petertingle-yipyip

[petertingle-yipyip]

TO FALL FROM GRACE - MATT MURDOCK

Four - Home

tags: @see-the-divine @fallingfavourites // prev // next

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Livia Yersova

Word Count: 6,510

Summary: What is ‘ home’ anymore? Livia’s mind remains in a different place than those around her, leading to a constant sense of displacement.

Matt finished cooking soon after Livia and June arrived. Thankfully, there was no time where it was just up to them and Heather to conversate. As it stood, she had no real issues with Heather. She hadn’t talked to her enough - or ever - to really have problems with the woman. She seemed smart enough, honest, and cared for Matt. Matt seemed happy so Livia was willing to give the woman a shot.

June, however, was not as easily convinced. She was firmly stuck on the idea of Livia and Matt getting back together. It was a ship she was willing to go down on. The way things were seeming, she would have to.

“Where is it?” June mumbled, rummaging around in Matt’s kitchen.

“What are you looking for?” Livia had to laugh, especially when there was a suspicious thud and a loud yelp.

“The usual celebration.” June’s muffled voice answered.

“Usual?” Heather chimed in.

“Wait.” Livia looked to Matt. She smiled softly. “We still do that?”

“Yeah.” He smiled back. “He always insisted.”

“Found it!” June’s hand shot up from where she was crouched behind the counter, a liquor bottle in hand.

“You don’t even like it.” Matt teased and took the bottle.

“What is it?” Heather asked with a gentle, enamoured smile.

“When my old partner and I were fresh out of law school, we were so broke but we pulled just about everything we had together for an office bottle of O’Melveny’s. We only broke it open when we won.” He explained. 

“That first bottle lasted quite a while.” Livia teased, reaching to take two glasses. She handed one off to June as she came to sit beside her.

“Thank you for that addition.” He said sarcastically and Livia raised her glass in acknowledgment. “Moreso, it’s just a nice reminder that, once in a while, the system works.”

Livia didn’t miss the pointed look in her direction. She refrained from rolling her eyes. The love-hate relationship she maintained with the system was not going to go away just because the one wholly good person in Hell’s Kitchen believed in it.

“You’re talking about your friend, Foggy Nelson, right?” Heather asked kindly. There was no malice or cruel intentions behind her question. It came from, what Livia could tell was, a place of genuine interest. It was still, and probably always would be, a knife in her chest.

The comment made June grow tense beside her. No doubt June was thinking back to that night outside of Josie’s. If Livia carried the weight and trauma of that night in her heart, she could only imagine how heavy it was for June. Having to be at his side, his blood running through her fingers, watching him die…

Something Livia could only explain as primal began to gnaw at her stomach. She looped an arm through June’s and felt June lean against her.

“Yeah…” Matt answered quietly.

“I was starting to wonder when you would.” Heather turned towards Livia. “He was your friend, too, right?”

“Mhmm.” Livia nodded. She wanted to be polite, if only for Matt’s sake, but the woman was pushing buttons not even someone close to Livia would dare to push.

“It’s not easy.” Matt continued, likely sensing Livia’s unease. “He always knew how to enjoy the good moments when they came.”

“Then here’s to a man who cooks.” Heather lifted her own glass. “A well-won case. And Foggy Nelson.”

Livia simply raised her glass. If she opened her mouth, no doubt she’d start a fight. June mimicked the action, likely thinking the same thing. Livia knew June was very protective of her family. That was a given, considering everything she had gone through. So hearing a woman who knew probably the bare minimum, if that, about her family offering a toast to a dead man she never knew, Livia didn’t need her ability to know June hated Heather the most she ever had in that moment. It likely solidified the fact that she never would like Heather, and the irony was that Heather brought it upon herself.

“You know you can’t pass that off to anyone here, right?” Matt raised his brows at June, teasing her to break the tension.

June pulled a face before looking down at the glass. “I’ll be fine.” She frowned to herself.

“Hang on.” Livia faced her roommate. “You would hand your glass off?”

“Of course not!” June defended.

“You snuck it to Karen every chance you got!” Matt countered, earning a laugh from Heather and Livia.

Livia had the sudden urge to say something relatively rude to Heather, but that wasn’t fair. Heather was allowed to laugh when Matt teased June. June didn’t agree, considering she glared at the other woman until Livia kicked at her shin.

“Bud'te vezhlivy.” Livia hissed. (Be nice.)

“Ona ne smeyetsya nado mnoy!” June countered in the same low tone. (She doesn’t get to laugh at me!)

“YA vam obeshchayu, chto eto ne tak.” Matt said gently. (I promise you she wasn’t.)

“What is that, Russian?” Heather asked, genuinely curious. “I didn’t know you all spoke it.”

“My first language, actually.” Livia nodded politely. June simply shrugged. “I taught Matt a little before the Snap.”

Livia thought that saying ‘I taught him while we were together’ was inappropriate. She was tempted, but she wasn’t looking forward to a new fight with Matt, considering she wasn’t sure if Heather knew they had ever dated. If she was going to start something against him, it’d be worth something more than his girlfriend.

“You grew up in Russia?” Heather continued. “What brought you to the States then?”

“My mom was Russian, actually. I grew up in an orphanage. I came to New York for school and it was always a place for immigrants anyways.” Livia shrugged.

“Right, right.” She nodded. Livia raised a suspicious brow and Heather shook her head in resignation. “Matt mentioned you two went to school together, is all. He never said anything about your childhood.”

“Why would he?” June mocked.

Matt frowned in response but Heather seemed to take it in stride.

“What about you?” Heather leaned forward to see June.

“Also an orphan.” June said flatly. “I’ve heard my parents could’ve been Sokovian but…” She shrugged. The cool sensation hitting Livia on the side told her what she already suspected, that June wasn’t happy or comfortable with the line of conversation. She patted June’s leg softly and the general feeling lessened but didn’t fully disappear.

“Sokovia? That’s pretty cool.”

Livia noticed Heather's attention shift, her eyes flicking to June’s hands. June’s gloved hands. Livia could read the question on her face. The woman was almost dripping in curiosity, an unspoken desire to uncover something deeper that maybe - just maybe - she could help June with. Heather wanted a way to connect with June because June was special to Matt. Livia didn’t know exactly how Matt explained his relationship to the younger woman, but whatever it was, it made Heather want to bond with her.

If there was one thing besides her lineage that June wouldn’t discuss with a woman she didn’t like, it was going to be her gloves.

“Little help here.” Livia mumbled into her glass. She turned her eyes to Matt and he gave her a quick nod.

“June, how’s everything with Joaquin?” Matt offered with a grin.

Livia nearly choked on her liquor. She looked over and saw June’s cheeks flush a deep pink. She dropped her eyes and quickly whipped out her phone.

“Have you met him yet?” Livia asked Matt. “Closest I’ve gotten was seeing the guy on her Facetime.”

“All I got was a ‘Hi Mr. Murdock!’ from a phone call once.” Matt answered.

“At least you know he knows your name.” Livia continued, feeling her phone in her pocket.

“He knows all of your names, okay?” June defended. “He knows your names and your pictures and all about you two. Happy?”

“Yes, actually.” Matt grinned.

“It’s a start.” Livia agreed as she pulled her phone.

junebug✨ - can we just go???

Livia frowned to herself before typing a quick response.

- we can’t up and leave now, itd look rude 😕-

- i actually do not gaf - June’s response was almost immediate.

Livia simply rolled her eyes and tucked her phone away. That didn’t stop June from sending text after text after text. Livia looked over and met June’s deadpan expression as she continued to send messages. Livia was willing to bet it was just one single angry emoji in each.

“Oh, Livia!” Heather said suddenly, as if remembering something. Instinctively, she shifted in her seat to ensure June was behind her. “You know about Daredevil and the Punisher and all of the, um, vigilantes-“ Livia scrunched her nose at how Heather said the word, as if it was an insult. “- in town. Right?”

“Yeah.” She answered carefully. “I mean, who doesn’t?”

“Well, I’m thinking about my next book and-”

“You’re published?” Livia interjected. “Sorry, that probably came off rude.”

“Not rude enough.” June mumbled.

“June.” Matt scolded gently.

“Um, not at all.” Heather gave a small shake of her head. “But yes, I am. It’s relatively recent. I can get you a copy if you’d like.”

Livia glanced and caught Matt giving her an almost pleading expression.

“Yeah, sure. That’d be great.” Livia offered what she hoped came off as a genuine smile. She’d skim it and then let June do whatever with it. Probably burn it. “But you were talking about your next one. What does it have to do with vigilantes?”

“Right, yes. I don’t know, I’m still drafting, but I was thinking something along the lines of the masks we wear and why vigilantes feel the need to do what they do.”

“And that has to do with me because…”

“I’d love to maybe have a sit down and talk about your perspective on things when I get closer to writing it. You’ve interacted with the Punisher as his lawyer, the pseudo-Daredevil that worked for Wilson Fisk. Maybe even the real Daredevil or Exodus or the younger girl?” Her eyes were wide with question, hoping for confirmation that you knew the vigilante trio.

June stood at that point.

“I don’t feel good. Liv, can we go home?” June announced in the most monotonous and robotic tone Livia had ever heard. She had to run her hand down her face to hide her smile.

“Of course.” Livia agreed and stood. She threw back the rest of her liquor before taking both June’s and her own glass to the sink. “Heather, it was nice to meet you. Maybe we can talk about your next book some other time?”

“Sure.” She gave a polite, arguably fake, smile. “You can get my number from Matt whenever you have a chance.”

“I’ll walk you two out.” Matt gestured for the women to start walking.

As Livia passed him at the door, she leaned in close.

“What did you tell her about me?” She whispered.

“Nothing.” Matt answered in the same quiet tone.

“So she just conveniently asked me about the vigilantes I knew? C’mon, Matt.”

“Livia, I’d never tell anyone.”

“He’s not lying.” June confirmed quietly. “Can we go now?” The younger woman was basically squirming.

“Everything okay, Junebug?” Matt turned to June.

“I don’t… I don’t know.” She sighed. “I just want to go. Livia, please.”

“Yeah, okay.” Livia nodded. “Thanks for having us, and sorry to interrupt your date.”

“You didn’t interrupt.” He smiled softly before Livia let June pull her away.

“Now you, missy.” Livia threw her arm around June’s shoulders. “What has your panties in a bunch?”

“Ew.” June groaned. “Don’t say panties.”

“Should I say undies? Chonies? Unmentionables?”

“Liv!” June laughed.

“Okay, okay.” Livia conceded. “What’s seriously going on though, something with Joaquin?”

“No. Well, not no. There’s something he might be dealing with that could- Okay, whatever. It’s not about him.”

“So then what is it?”

“Can we go check on Hector?”

“Hector Ayala? Why?”

“I just have a bad feeling…”

“Okay.” Livia nodded carefully. “We’ll go right now.”

“Maybe we should change?” June gestured vaguely to her face.

“Hey.” Livia pulled June to a stop. “You really think we need to?”

“I do.” June nodded.

Livia saw the concern reflected in June’s eyes. Whatever June was expecting, it wasn’t going to be easy or maybe even kind. Livia simply nodded. She took them home, allowed five minutes to dawn suits and cover ups, then headed straight to Hector’s neighborhood.

They stuck to shadows, having left Livia’s car a few blocks back, but it didn’t matter. They were down the alley across from Hector, too far away to stop anything. It was as if Livia was watching it all play out in slow motion. She knew she wouldn’t have time to get close enough to stop anything. She couldn’t pull her gun or throw a blade quick enough. Yelling would do nothing and she couldn’t utilize her ability with enough accuracy.

All she could do was keep June from seeing it.

She quickly ducked into a shadow as she grabbed June’s arm and spun her so they were face to face. June looked at Livia with wide, confused eyes. Behind June’s face shield, Livia assumed she was frowning at her. Livia wasn’t looking at June though, just holding her firmly in place. Livia was focused over June’s shoulder.

“What are you-” June began to ask, her voice slightly muffled behind the protection of her mask.

The familiar sound of a gunshot cut off her words. June went absolutely rigid. Livia watched the shooter for only a moment,hoping to catch something identifying, but they were smart. They kept their head down and their hood drawn, but her blood ran cold when she caught sight of the symbol they flaunted.

Frank’s white skull, the ‘memento mori’ as David Lieberman had called it.

She swallowed hard as she met June’s eyes finally. Livia knew without a doubt that it was one of those cops. Frank would never shoot a man that he wasn’t facing. It was a coward’s kill, plain and simple.

“He’s dead.” June said flatly.

“Let’s get home.” Livia answered.

They returned home in silence. When they were back in the apartment, all boots and accessories discarded, they sat together in the living room. Livia had a spiked lemonade in her glass while June had… Well, Livia didn’t see what June had pulled from the fridge.

“We could’ve done something.” June said suddenly. “If we had left Matt’s place when I first said wanted to…”

“What-if’s will kill you same as a bullet, June.” Livia answered calmly. The sound of the gunshot echoed in her head, bringing up old memories.

Ray Nadeem. Billy Russo. Jasper Evans.

“Why didn’t you just listen to me?”

“How was I supposed to know what you meant? For all I knew, you just wanted to get away from Heather.”

“Oh, please.” June scoffed. “Because you wanted to spend all night watching her make googoo eyes at Matt and try to psychoanalyze everything either of us say?”

“Her job is to try and understand people to fix them. Of course she’s going to ask us questions. We’re as fucked as they come.”

“Yeah, well, she’s nosy.”

“She was just trying to be nice and get along with us. I doubt she likes or really cares about either of us all that much, kid.”

“Good! I hate her!”

“You hate her because what?” Livia finally looked over at June. “Because she’s dating Matt? He’s happy with her. If you believe anyone on that, believe me.”

It pained Livia to admit but she knew better than anyone that he was happy. There was a general lightness to him once they got together, an almost physical weight lifted. Her ability exposed that to her without asking and it’s been in her peripherals ever since. It was also relatively obvious when she found they didn’t argue quite as much. At first, she attributed it to her own distance but instead, it was also in part to Matt’s focus being diverted to a new lover.

“We can’t fault either of them for that.” Livia dropped her eyes, a new chill settling under her skin.

“You’re pivoting.” June frowned. “We’re heroes, Liv. We’re supposed to save people!”

“We’re not heroes.” Livia’s eyes snapped back to June. “We’re vigilantes. In a literal and legal aspect, we’re criminals. We help people, yes, but they’re not going to build a team around us or put up statues in our honor. The best we can hope for is Jameson putting out some slander in the Bugle.”

“Criminals…” June repeated quietly. She looked at Livia as if she had struck her. “How could you say that?”

“Whatever Joaquin’s been telling you-”

“This has nothing to do with him!”

“Fine.” Livia said firmly, pushing to stand. June discreetly shrunk into herself, so subtle no one else would’ve noticed. 

Livia swallowed an apology.

“People die, June. You know that. There’s nothing we could’ve done.” Livia said. Her voice was so devoid of emotion.

June said nothing, just gathered her equipment and stormed to her room. The door slamming was the only response Livia got.

Livia just wanted to scream.

June went with Matt to see the coroner the next morning. Livia decided not to. She thought a little distance from anything regarding the Ayalas would be better. Matt reminded her about some bank meetings coming up and that was it. She kept some distance, helped Kirsten with some cases, and tried to pretend she didn’t see the bullet pierce Hector’s skull.

She failed him. She knew that, just as she had failed so many people before. People that looked to her for help, for safety, for support. If she had gone with them, if she had to face Hector’s niece or his wife, that guilt would stick to her like everything else.

For her own sanity, she had to let all of it go. So with a whispered apology, that was exactly what she did.

Except June didn’t let it stay that way for long.

“Come on.” June told her, barging into Livia’s room one night.

“Excuse me?” Livia’s brows raised as she tilted her laptop screen down to see her visitor clearly.

“We’re going to where Hector died. Matt’s meeting us there.”

“Why?”

“Cause the casing wasn’t found.”

“The shooter didn’t pick it up, not unless they went back.” Livia thought out loud as she tried to find her shoes. “But they wouldn’t go back. It’s too risky.”

“Unless the shooter was a cop.” June added. “Or friends with a cop that could pick it up for them.”

“The shooter had Frank’s symbol.”

“Then we need to visit Uncle Frank, too.”

“You know where to find him?” Livia was tugging her shoes on now.

“I might…”

Livia and June returned to the scene, showing up just before Matt did. He smiled slightly at the two of them and Livia stood awkwardly, hands in her back pockets as she looked around.

“June told me you guys were here.” Matt said casually.

“Did she?” Livia asked absently, focusing more on the ground. The casing should’ve been around somewhere so she was looking for something to reflect the light.

“Did you see anything?”

“Nothing helpful.”

“Guys.” June said, her head slightly cocked as she examined something. “Am I crazy or is this sloped?” She pointed to the pathway ahead of her.

Matt hummed in interest before extending his cane. He swiped it at a small liquor bottle, sending it rolling away.

“Good catch.” Livia patted June’s arm, causing her to smile proudly.

The bottle rolled and rolled before finally dropping down a drainage hole. The three went to it but Matt knelt down to reach in. He came back with a small, shiny object. He ran his fingers over it and then frowned before passing it to Livia. June reached for it but Matt pulled away.

She frowned and reached again, to which Matt swatted her hands away and offered it to Livia again.

“Anything look familiar?” Matt asked, annoyance plain in his words.

She took it and rolled it between her fingers, looking at the casing. She sighed heavily and looked over at June.

“Where’s your uncle?”

June led them without complaint. She held Matt’s arm while he tapped away with his cane. Their steps fell into sync and Livia briefly wondered if it was on purpose or just an old habit of June’s. She decided not to ask.

The walk was quiet. No one said much of anything. June, usually the chatterbox of the three, just kept her eyes forward. Whether she was still thinking about her recent spat with Livia or something else would be anyone’s guess. Matt’s train of thought was always a gamble. It could be about their little investigation. It could be about Heather. It could be about something she knew nothing about.

The downside to isolating herself is that there was a lot Livia didn’t know.

When they finally got to Frank’s place, Livia was oddly reminded of Lieberman’s old hideout. She smiled slightly at the thought.

Livia had only a second to react. She only caught the glimpse of a weapon in hand as someone charged towards them.

Livia had to yank June aside, which caused the blonde to yelp in surprise. She positioned herself in front and pulled the switchblade from her back pocket. The blade clicked out, just in time for her to realize what was happening.

The assailant was just Frank and he currently had Matt pinned to a set of lockers.

Livia couldn’t help but laugh.

She looked over her shoulder and saw June staring with wide eyes. She froze in the middle of removing her gloves. When she saw Livia’s look, she smiled in quiet relief and repositioned her accessory.

“You’re lucky.” Livia said, the smile obvious in her words. Frank looked over with a small scowl. “I was about to stick you like a dart board.”

“That’s what you do now, huh? Barge into people’s places and stab ‘em?” Frank scoffed.

“You slam all your visitors into those lockers?” She challenged, tucking away the blade. “A people person like you, I’d expect more dents.”

“Eh, fuck off.” He waved her away.

“Good to see you, too.” She laughed.

“Whatever. And I see you back there, Junebug.”

“Hi.” June waved.

“You brought the whole gang, Princess.” Frank announced, crossing the room for something.

Livia ignored Frank for a moment. She walked to Matt’s side instead, placing a gentle hand on his arm. He patted her hand without a word.

“What do you want?” Frank asked.

“Liv.” June whispered while Matt answered. Livia looked over and saw June’s brows furrowed in concern. “Chto eto za tabletki?” (What are those pills?)

Livia glanced over but frowned. She couldn’t read the label that far away.

“Podoydite poblizhe i uznayte.” Livia winked. (Get closer and find out.)

June practically lit up at the suggestion.

Livia paid attention to men again and found they were instigating each other. No surprise. She actually found it comforting to know that those two were the same.

“I do not have time for your candy-ass hero shit.” Frank yelled. “Is that clear?”

“Yeah, loud and clear.” Matt conceded. “Liv, June, let’s go.”

Matt took Livia’s arm and she took a few backwards steps.

“You think I came here to see whatever you’ve turned into?” Livia asked. Matt sighed but released her arm. “Kinda wish I didn’t, by the way. Cause this-“ She gestured to him. “This isn’t the man I know.”

“I don’t think you came here for my help.” Frank shook his head. Livia didn’t miss how he wasn’t yelling at her the way he was at Matt just moments before. “I think you want my permission.”

Livia took a few steps closer, shrugging her shoulders as she crossed her arms. In her peripherals, she watched June creep around the room.

“I never needed it before.” Livia countered.

“Nah.” Frank pulled a face before pointing over her shoulder. “Him.”

Matt simply scoffed.

“Wanna get your hands on somebody, huh? Wanna hurt ‘em. He’s a little scared, isn’t he, Liv? Scared of what it means.”

“That’s an interesting take. I like it.” Matt mocked. Livia turned, intrigued by the new feeling from him.

She was busy trying to remember what it felt like for Matt to be scared that she didn’t even listen to what they began talking about. She had learned a long time ago that being scared and being afraid were very similar but felt very different. Fear was primal, something she could exploit, something she brandished as deadly as any weapon. But being scared, that was much more vulnerable. It was uncertainty. It was something she hadn’t gotten from Matt before.

“How ‘bout that friend of yours? You save his life?” Frank’s voice cut through her thoughts like a knife.

Her head whipped to face him and she saw, a few feet behind him, that June had froze. She had the pill bottle in her hand but she wasn’t looking at it. June’s eyes were wide and even with the distance. Livia recognized the glisten of fresh collecting tears.

“You lost him, didn’t you?” Frank continued.

“Don’t.” Livia warned. Her voice was quieter than she expected but the firmness of her tone made up for it. Frank’s eyes met hers.

“It’s not about him.” Matt said simply but the sadness in his voice sent a chill down her spine.

“Then say his name.” Frank challenged.

“It’s not about him.” Matt repeated. “It’s not.”

“For Christ’s sake, say his name, you coward!” Frank called out to Matt before a step closer to Livia. “Say his name.”

“What do you want me to say?” Livia stepped forward, now toe to toe with Frank. “You tell me, Frank. What the hell was I supposed to do? I didn’t even see him coming!”

“Did you do something about it? Did you get him back for it?”

“Just stop.” Livia shook her head, using all her will power to keep her tears away.

The worst part of that question was that Livia knew her answer was no. She didn’t get Poindexter back for it. She had the chance, had him exactly where she needed him to be, but that soft spot in her chest for the man she knew locked her arm in place. It didn’t let her kill him, didn’t let her drive a knife through his chest or put a bullet in his head or do any of the cruel things she wanted. Because when she looked him in the eyes, when she asked for a reason why, she saw the slightest hint of the man she knew, and it was a whole new knife in her chest.

Leave it Frank to know exactly what knife to twist.

“What about you?” Frank pushed past Livia to challenge Matt.

Livia let out a shaky breath as tears spilled down her cheeks. A gentle hand was on her arm and she didn’t need to look to know it was June. She just patted the hand and kept her eyes on the floor.

“Pain meds.” June explained, shaking the pill bottle.

“Voz'mite ikh s soboy.” Livia sniffled, wiping a hand quickly across her eyes. (Take them with us.)

“Pochemu?” (Why?)

Livia simply shrugged. She didn’t really have a reason other than spite. She let out another uneven breath, finding enough control to steady her heartbeat. Any feelings about the last conversation were dulled, muted to the vaguest tingles of sensations.

June gasped and grabbed onto Livia’s sleeve. Livia looked just in time to see the end of Matt hitting Frank.

She thought Frank deserved it.

Livia nodded for June to go first, and the younger woman went to Matt. She went to his side and Livia put herself

in front of Frank. She gave him a slight shove and the man moved a few steps back.

“First honest thing you did, Red.” Frank shot over Livia’s shoulder.

“What does this prove?” Livia asked sharply.

“He talks to you, doesn’t he?” Frank spoke through Livia. “You hear his voice?”

Every word Frank said 

“He got life!” Matt yelled.

The words slammed Livia with a sensation so cold, Livia shivered. June looked between Livia and Matt, hesitated, then pocketed the pill bottle as she went to Matt’s side. She took his hand gently, but Livia could still see how they shook.

“What about ol’ Foggy? He get life?” Frank pressed.

Matt’s response was muffled. Livia’s own sadness and regret built in her head.

Foggy didn’t get life. He lost his, because Livia couldn’t kill Poindexter in the penthouse years ago. She couldn’t kill Poindexter when she was face to face with him on the rooftop. The knife she put between his ribs wasn’t intended as the killing blow. She had still wanted answers from him after all.

“And to know you didn’t do anything about it?”

Livia came back to the present when Frank’s finger jammed into her chest. “Not as surprising as you’d think.”

Livia bit her tongue.

“Nah, you couldn’t even finish off Billy.” He stepped away, waving a dismissive hand. “I remember coming in, you two talking like nothing happened.”

“That wasn’t my life to take.” Livia said tightly.

“After everything he did to you?”

“Yeah, well, I liked him more than Poindexter.”

“Then why did you kill him?” Frank yelled.

“That’s enough.” June said firmly. “You don’t have to be such a dick, Frank.”

Livia wanted to say Frank was right. She should’ve killed Poindexter. She knew that. But how could she explain why she didn’t? Why she couldn’t.

Livia felt June tug on her sleeve so she silently followed.

“Y’know, this little family of yours...” Frank commented as soon as Livia turned away.

She froze, hands in tight fists. The only acknowledgment she gave was a tilt of her head.

“It falls apart the second you leave.”

“What the hell does that mean?” She finally turned.

“Let’s go, Livia.” Matt tried. He grabbed her hand, gave her a light tug. The mistake was the contact. In the touch, she felt a surge of emotions.

Concern. Worry. Even regret.

“What is he talking about?” Livia asked Matt, firmly planting her feet.

“They never told you about what happened. Did they, Princess?” Frank called as Livia turned back to face him.

“What are you talking about?” She asked.

“Junebug and Red.” He answered, pointedly saying each nickname in turn. “They tell you about what happened during your little disappearing act?”

“Don’t.” June protested.

Livia squinted at June but she dropped her eyes in… shame?

Livia turned to face Frank again, now curious and a bit scared.

“What happened?” She asked.

Frank chuckled. “Nah, of course they didn’t. He wasn’t man enough!” Frank gestured to Matt, who only shook his head with a scoff. 

“Give it a rest, Frank.” Matt complained. “You want to do this? Is this really how you want seeing her again to go?”

“Someone tell me what is going on or I will start cutting answers out!” Livia announced as she pulled her switchblade from her pocket.

“He sent her away!” Frank yelled and the entire room fell silent. “He couldn’t stand it so he sent her away.”

“That’s not what happened.” June argued.

“What?” Livia spun towards Matt, the accusation burning in her chest. “You sent her away?”

“I…” Matt tried.

“It wasn’t Nat that reached out to check on her.” Livia realized the story she knew was a lie. And it hit her chest like a train. “She wasn’t worried about June. You sent June to Nat. How did you even know how to get ahold of her?”

“That’s not how it went.” Matt argued.

“Why should I believe you?” Livia yelled. “And you.” She turned to June, who took a step back.  “You couldn’t tell me the truth either?”

“We thought it was for the best…” June’s eyes fell to the ground.

“We?”

“I reminded him too much of you and I felt bad. Was I supposed to just let him suffer? Was I supposed to suffer? Liv, it was best for both of us, I swear.”

“Lying to me is one thing but planning to lie to me? I can’t believe either of you.”

“Yeah, not so high and mighty now, huh Red?” Frank added.

“Shut the fuck up, Frank.” Livia pointed an angry finger at him. “What did you do, while these two were off doing whatever the fuck? Were you being a good uncle, looking after June? Were you hiding out here and pretending the outside world doesn’t affect you?”

“Uncle.” He scoffed. “I’m not her uncle.”

“You’re my brother!” She yelled. “Closest thing to it I have.”

Her fists were clenched tightly to her side. If she released any of the tension in her arms, she’d throw the closest thing right at Frank’s head, which was the switchblade digging into her palm. “You’re supposed to keep an eye on her too!”

“She. Is. Not. My.  Responsibility!”

“Neither was I.” Livia snapped in frustration. She could feel the prick of tears behind her eyes, the manifestation of careful control slipping away, but she didn’t care to reel it in. She didn’t care to leash it. She was ready - and willing - to lash out, to release everything that’d been living in her chest and eating away at her for a year.

“Neither was Amy.” Livia pressed, one angry footstep after another. “Neither was Dinah. Or John’s boys. David’s family. But you took care of all of them, saved all of them… But you didn’t bat an eye when she left?”

Frank said nothing, just offered an expression that asked ‘Are you done yet?’ but Livia wasn’t. Not quite.

Hot tears ran down her cheeks that she made no effort to stop.

“At least now I know that I can’t count on you for anything.” She said sharply. “That what all this was about?”

Frank said nothing. He simply dropped into his chair and made a vague wave of a gesture.

Livia took that as her cue to leave. She scoffed as she put her blade back into her pocket and shouldered past both Matt and June.

The pair was smart enough not to chase or call after her.

Her hands were shaking as she walked the streets, but at least the tears were gone. Her regret in regards to Poindexter took a backseat to the betrayal burning in her veins. For Matt to keep it a secret, that wasn’t a surprise. He hid Daredevil from her for a while. But for June to hide it? That cut deeper than anything.

And for Frank to throw it in her face like that? She didn’t understand what he could gain from that. It just felt like a stab to her chest, a betrayal by the only three people that could cut her like that.

She didn’t go home that night. Instead, she called up Bucky to rant while she wandered her neighborhood. He was on his campaign trail for Congress, of all things, but he still answered and listened.

“You have every right to be mad.” Bucky agreed.

“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming?” Livia rolled her eyes slightly.

“But you’ve gotta cut the kid some slack. She was alone and scared.”

“I get that, I do. It just…”

“Hey, I get it, Liv. It’s hard to know they lied to you. I can’t explain Murdock cause I don’t know the guy, but I do know June. I’d bet she did it cause she thought it’d spare your relationship with Murdock.”

“Your speech writers come up with that?” She teased.

“Ha ha.” He said sarcastically. “Here, put her on. I’ll talk to her.”

“I’m not home.”

“Where are you?”

“Taking a walk.”

“Jesus, Alivia.”

“Don’t Alivia me. I’m the scariest thing out here.”

“Go home.”

“No.”

“Oh my- Alright, fine. Where are you? I’ll come get you and take you home.”

“I’m not going home tonight.”

“What, as a punishment for June?”

“I-“ Livia stopped in her tracks, offended by the accusation. “No. I just need some space.”

Bucky sighed aggressively. “Where are you going to sleep?”

“I…”

“You don’t want to go home. You can’t go to Murdock’s. You can’t go to - Who was it? - Frank… Where are you gonna go, Liv?”

“I’ll get a room somewhere for the night.” She patted her pockets but came up empty. She frowned to herself as she reconsidered. 

“If you can stand the fire of potential rumors, my hotel room has a pull-out couch.” He offered. 

She sighed to herself. “The last thing your campaign needs is a romance scandal… I appreciate the offer, though.”

“So…”

“So I’ll go home.” She shrugged and headed towards her apartment. “Thanks for the chat.”

“Yeah, sounded like you needed it.”

“Can I ask one more thing?”

“Shoot.”

“If there was someone who did something to hurt you, to hurt several people you cared about, and you had the chance to hurt them back but you didn’t, does that make you just as bad?”

Livia didn’t know why she asked Bucky the question. He would have no idea what she was talking about. She never mentioned Poindexter to anyone who didn’t already know him or know of him. But she wanted someone to tell her, hopefully objectively, that she was a good person.

“I like to think it makes you better.” Bucky said kindly. “Sometimes being the better person isn’t easy, but it’s better.”

“Should put that on a t-shirt.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“Yeah… Night, Buck.”

“Night, Liv.”

When Livia did arrive home, she had been gone for a few hours. Her feet were achy from the walking. Her hand hurt from having to punch some guy trying to snatch her phone from her hand. Her head hurt. Her heart hurt. She was so damned confused and feeling everything while feeling nothing.

She was so lost, so drained.

She expected to come back to a quiet apartment. Living room TV off, June’s laptop off. Maybe the vague sounds of a phone call with Joaquin.

Instead, as soon as she stepped into the living room, a pair of arms wrapped around her like a vice.

It was June.

The poor girl was shaking, shoulders shuddering with uneven breaths as Livia felt tears through her shirt.

“I was scared you weren’t gonna come back.” June mumbled against Livia.

Livia realized just how right Bucky had been about how her staying away would be a punishment for June.

“I just wanted to think, is all.” Livia answered gently.

“Don’t ever do that to me again.” June leaned away and Livia got a good look at her face.

The expression broke her heart.

Blood shot baby blue eyes, brimming with tears, not even considering the tears staining her cheeks. Her bottom lip quivered. She sniffled. She gripped the material of Livia’s shirt tighter.

“Yeah… I promise.”

[petertingle-yipyip]

Joaquin Torres Fic Recs

Okay guys I got a few recs from my last post and since I posted it I have been searching for some fics about Joaquin Torres and I thought I’d share. So here are my favs! I will definitely be updating as I go so keep leaving me recs for your favs as well!!!

-

Types: 🤍fluff 🩶spice//18+ 🖤angst *favorites

˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧˖⁺‧₊ ˖⁺‧₊

Drabble:

- Making a Movie with Joaquin:🩶

By: @sunsburns

- Skinny Dipping with Your Bestfriend:🩶

By: @sunsburns

-

One Shots:

- Touchy:🤍

Joaquin has a thing where he always likes to have a hand on you whenever you're together – holding your waist, holding your hand, a hand resting on your thigh. You finally decide to confront him about why.

By: @fireinmoonshot

- patience,baby:🤍

After escaping the Red Room, Bucky Barnes became a father figure to you. He'd never approve of you dating Joaquín Torres... but you have to come clean to him about it eventually.

By: @fireinmoonshot

- *Nap Time with You:🤍

Joaquin’s girlfriend can fall asleep anywhere, and instead of questioning it, he starts napping with her. Before long, it becomes their favorite routine.

By: @pixiexdusts-world

- Miss Possessive:🤍🖤

So what if you were a little possessive? No one got hurt.

By: @petertingle-yipyip

- The Better Cousin:🤍

You agree to be your coworker's fake girlfriend but end up as his cousin's actual girlfriend

By: @emeraldserenade

- Dating the Protege:🤍

Bucky is overprotective of you, too much you think

By: @emeraldserenade

- *The Romeo & Juliet Protocol:🤍🩶

By: @swordgrace

Series:

- *Best Friends to Lovers:🤍🖤 part1//part2//part3//part4

By: @fireinmoonshot

[petertingle-yipyip]

the closer i get to grad school the more i rethink if this is really what i want to do with my life (it is but im scared i wont be any good at it and will get stuck at the lowest level possible)

[petertingle-yipyip]

2/3 done and my sweet baby ampert 😔

finally reading sunrise on the reading and i’m already hurt

[petertingle-yipyip]

chappell finally released the subway

[petertingle-yipyip]

i want to go on a tear and prep a bunch of posts to cushion while i adjust to my new schedule… any ideas?

[petertingle-yipyip]

LOVE YOUR OCS!!! YOU DID GREAT ON THEM!! EVEN IF THEYRE OVERPOWERED!! EVEN IF THEYRE EDGY!! EVEN IF THEYRE CLICHE!! YOU PUT SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT INTO THEM AND YOU SHOULD LOVE THEM AND LOVE YOURSELF FOR MAKING THEM!!! 

[petertingle-yipyip]

okay about 1/3 through and i’ve teared up maybe 5 times and if i didn’t hate pres snow before, i definitely do now

finally reading sunrise on the reading and i’m already hurt

[petertingle-yipyip]

finally reading sunrise on the reading and i’m already hurt

[petertingle-yipyip]

[petertingle-yipyip]

I BOUGHT A CAR!!!

its not at all the car that was a favorite and was from a totally different dealership BUT the payments are doable and they helped me find cheaper insurance 🤗🤗

i’m going to start the process of a very big girl decision on monday… i will be going to a dealership and test driving cars! very scary, very exciting, but i will definitely be happy to get a car that isn’t close to my age!!

[petertingle-yipyip]

[petertingle-yipyip]

BUSY WOMAN - BILLY RUSSO

//clearing some drafts, idk if the characterization is good or not, i didn’t reread it//

Pairing: Billy Russo x Reader

Word Count: 1,407

Summary: With unwavering confidence, you figure there’s no harm in flirting with your boss considering you know he’s going to flirt back.

“Mr. Russo.” You smiled as you entered his office. “Glad I caught you.”

Billy’s gaze raked up and down her body shamelessly as she walked in. Long legs, curvy hips, full chest. The fitted skirt hid nothing and he loved it. The button up shirt she wore was teasingly open at the top, her ever pristine blazer over it. The heels she sported accentuated her legs and made his life increasingly difficult.

You came around to lean against the edge of his desk beside him. He rested his elbows on the desk and tilted his head up to meet your eyes. All calm, all control, all the head of a growing company, all making your life increasingly difficult.

“I have some papers that need your signature.” You offered him the folder.

“Wanna tell me what papers?” He asked, accepting the folder and flipping through it.

“Facility usage, equipment orders, safety waivers. The usual.”

“And you needed these right now?” He looked up at you again with raised brows.

“If I didn’t catch up with you now, who knows when we’d cross paths again?”

“Clearly, you know where my office is, Ms. Y/L/N.” He dropped the folder and leaned back in his desk chair. He rested one elbow on the arm and the other hand tapped against his knee. “You can find me whenever you need.”

There it was. There had always been a bit of a cat and mouse game between you and Billy. You two were friends before you started working at Anvil, always laughing and teasing and flirting. It was natural for you, albeit unintentional at times.

However, you purposefully turned it up with Billy recently. After an office party a few weeks prior, you had made a drunken remark that you innocently played off the next day in the office.

“If I said anything at the party, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m not fired, am I?”

Billy assured you that you hadn’t pushed boundaries with anyone other than him. He joked that it was funny and he wouldn’t hold it against you. You were planning to hold it against him, though.

Since then, your skirts were a little shorter. Your heels were a little higher. Your shirts were a little lower. Dresses a little tighter. But if Billy noticed, he was ever the gentleman and said nothing about it.

“I'm a busy woman, Mr. Russo.” You shrugged, pushing yourself up to sit on his desk.

You intently crossed your legs, knowing your skirt would shift up, and kept your eyes on him. He smirked slightly, eyes skimming the risen hemline.

“Busy woman.” He repeated with a nod. “All the time?”

“For the rest of my life.” You answered innocently, kicking your top foot slightly. “Same can be said for you.”

“Hmm.” He tilted his head. “You’d be surprised. Ms. Y/L/N, to know I can be quite accommodating when I want.”

“Flexibility can be good for business, I guess.” You shrugged.

“Are you flexible?”

“Depends. I wouldn’t let just anyone come into my calendar whenever they want, but if you mean in a literal sense, tantric yoga.”

He blew out a sigh before he grinned at you.

“The papers, Billy.” You nodded to the discarded folder. “I’ve got things to do, too.”

“Yeah?” He shifted back to sit properly at the desk. “Like what?”

“Do you really care?” You raised a brow.

“Humor me.”

“Lipstick to reapply, shaving to do.”

That made him look over at you.

You ran a light hand over your leg.

“I can accommodate, too.” You shrugged the other shoulder.

“Jesus.” He breathed, shaking his head. “Whatever man locks you down is the luckiest bastard in the world.” He mumbled as he began signing papers.

“Do you want to?” You asked suddenly.

You two were alone, the last ones in the office. Both of you had been toying with the other long before that party. And even since then, neither of you backed down or said anything otherwise.

There was no real harm in the question. That’s all it was anyways… Just a question.

“Do I what?” Billy answered, still focusing on the papers.

You slid off the desk without a word. You knew he understood what you were asking, but you weren’t going

to spell it out for him. Where was the fun in that?

Instead, you idly wandered his office.

“Y/N?” He asked.

You looked over and saw he was watching you.

“I asked if you want to.” You repeated.

“You think so?” He shifted back in his seat, papers forgotten once again.

“I think it’s unethical to turn me down.” You laughed slightly. “And my calendar is quite tight so I’d suggest you consider your opportunity here.”

“Let me ask you something, Y/N.” He said instead, standing from his chair.

You made no move, just turning slightly so you were face to face with him. He still held the height advantage, even with your heels on.

“If I were to turn you down, hypothetically, what would you do?” He crossed his arms, studied your expression.

“Deem you gay.” You shrugged. “Tell you I didn’t want you anyways. Take your pick.”

Neither were really anything you’d consider. Realistically, you’d probably pretend it never happened and maintain business as usual. But you figured it added to the little game so you went with it.

“Good to know.” He nodded.

“You can’t embarrass me about this.” You said plainly. “I know exactly who I am and exactly what I want.”

“Tell me.” He smirked.

“No, I think I’ve said enough.” You smiled. “If that’s all, Mr. Russo, I’ll file those papers.”

“Busy woman.” Billy smiled.

“All the time.” You agreed, brushing past him to collect the papers.

All but one were signed.

“You forgot one.” You frowned as you held up the paper.

“Yeah, I want to read that one over.” He gestured to the paper. “Come by in the morning for it.”

You glared at him.

“Unless that’s an issue.” He offered innocently. “I thought you were accommodating.”

You forced a smile despite your annoyance.

Once you were out of his office, you rolled your eyes.

The next morning, you waited a few hours before returning to Billy’s office. You wondered if he was anticipating your arrival.

That day, you sported dark dress pants and a button down vest with your usual heels. Your hair was neatly styled out of your face. All the aspects of a professional corporate woman.

“Mr. Russo.” You greeted, not bothering to knock. “I need that last waiver or else we can’t run the training next week.”

“I was wondering when you’d come by.” He motioned you in and you obliged.

“Yes, well, I’m-“

“Yeah, I know.” He cut you off.

“It’s no fun if I can’t finish.”

“You will.” He winked.

“Excuse me?” You felt a slight flush to your cheeks.

“I was thinking about what you said last night.”

“And?”

“And I think you’re right.”

“You think?” You raised a challenging brow. “Or you know?”

“I know-“ He corrected. “That I need you.”

“Yes, this place would fall apart without me.” You rolled your eyes, playing dumb. “The paper, Billy.” You held out an expectant hand.

“If I were to say that I needed you more than just this?” He gestured vaguely to the space around.

You quirked a brow. “Meaning?”

“C’mon, Y/N.” He chuckled in light disbelief. “Are you gonna make me say it?”

“Oh, I’d love to hear you say it.” You flattened both palms to lean against the desk and you didn’t miss the way his eyes flicked to the now drooping neckline of your top.

“Just once.” You pouted slightly.

“You’re good.” He smiled.

“Thank you.” You returned the smile. “Now say it.”

“I need you.” He enunciated shamelessly.

Your smile grew a little wider. “And just like that-“ You stood straight. “-my clothes are off.” You gestured to your outfit.

“Let me take you to dinner.” He nodded, not bothering to hide how his eyes were tracing your figure.

“I’d have to check my calendar.” You clicked your tongue. “Might be too short notice, I don’t know.”

He tilted his head back and sighed. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”

“I can make it work, I suppose.” You exaggerated a sigh of your own. “If you promise it’ll be worth it.”

“You tell me tomorrow morning.”

[petertingle-yipyip]

Superman isn't woke. You're just so evil that you see a man doing acts of kindness and you think it's a targeted political agenda

[petertingle-yipyip]

GOOD OLD FASHIONED LOVER BOY - JOAQUIN TORRES

//happy late birthday dee! i thought it be fun to write a little birthday fic to celebrate since i cant give you a physical gift! @fallingfavourites //

Pairing: Joaquin Torres x Reader

Word Count: 1,866

Summary: Working on your birthday isn't always the worst (it is) but at least you have a very sweet, very handsome, very loving boyfriend to help lighten the mood.

Joaquin had a very specific day planned. He made sure to tell Sam he was explicitly unavailable, as in do not call him in at all. Even if the world is going to end and Joaquin Torres was the only man that could save everything, do not call him. He would be extremely busy.

Sam had laughed. Joaquin insisted that the love of his life’s birthday was not a joke.

Regardless, Sam promised, which meant that Joaquin could devote the entirety of his attention to you.

You, however, hated working on your birthday. It was as if the universe knew that it was a personal day to celebrate so it made sure to send the worst shoppers your way.

You had your usual shift. You had considered taking it off but when you thought about the bit of extra money, you didn’t consider it again. However, your usual eight hours turned out to be an overstimulating hellscape.

People were leaving clothes by the handfuls hung in the wrong spots, which left you walking in continuous and angry circles to put things away. The shoppers also seemed to forget how hangers worked, considering how many things you found on the floor or thrown over the top of the aisles.

You went to your coworker in the dressing rooms with an arm full of loose clothes. Her eyes were wide at your collection.

“I want to die.” You complained.

“At least it’s your birthday?”  She tried to cheer you up.

“Maybe if I had a pin that said ‘It’s my birthday. Please be nice to me.’ people will clean up after themselves. Like seriously. I just cleaned up the dresses and they’re a mess again!”

“You get to go home early though, don’t you?”

“I came in at 6am, yeah. It’s only two more hours… How bad can it be?”

Before your coworker could answer, you saw the blur of three kids running by and one was brandishing a back scrubber like a weapon. You groaned, mimed hitting your head against the wall, then set off after the unattended menaces.

When you caught them, you had to use your older sibling authority voice. Immediately, they stopped and tried making excuses. One of them straight out ran back to their mom. And maybe it was just because of how exhausting the day was, but you weren’t as nice to the kids as you probably could’ve been. Regardless, it got your point across and they didn’t mess around again.

By the time you got back to your apartment, you just wanted to lay in bed. You didn’t want to eat or read or even watch movies. You called Joaquin on the drive home and chatted with him, which helped you mellow out. He let you rant about the kids and the mess and the all around shitty day.

He ended the call with a ‘happy birthday’ and a promise to see you as soon as he could.

You planned to take a nap, maybe just play on your phone. Maybe you could get one of your other friends for dinner that night, or you’d just drive around town collecting your free birthday vouchers.

Any thoughts of decompression vanished when you got to your apartment door.

It was unlocked, which was definitely wrong considering you always locked your door. You stepped inside carefully, quietly laying your bag on the side table. You found the old softball bat you kept near the door, just in case that very scenario, and walked carefully through your apartment.

There was a general rustling in the kitchen, followed by a clatter of dishes to the floor and a man’s voice exclaiming in surprise. You raised the bat as you came around the corner.

You came face to face with Joaquin, who screamed at your sudden appearance.

“What the hell are you doing here?” You shouted, letting the bat fall.

“I thought you were at work!” Joaquin said instead.

“I said on the phone two minutes ago that I was on the way home!”

“Okay but why aren’t you going around for all your free drinks and treats and snacks?”

“Cause I’m tired.” You ran a hand down your face. “I’m probably gonna go out la- Wait a minute. What are you doing here?” You asked again. “And why’d you leave the door unlocked? That’s how people get kidnapped or things get stolen.

Joaquin gave a small scoff. “Come on, Y/N.”

“That’s literally why there’s a bat by my door.” You deadpanned.

“Okay, but like… Who’s gonna kidnap me? I’m the Falcon.”

“You’re ridiculous, is what you are.” You smiled slightly before stepping around him to get a water bottle out of your fridge. “New question then, since you won’t answer the other one.”

“What was your question again?”

“Too late. How long have you been here?”

“Couple hours.” He shrugged. “I wanted to do some stuff for your birthday.”

“Like?”

“Like build that new bookcase for your room.” He gestured towards your bedroom.

“The big one from Ikea?” You asked hopefully.

“Mhmm. I fixed the drip under the sink and now I’m doing dishes.”

“You didn’t have to.” You moved to stand in front of him.

“I know.” He smiled slightly. “But I knew you were going in early and since it is your birthday after all, I wanted to do some stuff to help out.”

You wrapped your arms around his waist and he immediately held you closer. You felt the release of tension in your shoulders as you stood in his embrace. Joaquin was always a relief, always a breath of fresh air when everything seemed stale or overwhelming. Being with him was like being under a bridge when it was raining. Everything seemed so far away, so unable to reach you.

He was safe.

He was home.

“I love you.” You mumbled against him.

“I love you, too.” He said softly before taking a small step back to face you. “You go relax, take a nap.”

“I don’t need-” You tried to argue, despite that having literally been your plan.

“You do.” He cut in. You frowned and lightly smacked his arm. “Take a little nap. I’ll finish up in here and then we’ll go out for everything else.”

“You just want to go to that one place with the cookies.” You teased.

“I do enjoy those cookies.” He nodded. “But no, this is about you. I promise it’s not gonna be some whole excursion or debacle.”

“Debacle, huh?” You laughed.

“Okay, you know what.” He laughed with you before turning you and pushing you towards the room.

You grabbed his hand and dragged him with you.

“Dishes can wait. Come lay down with me.” You said. “And just so you know, given that it’s my birthday, you can’t tell me no. That’s like… a law.”

“Really? And who told you that?” He asked, though he made no effort to stop you or get away.

“My cousin, he’s a lawyer.”

“Can’t argue with that.” He shrugged and flopped onto your bed.

Your hands were still intertwined so he pulled you down with him. You couldn’t help but laugh as you landed before adjusting to fit perfectly against his side.

“Happy birthday, querida.” He said softly, placing a gentle kiss on your forehead.

“How did I get so lucky?” You whispered to yourself, leaning your chin on his chest to look up at him. Of course, he was already looking at you.

“I was wondering the same thing.” He smiled softly.

After a short nap, less than an hour, you felt a lot better. When you woke up, Joaquin was also taking a nap beside you. Briefly, you wondered how tired he was. Sure, your retail job was mentally draining and had you reconsidering many life choices on a daily basis, but compared to what Joaquin did, literally saving the world, your job was a cake walk. You started plotting what you do to return the favor for him.

Not long after you woke up, so did he. He flashed you that groggy smile and your heart seemed to flip in your chest. You were in so deep with him and you didn’t even have it in you to care.

“I like waking up next to you.” He mumbled, sleep still heavy in his voice.

“I think you needed this nap more than I did, Lover Boy.” You teased.

“Nah, I’m-” He broke off in a yawn. “I’m good.”

“I bet.” You laughed and climbed out of bed. “I’m gonna order some lunch.”

“No!” Joaquin shot up and you froze, brows raised as you awaited his explanation. “Birthday girls don’t pay for anything.”

“I can very quickly make you regret that.” You warned.

He snapped fingers on both hands before pointing to you. “You get ready to go. I’ll drive.”

“Go where?” You asked but he was already on his way out the room. “Joaquin!”

“Ten minutes!” Was all he answered with.

You sighed to yourself before changing into something more comfortable, yet nice enough to wear out in public. You had no idea what he was planning, but given that it was Joaquin, practically nothing was off the table.

Ten minutes came and went then you two were off. You had driven to several chains and local businesses, redeeming vouchers or discounts for various goodies and drinks. You even had to stop at your apartment to put some drinks in the fridge when you ran out of space in the two drink carriers you had gotten from one of the chain spots. By the time your first round was done, it was dinner time.

Joaquin had already ordered something so you two picked it up before he took off driving again. This time, he took the highway out of town.

“Now what are you up to?” You asked, looking out your window to the night sky.

“You’ll see.” He smiled proudly.

You simply shook your head before opening up the box of cookies. You broke off pieces and fed them to Joaquin as he drove, often timing it to interrupt something he was either saying or singing. He laughed every time and seemed to have no inclination to stop you.

You two ended up at a small clearing miles outside the city. He parked, ran around to open your door, then pulled out a large blanket from the trunk. He laid it out and set up the food and drinks like a little picnic.

“My grand finale.” He gestured to the blanket with a wide smile.

“It’s perfect.” You smiled, reaching for his hand. “You’re perfect. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.” He shrugged a shoulder before he brought you to sit with him. “You deserve it.”

“It’s not nothing.” You corrected. “You drove me all over town, you got me my favorite restaurant, and you brought me all the way out here so I could have a perfect picnic with my perfect boyfriend under a perfect night sky… Where’d you learn to be such a great boyfriend anyways?”

“There’s a whole school for it.”

“Oh yeah? You got a degree in relationships?”

“Yeah, top of my class at the School for Lover Boys.”

[petertingle-yipyip]

i test drove three cars today 🤗🤗 one is probably out of contention. one is a favorite atm but the other is still a contender. will do some more drives in a neighboring town later this week

i’m going to start the process of a very big girl decision on monday… i will be going to a dealership and test driving cars! very scary, very exciting, but i will definitely be happy to get a car that isn’t close to my age!!

[petertingle-yipyip]

RAIN CHECK - BILLY RUSSO

Pairing: Billy Russo x Reader

Word Count: 2,408

Summary: STEM fields tend to be exhausting to study. At least your boyfriend is pretty and supportive when you unintentionally blow him off. (wrote this specifically bc @see-the-divine gave me the idea)

Anatomy. That was what the assignment was for.

No, anatomy was due in two days. It was the physiology report you had to complete.

No, you turned that in already. It was the respiratory lab write-up that was due.

No, actually, you did that already too. It was the ethics debate.

Or was it the legal analysis? Clinical recap? Vocab refresh?

It was the cardiology worksheet! That’s what the heart on your planner meant.

You flipped through your folder but found no worksheet. Frowning, you went to your class’ online portal. Again, no worksheet. Not even a link to an online assignment or a place to turn anything in.

You were starting to wonder if there was anything due that night.

You pushed your laptop away gently and let your head fall dramatically to the table. A small groan at the impact matched the heavy thud.

Your eyes were so tired. Your head was hurting. Your hands were cramping. You had notebooks, highlighters, colored pens, and index cards strewn around you. Even as you laid on the table, you could see some of them overlapping each other on the floor.

‘quad muscles (hint: 4)’

‘glenohumeral joint’

‘# of metatarsals per foot’

‘bones of the head (NOT the face)’

You whined to yourself as you kicked them away. Those were the easy ones, anyways.

The knock on your apartment door did nothing to get you up. You simply closed your eyes. 

“Y/N?” His voice was muffled on the other side. “C’mon, I know you’re here.”

You sighed slightly and lifted your head. You adjusted your laptop back into place and woke the device back up. Even if there was nothing that night, you had other deadlines right on your tail so you got right back to work.

Staring back at you was a hypothetical for a pre-teen boy coming to you with almost complete arm pain. He was a young dual athlete, a baseball pitcher and a basketball player. You needed to come up with a plan to discuss at your internship in the morning.

You vaguely heard the click of your front door as your eyes scanned the scenario over and over again.

“A lot of overhead movement.” You muttered, typing your thoughts in a separate window to organize later. “Shoulder impingement, maybe. But there’s still the forearm tightness.” You chewed mindlessly on the butt end of a pen.

“Hello to you, too.” He said in offense.

“Hey.” You nodded, not looking away. “I wonder if part of it is his epicondyle.”

You sat a little straighter as you switched to a new tab to find a study to back your idea.

“I brought dinner, because I assume you haven’t eaten all day. But since you didn’t answer my texts, you didn’t get a say in what it is.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Are you listening?”

“Yeah, yeah. I am.”

“Y/N?”

“Yeah?”

“You know we had plans tonight, right?”

“What?” You looked over the top of your laptop to find him.

There was Billy, his usual suit jacket was discarded on your couch already, tossed over your pile of textbooks on the corner seat. He had pulled his tie loose and had his sleeves halfway up his arms. In his hands were two takeout containers of pasta dishes. He raised his brows in expectation.

“So that’s what that meant…” You whispered in realization. “I’m sorry, Bill. My phone is over there.” You gestured across the room, where you had purposefully shoved it under the textbooks to keep you from wasting time on it. “Rain check?”

“You’ve got a lot of I.O.U.s I can cash in. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, yeah.” You waved him off. “As long as you don’t try to cash ‘em all in at once, I couldn’t care less.”

“I’m hurt, babe.” He said dramatically.

“Oh, you’ll live.” You rolled your eyes. “You can stay but you’ve gotta let me focus.”

“What?” He chuckled. “You’re gonna stick me in front of the TV with a meal like a toddler?”

“If that’s what it takes for me to finish this. You good with that?”

“Hey, as long as I get your attention before the night ends.” He nodded. “What are you working on tonight?”

“I’ve got this thing for my internship tomorrow. Oh, and my anatomy assignment is coming up. Do you know how many nerves are in the human body?”

He clicked his tongue. “No.”

“Over 7 trillion. And do you know how many have actual names?”

“Not a chance.”

“43 named pairs. I have to know what those are and where they are. And then, back to this.” You spun your computer. “There’s so much info I don’t have. I mean, sure, he pitches and his arm hurts-“ You spun your computer back. “But is it UCL related? Is it bone related? Is there varus instability? Honestly, this should be for the Sport Injury class next semester.”

He leaned over and kissed the top of your head, an arm coming around your shoulders. You leaned slightly into the embrace while your fingers kept typing and scrolling.

You spent a quiet couple of hours making notes and searching for studies. There were a handful that supported how pitching mechanics can impact overall arm injuries but there wasn’t many for your hypothetical’s age group.

Billy talked off and on. You didn’t look up from your screen. You could feel that your sporadic thoughts and notes were leading you to something. You just needed the right study.

“Y/N…” Billy said. He sounded tired. It might have been the fourth time he tried to get your attention.

You said nothing as he came to the table. You heard the shuffle of papers and you held out a hand to take them. After the notebook was in your hand, you simply dropped it to the floor beside you.

“This kid needs a lot of imaging and tests. The instability test for the elbow is easy enough but for his shoulder…” You spoke to yourself.

“You remember Dinah?” Billy said suddenly.

“He’s a pre-teen but have his growth plates closed already? How old does that happen again?”

You reached across Billy for a notebook. Unexpectedly, he handed you the exact one.

You flashed a quick smile before you began flipping through pages.

“Turns out she’s pregnant.” Billy continued.

“Who is?” You asked mindlessly. You were more focused on scanning your colored headings.

“Dinah.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, and I guess it’s mine.”

“Really?”

How could you politely tell Billy to shut the hell up?

“Mhmm. She’s gonna keep it so I guess you’ll be a step-mom.”

“That’s fine.” You shook your head. You did not care. “Am I supposed to ask for the imaging? Is that… Jeez, does that count against ethics or anything? Wait, no, that has nothing to do with ethics. Oh my god.” You pushed your hands through your hair. “Can I just get hit by a car?”

“Jesus.” He sighed loudly.

“Can you just-“ You snapped. “I’m really busy, Billy. I’m sorry but can you please just…”

“Just what?” He shrugged. “Cause all I want, Y/N, is for you to spend five goddamned minutes out of your books and your studying. I just want five minutes with my girlfriend. I made up a story of getting another woman pregnant and you don’t care.”

“You did what?”

“Exactly!” He let out a disbelieving laugh. “Exactly.”

“Can you not do this right now? I have literally a million things to do.”

“No, I need your attention for two minutes, Y/N/N.”

“I told you I was going to busy. You didn’t have to stay.”

“Oh, so I’m the bad guy cause I want to spend time with you?”

“No but you know what this means to me and you want me to just push it aside for you! That’s not this works! Whether you care about what I’m doing or not, I need to focus.” You knocked a light fist against the table to punctuate your last few words.

 “I am proud of you. You know that I am. Everything you’re working so hard towards, it’s exactly what you deserve.”

“Oh my god.” You whispered. “In the nicest way possible, Billy, just shut the hell up. Please. I love you but can you just not tonight?”

You could feel the tears welling up in your eyes. You weren’t upset or anything over the situation. Billy had a fair response. He had planned a date night for you two, probably weeks ago, and you were fighting for your life in front of your computer screen. You could feel the burn of your sinuses from the stress tears.

“When I said I wanted to finish this degree, you promised to support me.” Your voice was more level than you expected given your elevated state of mind.

And that wasn’t to say Billy hadn’t been supportive. When your financial aid hadn’t cleared yet and you owed a portion of your tuition, Billy paid the amount without hesitation. When the $1100 was reimbursed in your aid, he refused to take it. ‘Buy yourself something nice with it’ he had told you. You used it for a new laptop and some textbooks. He often bought dinner or came over to cook when you were busy studying. He helped you with test prep.

“No matter what, you said you’d help however you could.” You continued.

“I have.”

“I know. I’m not saying you haven’t… I’m just-” You sat back and gestured vaguely to the study materials around you. “This is important to me, Bill. I want this so bad.”

“I know.” He nodded, reaching over to take your hand in his. He gave a soft squeeze. “And you’ll have it, Y/N/N. You’ll have anything you want.”

“I don’t want it to be a handout.” You sniffled as the tears streaked your cheek slowly.

“What makes you think that’s what this is?” He chuckled.

You raised a brow. “Cause you like to give me things.” You laughed in return.

“I do.” He grinned. “And I wanna do it right now.”

“If you try to give me a gift right now, I will punch you in the throat.” You threatened with a straight face.

“It’s not a gift.” He shook his head.

“Alright.” You caved. You pulled your hand free and wiped your face with the inside of your shirt. When you looked back at Billy, you saw he was standing and pulling his tie off.

“Billy Russo, if you’re trying to get me in bed right now, I will-” You tried, standing to jab a finger to his chest.

Billy just laughed.

“Anatomy review, genius.” He rolled his eyes with a small smile. He took your hands and placed them on his shoulders. “What muscles?”

“I don’t know. They’re not that defined.” You teased.

“Oh really?” Billy laughed again. “That’s how you wanna do this?”

You grinned innocently. “Delts.”

“And here?” He slid your hands down to his sides.

“Obliques.”

“Here?” Up to his arms.

“Biceps… Smaller than you’d think.”

“You think you’re funny?” He raised his eyebrows.

“I do, actually, yes.” You answered. “Are you done?”

“Depends.” He shrugged. He laid your hands over his shoulders and your fingers danced along his back. “You feel better?”

You glanced over at your laptop. Billy noticed and dramatized a sigh. He reached over and closed the computer before focusing on you again.

“Well, that was rude.” You frowned.

“You pay more attention to that thing than you do me.” He tilted his head. “How’s that fair?”

You shrugged a shoulder. “I work for that. I have to pay attention to it.”

“Oh?”

You practically saw the lightbulb in his head click on.

“Wait.” You tried when you realized what you said. You tried to step back, push him back by his chest, but his grip on your hips kept you in place. “Let me explain.”

“Too late.”

“It is not! Give me a second to explain. I meant that-”

“No.” He shook his head. “I think it’s only fair that it’s my turn for your attention. I’ve worked for it, right? I deserve that, don’t I?” He began walking backwards, gently pulling you with him until he was able to spin you so your back hit the wall.

“Are you asking or telling me?”

“For now, I’m asking.”

“Oh, for now.” You nodded. “You’re right, by the way. I can admit that I should give you a little more attention.”

“Aw.” He feigned a frown. “All I get is a little?”

“You aren’t a Master’s Degree that I can frame and put on my wall. You aren’t going to add a neat little ‘M.S.’ to the end of my name. You aren’t going to make my application competitive in  the medical field.” You explained. “I do love you, but you’re not changing my career, my love.”

“One, I’ll give you that. Two, I’ll give you an ‘Mrs.’ for the front of your name. I’ll give you my last name too, if you want it. Three, I can get you whatever job you want. You know that.”

“I’d like to know I earned what I get, but I appreciate the offer.”

“I’ve got something else you can earn then in the meantime.” He winked.

You had to laugh at that. You gently took hold of his shirtfront and pulled him a step closer.

“Lemme take care of you, hmm? You need a break.” He said gently. “Ain’t that what I’m here for?”

“Usually it’s cause you’re nice to look at.” You teased.

“Ooh.” He feigned offense. “Now you’re just being mean.”

“I love you.” You smiled innocently. “And I’m not changing my name, by the way.”

“We can talk about it later. Besides, I like the way Mrs. Y/N Russo sounds.”

You feigned a gag. “Y/N Y/L/N, M.S. sounds better.”

“Y/N Y/L/N-Russo, M.S.?”

“Why are we negotiating my name?” You laughed. “We’re not getting married anytime soon.”

He lazily shrugged. “We could go to City Hall in the morning. I can get Frankie as a witness and have us on our honeymoon by lunch.”

“Internship.” You shook your head. “Can’t skip it.”

“You could.”

“Fine. I won’t, no matter how tempting your offers are.”