#;; i am in bed with my laptop and steam deck and i have lots of hot tea and water

[kaerinio]

i woke up this morning feeling absolutely awful. turns out, i have the covid. 🥺 anyway i shall be around between resting and rolling around in bed.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

If I Fell For You (Part 15) - Trouble In Paradise

Summary: The reader is enjoying settling into her newfound children’s book career and shares how important the bracelet she gave Jensen is to her. A rainy day allows the reader to enjoy her shift into motherhood despite all of the bumps that go with it. But not everything is smooth sailing for the happy couple...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x nanny!reader

Word Count: 5,600ish

Warnings: language, angst, mention of past abuse, nightmares, major angst

A/N: Uh oh. Big uh oh. Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

________

Two Weeks Later

“Honey bun,” sang Jensen as he stepped into your home office you’d set up in the small reading room in the house. “Must you work today?”

“I do occasionally have to work on that drawing thing,” you said. He pouted and laid out on the daybed, picking up a copy of the third book. “Give me another hour to finish with these pages.”

“Can I hang out and watch you draw?” he asked.

“Knock your socks off,” you said. You picked up your stylus again and went back to your pad, Jensen sitting up and watching from the other side of the room. “You can sit closer if you want.”

He got up and pulled over a chair, crossing his legs in it.

“I basically draw using my stylus and this pad and it shows up on my laptop screen,” you said.

“We could get you a better screen, like your own separate work computer. I know your stories are picking up a lot of steam.”

“I’m okay for now. All I need to do is finish illustrating this book and my five book deal is done and ready for print,” you said.

“Can I make a request?”

“I would love to put in a giraffe for Zepp but the story takes place in the woods,” you said.

“Baby giraffe? Maybe just in the background?” he asked.

You backed out of your current page and went to the last two where the foxes and wolves were playing with their friends. You tapped on a tree and erased it, sketching out a loose shape.

“Look up a giraffe for me?” you asked. He tapped away on his phone and pulled up a picture. “Thanks.”

You drew a picture of a rough giraffe, softening it some before adding colors.

“You’re really good at that,” he said.

“The characters are easy. Backgrounds can get boring,” you said. You went back to your original set of pages and worked quietly, Jensen watching carefully. “Yes?”

“Just wanna spend time with you is all,” he said, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Okay, baby,” you said. You worked for another hour, Jensen asking the occasional question but mostly staying silent and close by. After you sent off the pages for review you turned to him, Jensen offering a soft smile in return. “All set with work for the day.”

“Awesome,” he said.

“Where’s the munchkins?”

“A movie,” he said. You ran your fingers through his hair and he leaned into it. “Tell me a secret.”

“A secret? I don’t think I have too many of those left from you,” you said. He opened his eyes and looked at you through his lashes. “What?”

“You said you got this on vacation,” he said, holding up his wrist, the bracelet you’d put on him two weeks ago still there. “When we were down there, I was talking to Ray and he kinda implied it wasn’t just a souvenir.”

“I was upset that day when he bought it for me. It meant I was safe was all,” you said.

“How long after did your mom…”

“A few months. She went on bed rest after that trip.”

“Y/N, I know when you’re holding back, honey. I would never judge or tell anyone anything. You know that.”

“You got hurt because you lost someone and you got hurt and it sucks right? But it’s kinda like something happened and then you heal from it right?”

“Yeah…” he said. “What don’t I know?”

“You know how anxious you were to get in the car and drive down to the beach?” you asked as he nodded. “You’ve never been afraid of a person, Jensen. It’s like that feeling...but everyday and you’re expected to live your life normally when you constantly have that over your head.”

He was quiet, glancing past you as the room grew darker from some passing clouds outside.

“Canada wasn’t the first time you saw your father since you were adopted, was it,” he said.

“You wouldn’t believe what a good lawyer and shitty laws will do for a piece of shit like that,” you said.

“You were a kid.”

“With zero physical evidence. Everything was circumstantial. So he got out and he came to apologize or some bullshit and Ray decked him.”

“The more I learn about Ray, the more I like him.”

“My mom kicked him in the nuts.”

“I really like that woman,” he said. You smiled and he moved his chair closer, pulling you into his lap. “I don’t mean to make you talk about your dad. I was curious was all.”

He went to take off the bracelet when you put a hand over it.

“I don’t want to remind you of something bad, sweetheart.”

“Like I said, I was upset. Very upset and in public and I went down to the beach to try to hide away. Ray bought that for me and told me I was safe when he put it on me. All it means to me is that you’re safe.”

“What about you? What do you have?” he asked quietly. You cocked your head and moved your hand to rest over his chest. “Alright, sort of a dumb question.”

“Not dumb,” you said, trailing your fingers down his chest.

“Guess you’ll just have to stay as close as humanly possible.”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” you said.

“Do you have a restraining order against your father?”

“No but that’s only because Ray managed to get him kicked out of the country. He found some loophole law. He was born in the Yukon so technically he’s not American and he got him kicked back.”

“Scratch that. Ray is my new favorite person,” he said. “If only we could send him someplace we’ll never visit like...a deserted island. Or Hell.”

“I appreciate the thought but I’m not scared of him anymore,” you said. “I am however afraid our plans of lunch at the brewery are going to get rained out.”

“We can enjoy ourselves right here. I’ve never heard a complaint yet about my grilling.”

“You know what? I got the perfect idea.”

“Okay,” said Jensen, sliding the foil packet off the grill and onto JJ’s plate. You’d decided to have lunch on the grill, sitting out under the covered back patio off the playroom. It was pouring rain but you were plenty dry there. “Chicken, marinara sauce and cheese. Then we got chicken, ketchup and baby carrots for Arrow. Zeppy wanted to try barbecue sauce and onion which sounded good to me and then Y/N went for the salmon and lemon.”

You helped the twins open up their foil packets and get their food on their plates, dicing up the chicken for them before going to your own plate.

“Daddy,” said Zeppelin while he chewed on a big piece of chicken. Jensen hummed and worked on his own food. “Can we play race cars after lunch?”

“Sure,” he said, JJ shaking her head.

“I don’t wanna play cars,” she said. Zeppelin stared at her and his bottom lip wobbled. “You’re a cry baby.”

“JJ, that’s rude,” you said, Jensen glancing at you and nodding. “Apologize to your brother.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled. 

“We’re gonna play cars after lunch and you’re welcome to join,” said Jensen. “Your brother goes along with what you girls want to play quite a bit so I think you can do the same for him.”

“I still don’t wanna play cars,” she mumbled.

“You play cars with the Padalecki boys all the time,” you said.

“Not little kid cars,” she said. “He doesn’t know how to play right.”

You saw Zeppelin getting upset again and sighed.

“There’s no wrong way to play,” you said. “Zepp’s littler than you. You gotta be the big sister and do what he wants sometimes.”

“Mom would have played dress up,” she grumbled. “Not stupid cars.”

“Enough,” said Jensen. “You’re old enough to know better.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Your brother wants to play cars. We played horses all morning long and you barely let him have a turn at that so like I said, we’re gonna play what he wants and you are welcome to join us but if you don’t want to, you can play something else,” he said. 

“Baby,” she said under her breath. Jensen didn’t catch it but you did.

“JJ you’re in timeout after lunch. Ten minutes,” you said. 

“I didn’t-”

“You just called him a baby. You want to make it fifteen?” you asked.

“You’re not my mom! You can’t give me timeouts,” she said.

“Half an hour now,” said Jensen. She stared at him and he shook his head. “Eat your lunch.”

Zeppelin spent half of it crying quietly and JJ barely touched hers before she was following Jensen inside. You threw your head back and sighed before you went inside to get some tissues. When you came back out Arrow was hugging him tightly.

“Let’s clean you up, buddy,” you said as you squatted down beside them. She let go of him and you wiped off his face and helped him blow his nose. “Feel better?”

“We can play dress up,” he said. You picked him up and hoisted him on your hip. 

“We’re gonna play cars. Arrow, do you want to play with us?” you asked. She smiled and nodded. “Hey how about you go wash your hands and then you can bring out the bucket of cars and we’ll play out here. How’s that sound Zepp?”

“Okay,” he said. Arrow went inside and you carried him around as you collected the trash and threw it in the bag you brought out. You tied it up and left it in the corner to put in the bin later before you you walked to the edge of the covered patio, rain coming down at a decent rate. “Y/N you’re my mom right?”

“I’m one of your moms,” you said. “I’m gonna adopt you that way everybody can know I am though.”

“Cool,” he said softly, resting his head on your shoulder. “Mom can we play in the rain?”

“Hear any thunder?” you asked. He shook his head. “See any lightning?”

“Nuh uh,” he said.

“Then we can play in the rain all you want,” you said. You walked out to the grass and spun around with him, getting a giggle out of him. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” he asked. You spun around again and he laughed.

“There it is again!” you said. He giggled and you spun around a few times until you were dizzy and took a seat. He hugged you and kissed your cheek as you noticed Jensen leaning against the post of the patio. He was smiling and you hopped up with Zeppelin, waving him around in the air until you were back under cover. You set him down and he ran over to Arrow, picking out his favorite cars from the bucket and handing her some. 

“Well that might have been one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen,” he said. 

“You took a picture, didn’t you.”

“Oh several,” he said. He glanced back at the twins and then at you. “It clicked for you just now didn’t it.”

“Being a mom? Yeah.”

“You didn’t look to me on how to discipline JJ and you made him feel better and you made him laugh. You went full mom there and I’ve kinda been waiting for that.”

“I know it’s just playing they’re arguing over but I just hate...there is so much of you in him,” you said.

“I know and that feeling will never go away but it means you love ‘em and loving them is my only requirement for us working so this was actually a really good thing.”

“Those two are so sweet,” you said.

“It’s the twin thing. Oh what fun we have to look forward to when they are teenagers and they lie to us for one another,” he chuckled.

“Yeah but I’ll take it. Did you really give her a half hour timeout?”

“Fifteen minutes. She needs to share more and he doesn’t like confrontation so he goes along with what she wants but it’s not her road or the highway.”

“She’s been a little…”

“I know. Since we told them about the engagement,” he said. “We gotta talk to her on her own.”

“Let me take a crack at her first?” you asked.

“You got a hunch?”

“I don’t think having a mom again is a problem. I think the idea of losing a mom again is.”

“That makes sense considering she was attached to your hip before all this.”

“I’m gonna go see if I can get to the bottom of this. Now go play cars,” you said. He kissed your cheek and you headed inside, drying off some with a towel in the laundry room before you went up to JJ’s bedroom. You knocked and cracked open the door, catching her splayed out on her bed. “JJ. Can we talk?”

She rolled and put her back to you. You sat down on the edge of her bed and took a deep breath.

“You know your brother did what you wanted all day. You have to share,” you said. She didn’t say anything and you lay back on the bed, turning your head. She rolled back the other way and you sat up. She rolled again and you tilted your head back. “JJ do you want me to be your mom?”

“No,” she mumbled. 

“Are you lying?” She didn’t move and you sat back, her face scrunched up. “Are you scared if I’m your mom something bad will happen to me?”

“I don’t want two dead moms,” she said. 

“I have two dead moms,” you said. She blinked her eyes open and sat up. “My first mom, I never met her. She died giving birth to me.”

“You only had a dad when you were born?” she asked. You nodded and pulled her into your lap. “Did he get married again?”

“No. My dad was very mad my mom died. He took that out on me. He was a bad guy. He went to jail and I got adopted by my mom when I was your age. Ray was her boyfriend. He acted like he was my dad in a lot of ways. I was sixteen when my mom died. I understand it hurts, sweetie, and that it’s scary and you don’t ever want to feel like that again.”

“I thought if I was bad you and daddy wouldn’t...and then I don’t have to feel bad again.”

“I am so sorry honey but you can’t stop that feeling from never coming back. The only way you could not get it would be to not love anyone or anything and that’s not a life at all. It’s the price you pay for loving someone. Your mom was an accident. But Daddy is young and I’m even younger and I promise you will not have to feel that way about me for a very, very long time.”

“How long?”

“How about fifty years?”

“Fifty years? That’s forever,” she said. 

“I’ll give you fifty years if I can be your mom and you stop picking on Zepp. Deal?”

“Okay. I’m sorry I made him cry.”

“I’m not the one that needs an apology,” you said. “Now do you want stay in here all by yourself or do you want to come play with us?”

“I can play?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” you said. You got up and carried her down on your back, setting her down to let her run off out to the porch. Jensen got up from his seat and held up a finger, ducking back inside to where you were.

“That’s what I like to see,” he said as she gave Zeppelin a hug and he handed her a car.

“I did have to promise not to die for fifty years.”

“Fifty? You got off easy. I had to promise a hundred after the accident,” he chuckled. “I should have noticed she was scared.”

“I have more experience being a scared little girl than you do. I got experience with letting people get close again too,” you said.

“How’s that working out for ya?” he smirked.

“He’s lucky he’s hot,” you said. He threw his arm over your shoulders and grinned. “Do you want to get married in the fall?”

“This fall?” he asked.

“Can we pull it off that fast?” you asked.

“Yeah. We don’t have to book a venue which is the hardest part. I don’t see why not. What’s the rush?” he asked.

“It’s easier to adopt them if we’re married,” you said. “I don’t really want to wait longer than we have to if that’s alright.”

“I’d say let’s go drive down to city hall and get a justice of the peace right now if I knew my mother wouldn’t kill me for it. How about I call up the lawyer and ask him to start prepping the paperwork as if we already were so it’s all set to go,” he said.

“You have a lawyer?” you asked. “They’d do that?”

“Y/N, honey. My taxes alone frighten me not to mention I own a business with employees and what qualifies as a business write off still confuses me and wait you don’t have a lawyer for your book deal?”

“Should I have one?” 

“Greg is your lawyer now,” he said. “He’s good. He’ll do all the paperwork for us.”

“Oh good cause all the forms online were confusing the hell out of me,” you said. He shook his head and pulled you in close. 

“Silly goose,” he said, a loud boom of thunder shaking the house. “Let’s get the crew inside before it pours.”

“Who wants to build a fort?” you asked that afternoon. JJ jumped up and down on the couch and Jensen walked in with an arm full of blankets and sheets. Three little hands shot up and Jensen lazily tossed the blankets on the couch, covering the three of them.

“Hm, where’d those three munchkins run off to…” he said, Arrow ducking her head out first, hair all in her face. Jensen giggled and she rolled her eyes, the other two climbing out. “Alright. I’m gonna grab clothes pins and a few more things. You guys start designing.”

You stood back and let JJ organize, figuring out her first choice of blanket for a roof was too small. Jensen returned with a bag of clips, some twine and the step ladder, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his head on your shoulder.

“How they doing?” he whispered.

“Picking out the roof,” you said, Arrow rushing over and grabbing his hand as Zeppelin climbed on JJ’s back and held up a sheet over the two of them with one hand. You smirked and she let out another eye roll.

“Daddy, can you pick up Zeppy so then he can put the blankie up? I told them they’re too small,” she said.

“Sure,” he said. “Tell me where you want it to go.”

Twenty minutes later the family room was covered with sheets, tied off to the stairs, chairs, the ceiling fan after Jensen broke out the larger ladder to get up there and assured you it wouldn’t bring the whole thing crashing down. 

“Can we sleep in here tonight?” asked JJ. 

“I don’t see why not,” you said. “There’s plenty of room on the couch. We’ll bring down your comforters when it’s bedtime,” you said.

“Can we watch Cars?” asked Zeppelin, glancing at JJ. 

“Okay,” she said. She gave him a hug and picked him up, Jensen smiling to himself as he looked on.

“Can we get pizza for dinner like a real sleepover?” asked Arrow. 

“We did cook up all the chicken at lunch,” you said, giving Jensen a side eye.

“Yeah we’ll get one,” he said. “Why don’t you turn on your movie okay? We’ll be right there.”

You let Jensen pull you into the kitchen, smirking as he picked you up and sat you on the counter.

“Seems like today’s crisis has been averted,” you said.

“I’m sure they’ll go back to tormenting each other tomorrow but I’ll take it,” he said, reaching into the drawer next to you, pulling out a menu. “So. You interested in pizza?”

“Oh that looks interesting,” you said, taking the pamphlet out of his hand and tapping at a special. “One cheese, one speciality, boneless wings and garlic bread? My little carb loving heart is in love.”

“She’s not the only one,” he said, leaning up on his tip toes and kissing you. 

“Are you coming?” groaned JJ from in the fort. You shook your head and Jensen kissed your neck, even nibbling before he pulled back. You smacked his chest and he set the menu down, giving you a wink.

“We’re coming in right now. Don’t wait for us kiddo.”

You woke up sweating, Jensen shushing you, arms wrapped around you. You took a deep breath and caught the clock said it was almost three. You turned in his arms and buried your head in his chest, his hand rubbing up and down your back.

“You’re okay. Bad dream is all,” he said softly. You nodded and started to relax, flinching when there was more thunder. “Hey, it’s okay. Nothing’s gonna get ya.”

The thunder shook the house and you tensed up. Jensen pulled the covers over both your heads and you crammed in as close as humanly possible when more thunder hit.

“Honey look at me. Please look at me.” You lifted your head and saw a horrible face in front of you, a scream ripping out of your throat.

“Y/N,” you heard as you woke up absolutely drenched, Jensen’s hands on your face. “Honey, talk to me. Can you hear me?”

“Night terror,” you said quietly. 

“Yeah, JJ used to have them. I didn’t know adults could get them,” he said. 

“Can I have a cold washcloth? And some water?” you asked. He got out of bed and padded into the bathroom in his boxers, settling back into bed and handing you the water. You drank it down while he wiped off your face and neck, running it over your head. “Thanks.”

“You okay?” he asked. 

“Mostly feel embarrassed.” He frowned and you put the glass on your nightstand, staring down at your sweaty shirt. 

“Should I call Ray?”

“It was a stupid nightmare. I’m fine,” you said.

“You were sat up eyes wide open and talking and shouting and I couldn’t wake you up,” he said. “I know adults really shouldn’t be getting night terrors so maybe something triggered you or something during the day.”

“I know my triggers and I know when it’s just a stupid nightmare. Back off,” you said. You got out from under the hot covers and went outside to the balcony, the air nice and cool from the storm earlier. The slide of the door was loud in the the quiet and you rubbed your arm. “I’m sorry.”

“I’ve seen you have nightmares. That was a lot worse,” he said.

“I thought I saw someone watching the house earlier.”

“What?”

“It was the neighbor’s kid, the teenager. It was his friend and he came over late but I thought...it freaked me out. That on top of thinking about the fact my father is not rotting in a jail cell most likely sent me over the edge,” you said. He walked in front of you, resting his hands on your arms. “I’m okay. Needed some air was all.”

“Alright. Tell me if something like that happens again?” he asked. You hummed and he gave you a kiss. “Okay, sweetheart. Let’s head on back to bed.”

“What do you mean?” you growled into the phone the next evening. Jensen lifted his head from his book in the family room and you walked away, stepping out to the private patio area on the side of the house. “That’s not possible.”

“It’s been fifteen years. He has every legal right to be in the country.”

“In the country! He got an apartment seven minutes from where I live!” you said. “I have little kids here, Finn. Tell me there’s something I can do.”

“I can get a restraining order-”

“That doesn’t mean shit to him. I need him fucking deported. I need him gone.”

“Y/N, you know me. I have never agreed to it but he paid his debt as it was assigned and he quietly followed the law. He did what he was supposed to and I’m sorry but until he does something, I can’t do anything besides help you and your fiance’s family get a restraining order.”

“So until he does something horrible again, I can’t do anything about it.”

“Y/N.”

“No Finn. I appreciate the heads up but...I have to go.”

You hung up and squeezed your phone tight. He knew where you lived. He was minutes away and there was absolutely zero help until something went wrong. You sat on a bench and bounced your leg. Nothing could go wrong. You couldn’t let anything go wrong. Who knew what the son of a bitch would do to any one of them.

You stopped bouncing your leg just as you heard the door open. You lifted your head and stood, spinning around to Jensen standing there.

“Everything alright?”

“Actually no.”

“Who was on the phone?”

“My ex,” you said, swallowing. You crossed your arms and thought of the things Jensen had told you about acting and getting in character and all that. You were gonna destroy him. Fuck you were going to end up shattering him into a thousand pieces he’d never put back together. 

You couldn’t really lie just to keep them away from him, could you? 

You saw Arrow run past in the house and made your face hard. Broken heart but safe kids was worth it.

“I thought you didn’t talk to him anymore,” said Jensen. You turned up your chin and he smiled. “You are the worst actress in the world. Who was it really?”

“I think we’re moving too fast and I want to take a break and I would appreciate it if you gave me my space to figure this out on my own.”

“Uh, what?” he said. You brushed past him and he followed you in, all the way up to your bedroom. You got out a bag and he flipped it shut. “What the hell is going on? Who was on the phone?”

“My boyfriend,” you said. He stared at you and you sighed. “You’re a great guy but I’m sorry. I can’t do the house and kids thing. I want to go see the world and not be tied down and you’re just...you’re too damn old for me.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Maybe you should have trusted your first instincts when you saw me and Doug,” you said. He stared at you while you shoved some clothes in a bag. You slung it over your shoulder and he caught the backside of it. You took off your ring and put it on the table by the door, Jensen dropping his hand. “I just can’t do this anymore. It wasn’t you. I’m sorry. I really need to go.”

______

A/N: Read Part 16 here!

[kittyfairyblog]

Oct 17

 Meow meow, good evening all to yet another blog entry from my bedroom. Meow this neko boy has added to the bunch of other stuff on Mercari some music CDs and some more movies. Meow I hope that I will be able to sell these items off Mercari so that I can speed up the process of the money I need to buy the Steam Deck. Meow this neko boy has just had some Zaxbys for dinner. It was finger licking good. I had the kicking chicken sandwich with fries. That is always good. Meow this neko boy has been having some great video game time on my Nintendo Switch playing Animal Crossing. Meow I also have been putting up items on sell on Marcari like I have said before. I decided to go through my music cd collection and movie collection to put up items for sell. Meow I also lowered the price of the laptop from $94 to $75. I hope that I will be able to sell those items. Meow I haven’t sold anything for a while not since selling the Transformers Animated series on Mercari. This neko boy has showered earlier today and I feel nice and clean. I had been playing around with our dog Kylie for a while today. My sister and her family went to Tennessee to Look Out Moutain where they spent a whole day there. They just retrurned a couple of minutes ago. Meow I feel much better than I did yesterday because even though yesterday that my dad went to work aroudn 6 pm he is off thankfully today. Meow I bet he has to start his new schedule tomorrow when he gets to work tomorrow evening. Meow I have talked to several of my friends today but more importantly I feel much better than yesterday. I must have been crashing a lot yesterday on Sunday because I went bed around 8 something in the evening. I didn’t actually go to sleep until 9 something but I was already in bed. Our dog Kylie loves to beg for food from me but usually she doesn’t get what she wants after my mom or dad hands her things. Nya this neko boy might post some pictures like I thought I would yesterday but I didn’t. Today started really well too. I got up around 11 something and did my usual routine. I had lunch which was some sandwiches and then around 1 or 2 I had some Ramen Noodles which were pretty good. I had more time in the living room than yesterday and when I did get to my room it was around almost 3 something. I went outside earlier after I had lunch with Kylie our dog. I had an almost a hour with Kylie outside. I then took the time to write some more in my new story. I started a new story after I mentioned that I was writing some ideas down on a document. Meow well I hope tomorrow I will continue on with the story that I am writing. Meow meow everything is running smoothly today. I have been watching on TubiTv an anime show called Yu-Gi-Oh GX. I am still in Season 1. I watch the show around dinner time on my Chromebook or my desktop PC which is running a version of Linux. Nya well I think I am pretty much jumping around here from the beginning of the day to the end of the day and all around Oh I took a selfie and a couple of pictures of Kylie and posted them up on Instagram. That’s pretty much the biggest chance that you all will get to see the neko boy’s selfies which is on Instagram. Meow well that’s pretty much it for now. I think I might post some pictures right after this. Until next time folks bye. 

[orionwhispers]

Devil Like Me (Part XIII)

(A/N- Hey guys! Sorry, this took so long, been a huge storm in the UK and my laptop broke! But things are looking up, I hope you’re all well and that you enjoy this chapter! Things are starting to get exciting! Thank you for all your love and support and remember that feedback is appreciated! Talk soon) 

Then

The evening air whistled through the trees as you warmed your hands on your mug of steaming tea. You leaned back, listening as the old wicker chair groaned against the porch as it rocked with your motions.

"So you have no idea who she is then?"

He shrugged, his eyes focused elsewhere as he simply replied, "Unfortunately not. I've pissed off a lot of people love."

The pet name sent an unwelcome heat to the base of your neck and you clenched your hands, hoping to calm yourself before the tell-tale blush reached the apples of your cheeks.

It had been a few days since your encounter on the beach and well over a week since you had last seen Klaus at the lake house. You tried your best to not allow the woman's words of warning to affect you and got on with your usual routine, but it always lingered in the back of your brain.

You tried to seek out Klaus, but you knew by now that he worked similarly to Maple; he came and went as he pleased. However, he also had the irritating knack of showing up when you needed him the most, surprising you with his presence even when you denied that it helped.

You'd been wearily pacing back home from babysitting a few streets over, blinking away the headache looming from wrangling two children into bed, when you saw him sitting on the porch steps to your house. Your breath hitched in your throat and you stalled unconsciously, brushing off your momentary embarrassment with a sly grin, watching as his lips turned and mirrored your own, making your heart flutter.

"You better not have woken up my Aunt." You smirked, treading towards him and watching as he rose in greeting.  "She'd have a heart attack if she saw you outside."

He lifted his hands in mock surrender, "I was as quiet as a mouse, I swear." His glassy grey eyes meet yours and you're immediately captivated, entranced in his gaze. His voice cuts through the silence, his tone suddenly serious and sharp. "I hear you were visited by someone."

You nod, running a palm through your hair with vigour as you sigh, "I'll go make us something to drink."

You left him outside whilst you boiled the kettle, not willing to invite him in, you wanted to relinquish in what little control you had over him. Rushing upstairs to greet Aunt Jean, you kissed her sleeping form and sped to the mirror, quickly touching up your hair and makeup - something you would deny in an instant - before you joined him on the porch seats, clutching two mugs of camomile tea.

"Sorry, we either had this or an old bottle of red bull." You said as you handed him the cup, smiling inwardly as his large hands clasped the dainty crockery. "But hey, you're British, you guys love tea."

He smirked, taking a sip and you wondered how he could look so good doing something so simple. It was rather infuriating. Regardless, you pushed those thoughts aside and turned to face him, exhaling and repeating the same words the woman had told you at the beach. You watched him drink in the report, his face expressionless as he swallowed what you were telling him.

"What did she look like?"

You ran your tongue over your teeth, her face imprinted on your mind as you listed her characteristics "Old. Green eyes. Long fingernails. Black curly hair and a crooked nose..." You trailed off, smirking to yourself "It's funny, she kind of looked like a -"

"Witch." Klaus finished for you and you spluttered into your drink, the hot water sloshing onto your lap.

"Please don't tell me ..." You don't even finish your sentence, trailing off as Klaus lifted the mug to his lips, smirking with amusement. You groan and throw your head back, "Witches? Really?"

He nods, and you give him an incredulous look, "What else?" You prod, now more curious than irritated.

"Werewolves, Siphoners, Psychics, Sirens... although you don't see them as much anymore."

You can't help your mouth gaping open at the news of a whole world you didn't know existed before you reply with a snort. "What about Unicorns? Or Mermaids? I was obsessed with them as a kid."

He laughs and you swear it's the most glorious sound you've heard, making you erupt into a grin as well.

"Unfortunately not, although anything is possible I guess."

"And to think - you're just a plain old vampire." You tease, giving him a playful nudge.

"The Original Hybrid." He corrects with a smirk. Watching you carefully raise a brow, you swallow his words, running them through your brain.

"Original?"

He extends his arms, obviously proud of his heritage as he declares, "One of the first Vampires created."

"So the hybrid part?"

"Werewolf."

You splutter on your tea. Coughing awkwardly as you choke on the liquid, swallowing thickly and trying to hide your embarrassment. Klaus' eyes shine with humour as he watches you steady yourself from his news.

"Well," You smirk, returning to a calmer state, "I had no idea I was in the presence of royalty. Forgive me, I would have brought out the fancy china."

"No, this is more than fine." He says with a smile, gesturing to the mug and you grimace at the Snoopy cartoon plastered across the sides.

"One of -?"

He lifts a brow at your question, "You said, one of the Originals? How many others?"

"Five of us in total were turned. Four brothers and a sister."

You let out a whistle from the edge of your lips. "Wow, big family. Are you close?" You can't help inwardly laughing at how domestic the conversation is; like Klaus is a friendly neighbour joining you for dinner rather than here to discuss a possible enemy.

"Like all families we... fall out." His lips curl into a smirk as he smiles at his own joke, signalling he knows something you don't. "But, yes. We are close, especially when we were kids."

You smile, thinking of fond memories of a child-sized Klaus running around with his siblings, you wondered what he could have been like. His sister twining daisy chains into his golden hair? Face red from chasing his brothers around fields? The long grass tickling the back of his knees, sun beaming down onto his angelic face. The thought makes you almost fall off your chair from laughter, the fact that he was once a small boy seems incomprehensible, but adorable nonetheless.  

You hide your chuckle behind your mug, taking a sip and watching his eyes follow the leaves swaying on the trees. You can hardly believe the situation you're in, having a normal conversation with Klaus, but it feels so natural and oddly intimate.

"I've always wanted siblings." You say, surprised at how open you're being. "What are they like?"

He exhaled, thinking the question through before replying, "Complex. Very determined and all different, but I think you'd like them. They would certainly like you."

You blush at his words, and he gives you a cheeky smirk, knowing the power he holds over you. You both fall into a comfortable silence, the wind picking up slightly, rustling through the trees, the moon illuminating the decking.

"I think it's best if you leave town."

His voice cuts through the night and you turn to face him. He refuses to engage with you, his eyes cast into the shadows ahead. You don't get a chance to respond, as he continues quickly,

"It's dangerous. You should leave - at least until I figure out who this woman is. I have people out looking for her, but I can't say how long that'll take."

You snort, watching as his eyes narrow at your amusement, he was clearly expecting a different reaction.

"There's no way I'm leaving. I graduate in a week and I am not going to let a crazy lady yelling at me on the beach stop me from getting my diploma."

He quirks his brow, studying you for a moment, before faltering and allowing a smile to grace his features, "Fair enough. But if she makes an appearance again, you are to tell me right away. Understand?"

You click your tongue in humour at his blunt instructions, raising your hand to your forehead in mock salute. "Aye Aye Captain."

He rolls his eyes, and you watched as his gaze travelled away from you. You took it as an opportunity to study his traits, illuminated by the night, you wondered where he had been all day, what kind of things does a Hybrid do for entertainment? Actually, it was probably for the best you didn't know.

"What about you?" You ask slowly, voice timid against the frigid wind. His eyebrows raise in confusion and you clarify, "Are you going to be alright?"

He turns, his eyes ablaze against the dark. You watch the slight stubble on his chin twitch with the movements of his lips as they curl into a smirk. His azure eyes flicker across your features, licking his plump lips and slightly baring his teeth.

"What?" You ask, growing heated and slightly defensive under his stare. "So, the big bad Klaus has nothing to fear?"

He cuts you off, leaning in towards you, his mouth melting into yours, hot and hard. You still, taking a breath as you adjust to the unfamiliar feeling, heat sparking at the base of your neck as you respond, deepening the movements. Its different from the night at the lake house, its calmer, not as desperate, but still deeply intimate.

He pulls away slowly and you press your swollen lips together, already missing the comfort of his pressed against yours. The night air sends a welcome chill against your skin, engulfing the both of you and snapping you into reality. You shiver as his voice pierces through the bite.

"As soon as someone can get eyes on her it'll be sorted. She's most likely just a vengeful bitch from my past trying to get my attention, nothing to worry about."

His words do offer some comfort, but the way you're dopily staring into his eyes is most likely whats distracting you from the questions swirling around your head. His choice of words are candid and you can't help but agree, Klaus' past is a mystery to you and its probably an ancient bored enemy, nothing more.

If only that were true.

A few days passed and you were back with Jasmine, lounging on the sofa with her dog Rufus cradled in your arms. The smell of pepperoni pizza was wafting through the air, mixed with the overwhelming scent of perfume coming from the countless shopping bags adorning the hall.

"Ok, so..." You lift your head up to the strawberry blonde entering the room, a long satin dress draping over her petite features.

You squeal, clapping your hands together as she posed with the olive green material. "That's the one!" She lept up and down at your reaction, ruffling her hair in the mirror and twirling around like a ballerina.

She vanished back into the hall as you cradled the terrier in your arms, entangling his wispy salt and pepper hairs around your fingers. Graduation was rapidly approaching and Jasmine had dragged you to the mall to accompany her in finding the perfect outfits for the upcoming events.

Your town did things slightly different than the usual gown and diploma. The night before was a party held by the teenagers, basically an evening of just messing around and chugging cheap beer. There was also an unofficial "competition", the rowdiest of the bunch racing against each other to get the most obliterated, but still being able to make it to the main event the next day for their parents to see them walking across the stage. It was always a hilarious disaster.

Following a long and drawn out ceremony the next morning, the evening was spent in the town hall - per Cynthia's exited request. It was a ritual going back centuries in town, a dance dedicated to the teenagers and teachers who had spent four years in hell. It was cheesy and stupid, but it was tradition nonetheless.

Jasmine returned shortly, now clad in her familiar pink pyjamas and cradling a box of garlic bread. She grabbed a particularly large piece as she leapt opposite you, taking an exaggerated bite and locking your eyes.

"Can you believe we're graduating soon?"

You sigh and nod, hardly believing that in a few days your time as a high schooler will be over. "Feels so weird, I spent years wishing it would end but it feels... bittersweet."

Jasmine falls into silence, picking the label of her soda can absentmindedly as you run your hand across the little dogs coarse head, mulling over your words. Jasmine slaps her palms as if wafting away the sad change in the air, "None of that!" She squeals, twisting her curls into a makeshift bun on top of her head. "Outfits are sorted, so now..." She pauses for dramatic effect, reaching behind her and pulling out a DVD case strategically placed under a cushion. "Ta-Da!"

She flings the plastic towards you, and you catch it before it hits Rufus' head. You turn it over, letting out a laugh as you see the word "Twilight" scrawled across the cover in blood red letters. You turn back to your best friend, her eyes shining with glee as she wiggles forward.

"Remeber? Freshman year? We were so obsessed! When it first came out we watched it like 4 times in the cinema!"

"Don't remind me." You chortle, thinking back to the times you had fallen asleep in Math class because of late nights spent with Bella and Edward. "God, we were strange."

The ginger nudges you with her arm, "C'mon, let's relive those memories! You set it up and I'll get us some popcorn." She orders, rising to her feet and heading to the kitchen, her bunny slippers slapping along the floor. You snort as you study the disk, not able to contain your giggles, how ironic.

"It's a shame things didn't work out between you and Ren."

You lift your head and direct your attention to the voice drifting from the kitchen.

"Yeah," You begin, distracting yourself with the task before you rather than engaging in the discussion.

"You could have brought him to the dance! Double date with me and Greg!"

You snort, "Not likely. Hell would freeze over before I willingly spent the evening with you two lovebirds."

She flings a kernel in your direction and you scoff as it hits the floor, grabbing it before the tiny terrier scoffs it down.

"I just want you to have a good time. I worry about you-you know. Even Mother Theresa has been on more dates."

Her tone is light and teasing but you can't help but feel a pang of guilt about the secret you're keeping from your best friend. She would be overjoyed to hear about Klaus, but at the same time, indulging her with the truth could be doing more harm than good.

You watch her shyly, tendrils falling down her face as she sprinkles sugar onto the dessert, and you take a deep breath, plucking up the courage.

"Jas.."

"Yeah?" She asks, licking stray crumbs off her thumb as she closes the fridge door.

"I need to - " You halt immediately as the insistent ringing of the fire alarm jolts through the house, you groan as Jasmine squeals, leaping towards the microwave like a rabbit in a bushfire.

You sigh and face the TV, deciding to tell her after the popcorn crisis. You fiddle with her modern DVD player, confused at all the unfamiliar buttons compared to the ancient one you and Aunt Jean share. You manage to get the disc in and onto the main menu before you hear a gasp from the kitchen.

"Didn't burn yourself did you?" You ask, half laughing, fiddling with the buttons on the remote. You're greeted with silence and you hoist yourself onto your knees, peering into the kitchen.

"Jas?" You call, steadying yourself as you rise, catching a glimpse of the girl staring bewildered through the bay window, into the darkness.  "Earth to Jas?" You repeat, walking towards her dazed figure. She holds out a palm and motions for you to stop, her hands quivering slightly.

"Whats wrong?" You ask, trying to get her attention.

"Do you see that?" She says finally, her voice timid but accusing, her eyes never leaving the ebony garden in front of her.

You peer through the glass, your eyes roaming across the familiar lawn furniture and trees that are lit from the outside lanterns, but nothing looks out of place.

"It looks OK to me,"

"I swear -" She cautiously takes a step closer, cupping her hands around her eyes like makeshift binoculars. She turns to you finally, her emerald eyes slightly watery and filled with fear. "(Y/N), I swear I'm not crazy, I think I saw someone outside."

You intertwine her shaking hands with yours, as you inch towards the window pane, staring into the daunting abyss. "It was probably a cat or something." You say, convincing not only her but yourself, keeping your tone comforting, but not pitying.

"No," She says, returning to her fiery state. "There was someone there! I saw their eyes! Green eyes, staring at me like a fucking -"

"Wait -" You cut her off mid-rant, spinning around to meet her glowing gaze. "Green eyes?" You repeat, swallowing the thickness in your throat.

"Yeah," She states, gesturing to her own jade orbs, "Like mine, but not as pretty." She's joking, but it comes out meek and strangled. "Shit.. (Y/N) Do you think it's still out there?"

You peer closer, trying to strain your eyes against the dark but you can't see anything except gravel and trees. You inch forward and rest your hand on the handle, egging yourself on.

"No! Are you stupid? You can't go out there!" Jasmine squeals, gripping hold of your shoulder and hoisting you backwards, but you tighten your grip.

"Relax. I'm just going to check!"

You take a deep breath, your nose wrinkling in anger that the bitch would come to Jasmine's house. The door creaks as you slowly open it, the bitter night air smacking you in the face and sending goosebumps and shivers down your body.

"Hello..?" You call, cringing at how meek your voice sounds, you go to swing the door open further, inhaling and getting ready to take another attempt at calling out, but as your mouth opens, a deafening thud hits the glass.

You both scream, slamming the door shut and jolting back and hitting your spine against the wall. You clutch one another, tangling your bodies for support against whatever was outside.

"Fuck! Fuck! Shit! Fuck!" Jasmine yelps, her face scarlet and sweaty, her breathing rapid and her hands clammy against yours. "What the hell was that?" You shake your head, too agitated to form any words, as you crawl forward on your hands and knees, ignoring Jasmine's desperate pleas in the background. You edge towards the door, crouching as far on the floor as possible in an attempt to make your body less noticeable.

"(Y/N)!" You hear Jasmine whine, her soft hands clasping around your ankle and trying to tug you back. You shake her off, continuing your mission, twisting your head and focusing your eyes to try and see if you can spot anyone moving in the night. A soft cry distracts you from your thoughts and you snap your head towards the noise, a gasp leaving your lips as you realised where it came from.

"It's Ok! It was just a bird!" You say, laughing breathlessly as you swing open the door and lean towards the injured creature. Your heart tugs as you see it cower and shiver in pain. Jasmines at your side instantly, relief flooding her features, quickly replaced with hurt as she takes in the blood covering her patio.

"Poor thing." You murmur, reaching down to inspect its body. It's a crow. It's ebony feathers melting into the colour of the night. Its larger than average, one impressive wing spread to the side, the bone protruding from its flesh. It chirps and twitches before you, its body contorted in pain, blood staining its dark feathers.

"It probably just saw the light and tried to fly in, right?" Jasmine says, her voice is wavering and she's trying to convince herself more than you. You nod, although you can't help feeling that its part of something much bigger, something much more sinister.

The bird lets out a strangled cry and you both cringe, knowing what you have to do. you rub your eyes and exhale, stomping your feet and stepping out into the dark. Jasmine whimpers behind you as you reach for the injured bird, its feathers feel sticky and hot against your palm and you click your tongue to stop it from struggling.

"Hey, hey. It's Ok!" You whisper, feeling it relax in your grip, you turn your head as your hands clasp around its thin neck, thinking back to spending summers on a farm in Maine with Aunt Jean's friend Will. The both of you stumbling across a chicken that had escaped the coop and been attacked by a fox. Him telling you that it was humane, better than leaving it suffering, as he quickly snapped its neck, and you seeing it lay limp in his arms. You counted to three and twisted, feeling the poor thing go feeble in your grasp.

"Let me go get a bag," Jasmine states, darting back into the house. You nod, grimacing at your hands and frowning at the animal on the floor. You take a step to head back inside, determined to wash your palms free of the grime, but as you turn your eyes meet those of another. Moss green orbs piercing through the night, locking onto yours, you can't see clearly but you swear her lips coil into a smirk as she backs into the trees, disappearing into the night.

Now

Katherine eyed the sleeping vampire cautiously. His face was pale and weak, and he looked utterly pathetic. She ran a hand through her tousled ringlets, this was supposed to be the man that could take down Klaus?

His eyes had opened, glassy cores peering around the room, the saggy and wrinkled skin by his eyebrows twisting with his movement. She felt disgusted. Her attempts at getting him up had been rather futile, and he stayed placid like a decaying body.

"Any luck?" The brunette twists at the sound of Damons voice and offers the vampire a wan smile as she exhales loudly.

"No. He's an invalid."

Damon snorts as the man's eyes lock onto Katherines, but she doesn't falter under his gaze.

"No more playing around, we need him, now," Damon mutters, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a blood bag, ripping it open and leaning over the body. He lets it drip out, the thick scarlet liquid falling in droplets into his open mouth. The metallic smell is intoxicating, and Mikael gasps as it flows down his throat. Colour starts to flush into his face as Damon pours more, his cheeks growing rosy and his eyes gaining vibrancy. He coughs and splutters, lapping up the liquid with such vigour that it trickles down his chin.

Katherine and Damon lean forward, looking for any signs of life as the man hacks and groans.

"Why did you awaken me?" He asks, his voice raspy and thick. Damon goes to speak, but Katherine cuts him off, her voice harsh and direct.

"We need you to kill Klaus."

The elderly vampire's eyes flicker with hatred and recognition and he struggles under his chains. Damon gently presses him down, holding him from straining himself.

"Klaus." He tests the word on his tongue, his mouth twisting in disgust. "Where is he?"

Katherine leans down, "I'll tell you everything you need to know, as long as you promise you'll get rid of him."

"You have my word. I'll destroy him."

Katherine smiles at his words, ignoring Damon's curious gaze from the background. She reaches into her pocket and grabs a piece of paper, unfolding it to reveal a dog-eared photo. She thrusts it under Mikael's nose, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar picture.

"Getting to Klaus will be hard, but this will be the sure fire way to get his attention." Her voice is smug as she meets Damon's gaze, watching him frown as his eyes jolt with recognition.

"Get to (Y/N), get to Klaus. I can guarantee it. Seeing her get hurt will kill him more than if you went for him, and we both know he deserves to suffer."

She smirks at Mikael, his features lighting up at the thought of his son in pain. His voice is deep and determined as he simply says, "Game on."

[cruelthunder]

Kat-fished (part 1.)

The one where Kirishima catfishes Bakugo and everyone is a mess.

It was winter – one of the cold ones, full of shivering bodies and breath that turned visible in the chilling air which creeped over the campus and hung in every cleft and room. Unlike most of the others, Kirishima loved this weather. It was comfortable, being able to wear a sweater all day. Having coffee and hot chocolate, curled up in the room he shared with one of his best friends. Being as introvert and as focused on his studies and online manga how he would love to be all year, without being distracted by Kaminaris and Urarakas pushing to socialize. 

. They were the typical extroverts that adopted him during his first year of college as a P.E major. Only when it was too cold to go out – this was the time were they would let him be. He preferred this over any other season and even if no one else was able to understand how the freezing cold gave him comfort – he loved it since he was a child and he had no plans on changing that.

“Would it murder you to turn on the heater?” There it was again, the complains. Not that he cared a lot and so his lips only curved into a grin, showing of his teeth over the collar of his sweatshirt that he had pulled over his chin. Kaminaris nagging wasn’t exactly new, it was common in these seasons. “No. But it costs energy and energy costs money – and you were the one who told me to be little more responsible when it comes to this.” Red hair peaking out from underneath the soft caramel-colored hoodie, Kirishima shoots another, amused grin, showing off unnaturally sharp teeth. The only answer he got was a pillow flying across the room, slamming the laptop on his naked thighs shut with a rather loud bang, that mixed in with the redheads noises that were mocking his blonde room mate at this late hour.

 __________________________________&________________

Middle of December and it was the first time they made him have lunch with them in the cafeteria. Overall, this was a great achievement. Because it meant he could bail out for the rest of the month without feeling all too bad. Nose scrunching up, he lifts the spoon full of soup to his lips, blowing a small wisp of air onto the steaming liquid with thing swimming inside that he was unable and unwilling to identify. “This smells disgusting.” He mumbles, taking another whiff. And probably would’ve been valid if Kirishima wasn’t the person that lived of cup noodles and toast. Probably also the reason why his words earned him silencing glances from Kaminari, Jirou and Uraraka, all at once.

“You simply aren’t used to normal food anymore. That’s the issue.” To his surprise, Iida, Urarakas boyfriend, was the only one to speak up to him this time, while everyone else was just rolling their eyes. His friends were used to him moping when they forced him out of his room and gave up on changing that years ago. “If you’d come and eat with us in the house-kitchen, like almost the entire complex does, you wouldn’t react like that.” Iidas voice was gentle, yet settled and it made Kirishima wince in something close to regret. The newest in their peer-group wasn’t exactly wrong.

Him avoiding most people – or just one person, but he’d never admit that out loud – caused him to neglect a lot; not only food, but also his friends.

“Right? You should quit hanging around in your room alone all day.” Uraraka was a sweet person, even looked like one, all curled up at Iidas side on the uncomfortable, ugly benches that they sat on. But she also was the one to push him the most when she felt like he needed it. Which he does. Sometimes. Kirishima lowers his arms, spoon falling back with a clink into the bowl of soup.

“I am not alone. I have Kaminari.” He corrects, mouth full and head tipped back a bit to avoid any of the steaming liquid from leaving his lips once again.

It didn’t taste that bad.

A snorting laugh to his left was the answer, blonde hair of his best friend moving into his vision as he leans forward, lunch already finished on his tray. “I’m barely there. Because I’m freezing my ass off once I enter and it smells like a cheap Starbucks-Shop in our room.”

Traitor.

“Kaminari isn’t exactly like a roommate.” Jirou throws in, voice hoarse and dull through her stuffed nose. Seems like she caught a cold from the last time she hung out on Kaminaris bed. Not his fault. “He’s more like a pet. And you’re the lonely grandma, with 88 cats, that watches sappy Tv-Shows and sulks over her life.”

“Rude.” Rude, but not wrong. Not at all. Next to him his blonde buddy makes a flustered, indignant noise, that gets rewarded with an all around snort from their entire group. “You see.” Kirishima starts, his spoon now lifted in the air to underline his following words, while he effectively ignores the droplets of soup that were flying across the table. It wasn’t really clean anyways. “I might be an old grandma with 88 cats, lots of hoodies and an unhealthy addiction to only romance mangas. But that doesn’t mean I am unhappy.” Oh, he wasn’t happy either. He was just the kind of procrastinating and ignoring. And everyone on that table knew that too, also aware that they should stop nagging. Everyone but Jirou, what a surprise. While the others continued to enjoy their semi-delicious meal, she kept the discussion running. “We have a game night planned for tonight. Just us and a few others from the dorms around. You should come. Have a little social interaction. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.”Nope, he wouldn’t. Social gatherings came right after family gatherings on his list of things to avoid because they drained his energy. “Sadly, I have plans for tonight already.” He hasn’t. “No, you don’t.”“I have.” No, not at all.“Reading mangas and making coffee isn’t a plan.” Yes, it was. But her voice was stern and not giving in, he felt like his chance of bailing out started to vanish into thin air, the more he was discussing with her. “Bakugo isn’t going to be there, so you have basically no reason not to come.” It were always the best friends that stabbed you in the back. He saw posts like this on Tumblr and right now he could relate to this intensely. Ignoring the flush that creeped onto the height of his cheekbones, he turns his head away further, while his elbow found its way between Kaminaris ribs. Everyone at this table knew not to mention the physics major that lived two rooms beside him, everyone knew to avoid this stupid crush and this stupid habit to embarrass himself infront of the Bakugo Katsuki, whenever they happened to walk into each other. Everyone knew and that’s why they pulled that card as a joker of a deck full of useless arguments. Kirishima would rather shave his entire head, than to be bombarded with questions and teasing. And his friends were good at that; being a pain in the ass. Horrible. He loved them anyways. So he tells himself that this is the only reason he agrees to join them tonight without any further discussion.Only for an hour, he tells himself confidently, It can’t be that bad. ” 

[jamiemac26]

Our Album - Part Eight

Happier - By Jamie Mac

A Taron Egerton FanFiction - Our Album Masterlist

Taron glanced at his phone once again. The limo was dark and the light from the screen illuminated his face. He tapped his foot impatiently, his fingers drumming against his thigh. He looked out the window at the crowd that was gathering in front of the theatre. The usual nerves were starting to make their presence known and the fact that Olivia hadn’t texted him back yet was only magnifying them.

“Oh come on,” He blurted out.

“Taron, are you okay?”

He shook his head, focusing in on the only other occupant in the back of the vehicle with him. “I’m good Summer… really.  I’m just waiting on a text that I’m hoping will come through before we leave this car.”

Summer. Beautiful Summer. She had been one of his drama school friends, a stunning blond with long legs and smooth skin. All the boys in their circle had wanted to date her but Taron had always gotten along with her famously. They’d bonded over their love of Star Wars, their eccentric taste in music and all things sweet. When she’d called him out of the blue, wanting to get together for a coffee, he’d happily obliged. He knew that she was trying to move from stage acting to movies and he had offered to give her some advice...what little he’d acquired over the years. When Olivia had suggested he take a date to the premiere, her face had instantly popped into his head. She had ecstatically taken him up on his offer and hadn’t mind playing along when he’d informed her of the grand scheme.

“I’m sure that everything will work out Taron,” She smiled at him and he felt a little more at ease.

He took a deep breath, glancing at his phone once more.  He sighed with relief when he saw Olivia’s name across the screen.

Olivia: It will work, calm your tits. I sent her the information and strategically implanted the idea for her to watch tonight.  Now stop worrying because you have to put on the performance of a lifetime.

Taron was in the middle of replying when another text from Hayden’s spunky friend came through…

Olivia: I swear to god Taron, if you even think about telling me that this won’t work or if you start to have doubts...remember, I’m scary and I did promise to rip your balls off.  Now just do what I told you.

Taron laughed, a hearty laugh that had Summer tilting her head at him. He waved her off, motioning to his phone, “My balls are being threatened.” She continued to look at him in confusion so he kept explaining, “Hayden’s friend Olivia is… well she's a tad intimidating. Screw that, she's fucking frightening.”

The door to the limo opened and panic replaced the laughter. Taron looked at Summer, calming slightly at her look of reassurance. He stepped out of the car, the camera flashes blinding him instantly. His hands were shaking as he reached for Summer. Her warm fingers gripped his and the flashes intensified as she appeared.

Olivia pushed open Hayden’s bedroom door, “Did you find it?”

Hayden nodded, turning the computer screen in Liv’s direction, “Why am I doing this?”

“Because you’re indulging my curiosity and I know for a fact that you’ve been keeping tabs on him.”

“I have not,” Hayden protested

“Really? You’re going to lie to me?” Liv flopped down on the bed next to her friend, pulling the laptop over so she could have a better view.

Hayden stayed quiet as they waited for the stars to start appearing on the red carpet. Jamie Dornan walked by, looking quite dashing in his dark blue suit. Jamie Foxx’s smile beamed brighter than any camera flash. Eve Hewson stunned the crowd, decked in a fabulous dress, looking beautiful. Hayden’s stomach twisted itself into knots at the anticipation of seeing Taron live. As each cast member walked the carpet, it brought her closer to gazing upon his face but she wasn’t prepared for what she would see.

“Who is that?” Hayden poked at the screen.

A gorgeous blond was attached to his hip. His arm was around her waist and Hayden knew that his hand was resting on the small of her back. A pang of jealously beat inside of her and she tried to choke it back.  No, she would not be jealous of the fact that he had moved on. She had hurt him. She had left him. He had every right to be happy with someone else.

“He looks happy,” Liv’s soft voice brought Hayden back to the screen.

She shook her head, “He deserves it.” She couldn’t hide the emotion in her voice.

Olivia looked over at her, “She awfully pretty, isn’t she?”

Hayden said nothing. She just stared at his face.

Olivia allowed the silence to continue, knowing the thoughts that were forming in her friend’s head. She needed to give Hayden time to come to terms with the facts, the reality of the situation, before she continued on with their plan.

They watched as Taron stopped at several different reporters, his arm never leaving the blonde’s side. Hayden sniffled silently, her heart torn into pieces at the fact that he had moved on from her so quickly. She knew that she’d been harsh. She knew that she’d been quick to run and she cursed herself over and over again for making those snap decisions. She reached up to rub her eyes and was surprised when her fingers came away wet. She could see Olivia looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

“Liv, I’m fine.”

Her friend nodded her head, “I’m sure that you are Hayden. I wonder who the blonde is?”

Hayden choked back a sob. Olivia reached over and grabbed her hand. Hayden finally allowed the tears to fall, quiet sobs escaping.

Olivia: Nice acting kid.

Taron: Did it work?

Olivia: Time will tell but from her reaction, I’d say it had the impact we were hoping for.

Taron: I still feel guilty. It feels like lying.

Olivia glanced over at her friend. Hayden was curled up in her bed, eyes closed, breathing even. She agreed with Taron, as her own pangs of guilt flowed through her. She had to tell herself that it wasn’t lying, persay. Taron had never mentioned that the blonde had been his girlfriend, or even his date really. He hadn’t said anything. She knew the truth, the blonde had been nothing more than a friend but Hayden hadn’t know that and that is where the guilt came into play.

Olivia: I know..I know, I feel guilty too.

Taron: If this doesn’t work, will you come clean and tell her?

Olivia: Do you honestly think that would be the best idea?

Taron: I don’t know. Liv….

Olivia: What Taron??

Taron: I miss her.

Olivia: I know kid… she misses you too.

Hayden blinked her eyes open. A yawned ensued as she stretched her tired muscles. Her gaze landed on the open laptop, lying at the end of her bed. The images of Taron walking past the cameras, flashed through her mind and her stomach twisted. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the tears at bay. She would not cry. She would not cry. A single tear trickled down her cheek.

“Good morning sunshine. How did you sleep?” Liv stood in the bedroom doorway, two cups of hot coffee clenched in her hands.

Hayden tried to smile but failed, the misery clearly evident on her face.

Liv walked over to her, handing her one of the steaming mugs, “Did you at least sleep?

Hayden nodded her head, “Off and on, but I managed to get a few hours.”

Liv sat down next to her, reaching over and shutting the laptop.

“How badly did I screw up?” Hayden asked quietly.

“I don’t know hon,” Liv took a long sip of her own caffeinated beverage.

“Do you think there is anyway I can get him back? I mean, he’s already moved on but it can’t be too serious right, it’s only been like a month. No, that’s stupid...I shouldn’t even be thinking like that. He’s moved on and I need to let him go.”

“Whoa, Hayden slow down…” Liv turned her body, facing her friend, “Last night was a lot to take in. Who knows if that woman with him was his new lover or nothing more than a friend. Give yourself time to process. You know, nothing has changed...his life is still public. Is that something that you can actually deal with?”

Hayden looked down at the laptop, her mind whirling with thoughts. She had no answers for Olivia, not yet anyway. She had run away because she didn’t want her life splattered all over for the world to see but at the same time, as she replayed the events from the night before, she realized that though the blonde stood next to Taron during interviews and photographs, she wasn’t asked any questions. If anything, she was asked politely to step aside so photos of just him could be taken. Her world started to spin. She glanced up at Olivia, “I don’t know.”

“Well then, you’ve got a lot to think about. You might want to think about getting up, you don’t want to be late to work again,” Olivia laughed as she walked out of the small bedroom.

Hayden watched her friend leave, before her eyes landed on the laptop once again. She reached over, picking up the slim device. Opening it, she waited as the screen came to life. She pulled up her favorite search engine, typing in Taron’s name. A quick search of news articles and social media pages answered the questions that were swirling in her brain. The entertainment pages didn’t have a mention of the blonde and the fans wondered where she had gone. Reading their comments from a different perspective forced her to reevaluate her rash decisions. Maybe living in his spotlight wouldn’t be as painful as she had originally thought.