#willhemina venable

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Forty-Six: Thulian.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @mayfair-fleur @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx @notmeellaannyy @rwoolfe @golddustdykes​ @lovingsarah @slut-for-sarah @geinobinarie​ (message me to be added if interested!)

“Yes.” With her heart starting to go back to its normal speed, Wilhemina took a deep breath. She’s… out of this world. “You can help me if I get lost.”

“Always.” Billie smiled as she caressed Venable’s knee.

Always. Wilhemina bit her lower lip. I shouldn’t be in love so fast. Chuckling to herself, she turned the car on and began to drive. As they stopped at a red light, Venable reached to caress Billie’s hand. It was still astonishing to Wilhemina just how organic Billie Dean’s touch was… she was driving with someone’s hand on her knee and it felt natural. When had she ever stopped to think about that ever being a possibility in her life? The light soon turned green again. The silence between them was comfortable, with only small comments being shared until they eventually got to Billie Dean’s house.

“You remembered it perfectly,” Billie said softly as Venable began to park right in front of the mansion. With a small smile, Wilhemina nodded. Billie Dean bit her lower lip as she was suddenly reminded of the mess her house was. She’ll think I’m absolutely filthy. Billie was definitely not the most organized person in the planet, but she was far from being grimy. A weird type of nervousness crawled inside of Billie Dean. “Um,” she nervously licked her lips as they unbuckled and stepped out of the car. “Eleanor was supposed to have come yesterday, but because of the party I asked her not to…” Wilhemina eyed Billie as they walked to the huge gate, not quite understanding what she meant just yet. “It’s a bit messy,” Billie Dean added.

Oh. Venable bit her inner cheek in order to hold back a grin. Billie was worried about what she’d think of her… that was strangely sweet. “It’s okay,” she shook it off. Billie Dean’s house was Billie Dean’s house, she had nothing to do with it.

I didn’t wash the dishes and I’m sure the living room is a mess. Billie was already embarrassed, and they hadn’t even stepped inside yet. Wilhemina was so organized and had everything perfectly placed in her house, Billie Dean was sure it was going to be a contrast. Will she be less attracted to me because of it? No, that was a stupid thought… her house wasn’t even that messy, to start with. Pushing the huge front door open, Billie stepped aside for Venable to get in. “There it is.”

With her cane tapping on the marble floor, Wilhemina looked around almost in awe; not because the house was huge—it definitely was—but because it was Billie Dean’s. And it screamed Billie Dean. The couches on the living room were white leather, and all the furniture and decorations had a light palette to them, variating from blue to coral to pink. There were a few awards in a huge shelf as well as some books and pictures, and the room was bathing in natural sunlight from the huge windows it had. The pillows on the couch were far from being neatly placed though, and there was a trashcan right in the middle of the living room. Weird. In other times, Venable would have judged; would have thought about how a grown woman had the nerve to keep her house anything other than perfectly tidy. But Wilhemina had been learning a thing or two about being so strict. “It’s a gorgeous living room, indeed.”

“Why, thank you.” Billie Dean had already kicked her shoes off, stepping inside to try and make it more presentable; she grabbed the pillows and set them straight, as well as reaching for the trashcan and pushing it to the corner. “I’m sorry, they were doing my makeup for the party in here and I assumed having a trashcan was easier than allowing trash to collect.” Venable nodded. “It’s usually not that messy,” Billie harped on the same string again. “Eleanor comes three times a week, on Monday she should be here.”

“It’s okay,” Wilhemina repeated, and this time she allowed a tiny smile to lift up the corners of her lips. “It’s not that bad.”

A chuckle left Billie Dean’s cheeks as she finally let go of the pillows—they were still not perfectly placed. “You haven’t seen the kitchen.”

“Show me?”

With another chuckle, Billie nodded. She reached for Venable’s hand and guided her there. As they stepped into the room, honey eyes grew wide as she was reminded of all the frozen pizza she had eaten, for the boxes were stacked in the corner of the room near the trashcan, and two or three plates lay dirty on the sink as well as a few glasses. “I should have kept my mouth shut,” she murmured shyly.

Wilhemina would never, in a million years, accept her kitchen to look like that… good thing it wasn’t her kitchen, right? A lens of sweetness covered her eyes as she looked at the jumble. In order to live, we must create some messes. Someone had told her that a few years ago. Probably her therapist. “That’s a lot of pizza,” she commented with a smile.

“I know!” Billie used her free hand to cover her reddening cheeks. “I was sad.”A hint of sadness touched the smile on Venable’s face. She squeezed Billie Dean’s hand, but didn’t say anything. Oh shit. Billie quickly changed the focus. “Would you—would you like a glass of water? I have juice, too, and wine if you’re feeling like it.”

“I’m alright, thank you.” They hadn’t had lunch already, wine was certainly not an option.

Billie Dean pulled away to grab a glass from the counter, filling it with water. “Are you sure? I might have some soda left, too.”

“I’m positive.” Wilhemina nodded.

Billie took a sip. “If you change your mind, please let me know.”

“I will.”

Finishing her glass, Billie Dean began to guide them to her bedroom, which was upstairs. As soon as Venable eyed the stairs, her hand gripped the cane harsher. She let go of Billie’s hand and reached for the handrail, holding it tightly as she tried to follow up as fast as possible. Billie Dean frowned as the hand let go of hers, looking back only to realize what was going on. Her heart sank for a second, and she wasn’t sure she should really say anything or just let it go. Should she ask if Wilhemina needed any help? Would that be appropriate? Would she feel bad? Billie bit her lip harshly as she slowly followed up, not wanting to rush in front of Wilhemina. “Do you—do you want help?” She asked hesitantly, stopping to look back at Venable once again.

Wilhemina’s knuckles turned white as her cheeks tinted red. She shamefully shook her head, soon holding it back up and making sure her posture was as neat as always. Want. Not need. Even though it probably wasn’t a conscious choice of words, Venable appreciated it. It made her feel less small, and Gosh was she feeling small right now. “No. Thank you.” She kept on taking step by step, leaning heavily on the cane as she did so. Brown eyes avoided honey ones. How is she in love with me? I’m broken. The voice was back again. Wilhemina’s jaw tensed up.

Billie nervously licked her lips and gave Venable a nod. She continued to slowly follow upstairs, eyes closing as she felt like drowning on how uncomfortable she felt. How should she act in situations like this? Why the fuck did I have to want two floors? There was no way past Billie Dean would have known, but she still somehow martyred herself over it. I’ll have to talk about that with her, some other time. Finally arriving upstairs, Billie offered a hand to Wilhemina again. “My bed is probably a mess,” she tried, hoping to make the awkwardness go away.

Inside her mind, Venable was back at fighting with the derogatory thoughts; they bombarded her. You’re broken. You’ll never be enough for her. You don’t deserve her. She’ll soon get tired of you. Her palm no longer felt good against Billie Dean’s, all of a sudden. No no no. Stop it. She forced her fingers to wrap around Billie’s. At the comment, she smiled the best she could and shook her head, trying to bring herself out of her inner turmoil. “It’s okay.”

As they stepped into Billie Dean’s bedroom, honey eyes grew in shame at the way her covers were all messily pilled up on the bed, and a glass or two stood on her nightstand. To top it all off, a plastic bag full of used tissues hung on one of the drawers. Fuck my life. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, quickly walking to grab the bag and shoving it inside the nightstand.

Watching Billie blush because of her caused all the voices inside Wilhemina’s head to lower a notch. She bit her lower lip, smiling a little. The room was a mess alright, but it was Billie Dean’s mess. “It’s okay,” she said, yet again.

“You must think I’m a nightmare to share a house with,” Billie Dean teased. Seriously, she probably does. Her cheeks kept on tinting.

Agreeing with Billie’s statement would have been Venable’s first reaction had she not known Billie Dean’s lifestyle. How was Billie supposed to keep a house this size tidy when she barely had time to sleep? That’s why she has a maid, after all. “You work a lot.” Yes, taking the glasses to the kitchen wouldn’t hurt, and having at least a trashcan to place the plastic bag inside was common decency, but Wilhemina decided to ignore that. Because frankly, she liked Billie too much for it to carry a heavy weight.

“It was a tough week,” Billie Dean breathed out without thinking much. Venable nodded, but didn’t say anything. “After seeing all this… am I still welcome to spend the night at your place?” She teased again. With a small chuckle and with her nerves finally giving up and starting to relax, Wilhemina nodded. “Yay,” Billie chuckled back. She took a step closer to Venable and lovingly pecked her lips, lingering there for a second. A hand sneaked around her waist, holding her there. Billie Dean smiled, gently pulling away. She stared at brown eyes, hands caressing Venable’s hips . “On a more serious note,” her voice was now a bit firmer. “I’m not that messy. I mean—I’m not that messy while sharing my space. I—I respect people’s boundaries. I wouldn’t mess your place, that’s what I mean.”

She’s nearly stumbling over her words. Wilhemina didn’t think she’d ever have that effect on someone—at least not in a good way. Most people stumbled over words because they were intimidated by her. With her smile spreading timidly, she nodded. And her hand made sure to caress the soft spot where it landed on Billie’s back. “I know. I’m not worried about that.” Mostly because she hadn’t stopped to think about that yet.

Billie Dean nodded and kissed her again. Her lips were as soft as one supposed a cloud would be. “Come on,” she barely whispered as she pulled away, grabbing Venable’s hand and guiding her into the closet. Wilhemina could barely believe how many clothes she saw there, not to mention Billie had shelves just for her shoes, purses and accessories, as well as a huge full body mirror and a large vanity. Billie Dean took her to a small couch in the middle of the room, and Venable quickly took a seat. With a smile, she bent down to kiss her once more. “I’ll just change and grab a few things.”

“It’s no rush,” Wilhemina murmured against Billie’s lips. They kissed again before Billie Dean finally pulled away.

“Oh,” she back down. “Can you unzip me?” Billie turned around. “I can do it myself, but since you’re here…”

“Of course.” Reaching up, Venable carefully pulled the delicate piece south. Her fingertips burned as freckled skin appeared underneath the material, revealing more and more of Billie. She gulped, pulling away when it was done and revealing the tiniest bit of lace from Billie Dean’s underwear.

“Thank you.” Billie held the dress close to herself and got back up. She walked to a more secluded area, where Wilhemina couldn’t really see her, and discarded the dress aside. Now, only in her panties, she reached for a pair of jeans and a sweater. After getting dressed, Billie Dean walked back to the room to collect a few things. Underwear, pajamas, cigarettes, perfume, phone charger… She set everything inside a handbag, and all the while, dark brown eyes were glued on her; Venable watched Billie’s every move, eyes scanning her unabashedly, passing up and down through her body with a different kind of intention. “I’m all set,” Billie Dean turned around to Wilhemina. Her insides twisted at the look Venable had on her face. She’s been watching me. The hair that stood up on the back of her neck made a lot of sense.

“Alright.” Wilhemina licked her dry lips, reaching for her cane to get up. She finally looked away. How can someone look so good in jeans? She took a deep breath.

“I just need to find some shoes.” Billie walked to one of the shelves and reached for a pair of white sneakers. Her feet needed a break from heels. She quickly put it on and turned back around. “Ready?”

“Yes.” Venable reached for Billie Dean’s hand and they both walked out of the bedroom and to the stairs. This time, Billie quickly let go of Wilhemina to allow her to better go downstairs. It was easier to go down than up, for Venable.

When they reached the living room, Billie Dean guided them to the front door, fingers tangled with Wilhemina’s again. She could see how Venable eyed her legs from time to time, quickly looking away right after. A small smirk touched her lips. As she opened the front door and Wilhemina stepped outside, Billie allowed herself to stare at Venable’s butt for a bit longer; she bit her inner cheek and looked away to lock the door as soon as Wilhemina looked back at her. “We can order something for lunch, later,” she decided to speak so her inappropriate thoughts didn’t consume her.

“Sure,” Venable nodded. She forced herself to stop staring so much at Billie Dean, but how could she stop when that woman was wearing jeans? They walked to the huge gate and Billie stopped to set the alarm there; once she did it, they finally stepped outside. Wilhemina already reached for the car keys. “Are you hungry already?”

“No,” Billie shook her head. “Are you?”

“No.” Venable unlocked the car, but before she could reach for her door, Billie Dean was already opening it for her. Warmth made its way to her cheeks. She offered her a timid smile. “Thank you.”

Smiling brightly, Billie nodded. “Of course.” She leaned closer and pecked Wilhemina’s cheek, because she could.

Holding back a sweet chuckle, Venable got into the car. How is she real? She bit her lower lip to stop her smiling from growing too much. Billie Dean soon joined her inside, and once they buckled up Wilhemina began to drive. A hand landed on her knee, caressing it. Venable’s brown eyes fell down to it for a second, and her cheeks kept on fighting with the expanding smile. “Your nails are always so beautifully done… how do you maintain them?” she asked after a second of silence.

“Oh,” Billie Dean eyed the hand that caressed Wilhemina’s knee. “They’re gel extensions.” Venable hummed, and honey eyes noticed how she seemed to frown a little. “Every two weeks I get them done. My former agent advised me to always have my hands in order, since I talk too much with them. It’s been years since my natural nails have seen the light of day.”

Wilhemina supposed it made sense. She stared at her own nails at the wheel, and part of her felt ashamed that they were kept… natural. She always made sure her nails were clean and cut short, of course, but that was it; sometimes she dared painting them a shade of purple, but it was a rare event. “They’re beautiful.”

Billie couldn’t hold the chuckle that left her lips. She remembered, back when they barely knew each other, how Venable had commented on her nails and how she seemed to not like them. “You don’t mean it,” she teased.

With her frown growing, Wilhemina looked at Billie Dean as they stopped at a red light. “I do.”

“You don’t,” Billie laughed. “You’ve told me you didn’t like them some time ago. It’s okay, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea.” She lovingly squeezed Venable’s knee to make a point.

Damn it. Wilhemina’s cheeks tinted once again. Honesty sometimes costed a lot. “I like them, now.”

“That doesn’t count.”

“It definitely does.” Billie Dean chuckled again. The light turned green, and so Venable had to look away and to the road.

“I’m glad you do, then.” Billie squeezed Wilhemina’s leg one more time, caressing it.

Venable chewed on her bottom lip as she thought. “I suppose I’ve grown used to them… they compliment you.” And they do look sexy. She kept that part to herself.

Billie Dean hummed. She looked at her own hand again, examining the nails. “Like the purple with you.”

“You didn’t like the purple back then?” The question flew from Wilhemina’s lips before she could really think about it.

Billie Dean’s eyes grew in size. She looked at Venable even though brown eyes kept glued on the road. “No, I did. That’s not what I meant.”

I didn’t like the nails, she didn’t like the purple. Insecurity crawled inside Wilhemina, even though it made no sense; Billie didn’t have to like every single part of her life… right? I don’t like her any less because she smokes. But Billie Dean was Billie Dean, Billie Dean was beautiful and perfect and had every single aspect of her life in place. Venable was no Billie Dean.

“Hey,” Billie’s soft tone cut through Wilhemina’s inner turmoil. She squeezed her knee again. She’s ashamed. “All I meant is that I’ve grown used to the purple, too. And that it compliments you well. I’ve always been fond of it.” Venable nodded. She gulped as the light turned red again. Brown eyes hesitated, but moved to honey ones. Billie Dean offered her a small smile, warm and comforting as always. And then she leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love the purple,” she repeated, just to make sure.

With her inner cheek trapped between her teeth, Wilhemina opened a timid smile. She nodded, yet again. “I love the coral,” she said shyly, and the smile that graced Billie’s face was so damn beautiful Venable was afraid she was about to melt. The light changed colors again, and so Wilhemina forced herself to look away. One of her hands, however, reached to squeeze Billie’s.

In no more than twenty minutes, Venable was already parking at her garage. They both got out of the car, Billie Dean with her bag in hand. Wilhemina reached for her keys and opened the door, allowing Billie to step inside first. As she walked by Venable, Billie Dean reached to caress her waist, watching as Purpura meowed and came running to greet them at the door.

“Hi, cutie,” Billie said softly. Purpura watched Billie Dean but didn’t lean closer to her legs.

The hand around her waist felt good. Almost too good. Wilhemina smiled at the cat and turned to close the door. “She’s used to pets first thing when I get home.”

“I can see that.” Honey eyes watched the way the cat leaned against the corner table, rubbing her back against it.

“She’s very spoiled,” Venable commented sweetly as she carefully took off her shoes and set them aside. Billie quickly did the same. Then, they walked to the couch. Only then Wilhemina took notice of the fact she was pretty sure she had never seen Billie Dean with anything other than heels. The white sneakers didn’t make her any less classy.

“I think that’s adorable.” As soon as they sat down, Purpura jumped up and to Venable’s lap.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Wilhemina chuckled. She set her cane aside and caressed between the cat’s ears. Loud purrs filled the room.

Smiling to herself, Billie Dean reached to caress Purpura on top of her sweater. The cat leaned closer to her. “Is it good?” A tiny meow was heard. Billie gasped as Venable let out a laugh.

“I think it is.”

“She’s so smart.”

Wilhemina nodded, fingers still caressing the cat’s skin. After a minute or two, she looked at Billie. Her lower lip got trapped between her teeth as she watched the way honey eyes were so lovingly glued to the cat. I’d love to paint her. Venable could trace Billie Dean’s features with her eyes so perfectly well; she could see where she’d add shade and volume, which colors she would mix to match the shade of her silky hair and cherry lips. “Would you allow me to paint you sometime?”

Billie blinked softly as she looked at Wilhemina. “Paint me?”

Venable nodded. “As a reference.”

With her cheeks gaining a bit of color, Billie Dean nodded back. “Yes.” Why was that so romantic? The idea of having Wilhemina staring at her every single detail for hours had the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Billie used her free hand to reach for Venable’s knee, caressing it. Purpura now jumped off of Wilhemina’s lap and walked to the kitchen. “That’s so sweet of you…”

“What is?” Venable had trouble understanding; Billie Dean was the one who agreed to an idea of hers, after all.

“You, wanting to paint me.”

“Oh.” Wilhemina hadn’t stopped to think about the possibility of it coming off as weird. But it suddenly popped into her mind that it could be. “I mean—only if you feel comfortable.”

“I do,” Billie Dean quickly said. She squeezed Venable’s knee again, and this time a hand tangled with hers. Wilhemina caressed her fingers. “I just find it such a lovely thing, that you would want to paint me.”

“You’re beautiful,” Venable simply said. Because it was true, and because she didn’t think she’d ever get tired of staring at her.

With her cheeks tinting even more, a shy cackle left Billie’s lips. Her eyes moved away from brown ones before coming back again. “So are you… unfortunately, all I can draw are stick figures.”

With a small laugh, Venable shook her head. She’d have to draw a crooked one. The thought came flying with no warnings, although more of that kind had been lingering in the back of her head ever since she had to face the stairs. Wilhemina gulped and shoved it aside. “I bet they’re lovely.”

“I can make a purple one for you.” Playfully, Billie Dean winked. And it was just so damn pure to be able to enjoy another person like that; with no worries, with no fears. Venable didn’t hold back the laugh that left her lips, and Billie just stared and stared at that woman nonstop, wanting to remember every single detail of her features when she was happy.

“I think that works.”

“Me too,” Billie’s voice was considerably softer, now. Brown eyes moved to hers, almond in shape from smiling. Billie Dean smiled back and reached to caress one of Wilhemina’s cheeks with her free hand. They stared at each other. “I think my grandma would have loved you,” she said after what seemed to be ages.

With a frown reaching her features, Venable licked her suddenly dry lips. “How so?” she asked, voice as soft as Billie’s.

With a small shrug, Billie Dean now played with a lock of red hair. “I just know she would.” Billie’s grandmother had been the only person to believe in her when she said she could contact the other side—and to really believe her, not only after she began getting recognized. Granted, Billie Dean had gotten her gift from someone, and that someone had been her grandmother. I miss her. “She was the first one I opened up to about my sexuality… the first one I told about my gift… she would have loved you,” she repeated.

Blinking softly, Venable found herself a little lost on the emotions that invaded her. How was it like to have someone you could trust like that? But also… how was it like to lose someone like that? Wilhemina would usually roll her eyes and ignore the subject when people started talking about their family, for it was too painful. But Billie Dean’s family seemed worth the pain. “I’m sure she was lovely.” If Billie talked that highly about her, Venable had no reasons to believe otherwise. I feel weird.

“She was.” A small smile touched Billie Dean’s lips. “I can see her as clear as day, crocheting you a purple sweater… hugging you so tightly your arms would hurt.” Billie chuckled faintly, eyes far away. “She would love to talk to you about wine… about books, or art, or anything you wanted to talk about. She would love your hair… and how you smell, and how you carry yourself…”

Venable gulped softly. Billie Dean’s words carried so much adoration, yet so much pain… she had never seen her like that. Yet, Wilhemina herself grew with new emotions once again, and she wondered how to deal with them, what to do with them. She tried picturing a woman who could be Billie’s grandmother, but all she could think about were the old ladies who locked her at her bedroom when it was bedtime. Someone so important to Billie Dean certainly wouldn’t be like that. Her chest grew tight—but not because of anxiety, this time. But because of something she didn’t know.

“She really would have loved you,” Billie repeated once again, thus breaking Venable’s train of thoughts. She blinked once and let go of Wilhemina’s hair, leaning closer to kiss her on the forehead. I’m not ready to talk about her yet. Billie Dean didn’t know why she had brought her grandmother up, out of nowhere. She thought about her every single day, but the wound was still not healed enough. And she didn’t want to bring their mood down, for they already had quite a lot on their plate. Shaking the nostalgia off, Billie pulled away and smiled at Wilhemina, whom stared at her with eyes as wide and concentrated as a puppy’s. She’s adorable. “I’m starting to grow hungry…”

Change of subjects. Venable supposed Billie Dean would open up more when she felt ready. Doing her best to shift her internal dynamics, she nodded and leaned to peck her lips once. How would my grandmother be like? She would never find out… she would never know if her family would have loved Billie Dean, if her mother would have been happy for her, if her father would have grown protective. I’m alone. She knew that, but being reminded of it was a different story. “We can order.” Clearing her throat in order to clear her mind, Wilhemina reached for her phone inside her pocket. Billie Dean snuggled closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, caressing it. I’m glad she has a family.

#rabexxpaulson #would you swallow all your pride? #ahs #american horror story #lesbian #billie dean howard #lesbian fanfic #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian story #willhemina venable #billie dean x wilhemina venable #WYSAYP #ahs fanfiction #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Forty-Seven: Scarlet.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @mayfair-fleur @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx @notmeellaannyy @rwoolfe @golddustdykes​ @lovingsarah @slut-for-sarah @geinobinarie​ (message me to be added if interested!)

A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who's still interested in this very much close to my heart story and everyone who's been rooting for me and for everything going on in my life. Things have not been easy, and I've been thinking and wishing that I could just sit down and write, but I just... couldn't. I'm back now though, hopefully for good. Thank you, once again. I don't plan on letting that story go any time soon x.

Change of subjects. Venable supposed Billie Dean would open up more when she felt ready. Doing her best to shift her internal dynamics, she nodded and leaned to peck her lips once. How would my grandmother be like? She would never find out… she would never know if her family would have loved Billie Dean, if her mother would have been happy for her, if her father would have grown protective. I’m alone. She knew that, but being reminded of it was a different story. “We can order.” Clearing her throat in order to clear her mind, Wilhemina reached for her phone inside her pocket. Billie Dean snuggled closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, caressing it. I’m glad she has a family.

“Do you mind if we eat something other than McDonald’s?” Billie asked softly, hesitantly.

“Not at all. I was going to ask you that same question, actually.” A chuckle left Venable’s lips. She opened the delivery app and slowly began to scroll down the many options there.

Billie Dean smiled and leaned closer, eyes on the screen. “What about some pasta?” Venable hummed. Pasta sounded good. “There’s this restaurant I always order from.” Gently, Billie reached to touch on the screen; her nail produced a tiny sound as it made contact with the glass. “They have the most delicious red sauce.”

“You know I won’t argue with you over food recommendations,” Wilhemina teased, trying to lift the somber atmosphere off of herself. It worked, for Billie Dean laughed in a way that got her mind thinking about nothing but the way that woman beside her managed to be so damn majestic.

“I hope I won’t let you down this time.” Honey eyes moved to brown ones.

Wilhemina offered her a tiny smile. “You couldn’t.” It was true, and it was also scary. Not now.

Humming lovingly, Billie looked down at the screen again. “I usually go for their spaghetti with meatballs. They also have those delicious breadsticks that taste heavenly with the sauce.”

“That’s perfect.”

“Would you like me to order?”

Venable nodded. She handed her phone to Billie Dean and leaned on her shoulder to watch the screen. Billie Dean bit her inner cheek, holding back her grin as she began to tap down on the mobile. “Do they have anything sweet?” How funny was it that ever since starting to work at Billie Dean Howard & Co. Wilhemina found herself craving sweets in a way she had never done before? Sweets had never been much of a part in her life.

“A few pies.” Swiftly, Billie clicked on the options. She slowly scrolled down. “Their pecan one is delicious.”

Venable was about to agree to it when she saw there was cheesecake on the menu. “Have you ever tried their cheesecake?”

“Not really. We can though, if you’d like.”

Wilhemina nodded. “It’s my favorite.”

“Really?” Honey eyes moved to brown ones once again. Venable smiled a little. She did offer me some cheesecake last week. “I’ll keep that in mind.”A soft blush coated Wilhemina’s cheeks. Billie Dean took notice of it to herself and looked back at the screen. “They have strawberry, grape and blueberry. Which one would you like?”

“I personally prefer grape, but anything else is fine.”

“Grape it is, then.” Billie quickly placed their order, holding back the urge to complain about the fact that Wilhemina was paying for everything. The subject didn’t even cross Venable’s mind, if she were being honest, for the simple fact that Billie Dean had quickly gotten them grape cheesecake was enough to melt her heart in a strange way; she didn’t even question it, she simply got them what Wilhemina had said she liked more. Such a small act, but so damn sweet in nature… Venable wondered if Billie even realized how much she managed to enchant people. Handing the phone back to Wilhemina, Billie Dean leaned back against the couch, arm still wrapped around Venable’s shoulders. “It should be here in about forty-five minutes.”

Wilhemina hummed as she set her phone aside. With both of her hands free, she reached for Billie’s free one and tangled their fingers, slowly playing with them as she looked down at their hands. Will she ever be bothered by the fact I have no family? Like it or not, Venable would never be able to introduce Billie Dean to a mother or a father. I’ve never stopped to think about it before. Her relationship with Lisa had been so different she wondered if it could even compare.

Lost in thought, Venable didn’t realize the way honey eyes were so concentrated on her, analyzing every single feature of her beautiful face. Billie still wondered how could she have not realized just how utterly gorgeous Wilhemina was from the very first time they saw one another. The memories came crashing inside her brain, and Billie Dean couldn’t help but let out a faint chuckle at how different things were, now. Past Billie Dean would have never guessed.

The sound that left Billie’s lips pulled Venable away from her mind. She blinked once and looked at Billie Dean. “What is it?” She asked softly, small smile on her lips.

Shaking her head, Billie smiled a little more. “I was just thinking back to when we first met… to how different everything was.”

“Oh.” What a change of thoughts. Venable nodded. “Indeed.”

“I was so… intrigued by you.”

“Intrigued?” A questioning fiery eyebrow raised up.

Billie nodded. She licked her lips as she thought about how to best articulate her words. “You were so… different. You are different.” The frown in Wilhemina’s features seemed to grow. Billie Dean’s lower lip got caught between her pearl teeth for a moment. “The way you’re so true to yourself… not bending your head down to anyone. It’s different.”

Venable had never stopped to really think of herself that way. “I suppose.”

Billie nodded. Her fingers caressed Wilhemina’s, as well as her other hand on her shoulder. “I mean it mostly about how you’ve always treated me. I was just someone else to you.”

Wilhemina couldn’t help but let out a small irony filled chuckle. “You’re anything but just someone else to me,” she said before she could process the words.

Billie Dean’s smile now reached her eyes. Her chest fluttered just enough for her to want to kiss that woman again. “I mean back then… you’ve never kissed my ass.” Well now that’s just weird. Billie held back the stupid childish giggle that desperately fought for freedom inside herself.

I’d like to kiss her ass now. Wilhemina gulped. Come on. “I know what you mean… and I’m glad for what it means to you.”

Billie nodded. “I desperately wanted to get to know you.”

“Was I that mysterious?”

“Oh yeah,” Billie Dean teasingly raised her eyebrows. “Everyone wanted to get to know you.” Venable let out a scoff. “It’s true!” Billie protested. “I know Emma did.” Brown eyes stared deeply into honey ones. Billie Dean raised a hand in protest, although her cheeks began to blush. Was it a good idea to make that joke? Both knew it hadn’t really been a joke.

“Ugh,” Venable groaned. The reminder that Emma existed—and in consequence, all of their current situation—was definitely not something Wilhemina wanted right now. But also… was that a hint of jealousy in Billie’s voice? Overwhelmed, Venable hid her face against Billie Dean’s neck, which caused a loud laugh to leave Billie’s lips and a hand to tangle in fiery hair. “Don’t even remind me of her,” she murmured.

“I’m sorry, it just slipped out.” To hear Wilhemina saying she didn’t even want to be reminded of Emma was, in all honesty, an amazing feeling. Am I…? She was. Billie Dean knew that.

Wilhemina groaned again before looking back up. She licked her lips as she thought. Thinking of Emma has always been anxiety inducing. It was rage inducing now, too. “I still can’t believe she’s said the things she did to you… who does she think she is?”

“Someone who’s in love with you,” Billie Dean said quietly.

“She’s not—she’s not in love with me,” Venable quickly said. Honey eyes kept on looking at her. Wilhemina frowned. Is she? No, it didn’t make sense. She shook her head. “It’s not—it was not like it is with you.”

Billie held back the ginormous grin that wanted to grace her features once again for the sake of the subject they were talking about. It’s not like it is with you. It was a sort of relief to hear that. “She does like you, that’s for sure.”

The worry dimple between her eyebrows kept on intensifying itself. Venable sucked on her lower lip. “Well, yes, but… in love? I don’t think so.”

“Why?”

Wilhemina shrugged. That’s a stupid question. “For starters, it’s me, and then—then how could she be?”

Exactly. It’s you. “Just like I am.”

Venable shook her head again, deciding that it definitely didn’t make any sense. Things between her and Emma had never been as intimate, as comfortable and as personal as things with Billie Dean. How could Emma be in love with her? No, it just didn’t make sense. She wasn’t in love with Emma, after all. “I just… no.”

Dwelling on the subject would cause more harm than good. The dimple between Wilhemina’s brows kept on growing and growing, and so Billie lightly squeezed her hand. “I just meant that maybe she was scared of losing you.”

“She’s never had me,” Venable said, quite coldly. But it was true. Giving herself to someone—anyone—was a huge step for her; one she doubted she could even manage to take in her lifetime. Billie Dean has a part of me. No, she did not, not yet. Billie hadn’t seen her body bare, after all. And still… I do feel like she’s got at least a fraction of me. She sucked on her lower lip again.

Billie kept her eyes on Wilhemina, paying attention to her every movement, even the slightest ones. She’s bothered. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Wilhie. I’m sor—“

“No,” Venable cut her. Billie Dean closed her mouth. Wilhemina squeezed her hand lovingly, offering her a small smile. “You didn’t… I just—I had never… never stopped to think about it. About that, about how she saw me…” Grimacing, she shook her head again. “It doesn’t matter, she still didn’t have the right to treat you like that.” Logic had always been Venable’s best friend.

Billie had definitely understood that love was a hard subject for Venable. She nodded, caressing Wilhemina’s hand back in order to bring her some comfort. “I agree… but it’s over, now.” Is it? Billie Dean’s stomach dropped at the reminder that Emma knew—or rather, thought she knew—about Terry. She’ll destroy me to Venable. Billie had to think about how she’d approach that subject, but not now, not today. They had had so much turmoil over the past weeks, at least a weekend of peace was more than deserved. “Don’t think about her. She’s not here.”

“But she will be on Monday,” Wilhemina murmured. She leaned her head against the backrest, eyes glued on Billie Dean’s perfect ones. Their faces were close again.

“Then we’ll deal with that on Monday. I’ll be there with you.” Disguising her own worries was a hard task, but Billie knew she had to do it for Venable. Wilhemina seemed to hesitate, but nodded. With a small smile, Billie Dean leaned closer and kissed her lips softly, lingering there. As she was about to pull away, a hand reached to caress her cheek, holding her in place. Billie’s own palm now pulled Venable closer by the shoulder, caressing it. The kiss slowly grew firmer, and inside Wilhemina’s mind, the word ‘we’ passed through nonstop; they were a ‘we’ now. How good did it sound? But also… how would that ‘we’ be on Monday, when they were at a public setting, at a work setting, at a life setting?

“Billie,” Venable whispered softly, thus breaking their kiss. Billie Dean pulled away just enough to stare at dark brown eyes; she found a hint of fear there. Wilhemina nibbled on her lower lip, fingers nervously caressing Billie’s cheek. “On Monday… are we still gonna be we?”

Blonde eyebrows threatened to draw closer together. Billie Dean took a second to understand Venable’s question, but when she did, her own face softened up. She nodded, certain and firmly. “Of course, Wilhie.” She licked her lips as she thought, and then, hesitantly, began to speak again. “It… it took me so long to finally have you. I’m not letting go.”

I’m not letting go. The corners of Wilhemina’s eyes clinked. She nodded, and then she leaned to kiss that woman again because how did she manage to get so fucking lucky? I don’t deserve her. But she was there and she was kissing her and she was holding her so damn lovingly she feared she would melt away in Billie’s arms. I love her. I love her. I love her. She kissed Billie Dean a bit firmer in order to stop herself from having the possibility of letting it slip, and Billie’s arm around her shoulders pulled her even closer, causing her back to lift off of the couch and Billie Dean’s arm to slip lower; instantly, Venable leaned back, but with the hand tangled in Billie’s, she pulled her along. Billie Dean snuggled closer, arm letting go of Wilhemina’s shoulders for the sake of the position they were on. The kisses kept on growing firmer, and Billie Dean’s body now bent weirdly. So she shifted on the couch in order to rearrange her hips, which caused Venable to realize what was going on. Gently, she pulled away once again, eyes on honey ones. “You’re not comfortable, are you?” she whispered with a chuckle.

Chuckling back, Billie Dean shook her head. “No, but it is worth it to keep kissing you.”

Letting out a shy laugh, Wilhemina bit her lower lip. “Straddle me again?”

Billie’s stomach twisted. She nodded and moved to do so, legs on each side of Venable’s body. They had done that same thing that morning, in bed, and later in the vanity, but it was still new. Very new. She smiled down at Wilhemina, feeling as hands caressed her hips. Their breaths mingled. “Much better,” she breathed out.

Venable nodded slowly. “Much better,” she repeated. Brown eyes fell down to those rosy lips in front of her, but before she could move forward they already collided against her own. Wilhemina sighed, hands taking in every single curve of Billie Dean’s waist and hips, feeling the way the rough material of her jeans clung to her skin. Stupid jeans. Venable didn’t know what had gotten into her. And then she remembered that time Emma had straddled her in the couch of her house, and how different it had felt to make out with her; with Billie, time simply stopped. Against Wilhemina’s shoulders, near her head, Billie Dean rested her forearms and caressed her cheeks with her thumbs, cupping the fat there as if she were holding the most precious piece of art in the universe. Their tongues had long ago met, dancing like velvet against one another. Just to tease, Billie nibbled on Venable’s lower lip and pulled on it softly, a small smirk on her lips. “Oh—“ Wilhemina instantly gasped. Her cheeks turned such a dark shade of red it was nearly purple. Honey eyes turned darker as they stared at her, and Billie Dean caught her own lower lip between those same teeth, now. Venable gulped. Her lower stomach trembled, as well as her hands that kept on exploring Billie’s back.

“Do you like it?” Billie Dean asked in a near whisper, voice dropping in a way Venable hadn’t heard before. Wilhemina nodded again. I want to devour her, the thought passed through Billie’s mind as fast as lightening. She was the one to gulp now.

“I—I l-like it when y-you straddle me, too.” Venable’s voice trembled from something she couldn’t quite point to; something nice, very.

“Me too.” Billie Dean’s smirk grew a bit more. Her eyes fell down to Wilhemina’s lips before coming back up at dark ones. Venable instinctively pulled her closer. “Can I ask you something?” In the state she was at, Wilhemina doubted she had the power to ever deny Billie Dean anything; she nodded. Billie’s cheeks were the ones to tint now, but only faintly. “Do you like those jeans?”

Fuck. Billie Dean had caught her staring. Of course she had. Now, she turned purple. What an irony. Her eyes fell down as she struggled to keep them on Billie’s, but when she heard that same woman letting out a small chuckle, she looked back up again, lips curving up. What a funny contrast from just a few weeks ago; she would be feeling absolutely ashamed had that happened back then. But it wouldn’t have, for they weren’t that intimate, for they weren’t them yet. Shyly, Venable nodded. “It’s n-not nice to stare… I k-know. My apologies.”

My apologies. Why was Wilhemina so damn classy, even when teasing her? And why did Billie Dean find it so damn sexy? “It is if what you’re staring at is already yours…”

Already yours. Venable blinked once. Is she mine? Did she actually have Billie? What were they? Are we… girlfriends? They were both adults, for fuck’s sake. Did adults even call each other’s partners girlfriends or boyfriends? Wilhemina found it to be so childish… but the concept left her chest tight with joy. She licked her lips, eyes still on honey ones as she tried to find something to say. Nothing came to mind. Billie Dean was about to cut the silence when there was a knock at the door, thus cutting their spell. Both looked away, and Billie carefully got up. “I’ll go—I’ll go get it.” Venable cleared her throat and reached for her cane to get up.

Billie Dean nodded, watching as Wilhemina made her way to the door. Taking a deep breath, she only now realized how fast her heart was beating. Oof. Billie’s lower stomach still burned. She took another deep breath, hand smothering her blonde curls down in order to make herself more presentable. When Venable walked back in, they both followed to the dinner table. “Smells delicious,” she said softly, reaching to help Wilhemina take the containers off of the bag.

Just like Billie Dean, Venable’s whole body seemed to have been engulfed in flames. She forced her mind to go back into place. At the words, she nodded. “Indeed it does.” She reached for the now empty bag. “I’ll go grab the plates and silverware.”

“Let me help you.” Billie followed to the kitchen along with Wilhemina, cheesecake in hand. As they got there, Venable put the bag away and reached for the plates. “Give it to me.” Billie Dean extended her arms once she let the cheesecake go. Slowly but surely, her nerves began to calm down.

“Thank you,” Venable said softly. She now reached for the silverware and for their glasses. “What would you like to drink? I have juice, water, tea…”

“Juice is perfect.”

Wilhemina nodded and moved to grab it, as well as put the dessert into the fridge. They both got back to the living room and set everything down. Sitting face to face, Billie Dean was the one to start opening one of the containers. Venable followed along, heart still a bit faster than usual. Steam raised from the pasta. Billie hummed as she moved to open the container with the breadsticks.

“Looks delicious,” Wilhemina leaned closer. “That’s definitely a hidden talent of yours.”

“Choosing good food?” Billie Dean chuckled as she grabbed a breadstick and took a bite. Venable nodded, carefully serving the both of them. “Well, I’ll take it.”

“You should,” Wilhemina smiled. She pushed a plate closer to Billie before grabbing a fork.

“Thank you.” Taking another bite of the breadstick, Billie Dean reached for a fork and quickly swirled some pasta on it. She took a bite, eyes closing as the taste invaded her mouth. Of course it was as delicious as she remembered it to be, and maybe Venable really was onto something.

Wilhemina couldn’t help but hum as well, reaching for a napkin just to make sure her chin would be free of sauce. “This is wonderful.” Carefully, she reached for a breadstick and dipped it into her dish. Honey eyes watched her lovingly. Venable took a bite.

“Approved?”

“More than so.”

Billie Dean’s smile grew as she got back to eating.

It was interesting, how even a simple task as much as eating felt much more meaningful with Billie around. It caused Wilhemina to wonder what the future held for her, and even though anxiety tried to break it here and there and make things blue, Venable focused only in coral for now; only for a meal, she could manage.

The pasta and breadsticks were soon over, and as Billie Dean followed Wilhemina to the kitchen once again and they loaded the dishwasher together, Billie tried remembering when was the last time she had enjoyed doing chores so much. When was the last time she felt excited to do the dishes, to watch a movie, to just sit on a couch and talk… when was the last time life had showed its colors to her? When was the last time life had allowed itself to be purple?

They both got back to the table, cheesecake in hand. Venable carefully cut them each a piece, mouth salivating at the sight of the creamy cheese and the thick jelly.

“Now that I know it is your favorite, I’m nervous for your reaction,” Billie commented softly.

Shaking her head, Wilhemina let a smile escape her lips. “I’m sure I’ll love it just as much as the pasta.”

“Hopefully.” Billie Dean took a first bite; it was not the best cheesecake she had ever had, but it was good enough for herself. I need to find a way of getting her a piece of that gourmet cheesecake I had in Germany. Honey eyes still watched Venable’s every move.

To Wilhemina, the cheesecake was absolutely delicious, even though it couldn’t be considered the best she had ever had, either. Slowly, she savored each note of sweet and sour, crunch and smooth. She nodded. “It’s good.”

“Not the best, though.” Billie took another bite.

“Maybe not the best, but something I’d buy again.”

“I’ve failed, then,” Billie Dean frowned teasingly, which caused laughter to fill the dining room.

“Don’t be dramatic,” Venable said softly once her laugh died down.

Biting her lower lip, Billie kept her smile printed on her lips. “What’s the best cheesecake you’ve ever had?”

With the dimple between her eyebrows, Wilhemina thought. She felt a foot caressing her own underneath the table. Emma’s. She assumed Billie Dean wouldn’t like that answer. “I can’t really choose.”

“But if you had to?”

Don’t make me answer to that. Lying was not something Venable was fond of… but Emma had been a grey cloud over them, and she desperately needed that cloud to go away. “The homemade cheesecake from one of the ladies at the orphanage… it was the first one I’ve ever had, and none other has ever compared.” It was true in more than one way.

Each bit and detail Wilhemina revealed about her past just caused Billie to admire that woman even more. Her chest flushed with something awfully similar to love. “I bet it was delicious.”

Taking another bite, Venable nodded. When had her past become something so trivial to talk about? “I think it’s more of an affection memory than the taste itself… I do remember it being extremely creamy though, even if the ingredients were probably low quality.” They didn’t have money to spend on extras, after all.

“Affection memories are the best kind,” Billie’s words came as soft as melted butter. “How old were you?”

I’m not sure I have many of those. “Six.”

#rabexxpaulson #would you swallow all your pride? #ahs #would you swallow all your pride #wysayp #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel #ahs fanfiction #willhemina venable #billie dean x wilhemina venable #billie dean howard #american horror story #ahs fanfic #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian fanfic #lesbian story #lesbian

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Forty-Eight: Bisque.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @mayfair-fleur @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx @notmeellaannyy @rwoolfe @golddustdykes​ @lovingsarah @slut-for-sarah @geinobinarie​ (message me to be added if interested!)

“Affection memories are the best kind,” Billie’s words came as soft as melted butter. “How old were you?”

I’m not sure I have many of those. “Six.”

“I wish I could have seen young Wilhemina eating cheesecake for the first time.” The corners of Billie Dean’s sparkled lightly. Venable couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as she took another bite.

“Do you have any pictures from when you were young?”

Even though the question seemed a little odd, Billie had learned not to judge. It was safe to say their experiences in life had been very different, even though they shared their fair amount of similarities. She nodded as she took a bite. “I do. Why?”

Wilhemina shrugged. “I’d like to see them… sometime. If that’s alright with you.”

“Of course.” Weird. But it made sense… Billie did want to see younger Venable, too.

Wilhemina nodded slowly as she looked down at her plate. I think I might have a few pictures from school… Granted, she had always hated taking pictures. Brown eyes moved back up to Billie Dean, and a small smile graced Venable’s features as she realized the small amount of cream cheese on Billie’s face. “Your chin,” she said softly.

“Hm?”

“You have cream cheese on your chin.”

“Oh.” Billie let her fork go and reached for a napkin. She chuckled as she wiped her face clean. “Thank you.” Embarrassing.

“Of course.” I can’t believe the nerve of her to look good even with cream cheese on her face.

Carefully taking one last bite, Billie Dean set her plate aside. She licked her lips and made sure no bits were left on her cheeks. Venable still savored the dessert, and so honey eyes watched her. In no time, they were back at the living room with the dishwasher all loaded and running. Purpura sleepily watched them from her spot at the center table.

“That was good,” Billie sat back down at the couch, right beside Wilhemina, whom nodded.

“When did you first find out you had a talent for finding good food?” Venable teased as she leaned back against the couch. Billie Dean let out a small chuckle. Is it safe to feel that comfortable around her? That was a constant doubt in her mind.

“I think it’s a talent only for you.” She reached for one of Venable’s legs, hand resting on her knee and caressing it on top of the pants.

Wilhemina smiled to herself. Floratta Blue permeated her house in comforting tones of coral. “If you say so…”

“Mhm.” Leaning closer, Billie kissed Wilhemina’s cheek before resting back on the couch.

With the corners of her eyes sparkling lightly, Venable turned her head to stare at Billie Dean. The caresses on her leg no longer felt foreign. Such a short time… Things with Emma had taken so long so develop to whatever it had been. How was any of that even happening with Billie? “Will you help me set my iPad?”

“Of course.”

Afternoon dawned and night arrived pretty fast. Shades of orange invaded the living room as Billie Dean was just done helping Wilhemina set everything, and then Venable got up to turn the light on. The iPad now lay charging on the corner table, already with the purple case on and a few apps installed. Honey eyes watched as Wilhemina caressed Purpura on her way back to the couch, and as she was about to comment on her trousers, her phone began to ring from her purse. Brown eyes moved to hers. Billie Dean bit her lower lip and wished the name on the screen didn’t start with the letter ‘E’—thankfully, it didn’t. “It’s Jenny,” she told Venable before walking to the bathroom, receiving a nod back. Closing the door, Billie quickly picked it up. “Hello?”

“Stop ignoring my texts!” From the other side, Jenny yelled teasingly.

“I’m not!” Billie said with a chuckle. “I just haven’t been around my phone today.”

“Oh! Oh—oh! You’re at her house?!”

Laughing, Billie Dean moved to sit down on the closed toilet lid. “Yes, I am.” Her words were quiet, low.

“Did you spend the night? Oh, of course you did!”

Billie couldn’t help but find Jenny’s excitement funny. “I did, but nothing happened.”

“How come?”

“We’re going slow.”

“Did you make out at least?”

“Jenny!”

“Come on!”

Smiling to herself, Billie Dean nodded on the phone. “Yes…”

“So she does have feelings for you, huh?”

“… yes.”

“Where’s my ‘You told me, Jenny. You’re always right, Jenny. I should give you a raise, Jenny.’?”

“Shut up!” Billie chuckled yet again, hearing as the girl did the same on the other side of the phone. After a moment, she bit her lip. Their laughs died down. “Thank you…”

“You’re welcome,” Jenny’s voice came softly, now. “On a more serious note, is everything alright? Is she treating you well and not like she’s made out of ice?”

Billie Dean shook her head. “She’s the sweetest, Jenny…”

“If you say so.”

“Truly.”

“I believe you.”

Billie licked her lips as she thought. “Was Emma alright? Yesterday, when you dropped her home?”Silence. Billie Dean felt Jenny shifting on the other side of the line. Oh no.

“She was just drunk. Do you really want to talk about her now?”

“She said something about Terry, didn’t she?”

Jenny took a deep breath. Billie gulped. “She said a lot of things…”

“Jenny…”

“Yes. She did talk about Terry.”

“Fuck,” Billie breathed out. Closing her eyes, she reached to massage her temple. “What did she say?”

“I don’t remember exactly—or rather, I didn’t understand it very well— but it was something that had to do with telling Wilhemina about her.” Billie Dean groaned. “She was drunk and very much mad at you, I doubt she’ll do anything,” Jenny tried to amend. It didn’t help much.

“She thinks she knows what happened, and she’s assuming that’s what I am doing with Wilhemina.”

“Yeah…”

“That’s not it, Jenny. Terry wasn’t even fired because of that!” Her voice raised a little. Billie quickly took notice of it and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment.

From the other side, Jenny gulped. “I know, Billie… but you do know that a few people can’t help but make that connection, right?”

Billie Dean took a deep breath. “Yes…” And it fucking sucks. Just another thing people assumed about her life, as if she didn’t have enough of that already.

“Have you told her about it?”

“Wilhemina?”

“Yes.”

“No… not yet.” Honey eyes fell down. Billie sucked on her lower lip. “I think it’s too soon.”

“Billie, it’s either you telling her or her possibly finding it out through Emma… and I really don’t think you’d like the latter.”

“I know,” Billie Dean murmured. “What else did she tell you?”

“She just cried a lot… and called you a bunch of names.”

“Fair,” she murmured again.

“Not really, but we’ll not dwell on that right now.” Billie nodded to herself. “Are you spending the weekend there?”

“Yes.” Taking a deep breath, Billie Dean sat up a little better. “Why?”

“Just asking. The reports about the party should be out on Monday, and we need to approve the pictures for the special.”

“Right. You can ask them to e-mail me the material.” I desperately need a break from working. The end of the year was always hectic for Billie Dean.

“Already did. They’re waiting on an answer until Monday, noon.”

“Perfect. We can do it in the morning, then.”

“Mhm.”

“Do I need to do anything this weekend?” Billie had found Jenny’s question a little odd, so it was always best to ask.

“Not really. I was just curious about you and her,” the girl chuckled.

“Oh.” Chuckling back, Billie got up from the lid. That’s good at least. “I’ll tell you more on Monday.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting excitedly as the reason for all of that to be happening I am.”

“Silly,” Billie Dean teased back. “Alright, I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Alright. Have a good weekend, wink wink.”

“You too, you annoying human.” With both of them laughing, Billie ended the call. She looked up to the mirror and fixed her clothes and hair, eyes glued on herself. She sighed. She’ll think I do that with everybody. Maybe that talk could wait until Monday… or at least until tomorrow. Billie Dean decided she wouldn’t think about it now. At least not for the night. She still had another whole day before the next week, after all.

Quietly stepping out of the bathroom, Billie Dean walked back to the living room; she didn’t find Venable there. “Wilhie?”

“In the bedroom,” Venable called back.

Quietly still, Billie Dean followed that way. As she got to the room, her eyes were graced with the lovely image of Wilhemina, sitting on the bed with Purpura and a tube of lotion by her side. Lavender notes invaded her nostrils. Billie smiled. “Are you moisturizing her?” She remembered Venable had said something about it, once.

Wilhemina nodded. She reached for more of the lotion and gently caressed the cat’s back, which purred lowly. “Winter makes her skin drier.”

“She’s so well behaved.” Carefully, Billie sat down beside Wilhemina. She watched as her hands worked on Purpura, so gentle and caring. And with such long and dainty fingers… not now. Billie Dean licked her lips and looked back up at Venable, watching the way she was so absolutely focused on the cat, with lips curling up and eyes so soft above the sky of freckles there. To be loved by her must be holy. She could only wish to experience that one day. “Can I help?”

Taken positively aback, deep brown eyes met honey ones. “To moisturize her?” Billie nodded. Venable opened a smile. “Of course.” She reached for the lotion and pushed it closer to Billie Dean. “Here. Her chest is missing still.

“Okay.” As gentle as she could, Billie Dean scooped a small amount of lotion on her fingers and began to caress the cat’s chest, right underneath her neck. Purpura purred a little louder, shifting on the mattress to accommodate the hand. Billie smiled, and as she looked up at Wilhemina, their eyes and smile met again. Air seemed scarce all of a sudden. I want to give her the world.

I love her. When had anyone ever treated Purpura like that? When had anyone wanted to be a part of her life like that? How scary? How good? How foreign? “She likes it,” Wilhemina said, voice as soft as melted butter. “She likes you.”

With a tiny chuckle, Billie Dean used all of her strength to take her eyes off of Venable and look back at the cat. “I like her, too.” With her free hand and mindful of her nails, she reached to pet the cat’s head. Purpura leaned against it, eyes closed. Another chuckle left Billie’s lips.

With her teeth trapping her lips in order not to allow them to smile too big, Wilhemina kept on watching them. She pulled her hands away and wiped them on a towel she had taken, cleaning them of the lotion. After a minute or two, she spoke again. “Thank you for being so nice to her…”

“Of course,” Billie Dean’s eyebrows drew closer in confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Venable shrugged. My mind clearly works wrong. “It’s just that… a few people can be mean because of—of how she looks.” Just like they are to me. She nervously licked her lips. “You know… the skin.”

Billie’s frown grew for a second until she understood just how deep the topic actually was. Her eyes reflected nothing but kindness now. “There’s nothing wrong with how she looks, Wilhie… and even if there were, quote on quote, something wrong about her, that wouldn’t be an excuse for people to treat her in any way but kind.” Gulping again, Wilhemina nodded. She took a discrete deep breath and clutched the small purple towel on her lap. Billie Dean took notice of it. She’s nervous. With her own heart picking up slightly in speed, Billie looked down at the cat for a second before looking back up at Venable. Her lips curled up on the corners. “Besides, I think she looks really cute.”

This time, it was Wilhemina who looked away from Billie Dean. Her cheeks tinted softly. The underlying tone of their conversation was very much explicit. “R-really?”

“Oh, yeah.” She knows I’m talking about her. There was no need to point that out. Billie had been learning compliments and words of affirmation were better left in the murky, at least for now. “More than cute, I think she’s beautiful.” Clutching the towel in her hands a little harsher, Venable nodded quietly. She slowly looked back up, and when her eyes met honey ones again, she found a look in them that left her warm all over, sweet all over, comforted all over. Billie Dean’s smile grew lovingly, pouring affection all over. Carefully not to disturb Purpura, Billie scooted closer to Wilhemina, hand reaching to cup one of her cheeks—slowly, so she could ask her to stop if she wanted. She didn’t. Billie Dean’s thumb caressed the plump crimson skin with so much tenderness it nearly hurt. Venable sighed lowly. “You’re beautiful, Wilhemina,” she whispered, voice as soft as a cozy blanket and as sweet as honey. She could feel Venable’s breath against her lips, faster than usual and oh so inviting. So she kissed her, slow and gentle and affectionate.

With blood rushing up to her head, Wilhemina felt her hands trembling against the cloth. She did the best she could and let go of it, reaching to caress Billie’s arm as she kissed her back. Their lips danced slowly and passionately, and for a split second Venable felt herself losing touch with the parts that could be so damn horrible to her. Her lips picked up in intensity, and she subconsciously scooted closer to Billie Dean, too. Purpura meowed from between them, therefore causing the kiss the break. Wilhemina took a deep breath as she stared at Billie’s eyes, lips rosy and tingling deliciously. Billie Dean watched her closely, thumb still tracing Venable’s cheek. I’m terrified things will change. Reality set back in. Wilhemina gulped. “I’m n-not used to that…”

“Compliments?” Venable nodded. I know. Billie smiled sadly. “Any chance I can help you get used to them?”

With her cheeks still red and hot, Wilhemina bit her lower lip. Hesitantly, she nodded. “It might take a while…” It might never happen at all.

With the softest smile she could manage, Billie Dean reached to tuck a lock of red hair behind Venable’s ear. “That’s okay,” she whispered. Billie felt as dark brown eyes fell down to her lips, so she leaned closer and kissed Wilhemina again, which got herself a sweet sigh. Billie Dean pulled away just enough to stare at Venable. “I’m not in a rush.” She had said that already, about many things, but she would never grow tired of easing Wilhemina’s mind.

And yet again, there she was… bare, raw in front of Billie. Vulnerable, and yet she didn’t feel so scared. That’s scary. Would that become something usual for her?

Sunday morning arrived as sweetly as the past night had been; Wilhemina found herself falling asleep tangled in Billie Dean’s arms again, this time receiving kisses on the forehead until she, eventually, allowed sleep to win. When the first ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains, their limbs were still tangled and their skin was still warm from their embrace. It was Venable who opened her eyes first, eyebrows close as she frowned from the light. When her vision wasn’t so blurry anymore, Wilhemina focused on whatever was in front of her—it happened to be Billie, still fast asleep and with her lips inches away from her own. She took a deep breath. I kissed her. Venable licked her own chapped lips, body falling slowly into reality as it got aware of its position: legs tangled with Billie Dean’s, an arm that wasn’t its own wrapped around her waist, feet touching, blonde hair tickling her face. How lovely was it, to not wake up alone? To not always be by herself? Wilhemina took another deep breath, brown oceans examining the face in front of hers. Is she even real? Venable still had her doubts. Billie frowned as a strand of her own hair tickled her face, nose scrunching up. Wilhemina smiled to herself and reached to pull the strand of hair away and behind Billie Dean’s ear. As she pulled her hand away, she couldn’t help but brush her knuckles against Billie’s face, caressing her peachy skin. I shouldn’t be so attached already. How could she not? When that woman treated her and made her feel a way she had never experienced before? Venable watched as Billie Dean began to slowly open her eyes. She smiled sleepily to herself.

Letting out a small sigh, Billie hummed as her vision came into consciousness, body snuggling closer to whatever was providing it warmth. Lavender soon clouded her senses, and so Billie Dean finally fixated on the face in front of her. Her lips mirrored Wilhemina’s sleepy smile. Was she watching me? “Hi,” Billie croaked out, as sweet as she could manage in her state.

“Hello.” Venable’s smile grew as her cheeks began to tint for some reason. Down her legs, she felt as Billie Dean’s foot caressed her own. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

Billie shook her head before hiding her face against the pillow to cover a yawn. Her hand reached for Wilhemina’s waist and pulled her closer. “You didn’t.” She looked back at dark brown eyes. “I wouldn’t have minded if you had, though.”

Venable nodded at the words as spidery fingers slowly moved up to cup Billie Dean’s cheek. Wilhemina just stared at her for a minute before taking a deep breath. “I like waking up next to you,” she whispered. I didn’t know not being alone could ever feel this way.

Coral fingernails scratched softly against the cloth of Venable’s purple pajamas, caressing her waist and the small of her back. Billie Dean leaned closer and kissed her gently on the lips. I hope my breath is tolerable. “I like waking up next to you, too,” she whispered back. Wilhemina stared at her like she was made of all the stars in the universe, eyes shining and all. Billie couldn’t help but pull her even closer, and this time Venable’s hand fell down to her waist and pulled her closer, too. Their bodies left no space between each other, breaths mingling. “I sleep pretty well when I’m with you… you’re warm and you don’t snore,” she teased.

Chuckling lowly, Wilhemina bit her lip to stop her smile from growing too much. “Why, thank you. I could say the same, but your feet are freezing,” she teased back, because being playful didn’t come with a sentence of being punished when it came to Billie Dean.

With a laugh, Billie made sure her feet were well tangled with Venable’s. “I don’t know why they’re so cold.”

Wilhemina hummed. She reached for the hand that caressed her waist and tangled her fingers with Billie Dean’s. “So is your hand.” She caressed the cold digits between her own, trying to warm them up. “Are you cold?”

“Not really.” Billie licked her lips, and part of her heart still melted every time she was reminded of how just how caring Venable was with her. “Are you?”

“No,” Wilhemina shook her head. She let go of Billie Dean’s hand and now caressed her arm, even though Billie had said she wasn’t cold. Billie Dean didn’t mind, not at all. She kept a smile printed on her lips. “Are you hungry?” I should have bought some pastries.

“A little.”

“I can cook us an omelette, or maybe I can go out and get a few pastries, if you’d like. There’s this—“

“Wilhie,” Billie Dean cut Venable gently just as she was about to start lifting the covers to get out of bed. Wilhemina looked at her. “Can we cuddle a little?”

With her cheeks turning purple, Venable nodded. She blinked twice before slowly snuggling closer to Billie again. “Sorry,” she whispered.

Billie Dean shook her head. Hadn’t it been Wilhemina, she could have thought that maybe there was something wrong with her, but being Venable, she knew she was simply eager to please. “You don’t have to apologize,” she whispered back. Her hand found its place on Wilhemina’s waist again, caressing it. She’s always so anxious.

With a nod, brown eyes fell down. Venable took a deep breath. I’m so idiotic. The deprecating voice was already up and running. She gulped and looked back at honey oceans, legs tangling back with Billie’s. After a moment, she spoke again. “I like cuddling with you,” she said, because part of her felt like Billie Dean could maybe be thinking otherwise, and she didn’t want to ever cause Billie Dean to think like that.

She’s worried. Opening a smile, Billie reached to pull a strand of read hair away from Venable’s eyes. “I know, darling. I didn’t think otherwise.”

Darling. Wilhemina didn’t know if her stomach would ever stop turning with the pet name. This is the second time she’s called me that. How delicious did it feel? “Good,” she murmured somewhat shyly.

Billie Dean hummed back, hand caressing her waist slowly, feeling as it rose and fell with Venable’s breathing. She stared at those chocolate eyes in front of her, watching the way they moved away and back to her own. She’s shy. Her lips curled up softly. “Did you dream of anything?”

Wilhemina shook her head, eyes struggling to stay at brown ones. “Not that I remember. Did you?”

Billie Dean had actually had a dream; she saw a woman, hair red just like Venable’s, face full of suffering and with lines well marked. She cried, but couldn’t speak. Wilhemina didn’t need to know that. “Not really.” Venable hummed. Billie licked her lips, eyes tracing the soft freckles on Wilhemina’s cheeks. “I love your freckles,” she said after a second.

To be stared at like that had never felt good… not until Billie Dean. Venable’s skin grew red still, but not from being uncomfortable. “I’m not a huge fan of them…”

What’s new? Wilhemina didn’t seem to be a huge fan of anything that made her who she was. Billie didn’t need to point that out, but she did keep that in mind. “You always cover them, don’t you?” Venable nodded. Billie Dean opened a sad smile. “I love them,” she repeated.

Wilhemina gulped. She nodded again, eyes falling down before going back up. She licked her sudden dry lips. “Thank you.”

Billie couldn’t help but smile a little more. It was clear Venable wasn’t used to being complimented, or having any kind of intimacy with people, but there was something so sweet about it… so strangely pure, in a way. Most people wouldn’t see it that way, but Billie Dean had never been most people. So she leaned closer and placed a small kiss on Wilhemina’s nose, and then another one on her left cheek, and another one on her right one, right on top of the freckles. Wilhemina blinked twice, and with a chuckle Billie Dean kissed her full on the lips, reaching to cup her face.

Sunday went by with nothing but sweet kisses being shared and a movie or two being watched. When the night began to fall down again, Billie Dean hesitantly went back home, but with the promise of seeing each other on Monday morning. Billie knew she should have talked about Terry; knew she should have brought it up before anyone else had the chance, but how could she when Venable looked at her so lovingly and gave her more trust than she had ever given anyone in a long time? Billie Dean simply didn’t have the guts to do it. And she prayed no one would before she could master the courage to do so.

At night, Wilhemina caught herself missing the warmth of another body next to her. Floratta Blue lingered in the air only slightly, and Venable wished she could smell more of it. Fear clouded her senses before sleep could, trying to trick her, trying to scare her. Wilhemina closed her eyes and thought about Billie; about the kiss they shared just before she entered her car and drove home that evening. Nothing would change in the morning. Nothing would change in the week. Right?

#rabexxpaulson #would you swallow all your pride? #ahs #would you swallow all your pride #wysayp #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel #ahs fanfiction #willhemina venable #billie dean x wilhemina venable #billie dean howard #american horror story #ahs fanfic #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian fanfic #lesbian story #lesbian

[imagines-ahs]

To make up for the chapter I couldn’t post today, here’s a piece of Wilhemina looking gorgeous 💜

Check my main art account if you’d like @mwf-art 💗

#rabexxpaulson #would you swallow all your pride? #ahs #american horror story #billie dean howard x wilhemina venable #willhemina venable #billie dean howard #art #ahs fanart #fanart #ahs apocalypse #ahs murder house #ahs hotel #sarah paulson

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Eight - Grey.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @devriesgoode @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx (message me to be added if interested!)

“You too.” Without understanding much, Wilhemina followed outside and to the car waiting for her. She looked to the plant in her hand, playing with it throughout the ride home. What even had happened? 

When Wilhemina stepped home, Purpura was quick to greet her at the door; however, the cat shrunk down and ran away the minute it saw Venable, hiding underneath the couch. Wilhemina frowned. “Purpura, darling, I know I spent the day out, but is it really necessary to treat me like that?” She set her purse and coat aside, as well as the sage Billie Dean had given her. The cat refused to come out, even when Venable bargained with treats and toys. She might be stressed. Wilhemina settled on that thought and moved to take a hot shower and eat something. She was desperate to get some sleep. When she finally lay in bed, Venable called Purpura again. Nothing. With a tired sigh, she turned around and closed her eyes. Sleep arrived quickly, and with it came a dark shadow that crowded her dreams—now turned into nightmares. 

Even though Wilhemina had slept the whole night, it felt like she had just closed her eyes and opened them again, for her body still ached. Her heart was beating fast when the alarm went off, and her breathing was labored and heavy. Her hands shook. Flashes of the tall, slim creature in the corner of her room still haunted her mind. It had whispered to her in a distorted voice, telling her all the things her brain screamed at her when she was at her lowest. Venable found herself with cheeks wet and eyes still teary. The now familiar putrid smell clung to her nostrils and seemed to have intensified overnight. Wilhemina felt a little disoriented. She looked around with huge brown eyes, searching for the creature but found nothing. Heavily, she gulped down in fear. Where is Purpura? Hesitantly, Venable got up. She looked around, finding the cat still underneath the couch. There’s something wrong with her. Wilhemina tried getting closer, but Purpura hissed at her. She frowned. Purpura never hissed. The temperature at her house had dropped noticeably, and Venable thought perhaps Winter had settled in. When she checked her phone, however, it indicated she shouldn’t be feeling that cold. There is something wrong. Wilhemina couldn’t point at what was wrong, but she knew something had changed. And, when she walked into her bedroom after eating breakfast and the putrid smell intensified again, her mind put two plus two together. Her insides shuddered. That has to be a joke. Those things weren’t real, after all. 

Contrary to Wilhemina, Billie Dean felt reinvigorated after the long night of sleep. She took her time when getting ready to work, taking a long shower and drying her hair. When she stepped into the office with her blue coat and skirt, however, her eyes were met with the oddly paleness of Venable’s cheeks. She frowned. Quietly, she walked to her table. The office was still empty, saving for Jenny in the kitchen. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Tired brown eyes looked up. Venable played nervously with the pen in her hand. In her distraught state, she couldn’t bring herself to ask how Billie Dean was, given she had nearly fainted the day before. Her mind kept on going back to the shadows she had seen, to the things it had whispered, to all the secrets it, somehow, knew. 

Billie Dean frowned. “Did something happen?” Venable gulped. In all honesty, she was frightened. Purpura hadn’t even come close to her, her house smelled like death and her body still shook a little. At the question, she nodded, but didn’t say anything. Billie reached for one of her hands. It was cold. “Have you slept?” Quite frankly, it looked like Venable had spent the night up, for the bags under her eyes nearly matched the purple of her sweater. 

“Yes,” it was weak, but Venable answered. She tried bringing herself to sit up better, to stop trembling and to just be a Goddamn adult, but she couldn’t. I’m a grown woman scared of ghost stories. She licked her lips, trying to put her mind in place. 

“Did you burn the sage I gave to you?”

“I forgot.” 

Shit. That was spot on. Billie Dean’s eyes nearly shifted color as she began to understand what was going on. “Wilhemina, what happened?” Her voice was a little firmer now. She looked around, seeing people were starting to arrive. 

Venable just wanted to forget what had happened, but by the way Billie stared at her she figured she already knew what was going on. And it only caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand up even more. She didn’t want to open up; she didn’t want to talk about what that shadow had said, she didn’t want to look so vulnerable, especially now that the other employees were arriving. It had been just a bad night. “I had a nightmare. That’s all.” She lifted her head slightly. 

Billie Dean shook her head. “No… no, no. What else happened?” She had seen that same story countless of times. 

“Nothing.”

Now is not the time for her to close up! Billie Dean’s insides twisted in agony. “Did you see anything? Smell anything?” She would have to do all the work, so she began to fire up all the basic questions. “Do you have any pets? Did you feel cold?”

Is she spying on me? How was it possible that Billie Dean knew what questions to ask her? Venable’s brown eyes opened a little more. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Billie Dean gave her a look that let her know she was trapped. “I…”

“Tell me.” Billie had, after all, been the one to drag Wilhemina to that ranch. She kept her eyes glued on Venable, and when she saw her looking over to Emma and to the other employees, she already got the hint. “Why don’t we go to my office?”

“I have work to do.”

“And I’m your boss. Come on.” Billie absolutely hated to use that card, but sometimes it was the only way out. And right now, she didn’t mind being a little rude in order to protect Wilhemina. She lead the way, making sure Venable was following her, and when they got inside, she closed and locked the door. “You saw something, didn’t you?”

Hadn’t Venable been so tired, she would be fuming right now. Billie Dean always got her way with her—she was, after all, her boss—and she despised it. At the question, Wilhemina sighed. “It was just a nightmare,” she insisted. 

Why did Venable had to be so hard? “Wilhemina, I am in this field my whole life. I know the signs when I see them. Tell me what happened so I can help you. Whatever it is, it’s not your fault and it won’t hurt you if you don’t allow it to.”

“What are you implying?”

“That something followed you home.” Billie saw no reason to sugarcoat things. “I gave you the sage for a reason.”

Wilhemina scoffed. “Are you trying to scare me with one of your ghost stories?”

Billie Dean’s fists turned into balls. After what had happened yesterday, how on Earth could Venable still doubt everything? “Do you think I’d put up a show just for you? That I’d go as far as making sure you’d follow me so I could pretend to be sick?” Her voice had raised a little. “Can’t you admit maybe I’m not a fucking fraud? I’m trying to help you, after all. I’m not doing any of that for myself. Whatever happened to you last night, I can guarantee you that I’ve been dealing with my whole life.” Billie let out a loud, frustrated sigh. And Wilhemina thought that, perhaps, she had pushed things a little too far. “Just tell me what the fuck happened, or I’ll leave you alone to deal with whatever followed you home.” That was a lie. Billie Dean knew she would never allow anyone to be hurt by something she could prevent. But Venable didn’t need to know that right now. If Wilhemina wanted to play rough, she was going to play rough, too. 

With her jaw locked in place, Venable squeezed the cane on her hand. Her body struggled not to cave in, and her mind wandered to the prospect of Billie Dean having to deal with those shadows for days and days on end. The shadows had been real. Was it really just a dream? “I—I dreamt with a shadow,” she started, low and hesitant and everything that wasn’t usual to her. Venable’s brown eyes fell down to the beautiful marble floor. If she was going to allow Billie Dean in, she was at least not going to watch her laugh at her when she, eventually, did. “I have a cat, and she hasn’t allowed me close ever since I got home. My house smells like death.” She licked her lips nervously. “That shadow… it knew things I’ve never told anyone.” Billie Dean listened carefully. That was classic. And she found herself somewhat a little bit mad for allowing Wilhemina to go through that. How could she know, though, that her channel was so open? 

“Take me there.”

“What?” Wilhemina looked back at Billie Dean with a frown.

“Take me to your house. Now.”

“Wha—why?”

“It’s there still. It will be waiting for you. I need to cleanse your place.” Already reaching for her purse, Billie Dean opened the drawer on her table and grabbed a few containers of salt. She always had those nearby.

Wilhemina was lost. “But—you need to work. I need to work. The day barely started.”

“That’s my job. You said you were up on schedule, didn’t you?” Wilhemina nodded. “So, come on.” Billie Dean stared at her.

With those eyes against her, Wilhemina found no other choice but to guide Billie Dean down to the garage and to her car. She grabbed her purse on the way out, offering a small smile to Emma as they passed by her. “It’s not too far,” she said as she got into the driver’s seat. 

“I wouldn’t mind if it were.” Billie Dean buckled herself up. Wilhemina began to drive. She felt a little nervous. Her house was always clean and tidy, but she wasn’t exactly expecting any company. When was the last time someone saw my house? Granted, they had more important things to worry about. “Did you forget the sage, yesterday?” Billie Dean assumed Venable just didn’t give it importance. 

But Wilhemina nodded. “I got carried away with Purpura,” she explained, eyes on the road. 

Purpura. “That’s a sweet name.”

“Thank you.” The corners of Venable’s lips lifted up a little. 

Billie Dean side eyed her. Wilhemina was so focused on the road there was no way she would realize her staring, and so Billie took advantage of it. She allowed her brown eyes to linger just a little on Venable’s rough features; from her almond eyes that were graced by her glasses, to her nose, to the soft lines near her lips, to her lips—they were plump and beautiful—and to her cheekbones that could cut. How come it took me so long to realize she’s gorgeous? The thought brought the conversation she had with Emma back into her mind, and she looked down at her lap. It was still weird. After a few seconds, she cut the silence that had made itself home between them. “I’m sorry if I came too hard on you about Emma…”

Oh? That was a weird thing to talk about right now. Wilhemina was a little nervous, but she assumed Billie Dean was probably used to dealing with whatever was going on—Venable still refused to believe it could be anything from the other realm. It was just too far fetched. Besides, talking could help calm her down, even if her cheeks started blushing with such subject. “It took me by surprise,” she decided to be honest.

“I figured.” Billie Dean licked her lower lip, pondering her words. “What I said still stands, though… if anyone ever makes you feel uncomfortable, please tell me. You’re not getting in trouble.”

Venable found it interesting how much Billie Dean pressed on that subject. She hated when people tried getting into her business, but she assumed if Billie was bringing that up again, asking would be no prying. “Did anything happen before I assumed my position?” 

Once again, Billie Dean pondered on her answer. “Not in my company.” She was hoping that would be enough of an answer for Wilhemina to understand what she meant. 

Even though Venable wasn’t a hundred percent sure she had understood the answer correctly, it was enough for her. Billie Dean could open up in her own time. God knows how hard it was for Wilhemina to do so. She nodded. “Thank you.” She stopped at a red light. “But Emma didn’t do anything.” 

“Good.” Billie Dean looked out of the window. It was just another ordinary day for the world. “She told me so, but I decided checking with you would be the right thing to do.”

Wilhemina appreciated it. She appreciated it more than she could explain. In her life, not many people took the time to hear her side of the story. A small smile broke through her lips, and she turned to look at Billie Dean. Her brown eyes were quick to meet hers. “I appreciate it,” she said, calm and in all honesty. “I really do. Thank you.”

Billie Dean smiled back at her, and once again Wilhemina took notice of how utterly beautiful her teeth were. “Of course.” To see Venable smiling like that, so close to her, was nearly mesmerizing. It was like staring at a shooting star; you knew it happened, but you hardly ever had the chance to see it. 

Wilhemina broke their gaze when the light turned green, turning back to the road to start driving again. The silence of her car was still comfortable, even with Billie Dean beside her. Her mind wandered to the week before they had met, to how quick she had been to judge Billie. Venable had always complained that no one truly got to know her, but did she wait to truly get to know Billie Dean before jumping into conclusions? 

It didn’t take much for Wilhemina to start parking her car at the garage. Billie Dean took a deep breath, and the same putrid smell from the ranch invaded her nostrils. Her stomach twisted. As long as I don’t pass out, I’ll be fine. Venable guided them to the entrance door, opening it and stepping aside so Billie could get in. Purpura didn’t even show up this time. Wilhemina grew even more worried. As soon as Billie took a first step, her blood pressure already dropped. She gulped dryly, walking in and looking around. The house was beautiful—classy, full of tiny details—but Billie Dean didn’t have the mind to pay attention to it right now. She followed her gut, eyes closed, ears tingling. The whispers began again, demanding her to go away. She began to pray silently, feet walking in their own accord until she found herself standing on Venable’s bedroom. It was cold there, the smell was stronger. “Sage.” Wilhemina had been watching her quietly. She walked close in tiny footsteps, giving her space, and when Billie asked for the sage, she was quick to hand it to her. Billie Dean had opened her eyes again, and she now turned her lighter on and began to burn the plant. Something inside the room shook. It screamed. It demanded for Billie Dean to stop. She didn’t. The lights began to flicker. “Go to the living room,” she told Wilhemina. 

Venable quickly did so, and when she sat down on the couch, Purpura jumped on her lap as her tiny body shook. “Darling!” Wilhemina held the cat tightly, hugging her and burying her face onto her soft skin. The lights continued to flicker nonstop, causing Purpura to meow in fear. Venable’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s alright,” she whispered. Purpura snuggled out of Wilhemina’s embrace and squeezed herself between her back and the couch. Even though Purpura always did such thing when she was scared, it always caused Venable to worry. She closed her eyes and squeezed her cane. It was colder, now. The temperature seemed to be dropping by the minute. Purpura still shook against her, and Wilhemina could now hear Billie Dean saying something she couldn’t really understand. The lights flickered faster, now, and the smell came and went away. Venable found herself not having enough courage to open her eyes. Everything was chaotic, until all of a sudden, the house grew quiet. And the only thing Wilhemina heard was a loud stomp on the floor. “Billie Dean?” She called. The temperature was back to normal, and the lights were on and stable, the putrid smell was gone. “Billie Dean?” She called again, hesitantly getting up and walking to her bedroom. “Billie Dean, are you—shit!” On the floor, Billie lay passed out. There was salt on her door and around her bed, near her bathroom, too. Quickly, Venable leaned to sit down on the floor. Her back ached sharply, but she ignored it. She reached for Billie Dean’s head and lifted it to rest on her lap, cane now falling to the side. She’s bleeding. Wilhemina’s brown eyes scanned the patch of blood on Billie’s forehead. “Billie Dean, you need to wake up.” With one of her hands, Wilhemina caressed Billie’s cheek, with the other, she held her head. Her heart was speeding up again. She tried taking a deep breath, but her chest refused to fill with air. “Billie Dean, please.” What do I do?! There was no way she was going to manage pulling Billie out and to the car. She could barely stand without her cane. With eyes glossing over, Venable nearly missed when Billie Dean began to wake up. 

“Mmph,” Billie murmured. Her eyebrows furrowed. “Ouch…” She reached for her forehead, but Wilhemina quickly stopped her hand. 

“No no no, you’re bleeding.” Thank God she’s up.

Bleeding? Billie Dean frowned even more. She looked up to Wilhemina, and her consciousness instantly came back. “Are you alright?” She asked weakly. 

“We should focus on you, now.” How come Billie Dean always focused on anyone but herself? Wilhemina smiled sadly. She had learned the lesson the hard way. “You fainted.”

“But it’s gone.” From underneath, Venable looked like a Goddess between fire. “It wanted your energy.” Her voice was still weak. She moved to sit up, but Wilhemina stopped her. 

“Are you sure you’re alright to sit?” 

For someone who’s so rough, she is very sweet. “I am. It happens.”

“What does?” Venable let Billie Dean go, and her hand felt empty without the blonde hair tangled in it. 

“I’m used to fainting,” Billie breathed out. She leaned back against the bed. “I get drained when—“ She doesn’t believe in me. She doesn’t care. “Whatever.” Billie shook it off. Her eyes closed as she let her head fall back against the mattress. 

“No. Tell me.” Venable moved to sit down beside Billie Dean. She kept her eyes on her, worried she could fall again. 

“You think I’m a fraud. I’m not wasting my time.” Billie Dean’s words were almost slurred. 

Ouch. Venable couldn’t get upset when she deserved it. Looking down at her hands, Wilhemina bit her lower lip. Could her philosophy explain what had happened? Billie Dean’s could. “I don’t…”

“You do… you think I’m full of shit.”

“Not anymore.” Venable looked back up at Billie Dean. 

Slowly, Billie’s eyes met hers. She let out an exhausted chuckle. “So, you did?”

Wilhemina’s cheeks tinted. “I tend to be closed to things I don’t know…” 

Billie Dean hummed. “Noticed it.” She reached for her forehead, and one of her digits got coated in blood. She hissed.

Venable didn’t know if she wanted to know more about that sentence. “Let me get you a wet cloth.” She reached for her cane and, with some struggle, managed to get up. When she got back from the kitchen, Billie Dean now sat down on her bed. “Here… I got you some water, too. And a painkiller.”

“Thank you.” Billie Dean reached for the cloth, reaching to clean her wound. She made more of a mess than anything. Venable couldn’t help but chuckle to herself.

“Let me help you.” Gently, she sat down beside Billie Dean. The mattress shifted with her weight. She handed her the painkiller and the glass of water before reaching for the cloth. As light as a feather, she began wiping the wound clean. “It’s just a small cut…”

Billie Dean had no issues with being vulnerable, but being that vulnerable with someone who always wanted to appear so absolutely tough was a new thing. Her brown eyes watched the way Wilhemina concentrated on the task, nearly poking her tongue out. How was this woman the same one that refused to open up? Understanding Venable was hard. In a swift motion, she took the painkiller and downed it with the water. “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem.” Billie Dean had, after all, helped her. “How much do I owe you?” Wilhemina pulled away once the cut was clean. 

“What?” Confusion clouded Billie’s features.

“How much do I owe you for cleansing my house?” Wilhemina could still not believe Billie Dean a hundred percent, but she was an honest woman. If that was Billie’s job, she was going to pay for it. 

“Oh.” Even though Wilhemina was correct, coming to her house didn’t really feel like a job. Billie Dean shook her head. “It’s a favor.” It was my fault it got here, anyways. 

“Nonsense,” Venable protested. “How much is it?”

Billie Dean shook her head again. “We’re even. It’s for yesterday.” 

“What happened yesterday?”

“You were the only one to worry about me on set.” Billie offered her a sad smile. Wilhemina had noticed it yesterday, but didn’t think Billie Dean had. Or rather, she preferred she hadn’t. “We’re even,” she repeated. 

With a sad smile back, Venable nodded. “Okay.” What a weird concept; someone so famous and so well adjusted seemed to be just as lonely as Wilhemina. 

At the door, Purpura meowed all of a sudden. Billie quickly turned around, watching as the cat rubbed its side on the doorframe. That giant rat is a cat?! Billie Dean had never in her life seen one of… those. Funny enough, it was weirdly cute. “Is that Purpura?”

“Yes.” Wilhemina smiled brightly. She tapped at the spot between her and Billie Dean on the mattress, and in a second the cat had jumped on it. “Hi, darling.” Venable reached to caress between its ears, instantly feeling the buzzing of Purpura’s affection. The cat rubbed its head on her hand. “Are you feeling better, honey?”

Billie Dean could hardly believe she was getting to experience such a sweet side from Venable. All in one day. I was right. She’s not that kind. It warmed something inside Billie. “Can I pet her?”

“Of course. Just let her smell you first.” 

Billie Dean did as she was told, offering a hand to Purpura and waiting for her reaction. The cat sniffed Billie once or twice before instantly rubbing her head against her arm. “Oh, what a sweetheart.” Venable’s smile grew to her ears. She watched as Billie Dean caressed Purpura—the way she smiled down at the cat, the way she so carefully caressed her skin. “What a beautiful sweater you’ve got.” Billie’s eyes looked back up at Wilhemina, and her chest fluttered softly at the sight of her smiling like that. “She’s a bit unusual, isn’t she?” As soon as she said those words, the smile on Venable’s lips dropped. Uh oh. “Gorgeous,” Billie Dean quickly amended. 

Wilhemina softened up a little again. “That’s what connects me and her.” 

“Being gorgeous?” Billie Dean teased. And perhaps that was the fastest she had ever seen Wilhemina open up: When talking about her cat. She would remember that. 

“No—that is not what I meant!” Venable nearly jumped off the bed, cheeks so red they were soon getting purple. Billie Dean laughed loudly, and Wilhemina’s body shrunk down. Shame downed on her. I should have been careful. Who did she think she was, implying that she could ever be gorgeous? Even if that hadn’t been her intention, she should have seen it. She should have judged it better. She shouldn’t have acted so foolishly. 

“I agree.” Billie Dean managed to say once her laugh died down. But Venable looked so small, now. She’s not laughing. “I mean it.”

“What?”

“I think you’re gorgeous, too.” It wasn’t a lie. 

“That’s not funny, Billie Dean.” Just as her walls had dropped, they had been put up again. Venable lifted her chin up and forced her chest out, jaw locking in place. “That was not what I meant, and you know it. Don’t be childish.”

“I know, but I was not lying,” Billie Dean insisted. She had no trouble complementing people when they deserved it. And Wilhemina certainly did. “I do think you’re gorgeous.”

“Stop it.” Wilhemina reached for her cane and got up. She definitely didn’t need to be mocked in her own house. “This is not funny.”

Billie frowned. “I know,” her voice was firmer, now. “I’m not trying to be.” Purpura was still bumping her head on Billie Dean’s leg. 

Gulping thickly, Venable stared deeply at Billie Dean. “Please.” Her eyes had grown misty. “Stop mocking me.” 

“What?” Billie Dean quickly shook her head. “Wilhemina, I’m not mocking you.” The way Venable stared at her nearly made Billie Dean cry. She had seen that look before on herself countless times. “I’m complimenting you. Truly, honestly complimenting you.”

This time, Venable didn’t say anything back. Her eyes fell down, and she looked away before collecting herself. The information refused to process. “I’ll get you something to eat, so you don’t faint again.”

“Okay…” Billie Dean knew she wouldn’t, but Wilhemina seemed to be needing some alone time. When she left the bedroom, Billie sighed. What has she been through? Whatever it was, it had been dark. It had been dark and it had caused a beautiful soul to lose its shimmer. She doesn’t deserve it.

In the kitchen, Wilhemina found her hands shaking. She leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. How fucking inadequate am I?! Having an anxiety attack because of a fucking complement! Venable was starting to think everything that shadow whispered was true. Maybe she did deserve to be alone. Maybe no one should have to deal with her. I need to calm down. Filling a glass of water, she walked to the living room and to her purse, where her Valium was. She set the glass on the corner table and grabbed the bottle, quickly downing a pill. Then, she walked back to the kitchen to get Billie Dean something to eat. What would she like? Venable looked around in her fridge and cabinets, deciding on some bagels. She cut one open and popped it into the oven for a few minutes. While it warmed up she reached for the cream cheese, and when she turned around, Purpura had jumped on the counter and was now sniffing the plate she had left on it. “That’s not for you, sweetheart.” Gently, Wilhemina pet the cat until the bagel was done. She spread a good amount of cream cheese on each side of it, taking her time to make sure it was nicely even, and then she filled a glass of orange juice. Her mind was calming down. Venable grabbed the plate and made her way to the bedroom, and when she got to the doorframe, she realized she had taken a little too long. On her bed, Billie Dean had lay with her head on the pillows. In her exhausted state, she fell asleep. At first, Wilhemina felt a little lost. But then her brown eyes fell on Billie, and she stared at her for a minute while standing there, with the plate in hand. Her blonde hair was so silky and puffy, her skin was so absolutely peachy and her cheeks and lips were the perfect shade of rose. Was it normal for someone to look like the definition of an angel? I had never stopped to really look at her. Quietly, she set the bagel on the nightstand and returned to the kitchen to grab the glass of orange juice, which she left right beside the plate. Wilhemina took one last look of Billie Dean, and she looked so small in her king sized bed that it was only fair Venable covered her with a blanket. And so she did, with a purple one that smelled fresh and clean. After everything she had seen, Wilhemina definitely thought Billie Dean deserved to rest. Besides, she could always work from home. As light as a feather, Venable closed the door to her bedroom—taking care not to disrupt the salt Billie had lay there—and settled herself on the living room. What a strange morning it had been. 

Billie Dean’s body began waking from its slumber, and slowly she opened her eyes. The room was unfamiliar at first, but she soon remembered what had happened. With a yawn, she sat up, only then realizing the blanket on top of her. She felt so warm and comfortable; Wilhemina’s house was weirdly quiet. She probably built it from scratch. What time was it? How long had she slept? Worry began building inside of her. She turned around to hop out of bed, but stopped in place when her eyes lay on the food Venable had prepared her. Her heart warmed. Wilhemina didn’t do those things because she was starstruck; she did them because she cared about Billie Dean. People didn’t often care about Billie as a person, but they always wanted to be around her as a status. Carefully, Billie reached for the plate and glass Wilhemina had left her and walked to the door, weirdly opening it with her elbow. 

From the table on the living room, Venable looked back at Billie Dean. She had been working on her own MacBook. “Hi,” she said softly, offering a small smile. Even with her hair all messy, she still manages to look amazing. How was it possible that some people simply looked good all the time? I wasn’t born to be beautiful. “Are you feeling better?“

Billie smiled back, and her cheeks let her know her smile was somewhat shy. “I am. Thank you so much, you didn’t have to.” With gentle footsteps, she walked to the table. “Can I?” She motioned to a free chair. 

“Of course.” Wilhemina moved her things a bit to the side, making more room for Billie Dean. 

Sitting down, Billie set the plate and glass on the table. Instantly, she reached for a piece of the bagel and took a big bite of it. Purpura jumped on the table, meowing at her. A chuckle left Billie Dean’s lips before Venable could apologize for it. “Are you hungry, cutie?” 

“She always is.” Wilhemina chuckled. She closed her MacBook once she saved the document she had been working at. 

“Me too.” Billie teased, reaching to caress the cat’s skin with her free hand. It was so interesting how Purpura looked and felt; it was nothing usual, but still very much alike everything she knew. “What time is it?” She asked Venable once she swallowed the piece in her mouth. 

“Almost eleven-thirty.” Venable checked her phone. “I thought it was best to let you sleep.” Billie Dean was, after all, her boss. 

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep, let alone for that long.”

“You needed to rest.” The bagel is cold, now. Venable hoped it still tasted good. She assumed it did, by the way Billie happily ate it. Her coral nails caught Wilhemina’s attention as they held the food. They were nearly mesmerizing. How does she function with these on? 

“I’m spoiling myself. I’m used to fainting.” Billie Dean took another bite. 

Even though Wilhemina had heard that before, she refused to accept that Billie Dean saw it as normal. “So you should always rest.”

Billie Dean appreciated the way Venable thought sometimes: It was two plus two. Simple. Logical. But things didn’t always work that way. “The producers would kill me if I listened to what my body needs every time.” She reached to take a sip of the juice. Good juice. “It costs a lot to rent those buildings, they need me to work as quickly as possible.”

Even though Wilhemina understood it, she didn’t agree with it. “You’re not a machine. You can’t just change the oil and be good to go.” Billie Dean shrugged. Venable chewed on her bottom lip as she thought through her next words. “Look, I might not understand what you do,” she started, slow and mindful of every word. “But I understand how much it drained you when you did it. It’s not okay.” 

Billie Dean chewed slowly, now. Her eyes focused on Wilhemina’s, and she wondered what could she even answer to that. It was true. But she had been so used to being a money machine that seeing herself differently was almost foreign. “Yeah… I know.” She licked her lips clean from the crumbles. “I do. I just… it’s hard when the industry is like that. There’s no room for me to come and try to change it, you know?” 

Venable nodded. “I do. But I still think you should take care of yourself.” Billie Dean was about to answer when her phone began ringing. She reached for it in her pocket, seeing Jenny’s name on the screen. Glancing apologetically at Wilhemina, she picked it up. While Billie was on the phone, Venable got up to check Purpura’s food; she refilled her water bowl and made sure the litter box was clean. The call Billie Dean had received was probably about work, given they should be at the office. I need to eat. They’d probably have to leave soon, so she could have lunch at work. A yawn cut through Venable’s lips, reminding her of how tired she was. Wilhemina didn’t think it was fair to sleep while Billie Dean did; she was in her working hours, after all. It’s going to be a long day. She was thankful there was nothing she had to do after work today besides coming home and spoiling her cat. 

#ahs #ahs fanfiction #ahs fanfic #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel #american horror story #wilhemina venable #billie dean howard #rabexxpaulson #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian fanfic #lesbian story #billie dean howard x wilhemina venable #willhemina venable #would you swallow all your pride #lesbian

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Seven - Black.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @devriesgoode @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx (message me to be added if interested!)

Upstairs, in the kitchen, Billie Dean poured herself some coffee. The office was still empty, and her thoughts actually had room to be heard, for once. The building was new, so there were no spirits trapped. Restaurant… Wilhemina had eaten at a restaurant today. Billie Dean couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t eat at the office. They had talked about it, and she knew Wilhemina shared the same opinions when it came to the food she provided. Is it because of me? Billie shook the thought off. Perhaps Venable only needed some alone time after their talk in the morning. Chattering arose from the hallway, indicating people were coming back. Billie Dean walked that way, stopping at the doorframe with a small smile. People greeted her, and she greeted everyone back. Everyone arrived but Wilhemina. Ready to start working, Billie Dean began turning around. From the corner of her eye, however, she caught Emma placing a box on Wilhemina’s table. Baker’s Bakery. 

Venable took no more than thirty minutes to get back at the office. She needed to work, and the Valium had already calmed her down enough. The room was quieter than usual, and now with a clear head, a part of her felt bad for leaving Emma like that. The other part, however, still thought it was all just a game. When Wilhemina saw the box on her table, she couldn’t help but bite her lip. Brown eyes avoided Emma, walking quietly to her chair and sitting down without making a sound. She began to type down, doing anything to avoid talking to her. But Emma got up and walked to her table, as Wilhemina was sure she would. 

“Can we talk?” Emma asked softly, nearly begging. Wilhemina usually enjoyed when people begged, but realistically, Emma had been incredibly nice to her, and the only thing saying she was messing with her was, after all, her mind. And Venable had learned her mind was often wrong. I am a fuck up, after all. She nodded. “Kitchen?”

“Sure.” Wilhemina got up and followed Emma that way. As they got there, Emma pulled them to the balcony. It was empty. 

“Please, just tell me what happened. Was it something I said?” Emma’s green eyes now carried a wet shimmer to them. Wilhemina’s chest felt heavy. How is it fair? 

“No… I…” Venable had a hard time speaking. She licked her lips—they stung a little where the cut was—doing her best to open her shell. But her shell was locked, and she hated herself for it. “I…” Was she really willing to dump all of her trauma on her? To share a fraction of how fucked up she was? She’ll never want me around again. Something inside Wilhemina feared she was losing the closest thing to a friend she had in years. A sigh left her lips. Once again, Venable was defeated by her monsters. 

Emma stared at her with huge green eyes, begging for an answer. When she realized there was none, she gulped softly. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable… it didn’t occur to me that you could not… be into women.” Wilhemina frowned. “I’m so used to my own world, I forget people are different than me.” How was it possible Emma expressed herself so well? Venable could only wish she was like that. 

“It’s… it’s not that…” Venable shifted her weight from leg to leg. She avoided Emma’s eyes. It’s not that she didn’t want to explain things, it’s that she couldn’t get herself to explain them. I sound like a scared child. Wasn’t that what Wilhemina was, after all? 

Emma nodded. She looked down for a second. “Can we try it again, sometime?” Wilhemina nodded, but again didn’t say anything. “Okay… I’m sorry, still. I’ll let you work.” With a small, sad smile, Emma left Wilhemina alone in the balcony. 

Venable sighed loudly. She leaned against the wall, nerves screaming. Why am I so messed up? There was a reason her only friend was Purpura. After a minute, she got back to the office. She was being paid for that, after all. 

The afternoon dragged itself for Billie, who read article upon article regarding the ranch they were going to film at today—the story was absolutely brutal. In the fifties, a teenager had killed the whole family with their bare hands. Years later, a woman cut her pregnant belly open and killed the baby and the father. When another family moved in, the father burned everyone alive, including himself. To top things off, the property had worked as an illegal brothel in the nineties, where more than ten clients wore brutally killed by a few of the prostitutes working there. The ranch had been vacant ever since. Billie Dean’s stomach already began to twist; the energy was going to be dark. I’m going to need a lot of white light. She had a feeling the place carried a deep, dark root to it. No ordinary property had a history like that. Something wanted that house, that energy, that suffering. Even between all these horrible stories, Billie caught her mind slipping to lunch; to what could have happened with Venable. The blood on her lip had been very suspicious. When the clock hit three p.m., Billie Dean leaned back on her chair and stretched softly. Her eyes had begun to fall close, which indicated she needed some coffee. Lazily, she got up and followed to the kitchen. Jenny worked on her computer, typing frantically and making calls all afternoon. Billie needed a break from all the typing and talking. She carried the small sketchbook with her, and after getting some coffee and sitting down on the table, she began to scribble on it. She scribbled and scribbled and scribbled nonstop until the clacking of heels caught her attention. Emma entered the kitchen. “Hi, Emma,” Billie Dean smiled up at her. 

“Hey.” Emma offered her a small smile as she sat down beside her on the table. Her eyes closed, and she leaned back. 

Billie Dean frowned. “Everything okay?” Emma was usually talkative and energetic. 

With a sigh, Emma looked at Billie Dean. “I really shouldn’t talk about my love life with my boss…”

“Oh, sush. Just tell me.” Billie Dean closed the sketchbook and leaned closer. She didn’t want to simply be a boss for her employees; she wanted friends. Even though Billie now had fame and success, that didn’t mean she had a lot of people she could count on— most people wanted to take advantage of her status. She missed being a person. And even though in the beginning Emma had been another one to get starstruck by her, she was much better about it, now. 

“Well…” Emma took a deep breath. “You know Wilhemina? The new executive?” Billie nodded. And her mind already wandered to what she thought was coming. Billie Dean knew Emma was into women, that had never been a secret between the two. “I find her interesting. I took her out for lunch and tried testing the waters… flirting a little. I think she got really uncomfortable by it.” 

Billie Dean blinked a few times as she assimilated the information. Emma was flirting with Wilhemina? Billie would have never thought Venable was Emma’s type. “Why so?” 

Emma shrugged. “She wanted to leave all of a sudden. We had ordered dessert, but she didn’t even bother about it.” So that was what had happened. That was why Wilhemina looked so off when they met earlier. Billie couldn’t help but wonder if Emma had been too strong in her approach. “I mean—we did talk when I came back to the office. I thought maybe she’s just not into women but she told me it was not it.” So, she’s into women, too. “I don’t know.” 

Billie didn’t really know what to say. By one side, she was positively shocked to find out Wilhemina was into women. By the other, she was worried perhaps Emma had done something else. Venable was too distraught to be only uncomfortable by some innocent flirting. “Did you—did you do anything? I mean—tried to kiss her or something?”

“Oh, no.” Emma quickly shook her head. “No, no. We only talked. I tried nothing physical.” 

Billie nodded slowly. She pondered on whether or not to tell Emma she had bumped onto Wilhemina earlier. I probably should talk to Wilhemina, first. “I suppose if you two talked and she said everything is alright…” Still, why didn’t Wilhemina mention she was having lunch with Emma? Why did she have the need to lie about it? Did Emma try something?

“I guess…” Emma sighed. “Yeah, I’ll try talking to her again, later.” Billie nodded. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Billie Dean smiled a little. And then she bit her lower lip, eyes falling down to the table and back up at Emma. Why was she… bothered? Does Wilhemina even date? Venable was so closed into herself, it was hard to imagine her actually dating someone. It piqued her curiosity. “So… Wilhemina, huh?” Emma’s cheeks went from pale to deep red in a matter of seconds. She laughed, palms covering her face. Billie let out a laugh as well. “She is beautiful, no judging.” 

“She is!” Emma whisper-yelled. “There’s something about her… I don’t know.” Her green eyes looked over to the door, checking if it was empty still. 

I know. Billie Dean knew. She knew exactly what Emma was talking about, and it was scary to realize that, perhaps, she knew it a little too well. Just because she likes women, doesn’t mean I’m attracted to her. Billie had a hard time with it, sometimes. Sometimes. “I understand.” 

“Yeah…” Emma licked her lips. “I don’t know, though. We’ll see.”

“Good luck.” Billie chuckled sweetly. 

“Thank you.” Emma laughed. “And you, Miss Medium To The Stars, got your eye on anyone?”

Billie Dean couldn’t help but blush softly. She bit her lip. What was the answer to that? Yes? No? Maybe? She didn’t know. “Not that I can think of.”

“No? What about that makeup artist you told me about?”

“Oh, it didn’t work out.” Billie Dean brushed it off.

“Bummer.” Emma pouted. “Well, I’ll let you go back to your rest. Sorry about it.”

“Emma, it’s alright. Truly. I don’t mind.” Why did everyone act like they were bothering her? Being famous didn’t make her less of a person, for Christ’s sake!

“Thank you,” Emma said once again. Timidly, she left the kitchen. 

Billie Dean played with the pencil between her fingers. She didn’t want to stop Wilhemina from working so she could, quote on quote, gossip about what had happened. But she was a little worried, given Wilhemina had been so distraught. She decided on waiting; they would have some alone time while going to the ranch anyways. 

The end of the afternoon arrived quickly. Wilhemina had nearly managed to fix the company’s policy, which she found to be a job done fast, even to herself. When Emma got up, Venable already knew she was going to come to her table. Again. Emma seemed to be really shaken with everything that had happened, and even though Wilhemina appreciated it, she felt weirdly overwhelmed. Turning her computer off, she looked up right when Emma stopped over her table. “Can we have a chat?”

“Wilhemina, are you ready?” Billie Dean approached them from behind, resting a hand on Venable’s shoulder. She was glad she walked when she did, for she wanted to talk to Wilhemina before Emma could do anything else. She still found the whole story to be suspicious. 

A little bit lost, Venable looked up at Billie Dean. Her blonde hair fell down and framed her face like an angel. Floratta Blue invaded her nostrils, as well as the faint smell of tobacco. She nodded, and with apologetic eyes, she turned to Emma. Emma shook it off. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Wilhemina smiled softly. Emma turned around to leave, and so she got up to finish gathering her stuff.

Billie Dean took a step back, watching her quietly. She leaned against the wall, brown eyes studying the way Venable moved. It still somewhat baffled her mind that Emma was into her… it had stuck on her brain. Once Billie Dean realized Wilhemina was ready to leave, she decided to break the ice she herself had made. “Are you feeling better?”

Another conversation. Wilhemina had talked enough for today. But Billie Dean was so… charming, it was impossible to deny her a conversation, especially when her eyes carried that softer color to them. “I am. Thank you.”

“That’s good to hear.” Billie Dean offered her a small smile. “Before we go, I wanted to talk to you about Emma.” 

Uh oh. Wilhemina stood a little better, hand gripping her cane. “Yes?”

“She told me about what happened during lunch, but I worried she could be forgetting a few details. Did she do anything?” Billie Dean didn’t want to pry, but it was way more important to make sure Venable was alright. 

Venable frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You were really distraught when I saw you.”

Shit. The last thing Venable wanted right now was to explain herself to Billie. And the fact that Emma had told her God knows what about their lunch caused her skin to grow hot in shame. She gulped quietly and lifted her head a little higher. “Emma did nothing wrong. I simply forgot my wallet.”

“Wilhemina…” Her walls are high again. Billie would have to approach it carefully. “Emma told me she’s romantically interested in you. All I’m saying is that if she crossed a line, you can tell me and I’ll fix it. You’re not going to get in trouble for reporting a possible sex assault.” 

Sex assault?! How did things escalate so quickly? Wilhemina’s brown eyes opened wide. “No—no. She didn’t do anything.” She gulped nervously. She definitely didn’t want to talk about why she had gotten the way she did, and Billie Dean seemed to be wanting answers. 

Maybe I was the one to cross a line. “I’m just making sure you’re alright. You were so distraught earlier that when she told me you two went out for lunch, I got scared she could have done something.” Saying it out loud caused Billie Dean to realize that, perhaps, the way she saw Emma was quite bad. Or maybe she just had bad past experiences. 

To know Billie Dean—her boss—knew Emma was interested in her made it even worse for Wilhemina to deal with it. Her mind was starting to spiral again, and even though the fact that Billie worried about her was nice, everything was too overwhelming for things to make sense right now. What if she laughed at me? “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Wilhemina, did she do anything?” Billie Dean insisted. The way she had seen Wilhemina was not normal. Something was going on. 

“Billie Dean, I don’t want to talk about it. This is none of your business, frankly.” Wilhemina could feel her walls tightening. She didn’t want them to, but her mind worked in a way she couldn’t always control. I’m not that kind. I’m not that kind. I’m not that kind. 

Dark blonde eyebrows drew close together. Billie Dean took a step back. “It is my business when it comes to the safety of my employees.”

“I’m okay.”

“Clearly not.”

“Who are you to tell me what I’m feeling?”

“Someone who’s watching from the outside.” Billie Dean struck a nerve, for Wilhemina didn’t snap back at her. Billie took a deep breath. It was so hard to talk to someone who refused to listen. “Wilhemina, I just want to make sure you’re safe,” she started again, softer this time. “That’s all.” 

Brown eyes fixed themselves on Billie Dean’s. Someone who’s watching from the outside. What could Billie tell from the outside? She knew nothing about Venable. She knew nothing about her life nor her experiences. From the outside, Wilhemina was nothing like herself. “I’m safe.” Her jaw tightened, voice rough. 

“Good.” Billie smiled a little, even though Wilhemina’s aura was anything but comforting. “Should we get going?” Trying to talk more about it wouldn’t be productive. Venable had closed herself, she wouldn’t open yet. Wilhemina nodded, and so Billie Dean guided them to the garage and to the car. 

The ride was uncomfortably silent. Wilhemina stared out of the window, and Billie Dean didn’t dare try to make small talk. It was clear by the way Venable didn’t even look at her that she wanted to be left alone. The ranch wasn’t too far, but fifty minutes in a car where no one speaks could feel like an eternity. When they arrived, the hair on the back of Billie’s neck stood up. It was dark there. She got out of the car and her makeup artist and stylist already pulled her inside. She had to get ready as fast as possible. Wilhemina, on the other hand, slowly made her way inside. She found a chair more to the corner and sat down on it, MacBook on her lap. Why the fuck am I here anyways. The day had started really well and then it had turned into a mess. Wilhemina just couldn’t believe Emma had told Billie Dean she was interested in her, who did that?! Perhaps I am the one who’s all sorts of fucked up and can never open up. It made more sense. Emma seemed like such a well adjusted woman; she was beautiful, talkative, had a nice job, probably had a lot of friends. It only made it even weirder that someone like her could be interested in someone like Wilhemina. It’s a bet. But it made no sense for it to be, now that Billie Dean knew. Or at least, Billie wasn’t in it. Venable could still feel her nerves slightly agitated, so she grabbed her sketchbook and began to draw nothing at all, settling it on top of the computer. She drew a line—two—closed them together, added some shade, a circle, another line… and then she looked over at it from a distance. The lines roughly reminded her of a face. A woman. Billie Dean. 

In her dressing room, Billie Dean began to put on the cream dress Jenny had managed to get her. She was thankful the outfit was such a light color, given this place was one of the darkest she had ever seen. She kept on seeing shadows and hearing whispers, her brain was getting foggy already. She felt drained, and it hadn’t even been half an hour since she got there. Once she got dressed, she went to get her makeup done. Her blood pressure was getting low, so she silently prayed. It didn’t take her long to get ready and for the cameras to start rolling. She began telling the story of the place, and she could feel her chest getting heavy. And heavy. And heavier. Until she had to ask for a break. 

“Already?” The director yelled. “We only have the building until five a.m.”

“Just ten minutes, please.” Billie reached for the doorframe, holding herself against it. 

Wilhemina eyed Billie Dean. She was as pale as paper. Weird. She kept quiet, working on the report. Ten minutes passed by pretty fast, and the cameras were soon rolling again. The story was tragic, but Venable didn’t really pay attention to it. She was focused on her work. Until, nearly an hour later, Billie Dean asked for another break. Fiery eyebrows drew close together. Wilhemina looked up at her, watching as Billie Dean followed to her dressing room. She looked weird. Very weird. Quietly, Venable followed behind. Did she eat in the afternoon? Just to make sure, Wilhemina grabbed a sandwich and a bottle of water from the snack table. “Billie Dean?” She called against the cracked door of her dressing room. No answer. “Billie Dean, are you alright?” Why do I even care? Billie had cared for her, after all. It was only fair. No answer, again. “Billie Dean, I’m coming in.” Slowly, she pushed the door and peeked inside. To her surprise, Billie lay on the couch, breathing heavily with her eyes closed and head thrown back against the backrest. Wilhemina closed the door as quickly as she could and sat down beside Billie. What do I do?! How come no one from the crew had seen her sneak out like that? Feeling lost, she reached for one of Billie Dean’s hands and felt her pulse. Low. “Billie Dean, you need to breathe.” With her cane falling to the side, Wilhemina didn’t really think much when reaching for her face and cradling it between her hands. 

“Mgh,” Billie murmured. Everything was so heavy, even opening her eyes was hard. When Wilhemina touched her, however, energy jolted through her body. She lazily managed to open her eyes, now. Venable’s energy wasn’t draining like everything else in this property. “I… it’s s-suffocating.”

“Do you need some air?“ How the fuck am I going to take her outside? 

Billie Dean shook her head. She reached for both of Wilhemina’s hands and held them tightly, lacing their fingers together. Venable was alive. Her energy wasn’t the best, if she were being honest, but she was alive and meant well. That was more than enough. “Just… just stay here.”

Venable wasn’t understanding a thing, but she knew she hadn’t been treated like that in a long time, even if the situation wasn’t a normal one. Her hands felt so odd when laced with someone else’s, and still she felt so… comforted. In that moment, she was sure she’d do anything Billie Dean asked of her. “O-okay,” Wilhemina nearly breathed out. She looked down at their hands again, and her stomach twirled. “I… I brought you water and a—a sandwich. Just in case.”

Billie Dean could barely think. She caressed the hands in hers, trying to focus on something physical rather than in all the whispers around them in the other realm. “Thank you,” she said weakly. “Everything is so loud.”

Venable wanted to roll her eyes and call it bullshit, but in the state Billie Dean was in, she had to admit it couldn’t be just to put a show on. There were no cameras around them. If Billie wanted a show, she would have done it while filming rather than asking for a break. “What… what do you mean?” 

“This property… it’s draining…” Billie just wanted to get distracted; it didn’t matter if Venable didn’t believe in her right now. “It keeps on whispering to me… keeps on draining me…” She had asked them to burn sage over the place, but given the way that entity clung to her, she doubted it had been done. “It’s all over the place. It wants revenge.”

The hair on the back of Wilhemina’s neck stood up. This was no ordinary ghost story. She squeezed Billie Dean’s hands back. “What does?”

“I don’t know.” Billie Dean sat up a little better. She focused on breathing. “Something that has never been human.” Venable had always been a skeptic, but the lights around them flickered and she felt the room changing temperatures. Billie opened her eyes all the way. “It’s back.” Wilhemina looked around. She saw nothing. The only thing she could feel was a putrid smell. Her eyes began to tear down. Billie Dean squeezed her hands a little harsher. “Can you smell it?” 

“Y-yes.” How could Billie Dean tell? Venable’s nose scrunched up as the smell got worse. She sniffled. “Billie Dean, what’s happening?” Billie shook her head. Even though Wilhemina wouldn’t admit it, she was scared. The smell kept on getting worse and worse, and Billie now whispered something to herself. This can’t be a show anymore. The smell was very much real, as well as the way everything around her had grown cold. So cold Venable felt herself starting to shiver. 

“Go back to the crew. Don’t be alone,” Billie Dean told her all of a sudden. 

“What about you?” Wilhemina frowned. 

“I need to deal with it.”

“I’m not leaving you here to faint.” Venable turned to grab the sandwich she had brought Billie Dean. “Here. This should help.”

“I need sage.”

“Where can I find it?” Wilhemina wasn’t going to ask any questions right now. 

“The crew should have it.” 

“Okay.” Promptly, Venable got up and followed back to the living room, where all the cameras were. She could feel herself growing even more nervous. Brown eyes looked around, searching for someone she could talk to. Two men stood near the lights, and so she approached them. “I need sage.”

“What is that?” One of the men answered. For fuck’s sake.

“Does anyone have sage?” Wilhemina said a little bit louder now. No one said anything. “Billie Dean is demanding for some sage.“

“Here.” Finally, a woman handed her some. The celebrity card had worked. 

“Thank you.” Wilhemina nearly ran back to where Billie Dean was. Her back ached. She didn’t even know why she was the one doing it, but frankly she didn’t care. “Billie Dean?” Billie kept on talking lowly to herself, gesturing weirdly with her hands. She’s either crazy, or this is all real. Quietly, Billie Dean reached for the sage, and then she reached for the lighter in her pocket and lit it on fire. Instantly, the room began growing warmer. Venable felt the adrenaline in her veins pumping. “Stay close.”

“I am.”

Billie Dean reached for one of Wilhemina’s arms, pulling her closer. She needed to feel her, feel anything alive. “Closer.”

What the fuck is going on? Wilhemina gulped to herself. Slowly, the putrid smell went away, and Billie Dean began to breathe normally again. “Billie Dean?”

“Yes?” Billie turned back to Venable with tired eyes. 

Yes?! “Are you alright? Do you need anything?”

“Sleep.” Billie Dean sat back down and reached for the bottle of water Venable had gotten her. 

“You should go home.” Clearly, Billie was not alright. 

“I can’t.” Billie Dean took a sip of water and leaned her head back. “I need to film.”

“Nonsense.” Venable didn’t know on what to believe anymore. She hesitantly sat down close to Billie. “You should rest.”

“I can’t.”

As if on cue, the door of the dressing room opened. “Ms. Howard, we need to carry on with filming.”

“Yes. I’m on my way.” Billie Dean began to get up. Wilhemina frowned as she watched her. 

“Billie Dean, with all respect, you should rest,” Venable insisted. But Billie followed outside, face still pale and body still shaking. Wilhemina didn’t really know what to do besides follow her. When she got to the living room, the crew was already ready to start filming again. Quietly, Wilhemina got back to work. The ranch didn’t feel like it did before, when they had arrived. The putrid smell lingered on her mind and nostrils, making her stomach twist and turn. She could feel her body wanting to cave in out of fear, but Venable denied it the chance to do so. She sat up straight and worked as if nothing was going on. 

Hours later, when filming wrapped and the director allowed Billie Dean to take a first sip of water in God knows how long, Wilhemina couldn’t help but worry. What had happened today was concerning, and everyone seemed to be used to it. Is she always treated like a circus monkey? Wilhemina was quick when grabbing her things and getting ready to leave, following Billie in rushed steps. “Billie Dean?” 

The head of beautiful blonde curls turned around to her. Billie Dean smiled in a way that could only be described as exhausted. “Yes? Everything alright?” 

How come Billie Dean still asked her that? She should be worried about herself! “Are you alright?”

Is she worried about me? “I am, thank you.” Billie Dean couldn’t help but feel a little touched. No one else had worried about her; mostly because they were used to it, but it still didn’t mean that being drained was a good or normal thing to go through. ��Are you?”

“You should eat something.” Wilhemina honesty didn’t think the conversation should be about her right now. 

“I need to sleep.” Billie reached to hold herself against the doorframe of her dressing room. She desperately wanted to leave this place.

“You should still eat. You were shaking like a leaf earlier.” Why did everyone act like what had just happened was something normal? Billie Dean’s cheeks were still to regain the color in them, after all. “Do you need help?” 

A small smile crawled into Billie Dean’s lips. She shook her head. “Thank you. Don’t worry about me, Wilhemina. You should rest.”

“Billie Dean, are you sure you’re alright?” Wilhemina insisted. Everyone felt off. 

“I am. Don’t worry.” With a small smile, Billie Dean followed inside. But then she quickly walked back. “Wilhemina?”

“Yes?” Venable hadn’t even turned around when Billie called. 

“Do you have sage at home?”

Who has sage at home? “No.”

Billie bit her lower lip. “Hold on.” She quickly walked into her dressing room and grabbed what was left from the sage she had gotten earlier. Her blood pressure started to drop again. I need to get out of here. “Here.” She handed it to Wilhemina. “Burn it in your house.”

With a confused frown, Venable hesitantly reached for it. “Why?”

“Just do it.” Explaining she was scared something could have clung to Venable would be too hard for Billie’s tired brain. She doesn’t believe in me, anyways. “Have a good night.”

“You too.” Without understanding much, Wilhemina followed outside and to the car waiting for her. She looked to the plant in her hand, playing with it throughout the ride home. What even had happened? 

#ahs #ahs fanfiction #ahs fanfic #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel #american horror story #wilhemina venable #billie dean howard #rabexxpaulson #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian fanfic #lesbian story #billie dean howard x wilhemina venable #willhemina venable #would you swallow all your pride #lesbian

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Six - Green.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @devriesgoode @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched (message me to be added if interested!)

“I won’t.” That was all Wilhemina said before she got up and left the office. 

The moment Wilhemina got into her car tears began quietly falling down her cheeks. She ignored them, pretending there was nothing going on as she drove home. When her heels clacked down on the purple carpet of her living room, Venable broke down. She sat down on the couch and cried like a child who had been punished for doing something wrong. Purpura meowed once, staring at Wilhemina with its big dark eyes as she cried for what seemed like hours. When Venable finally managed to calm down, Purpura was already on her lap, leaning to lick the tears on her cheeks. “I don’t deserve you,” Wilhemina croaked out. The cat meowed again, bumping its head on Venable’s cheek. “You’re too sweet.” She sniffled, reaching to pet Purpura’s soft skin. The cat began to purr. Billie Dean’s words and the way she spoke to her echoed through Wilhemina’s head, along with flashbacks of the many times she had lunch alone because the kids didn’t want to sit down with someone who was ‘crooked’. Something inside Venable bled; a memory, a feeling, a sentiment… something. Something bled tremendously. It hurt. It hurt in a way that caused her eyes to fill with tears and her body to feel small and helpless. Purpura meowed again, wanting to get Wilhemina’s attention. “Yes, sweetheart… I’m here.” She sniffled again. The cat kept on staring at her, gently lifting its paw and resting the soft part of it on one of her cheeks. “Darling…” Wilhemina’s eyes filled with tears again. “I wish I could make everyone see me like you do…” Venable couldn’t. She simply couldn’t open up. Anyone could hurt her again, judge her again, laugh at her again, point at everything that made her ashamed of herself. Opening up was not an option, and so she came across as bitter; as bitter, as insensitive, as rude, as conceited, as obnoxious. And in reality, she was simply scared. Venable knew she should know better at her age, but her therapist would always say that everyone had their own time. Still, she felt late. Late to life. Late to herself. 

When Wilhemina finally managed to calm down, her head had begun throbbing and her nose was stuffed. She got up to take a bath and eat something before bed. Venable just wanted to sleep. She wanted to sleep for as long as she could and then she wanted to wake up and forget everything. But of course, things never go as planned, and when the clock hit midnight and she was still rolling in bed with Billie Dean’s words echoing in her head, Venable reached for her phone. I shouldn’t. But she needed to. Scrolling down, she found Billie’s number, from the day she had called her, and saved the contact. With hesitation, she opened a text chat. For minutes and more minutes Venable stared the screen, pondering on what to write, on what to say, if writing something was the correct way to go about it in the first place. Wilhemina knew she would regret it in the morning, when her mind was empty again and her eyes weren’t so heavy. But right now, every time she tried to sleep all she saw was Billie Dean; the way she looked at her, the way she had spoken to her, the way everything had made her feel. The way she still felt. The memories that kept on coming back. After taking a deep breath, Wilhemina simply began to type. 

Wilhemina Venable: Good night. I know this is not an appropriate time to contact you nor the correct way to go about it. But it’s the way I found. I do not expect you to answer to my text right now—in fact, I’d rather if we both pretend that this message has never happened. I have been thinking about our conversation earlier and it frankly has stuck with me. This is my way of saying I’m not… that kind. Talking is not my forte, as you’ve probably already noticed.

Wilhemina read the message once. Twice. Thrice. And then she groaned to herself. Not even in text she could express what she felt. Maybe I am that kind. She took a deep breath, eyes so tired they refused to grow tears again. And then she hit send. Fuck. Billie was her boss, for fuck’s sake. How old was Wilhemina? How shameful, a woman in her forties acting like a scaredy cat. It was done, now. Venable set her phone aside and turned the other way, nails scratching the sheet in order to have a sound, a texture to focus at rather than the growing nervousness in her stomach. Purpura jumped on the bed, carefully crawling closer to Wilhemina. The cat meowed, bumping its head on Venable’s nervous hand. “Yes, darling?” Wilhemina now caressed between Purpura’s long ears, hearing the low buzzing of her affection. A small smile spread across her lips. “You’re my best friend, aren’t you?” Perhaps the only one I’ve ever had. The cat seemed to understand, for it crawled even closer and lay down near Wilhemina’s chest. The sweet scent of lavender lotion filled Venable’s nostrils. “Thank you for existing,” that was the last thing she whispered before closing her eyes again and resting her cheek on the cat’s rump. Miraculously, she managed to fall asleep. 

Morning arrived earlier than Billie Dean wanted, and when her alarm went off in her phone, she groaned to herself. Lazily, she reached to turn it off, and then she allowed her eyes to adjust to the newfound light before grabbing it to look at the screen. Jenny had texted her twice about the episode tonight, her makeup artist had sent her a reference picture regarding the look she had planned, and she had a bunch of new e-mails regarding her work. Too much already. It was Tuesday, and Billie Dean already wanted the weekend back. Scrolling down, a certain text caught her attention: Wilhemina Venable. Dark blonde eyebrows drew close together as Billie quietly read the text. A sense of guilt invaded her, but Billie Dean pushed it aside; Wilhemina had deserved to be treated the way she had been. Should I answer? Venable had been pretty explicit when demonstrating that she would rather if the message went unacknowledged, but Billie found it fair to at least show her she trusted her word. Billie Dean was quick to learn people’s ways, and so after she got ready for work and began making her way there, she stopped at a bakery and grabbed a few sugar cookies. Then, she asked if there was any way to decorate them with purple butter cream—the baker couldn’t deny the Billie Dean a thing—and so she got to work with a bag of cookies decorated with purple dots and a single one with the words ‘I trust you’ written on it. Everyone enjoyed sugar cookies, right? 

The office was starting to fill with chattering, and to Billie Dean’s surprise, Wilhemina wasn’t already there when she arrived. Weird. She carefully set the bag of cookies down on her table and made her way to her own office. Billie had appreciated the message Venable had sent her; not only it showed she was willing to listen to criticism, but it also showed that Billie Dean’s intuition was right about her. Wilhemina Venable wasn’t a bad person. She was simply confused. Twenty minutes passed by, and Billie decided she needed some coffee, for her eyes were heavy and her body was still not fully awake yet. When she got to the kitchen, Venable’s back was the first thing she saw. She stood against the counter, getting herself some coffee as well. Quietly, Billie Dean approached her, and not wanting to startle her, she let one of her palms rest against the small of Wilhemina’s back. “Hi,” she whispered. Venable nearly jumped away. She looked over at Billie Dean, heart picking up in speed. Billie chuckled softly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s alright.” Even though Wilhemina’s tired head wanted to get annoyed, the cookies she had received made it impossible for her to do so. Her cheeks were still crimson, and her brown eyes didn’t manage to focus on Billie’s chocolate oceans. “Thank you for the cookies, Billie Dean. They weren’t necessary.”

“I know.” Billie smiled and gently squeezed the small of Wilhemina’s back before she pulled her hand away. She reached to pour herself some coffee. “But I was happy to hear from you. I know you asked for the message to not be talked about, but I couldn’t help myself. It was a huge gesture towards what I expected from you.”

With her cheeks tinting even more, Wilhemina looked down at her mug. She smiled a little, chest fluttering with a type of joy she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thank you,” she said quietly, lowly. Her red locks nearly formed a curtain around her head as they threatened to fall down her shoulders. 

“I’m just being honest.” Billie Dean turned around to face Wilhemina. She’s blushing. If Venable didn’t even want the message to be acknowledged, let alone she’d want her crimson cheeks to be. But Billie noticed it, and she found it sweet how Wilhemina’s usual rough features had turned into soft, almost childlike ones. “I do trust you’re not that kind. I can feel it.”

This time, Wilhemina didn’t think what Billie Dean was saying was such bullshit. Hesitantly, she looked up at Billie. And in her eyes, she found a compassion she hadn’t received in a while. “I appreciate it.” 

“Me too.” Billie Dean offered her another smile. “Have a good day. We’ll leave together for the set, don’t forget it.”

“I won’t.” Wilhemina smiled back, small and timid. And then she watched as Billie Dean made her way out of the kitchen in her gorgeous coral high heels and black dress. She’s always looking good. Even though Venable agreed she also had a sense of style, Billie Dean’s was different and that caught her attention; she wore dresses and high heels and delicate coats while Wilhemina was more of a suit, trousers and sweater kind of woman. And high heels. Always. Even though it made her back hurt a little more. With a small smile, Venable now made her way to her table. She instantly reached for the cookie that said ‘I trust you’ and stared at it. It was purple. Her mug was purple, too. Billie Dean had been so fast to catch on what she liked… it was sweet. Emma had been nice about her fixation on purple, too. It was odd, weirdly nice to feel, perhaps, accepted? Wilhemina tried not to think too much about it as she turned her computer on and slowly ate the cookie, savoring it with the coffee. Of course, the cookie is divine, too. At this point, Venable was quite sure she’d eat whatever food Billie Dean presented to her.

“Hey,” Emma smiled as she approached Wilhemina’s table. “I thought something had happened, you weren’t here as early as usual.”

Covering her mouth with her free hand, Venable hummed. “I had a hard time waking up,” she said after swallowing the piece of cookie she had been chewing. Talking was starting to be easier; she didn’t feel as judged as before, but still she didn’t have the courage to open up. It was too risky. 

“Me too.” Emma chuckled. She looked down at the cookies. “Purple, huh?”

Wilhemina nodded. “Would you like one?” She had a few, sharing was no problem. 

“Thank you.” Emma shook her head. “I just ate.” Venable nodded and took another bite. She didn’t see a reason to share the cookies had been a gift from Billie Dean; it would lead as to why, and Wilhemina definitely didn’t want to explain why. She had already taken a huge step, another one wasn’t necessary right now. She reached for another sip of coffee. I still need to find out that brand. “Would you like to have lunch with me today?”

The question came out of the blue. Wilhemina’s brown eyes looked up at Emma, and her green hues were fixated right back on her. She nodded. Getting out of the office could be good, she would work until late hours today anyways. “Sure.”

Emma’s lips turned into a big smile. “Here? Or at that bakery I told you about?” 

“The bakery is fine.” Wilhemina couldn’t help but smile a little. Emma always seemed to be so excited to see her, Venable had to admit it was kind of nice. People didn’t always want her around, and she was used to it. 

“You’ll love it.” Emma looked over to her table, seeing her computer was already turned on. “I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.” Wilhemina smiled softly and focused on the screen in front of her, now. She mindlessly ate the cookies Billie Dean had brought her, sipping on her coffee as she did so. For such a terrible night, the day had begun nicely. She still felt a little heavy from everything that had happened, but Billie Dean’s actions and the way she wasn’t quick to judge made her feel, in a way, safe. Besides, she hadn’t eaten that much sugar in a while—counting the donut and, now, the cookies—and couldn’t help but wonder why. Once she finished the cookies, Wilhemina got to work. She had the whole company’s policy to adjust. 

For Billie Dean, the morning was hectic. She received call after call from her agent; from interview offers to magazine covers and people asking for guidance and help. Her schedule was going to be even busier those next few months of the year as it always was near her vacation. She scribbled once, twice, thrice on the sketchbook Venable had given her, and then she had to get up and have a cigarette when her nails began picking on the corners of her thumbs. It instantly calmed her down. Fuck me. Why did she even began smoking in the first place? Twenty years later and she was still on it. My lungs must be screaming for help. Quitting was hard. Billie Dean savored the first cigarette of her morning like it was a fancy hot chocolate, eyes closed and hip against the balcony. Even though Billie didn’t consider herself to be a heavy smoker, she was still a smoker, and her body asked for nicotine every now and then throughout the day. I hadn’t even planned to stop smoking. But Wilhemina had given her the sketchbook, and somehow it was the last push to encourage her to quit. Billie Dean was happy with the decision. 

When lunch came, Emma was quick to stand close to Wilhemina’s table. “Ready?”

“I haven’t even turned my computer off yet,” Wilhemina said with a chuckle. She moved to do so. 

“I’m just excited, that’s all,” Emma explained. 

“Why?”

“I told you I enjoy being with you.” Emma shrugged. And Wilhemina looked up at her, ready for Emma to laugh. But she never did. And Venable didn’t know how to feel, so she felt funny. Her brown eyes lingered on her. “What?” Emma finally chuckled a little. 

Venable shook her head, eyes falling down. “Nothing.” She reached for her purse and got up. 

“It’s true.” Emma’s features were a little more serious now. “I find you a very interesting woman, Wilhemina. I want to get to know you.” 

The words were so shocking Venable didn’t even realize the lack of proper manners when addressing her. She gulped and got up, struggling not to blush. She was an adult, not a teenager; she absolutely should not be blushing because of that. “Thank you, Emma.” She finally managed to say, hand on her cane and posture straight up. “Should we get going?”

“Of course.” Emma smiled and began leading the way. 

The bakery was, indeed, nice. The place smelled like fresh bread and pastries, which caused Wilhemina’s mouth to water. Emma guided them to a table near the window, and Venable found it sweet how there was a flower vase on top of each one. “This is pretty,” she commented softly. 

“I think so, too.” Emma sat down in front of her, smile printed on her lips. Her green eyes sparkled, and Wilhemina couldn’t help but stare at them from time to time. They’re gorgeous. A waiter soon greeted them and handed the menu, leaving them to choose. Venable scanned the menu attentively, wondering how could she pick only one when all of the options looked so good. “The Panini is great,” Emma commented softly. Wilhemina looked back up at her. “Good size, too. Not too big, you’ll have room for something sweet,” she chuckled. 

Venable smiled a little. “I’ll go with that one, then.”

“Me too.” Emma flipped the menu, and Venable did the same. Her brown eyes scanned the beverages, now. 

“Have you ever tried the lemonade?” Wilhemina asked, and she watched as Emma’s eyes lifted up to her and turned into an almond shape as she smiled. 

Emma nodded. “It’s delicious. That’d be a good choice.” She thought for a second. “What if we share a jar of it?”

The offer seemed good. Venable nodded. “Of course.”

“Great.” Emma closed her menu. “Ready to order?”

“Yes.” Wilhemina motioned her, cheeks still up with a small smile. I haven’t smiled that much lately. They nearly hurt a little. It was a great contrast from how much her eyes had hurt the night before from crying so much. I didn’t expect my day to be so good. 

The waiter took no time to get their order, and their drink arrived in minutes. Emma poured them both a glass. 

“Thank you,” Venable hummed as she took a sip. The lemonade was sweet and sour, the perfect balance. 

“Do you like it?”

“Very much.” Venable nodded before taking, yet, another sip. 

Emma smiled at her as she did the same. “What’s your favorite fruit?”

Weird question. Wilhemina frowned for a second before realizing it was, probably, just small talk. She was not good at small talk. “Grapes, I suppose. Yours?”

“Makes sense.” Emma laughed a little. Venable didn’t really understand the comment. “I’m a fan of kiwis.”

“I’m allergic to them.”

“Really?” Emma reached for a napkin. 

Wilhemina nodded. “Ever since I was a child.”

“How did you find out?”

The memory brought a bitter taste to Venable’s mouth. Her eyes wanted to fall down, and so she set her jaw locked and sat up a little better, chin up. Explaining everything would be too much of a trip to memory land, and Emma probably didn’t want to hear about it. So, Wilhemina opted for the short version. “When I was five, I tried one for the first time. Next thing you know, I have rashes all over me.”

“Oh, no.” Emma pouted, and Venable didn’t really like how small it made her feel. “At least your throat didn’t close.”

“Indeed.” Wilhemina nodded. She didn’t know what would have happened if her throat had closed. I’d probably be dead. She reached to take another sip of the lemonade. 

“I’m not allergic to anything, as far as I know.” Venable hummed at the comment. She didn’t really have anything to say about it. “How’s Purpura?”

The mention of her cat caused Wilhemina’s brown hues to light up a little. She always enjoyed talking about Purpura. “She’s good, thank you. I bought her a new sweater.” 

“Adorable. Dots hates clothes.” Emma reached for her phone, pulling up a picture of her cat laying still on the floor with a blue sweater poorly put on. She showed it to Venable with a laugh. “He refused to move.”

Leaning closer, Wilhemina let out a chuckle. “Poor thing. He hated it.”

“Right?” Emma sat back on the booth, putting her phone down. “I wish he liked them, though. All of the options are always so adorable.”

“That’s true.” Venable always had a hard time picking which clothes she’d buy Purpura, which resulted in her often getting her more than she needed. Wilhemina didn’t really mind; Purpura was the only one she had to spoil, and she loved to do so. “Purpura has to wear clothes because of her skin. She gets really cold in the Winter.”

“Makes sense.” Emma looked up as their waiter approached them. He set the food down and politely left. “Are there any other special treatments she needs?”

Wilhemina reached for the silverware, stomach growling with the delicious smell that rose up. “I have to moisturize her skin very often, as well as give her baths and put on sunscreen in the Summer.”

“That’s so sweet.” Emma took a first bite. Wilhemina carefully did the same, reaching for a napkin just to make sure she wouldn’t make a mess again. The bread was crunchy and the cheese was hot. How come everyone from Billie Dean Howard & Co. knew about where to get amazing food? “Dots is very easy to take care of, but he does enjoy walks more than it’s normal for a cat. No judging, though,” Emma joked, and Wilhemina laughed. 

“What about water?”

“He loves it, can you believe it?” 

“Maybe he’s a dog in disguise.” The words jumped out of Wilhemina’s lips without her really thinking about it. And then, when realization hit her, she squeezed the fork in her hand and prepared to be mocked about it. But Emma laughed; she laughed loudly and carefree, throwing her head back and nodding enthusiastically. 

“I don’t doubt it. He even plays fetch.” 

Wilhemina’s shoulders relaxed as she realized Emma wasn’t going to judge her. The corners of her lips turned up, and she looked down at her food before taking another bite. “So does Purpura.”

“We should have them meet sometime. Is Purpura good with other cats?” 

The question caught Venable by surprise. The answer? She didn’t know. She had never had anyone else in her life that had a cat, let alone someone whom she was willing to spend time with. It had always been her and Purpura. She reached to take another sip of the lemonade. “I’m not really sure. Is Dots?” She doubted Purpura would be, though. They were really close to each other, and Purpura wasn’t used to sharing Wilhemina, nor her territory. 

“Most of the time.” Emma took another bite. “Sometimes he gets a little grumpy, but I assume so do most cats.” Venable nodded. Emma continued on eating. “I don’t know much about you… what else do you enjoy?”

Wilhemina’s shell began closing again. She forced it not to get too tough. Emma was not a threat, so far. She just had to proceed carefully. “Well… I read a lot.” 

“What about?” 

The question didn’t really make Wilhemina comfortable. You could tell a lot about a person regarding which books they enjoyed, and she wasn’t ready for Emma to see that much of her. “A little bit of everything.”

The answer seemed good enough for Emma, for she took a sip of her lemonade as she nodded. “What else?”

Venable’s palms began sweating slightly. She took another forkful as she thought. Was she willing to take the risk of being judged by what she enjoyed? It had happened before. “Not much. What about you?”

“I watch a lot of TV, honestly.” Emma chuckled. “I know, pretty boring.” Wilhemina would have to agree with that one. “Mostly movies and reality shows. You know, those silly Housewives and stuff like that.”

Wilhemina had heard about those shows, but they had never once piqued her curiosity. The prospect of watching white, privileged women talk about their privileged problems was more of a nightmare than entertainment to her. Enough to make your brain turn into mush. “I’ve heard about those.”

“Never watched them?”

“No.” Wilhemina was nearly done with her food. 

“They don’t really suit you,” Emma commented with as she finished her glass of lemonade.

“Why?” Wilhemina looked at her. 

Emma shrugged. “You’re a smart woman… classy.”

The words left Wilhemina with red cheeks again. “Is that a compliment?” 

“Yes, it is. I like a classy woman.” Emma winked teasingly and reached to pour herself and Venable more lemonade. 

The crimson on Venable’s cheeks intensified, and she chuckled to herself as she took another bite. Is she… flirting with me? Wilhemina couldn’t remember the last time she had flirted, let alone kissed someone. Her sexuality had always been a gray area within herself; not because she was fond of women, but because how could anyone find her attractive when she looked like that? Her face wasn’t the worst, but her back was utterly disgusting. Anyone who saw her knew that. And if they didn’t, when they saw her naked, they certainly would. Wilhemina gulped dry at the idea of Emma ever coming close to seeing her naked. “Thank you, then.”

Emma nodded. She leaned her head over her hand, elbow on the table as she stared at Venable. “How are you liking working with Billie Dean so far?”

Wilhemina found it funny how Emma always brought that subject up. “It’s alright.” She ate the last of her food and wiped her mouth clean. So far, Venable didn’t have much to talk about Billie; she had been really pleasant to be around, and the work was easy. However, Emma’s green hues seemed to demand for more words. “She’s nice.” 

“I think so, too.” Emma pushed her plate aside, making room for the menu she reached for. “Dessert?”

“Yes.” Wilhemina reached for the menu on her side. She wasn’t hungry anymore, but everything looked so delicious she was definitely not passing on the opportunity. 

“I think I’ll go with the apple pie… or maybe the strawberry tart.” Emma kept on looking over the menu. 

Venable hummed. “I’ll try the Banoffee pie.”

“That’s a good choice… I’m not much of a banana fan, though.” Emma set the menu aside. Venable had never heard of someone who didn’t like bananas; they were the perfect fruit. Sweet and nutritious. “I’ll settle on the tart.” Emma waved over to the waiter and ordered for them. Venable leaned back on the booth, sipping on her lemonade as she watched the people outside. Everyone was so busy. Her back hurt a little, so she stretched discretely and heard it pop. A sigh left her lips. The sky outside was a little dark, indicating rain was coming sometime soon. Wilhemina didn’t mind the rain, even though it caused her back to hurt a little more. The smell of the wet soil had always been comforting. “Do you live too far from the office?” Emma asked, causing Venable’s train of thought to be broken. Brown eyes moved back to her. 

“A little bit. Thirty minutes by car.” 

“Me too, about the same.” Emma’s finger passed over the cloth of the table discreetly. “Do you live alone?”

She might actually be flirting with me. That was such a foreign situation for Wilhemina. “Just me and Purpura.” 

“Me too. Me and Dots… no partner.” 

Oh. Wrapping her head around the fact that Emma was actually, truly flirting with her was harder than Venable thought it would be. She licked her lips, struggling not to look away. Her body began getting rigid, and she could feel herself feeling vulnerable again. Is she messing with me? What if it was all a game? She hadn’t spoken to the other people at the office, yet. This time, she only nodded with a hum before looking back outside. One of her hands squeezed the hem of her purple coat, playing with it in order to distract herself from the growing anxiety in her chest. No one could actually be attracted to her. It had to be a joke, and Wilhemina did not want to be the reason everyone laughed yet again. “I need to get back to the office,” she said out of a sudden. “I’ll pay you back later.” Reaching for her cane, Venable began getting up. 

“What?” Emma frowned. “What about dessert?”

“I’m full.” 

“Wilhemina, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just need to get back to the office.” Venable fixed her coat and leaned over on her cane, ready to start walking. 

“Wilhemina, wait.” Emma quickly got up. “Let me grab the dessert and we can take it to go.”

Venable squeezed the cane on her hand. She held her head up high, lips tight. Anxiety grew inside. She’s messing with me. She’s messing with me. She’s messing with me. “I need to go.”

“Are you sure?” Emma frowned even more. Venable nodded before turning around and walking away. She couldn’t risk it. 

The walk back to the office gave Wilhemina some time to calm herself down. Her head kept on spiraling with all the possible reasons of why Emma would be interested in her—and none of those reasons involved actually liking Venable. It’s a bet. She wants money. She finds it funny. It’s charity. Venable’s mind kept on spiraling, and her chest kept on tightening. Did Billie Dean know? Was she in it, too? Wilhemina’s palm sweated against her cane. She bit her lower lip, bit it harshly. When Billie Dean Howard Company & Co. appeared into her vision, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get into the building. Brown eyes looked up to the seventh floor, breeze bouncing her red locks. And then she turned around and began walking away. Wilhemina needed a Valium, and her things were in her purse at the office, and in the office she wasn’t ready to step foot at yet. I saw a drugstore around here. Venable would take a Valium and wait until it kicked in before coming back to work. Work was for work, not for personal business. With heavy breaths and quick steps, Venable walked through the street. She licked her lips, and only then realized they had been bleeding. Great. 

“Wilhemina?” Someone called out of a sudden, hand reaching for her waist. Venable turned around quickly, heart skipping a beat and ready to cuss out whoever scared her like that. The hand on her waist wasn’t something she liked, either. “Are you alright?” Only then, Venable could focus on the person. It was Billie Dean. The last thing I need. She nodded, but before she could start speaking, Billie’s eyes grew in size. “No, you’re not. You’re bleeding. What happened? Did anyone hurt you?”

The worry in Billie Dean’s voice was something Wilhemina hadn’t seen in a long time. She wasn’t used to people worrying about her. With a gulp, she shook her head. “No. I—I bit my lip.” With her free hand, she reached to gently feel her lower lip. A tiny amount of blood coated her digits. 

Billie Dean frowned. She had seen Wilhemina walk near the office and then quickly turn around—lunch called for a cigarette, so Billie decided to go downstairs and see some people while she smoked, for a change. The look on her face had been anything but relaxed. “Are you alright, though?”

Wilhemina nodded. She was not going to make a fool of herself to Billie Dean, especially if she was involved in Emma’s shenanigans. “I forgot my wallet at the restaurant,” she lied. “I need to get it back.” Her breath was still not on its normal pace, but Venable managed. She was used to always looking calm and collected no matter what. 

“I can go with you, if you want to,” Billie Dean offered. She still felt like there was something wrong, even though Venable now looked so calm. How does she do that?

“There’s no need. Thank you, Billie Dean.” Wilhemina simply turned around and began walking away. 

Billie Dean bit her inner cheek. She needs to stop doing that. Billie absolutely hated when people didn’t allow her to finish a thought. Wilhemina simply turning around was hard to deal with. With a sigh, she hesitantly got back to the building. Venable insisted she was alright, and so Billie had no other option but to believe her. 

Upstairs, in the kitchen, Billie Dean poured herself some coffee. The office was still empty, and her thoughts actually had room to be heard, for once. The building was new, so there were no spirits trapped. Restaurant… Wilhemina had eaten at a restaurant today. Billie Dean couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t eat at the office. They had talked about it, and she knew Wilhemina shared the same opinions when it came to the food she provided. Is it because of me? Billie shook the thought off. Perhaps Venable only needed some alone time after their talk in the morning. Chattering arose from the hallway, indicating people were coming back. Billie Dean walked that way, stopping at the doorframe with a small smile. People greeted her, and she greeted everyone back. Everyone arrived but Wilhemina. Ready to start working, Billie Dean began turning around. From the corner of her eye, however, she caught Emma placing a box on Wilhemina’s table. Baker’s Bakery.

#ahs #ahs fanfiction #ahs fanfic #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel #american horror story #wilhemina venable #billie dean howard #rabexxpaulson #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian fanfic #lesbian story #billie dean howard x wilhemina venable #willhemina venable #would you swallow all your pride

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter Nine - Yellow.

Summary: Wilhemina Venable felt it was finally time to leave Kineros Robotics and get a job with people who weren’t such morons like Jeff and Mutt. What she didn’t expect, however, was for her new boss to be so damn insufferable. She didn’t expect to fall in love with her, either.

Tag List: @devriesgoode @mistysswampmud @paulsonsratched @msvenablx @notmeellaannyy (message me to be added if interested!)

Venable nodded. “I do. But I still think you should take care of yourself.” Billie Dean was about to answer when her phone began ringing. She reached for it in her pocket, seeing Jenny’s name on the screen. Glancing apologetically at Wilhemina, she picked it up. While Billie was on the phone, Venable got up to check Purpura’s food; she refilled her water bowl and made sure the litter box was clean. The call Billie Dean had received was probably about work, given they should be at the office. I need to eat. They’d probably have to leave soon, so she could have lunch at work. A yawn cut through Venable’s lips, reminding her of how tired she was. Wilhemina didn’t think it was fair to sleep while Billie Dean did; she was in her working hours, after all. It’s going to be a long day. She was thankful there was nothing she had to do after work today besides coming home and spoiling her cat. 

When Billie Dean hang up, she took one last bite of the bagel and grabbed the plate and glass to take it to the kitchen. Timidly, she entered it. “Excuse me.”

Wilhemina looked at her from where she was leaning against the counter. “You can leave it on the sink.”

“I can wash it.” Billie Dean absolutely hated to do the dishes, but she had manners. 

“Don’t worry about it. I can pop it into the dishwasher later.”

If Wilhemina insisted… I just got my nails done. “Thank you.” Billie put the dishes into the sink. “Jenny is needing me back at the office.”

“We should go.” Venable was almost done with the policy work she had been doing, and she planned on finishing it today. 

“Yeah. I’ll call my driver.”

“Nonsense,” Wilhemina said before Billie Dean could reach for her phone. “I can drive. I need to drive back home later, anyways.”

Billie Dean nodded. Most people always took advantage of the perks she had. It was so weird to just be. “Okay.” She smiled a little. 

“Should we get going?” 

“Sure.”

Wilhemina led them to the garage, stopping to grab her purse on the way. Purpura meowed at them, and Venable blew her a kiss before closing the door. The ride back seemed to be quicker than both of them remembered, and soon they were stepping back at the office. Billie Dean flashed Venable a smile and followed to find Jenny. Wilhemina, on the other hand, walked straight to her table. She turned her computer on and leaned back on her chair. I’m starving. 

“Long time no see,” Emma said sweetly as she approached her table. Venable’s brown eyes lifted up to look at her, and she was instantly reminded of the fact that Emma not only was interested in her, but had told their boss about it. Her insides stammered in shame. 

“Hi.” Wilhemina allowed the corners of her lips to lift up. 

“Did anything happen?” Emma’s hip leaned against Venable’s table. The position caught Wilhemina’s attention, for her eyes involuntarily scanned Emma; she had never realized how well she dressed, too. Today, in specific, Emma was wearing a brown skirt and a white sweater, topped with high-knee boots. Her legs are so muscular. 

“Not really.” Venable definitely wouldn’t share the whole… whatever it was situation. Emma nodded at her, and she could see the way she sucked her lip in, as if she were debating on something. 

“Have you had lunch already?” 

There it is. “No, I haven’t.”

“Would you… like to join me?” Emma was hesitant, delicate. So delicate Venable still felt a hint of guilt from how things had gone down the day before. It was all so weird. 

Wilhemina nodded. “I would. That bakery again?”

“Did you like it?” Emma’s eyebrows lifted up, and her lips held back an ashamed chuckle. 

“I did, actually.”

“I don’t mind if we eat here.”

Wilhemina could see why Emma would think she hadn’t enjoyed going out of the office, and although she appreciated how she was willing to make her feel comfortable, Venable felt, deep inside her, that she owned Emma a nice lunch. “I’d like to go to the bakery again, if that’s alright with you.”

Emma’s green eyes turned into a slightly almond-like shape as she smiled with them. She nodded. “I’d love it. Are you ready to go?” Wilhemina nodded and got up again, reaching for her coat and purse. “That’s the first time you’re ready pronto,” Emma teased. 

Fair enough. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that Venable actually wanted to go this time, but she wouldn’t tell Emma that. There was no reason, so far, to push Emma away. It was risky, letting someone in, so Wilhemina proceeded with caution. “Hunger calls.”

“I get that.” Emma let out a chuckle.

The walk to the bakery was short, but they walked slowly and without so much of a rush. The streets in that area were suitable for Wilhemina’s cane, so she didn’t struggle with broken tiles and uneven patterns. When they got to the bakery, Venable chose the same table they had sat the day before. The view was nice, and near the window she could always take a breath when she felt overwhelmed. The menus were soon placed on their table and quickly they ordered. A jar of lemonade was shared once again, and it was the first thing to arrive. 

“Thank you.” Venable reached for her glass as Emma poured her some juice. 

“Of course.” Setting the jar aside, Emma took a first sip. She hummed. “It tastes even better than yesterday.”

Venable reached to do the same. Indeed, the juice was richer. “Divine,” she nodded. Emma offered her a smile. Wilhemina eyed her, and under the bright light of the window, Emma looked almost like a porcelain doll; dark long hair, green big eyes, pale skin, small lips… everyone was so beautiful at Billie Dean Howard & Co. I might not belong in there in terms of appearance.

“So… about yesterday. I know you’ve said everything was alright, but I want to apologize again. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Emma’s cheeks had gotten a little bit crimson. Her eyes fell down, not fixating on Venable anymore. 

The topic wasn’t the easiest for Wilhemina, and she wished they’d just forget yesterday ever happened. But Emma seemed awfully worried about it, and even though it annoyed Venable for the discomfort she felt, it also softened something inside of her. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable.” It wasn’t a lie. She herself had made the situation escalate. 

“I just… I don’t want to push you away.” Emma looked back up at Venable. “I meant it when I said I want to get to know you better.” Please, stop. Venable gulped dry, nodding slightly. She didn’t know what to answer to that. Do I want to get to know her better? It was too soon to tell. “I think you’re beautiful, Wilhemina.” The words were so out of the blue Venable thanked the Gods she hadn’t taken another sip of juice, for she would have probably choked. Her skin warmed up. She blindly reached to play with the napkin on top of their table. “If you ever want me to leave you alone regarding that, just tell me. It’s just that I can’t miss my shot… not with you.” By the time Emma stopped talking, Wilhemina’s vision threatened to go spotty. Her heart was beating so hard she could feel it behind her ears. Her mind wanted to start screaming that it was a joke, that it was a bet, that it was all a lie, but this time Venable had been prepared for that, and so she ignored the thoughts. It must be a joke, though.

“Are you serious?” The words didn’t come in Wilhemina’s usual harsh tone; they were a genuine question. 

Emma frowned. “About what? Being interested in you?” Venable nodded. Emma smiled softly. “I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” For many reasons Wilhemina wouldn’t dare explaining. So she shrugged. “I think you must be aware of the way everyone looks at you… you stop the room.” The concept of having all the eyes on her was utterly overwhelming. Venable couldn’t fathom that the eyes would be on her for a positive reason. Of course they look at me, I have a fucking cane. She set her jaw straight and sat up a little better.

“I… I don’t—“ Thankfully, Wilhemina was saved by the bell when the waiter approached them. This time, Venable quickly scanned the menu and ordered a ham and cheese croissant; Emma chose the Panini again. Politely, the waiter left. And Wilhemina quickly came up with a new subject so they could leave the whole uncomfortable conversation behind. It was already bad enough as it was. “How’s Dots?”

“Oh, he’s great.” Emma took another sip of the lemonade. “Yesterday we went for a walk after work and he carried a rock home.”

“No way,” Wilhemina chuckled. She was relieved her idea seemed to be working. “Purpura brings me her toys as gifts, sometimes. It’s sweet.” Her hand still absently played with the napkin.

“I can imagine.” Emma tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, and it reflected beautifully under the light of the window. Wilhemina was positive she had never seen hair so healthy. “I’m thinking about adopting another cat.” It worked.

“Oh?”

“There’s this shelter near my place, it’s where I got Dots from, and they have a new kitty that is the most adorable thing. She’s just a few months old, so tiny and so absolutely thin.” Emma reached for her phone and showed Wilhemina a picture. The cat was white in color and indeed, pretty malnourished. 

“Poor thing,” Venable said softly. Slowly, she relaxed again.

“Right?” Emma leaned back against the booth. “I know they’re taking care of her, but I think I fell in love. I went to visit last week, donate some food, and they allowed me to pet her. She’s really affectionate, I think Dots would love her.” 

“You should go for it.” The way Emma smiled while talking about the cat was, undeniably, adorable. Wilhemina couldn’t help but notice it. She’s sweet. 

“You think?” Emma bit her lower lip. “I think I will. I hope Dots won’t get too jealous.”

“He’s that kind?” Wilhemina arched her eyebrows in a playful manner. She assumed so was Purpura, but she couldn’t really know—Purpura had never met another cat. And not many people frequented her house.

“Yes! Is Purpura?”

“I think so.” Venable chuckled. “I mean—she’s very demanding. She loves to cuddle and asks for pets all the time. Granted, I spoil her.”

“That’s so sweet.” Emma giggled. “I spoil Dots, too. He gets a lot of treats, and I’m sure if he didn’t enjoy walks so much, he’d be a little chubby.”

Wilhemina nodded with a hum. She took another sip of the lemonade. “I take care of Purpura’s weight for her health, but I confess I find chubby cats adorable.” I’m talking too much. It was dumb. She should have stayed quiet. But Emma gasped and laughed loudly, leaning closer to the table. 

“Me too!” Emma whisper-yelled. “Dogs, too.”

Wilhemina bit her lower lip as she smiled. Emma was easy to talk to. “I find dogs adorable, but I don’t think I could ever own one.”

Emma reached for her glass. “Why so?” She took a sip. 

“They’ve got too much energy.” I can’t really play to or walk a dog in the way it would need me to. Wilhemina decided not to say that last part out loud. She figured Emma would soon realize it.

“That’s true.” Emma set her glass aside once again. “Have you thought about a geriatric dog? There are loads of them in shelters, people always leave them behind.”

Emma seemed to know—or at least be interested—in shelters and animals. Wilhemina found it tender. “I had never considered that,” she said softly. A geriatric dog was a good idea, but she was a little scared of how Purpura would react to having to share the attention. Purpura was a strong cat, she could easily hurt an older, smaller dog. “I’ll think about it.”

“Let me know what you decide. I’d love to meet her or him if you do so.”

“I will.” Venable looked outside the window. People were hurrying once again. Everyone has their own life. Their own world. Their own problems. It made her feel less alone, somehow. She looked back to Emma after a minute, and her green eyes were still on her. Venable didn’t know what to say. 

“Do you mind if I ask if your hair is natural?” She always has something to say. Wilhemina received that question a lot. “It’s such a beautiful color. Matches you perfectly.”

“Thank you. It is.” All her life, people assumed Wilhemina dyed it. She didn’t really have all the more classic redhead characteristics, but her hair for sure was reddish.

“It’s beautiful,” Emma repeated. “Is it from your mother or father’s side?” 

Venable bit her lower lip. She didn’t know. She had never met her parents, nor got to know anything about them. Brown eyes fell down before forcefully looking back up. “My father’s,” she lied. Emma didn’t have to know everything so soon. Wilhemina wasn’t ready for that. “He was a typical redhead. My mother had brown hair.” That was how Venable had always imagined it, so was it really a lie?

“I can see that.” Can you, really? “I’m the only one in my close family with green eyes. It comes from my great-grandparents.”

“They’re beautiful,” Wilhemina commented. 

“You think? Thank you.” Playfully, Emma blinked quickly a few times. She chuckled, and so did Venable. “I’m hoping my future kids will get it.”

Kids. Wilhemina had never wanted kids. She had seen firsthand how many there were, and producing more was definitely unnecessary. Plus, to be a mother you should have no doubts about it, and Venable found herself with many. No child’s life deserved to be doubted when it came to their wanting. “Have you always wanted kids?”

“I suppose. Have you?”

“Absolutely not.” Perhaps that was a strong way of responding, but it was an honest one. Emma arched her eyebrows. “I’ve never wanted kids.”

“Any specific reasons?”

Many. Wilhemina would have to answer that one. She hummed as she took a sip of the lemonade, formulating an answer. “I think it all comes down to the fact that if you’re not sure about it, you shouldn’t do it. Having kids is not reversible. No child should suffer because of an indecisive adult.” God knows how much she did. The subject was close to home. 

“That’s a very valid point. I agree with you.”

Before Wilhemina could formulate another thought, their food arrived. The waiter carefully set everything down before, once again, politely walking away. The smell and steam that raised from the food was delicious just like the day before, causing her stomach to grumble. Venable was hoping she’d enjoy the croissant as much as she enjoyed the Panini. Reaching for the silverware, she took a first bite. Of course, it was amazing; the outside was crunchy and the inside was soft, the cheese was melted at the perfect temperature, and the ham tasted rich. She hummed. “Very good.”

“Everything here is delicious.” Emma took a first bite as well. “Did you try the Banoffee, after all?”

Oh, shit. Wilhemina had forgotten it inside her fridge. With everything that happened after work, dessert was the last thing in her mind. “Not yet.”

“I think you’ll like it.” Emma took another bite. Wilhemina nodded in agreement as she ate a little more, and crumbs fell down her chin and sweater. Her cheeks tinted. 

“Oh—“ Quickly, Venable reached to clean herself with a napkin. Emma looked at her with a smile so big it reached her eyes. Is she making fun of me? “What?” She asked once she was done. “Are there any crumbs still?”

“No,” Emma shook her head, smile still on her lips. “You’re cute, that’s all.” Oh? What a weird concept. What a weird feeling. Should Venable thank her? I’m a grown woman, I shouldn’t be cute. But Emma’s words carried no malice in them. They were almost… nice. With cheeks still red, Wilhemina chuckled and got back to eating. Purpura was cute. A dog was cute. Not her. “What are you doing on Saturday?” The question was unexpected. Wilhemina hadn’t given her weekend much thought, mostly because she was probably just going to stay home with Purpura. 

“Nothing. Why?”

“Would you like to go to the movies with me?” 

Venable almost asked Emma to repeat her question, for the words were so foreign she feared she hadn’t heard her correctly. But Emma kept on staring at her with excited, slightly nervous green eyes. Wilhemina blinked once. Twice. And then she wetted her lips, for they had gone dry. She gulped. “On Saturday?”

“Saturday night,” Emma clarified as she ate. Was Wilhemina willing to spend ser Saturday night like that? I never do anything. It could be fun. Besides, she was used to going to the movies alone—not that she did that a lot. Venable nodded before she could change her mind. Emma’s eyes lit up. “Really?” Wilhemina nodded again. “It’s settled, then. I can pick you up at… say, seven?”

“That works for me.” Emma’s excitement was contagious. Discretely, Venable smiled to herself, reaching to take another bite. 

“That’s exciting.” Emma nearly squealed. 

With cheeks tinting, Venable chuckled. It was exciting, indeed. The last time she had done something like that she was nearly half her age. “I love the movies,” she said softly. The movies were dark, people minded their own business, no one cared for her cane. It was one of the only places she wasn’t judged. 

“So it was a good suggestion, huh?”

“Yes.” Wilhemina took a final bite of her food. 

“Good to know.” Emma reached to finish the drink on her glass, and Wilhemina thought it was best not to ask what she meant right now. Setting her plate aside, Venable reached for a napkin and gently wiped her lips clean. I need to retouch my lipstick. “What do you say we take a walk before going back to the office? There’s an ice cream shop near here.”

Wilhemina thought it was a little dumb to leave the bakery when they had ice cream in their menu as well, but she figured Emma had a preference for the other one. People at Billie Dean Howard & Co. seemed to know where the good food was at, and so she decided to just go along. Some fresh air would be great, too, and her back wasn’t on its worst days. “That’s fine by me.”

“Perfect.” Emma reached for her wallet, and Wilhemina remembered she hadn’t paid her back from lunch yesterday. Quickly, she reached for her own. 

“Let me pay,” she said. 

Emma shook her head and waved it off. “It’s my treat.”

“I owe you from yesterday,” Venable insisted. 

“It’s alright, really.” Emma gestured for the waiter to bring them the check. 

“Emma, truly.” 

Emma shook her head and shot her a playful smirk. “It’s my treat,” she repeated. And that smirk caused Wilhemina to lose all the walls she was starting to build. She chuckled. 

“I’m paying for the ice cream, then. And for the movies.” Wilhemina put her card back into her wallet. The waiter arrived, and Emma handed him her card before turning back to Venable. 

��My date never pays.” Playfully, once again, Emma winked at her. But this time, the words weren’t so playful to Venable. A date. Wilhemina had understood what Emma meant when she invited her to the movies, but hearing it out loud was absolutely weird. A date. Have I ever been on a date before? Wilhemina had had a relationship some years ago, but she didn’t think she had ever been on a proper date. People are ashamed to be seen with me. At least in that way, they had always been. Is this why she’s taking me to the movies? Where no one can see? It was stupid to think about it. So why was she thinking about it? Brown eyes fell down, and Venable bit her inner cheek. The silence seemed to be too long, for Emma frowned and opened her mouth to speak only to be cut by the waiter. She thanked him, and when she turned back to Wilhemina, she was already getting up. Venable reached for her coat, and she decided that, this one time, she wouldn’t let her mind take things to the irrational place they always went to. Emma had just invited her for ice cream, in a public space, just like lunch had been. I’m being delusional. “Are you alright?” Emma’s soft words and a hand on her back cut Wilhemina’s spiraling thoughts. 

Wilhemina turned back to look at Emma. “Yes. I’m sorry.” 

Emma opened a smile. “It’s alright.”

It’s alright. Venable smiled a little. It was alright. “Should we get going?”

“Sure.” With her hand still on the small of Wilhemina’s back, Emma guided them outside. Venable’s body had gone rigid; having people touching her back for long periods of time was something that made her feel absolutely uncomfortable, even if it was the small of it. A welcoming touch from some people was alright, but not like Emma was doing. Besides, no one was allowed to come even near to the upper part of it, and Emma could easily slip her hand up at any moment. When the breeze hit their face outside, Venable took a step to the side and away from Emma’s grip; she seemed to get the hint, for she dropped her hand. A relieved sigh left Wilhemina’s lips. She took a deep breath. It was a little bit warmer today. “The ice cream is near the park,” Emma commented. “It’s quieter there, too.”

“Good.” Venable’s head didn’t deal very well with the loud sounds of the streets, and they were right on hush hour. People walked by and past them in quick and rushed steps, cars honked and people screamed at each other. I hope no one bumps on my cane. She had been used to walking on busy places, but the fear was always there. People were inconsiderate to others. They liked to either stare or pay no attention. Both were bad. Wilhemina’s palm began to sweat against the cane. 

“It’s beautiful here when it’s not so busy.” Emma guided them through the crowd. 

“I can imagine.” Wilhemina liked the city landscape. She had never been one with the nature. “It’s a beautiful place, just too crowded.”

“Exactly.” Emma guided them to a more secluded street, and the noise began to die down. Wilhemina could hear their heels clacking on the pavement now, along with her cane and the sound of her own breathing. Emma knew her way around here. “The park is to the left.” Venable nodded. “We can sit by the Sun, warm up a little.”

“Ice cream under the Sun. Sounds like Summer,” Venable commented mindlessly. 

“It does,” Emma chuckled. “Do you like the Summer?”

“Not really… too hot, too uncomfortable.” Besides, Wilhemina was forced to show more of her body, and that was always unpleasant. 

“You have a point.” 

They turned to the left, and the park was right there in its not-so-bright notes of green. It was mostly empty, which was, needless to be said, amazing. “I had never been here.”

“It’s not a very known spot.” Even though Emma was correct, that wasn’t the reason of why Wilhemina hadn’t met it before. She simply didn’t see the fun of going to a park alone. Wilhemina hummed in agreement just because, and Emma guided them to one of the benches under the sunlight. Carefully, Venable sat down. Emma did the same, taking a deep breath as her eyes squinted due to the brightness. “This is good,” she hummed. Wilhemina nodded. She wanted to close her eyes and feel the Sun, but she didn’t feel comfortable to just let loose in a public space. The warmth slid through her body and warmed her insides, cold hands growing hot. It felt so good to just sit under the sunlight, but still Venable barely ever did it. Carefully letting her cane go, Wilhemina turned her palms up to the Sun and rested her hands on her lap, legs crossed. The sound of the wind fumbling the trees nearly caused the city noises to go away, leaving them in the distance. Brown eyes looked over to the small pond, watching as the ducks swam and bathed in the sunlight as well. It was funny, how mostly every creature adored the Sun. Purpura is probably laying on my bed, now. Because of the window, Wilhemina’s bed was at the correct spot to be warmed up. Venable’s mind wandered to Purpura and to how she was probably enjoying the warmth, with her legs and paws well sprawled. Adorable. Her thoughts, however, were cut when a—considerably warmer—hand rested on one of hers. The fingers tangled themselves with Wilhemina’s, and she looked down to see Emma holding her hand. She gulped. Chocolate turned caramel eyes slowly lifted up to Emma’s, and Emma offered her a sweet smile. “Is that okay?” Is that? Venable’s hand was still stiff in place, fingers not tangling back but also not pushing Emma’s away. I had never realized her nails were painted red. Wilhemina’s mind was suddenly all over the place. And although weird, the act wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable. After a second, she nodded at the question. Emma’s thumb now caressed her hand slowly, and she had leaned back against the bench and closed her eyes. Venable’s heart pounded in her chest. With uncertain movements, she wrapped her fingers back with Emma’s and looked down at their hands again. Weird. But she had to admit it was nice. It felt nice. And so Wilhemina’s cheeks turned crimson from either the Sun or her feelings—she couldn’t really tell. And she didn’t really want to know. I’m holding hands in the park. A woman in her forties was having an experience that was so banal, but still so foreign. Biting her lower lip, Venable’s lips curled up into a small smile. The silence between them was pleasant, and it lasted for a few more minutes before Emma sat up a little better, hand still tangled in Wilhemina’s, and looked at her. “Ice cream?”

“Yes.” Wilhemina let Emma’s hand go so she could safely get up, and as soon as she did so, Emma already grabbed it back. It was unexpected to Venable, and it caused her chest to flutter slightly. She really does want me around. What a foreign feeling. Hand in hand, they walked to the ice cream kiosk Emma had talked about and, once they had gotten their food and Wilhemina had successfully paid, they got back to the bench. Carefully, Venable took a first spoonful of the creme scoop she had ordered. It contrasted nicely with the warmth of her body. “Really good…”

Emma nodded and took a spoonful as well. “Do you want to try mine? It’s chocolate.” Even though Venable was curious about the flavor, she just didn’t feel comfortable sharing food with Emma like that. She shook her head. 

“Thank you.” Wilhemina took another spoonful, eyes on the pond again. From the corner of her eye, Emma watched her. 

“Do you like ducks?”

“Huh?” Venable turned back at her. 

“Do you like ducks?” Emma repeated. 

She has weird questions, sometimes. Even though Venable knew it was probably to make up for her own quiet ways, some of the questions were still odd. “They can be cute.”

“We can feed them sometime, if you want to.” Emma took another spoonful.

“Okay,” Venable nodded. After another second of silence, Emma let out a chuckle. Wilhemina looked at her again. “What?”

“I wonder what goes inside your mind,” Emma said softly. “You get quiet, seem to be constantly thinking.”

And constantly thinking Wilhemina was. She absolutely despised it. If only she knew. It was too soon. “I’m just a quiet person, that’s all.”

“Have you always been like that?” Emma’s tone was soft and genuine, but Wilhemina wasn’t sure she appreciated the question. She doesn’t mean bad. Her walls were starting to show up again. 

“Yes.” 

Emma hummed as she ate a little more. “I was such a talkative child. Classic social butterfly.” Venable could definitely see Emma like that. In a way, she envied how absolutely well-adjusted the woman was. When Wilhemina was a child, she couldn’t be like that. It’s not her fault my parents left me to die. Venable’s head was getting into a place she didn’t enjoy, but often went to. She gulped and sat up a little better, chin high and posture perfect. 

“Where did you study?” Not that Wilhemina really wanted to know, but that was a way of getting the conversation away from herself. 

“Canyon Elementary and Westlake High in my teenage years.” Emma smiled brightly. “Gosh, those were the best years. I was a cheerleader.” The information nearly caused Venable to twist her face in pain. Cheerleaders were definitely not a good memory. It suits her body though, even if it’s been years. Granted, Emma seemed younger than Wilhemina. “Oh, I miss it so much. I have so many memories and stories from high school.” Venable hummed and quietly ate her ice cream. People who enjoyed high school actually existed? Two sides of the same coin. Wilhemina did nothing but work, study, and get bullied. “I still talk to my friends from there.”

“That’s nice.” Or at least, the concept was. 

Emma nodded enthusiastically. She finished her ice cream and checked the hour on her phone. “Shit, we should get going. You’ll have to tell me about your school years on Saturday.” Playfully, she winked. Wilhemina would have chuckled hadn’t she been in such a dark path in memory land. 

“Maybe.” Venable finished her ice cream as well. We would have never even talked if we went to the same school. She got up and reached for Emma’s empty container. “I’ll put those in the trash and be right back.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Emma sat back on the bench with a smile. 

Venable allowed the corners of her lips to turn up before she walked to the trashcan. The wind was nice against her hair, and it helped her heart to calm down. It wasn’t Emma’s fault she was well adjusted, and she hadn’t demonstrated an ounce of rudeness to Wilhemina so far—it was quite the opposite. It’s not fair I blame my life on her. It wasn’t only not fair, as it was also absolutely stupid. Her therapist had said she used that as a coping mechanism to push whatever nice things came her way away. She had to learn to stop doing that. Once she put the containers in the trash, Venable took a deep breath and walked back to Emma. “Ready?” Her tone was considerably softer now. 

“Yes.” Emma got up and instantly reached for her hand again. Wilhemina wasn’t expecting it, but she forced herself to allow it. And so, they made their way back to the office. Hand in hand, in public, in a situation Venable had never been before.

#ahs #ahs fanfiction #ahs fanfic #ahs murder house #ahs apocalypse #ahs hotel #american horror story #wilhemina venable #billie dean howard #rabexxpaulson #lesbian fanfiction #lesbian fanfic #lesbian story #billie dean howard x wilhemina venable #willhemina venable #would you swallow all your pride #lesbian

[imagines-ahs]

Chapter 8 of ‘Would you Swallow all your Pride?’ coming today!

#big things in this one #ahs #rabexxpaulson #american horror story #billie dean howard #willhemina venable #billie dean howard x wilhemina venable #would you swallow all your pride