allowed Nico to settled back down against the pillows before he shut off the light. Will laid down beside Nico and wrapped him up in his arms once more. “I love you, Nico. I’m not going anywhere.”

Will woke up for the third and final time of the morning with the sun shining into the room and his fiance still asleep beside him.

He smiled, appreciating Nico’s peaceful expression, until the alarm clock on his nightstand began to buzz. Will groaned, rolling over and slamming his hand down on the alarm, and turned back to see Nico’s eyes blinking open slowly. Will wrapped an arm around Nico’s waist, pulling him close and tucking his face against Nico’s neck.

“I don’t wanna go to work today,” Will complained against Nico’s skin. Nico hummed, fingers reaching up to tangle in the hairs on the back of Will’s neck. “What if,” Will started, fingers drawing mindless shapes on Nico’s lower back, “I stay home today, and we don’t leave this spot?”

Nico grinned. “I would love to,” he answered as Will started biting gently at his neck. “There’s just one problem. You’ve got a surgery to do today, and a daughter who’s gonna be up in no time that definitely won’t leave us on our own all day.”

Will groaned again, flopping onto his back with a pout. “Why are you always right?”

Nico leaned over him, planting a hand on his chest and swooped down for a kiss. “Someone has to be.”

Will stroked a hand across Nico’s cheek and brushed his hair behind his ear. “Are you feeling better this morning?”

Nico’s smiled turned forced. “A little. You were probably right that I just needed a good night’s sleep.” He lowered himself back to lay beside Will, turned to face him as Will rolled on his side as well.

“I’ve got some time before I need to get ready to go,” Will told him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Nico dropped his gaze. After a moment or two, he said, “That wasn’t the only nightmare. They’ve been… I’ve had at least one every night since we got home. Usually I wouldn’t even remember them, but I think talking to my dad must’ve...reopened an old wound. Last night… That was so much worse.”

“They’re just nightmares, Darling,” Will reminded him. “I’ll keep you safe, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Lou Ellen returned to the hospital twice a week for physical therapy. She would text Will as soon as she arrived at the hospital and would wait for his response to see if he would meet her for lunch. Sometimes it was before lunch, sometimes after, and sometimes Will was too busy to meet up with her at all, but no matter what, Lou always got a response.

Except for this time. She’d texted him as soon as she reached the hospital, and checked her phone repeatedly until the start of her appointment. Afterwards, she still hadn’t received a response, and ended up trying to call Will. When there was no answer there either, Lou Ellen went up to the surgical floor of the hospital and went to the nearest information desk to ask if Will had shown up to work that day.

“Doctor Solace?” the nurse asked, smiling nervously. “He… He’s here today, yes, but he’s a bit...preoccupied at the moment. Would you like me to...leave a message?”

Lou frowned. “No, that’s alright, I’ll just talk to him the next time I’m here. Can you tell me if he’s scheduled to be here on Thursday?”

The nurse started to look panicked, like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to answer. “Well, um. I can’t… I’m not at liberty to give out anyone’s schedules, but you can always call to check in on him.”

“Alright, thank you,” Lou said, and turned away from the desk. She tried not to overthink the way the nurse had acted - call to check in on him? That sounded more like she was talking about a patient than a doctor.

Around two, Nico texted Will asking if he’d be off work in time to pick a few things up from the store before dinner. After half an hour without an answer, Nico wasn’t worried. Will was usually busy, and it wasn’t like he couldn’t run to the store himself.

The two returned home, and Nico and Bianca put away the groceries before Nico made Bianca a snack. Around five, he called Will, and there was no answer. To Will’s voicemail, Nico said, “Hey, babe, call me back if you’re gonna be home in time for dinner, okay? Love you.”

Will didn’t call back.

Nico and Bianca had spaghetti for dinner and watched TV for a little while before it was time for Bianca to go to bed. It took more convincing than usual for Nico to get Bianca to stay in her room; she never wanted to sleep before Will got home to kiss her goodnight, and tonight was no different. Nico told her a bedtime story, one about a magic pirate ship (because honestly, Nico could never get enough of pirate stories), and promised her that as soon as Will got home, he would come say goodnight. He kissed Bianca on the forehead and turned off the light when he left the room.

He didn’t try calling Will again before he went to bed.

At this point in his life, Nico was too used to sleeping with someone beside him, so it was difficult to fall asleep in the first place, and after the couple of weeks he’d just had, he wasn’t exactly excited to sleep on his own. When he finally did manage to fall asleep, he was restless.

He tossed and turned all night, waking up fully around three and still feeling an empty bed next to him. He finally felt worry set in like a rock in his stomach, rolling out of bed and wandering the house for a few minutes for any sign that Will had come home, even for a moment, but there was nothing. No keys on the counter, no change of scrubs in the hamper, no tan, freckled body asleep on the couch or in the bed in the guest room.

Nico returned to his and Will’s shared bedroom, unplugging his phone from where it sat on the nightstand, and scrolled through his contacts, hitting the call button next to Will’s name.

“Will?” Nico said softly to his fiance’s voicemail. “I know you’re probably busy and I’m probably worrying for nothing, but-- But I am worrying. As soon as you get this, can you please call me or text me or something?” He paused. “I love you, Sunshine.” And he stopped recording.

Cecil was pacing in the hall outside one of the ICU rooms, reading and rereading everything the chart in his hands had to tell him. Each time he flipped through the pages, he tried to skip over the details of the accident, but his eyes couldn’t help but read over every word. He would remind himself each time that he was looking for something. Reading this over again would just make the panic worse, but he couldn’t help it.

Emergency Contact, he reminded himself again and again. That’s what he was looking for. Why couldn’t he find a single emergency contact?

His frantic reading was interrupted by somebody shouting his name down the hall, and a wheelchair flew down the hall so fast that he thought he was going to be hit.

“Lou?” he asked, slamming the chart closed and hiding the name on the front. “What are you doing here? Why are you in a wheelchair?”

“I’m here for physical therapy; they haven’t cleared me from the wheelchair yet,” she answered, peering around him to look into the room they were in front of, until Cecil blocked her line of sight. “What are you doing here? Outside what looks to be a grown man’s room when you’re a pediatric surgeon?”

Cecil froze, eyes darting through the glass doors to the man lying in the bed before his gaze fell back to Lou Ellen in front of him.

“He’s in there, isn’t he?” Lou asked quietly.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he lied, holding the chart close to his chest.

“He’s not answering my texts, he didn’t come to see me for lunch after physical therapy,” Lou told him. “I had him paged this morning and nobody would tell me where he was.”

Cecil remained silent.

“Give me the chart, Cecil,” Lou demanded.

“I could get fired for that!”

“Then tell me he’s not in there!” She pointed toward the glass separating them from the man in the bed.

Cecil ducked his head, unable to maintain eye contact any longer.

Lou’s breath hitched. “Why doesn’t he have anyone here for him? Didn’t you call anybody?”

“He doesn’t have any emergency contacts. He never listed any when he moved here.”

“Then find his phone and look for one.”

“I can’t just look through his stuff, that’s a violation of patient privacy!”

“He’s your best friend, Cecil, find his phone and call somebody.”

Bianca was cranky, and Nico knew that the only thing that would get her to behave herself was for Will to come home. Nico tried convincing her that Will came home after she went to sleep but had to leave again in the middle of the night, but the he knew the bags under his eyes and the tired tone of his voice couldn’t have convinced anyone.

Eventually, Nico called Hazel. He needed a break, and he wanted to find Will, so he asked his sister to watch Bianca for a few hours. Hazel had agreed, but Bianca had screamed at him when he told her they were leaving - she didn’t want to go anywhere until she saw Will, so Nico had to practically beg to get her dressed and out the door.

He pulled Hazel aside and hugged her as soon as they entered her apartment, which had her worried even more than she already was. “What’s wrong?” she asked as she returned the embrace.

“Will’s not answering my calls,” Nico muttered. “I’m worried about him. Is it too much for me to go to the hospital and try to find him?”

“How long has it been? A Day? Two?” Nico nodded. “Oh, Nico, I’m sure he’s just busy. Go find him, and let me know when you’re on your way back.” She kissed his cheek before guiding him back toward the door.

When Nico sat down in his car, he contemplated how comfortable of a pillow his steering wheel would make. He was still so exhausted, and he wanted nothing more to fall asleep and wake up beside Will like this whole thing had been just another bad dream.

He turned the key and drove out of the parking lot, heading toward the hospital. He hadn’t even gone a mile before he phone started ringing in his pocket, and Nico struggled to fish it out while driving.

He nearly dropped the phone when he saw the name on the screen. He pulled over onto the shoulder as he answered. “Will?”

“Is this Nico?” a voice that was very much not Will’s responded.

“Yes,” Nico said, surprised he could get the word out when he suddenly felt like he was going to throw up any second.

“My name is Doctor Cecil Markowitz,” the voice continued with a stable facade, though Nico could hear it shaking. “There’s been an accident.”

Nico choked on his words. There were so many thoughts running through his head, yet at the same time his mind was blank.

“Will is currently in the ICU,” Cecil continued. “I can tell you more once you get here. Can you… Are you available? To come up to the hospital?”

“I’m on my way,” Nico whispered.

“Ask for directions to the ICU at the front desk,” Cecil told him. “I’ll see you soon.”

Nico hung up the phone, and stared down at it for a moment. He couldn’t find it in himself to move until his stomach turned over, and Nico had to throw open the driver’s side door to vomit on the side of the road. Thankfully, he’d been too worried to eat much at breakfast, but that just meant that he sat hunched over in his seat for a few minutes, body trying to empty an already exhausted stomach. When he could move again, Nico rinsed out his mouth with a bottle of water he found in the door, and started to drive once more.

He thought his body might revolt against him again as he pulled into the parking lot, but he took a second to breathe, to try to calm himself down, and readied himself for whatever he was about to see.

The exterior doors slid open when he walked up. The lights in the lobby were too bright and the receptionist too happy. Her smile didn’t fade as she offered him directions to the ICU.

He shuffled down the hall, passing the waiting room attached to the ER, feeling his stomach clench as he remembered sitting there, waiting for Will to arrive after he’d almost poisoned their daughter--

He stopped. He staggered toward the wall, leaning against it for support as his vision started to blur. He leaned back against the wall, blinking up at the ceiling in hopes of persuading the tears back into his eyes before his legs practically gave out from under him and he slid down the wall. He hung his head between his knees, hoping to stop his head from spinning.

Nico heard the sound of wheels gliding across the floor, though he couldn’t get his legs to move out of the way.

“Hey, man,” a voice said above him, “are you alright?”

He lifted his head slowly to keep his head from spinning even more, and was met with a woman about his age with purple hair and a frown on her face.

“Oh god,” she said, expression falling from polite concern to devastation. “You’re Nico, aren’t you?”

He nodded, wiping under his eyes with the back of his hand. “How do you know that?”

“I’ve seen pictures of you,” she told him with a sad smile, and held out a hand. “I’m Lou Ellen. Your boy really likes to show you off.”

Nico’s breath hitched as he reached up, but hesitated before taking her hand. “Have you seen him?”

Lou Ellen shook her head. “They won’t let me in, but I’m friends with some of the doctors. They keep telling me he’ll be fine, but I’d kinda like to see for myself. I don’t suppose if I show you the way, you’ll let me in with you?”

Nico nodded. “Yes, please.” He took Lou’s hand and rose to his feet. He stepped behind her wheelchair to give the illusion that he would push her down the hall, but he really just needed something to help him stay standing.

As soon as Nico saw the first sign telling them that they were in the ICU, his legs turned almost gave out from under him, even with the support of Lou’s wheelchair. His heart started hammering in his chest and his vision started blurring once more, though he wasn’t sure whether that was from the nerves or another round of tears forming.

“Lou, I don’t know if I can do it,” he choked out.

“You’re gonna be fine, Nico, and so is he. He’s just knocked out from the surgery, that’s what Cecil said. He’ll wake up soon.”

They continued down the hall, and Nico noticed one doctor loitering around one of the rooms. He looked in their direction, stomping toward them the second he realized who it was. “Lou, I told you, you have to get off this floor--” he paused, seeming to notice Nico for the first time. “You-- You’re Nico?”

Nico nodded, recognizing the voice from the phone. “Cecil, right?”

He nodded back. “Thank God you’re here,” he said. “Now Lou and I have a reason to go in there--” He stopped himself again, eyes widening. “Unless you don’t want us there, of course.”

“It’s fine,” Nico told him, and looked around anxiously. “Where is he?”

“Down here.” Cecil led them a few rooms down the hall before stopping to open one of the doors, holding it open for Nico to walk through.

His heart stopped when he entered the room, eyes landing on his battered fiance and feeling a sob build in his throat. Will had a dark bruise underneath one eye, and a propped up leg in a cast. One arm was held across his chest in a cast. Nico moved toward the bed, dropping heavily into the bedside chair and taking Will’s uninjured hand in his own.

“Where’s his ring?” Nico asked, thumb brushing over the back of Will’s hand as he glanced up at Cecil across the room.

“We usually don’t allow the patients to wear jewelry while they’re here,” Cecil explained. “Especially rings and bracelets, because they can interfere with the blood pressure readings.”

Lou wheeled herself toward a table in the corner of the room, picking up a plastic bag. “He doesn’t care about that, Cecil, he wants his ring.” She propelled herself back over to Nico, handing him the bag. “This is all of his stuff.”

“Stuff?” Nico repeated, taking the bag and holding it in his lap.

“Clothes, shoes, wallet,” Cecil said. “Everything he had with him when he came in.” He jumped slightly, as if remembering something, and reached into his pocket. “Except for this.” He pulled out a phone with a shattered screen, handing it over to Nico.

“Do you know...what happened?” Nico asked.

Cecil scratched at the back of his head awkwardly. “I’m, uh, not actually Will’s doctor, I’m just his friend. So I don’t have all the information. I know it was a car accident, but I don’t really know the details. He has fractured ribs, a broken collarbone, and a crushed foot, but he’s already had surgeries reset all of his bones. He should be cleared as soon as he wakes up.”

“And when will that be?”

Cecil sighed. “We don’t know.”

Nico bit his lip and stared down at his fiance. “Can I have some time alone?”

Cecil nodded. “Of course.” He turned to leave, holding the door open for Lou on their way out.

Nico scooted his chair closer to the bedside, digging through the bag with one hand and still holding Will’s with the other.

“You should’ve tried harder to convince me to stay in bed,” he said softly, fingers closing around the ring and dragging it out.

“Bianca’s upset that you haven’t been home,” he continued, cautiously sliding the ring onto the hand in the sling, careful not to move Will’s arm at all as he did so. “She started singing that song yesterday, the one that makes me think of you.”

He dropped the bag of Will’s clothes, clutching at Will’s uninjured hand with both of his. “You know which one I’m talking about,” he said, and started to sing shakily. “You are my Sunshine, my only Sunshine--”

He started to sob.

thanks for reading!!

buy me a coffee

#mine #my writing #solangelo #will solace #nico di angelo #i'm in hell

29 notes · View notes

ayarambles · 5 years

Note

I don't know if you are into writing some angst, but I am in dire need of a fight between the two? Maybe you can skip to the make up part ;D ...

Red - NicoTino (850 words)

Nico covers his face with both of his hands, holding his anger in, trying to keep his thoughts from jumping to the worst conclusion before he gets a chance to ask what this is really about. Why Martino can’t seem to trust him with himself. Why he has to feel like he doesn’t know what’s good for him on his own, always needing someone to point it out to him like a fucking child. He presses his fingers into his eyes focusing on the pressure instead of his anger.

“Martino, what’s this?” he asks calmly, almost too calm, pointing to the pile of knives clearly hidden in the back of his desk drawer. The drawer that Marti accidentally forgot to lock today.

Nico hasn’t been feeling well for the past week, and he’s taken refuge from his parent’s incessant questions and nagging and their constant “Niccolò don’t forget to take your meds” in Marti’s room. His own asylum from the world, where he could be sad and unwell without constantly feeling guilty. without constantly feeling like he has to be looked after and watched. like a child with fire. like he doesn’t know himself well enough to know what to and not to do.

So finding out that Marti’s been hiding knives and sharp objects from him was a blow. He doesn’t trust him either. He’s just a kid here too, he just doesn’t know it yet. Niccolò felt like puking.

“Ni,” Marti comes closer, hands hovering over Niccoló’s, but not touching. “Um, these are the kitchen knives.” he shrugs. “Please don’t misread this, I just..."

But Niccoló can’t hear the rest of this. He can’t hear the confirmation of his worst thoughts. Martino’s words from a few months ago ring in his ears, you try to stay away from them as much as possible, or you just become like them. He’s just a “them” to him now. Just another lunatic, a time bomb set to blow up at any second.

He leaves the room. He has to leave he can’t stand looking at Martino now, not with these thoughts, not with these truths finally coming out. He knew this day would come that this was just a dream, too good to be true. Martino was just another Maddalena trying to control him.

“Nico, please let me explain,” he grabs his arms and Niccolò flinches. “I didn’t know what to do Nico please, I am just scared of losing you. In any way. and and” his voice is breaking, “Nico please.” Niccoló’s face softens at his tone, he stops pacing around and looks at him, giving Martino a chance to explain himself.

"The first night you came here, the first night you stayed over, I couldn’t sleep. You were sad - so sad Nico - and it broke my heart, and I couldn’t do anything to make you feel better. I didn’t know what to do to make you feel better,” Marti comes closer, hand hovering over Nico’s cheek silently asking can I touch you, “you were so sad Nico, I wanted to wrap you up in my arms, in a blanket, in anything to protect you from the world. I would if I could, I’d do anything for you Ni. But I don’t know how yet. I don’t know, and I can’t risk losing you.”

“So you treat me like a child Marti? Am I just another depressed person you need to stay away from? To monitor and watch with minimal interaction, as if I’m a virus you could catch?”

Marti’s heart breaks at his words, “Nico, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those words back then, they were stupid. I was stupid. I was mad at the world, at my mom, and not rightfully so. I was wrong. Can I touch you? please?”

Nico nods, and Marti hugs him tight. He feels Niccolò slightly relaxing in his arms, but he doesn’t return the embrace. He speaks into his neck hoping the meaning and love behind his words are clear to him, “Niccolò, I trust you. I completely trust you with myself, please know this. You changed me, you know? And the thought of losing you fills me with dread and grief. I don’t trust myself to be good enough for you, to be able to know what you need at the right time, so I assume the worst and take precautions. Maybe I should have spoken to you first but this is in no way me belittling you or taking away any of your freedom.” he pulls away slightly looking into Nico’s eyes to make sure he gets it, that he understands, “you’re your own person here, you hear me?”

Nico’s heart is so full at this moment. It’s a miracle how Marti always knows what to say to calm his demons. To put all the doubt and anxiety away. Nico nods, burying his face in Marti’s neck and just breathing him in.

“Sorry I got mad,” Nico whispers, “I-I just couldn’t stand the thought of you not trusting me, like I’m a time bomb or something to constantly fear.”

Marti shakes his head, looking into Nico’s eyes and placing a soft kiss on his lips, “You’re not, Ni, you’re never that."

And they were alright again.

#nicotino #skamit fic #skamit #skam italia #skam #martino rametta #fic #my fic #aaaah thanks for asking #i've wanted to write some angst but i'm not too good at it lol #hope this isn't too cringey? and that you like it #but i feel this is one of nicoo's biggest fears : being controlled or to feel like he's being controllled by marti #so like yea #lemme know what u think thnxxx #revengeisalwaysanoption #niccolò fares #this isn't much of a fight though ehh just a misunderstanding? but yea angst

15 notes · View notes

botanistlester · 7 years

Text

Sweet Pea (8/34)

Summary: A nickname that goes bitter in your mouth. Cries for help that no one listens to. Gentle hands that make you quake on the ground you’re standing on. When Phil first met Nico, he thought he was a gift from the heavens. But behind the mask lies something daunting, something unnerving, that Phil never foresaw. Through his journey, he finds solace in Dan, the regular at his workplace, who seems to be the only one who sees through Nico’s mask to the darkness underneath. Warnings: Abusive relationship, violence A/N: Hello friends! Thanks for reading another chapter of SP! I'm really loving all of the comments you guys are leaving for me :) this chapter includes some yelling and general angst. There is also brief descriptions of past abuse and . Thank you to @snowbunnylester and @littlelionsloves for being the best betas ever! The lyric at the beginning belongs to the song, The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot by Brand New! Previous | Masterlist

Read it on AO3 Read it on Wattpad

Chapter Eight

You are second-hand smoke. You are so fragile and thin, standing trial for your sins, holding on to yourself the best you can.

Dan Howell - 2:39pm

Are u working tonight? I wanna come in and see you if you are

Phil Lester - 2:40pm

Work at 5. What’s the special occasion?

Dan Howell - 2:40pm

Miss my BFFL and also need to study for exam

Phil Lester - 2:45pm

You just use me for my serving skills

Dan Howell - 2:46pm

Damn u rite. See you tonight :-)

Phil smiled at his phone despite himself. He couldn’t deny that texting Dan always seemed to make him smile, especially because the banter between them was so easy. It was like a breath of fresh air after living underground for twenty years.

He went to type out a response, maybe put a few smiley face emojis and a flexing arm emoji or something stupid like that, but Nico interrupted him before he could do so.

“Who are you texting that’s more important than spending time with me?” Phil’s boyfriend whined, pausing the show they were watching so he could turn to look at Phil with a pout.

He was right, in Phil’s opinion. Was Dan really more important in this moment? Phil didn’t really think about it before replying to his messages each time he received one, even though he and Nico were literally in the middle of some quality time together. They were even watching something. How rude could Phil get?

“Ah, sorry,” Phil apologised, setting his phone on the coffee table. “Nobody’s more important than you, love. I was just messaging my friend about work tonight.” His phone vibrated again and Dan’s name flashed across the screen, making Phil wince a bit as Nico read his name out.

“Dan? Who’s Dan?” Nico asked, frowning. He didn’t seem mad, really. More confused than anything. “I’ve never heard you talk about him before.”

Phil bit his lip to keep in the fact that he had actually been hanging out with Dan behind Nico’s back for about a month now. And yet, “He’s a new friend.” Phil couldn’t keep the lie from slipping past his tongue. It seemed that Dan brought the liar out in Phil, and he wasn’t exactly happy about it. “We’ve never hung out or anything.”

“Well that’s lame. What do you even have to talk about in that case?”

That was a bit of a weird question, and Phil didn’t quite know how to answer it. Gravity Falls was still paused on the television, and Phil longed to press play on the remote except Nico had the remote clenched in his hand, knuckles turning white. “This and that,” Phil said, shrugging. “We don’t really… talk that much.”

Nico let out a whine and pecked Phil on the forehead. He could most likely feel the thin layer of sweat that had appeared on Phil’s skin, but he didn’t say anything about it. “You hesitated! Why would you hesitate if you don’t talk to him much?”

“I didn’t!”

“Prove it then,” Nico told him, a slight smirk on his face. Phil felt his stomach sink and bile rise in his throat. If Nico saw how much Phil actually texted Dan… he’d know that he was lying. “Show me.”

Phil didn’t know what to do. He wanted to snatch his phone off the table and hide it where Nico could never find it. For some reason, he didn’t want Nico to find out about his new friend. He just wanted Dan all to himself for a while. “Why should I do that? Don’t you trust me?” The words were bitter in his mouth, bile rising in his throat. The idea of Nico not trusting him made him feel sick to his stomach, despite the fact that Phil was outright lying.

Nico snorted and shook his head, a frown playing on his lips. His eyebrows furrowed. “Of course I do. But I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal. If you didn’t have anything to hide, you wouldn’t be afraid to show me your texts.”

“I’m not afraid,” Phil muttered between clenched teeth.

Nico let out a laugh that sounded more like a bark. “Yeah, okay. I don’t believe that.”

A burst of anger surged through Phil, one that was so intense that it nearly knocked him backwards. He snatched his phone from the table and nearly threw it at Nico, disbelief that this was even an issue running through his veins. “Fine,” he snapped, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest. “Read them. I’m not fucking hiding anything.” And yet, his whole body was tense with the knowledge that Nico was going to read his texts, know that he was texting Dan. He didn’t want Nico to know just how much he’d been texting Dan, nor how much time he’d been spending with him. If Nico found out that he’d lied to him just to spend the weekend with Dan, then Nico would never believe him if he told him that he wasn’t cheating on him.

He was going to be sick.

Nico made a whooping noise, smirking as he picked up the phone. Just that smirk was enough to make Phil feel even worse, though he didn’t know that was possible. It made him uneasy, like he was anticipating the moment where that happy facade would crack the moment Dan found the texts on his phone. Nico hummed as he unlocked it, and Phil didn’t have to look over at him to know that he was clicking on the message bubble, seeing a new message from Dan that Phil hadn’t even seen yet, too many messages for two people who rarely spoke, too familiar for two people who had nothing in common. A moment after Nico unlocked his phone, he spoke. “Who’s Dan?” he asked in a dangerously quiet voice that made it hard for Phil to breathe.

Phil shook his head. “Just a classmate,” he muttered.

“I thought Dan was your regular?”

Phil froze. His stomach held angry wasps that wanted to break free, and his hands broke out in a clammy sweat. The panic took over for a moment before he just felt angry. He wanted to snap at Nico, ask him why he’d asked if he already knew the answer, but he didn’t. That’d only make things worse than they were. “He is. But he’s in one of my classes as well,” Phil lied.

Nico hummed and continued to read. His face was expressionless, so Phil couldn’t read it at all. For that, he was both thankful and nervous. Was Nico mad? Was he pissed? He wanted to know what he was thinking. “Sounds like you guys are close,” Nico said coolly.

Phil shrugged. “We just recently started texting. I wouldn’t say we’re close yet.” Another lie because Phil just couldn’t help himself. He just wanted him and Nico to go back to being happy already.

“Right,” Nico said, and he didn’t sound like he believed Phil at all. “Which is why you’re promising another guy to see him at work, calling him your BFFL, and talking about his ‘thicc ass’, as he put it. Why didn’t you tell me about him?”

Because you know him and you hate him, Phil wanted to scream, but he kept it inside, biting his tongue instead. He took a deep breath through his nose to calm himself, exhaling through his mouth. He didn’t like the way Nico’s eyebrows were furrowed, making him look angry as he stared at Phil’s phone. It made Phil fear that he was going to lose him.

“He’s just not an important part of my life yet so I didn’t think it mattered too much.”

Nico scoffed, giving Phil an icy stare. “Don’t lie to me. Are you cheating on me, sweet pea?”

The use of the nickname in this situation made Phil’s stomach churn. The endearment wasn’t supposed to make him feel bad about himself. It was supposed to make him feel good. Why did Nico have to use his nickname now, of all times?

Phil shook his head erratically, feeling angry tears welling up in his eyes. He didn’t know why he was crying, honestly. It wasn’t like he was cheating at all. But then again, maybe he was just feeling guilty that he’d been lying to Nico all this time. “Of course not! I’ve told you, Nico. You’re the only one for me.”

“Then what the hell is this?!” Nico asked, his voice raising. His face was turning a bit red with anger, his eyebrows furrowed. He waved the phone, gesturing to it angrily. “You’re sitting here talking to another guy while you’re with me. Telling him that you’ll see him at work and being all sweet with him. Right in front of me! What kind of boyfriend does that?” Before Phil could guess what was about to happen, Nico threw Phil’s phone across the room. Phil watched helplessly as it slammed into the wall, and he could have sworn he heard a crack as the glass broke, but he wasn’t positive because there was a roaring in his ears that made it too hard to hear.

If Phil could be described as a bubble, he reckoned he would have popped by now. All of his emotions were suddenly charging at him tenfold, all of his frustrations, all of his guilt. He knew that he shouldn’t have lied to Nico, knew that he had been a horrible boyfriend, but to have Nico in front of him telling him how horrible he was… Phil wasn’t able to handle it at all.

The only thing he ever wanted was for Nico to be happy with him. They had so much in common that it was insane. They read books together, played video games together, did everything together. Nico was the only person who’d ever made Phil feel like he was worth something, and Phil had gone and torn it all down with his own two hands. He couldn’t believe that he would self destruct his own relationship, and yet here he was watching as it all came down around him.

“I- I’m sorry,” Phil stuttered, and just like that, the dam broke. His voice wavered and his chest went tight, his hands started to shake, and then, before he could tell himself to suck it up and knock it off before Nico got even more mad, tears began to fall from his eyes, staining his cheeks. He always hated crying because he thought he was an ugly crier, but he couldn’t stop himself even if he tried. “I didn’t really think about it. Dan had just asked if I was working tonight, and I answered before thinking about how you felt.” He gulped, and wiped away his tears. “I promise I’m not cheating though. I would never.”

Nico exhaled, and he seemed to deflate along with his lungs. He settled beside Phil, relaxed a bit against the couch. He reached out and grabbed Phil’s clammy hand. “Just don’t hide this shit from me next time, yeah? You know I don’t like sharing you. I don’t want anyone else to have you.”

“Nobody else has me but you, Nico,” Phil whimpered, and the tears seemed to flow faster now because Nico had told him not to hide anything, and he was still hiding stuff from him. He wanted to talk about it, but he knew he couldn’t because it would only make Nico even angrier, and he didn’t want that. “I only love you. No one else.”

“I love you too, sweet pea,” Nico sighed. “The thought of losing you just makes me… really upset, to be honest. I never want you to leave me.”

Phil could understand that. He felt the same way.

“I’m sorry if I broke your phone. I’ll buy you a new screen and I’ll buy you dinner too. Anything to make you stop crying.”

The words only made Phil cry harder, which was dumb because Nico was right beside him and he wasn’t leaving him and everything was okay.

Except it wasn’t, because Phil was a liar and a cheat and Nico was too good for him. Still, Phil was selfish. He didn’t want to let Nico go. He wouldn’t, no matter what it took. So he didn't. He didn't own up to everything else he was lying about, he didn't argue about the new phone screen or dinner. He just let Nico hold him, and comfort him, all while the guilt continued to build up inside of him because Phil was a goddamn liar.

By four o’clock, Phil was nestled into Nico’s side, his tears having run dry. He had work in an hour but his eyes were almost swollen shut from crying so hard, and he knew that he would not be able to go into work that night.

So with shaking fingers and a scratchy voice, he called up his manager to call out. Thankfully, he sounded sick enough that she didn’t ask too many questions, but he still felt bad that he was calling in just because he was being a crybaby.

He didn’t inform Dan that he wasn’t coming to work that night. At that point, he didn’t think it really mattered anyway.

Dan Howell - 6:59pm

You said you were gonna be at work tonight but i just got here and they said you called off :-( are you okay?????

Dan Howell - 7:26pm

Phil pls let me know if ur ok i am concerned

Dan Howell - 7:45pm

Did I do something wrong?

Phil Lester - 9:13pm

Im okay, just got a bit sick. Sorry for worrying you, ill see you tomorrow

“You seem upset lately,” Phil murmured, curled against Nico’s side. His chin was resting against Nico’s chest and Nico was running his hands through his hair. They hadn’t said anything for thirty minutes, the silence thick in the air. Phil’s tears had dried on his cheeks, making him feel a bit grimey and like he needed a shower, but he didn’t move. He enjoyed the feel of Nico pressed against him.

Nico hummed and kissed his forehead. It sounded as if he was asking Phil to explain why, so he did just that.

“It’s just… You’ve been tense with me, I suppose? Like, accusing me of cheating and then getting mad at me and throwing my phone? I guess I’m just wondering if I did anything to make you so upset with me, because I really don’t like fighting with you and I want us to be able to trust each other.” Phil took a deep breath and grabbed Nico’s other hand, which was curled around his waist. He entwined their fingers together, loving how well they fit together. He never wanted to lose this. “I love you, Nicky. I just want us to be able to talk to each other about things.”

His boyfriend was quiet for a moment, nuzzling his nose into Phil’s hair and inhaling like he was trying to memorise what Phil smelled like. It was endearing, but tickled the top of Phil’s head. After a moment of that, Nico let out a breath and sat them up slightly so he could lean against the headboard of his bed, cradling Phil to his chest. The position let Phil curl into him better, so he had no qualms against this.

“Admittedly, I have been a bit upset lately,” Nico told him in a soft voice, one that was almost embarrassed. “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things and it’s been making me really agitated.”

Phil perked up a bit, his heart pounding just a tad faster. Nico wasn’t usually one to talk about his feelings like this, so Phil was a bit surprised that he was getting him to open up so easily. Usually, whenever he asked Nico to talk about things with him, Nico always said that everything was okay and put on a smile just for show. Obviously, now was not one of those times. “What about?” Phil asked, kissing Nico’s chest lightly.

He felt Nico shiver under his touch and squeeze him a bit tighter. “Just…” a pause. A deep breath. “It’s my father,” he admitted.

“Your father?” Phil asked, surprised. Nico never really talked about his family. He’d mentioned only a few things to Phil: they’d moved to England because his mum had gotten a job here, he had one brother named Ezra, and his mother’s name was Yvette. That was all Phil knew about his family.

Nico nodded, and from the way Phil’s head was resting against his chest, he could hear Nico’s heart start to beat slightly faster. “He was arrested when I was younger, and my mum called me a few weeks ago to tell me that he was being released in May.”

Phil’s heart started to race in time with Nico’s, wondering what in the hell Nico’s father could have done to not only land him in jail, but also to make Nico stress about the fact that he was getting out.

“What… what happened?”

If it was something Nico didn’t want to talk about, he didn’t show it. Instead, he immediately opened up to Phil, holding him close as if Phil was his own personal teddy bear. Perhaps he needed someone to be there for him after all this time alone. Perhaps Phil would finally be the one to pick him up now.

“I don’t remember much about my father. The only good thing about him that I can recall is how he used to take me to get vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles every Sunday after church. He always played piano music in the car, and it used to relax me a lot. But now, every time I hear someone playing the piano, it just makes me want to throw up.” Phil made sure to stay absolutely silent, even when Nico pressed another kiss to the top of his head. He was being overly affectionate, but Phil was okay with that.

It was probably to hide the pain buried deep inside of him.

“My dad was not a nice man, but I live in constant fear that I’m going to turn out just like him. He used to… used to hit my mom. A lot. He yelled crazy things at her, told her she was a whore, that she deserved to be hit, that she would be better off dead.” Nico swallowed and took another breath. It seemed as if this was hard for him to say because he kept having to pause, and his voice was wavering as he spoke. Phil just held him tighter and vowed to himself that he would never let Nico go. “Sometimes he would duct tape mine and Ezra’s hands together and force us to watch. Sometimes, he would tie my mom up and force her to watch as he hit us. We were living in constant fear of what he would do next.”

Phil felt all of the air leave his body then, as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He turned his head to look at Nico and saw tears shining in those bright green eyes he loved so much. “I’m so sorry, Nicky,” Phil whispered, reaching up and wiping those tears away. He had never seen Nico cry before, and it made him feel as if the ground had been flipped over, turned upside down. “You didn’t deserve to go through that.”

Nico pressed his lips together and shook his head, furrowing his eyebrows. He nuzzled into Phil’s hand, breathing in a sigh. He paused for a moment, closing his eyes, taking a moment to himself before he went on with his story.

“He ended up being arrested because he molested another woman, and I was so angry. At him, at my mom, at the woman, at the police. I just wanted everyone to die. I couldn’t believe he would leave us, you know? That he would do that to mom, to us. The only thing I had been able to feel for a long time was anger, and then hurt. It made me fear that the people most important to me were going to leave me, or that they would find someone better than me. That’s why… that’s why I’m so jealous, I reckon.” Nico groaned, closing his eyes. A tear slid down his cheek and landed on his collarbone, and Phil wiped it off. “I don’t mean to be, it just happens. And then I get so angry because I think about my dad and how he did all that stuff to us, and it just makes me feel like shit, you know?”

“I can understand that,” Phil murmured, smiling softly at his boyfriend, even though Nico’s eyes were still closed. He was breathing heavily, as if there was a huge weight on his chest, and Phil urged him to continue talking.

Even though Phil didn’t think he was going to, he kept talking.

Words spewed out of Nico’s mouth like vomit, until he was telling Phil about all of his secrets and fears. About how he lived in constant fear of how he might turn out to be just like his father. He showed Phil the scars on his arms, ones that were scattered across his shoulders, ones he’d inflicted upon himself over the years because he’d been unable to feel anything other than a numbness in his chest for years and years. He told Phil that he still hadn’t felt anything when he met Phil, how he was depressed and empty and about to give up all hope.

And then he talked about how Phil had given him hope, how he’d made Nico feel things that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He told Phil about how, for the first time in his life, he’d been able to love freely and with a newfound lightness in his chest that he’d never felt before.

When he was done talking, he had tears dripping down his face, and he seemed so vulnerable that Phil climbed into his lap and held him. He held him until Nico’s tears had dried up, until his soft hiccups had disappeared, until his breathing was even and he was littering kisses against Phil’s skin, whispering ‘thank you for listening to me’ and ‘i’ve never told anybody that before’ over and over again, like a mantra.

Phil smiled and tilted Nico’s face up so he could give him a soft kiss on the lips, his chest warm with the knowledge that Nico had some of his own demons to get past and that he was entrusting Phil with his whole heart as well. “Thank you for telling me,” Phil whispered against his lips. “You’re such a strong person, and I know you can get through this. But I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Nico returned Phil’s smile, albeit a bit watery. “I’m glad I fell in love with you,” Nico told him. “You’re my sweet pea.”

“I’ll love you forever,” Phil promised him. And he fully intended to keep that promise.

Phil hadn’t been expecting company.

He’d just gotten home from Dan’s house and was absolutely knackered because they’d decided to make cookies, which had ended in a wild flour fight. Nico had texted him about an hour ago saying he wasn’t able to come over because Ledjon needed his help with something or other.

So Phil wasn’t expecting anybody.

Then why was somebody suddenly knocking on Phil’s door? He almost hadn’t heard it because he’d just gotten out of the shower. A towel was wrapped around his waist, another around his shoulders, and water was dripping from his hair to the floor. It was the worst possible time for company, but whoever was at the door did not give a single fuck.

“Just a second!” Phil called when the knocking came again, and he hurried himself by throwing on a pair of old high school gym shorts and his university jumper. Before he knew it, he was opening the door, and his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Nico!” he exclaimed, throwing himself at his boyfriend and kissing him on the lips. “What are you doing here?”

Nico laughed and kissed him back. When he pulled away, he presented Phil with some items that he hadn’t noticed he was holding. “It’s our six month anniversary and I couldn’t just pass up the occasion! I have to spoil my favourite person, you know.”

Phil blushed as he took the bundle of sweet peas, the box of chocolates, and the last gift, which was a tiny wrapped box. “I feel horrible,” Phil whined, but he was grinning so wide that his face

felt like it was going to split. “I didn’t get you anything!”

Nico laughed and walked into Phil’s apartment, shutting the door behind him. He pecked Phil on the cheek, making the already rosy skin a darker shade of red. “You think I care about that?” he teased, gesturing to his presents. “Some chocolates, a surprise, and of course, some sweet peas for my sweet pea. After you’ve been putting up with my needy ass for months, I think you deserve it, don’t you?”

Laughing, Phil shook his head. He walked over to his kitchen table so he could set the gifts down and grab a vase for his sweet peas. “It’s not a chore to be your boyfriend, you know,” Phil informed Nico, who made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat. He got the vase from the cabinet above his sink and filled it with water before putting the flowers in them. When he was finished, he set them on the table, beaming. “Beautiful, don’t you think?”

“Almost as beautiful as you,” Nico sang. He came up behind Phil and wrapped his arms around his waist, putting his chin on his shoulder. “Open your present, love,” he whispered in Phil’s ear, making the hair on the back of Phil’s neck raise.

Phil giggled because he just couldn’t help himself, and picked up the little box. It was wrapped in bright pink wrapping paper, which made Phil coo. Slowly, Phil started to peel the paper back, holding his breath. When he was finished unwrapping it, he threw the paper in the trash and gazed at the little black box in his hand. With an excited nudge from Nico, he opened it, only to lose his breath.

“Holy,” he whispered, cutting himself off to swallow. It felt as though there was cotton wool stuck in his throat, like he needed to dislodge it but couldn’t. With shaking fingers, he pulled the locket out of the box and held it up. “This… this is gorgeous, Nico.”

And it was. The locket was one that looked like a book. On the cover, Nico had their names engraved in elegant script to make it seem as though they had a novel written about them. When Phil opened the book up, he found that Nico had put a picture of himself on one side and a picture of Phil on the other. It was something that Phil had never expected, but something he would be wearing every day from now on, something that made his heart ache with such a large amount of love that he felt as if it was going to overcome him.

Nico kissed the back of his neck, nuzzling his nose against his skin. “Do you like it?”

“I… I love it,” Phil murmured, twisting around in Nico’s arms so he could kiss him sweetly. Nico’s lips were soft and pliant against his own and he kissed Phil in such a way that made his head spin.

When they pulled away, Phil smiled as Nico put the necklace on him, his fingers brushing against his neck as he clasped the chain.

“There,” Nico said lightly, kissing Phil’s nose. “Now you can have me with you wherever you go. You’ll never be alone again, because I’ll always be watching over you.”

For a second, the words sent a thrill of terror and desire through Phil, an emotion he didn’t understand. Wasn’t that everything Phil had ever wanted? Yes, yes of course it was. Slowly, a smile started to work its way onto Phil’s features.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Phil admitted, knowing full well that he meant it. He would rather die than give Nico up at this point, even if that was a bit dramatic. It was just that nobody had ever made him feel so loved, so whole, and he would be an idiot if he ever let that go. “Happy anniversary. I’m sure we’ll have many more where that came from.” Nico nodded and his green eyes shown in the light of Phil’s apartment. “That we will, sweet pea, that we will”

Phil wasn’t sure why the words sounded like a threat, when he knew them to be nothing less than a promise… and yet they did.

Chapter Nine

#phan #phanfic #phanfiction #phanfictioncatalogue #botanistlester #botanistfics #gay #writing #fanfic #fanfiction #dan and phil #phan angst #phan chaptered #phan happy ending

186 notes · View notes

curewhimsy · 7 years

Text

Meme Dream

Nico dreams of being a meme, so she does a bunch of ridiculous things. Meanwhile, Umi's poker face is a big meme and Umi is humiliated. Slight NicoMaki. Contains angst and hurt/comfort. Sad Nico backstory.

Words: 2,862

Notes: Melodramatic AF

"Hey Umi, have you noticed how your face is everywhere lately?" Nozomi stated one day as they were walking through the city.

Indeed, Umi's face was everywhere. Not even in a good way. The city was covered in billboards of her. Umi felt overpowering shame.

For someone shy like Umi, this was a nightmare.

It all started with a simple card game of Old Maid against Honoka, using Nozomi's tarot cards. Umi was so bad at hiding her expressions, that her expressive faces were practically famous among the group of friends.

Rin decided it would be good idea to hide behind the bush and snap a picture of Umi so that more people would be able to see her fantastic faces. Right as Honoka took the good card away from Umi, her face turned into an expression of pure shock, terror and fear. Yes, you know the one.

Rin snapped the shutter at the perfect moment and captured Umi's hilarious face, preserving it forever and ever. When Rin and the others uploaded it online, they didn't expect it to get even a fraction of the attention it ended up getting.

Umi's ridiculous face had become a widespread meme.

There were Umi's face T-shirts, Umi's face phone cases, Umi's face on mugs, and thousands of jokes on the internet featuring Umi's face.

"Look everyone, it's Umi!" Honoka would say whenever she saw Umi's face somewhere.

In the city, at the idol shop, there was a whole section dedicated to Umi's face.

"I want to disappear..." Umi said, burying her face in her hands. She felt beyond humiliated and ashamed.

"But why?" Honoka asked.

"Hey look, it's the real Umi!" A kid said, approaching the blue-haired girl. He was licking a lollipop that had Umi's face on it.

Umi got so embarrassed, she made her famous face again before running and cowering in the corner.

"Wow! She really makes that face!" The kid said again. "Did you see that, mom?"

Umi started crying when the kid was out of sight.

"I hate this! I hate memes! I never wanted to be a meme, not like this!" She sobbed.

"Aw, cheer up, Umi." Honoka said. "Now everyone will know your name!"

"I don't want that!" Umi shrieked.

Meanwhile...

"It's not fair!" Nico yelled. "Why does Umi get to be a meme, and not me?"

There was silence from Maki, Rin, and Hanayo.

"I mean, seriously! I try so hard to be funny and famous, and instead Umi becomes a meme before me? She doesn't even WANT to be a meme!"

"Well, Nico." Maki shrugged, "Maybe if you stopped being so annoying..."

"What was that!?" Nico said.

"I mean, I don't get why you want to be a meme so bad. It's just something I don't understand. It's stupid." Maki smugly took a sip of tea, as if the tea was randomly there to make Maki seem even more smug. And it worked.

Nico was about to go off on a tangent but instead stayed quiet. Nico had given up on trying to reason with Maki at this point.

"You'll see..." Nico grumbled, clenching a fist as she always did.

"I'm just going to walk away." Maki said.

And she did.

"Fine."

Nico crossed her arms until Maki had left the room. Once Maki was far away, Nico sighed and punched the table in a fit of disappointment.

"Hey, Nico, nya!" Rin said, "I'll help you!"

"Me too!" Hanayo said, smiling.

"Guys... Really?" Nico was overflowing with gratitude, and it showed on her face.

"Sure we will, nya!" Rin meowed. "We'll be the Meme Team!"

"So, what are we going to do?" Hanayo asked.

"Hm... I was thinking about making an even funnier face..." Nico said, "Then we'll lie and say I slipped on a banana peel... and you take a picture of me lying on the floor with my funny face!"

"Alright!" Rin said.

So Nico began to lay on the floor, with the banana peel in the frame.

"I need a face with lots of impact..." She thought, busting out the funniest face she could possibly do.

Rin and Hanayo started laughing.

"This is great, nya!" Rin giggled.

"This is going to be lit." Said Hanayo as she snapped the picture.

They uploaded the picture online and waited.

And waited.

The next day, they checked the computer again.

"Twelve hits, huh...?" They all said.

"Phooey." Nico felt the disappointment punch her in the gut.

"It's okay. Maybe it'll suddenly explode soon..." Hanayo said.

Nico was clicking the comments on the picture. There was one.

"I can tell this is fake. It isn't very funny either." It said.

Nico realized she was reading the comment in Maki's voice and suddenly suspected it could've been Maki on anonymous.

"CURSE YOU NISHIKINO..." Nico cupped her hands into a fist as she felt the rage consume her.

"It's okay Nico, nya." Rin tried to console her. "We'll do something with even more impact."

"But the thing is..." Nico sighed hopelessly, "Memes are never staged. They're never intentional. They just happen. To the most unsuspecting of people."

"But Nico, we could always fake being unintentional." Hanayo said. "Like, maybe we can just do crazy things. We're bound to become memes. We can do it!"

So the Meme Team decided to research memes to see what kind of things were trendy, and to "unintentionally" create something along those lines.

"Here come dat boi... Rare Pepe... Pretty much all of Shrek..." Nico listed.

"Well, have you noticed that all three characters are green, nya?" Rin suggested.

A green spark lit up in Nico's head.

"...That's it!" Nico beamed. "Green is a meme color! I should wear green ribbons in my hair!"

"You should dye your hair green, nya!" Rin meowed.

"And paint your skin green!" Hanayo squeaked.

"That's it, that's it, yes!" Nico began cheering, and laughing maniacally.

So Nico spent all night getting green paint and accessories for her look. She even painted her fingernails green and bought green sunglasses that made everything look green.

The next day...

"It isn't St. Patrick's day, freak." Maki said, crossing her arms.

Nico ignited into flames the moment she heard Maki's voice. Green flames. Green flames of rage.

"Well, it isn't rotten tomato day either but I still see you walking around. What's up with that?" Nico spat.

"That was a weak comeback." Maki said in her smug tone of voice.

"Well, unless you shut up, you'll be red everywhere too when I'm through with you. We could be the green and red duo."

"Oh, I'm so scared!" Maki mocked Nico.

Nico, losing control, charged into Maki, who had her foot out. Nico, the little green gremlin, tripped over Maki's foot and tumbled right into the wall and the multitudes of framed idol pictures fell on Nico's butt.

It could've been funny. It could've been the perfect meme.

But nobody saw the scene except for Maki, and nobody was recording it either.

"Darn it..." Nico punched the wall. She wanted to make a hole in the wall so it could be like the meme where someone frames a hole that was punched in the wall.

But Nico couldn't leave a hole no matter how hard she tried. And even if she did, Maki wouldn't frame it.

The next day, Nico decided giving up being green. She washed out all the dye and paint in the shower and put away her green ribbons for good.

"No matter how hard I try, I'm never funny." Nico said. "I'll prove to Maki that I can be funny and that memes are great."

Memes made people happy. Memes made people al over the world smile. Why couldn't Maki appreciate that? Did she want the world to be a sad, terrible place?

"All I want to do is make people happy. Why does Maki always act like that?"

For the next few days, Nico tried and tried.

From recording herself being stung by bees, to yelling her longest "Nico Nico Nii" ever until she fell over coughing, she wouldn't give up.

"I'm going to record Hanayo punching me in the face!" Nico said on camera.

"Nico... why would I ever punch you in the face?" Hanayo squeaked.

"Because it'll make me famous!" Nico said.

"But Nico..."

"Don't hold back." Nico said, "Really let me have it!"

"Okay, but..." Hanayo whimpered, "This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you."

Suddenly, Hanayo's fist was speeding towards Nico's face before she was even aware.

"GAH!" Nico cried out. "I wasn't rea-"

Before Nico could say she wasn't ready, Hanayo punched her again.

"HANAYO PLEASE." Nico said again.

Hanayo roared like a lion and punched Nico again.

"AAAAAAH!"

In the end, it turned out that the camera wasn't even on, so none of the footage was caught. All Nico ended up with was a bloody nose, a missing tooth, pain, and disappointment.

"Oh well. Maybe I'll just give up now." Nico said, putting on a fake smile.

"Are you sure, nya?" Rin meowed.

"Yeah... I've grown and realized... it isn't worth it and I should just live my life." That's all.

Nico was smiling. But it didn't look genuine. She looked strained and like she was lying.

Looking closely, there were tears in the corners of her eyes. Tears that she had tried so hard to conceal...

Nico began to walk away to the girls' room as Rin and Hanayo watched her concernedly.

------

Maki walked in the bathroom to empty her leftover tea in the sink, when she heard crying.

"Dad, I'm sorry."

It was... Nico, doubled over in the last stall. She was gripping a picture of her dad and herself, both smiling and saying "Nico Nico Nii". Nico had left the stall open, and Maki saw everything.

"Nico's dad..." Maki thought. It suddenly occurred to her that she never saw Nico's father before. "Is he... dead?"

"I'm so sorry..." The sobbing continued as Nico talked to her dad. "I'm worthless. I can't even make people smile. All I do is act stupid and get hurt, and then people hate me. I've made more people sad than happy... I mean look at Maki! She hates me!"

Maki suddenly felt a weird emotion. She couldn't walk away. But she couldn't let Nico see her dropping in...

She went into a stall opposite of the side of Nico and listened more.

"It's all my fault that you're gone. If I didn't want donuts that day, you would've never drove to the store, and got into that accident..."

Maki's heart took a hit.

"All you wanted was to make people happy, right? So I wanted to make the world happy for you... but instead, I..."

Nico sighed and began taking really deep breaths. It seemed like she was getting herself together now. Maki quickly noticed and ran out of the bathroom before Nico would notice that she heard everything.

The hallway strangely seemed even longer when Maki walked down it. Longer and emptier. She suddenly realized that her face was pink from holding in her emotions.

"Nico..." She thought, lamenting everything she did to her. "I never knew she had such a sad story..."

All Nico wanted was to keep her father's dream alive.

"Nico, I'm sorry. I... want you to be happy too."

That night, Maki shed a tear.

The next day...

"Have you heard? Nico's going to launch herself out of a cannon!" A student said.

What!?

Maki had overheard many things, but this had to be the most shocking...

"I'm sorry, but what!?" She asked.

"Nico Yazawa should be in the courtyard right now..." The students said.

Oh no.

Maki started running. Her feet were moving on their own, and her heart was pounding so hard that she could feel it in her face.

In the courtyard, people were gathered around Nico, who was going to fly out of a cannon over a statue in the schoolyard and into a giant pile of rice...

Maki got there just in time to see Nico shoot out.

"NOOOOOO!" She shrieked.

"NICO NICO NIIII~!" Nico sang as she flew through the air, fantastically soaring out of the cannon.

Nico felt like she was soaring. Maki felt like she was falling.

Everything was happening in slow motion, but not slow enough. Maki couldn't run fast enough. Her voice couldn't come out fast enough...

"NICO!" Maki screamed. Nico was now flying too far left of the mound of rice she was supposed to land in. Even Nico knew at this point. This wasn't going to turn out well.

Maki couldn't watch.

Nico, despite trying to break her fall, hit the ground. The cold, hard ground.

"Nico..." Everything and everyone went painfully quiet. Students held their hands over their faces and mouths. Rin and Hanayo were as still as statues as they huddled together, terrified.

"Nico!" Maki began to cry and rushed to Nico who was collapsed on the ground.

"Someone call an ambulance!" She shouted, "She isn't okay!"

------

All the members of Muse rode in the ambulance with Nico to the hospital.

"Nico..." Maki sobbed. "This is all my fault." She said. "She wanted to make people smile so bad, and I let her down..."

"Maki, come here." Rin offered a hug to Maki, who was in hysterics.

Everyone else gathered around Maki.

"It's okay... don't blame yourself." Umi said.

"But... Nico's dad..." Maki said. "His dream was to make people smile too. But then he passed away in an accident... So Nico wanted to become a meme and make people happy for her dad."

"Maki, how do you know all this?" Honoka asked, her hand cupped over her mouth.

"I overheard Nico talking to a picture." A tear dripped down her cheek. "It seems like Nico loved her dad very much..."

"Oh..." Everyone said. They all shared a good cry.

"All this time, Nico's been hiding her feelings... She's never even told us this. She's such a strong person." Maki said.

"We should do something for Nico." Honoka said. "We'll throw her the biggest, best party ever."

------

The next day, Nico woke up from her mild concussion. It turned out that she broke her nose again, however, along with her right arm.

Maki was the first to visit Nico once she was awake.

"Go away." Nico said.

"Nico..." Maki used a gentle tone of voice Nico never heard before.

She looked to Maki and saw she was smiling, her face red, as if she had been crying.

"I just want to say, I'm sorry." Maki said. "I heard you talking to your dad, and... now I'm sorry. All you wanted was to make people smile, so..."

Maki smiled. It was the most beautiful sight Nico ever saw.

"You made me smile." Maki said, "You're closer to your goal."

Nico, who was hiding everything in not so long before, let the tears slide down her cheek in front of Maki for the first time.

"But... Maki..." Nico sobbed. "Now that I'm hurt, all I did was make people sad again..."

"But you made me happy." Maki said, "Because I got to be friends with you."

Nico looked at Maki with teary eyes.

"Do you want to come outside with me, Nico?" Maki asked.

Nico nodded and wiped her tears, feeling vulnerable. She tried to smile.

When they got to the lobby of the hospital...

"SURPRISE!"

All of Nico's other friends were there, holding cake and surrounded by colorful balloons and banners.

"Nico, this is for you, nya!" Rin cheered.

"Happy birthday!" Hanayo said, "Even though it isn't."

"See these smiles?" Honoka pointed to her face. "They're for you! Nico, our favorite meme!"

"Wait, what?" Nico said.

"You became a meme!" Honoka cheered, "You're famous for being, well, you!"

Nico looked closer at the cake and saw that it was covered in funny pictures of her. Wow! Just the way she liked it.

Eli pulled a string and it started to rain fan letters.

"Everyone loves you, Nico!" She smiled. "See how many fans you have?"

Nico was so happy, overwhelmingly happy!

"You know what this calls for?" She bounced.

"Oh no, is Nico going to sing?" Umi said.

"You know it!" Nico yelled.

Rin took out a trumpet and started to play a little tune.

"Hey!" Nico, Rin, and Hanayo jumped to the beat. "We are number one!"

"Now listen closely." Nico said.

"Here's a little lesson in meme-ry, this is going down in history! If you want to be a meme number one, you have to work hard, wear a smile and have some fun!"

"Just follow my moves, and dance around, and make a lot of joyful sound! NO, DONT TOUCH THAT!"

Hanayo slipped on a banana peel for real, sliding right into Rin, who bumped into Nico, who got a face full of cake.

"HAHAHA!" Nico laughed, pink icing and cake crumbs covering her face. "This is the best party ever. Thanks guys!"

So Nico went down in history as the idol who made everyone smile. She may have been small, but she had a heart filled with laughter and joy, and that was all that mattered.

#yazawa nico #nico yazawa #love live #love live!#nicomaki #fic #meme #memes #my writing #fanfic #fanfiction #sonoda umi

3 notes · View notes