#Carol (forgot her last name)

[silly-little-mann]

bromance is still alive

so real

[lillypad910]

Pass Her Over

Pairing: Big Dick! Billy Hargrove x Whore! f! Reader

Warnings: Smut! Filth, literal filth, slut shamming, p n v, oral (m receiving), unprotected and protected sex (wrap it up pls), "pet" names (Doll face, Baby, slut, whore, bitch). Let me know if i missed something. This isn't pre-read, may have errors.

Summary: You are the school's slut. All the guys have at least fucked you once. You enjoy it, the attention, the play, all of it. Billy is the new "It" boy, the new King of Hawkins. Just makes sense he comes to proposition you eventually.

A/n: The purring is loud with this one...

You lay out over one of the benches in the boys locker room, your skirt hiked up as Jason thrusts into your cunt. You moan as you feel him twitch inside you.

“Fuck, you feel so good…” Jason groans into your ear, leaning over you.

“So good, Jason. Fuck- just like that,” you encourage him, humping your hips back into his.

You are the whore of Hawkins High, if one of the boys needs to let off steam, you were the one to go to. You were everyone’s dream fuck, and you weren’t hard to get either. You’ve fucked every guy on the basketball team, except one. The new guy.

You don’t know much about him, other than his name is Billy and apparently he’s a total douche. You were going to probably meet him tonight at Tommy’s party.

You both finish, Jason discarding the condom while you pull back up your underwear. You both leave separately out back into the school, being sure not to get seen together.

You meet up with Carol and Vicki, who stand out in the hall. “He’s got some tutor session…” you catch Carol say as rolls her eyes.

“Who?” You ask, moving closer to the group of seniors you associate with.

“Tommy. He said he has a tutor now, for Chemistry. And he’s having to meet up with them during lunch today so he can’t sit with us.” She explains, sounding agitated.

“That sucks.” “Yeah, and not to mention you can’t! You have your cheer thing, which means it’s just Vicki, Tina, Nicole, and I with the new guy.” Carol groans, “which I guess is fine because he’s hot, but damn.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that!” You try to change the topic, “He’s hot? Did you two already see him today?” Carol and Vicki make eye contact because turning to you.

“Smoking. That man is a meal. (Y/n), you have to tell us how he is when you fuck him.” You sigh.

“‘When?’” You question.

“Bitch, yes! When! I need to know the details, unless Nicole can dive in first.” Carol mentions which gets Nicole’s attention.

“Maybe, god would I give to ride that man…” “Nicki!” Carol smacks her shoulder, causing the group to giggle.

“Well, I have to go, my uh… practice start soon.” You explain before walking off.

You weren’t totally lying, the cheerleaders of the Junior class were getting together during this lunch period to practice some more, but that wasn’t what you were doing.

You step into the boy’s bathroom connected to the gym, only to get yanked by your next fuck into one of the stalls. “Tommy! Jesus Christ, you scared me!” You smack him on the arm.

“Sorry, god I just couldn’t wait any longer, Carol is great, and I love her. But you are just too good to pass up.” He locks the stall door before picking you up, wrapping your legs around his waist as he shoves your back into the door.

It doesn’t take long before your underwear is dangling on your thigh as you holding the top of the door as his cock drills into your needy cunt. You enjoy it, your cunt still a bit raw from the fuck it got from Jason.

“You fucked Jason earlier, right? Jackass wouldn’t shut up about it.” Tommy groans.

“Oh yeah? Ah- Is he trying to use me a-as brownie points or-“ you moan as he thrusts harder.

“Guess so. Trying to act all big saying he’s not a loser virgin.” Tommy grabs your hips and yanks you down on his cock, making your toes curl. “Doesn’t know we all fuck you though.”

The rest of the day goes by quick, classes pass by in a blur between your other “appointments.” When the last bell rang you were under the bleachers, two guys fucking you. Your mouth wrapped around one cock while your pussy is fucked by the other. You are dropped quickly when people start talking, walking into the gym. You straighten out your clothes and head out, going home to get ready for the party later.

You get out of the car, straightening out your little dress, wiggling the tight fabric back down your legs. Carol presses the lock button on her keys after the others get out as well. You follow the girls into the house, where Tommy walks up and greets you all, kissing Carol and throwing his arm over her shoulders.

"You girls want anything to drink?" He asks, gesturing to the kitchen with his free hand.

After everyone gives their drink orders, Tommy makes a sophomore get them for you. Before the drinks even make it to your hands, Tommy suddenly gets really excited and runs outside to the backyard. Carol rolls her eyes and you all follow him, only to find him cheering on some guy on the keg. After the guy chugs doing a keg stand, he falls back down with the beer dripping down his chin and onto his exposed chest. Something about it is... hot.

"That's the new guy," Nicole whispers to you, "His name is Billy Hargrove, fucking sexy."

"Have you fucked him yet?" You ask looking over at him, which she just sighs.

"Unfortunately not, but maybe tonight." She gives you a wink before walking over to him. God the look he gives her says everything you need to know about how he is. Toxic men just do something for you.

"Oh! (y/n)!" A very cheerful voice calls out to you which you turn around to see your friend and fellow cheerleader, Chrissy, "have you seen Jason? He said he would be here tonight..." You loop arms with her so she doesn't get lost and look around for her.

"I think I see him over there," you point in the direction of the backdoor, where Andy is clinging onto some whore with Jason just awkwardly standing there.

"Oh, gosh, thank you!" Chrissy runs off to her lover boy.

A good hour into the party someone comes up behind you, wrapping one arm around your waist. "Having fun?" A voice, this time sounding much nicer than Chrissy's, comes from behind you. You don't look over your shoulder, instead you grind your ass into the guy's crotch.

"Better now," You finally look over your shoulder to the guy, shockingly having to look up a good bit to meet his eye. Billy Hargrove now stands with his fingers already tangling into the fabric of your dress on your hip. You don't even react at how the fabric lifts up to your hip, practically flashing your ass to the rest of the party if he wasn't right behind you.

"Oh?" Billy leans down a bit, giving you a little nudge to get walking, leading you away from your friends. "I heard from Tommy that you know how to show a guy a good time, is that true, Doll face?" He lifts his free hand up to your hair, brushing a strand out of your face.

"Maybe," you smirk at him, depends on your definition of 'fun' honestly... personally mine is sex." You are being forward sure, but how where you supposed to act when a new guy with an obvious big dick that you can feel rubbing against your ass propositions you?

"Forward, good. I like a slut who knows what she wants." He squeezes your hip, messaging the fat there. "How about we go upstairs? Tommy says he has a free room for us to use." You nod, letting him lead you, guiding you to the stairs and up them, a few soft moans leaving you when his bulge rubs against you.

You shoves you into the nearest bedroom, which happens to be the master bedroom, and shuts the door by slamming your back into the door, locking it. His hand instantly yanks your dress up over your hips before he shoves his hand down into your panties. His fingers run over your already soaked cunt.

"Fuck, already wet, Slut?" He sinks two fingers into you, earning a beautiful moan from your lips. "Oh yeah? You like when your cunt is used? Like being the girl who gets passed around?" He watching your face twist up as his fingers curl inside you, hitting that perfect spot.

"Ah-!" You reach for his arm, grabbing it as your legs already buckle, the previous fucks of the day finally catching up.

"Oh, fuck no. Whore needs to be treated like one." Billy scoops you up before throwing you onto the bed. "Strip." His voice is demanding, powerful. You obey him, yanking your dress over your head and pulling down your underwear, kicking them off and onto the floor. "God, look at you. No bra too?" Billy grins, "Are you like this with every guy? Needy for a dick?" Billy unbuckles his belt, yanking it out of the belt loops without any issue.

"Do you talk to all your fucks like this?" you give him a grin. "Cause I really like it." Billy chuckles, pulling off his jacket.

"Be a good bitch and come here." He waves one finger at you, beckoning you to him. You obey, crawling over to him, getting on your knees on the foot of the bed. "Good. Now undo my pants for me." You do so, unbuttoning the jeans on his hips before pulling them down. The tent of his boxers looks even bigger without the heavy denim holding it down.

Fuck, he's got to be huge.

"Go ahead." He stares down at you, not even tilting his head, just watching you with his eyes. You take his words as an ok, reaching up and tugging his boxers down. You don't even flinch when his huge cock springs up at you, smacking your cheek. "Suck it."

You feel your cheeks heat up. You've sucked lots of dicks before, but you've never had one this big. God and he's supposed to go inside you?

"Suck. it." His voice is more firm, catching your attention. You swallow hard before taking the base of his cock in your hands, one hand around it just barely covering the circumference. You take his swollen tip into your mouth, licking the bit of precum that leaks out before slowly moving your head to take in more. Billy groans, the noises he makes not helping your situation as your bare cunt barely rubs against the comforter.

"That's it, Baby. Take it nice and deep." Billy watches you take more of his cock into your mouth, the drool dribbling out from the corner of your lips. He moans, bucking his hips forward which causes you to gag. You try to pull away, but his fingers lace into your hair, pushing his fat cock further down your throat. You feel your eyes water.

"Come on, Bitch. You call this a blowjob? You can take more of me." He shoves your head further onto his cock, your instinct being to grab his muscular leg, trying to brace yourself in some way. You moan, the feeling of your throat being just so full.

"Mmm-!" You gag on him again, but then he starts moving your head for you, thrusting his hips as he fucks your throat so brutally. It feels like you're properly being used. For once you don't have to ask for the guy to be rough.

"That's it, such a good slut, take my cock deep into that used throat." You can hardly breath as he goes faster, your eyes rolling back as you feel your cunt clench around nothing.

Fuck... fuck... Are you actually about to cum from this?

He continues to fuck your throat, his cock twitching as your tongue works skillfully around it.

"Fuck yeah, just like that." His hands yank at your hair, causing you to moan, the small breaths you can get only pushing you closer to coming undone. He thrusts one last time deep into your throat, and you feel your cunt spasm as you cum onto the comforter under you, creating a wet spot. He rips his cock out of your mouth, causing you to gasp for air and collapse onto the bed.

"Shit. Did you cum? Just from sucking my dick?" He grabs your ankles and shamelessly lifts your legs, spreading them wide so he can see the embarrassment of your cunt twitching and dripping. "Shit, look at that." He climbs onto the bed, sitting on his knees as his huge cock slaps down onto your stomach. You moan, his large balls smacked up against your cunt.

"Beg, bitch. Beg for my cock like a good fucking slut." He orders, bucking his hips against you.

"W-Wait, no condom?" You're still trying to catch your breath from sucking that monster. Now he wants to put it in you?

"Don't you wanna feel my cock fill you?" His question is rhetorical, "It feels even better without the condom, plus I always break them anyways. Now, be a good bitch and beg." He orders, moving your ankles to be over your head.

"O-Oh, fuck..." You look down at his fat cock as it rests against your stomach, the swollen tip angry for attention. "Please... God, please, Billy." you can't even believe you're doing it.

"Please what?"

"Please fuck me. Please, ruin me. Please, Billy- Ah!" You gasp as you feel his tip press against your slit.

"Better take it all, bitch." Billy growls at you before thrusting hard. His cock forces inside you, practically ripping you open. "That's it, Slut. Nice and deep." He grips your hips and yanks you down, pressing his body against yours so your legs stay over your head. You feel him. Not like every other guy you've fucked, you fucking feel his cock inside you. Every bump, every vein, shit, every inch, you feel your cunt clenching around him.

You feel yourself going dumb, your eyes flashing with every twitch his cock makes inside you.

"Fuck, look at that." You feel his palm rub over your stomach, looking down to see the bulge his cock is making. "Ever had a guy this deep in you before?"

You don't have time to process the question as he begins thrusting into you, hard and fast. You can't help but just moan and gasp with every tiny movement, so a full thrust feels like fucking heaven.

"Such a good bitch, taking my cock so well." He pushes your legs further down, forcing your hips to push up, giving him better access to you. "Fuck," he pushes down on your stomach, right on top of the bulge his dick is making and that sends you over the edge.

Your cunt spasms, toes curl, tongue hangs out as your head falls back, back arching, god, all the things. You've never cum so hard in your life, but he doesn't stop. He thrusts you through your orgasm, bucking his cock somehow deeper. You can't think, can hardly breath, panting like a bitch in heat as his big, fat cock ruins your cunt.

"Fuck, fuck!" You moan, whimper as you come undone again. Shit, are those stars?

Your vision blurs as you go limp, your mind fucked out as you just try to focus on the feeling of his cock drilling into you.

"Fuck, that's it. Like getting this pussy ruined? Won't be able to take any other cock now, huh, bitch? You'll only be able to get off from mine." He goes harder, faster, causing you to gasp.

"Y-Yes! Hah- Yes!" You feel stupid, your mind not able to focus on words, just his cock. This thick cock drilling into you, ruining you. Filling you oh so well.

"God, look at you. You're going stupid." Billy grins, watching you go dumb on his cock. "Love when this happens. A whore loosing her mind over my dick." He laughs, "Fuck, your pathetic cunt is gonna make me cum." He thrusts faster.

"Do you want me to cum, Bitch? Want me to fill your filthy cunt up with my cum?" He thrusts harder, hitting so deep you can feel his cock pounding against your cervix. "Gonna fill you up, you whore. You fucking whore, gonna knock you up with my kid. You'd like that, though wouldn't you? Being my pregnant bitch living off my cock." You feel his cock twitching inside you, swelling at the friction. He's gonna cum. He gonna fill you up.

He gives one more good thrust, hitting his cock as deep as possible before stopping. You feel a warm rush inside you as he finishes. You both sit there for just a moment as he catches his breath, before he finally pulls out of you, his cum leaking from your cunt.

You feel suddenly empty, your poor cunt sore and legs feel like jelly. Oh you aren't gonna be able to stand....

"Shit, you're pathetic. Can't even take a good fucking... How disappointing." He slaps your ass, hard. "Get dressed, we have to go back downstairs and act like nothing happened."

Tag list!

@cagethemunson

@spikeybatt

@cherrycolas-things

@r-a-d-i-0-n-0-w-h-e-r-e

@ali-r3n

[cursedlovesstuff]

Fixing Us. Part 3.

Nat woke up later than usual, the weight of the previous night's conversation still heavy on her mind.

As she stretched out her limbs, groaning softly, she dragged herself off the couch and made her way up the stairs to the bathroom to start her morning routine.

Knocking on the bedroom door, she called out Y/N's name, but there was no response.

"Y/N?" Nat called out again, opening the door to find the neatly made bed, but Y/N was nowhere in sight. Disappointment washed over Nat as she assumed Y/N had gone out with Esther, especially since it was the weekend.

Shrugging off her disappointment, Nat proceeded with her morning routine, brushing her teeth and washing her face before reaching for her phone to text Wanda, asking if she had time to talk.

Shortly after, Wanda messaged Nat back, saying she was on her way back to the tower asking if Nat wanted to meet her there to talk.

With that, Nat grabbed her keys and made her way to the Avengers Tower.

~

At the tower, Wanda greeted Nat as she sat down at the kitchen table.

"What's up?" Wanda asked.

"I messed up, and I need some advice," Nat admitted.

"When you say that you've messed up and need advice, that makes me worry," Wanda replied, concern evident in her voice.

"It's nothing bad... well, it is bad, very bad, but not enough for you to worry," Nat assured her.

"Okay, so what is it this time? Did you get spotted by Hydra agents or punch someone in the face? Because those are things that I can't help with; you'll have to ask Tony," Wanda joked.

Tony walked into the kitchen, grabbing water. "Ask Tony what?" he chimed in.

"Nat needs advice," Wanda explained.

"Oh god, I can have my lawyer here in 15 minutes. Wanda, call Y/N to let her know that Nat is in safe hands," Tony teased.

"Tony!" Nat exclaimed.

"What?" Tony asked, looking confused.

"Why is the first thing you assume when I ask for help that I'm in some sort of legal trouble?" Nat retorted.

"Because I had to bail you out for getting into a bar fight," Tony replied nonchalantly.

"I was in the bar fight protecting you and your slick mouth, but that isn't important right now. This is serious," Nat countered.

"Right, right, sorry. So, what was the advice you needed?" Tony asked, now serious.

"I think Y/N and I are heading down the path of divorce," Nat confessed.

"You think?" Wanda asked, her brow furrowing.

"No, I know," Nat corrected.

"Okay, so what did you do wrong?" Tony inquired.

"Why do you always assume I'm the one messing up and doing something wrong?" Nat questioned.

"Because Y/N is a literal angel," Wanda interjected, and Tony added, "Just a guess. So, spill the beans. Just between us girls, what did you do wrong?"

Tony earned a side-eye from Wanda and Nat.

"Don't worry about him, continue," Wanda said, brushing off Tony's comment.

Nat sighed. "Last night, Y/N and I got into an argument outside the bar and another when we got home," she admitted. "From what I know, I've spent too much time with Maria for Y/N's liking. I'm not home enough, and at some point in the argument, I may have said something that hurt Y/N deeply."

"You did what?"

"I may have said something hurtful unintentionally. We were outside of the bar, and I asked her if she could tell if Carol was just her friend or someone who wanted to sleep with her."

"Nat—"

"I know, it was stupid. I said it without thinking, and I didn't realize how much my words hurt her last night."

"Well, this is a lot worse than I expected."

"It's not just that. I think Y/N might believe that I either cheated on her with Maria or that I am currently cheating."

"Well, are you?" Tony asked.

"No, Tony, I am not cheating on Y/N, nor do I plan on it. But she doesn't believe me."

"So let me get this straight—you and Y/N got into an argument last night because you're never home and you're always out with Maria. You said something hurtful, and now she might think that you're cheating on her?"

"Yeah, that's about right. I forgot to mention the part where if I don't fix things soon, Y/N said I could marry Maria."

"You're screwed."

"Tony, stop it."

"What do you want me to lie and say everything is going to be fine? Nat's marriage is hanging on the thinnest line I have ever seen."

"I know it's on a thin line, and I want to fix it before it's too late. I came here for your advice and opinions, not to be judged."

"Well, I've never been through this situation. I think you're a workaholic, and you're so busy that you forget that Y/N is a person too, not just someone that you just met or started dating. She's your wife, and she needs to feel loved, valued, and cherished," Wanda remarked, to which Nat nodded before turning her attention to Tony.

"How did you fix things with Pepper?"

"Well, we have had our fair share of disagreements, but I'd have to say communication. You can be mad at each other, but you can't fix the problem if you don't know what the other is mad about," Tony shared.

"I tried walking in Pepper's shoes for the day, and it wasn't easy. She manages a lot of things for me, including press conferences. She helps in the lab, and when she and Wanda are taking turns, she helps cook dinner and clean up around the entire tower," Tony continued with a sigh.

"The point I'm trying to make is, don't get so mad easily and understand things from Y/N's point of view. Try and make her day easier. If she cooks breakfast, you wash the dishes. If she washes and dries the clothes, you fold them and put them up. If she's having a bad day, go out and get her favorite snacks or comfort food. Show her that you really care. It's 50/50, not 95/5 percent. Y/N is a good one; don't lose her by being stupid. It's the bare minimum," Tony concluded.

"Where do I start?"

"You can start by taking some time off work and showing Y/N that you really care. What's something that Y/N really likes?"

"She's not really a fan of really public things that are in crowded places or expensive gifts. She likes more thoughtful gifts that took time and effort."

"Maybe you can clean up the apartment, reorganize some things."

"The apartment is always clean. Y/N doesn't even like shoes going past the carpet."

"Maybe you can make her something."

"What if I cook her dinner?"

"You want to cook?" Tony asked, surprised.

"Yes, why?"

"The last time you tried to cook, you almost set the kitchen on fire."

"I didn't know what I was doing back then, but if it makes Y/N happy, I'll do anything."

"What's Y/N's favorite food?" Tony asked.

"She likes shrimp alfredo and homemade garlic toast. That's one of her favorites," Nat replied.

"Okay, shrimp alfredo and toast. What's your plan after dinner?" Wanda inquired.

"To try and get her to talk to me and hope it doesn't turn into an argument. Maybe I can get her some of her favorite things from the store to lighten her mood," Nat explained.

"It's a good start. It's getting late; we should get to the store and make dinner before Y/N gets off work," Wanda suggested.

"Y/N has a job?" Nat asked, surprised.

"Yes, you didn't know? She said she was tired of being in the house by herself all day," Wanda revealed, making Nat reflect on how close Y/N and Wanda had become.

"Well, we should get going," Wanda said after noticing Nat's silence.

"We should head out. Thank you, Tony," Nat said, acknowledging Tony before leaving the kitchen with Wanda.

"Yeah, yeah, go fix things with Y/N before I tell Fury you're breaking her heart," Tony teased as Nat and Wanda walked out of the kitchen.

[apomaro-mellow]

Family Planning 4

Part 3

There's a severe lack of hijinks in this chapter but I'm hoping to fix that in the next part.

Steve was caught off guard when he heard a call pull up in the morning and it was Tommy, with Carol in tow. They never picked him up, preferring Steve’s car. His dad looked over his newspaper questioningly and Steve had no choice but to go outside. Now that he thought about it, he and Eddie hadn’t made plans to go to school together today. He had just assumed, but even then he wasn’t sure why.

“Hey, what’re you guys doing here?”, Steve asked as he walked out.

“You know why Harrington, get in”, Tommy said.

He did and Tommy didn’t even wait for the door to close before asking him about yesterday. Carol interjected with her own questions. They were his friends, so he didn’t mind answering but just like his parents they couldn’t wrap their heads around Steve going through with it on his own. Clearly it was all Eddie’s influence.

“I get that he’s an alpha, but you can’t let some knot-head like that lead you around”, Carol said.

“And you know that’s all he wants right? To get that knot in”, Tommy snickered. “And he gets to pretend he’s your alpha with a pup? I bet that freak humped his pillow last night, thinking of it.”

“Eugh, gross. I do NOT want to think about Munson’s junk”, Carol said.

“Can you guys cool it? I’m the one that’s actually gotta work with him for the project”, Steve said from the backseat. Not only was it offputting, but it didn’t seem fair to Eddie. Besides the odd fashion choices and weird club, he was a nice guy.

His friends did in fact cool it, at least until they got to school and Eddie was spotted waiting by the front entrance. Without a word to either Tommy or Carol, Steve went over to him. They had to get their new sack of flour. Ms. Engels gave them what could only be called a glare and Steve had the decency to feel a little bad, but not much.

“I’ll take the little rugrat for the first couple of periods”, Eddie offered. “If you want, we can meet up at lunch to do the paperwork.”

“Sounds great”, Steve said without even thinking.

He honestly did forget about it until lunch came. And by then, he already had his tray in his hands, Tommy on one side and Carol ahead of them, going to their usual table. Steve set his tray down just as Eddie came up to them.

“Hey, you ready?”

“What’s he doing here?”, Carol sneered.

“Shit, I forgot”, Steve said. “Yeah, we can just do it here.”

Eddie’s eyes slid to the two betas who looked like they wanted to toss him in the trash. His flight response was kicking up but he knew Carol wasn’t a scrapper and Hagan wouldn’t do anything so long as he stayed on Steve’s good side. So when Steve sat down, he scooted over and Eddie slid on next to him.

“Alright first thing’s first, baby’s name. How do you feel about Gertrude?”, Eddie grinned.

Steve’s nose scrunched. “She’s not someone’s grandma. And who said it’s a girl?”

“Do you have a preference for sex?”, Eddie asked.

“Gag me”, Carol muttered under her breath.

“Hey!”, Steve scolded. “Like it or not, he’s the sire of my pup and will be until the deadline of this project. You two need to get over yourselves.” If Eddie was going to be around more, Steve wasn’t going to let those comments continue to fly. 

Carol forked her food aggressively and Tommy just rolled his eyes. “Chill out man, didn’t know you were taking it seriously.”

Steve turned to Eddie. “What about Hannah?”

“I’m partial to Isabelle myself.”

It took them about halfway through lunch to settle on Kimberly Farrah Lisbeth Odette Ursa Rebecca Munson. It was a mouthful of a name, but it all fit on the line. And Steve allowed Eddie full freedom with her middle name since he got her first name. Her last name being Munson was the traditional route. Omegas usually gave up their name when they got married.

“Hey Eddie, are you gonna spend your whole lunch here?”

Steve looked up to see one of the members of that club. Hellfire. He wasn’t entirely sure what they got up to, played some kind of game. But they were looking at Steve and his friends warily. Steve looked to the table where the rest of them were and they shared the same expressions. 

“Ummm”, Eddie turned to Steve, like he was asking permission.

“We’ve got her name and all that stuff”, Steve said. “We can figure out trade off times later.” They just had to get the papers to Engels before the end of the day. He also offered to take the flour for the rest of the day since Eddie had it in the morning.

“Well then, I guess my business is done”, Eddie said, pushing away from the table. “Goodbye little Kimmy.” He actually kissed the top of the flour sack and then walked away.

“Dude, are you actually trying this year?”

“I plan on walking that stage come spring Gare-bear”, Eddie clapped his friend’s shoulder. And if he had to do so with a bag of food on his hip, so be it.

When the end of the day came, Eddie reconnected with Steve just as he was about to walk out the doors. The moment he did, they both noticed the principal eyeing them by the exit. Eddie frowned.

“You don’t need to hover. We’re actually not doing the helicopter parent thing.”

“We said we’d stay out of trouble”, Steve said.

“Forgive me if I don’t have total confidence in the both of you. Mr. Munson especially.”

Eddie put his arm around Steve’s shoulders. “We’re gonna be the model family. Just watch! We’re gonna do so good, Steve’ll be knocked up by spring!”

Steve’s face got red and it felt like the whole hallway stopped in its tracks. Steve let out a sigh, head hung in mortification as Eddie realized everyone in a two mile radius probably heard what he just said.

“Bad timing?”

“Is there good timing?”, Steve asked. Deciding to commit, he took the sack of flour out of his bookbag and put it on his hip like a real pup. “Well sir, if you’ll excuse us.” 

He started walking and Eddie had no choice but to follow his lead unless he wanted to separate. Eddie’s van was easy to locate and it was only when they got to it did they move apart.

“Thanks for not leaving me high and dry. Sooo, how are we gonna do the trade offs?”

“I think what we did today was fine”, Steve said. Handing the baby off between breaks, giving each of them a few hours free. “Which means you get our little bundle tonight since I had her all afternoon.”

“Cool. Do you uh, need a ride or?”

Steve thought about this morning, how he’d expected Eddie to come without really communicating so. “Uhhh-”

Eddie gasped. “Steve! It’s horrible!” He opened up the passenger door to his van. “I don’t have a carseat!”

“...Okay?”

“Which means you’ll have to hold dear Kimberly while I drive!”

Steve looked around as Eddie made a spectacle of himself. Principal Woolsley was still watching from the door. Didn’t he have a life? With a sigh, Steve got in and buckled up with their pretend pup. As they drove off, the principal was joined by a custodian who gave a chuckle.

“Ain’t that project meant to discourage procreation?”

Their routine worked pretty well. Right down to who drove them each day. Whoever had the baby for the evening would be picked up in the morning. It felt like an even balance of duties. Steve admitted to himself being a little apprehensive of coming to the trailer park for the first time, but when Eddie got in, Wayne smiled at them from the door and Eddie even bid good morning to the old lady who had glared at Steve when he drove up.

Steve’s parents never came out to wave to Eddie, even when he came right to the door and knocked. Eddie didn’t come to their lunch table again, the trade usually happening either before they got to the cafeteria or after lunch was over. Tommy and Carol stopped their snide remarks about Eddie but they didn’t start singing his praises either. Which was fine.

As for the report, Steve just left the sack on his bedroom desk while he was at home. If Eddie was doing any different, he didn’t let on. But while in school, he was a doting father, calling the sack pet names and kissing it, hamming it up whenever Engels or Woolsley were in sight. 

All in all it was going well and that February deadline got closer and closer. But as Steve was crossing today off his calendar, he noticed a problem. He was about to be short on time and Eddie wasn’t going to like the reason why when he told him tomorrow.

Basketball season started soon.

Part 5

Taglist

@marklee-blackmore @aol19 @im-really-annoying @ellietheasexylibrarian @queenie-ofthe-void

@redfreckledwolf

[cultofdixon]

The father role tends to follow you

Daryl Dixon [PLATONIC] • She/Her Pronouns • when he found you, part of him saw himself when he was younger. Right then and there, he vowed to protect you and cherish every moment • SFW/ANGST • TW: Illness / Injuries / Abandonment Issues / Separation Anxiety / Nightmares

Requested by: Anon

She’s all alone…

She’s so young and she’s all alone

Daryl frowns looking at the small little girl cowering in the rundown shed after he had just killed what felt like a herd of walkers to protect this little girl. He was currently crouched before the opening, waiting for when she was ready to let him take her to safety.

“This place…is warm…walker-free…monster free really…there are other kids…a lot older than you but they are nice…good food made by lovin’ carin’ people…you’ve got me, I’ll take care of you”

Those last words spoke volumes to the little one as she carefully steps out of the shed, Daryl slowly held his hand out for her to take as she was obviously hesitant with it. But she instantly went for the hug and latch, afraid something would take her away from this.

But the way Daryl instantly held her and picked her up. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

Not anymore.

The little girl sat at one of the benches while Daryl grabbed her some food and to keep her company was Carl. But being in his own little world, he kept his attention to the comic he’s received from Michonne a week prior to the newcomer’s arrival. He was only there to make sure she didn’t run away but the only thought in her mind was to run to Daryl.

“You can go” Daryl interrupts Carl’s thoughts as he got up and before he left entirely he stopped a moment.

“Her name is Y/N. By the way”

“How’d yea get that out of her? She hasn’t talked”

“Her stuffed animal…what is it a dog? Or a bear? Anyway, her name is stitched in the foot. No stuffie is named that”

“Stuffie?” Daryl smiles watching the young grimes glare at the archer before finally leaving. “So Y/N huh? That’s a pretty name” he kept his voice low to keep the small child at ease while he hands her a big bowl of the stew Carol made about an hour ago.

Y/N didn’t utter a word but she took the bowl looking at Daryl confused which lead his own confusion to grow. That’s when she shoved her hand into the bowl, grabbing a chunk of potato and eating it.

“Right. I knew I forgot something” He got up and went to get the poor girl a spoon as she continued to eat what she could with her hands even if it got all over her sleeves.

After she got a meal in her, Daryl lead her to his family’s cellblock and the two were instantly greeted by those there.

“Oh my god I thought Rick was lying when he said you found a little girl” Carol approaches the two, suddenly stopped when Y/N instantly hid before Daryl. “I’m sorry”

“Just. We’ll take it at her speed alright?” Daryl reassures the child mostly as Carol couldn’t help the warmth in her chest seeing how protective her menacing exterior of a friend be toward this small child.

“Okay well how about I go find her some clothes that’ll fit her and you ask Glenn or Tyreese to help you get a spare mattress into your cell for her?”

Daryl only acknowledge with a hum as his undivided attention was on Y/N. Gently brushing the hair out her face when she looked up at him. The sight should’ve been documented for the books.

Tyreese and his sister Sasha helped get the spare mattress in Daryl’s cell and as the two took care of getting it ready, Sasha watches Daryl kneel in front of Y/N as she opened up to him in a kid sense of showing him her prized possession. Her rag doll dog plush.

“You got a name for this little guy?”

Y/N shook her head as she hesitantly hands the plush to Daryl so he could get a look at it.

“Yeah, this guy don’t need a name” He states. “But just between you and me? If I had a dog? Like an actual one? I’d prob name it Dog. It’s easier” He smiles listening to her giggle in response to his words.

“He’s a natural” Sasha whispers her comment to her brother, noticing him admiring the display. “What’s got you so fixated?”

“It’s just nice” Tyreese smiles taking the extra blanket they brought tossing it over the mattress. “Having a little wholesome peace in this hell of a world”

“You’re getting soft” Sasha laughs on her way out of the cell as Y/N watches her leave along with Tyreese following shortly behind, waving goodbye to the small child as she returned the gesture nervously.

At her own pace she entered the cell which was unsettling given where they live, but the way she looked back at Daryl and he gave her a “try it out” look when looking at her new bed. Y/N didn’t care about it being the cell and instantly laid in the bed curling up enjoying every second. He waited till she fell asleep and carefully covered her in his blanket before stepping out to get a few things for her but also ask Rick to reassign the night watch so he could stay with her the night.

This kid has burrowed her way into Daryl’s heart and EVERYONE knew. He would stick with her for most of the day…making sure she ate, brushed her hair, tie her shoes, and make sure she always had Dog with her. He only knew she liked the name for her plush because one night he brought her some crayons and recycled paper where she wrote out her name for him. But also drew a few drawings, one of them being him and her with her name on it but also her plush and its name being Dog.

Y/N has been there for about a month and has her own milk crate of clothes, a new jacket that she wears all the time even if it’s too big for her but the feature she likes is the inside pocket that she puts her plush in. She still doesn’t talk but she’s gotten closer to the other adults in her life which made it easy for Daryl to take on might watch knowing if Y/N woke up she could go to anyone from their cellblock. She’s taken a liking to Carl, looking at him like a big brother. He even shares his comics with her. As long as they are the non-violent ones, per Daryl’s request.

Daryl sat outside at the tables making a few arrows while watching Y/N pick dandelions from the garden so she could bring them back to Maggie who sat beside Daryl also watching the little one.

“You’re so cute with her”

The archer instantly scoffed at the cute comment, even if it is a cute display of the big bad wolf adopting a kitten.

“She’s so lucky to have you” Maggie smiles warmly to her friend as he couldn’t help his thoughts when hearing such.

You had no one

Even if Merle was around, he wasn’t really

You were once a lone wolf in the world

Trying to make do with what life has taken

But life gave you this human ray of sunshine

One that shares the same horror of being left behind…

All you want to do…

Is protect her from everything that once harmed you.

“Yeah?” Daryl asks turning to the eldest Greene sister as she nods with a bigger smile.

Their expression fall when they heard the thud on the concrete only for both to quickly take notice of Y/N who had tripped. Dropping all of her collected dandelions. That really added to the stinging pain in her knees, resulting in a few tears followed by a little bit of a whine.

Before Maggie couldn’t even bring it up, hell even formulate a thought on the matter—-Daryl had already gotten up from his seat and sprinted over to her. He didn’t even ask if she was okay, or not yet. He carefully and quickly picked up Y/N bringing her into his embrace holding her tightly as she latched onto him crying into his shoulder while he softly shushes the crying in a soothing manner. Maggie took notice of the busted knees and got up to go inside to grab the first aid kit for them.

Y/N sat on top of the picnic bench hugging Dog close to her chest, sniffling every now and then as she watches Daryl carefully roll up her pants to expose her knees. Hershel brought and set the first aid kit beside the child while Maggie stood beside her rubbing circles on her back keeping an eye on the archer’s actions and any sign of discomfort in his kid.

“You gotta clean it up first, Maggie can yea get—-“

“I’m here!” Glenn interrupts the inevitable request to get water to clean up the dirt as he brought his canteen after running into both Greenes on their way out to help Y/N. He just had an instinct.

Daryl took his rag out and then Glenn’s canteen to pour a little water on it before looking at Y/N to warn that he’s getting started. Water doesn’t sting too bad but fresh wounds? Still hurts. He gently dabs the scrapes to get the dirt out and glances up at her every now and then.

“Alright. Now the bad stuff. It’ll sting a bit but not long” Daryl warns, grabbing the antibacterial bottle once Hershel pointed it out.

The small child trusted the archer as he took care of her boo boos, that once her knees were all patched up…Daryl watches Y/N make grabby hands toward him as he didn’t hesitate to bring her back into his arms.

“You did good, pumpkin. All patched up” Daryl reassures bringing the circles back onto her back turning his head enough to kiss the top of her head as she relaxed her tense composure.

“He’s such a good dad” Glenn whispers to Maggie as she couldn’t agree more.

Another night graced them and yet another night watch for Daryl. Given the spill today, he didn’t want to go. It wasn’t a serious injury but he didn’t want to leave her alone.

The compromise was Y/N sleeping in the bed in the watchtower with Daryl’s poncho on. She was curled up on the mattress for half the night and the other half in Daryl’s arms when he sat in the chair up there. She had a nightmare which lead to him carefully waking her and needing to hold her to soothe the anxiety brewing in the child. Daryl watches the same night sky listening to the sounds of the forest and the soft snores escaping the child in his arms.

He never thought he’d be a dad in a way. But this kid…is his kid. His daughter. He would tear the world in half if something happened to her.

When one morning the outbreak within a cellblock occurred. The guns firing, the crying, the screaming,…it was stressful. An illness has made its way into the prison and it became dangerous to the point of killing people.

Then it clicked to Daryl.

The archer sprinted out of the infested cellblock booking it for his and his cell finding no sign of Y/N but he soon heard the sobbing. Making him slowly enter the room and took note of where it was coming from as he knelt down by his bed looking underneath finding her curled up.

“Hey…hey, pumpkin C’mere” Daryl frowns bringing himself to lay on the ground looking at her watching her remain. “Everythin’s okay right now. I’m okay. I promise” he whispers to her to keep the calmness in his anxious form stable.

Soon the child came out from hiding and Daryl held her for a moment. He was terrified. Even if the outbreak was nowhere near their cellblock, he would never forgive himself if something happened.

When the council decided to have a group go out and find medicine to help the sick ones that were still alive, sadly Sasha and Glenn getting hit with the illness which caused personal anxiety to spread. Daryl had to go. So when Beth was holding up in one of the conference rooms of the prison with Judith and Carl (who didn’t want to be there but Rick bitched), Daryl carefully set Y/N down in the room kneeling in front of her explaining that what he has to do is important and he was the man for the job. Along with his friends also going.

She still hasn’t spoken and didn’t argue with him, but before he left, he was handed Dog.

“No…pumpkin, he’s supposed to keep yea safe when I’m not around” Daryl frowns trying to hand it back but Y/N gently pushed it back to him giving him a look.

He’s going to protect you out there Y/N thought and Daryl knew. Daryl hooked Dog onto his belt securing him before hugging Y/N one more time.

They couldn’t tell how long it’s been since going from the prison—to a pit stop—-then to the hospital to get the medicine. But there was a moment when retrieving all the medicine they could carry where the sound of clinking bottles caught everyone’s attention.

The anger that instantly built up in Daryl, couldn’t be contained anymore.

People he cared about were dying.

The unthinkable could happen and his kid could get hurt.

He wasn’t having it when he grabbed Bob’s bag and pulled out a bottle of alcohol. Tyreese and Michonne were a bit taken back by the thought that “was Bob really helping us or here for his own agenda?”. Daryl forcefully ripped the bag out of Bob’s grasp entirely, tossing the bottles into the herd that desperately wanted their flesh. Resulting in Bob taking his anger out on Daryl and before the guy could get a punch in, the archer stopped his fist clenching around it to cause some pain before grabbing his shirt and dangling him over the grasping hands.

“I should just let yea go right now”

“Daryl—-“ Michonne tried to stop him but even Tyreese stopped her.

“Please man. The world is rough out there I saw—-“

“Saw what? An opportunity to shitfaced like it’s the old world when people’s lives are on the goddamn line?!” Daryl snaps shaking Bob a bit as he was getting closer to being grabbed by a walker. “People we fuckin’ care about need this medicine. Needed our help and you were fucking selfish!”

“Daryl please. I’m sorry—-“

“Nah sorry ain’t gonna cut it. Now I know you—you probably have a bottle on your person still and if I catch yea taking a sip before any of the medicine gets into our people? I’m not feeding yea to walkers. I’m killing yea where you stand.”

The archer pulled the doc back up and onto the awning they were standing on. He brushes past everyone on his way back to their ride.

When the group was on the ride back, Michonne glanced from the driver’s seat seeing Daryl fiddle with the plush in his hands as the worry spilled out of him.

“She’s okay. Carl and Beth would protect her if anything”

“Yeah, I know”

“Then why are you so worried? We have the medicine. If she had gotten sick when we were gone, it won’t last long”

“I just want to get back to my daughter”

And so they did. But the medicine came first.

Y/N stuck by the door the entire time looking out the small window and stepped away when she heard Carl’s name being called by Rick. But what he didn’t calculate was Y/N slipping past both Carl and Rick when he first opened the door—-then engaged in the conversation. It didn’t click until Rick heard the quick scurrying and jostling of Y/N’s oversized jacket that she had gotten out. There wasn’t any walkers or a threat for the time being but it was still alarming in the sense that if Daryl came down there and no Y/N? Then the world will be set ablaze.

The archer was in A-Block helping Hershel administer the medicine to their family and right as he was helping Maggie get Glenn back in the bed, he heard yelling.

“Daddy!”

An unfamiliar voice with only a caring worry filled force.

Daryl quickly pulled away and saw the tiny human being blocked from entering the area by Michonne. But the second he caught a glimpse, oh now he was sprinting.

The archer quickly ran down the stairs and it didn’t take long for Michonne to notice, making her instinctively move away for Y/N to start her own little sprint toward Daryl.

“Daddy!” She cries reaching about her head as she ran and Daryl quickly swept her up into his arms holding her close.

Part of her knew she was back and knew where he’d be given why he left. Y/N simply couldn’t stay away much longer and had to check on her dad. Make sure he’s still alive and well. Hell, he was going to do the same once the medicine was given but she was a little impatient.

“I’m okay, pumpkin” Daryl reassures as she latched onto him. A small part of him wanted to sob because she finally spoke and called him that. “Everything is gonna be okay”

“Please don’t leave again, daddy…” Y/N sobbed a little into his shoulder as he continued to bear hug her while he held her.

“I promise. I’m never leavin’ yea again” He continues to reassure before setting her down, kneeling before her and taking Dog out for her. “He took really good care of me though”

“Of course he did!” She states, taking Dog back into her embrace. “He kept me safe until you found me”

Now Daryl found himself tearing up, bringing her back into his arms as she happily held onto him.

I’ve got you now, pumpkin

[nev-valkyriesdottir]

I saw you again ‖ Carol Danvers x reader part 2

Summary - You couldn't look at her eyes without falling in love again Warning - Was written before The Marvels came out, so the event will not matches canon

Part 1

Three years.

Three years since you came back from the blip. Three years since you moved out of your old house. Something happened to you during the blip. It happened to only a few people but you were unfortunatly one of them. You forgot half of the last four years of your life. Which meand you forgot half of the people you knew in the past 4 years, you forgot half of the things that happened and you forgot half of the good and bad event of your life.

So you decided to move out of your old house. You were still an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D, but you only went on very important mission with the Avengers. Well, at first you were in a bit of a conflict with Clint, due to Natasha's death, but you mainly ignored him. Oh and also, Yelena and you were closer than ever. Not as in a relationship but in a sister way. You were the one to help her deal with Natasha's death and even if it was hard this got you both closer. She felt happier so you felt proud of yourself.

You, however, you felt like something was missing. Like someone was missing. You knew who she was. Atleast you knew her name. Carol. That is how you called her. Well how you called her in your song anyways. You knew she was someone dear to you, you never wrote songs about people so she must have been special. But you didn't remember her and there was no Carol in your social circle.

Anyhow, right now you were in a little rush. You had to go to work for an emergency meeting, Fury's call, about a super hero under the name of 'Captain Marvel'. He said that she was going to take the lead of the SAT, a team you decided to start and so you needed to be there. The SAT, also known as Space Avengers Team was an innitative that would reunite all the Avengers non-human or able to live in space for missions in the outer space or on another planet. Your plan was to expend protection all around the universe, to give the Guardian of the Galaxy more help. The multiverse too now with the help of the young America by Strange's side. And as the brain of idea, you had to be at the meeting on time.

You rushed throught the entrance of S.C.Y.T.H.E, Super Communicative Yard Technologic Hyper Electrocnic, you were greeted by a few agents but you couldn't waste your time on them. As you reached the elevator, you saw that the door was about to close itself and you frowned.

"Please hold the door !" You called out and the person inside of the elevator blocked the door.

"Thank you so much." You said between breath not even looking at the agent by your side.

The meeting was starting in five minutes. You were just on time.

꧁----------꧂

It has been three years since Carol last saw you. She would come visit Earth a few times, and everytime she was staying at your house to remember you. But now here you were. Standing beside her, not even noticing her presence in the elevator.

"Thank you so much." Your voice echoed throught the elevator and Carol felt her eyes tears up.

It has been so long since the last time she heard your voice. Eight years, and now, it sounded so familiar yet so strange. And you looked familiar yet so she feels like you were a stranger. Your once light h/c hair were now darker, and you were also taller than before. Your voice still sounded the same but at the same time your sounded less guarded than before. Everything about you changed, without changing.

Exiting the elevator on the same level, Carol watched as you rushed inside of the meeting room. Not even sparing a glance at her. And she felt her nerves goes up.

"Ah ! There she is ! Carol Danvers, our Captain !" Nick smirked and you looked up from your sit.

'Carol Danvers'

This name was familiar to you and when you looked up, there stood a blond. Her hair were short, very short but it suited her, she was in her suit and you couldn't help but gulp a little at the sign. But what caught your attention the most were her eyes. Her light brown eyes were filled with so many emotions. They held so many memories.

-----

"Carol ! No Carol stop !" You ran away throught your field and Carol chased after you.

"You get back here !" The blond yelled and you giggled before turning around with a smirk.

What you didn't expect was Carol being closer to you than what she was supposed to be, causing the two of you fall. Carol on top of you, yet her right hand was under your head, preventing it to hit the ground.

"If you wanted me to be on top of you, you could have just asked me darling." Carol smirked and you blushed before shoving her away.

"In your dream Vers, back to work now !" You replied with a playful smile and you broke your eyes contact before getting up and go back inside, giggling at Carol's next words that you knew by heart now.

"Yeah, in my wildest dreams Y/n/n. I'll see you again !"

-----

"I should take you on a date." You moved from under the spaceship and Carol chocked on drink.

"W-what ?" She asked with burning cheeks and you smirked.

"I should take you on a date." You repeated and the other woman turned away, clearly flustered.

After a few seconds, you couldn't help but laugh at her reaction causing Carol to faceyou once again, with a playful glare this time. Once your laughter died down, you looked back at Carol only to see her smile from ears to ears, and she was in awe.

"Stop looking at me with those eyes." You playfully rolled your eyes.

"What eyes ?" The blond asked with confusion.

"Eyes that tells me that you're in love with me or something." You pointed out and Carol walked to stand in front of you.

"But I am in love with you. I love you. So please be my girlfriend." She bluntly asked and you stood there in shook.

"W-what ?" This time you were the one stuttering and Carol chuckled before walking away.

"Alright, I'll let you think about your answer ! I'll see you later Space Widow !" She called, leaving you a blushing mess in your garage.

-----

"You know, your eyes remind me of winter." Carol spoke up and you, who was laying against her chest, looked up from your ipad with a confused frown.

"What ?" The question slip from between your lips and the blond chuckled.

"Well, they are cold but beneath them is a bliss of beauty, just like how snow covers the flower buds. And even if they give a cold exterior, the warm your eyes hide behind their walls is so comforting. Just like a warm blanket covering me." Carol explained and you let your ipad on the table with a cheeky smile.

"Then yours remind me of fall. The light brown color of your eyes remind me of the fallen leaves and it also remind me of the cover of the books in my library that I read in fall. Under a warm blanket all over me too." You replied and Carol smiled before pecking your nose.

"Well aren't you a cutie." She complimented and you intertwined your fingers.

"I'm your cutie thought right ?" You questioned and the woman hummed against your lips.

"Yep you are." Carol's soft lips pressed against yours and you moved to a more comfortable position, deciding to sit on her lap, until the kiss was broken by your yawn.

"Go to sleep my darling. I'll be there when you woke up." Carol hugged you tighter and you snuggled into her chest.

"I'll see you again ?" You questioned and the woman nodded.

"I'll see you again love."

-----

"We've been waiting for weeks now ! Where is Fury's team !?" You groaned as you passed around the living room and Carol sighed.

"Darling-"

"No. Listen. The fact that he even let your spacehip have a deficiency is a problem, but he doesn't even try to send you a team ! And the intel you got was wrong !-"

"Babe-"

"-You are so busy but you had to come here and every intel he told you were wrong. Plus you crashed your ship !-"

"Y/n-"

"-What if there was another planet that needs you right now but because Fury doesn't move his ass they will not be able to reach you on time and-"

"Y/n look at me." Carol stopped you firmly, holding both of your arms and making you face her.

"Love calm down. Take a deep breath okay ?" She added as you shared an eyes contact.

And you took a deep breath, her warm light brown eyes helping you to keep your ground as Carol caressed your cheek.

"Everything will be okay. Fury's team will arrive in a few. And if people needs me I'll be there on time. And if I didn't crash my space ship I wouldn't have meet you love." The blond comforted you and you hummed contantly, hugging to woman of your life in the middle of your living room.

"If you go back in space. I'll still see you again right ?" You asked not louder than a whisper and Carol kissed the top of your head.

"I'll see you again. Always."

-----

"I'll see you again..." You breathed out and Carol's breath itched.

"I'm sorry ?" The captain asked and you immediately went throught your stuff.

"I'll see you again ! These were the words you used to tell me all the time ! You're the Carol I love ! The one I wrote the song about ! You're the Carol I've been waiting for all these years !" You exclaimed happily and rushed to hug Carol tightly.

Carol couldn't believe it. Not only you were hugging her after eight years but you also said that you loved her. During the entire time of you both being together you never said L word. Yet today you were basically saying it to stranger.

"I missed you so much..." You whispered and the blond woman couldn't help but feel a tear roll down her cheek.

"I missed you... So much more." She answered.

Then Carol cupped your cheeks between her hands and you leaned into her touch almost immediatly. Your e/c eyes locked with brown ones as Carol smiled. You were really there. She could feel you, she could hold you.

"I missed you so much more my love." Carol lips brushed against yours.

Then your eyes drifted to her lips. You didn't even knew her that well but you felt like you need to kiss her. It just seemed right. And without a single thought, you closed the space between you two. At first you were tensed, the last time you kissed someone, that you could remember of anyways, was probably when you were on a mission for the Red Room. So a while ago. And yet here you were. Kissing a stranger. The kiss was soft yet passionated. And it was probably cliché to say this, but you felt like firework filled in your stomach.

Carol moved her hands from your cheeks to your hands and your fingers interlocked together. They fitted perfectly, as if the were made for each other. Without leaving each other's hold, the both of you pulled away and a soft smile made its way to your lips.

"I knew it. My prodigal child with the prodigal child of the Milky way." Fury smirk from the side and you looked down, your cheeks burning.

"What can I say ? I was destinated to be with a star." Carol replied while looking down at you.

Looking up at her with a smile, you couldn't help but stare at her enchanting eyes. You felt loved, cuddled, under a warm blanket.

"I'm so glad I got to see you again Captain Marvel." You breathed out with a grin and Carol put a strand of hair behind your ear lovingly.

"And I more Space Widow."

[baronessvonglitter]

if love be rough with you, be rough with love | chapter 15 | "mutually assured destruction"

Dave York x f!Reader

Word count: 5,707

Summary: A life-changing secret is unearthed, altering the directions of your life and Dave's.

WARNINGS: 18+ Only! Mature and Explicit, TW attempt at self-unaliving, angst, secrets revealed, gaslighting, talk of murder and paid assassination, obsessive!Dave, rough sex, hate sex, unprotected piv, revenge, if I missed anything please let me know!

Author's note: this turned into more than I initially thought, and took a lot out of me emotionally but I'm pleased with it and I hope you are too! Please do not read if you're not in a good headspace, there are very triggering scenarios in place for the sake of dramatic storytelling. For those battling real life demons, please click here for help 🫂

Series Masterlist

It's the day before you leave for London. A Friday.

Years from now you'll look back on this day and wonder how it started so normally, as if fate wasn't already hard at work against you.

You make breakfast for the family: pancakes, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs. The new au pair is coming on Monday and you want to do everything in your power to stay on the family's mind so that they'll want you back when you return from studying abroad, but in the back of your mind you know that won't be an issue.

Sneaking a glance at Dave at the table, you exchange a small, secret glance and a smile, but his eyes never leave you once you busy yourself with other tasks. You can feel his gaze on you, checking you out in your casual outfit of the day: jeans that show off your curves and a cropped long sleeve shirt that shows a sliver of midriff. You're going to miss choosing outfits that will keep you on his mind all day.

Later you get the girls bundled up for school, putting on their warm boots and winter coats. Alice has two different colored gloves on, Molly forgot her library book upstairs. Both girls want to wear their new scarves but they're fighting over the same one. You're already prepared, fixing the situations, showing Dave that you're maternal, giving him a glimpse of what your life together would look like.

You've already made plans to see each other over New Year's, see the sights together, make love in a different country. Honestly you don't think you'd be looking forward to London as much if there wasn't the promise of Dave joining you there, even if only for a little bit. You're learning to have your forever with him in a few stolen moments.

After running some last minute errands (Carol insisted that you spend this time on yourself and she could take care of anything extra) you have everything ready. You're packed, suitcases and passport on your bed.

Slipping into his home office, you dangle a thong around your finger, intending to leave it in his desk, a small memory of you, a promise of what's to come.

A drawer that's usually locked is left slightly open, teasing you, taunting you. You bite your lip. You've never been in Dave's office without him, and you recall what he'd told you:

"There are some other parts of my life, things I can't tell you yet. I know you'll understand when the time comes.."

You shake your head. It's just a drawer, you tell yourself. If Dave were here he'd call you a silly girl, then guide you away from his desk and press you to the wall, or the floor, or-

But you can't resist a peek.

And because of that your world changes.

The rest of your day is spent uncovering your lover's secrets, and the worst secret is saved for last.

In the back of the open drawer, tucked safely into a small black pouch: a class ring with your birthstone, and your gold baby bracelet, your name written in perfect cursive.

Dave returns after work, calling out to the house, knowing you're here somewhere because your car's here and Carol's isn't. It's too quiet. She probably has the girls with her.

"Sweetpea, you home?"

There's no answer, so he shrugs and heads to his office. intending on doing some work for awhile before bed. You'll show up eventually, looking for him, legs spread eagerly, mouth open voraciously, wearing some barely-there lingerie, tempting him while his family's out. He knows you by now, but that doesn't stop him from wanting you.

He knows something is wrong as soon as he sees his office door is cracked open. No one goes in there but him. He steps in to see his office has been searched. Papers are strewn on his desk, files scattered, drawers opened. He feels like he might have a heart attack.

There you are, in a chair in the corner of the room, watching him, waiting for him.

"You're a fucking murderer," you mutter in a half-sob, alerting him to your presence.

The moment those words leave your mouth you know it's a mistake. Dave approaches you, slowly and deliberately. You want to run for the door but you're not sure you can even move. Your heart feels like it will stop at any moment, if Dave doesn't stop it with his own hands.

In one swift movement he grabs you, forces you to the wall, his large hands pinning your shoulders. He's in a rage, seething with anger, hurt, and resentment. But he hides it well, towering over you. "What do you think you read, silly girl? You're not even completely sure what you saw," he motions behind him to his littered desk. "Do you want people to think you're crazy?"

The fear in your blood turns to outrage. You ignore his question and offer one of your own. "My father.. my own father?" Your voice wavers as you keep your cold gaze on him as you say your father's name for the first time in years. "Sound familiar? He should be. Five years ago you killed him."

There is the briefest flicker of surprise in Dave's eyes, soon replaced with approval, estimation even. "What makes you say that, sweetpea?" he asks, his voice honey-sweet.

Nausea threatens to make you keel over, but your righteous anger holds you through. "It was all over your fucking paperwork. And these," you say, opening your palm to show your jewelry he'd stolen that fateful night. He looks but makes no move to take them.

"For years the cops had us convinced it was a home invasion gone wrong.. but they were on your payroll, weren't they?"

"Where's your phone? Give it to me," he demands. When you don't oblige right away he grabs it from your back pocket, rifling through the photos section, checking to see what you've deleted, making sure you don't have anything incriminating waiting to be emailed.

So far he's in the clear and he tosses your phone to the chair.

"What are you going to do about it?" Dave asks, his voice low, cold, nearly a growl, and he looks at you as if you're a bug he's squashed under his shoe. "What are you going to do with the information you have? Because you can't tell anyone, do you understand that? Especially not the police. We both know they won't protect you." He soothes the effect of his words with a soft brush of his knuckles across your cheek. "If you try to spread this.. misinformation to anyone else, you'll disappear."

A shiver goes through you and you knock his hand away. "Why?? Why did you take him away from me? I needed him."

It's a new feeling for Dave. He's never had to deal with the fallout of his extracurricular activity.

"I was just doing my job," he answers, the catch-all phrase he never imagined he'd have to use. "But from everything you've told me about him, I rather think you'd be grateful to me, sweetpea."

You ignore this little quip, too angry to think of anything to say in this heated moment, when your brain is still swimming with mixed emotions. "He was just a name on your list? Is that what you're saying?" you ask coldly.

"Yes," he replies sharply. "He was not a person to me, okay? He was a target. He was a job."

His words are harsh, but they're the truth.

"Do you understand that? Do you understand now how I see people? How my world works? It's made up of people I am paid to kill. People who hire me to do the killing. People who betray others. It's not a game and it's certainly not personal." He takes a moment, looks squarely at you, measuring how you're taking this.

"Did you ever have any idea," you start slowly, "when you hired me to be your kids' nanny? Did you ever have any clue that I might have been his daughter? When you kissed me and fondled me and screwed me, did you ever wonder if maybe my last name was a coincidence?"

"Are you trying to make me feel guilty? If so, it's not working very well. I've learned how to separate myself from the job. Compartmentalization. It's the same thing I do when I'm fucking you and not thinking of my wife, or fucking my wife and not thinking of you. Do you understand that?"

Your hand flies across his face, landing a harsh slap, leaving a red mark that even you can feel the sting of.

His first instinct is anger, then there's a sudden flash of a smile across his face, lighting up his features as he soothes his cheek. "I have to admit, with that scrappy little attitude.. you're just like your father. Tenacious."

You're disgusted with yourself. You've given away your innocence to your father's murderer. You'd loved him and sinned with him, risking so much. You even wanted to marry him someday, in a stupid fantasy of yours that now just feels repugnant.

"Did he see you coming?" You whisper. "Or did you sneak up behind him like a coward when you killed him?"

Dave's smile fades. "I let him see me, and at that moment he knew he found his death," he recollects. "It's the most powerful feeling in the world.. watching the light fade in someone's eyes and knowing you're the cause of it. It's a little like playing god. It was no different with your father."

"And this information you have," he continues, "what exactly are you going to do with it? Because I refuse to have to kill you, sweetpea. It would hurt me too much to have to get rid of you for your curiosity. You opened up a Pandora's Box. Now what are you going to do with all the misery you've unleashed?"

You're calm. Your heartbeat is normal. Glancing out the window there's freshly fallen snow. Such a peaceful scene despite the awfulness playing out with you and the man you loved.

"Carol took the girls out to drive around and look at Christmas lights. They might be gone awhile."

You reach into your pocket and pull out a snub nose revolver, one you'd pilfered from Dave's desk earlier. You pull the hammer back and aim it at him. "I'm going to spare them having to hear their father die, a little gift I'm passing forward that you gave me years ago."

There's a flash of fear that flits across his face as you point the gun at him, which he quickly masks with cold indifference as he raises his hands in surrender, backing away slowly. "You had to have some idea.. all those nights waiting up for me, patching me up when I had a bloody lip or bruised knuckles? They're not always quick kills, sweetpea. Sometimes I have to use my fists."

You don't waver, still aiming the gun, the irony not lost on you that he'd been the one to teach you to shoot. The power you have over him right now is indescribable, with the agony of the revelation of Dave's shadow business lurking just beneath.

"You had to know," he repeats. "Yet you still decided to pursue me, to sleep with me, to fall in love with me." He stares you down as you continue to aim. "Now.. do you think you have it in you to kill me? Because revenge, my silly girl, is not really your style."

His words wound you. Yes, deep down you always knew. You just never put your father's death into the equation.

"You're right," you admit. "I'm not a killer like you. But I'm just as bad as you are."

Despair and guilt rack your body. There's no way out. You'd been prepared to shoot Dave, maybe even kill him as revenge for your dad, but in this moment you have a sudden change of heart.

"You don't have to worry about me telling anyone. I'll take it to my grave."

You aim the revolver at yourself, just under your chin, cold metal against soft, warm skin. "I still love you, Dave."

Click.

You open your eyes and fall to your knees, gasping as you drop the gun. It wasn't loaded. A blinding wave of relief and anguish courses through you as you begin to sob, your entire body shaking.

He walks to you, picking up the gun and opening the chamber. Empty. "Do you really think I'm stupid enough to have a loaded gun in my own home, sweetpea? I have children, for Christ's sake." He shakes his head, putting the gun away. "I thought you'd be more clever than that, especially after all I've taught you." He sighs, looking more disappointed than distressed over your attempt. While you're on the ground, hugging your knees to your chest, shivering, he quietly tidies up his desk, putting everything back where it belongs, all his secrets stored away. He locks the drawer with a definitive click.

"You do it," you weep as he kneels next to you, giving you a tissue. "You killed him, now kill me. It would be poetic." You meet his eyes, seeing nothing but coldness in them, knowing that was all there was this whole time. "There's nothing I want in this life anymore."

Dave hugs you, and despite the hatred you feel for him, despite the maelstrom of emotions you find yourself in, you cry on his shoulder as he kisses your hair.

When you've finally cried yourself out, he helps you to your feet. "I'm going to take you for a drive. We need to talk."

In your emotional state you go along with whatever he wants. You're like a zombie, your body functioning but your brain clouded with misery.

You both get in his car, but you don't bother to put your seat belt on.

"Do you trust me?" he asks as you head out on the road.

"That's a funny question," you say in monotone, turning your head to look at him. "I don't know if I do. I shouldn't."

"Here's the thing." He clears his throat, makes himself comfortable for the drive. "I think you do. I know you always have. You shouldn't but you did. You still do. You trusted me enough to be completely vulnerable before me. You trusted me when you slept with me, each and every time. You trusted me when you told me about your awful history with your father. Trust takes guts."

You groan as he speaks about your intimate times together, numerous times, scandalous situations. You'd given your body and your heart.. to a married man.. to your father's killer.

"That trust is gone," you tell him.

Dave sighs, continuing to drive. After almost forty-five minutes he pulls over to the side of the road. You're in the middle of nowhere, far from anyone or anything. He gets out and helps you out of the passenger seat. Taking a tentative look around you see barely lit forest on the roadside, lit by a scattered amount of street lights. The snow has stopped for now, and a chilling wind howls through the desolate night.

Together you walk into the darkness. You fully believe he's brought you here to kill you, to silence you from spilling his secrets. And you feel only the slightest anxiety at this thought.

He leads you up a small path, thick forest on either side of you. Eventually you arrive at the edge of a cliff. The wind roars in your ears.

"What are we doing here?" you shout. It's almost too dark to see him.

He removes his jacket and puts it on you, shivering in your same clothes from this morning, only a denim jacket over them. It's warm from his body heat and smells faintly of his cologne. "Tell me why we're out here," you insist.

Dave looks out over the cliff, seemingly lost in thought. You're not even sure he's heard your demand.

"Did you know your father well, sweetpea?" he finally asks. "Did you spend a lot of time with him?"

It's like a stab to the chest, feeling your dad's loss all over again. "I thought I knew him well enough.. I think he loved me in his own way."

"He was corrupt, sweetpea. He had dealings with men much worse than me, men who would've hurt you and your family if given half the chance. A rival gang paid us to take him out." Dave goes quiet, dipping into that memory, perhaps wishing he could reverse things so you wouldn't be here, in the cold, with him. "I'm not the monster that you think I am. I'm human just like you."

"No, you're not human. Taking lives for money makes you less than that." Tears sting at your eyes, the bitter wind making them cold on your cheeks. You saw how sweet Dave could be with his children, how he gave off the impression of a loving husband even though you knew that particular part wasn't true. He had hidden depths, just like your father. His love for you was conditional, just like your father's.

You need your heart to stay hardened against him.

"I loved my father,” you continue. "I saw bad in him, just as I told you. But that didn't mean I wanted him dead."

"We're all just animals," Dave insists. "And even animals kill each other."

"You're the only animal here, David." You remove his jacket from you, symbolizing how you're done with him, preferring the bitter cold to the warm lies he's trying to give you. He gives a surprised grunt as you shove the jacket against his chest. "I've seen enough and heard enough. I'm walking home."

"You asked if I recognized you the day you came to interview for the position.. truth is, I did."

You turn at his revelation, stopping in your tracks but coming no closer to him.

He continues, "My team and I searched room to room, pilfering a few valuables to make it look like a real break-in. The last bedroom at the end of the hall was cracked open, with a pink light spilling through. When I walked in I could still smell your perfume in the air, something sweet like the kind a girl your age would wear. The clothes you tried on and discarded were strewn on your floral bedspread."

Now he has your attention, now he has you rapt, and as he describes that night you recall your room in that house, the perfume and the bedspread he's mentioned.

"I looked around, took my time, even though I was supposed to be quick," Dave admits. "I looked at the photos you kept by your bedside, removed the silk scarf draped over your lamp - that's a fire hazard, you silly girl." He smirks at you a moment, something akin to mirth in his dark eyes. "I saw the awards on your dresser, the photographs.. a little girl in a ballerina costume, that same girl growing up, attending summer camp, learning archery, and becoming a young woman, attending homecoming dances and learning how to drive.. I saw a piece of your life, sweetpea. And I was entranced."

Your mouth has gone dry. You know every one of those photos, have them collected safely in an album in storage somewhere.

"I didn't know your name, but the moment you came through my door, almost a thousand miles from your home, I was in awe. It had to be fate. You'd come to me, and despite my initial misgivings about having you so close, the possibility of you knowing how we were tied together was so minimal yet held such huge risk. There were times when I was sure you'd call me out for it, maybe blackmail me, so I kept my distance at first. But you were so obvious, sweetpea. You wear your heart on your sleeve, do you know that? It's adorable, especially that look you're wearing now."

You back away, forcing your body to move.

"That beautiful young woman with the pink room and cotton candy perfume ended up finding me, choosing me. I think all this time she's been looking for a replacement for her dead daddy."

"Stop," you beg. It sounds loud in your ears but comes out quietly from your lips.

"I love you," he says in earnest. "I don't care if the world burns. Everything is just a distraction if I can't have you."

A deep breath. "You should have pushed me over that cliff when you had the chance."

"I'm not going to hurt you," he approaches you with a calm demeanor. "I know I threatened to kill you, but that was said in anger. Don't you know how much you mean to me? Frankly I'm hurt by the fact you're even thinking I'd harm you."

You look at him squarely. "Oh, you're hurt?? Why don't we make it even and I take your family away from you?"

"You wouldn't." He holds you in his grasp, looking down on you with a smug expression.

"It would make us even, Dave." With a dark look in your eyes you run your hands along his chest. "I always thought you appreciated symmetry."

His countenance warms, his embrace loosened by your coquetry. "It's fucked up, but I can't help wanting you one last time," he says.

"You're right. It's fucked up."

"Let me take you to that hotel you like so much," he insists. "A proper sendoff before you leave the country. Because nothing is going to stop us, right? We can get past this little obstacle. It's just a tiny hurdle in our relationship."

Your lips curve into a smile as your blood boils. "That expensive hotel we went to, our very first night together? I don't think that's quite the aesthetic we're going for. Take me to the cheapest fucking place that's closest to us."

The motel room is small, smells faintly of cigarette smoke and cleaning product. But it has a bed, and that's all that counts.

Dave starts to unbuckle his belt and you watch, leaning against the dresser. "Remember that first night, when I bled? You told me it was rare to happen in this day and age. But it makes sense now. You shed my father's blood when you murdered him, and you shed mine when you took my innocence."

He's naked, waiting for you to also take off your clothes. "Did you regret giving yourself to me?" He pauses. "Do you hate me?"

"I'm not going to tell you," you smirk without any levity. "Isn't it more exciting to sleep with someone when you don't know how they feel about you?" However, seeing him sans clothing, a near rarity in your relationship, does something to you. You're lucky to be female and hide your arousal for the most part. You back Dave to the bed, making sure he's watching as you take off your clothes too.

His eyes are glued to you, cock already hard at the sight of your nakedness. You press him down to the bed, straddling his lap as you take him into you. Even you can't hide your need for him, the gasp of surprise as he fills you up completely.

You use him, that's the best way to put it. You care little for his kiss or his touch. You're simply taking your pleasure from him, riding him hard, the way he likes it, holding him so close you nearly smother him.

Yes, you love him, but that love has been poisoned by the truth of what he's done. There's no love in your actions, but there are tears in your eyes as you ride him, as if you'd fuck him to death if you could.

He can feel your pain.. the pain of all those secrets revealed tonight, the pain of having to deal with a man like him. And he can feel your anger, because for you, right now, there is nothing but revenge.

You feel it as Dave make himself a blank slate to take the brute force that is the only thing you can offer in this moment, so that you can emotionally bleed out your suffering and anger onto him.

You're riding him hard, taking your pleasure in a vicious way. "Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you," you moan.

It's a sound of desperation and release, and in a strange way it makes him want you even more. For you, this is revenge, but for him it's pleasure. He grabs you by the waist as you move on top of him, your nails dragging down his back, leaving marks that will be hard to explain later on. Your first instinct is to brush his hands off you, but you're so close to coming, and in that moment you don't care what Dave has done, or who he will hurt in the future. You just need him, and your heart allows a little bit of his love to pierce your armor.

With his hands on your waist, he pushes up and rolls you over. You move with him, teeth tugging on his bottom lip, inflicting more violence in your lovemaking because now.. everything is different. On top, looking you in the eyes.. You might hate him, but right now he doesn't care.

"There it is, there's that anger," he mutters. "Just let it all out, sweetpea. I know what you're feeling right now. I know exactly who I am and what I can be." He takes charge again, showing you that you're not the only one with anger inside of you. He enjoys the violence you're bringing to the bed, the violence that he deserves.

It's as if you're ready for his aggression, happy that he's fighting back. You're turning that pain to pleasure because otherwise the pain will disintegrate you.

You're still cursing him: "Bastard!" "Son of a bitch!" Meanwhile your body holds his close, accepting every forceful movement.

His eyes remain locked on yours the entire time. He doesn't let you escape his gaze. He wants you to see him, because now you can't hate him without hating yourself.

He's hurting you and you're enjoying it, just as it's always been. He kisses you forcefully, moving against you, as if you can't wait for the other to break.

Your bodies crash together savagely, both of you trading your pain and anguish. You dig your fingernails down his back once more as the first sweet, fluttery feelings give way to a strong, hedonistic wave of pleasure that threatens to engulf you. There's no holding back or hiding from it. All you can do is burn within it, let your climax conquer your senses as your cunt grips him more tightly than ever before.

Dave's eyes go wide and he lets out a small groan. He feels your grief and anger, and he loves it. He holds you close as you come together, holding you close as if he never wants to let go. You feel complete when he comes, the way he pushes deep and hard against you, as if imprinting himself in you.

Afterwards, you just want to sleep. All your emotions have come to a head and you're weak from feeling them. You feel like a shell of a person.

Still, he doesn't let you go. He lays on top of you, breathing hard, sweaty from the physical exertion, trying to catch his breath.

He knows that once this night is over he'll go back to being a monster, and you'll always be the girl he betrayed in the worst way.

In this small moment you remain connected, feeling Dave's body against yours as you have so many times before. The ghost of a smile graces your lips as you look at him above you, brushing a small, sweaty strand of hair away from his forehead.

He looks down at you, filled with mixed emotions. He doesn't want to move, but he knows he has to. He climbs off you and lays next to you, watching you. The red motel sign glows into the window of your room, lighting the bed, covering your bodies in a warm scarlet glow.

"What were my father's last words?" you ask in the quietude of the moment.

"He asked for mercy," Dave answers. "He said he had a daughter who needed him. And that if I let him live, he would never cause trouble again."

You try to calm your breathing. "And then what did you do?"

A pause. "I shot him in the head." His voice is like a stone.

You look at him, this man you loved without shame, without guilt. "And how much money did you receive for killing him? What was his life worth?"

"Fifty thousand dollars."

You close your eyes. "Thank you for your honesty."

He doesn't know how to respond. He wants to defend himself, he wants to apologize, he wants to ask your forgiveness. But all he can say is: "I love you."

You turn to him in the half-darkness of the seedy motel room. "I know."

It's early when you wake, body sore, heart broken. You shower, washing away Dave's scent, his sweat, his seed, but somehow he's still under your skin.

He's fast asleep and you don't wake him.

Quietly you order a ride share service to pick you up. There's still work to do.

The next stop is the York household. The girls are still asleep this Saturday morning. Carol's home. For the last time you use your house key.

It's warm and quiet as you walk down the hallway, trying not to make too much noise. You pass by the collage of family pictures bedecking the walls: Carol and Dave on their honeymoon in Paris the girls' baby pictures, piano recitals, family vacations to Disneyland and the Grand Canyon, pictures of the life you wanted but never got.

Carol's at the table drinking coffee. "Good morning," she says brightly. "Aren't you going to miss your flight?"

"I have time." You smile back but it doesn't reach your eyes. "We need to talk."

"Sure," she says agreeably, checking her phone before putting it down, likely waiting to hear back from her husband, who hasn't come home all night.

There were times when you avoided the truth because it would get you into trouble, but now you just want the truth to set you free. "There's something you should know about your husband."

Carol's eyes are wide, already imagining the worst. Trouble at work? Gambling debts? Did he force himself on you? "What is it?" she asks softly as her nerves jangle.

You take a quick look around at the place you've called home for awhile now. When your gaze lands back on Carol's, it's impossible to keep a smirk off your face.

"Dave and I have been having an affair. We've been sleeping together for the past few months."

There's a blankness in Carol's eyes, as if she's processing the information but it's not sticking. What you've said is so sudden that she can't fully believe it yet. "You're kidding," she whispers. "You're just kidding.. right?"

You shake your head. "No.. I can tell you about the birthmark on his upper right thigh, his bondage kink, and he makes this cute little sound right before he cums, like a tiny squeak or whimper."

You feel powerful telling Carol this. "We've fucked in almost every room in this house, including your bed, just last week."

Carol's body goes limp as she assaulted by the onslaught you've unleashed. The words are too much to bear. "You're lying.."

To add insult to injury you continue: "And it's not just about sex. He loves me."

You reach into your purse and pull out your phone, pressing a few buttons and sending Carol an email. "Here's further proof. You can watch it if you want, or don't. I don't care. The tape was my idea, and Dave was more than happy to oblige."

With shaky hands Carol opens the email on her phone, clicks on the video attachment.

What she sees breaks her heart like nothing ever has before. It's not just her husband cheating on her, it's the two of you sharing intimacy, bodies locked together in a passion she had no idea you'd felt for each other.

Now she knows you're not lying, and she can't bear the thought of all the love she's given Dave being betrayed like this. She looks at you with tears in her eyes, her body shaking as she tries to pull herself together. She refuses to be the weak wife who bawls over her husband's misconduct, who eats her own bitter, broken heart in front of the godforsaken Other Woman.

"Why?" she simply asks.

"Why?" you repeat. "Because sometimes, Carol, people come into our lives just to ruin it, to change it irreparably." In saying that, you're thinking of your father, a bullet through his brain, Dave on the other side, holding the smoking gun.

Upstairs you grab your luggage, coming down to see that Carol is still crying, still watching the video, the sounds of your wicked moans and Dave's sultry praise audible through her phone.

"A word to the wise," you leave her with parting words. "I'm not the first one Dave's cheated on you with. Odds are I won't be the last."

You leave your house key on the table in the front hall. On your way outside in the crisp morning air you feel inexplicably lighter. Grabbing your phone you text Dave one last time:

Mutally assured destruction 🖤

Getting back into your Lyft you glance back at the house and see the girls there, Alice and Molly, their faces pressed to the window like car window cling toys. You don't wave to them, even when they're trying to get your attention. You can't save them anymore than they can save you.

He destroyed your family, and now you're returning the favor.

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dividers by @firefly-graphics & @saradika-graphics

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chapter two: the weirdo on maple street

an: chapter two!! i am flying with these first couple chapters just because i'm so excited about it. please please please do not expect this from future chapters, i am 100% bound to crash at some point. enjoy this chapter! it's pretty fun.

wc: 4.2k

general cws, not necessarily all in this chapter: drinking, alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, cancer, hopper being kind of a deadbeat, usual canon violence.

masterlist (incl. series)

Your father didn’t get home until long after you had gone to bed, out with Will’s search party. You hadn’t bothered showing up at the meeting point. Hopper had said all he had to say back at the school, and you could see the argument that would ensue in front of half of Hawkins, so you drove home, building up an urge to do something and a nervous energy that nothing was quelling. 

The door slammed behind you as you got in. You stormed through the kitchen and the junkyard you called a living room before chucking your backpack at the floor and collapsing on your bed. You stared at the ceiling for an eternal few seconds until your limbs were jumping and your entire body itched, and you jumped to your feet to pace around the room. 

Slamming your way back through the house, you started pulling ingredients down from shelves with force that the box of sugar probably didn’t deserve. You think you blacked out for a few hours, because by the time your breathing was at a normal pace again, you’d baked six batches of muffins (a miraculous feat, considering the piece of shit kitchen you were working with),your calc homework for the next two weeks was done, and your bedroom looked like a tornado had run through it. 

But staring at the trays of muffins, you still had to do something. So you cleaned the house. Your father arrived home to muffins covering the counters, the entire trailer spotless, and you, absolutely crashed out in your bed with wet hair, holding your sister’s old teddy bear. You’d never had a more productive afternoon in your life.

You wake up feeling like your stomach is eating itself alive, and you realize that the one thing you forgot to do last night was eat dinner. You can’t fathom the thought of getting up, so you lay still for a few more minutes. You love your room, with your quilted bed, rugs overlapping on the floor over hardwood that would give you splinters, your bulletin board with pictures of your mom and Sarah, and your Dad. A picture Carol took of you, Steve, and Tina. A photo of Carol and Tommy, and a photo of Dustin, Lucas, and Erica from the first day of school that their moms gave you. You hold Cara a little bit tighter. 

You remember when the nurse gave her to your sister. You got one too, also named Cara. She handed them to you in your hospital beds, told you that she got them to remind you that they care-a-bout you. At four years old, you and Sarah thought it was the funniest thing in the world. 

You close your eyes tight, then force them open. You pull the blanket back, like a robot, and roll yourself upright, pulling the curtains open. Your trailer is pretty far from the rest of the park, but you can see Eddie Munson coming back from taking out the trash, and Mrs. Kim realizing that the storm last night meant all her clothes were still soaking wet. Her son left for college last year, and you’re getting a little worried about her ability to live on her own. 

You brush your teeth and tie your hair back before trudging your way out for breakfast, only to be met with the results of your frenzy from last night. The counter is still covered with muffins, minus the couple your Dad is actively chowing down on. 

“These are great,” he says, mouth full of food, raising a muffin in your direction. 

“Sale on pumpkins after Halloween,” you shrug. You pass him entering the kitchen, and pull out a container to start piling muffins into. 

“Hey!” He barks, in his very Jim Hopper way. “Where are you taking them?” 

“You do not need to eat six batches of muffins, Dad,” you say, continuing to box them up. He scoffs, offended. “I’m going to take some to school, and then to Steve’s tonight.” You really hope he just glosses over that last bit. 

Unfortunately, you hear him try to speak up, but there’s too much pumpkin muffin in his mouth to be at all intelligible. He sounds alarmed. For fuck’s sake. 

“Dad. I told you I had a thing tonight. I’m going, I’ve been planning on it for, like, a week.”

“Yeah, and I said you could go before a kid when missing, Y/N.” He’s raising his voice.

“I’m not stupid, Dad! I’m not going traipsing around town in the middle of the night! I’m going to Steve’s, for God’s sake.”   

“And I already don’t like that idea,” he says gruffly.

“Dad, we’ve been friends since we were six, you need to get over this. He literally has a girlfriend, anyway.” 

“And what about that Hagan kid?” he retorts. “I’ve had about six complaints about him in a month.” 

“Also has a girlfriend. I’m driving Tina, Dad, I can’t just bail.” 

“Well, she shouldn’t be going either!” he’s yelling. He’s always been this way with the idea that you might possibly, ever in your life, go on a date or hang out with boys. Naturally, you avoid this by never telling him, but he has got to get over this thing with Steve. It’s been nine years.

“For fuck’s sake,” you mutter. He ignores it. 

“Yeah, you’ll be thanking me when you don’t end up dead in a ditch,” he says angrily, grabbing his hat and jacket and storming out the door. 

“Well I guess we’ll never know, because I won’t have the opportunity!” you shout as it shuts behind him. Jesus Christ. You were really hoping you weren’t going to have to sneak out. 

It takes almost forty five minutes for you to pick out your outfit for the day. Fall is always when your fashion is at its best, and it comes at the cost of sifting through a gigantic collection of second-hand sweaters your mom sent you from the city every morning. Finally, you clasp your earrings, grab your muffin containers, and head out the door, keys in your mouth and backpack on one shoulder. You sigh in relief as you drop them in the passenger seat, before swinging around to the other side and starting up your car, which always takes a few minutes. 

You’re halfway to school when you have the idea to drop some at the Byers’ place. You certainly have enough. You pull a probably-illegal u-turn in the middle of the road, and head to the other side of town. 

As you pull into their driveway, you nearly slam your head on the wheel as you see the chief’s car, i.e. your dad’s car, in front of the house. Whatever. You’re just going to have to suck it up, as little as you want to see him again this morning. 

But as you walk up to the house, raised voices slow your approach. 

“No, it was him, it was Will,” Joyce’s distressed voice says. “And he was scared. And then something—”

“It was probably just a prank call. It was somebody trying to scare you,” your father interrupts, and your eyes go wide as you listen, standing on the porch. Is he serious?

“Who would do that?” Jonathan asks. Has he met the people who live in this town?

“Well, this thing’s been on the TV.” Hopper says. It has? You must have missed it in your cleaning coma last night. “It brings out all the crazies, you know. False leads, prank calls, uh…”

“No, Hopper, it was not a prank. It was him,” Joyce says, with a mixture of desperation and determination to convince your father.

“Joyce.” 

“Come on, how about a little trust here?” She shouts. “What, you think that I’m making this up?”

“I’m not saying that you’re making it up. All I’m saying is, it’s an emotional time for you.” He cannot be serious.

“And you think I don’t know my own son’s breathing? Wouldn’t you know your own daughter’s?” Oh. 

Oh.

That hits you like a bat to the chest. Because, no, you don’t know that he would. And you don’t know if she even means you. You know she knows about Sarah, the whole of Hawkins does. You’re too used to people acting like Sarah was your parents’ only daughter, that she was all they had before she died, and it’s infuriating. She wasn’t their only daughter. She was your only sister. 

The silence that follows is loud, and you decide you don’t want to hear any more. Knocking lightly, you push the door open and shuffle in. You don’t see your father around the corner, just Jonathan and Joyce standing together, Joyce with her face in her hands. 

“Um… hey,” you say, your voice small. “I brought… I brought you guys some muffins. Figured you might not have eaten… or something. I’ll just… leave them here.” 

You place them on the coffee table. Joyce is sniffling with her face covered, but Jonathan comes and meets you halfway. 

“I can… I can grab those.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Uh… no, thank you.” He takes the container and nods awkwardly. “I’ll… um, wash this and give it to your dad… or something.” 

“Yeah, no, take your time,” you don’t meet his eyes. 

“I’m sure he would,” he whispers, so your parents don’t hear. You give him a confused look. 

“Recognize… um…”

“Oh. Yeah. Thanks.” You’re desperate to get out of here. You give an awkward wave, and head back out the door, not addressing your father.

On the car ride to school, you can’t not think about Jonathan’s words. Why on earth would he say that? He doesn’t know you, or your Dad. You know he was trying to be nice, but what the hell does he know about Jim Hopper? It’s playing over and over through your head as you walk into school. Who the hell is Jonathan Byers?

But you’re reminded of your Dad’s fit this morning as you approach your friends. 

“Ugh. Problem tonight,” you drag. “My Dad is freaking out, and I can’t drive over anymore. Unless he knocks himself out early, which I would love to count on, but can’t promise.” 

Tommy dives into your muffins, making a gigantic mess that leaves you and Tina giving him a disgusted look.

“Oh, fuck,” Tina complains. I was so looking forward to it.” 

“We can pick you up,” Tommy says, gesturing between himself and Carol, “but I can’t promise you’ll have a ride back.” He smirks disgustingly. Disgusting really is the best word to describe Tommy Hagan in most situations. 

“Ugh. I’ll see if my sister can drive us,” Tina says as you share a worried look for yourselves. The last thing the both of you want is to be sitting downstairs while Tommy and Carol have sex for hours in Steve Harrington’s parents bed. 

There’s a moment of silence, interspersed only with the loud chewing of Tommy on a muffin. “Oh my god,” you say. “Why didn’t I think of this already? I’ll just stay at your place, T. I’ll bring my car and we can go. I’ll tell my Dad we were working on a project super late, and I’m “scared to drive home”.” 

“Oooooooooh,” Tommy and Carol wiggle their fingers. 

“Thank god,” Steve interrupts them, shoving Tommy from the back of the head and turning to you and Tina. “I cannot do this with just them.” 

“Scared, Stevie?” Tina teases him. 

“Yeah, Harrington’s losing his virginity tonight,” Tommy chortles. You’re so glad he makes himself laugh, you think. He really needs someone to acknowledge the things he says.

“Oh, shut up,” Steve scowls. “Your mom knows that was a while ago.”

Wow, Tina gives you a look. Our friends are so witty.

“Speak of the devil,” Carol says as Nancy and Barb head down the hallway, flashcards in hand. Steve jumps up from his spot on the benches where you make yourselves at home (which is conveniently located under the trophy case, which his name is all over). 

The rest of you follow him over, you and Tina giving each other looks as you go.

Steve snatches the flashcards out of Barb’s hands, and she trails off on her question about molecules. “Hey!” 

“I don’t know, I think you’ve studied enough, Nance.” 

“Steve—” she protests.

“I’m telling you, you know, you got this.” He ignores the annoyed look in her eyes. “Don’t worry. Now, on to more important matters.” He clasps the flashcards, drumming his fingers on them as he talks before pocketing them. “My dad has gone out of town for a conference, and my mom’s gone with him, ‘cause, you know, she doesn’t trust him.” 

You laugh as Tommy says, “Good call.” Steve’s Dad is the biggest douchebag you’ve ever met, and considering Tommy, that’s really saying something. Credit where credit’s due, even if it is the bare minimum, he’s never cheated on Carol. Steve almost laughs too as he looks over at him.

“So, are you in?” 

“In… for what?” Nancy looks genuinely lost. You would be too. Steve uses a lot of words to say very little. 

“No parents? Big house?” Carol looks at her expectantly. 

“A party?” 

“Ding ding ding.” Tina hits her, and you hit Tommy as he laughs at Nancy. 

“It’s… Tuesday.” 

“It’s Tuesday,” Tommy mocks. “Oh my god,” he and Carol are both laughing.

“Dude,” you roll your eyes, making eye contact with Tina. Such a dick, you mouth. 

“Come on,” Steve persists. “It’ll be low key, it’ll just be us. Are you in, or are you out?”

“Um…” Nancy’s thought is interrupted by Carol. 

“Oh God. Look.” You turn your head to where she’s staring. Jonathan. 

“Oh, God, that’s depressing.”

“Steve.” you glare at him. Cut it out. 

“Should we say something?” Nancy asks. You feel bad for him, but you are one hundred percent out after the disaster that was this morning. 

“I don’t think he speaks,” Carol smirks. 

“How much you wanna bet he killed him?” Tommy snickers. 

“Shut up,” Steve shoves his chest. Your eyes widen again, as if you cannot believe what you are hearing from him right now, but Tina’s laugh slips out, and you give her a pointed look. Obviously none of you are exactly great people, but you’ve never known your best friend to be cruel. Steve bites his lip as Nancy watches Jonathan, his eyes following her as she walks over to him. 

You don’t hear their interaction, but if you had to guess, it seems about as awkward as yours. Tommy gives him a wave as he looks over at you. 

The bell goes, and Nancy heads back over to you and your friends. Steve and Tina split for their art class, and you walk awkwardly beside Barb and Nancy as Tommy throws his arm over Carol’s shoulder. 

“Attention, faculty and students,” your principal comes over the PA system. “At eight p.m. tonight, there will be an assembly on the football field in support of Will Byers and his family. All are encouraged to attend. Volunteer signups for search parties are available in the office.” 

You hear the door slam behind you as Jonathan heads back outside the building. 

“Where the hell are you, exactly?” Your dad is predictably furious when he answers the phone. 

“Tina’s,” you reply, exasperated. “We went to the thing at school for Will, and now we’re studying for chem.”

“Didn’t you just have a test today?” 

Fuck. How on earth does he manage to pay attention to the most inconvenient parts of your life? “Yeah, um. We’re working on a project. Doing some math homework too. I just… you know. Studying lumps it all together, didn’t think you wanted the details.”

You mime yourself losing your mind at Tina across her bedroom, who’s trying to hold her laughter in. Since kindergarten, she has found lying to Jim Hopper to be the funniest thing imaginable. For this reason, you’ve banished her to the opposite corner of the room until you hang up. You hope he can’t hear the wide smile in your voice. 

“Dad. Please, please chill. I’m just going to stay over here tonight, I don’t want to drive in the dark.” 

He looks across the trailer at the random woman that came home from the search with him, and decides that maybe it’s for the best that you aren’t here. “Fine. But you’re home by seven tomorrow night, no later.”

“Sounds great. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye, kid.” 

“Bye.” You drop the phone on the stand in relief. 

“Yes!” Tina shouts.

“Tina!” you shout back, laughing and dropping your voice to a whisper. “Your parents.” 

“You know they don’t care,” she grins.

“Ok, well, help me decide what to wear.” You pull out your two bikinis, although you know you want to wear the red one.

“Oh, come on,” Tina laughs at you. “First of all, it’s November—” 

“His pool is heated.”

“Oh, you’re so right.” She turns and starts digging through her closet. “Second of all,” she adds, her head deep in the monster of fabric that is her wardrobe, “don’t act like I don’t know exactly why you brought that one.”  

“Which one?” you ask, feigning innocence and not meeting her eyes. 

“The Phoebe Cates one?” 

“Shut up.” 

“Ha! I knew it.” 

“Come on, just because there are no hot single guys there doesn’t mean I don’t need male validation,” you smile at her. 

“You’re a terrible person,” she laughs at you.

“I know.” 

She pauses. “I’m totally bringing mine, too.” 

The drive over is full of trying to predict exactly how this night is going to go. 

“Okay. One hundred percent Tommy pushes Carol in the pool,” Tina says, doing mascara in the passenger seat. “Hey! Easy on the road, I’m doing eye makeup over here.”

“Take it up with the mayor, or something. Fucking potholes everywhere. But, yes obviously happening. We should get in ourselves before they get the chance. This sweater cannot get wet.” You’re wearing your orange striped zippered sweater under the massive Hawkins Police jacket you stole from your father. 

“You and your fucking sweaters,” Tina snorts. 

You pull in in front of Steve Harrington’s massive house, definitely not running over the grass. 

As you get out of the car, a shout comes from behind you. “When are you going to learn how to park?” Steve calls from his front door. You look back at your car, which is sitting diagonally half on his lawn and half on the gravel driveway. 

“Oh, shut up,” you narrow your eyes at him as you push past into the house. “Raise a Little Hell” by Trooper is playing on his fancy speakers. “Have you been standing here this entire time?” 

“No.”

“Yes!” Tommy calls from the back porch. “He has, it's completely and utterly lame.” 

“Wow! Big word there, Tommy!”

“Yeah, your mom taught it to me.” 

The doorbell rings, echoing through the house, and the speed at which Steve jumps up and runs to the front door has the four of you in the kitchen all snickering. 

“Hello, ladies,” you hear, and you turn your head to see him leaning on the door. You really have to try not to laugh at him. 

The scream actually hurts your ears. You and Tina are standing in the pool near the edge, gossiping and observing your friends until Tommy picks his girlfriend up and swings her over your heads. 

“Tommy!” you both shriek as Carol screams. 

“One!” He shouts, “Two! Three!” 

“Stop it Tommy! No! Don’t!” 

“You’re going to kill somebody!” You hit his ankles, and he finally puts her down as Steve comes back out from the house with his pocket knife. 

You watch as he shotguns it. That sweater really suits him. 

“Is that supposed to impress me?” Nancy smiles at him.

“Yes,” Tina laughs. 

“Definitely.” 

Steve puts his cigarette back between his lips. “You’re not?” 

“You are a cliché, you do realize that.” 

“You are a cliché,” he lights the cig. “What with your grades, and your band practice—” 

“I’m so not in band!” Nancy shakes her head.

“Okay, party girl. Why don’t you just, uh, show us how it’s done, then?” He tosses you and Tina drinks as well, and you grab your keys from the side of the pool, putting out your cig beside them. You see Barb roll her eyes, and Tina nudges you, smirking. 

“Don’t be so mean,” you whisper at her. 

“What? I don’t even get why she’s here.” Carol gives the two of you a look, like right? 

“You gotta make a little hole right in—”

“I got it,” Nancy brushes him off, and he raises his hands in surrender.

“Yeah, she’s smart, you douche,” Tommy chortles. He crushes his empty can against his head before tossing it at the ground. 

You push yourself up out of the pool to sit on the edge. Holy shit, it’s freezing. “Here, Nance, let’s do it together,” your teeth chatter. “Like right now, too, so I can get back in.” 

You cut the sides of your cans together and raise them to your lips. 

“Chug. Chug, chug,” Steve starts, and the others join. “Chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug, chug—” 

You drown them out as you finish your can before tossing it to the deck. Nancy’s done right after you, and she takes a bow. You laugh, meeting her eyes. You suddenly really hope that you can be really good friends with her. 

“Barb, you wanna try?”

The rest of you look about as surprised as Barb herself. “What? No. No, I don’t want to, thanks.”

“Come on,” Nancy pushes her.

“Yeah, come on, yeah!” 

“Nance, I don’t want too—” 

“It’s fun! Just give it a—” 

“Nance…” 

“Just…” she softens her voice. “Just give it a shot.” 

Barb takes the can and the knife from her, hesitantly standing up. She has an audience; Tommy and Carol look on, interested, and Nancy looks back at Steve to an apprehensive look as he raises his cig to his mouth. She struggles with the can for a second before it slips, and she cuts her hand. 

She gasps. “Gnarly,” Tommy laughs, and you hit his leg again. 

“Are you okay?” Nancy worries. 

“Yeah,” Barb shoots back, obviously annoyed. 

“Barb, you’re bleeding,” Nancy looks at her. Drops of blood hit the pool deck. 

“I’m fine,” she insists. “Where’s your bathroom?” She turns to Steve. 

“Oh! It’s… It’s uh, down past the kitchen, to the left.” 

“Okay, thanks.” 

“Do you want me to go with you?” You ask her, and she shakes her head without looking at you, walking back in the direction of the sliding glass doors. Nancy looks on, worried, as her best friend walks away and Steve points out the bathroom. Carol and Tommy are still laughing under their breath. 

Carol looks up at the sky, shaking her head and enjoying the moment as Barb goes inside. 

You see Tommy look her up and down, and before you have a chance to warn her he shoves her into the pool. She and Tina shriek as Tina ducks and Carol flies over her head. “Oh my god, what the hell, Tommy?” He drops his cig, grinning, and dives in after her. You jump back in with Tina, and begin to lose yourself in the splashing and screaming. Nancy laughs from the edge until Steve sneaks up behind her and pushes her in behind them, giving the most over the top jump in after her. Tommy and Carol kiss, you jump on Tina’s shoulders, and Steve grabs Nancy’s shoe and holds it away, teasing her. 

You’re so unbelievably happy, here with your friends. For the next hour, all your thoughts about Will and your father are totally out the window. 

“I’m freezing,” Carol shivers, wrapping herself in a towel in Steve’s living room. 

“Me too, holy shit,” you laugh and dry your hair. You and Tina are the only ones in swimsuits, and you’re looking at each other like thank god you brought them. The idea of trying to peel off soaking wet, cold clothes right now makes you shudder. 

“Hmm… well, I hear his mom’s room has a fireplace,” Tommy smirks. 

“Are you kidding?” Steve throws his hands up and you and Tina laugh. 

“Oh yeah?” Carol says, following him up the stairs. 

“Okay, well, you know, you are cleaning the sheets,” Steve calls after his friend and runs a hand through his hair. “You alright?” he turns to Nancy. 

“Yeah,” she smiles. 

“Yeah? Come on, let’s get you some dry clothes,” he leads her through the house. You and Tina pull on your clothes, finally something resembling not freezing, and grab your bags. 

You follow Nancy out to the front of the house, where she’s talking to Barb. 

“Nance!” her friend calls as she starts to head up the stairs. “Nancy. Where are you going?” 

“Nowhere! Just… upstairs.” Steve moves around her, back down to you and Tina. 

“Here, let me grab those for you.” He takes both of you out to your car while Nancy and Barb talk. You step outside, and you’re glad that for a second it’s just the three of you. You’re trying really, really hard to sort of back away from Steve, not do any of the things you’ve always done with him that might make her uncomfortable. But you think that a little bit, you might really miss him. 

As you fall asleep that night, next to Tina, you can’t keep him and that damn cigarette out of your head.

an: yay!!! chapter two!! i hope you enjoyed it. as always, any reblogs and other interactions are so highly appreciated, i love hearing what you think so so much whether in these comments or in my inbox! let me know if you would like to be added to this taglist <3

xoxo, thaliagracesgf

tags: @thisisourlovestory, @ladygrey03

[roping-riding-wrangling]

Bennie and the Jets

“Y/n” he says with that tone. The same tone he used to tell you that your family dog Tammy had been hit by a car. The same tone he used when your mother died.

“Dad, what's wrong?”

He pulls you to sit with him on the plastic chairs. 

“I got a call from the police. Benny, he…he was found dead this morning”

Your hand flies to your face. Your dad’s hand rubs comforting circles on your back as you try to catch your breath. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

Over and over you count to ten until you find your voice again, “What happened?”

Previous Part

summary: Y/n's day goes from bad to worse as she suffers caffeine withdrawals, finds out her boss is dead, and almost gets into a car accident.

Words: 3k

Warnings: Newby!reader, death, mentions of suicide, brief mention of dead dog, swearing, ANGST, reader ignoring her emotions™

Sleep has a firm grip on you in the early morning. After last night, you got home to find your dad already asleep. You hadn’t taken your uniform off before you crashed onto your bed. You dreamt of milkshakes and volleyballs and little girls with tattoos. The alarm wakes you violently, and violently you react. You smash the thing until it stops beeping, groaning when you hear it five minutes later. You shoot up and rip the chord from the wall, effectively silencing the machine. Already up, you figure that you might as well get ready for the day.

You go to make your pot of coffee, reaching for the jar where you keep the grinds. “Fuck” you softly whisper. In the chaos of yesterday, you forgot to get more coffee. You glance at your watch.

Fuck. 

There's not enough time to run to the store to get more coffee before practice. You leave a note for your dad and grab the last can of coke from the fridge, hoping it gives you enough energy to make it through the day.

The ride to school is quiet. The sun hasn’t quite risen, casting the town of Hawkins in an eerie gray light. The leaves are just starting to fall, some of them already barren. The heat in your truck hasn’t worked since last year and you can see your breath as you drive. The cold this morning is extra bitter. Sleep lingers in your eyes as you make the winding drive, forgoing the cassette to listen to the radio. You park as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. Standing outside your car, you let the light wash over your closed eyes for a minute, taking in the stillness. 

You’ve always preferred sunrises to sunsets. There’s something about the world coming out of darkness that calls to you. Everything is a little less hopeless in the daylight.

You feel someone’s eyes on you. Your gaze darts across the parking lot before landing on none other than Steve Harrington. He stares at you from a few cars down quizzically. You’re too tired to dignify his staring in any meaningful way, offering the smallest tilt of your lip in acknowledgement. You turn back to the sun, ignoring the way he continues to stare at you. 

You let yourself enjoy the last few seconds of sunrise before you go inside. 

––––

It turns out the coke was not enough to get you through the day. It’s fourth period when you feel your eyelids drooping. The pre-calc lesson is not nearly intriguing enough to warrant you staying awake. You’re roused from your almost-slumber by a gentle tap on your shoulder. Carol, a folded paper in her hand, gestures for you to pass the note to Hannah, who sits in front of you. The paper moves along, and for a minute you wonder if Carol even knows your name. 

She’s part of the popular crowd and you tell yourself that it doesn’t matter what she thinks of you. Then the thought hits you: does she even think of you at all. Do any of the popular kids even think about anyone but themselves? Are they so wrapped up in their own bubble that they can even perceive their peers?

As it turns out, normal kids can be perceived by the holier-than-thou popular kids. Next to your locker, Carol congregates with Tommy, Steve, and Nancy, who has seemingly joined their crew through her connection to Steve. It's hard not to overhear them as they gossip about Jonathan Byers.

The parking lot incident had long since been forgotten as you listen to Steve and Tommy joke about Will.

“I bet he killed him”

Their crude speculation brings a scowl to your face. How dare they speak about Jonathan like that when he’s clearly trying to find his brother. Anger pools in your stomach and you pull out your books faster, eager to avoid listening to this bullshit. Suddenly Nancy’s gentle voice pipes up, “Should we say something?”

You’re suddenly grateful that you’re facing your locker, as you’re sure the shock from hearing her defend him is written all over your face. You peak over your shoulder to see her approach Jonathan. You can’t hear the short discussion, but Jonathan purses his lips and nods at her. She walks back and you and Jonathan make eye contact. 

It’s heartbreaking how terrible he looks. He’s even more disheveled than normal, hair unbrushed, eyes puffy and sunken in. You give him a small nod and a look that you hope he reads as “I’m sorry and good luck”

He leaves. 

–––

Fifth period is just as brutal as the last. You had just nodded off for the third time when the secretary opens the classroom door. All eyes turn to her as she calls for you to join her in the hallway. 

The walk to the office is silent as you run through every scenario of why you would possibly be called up. The secretary opens the door for you to see your dad waiting for you. 

“Y/n” he says with that tone. The same tone he used to tell you that your family dog Tammy had been hit by a car. The same tone he used when your mother died.

“Dad, what's wrong?”

He pulls you to sit with him on the plastic chairs. 

“I got a call from the police. Benny, he…he was found dead this morning”

Your hand flies to your face. Your dad’s hand rubs comforting circles on your back as you try to catch your breath. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

Over and over you count to ten until you find your voice again, “what happened?”

“Buddy, I don’t think-”

“Dad, what happened”

“He shot himself”

“Oh”

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

One, two, three, fo–

“Buddy, the police want to talk to you, ask you a couple questions about Benny. I’m gonna take you down to the station. When we’re done we can go home.”

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

“Ok”

You walk to your locker to collect your things in a daze. It continues all the way to the station and your dad has to stop you from walking into a wall. If you weren’t in such a state of shock, you probably would’ve laughed. 

An officer whose name you immediately forget takes down your information and you lose count of how many sets of ten you’ve collected. Finally, Chief Hopper sits in front of you and introduces himself. 

“Jim Hopper”

“Y/n Newby”

“y/n, you were the last person to see Benny. Did you notice anything odd about his behavior?”

“Um, no he seemed fine–normal. But, I wasn’t the last person.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was a little kid that broke in last night, a runaway.”

“We heard about the kid, did you get a good look? Did he look like this?”

He produces a missing kid poster, Will’s picture on the front. The nausea returns to your body.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

“No, uh, that's Will Byers. I know Will and I didn’t recognize this kid. We called social services. They were supposed to come this morning.”

“So there’s a chance this kid’s running around too?”

The thought of the little girl from yesterday being on her own again terrifies you. You count two more sets of ten before another officer pipes up, clearly not reading the room, “Huh chief, what’re the chances of two missing kid cases in the same 24 hours–in Hawkins!”

You see a spark of connection flash on the chief’s face, a look you can understand. You’re pretty sure you’ve connected the same dots he has: Will, the little girl, and Benny’s death are all intertwined. 

–––

The bedroom feels tiny yet giant all at once. The popcorn ceiling seems to dance in front of you–probably because you’ve been staring at it for the past few hours. No matter how you try and put the pieces together, none of them fit. Any way you looked at it, it didn’t make sense. The big question underlying everything was Why? 

After what felt like another hour of staring at the ceiling, you had a horrible realization. You never got the coffee. Laughter bubbles out of you uncontrollably. You trap the laughter behind your hands, horrified at the humor of the situation–and at yourself for getting lost in it. God, what a mess this whole day has turned out to be. 

Turning over, your clock displays the time– 4:52 pm. Your dad is still at work. He had stayed with you for an hour before going back, letting you know he’d be back later than normal. He had to be at the store to meet with someone or receive a shipment or something–honestly, you weren’t really listening. You didn’t protest, just gave him a hug and told him you were fine. 

You grab your bag and head outside but your truck is nowhere to be found. That's right, you remember, dad drove you home, which means your truck is still at the high school. As you contemplate how long the walk to the school is going to take, Mrs. Henderson leaves her door, calling out your name before walking over, a sad smile on her face. Clearly, news travels fast.

“Oh, Y/n, I was just coming over to check on you. How’re you holding up? Your dad told me what happened.”

You glance down at your converse and shift from foot to foot. “Um I’m ok, all things considered. I was about to head to the store.”

“Why don’t you let me drive you? I’ve been meaning to pick up a few things too,” she’s clearly trying to be subtle but you doubt she’s going to let you go alone.

“Uh sure,” you answer, not wanting to be rude.

Sitting in her car isn’t as uncomfortable as you thought it’d be. Mrs. Henderson pointedly doesn’t ask about Benny, but does make small talk. 

“How’s volleyball going? Your dad was telling me you made varsity this year? Congratulations!”

“Oh yeah, its pretty good. Coach has us doing morning practices every other day. Getting ready for the first game in a few weeks.”

“Ooh are you excited? It must be nerve wracking to be so close to game day”

You shrug your shoulders.

“I guess, but I’m not that worried. Our first game is against Cuark High, and they're not that intimidating.”

Mrs Henderson hummed in acknowledgement. The radio played a beach boys song so softly the words were incomprehensible. She tended to listen to older music, you noticed. Soft tunes that crooned of love and hope were always the soundtrack of the Henderson home. You appreciated the way Ms. Henderson emphasized comfort throughout her life. 

When the Hendersons first moved in next to you, your father had insisted that you offer your help. After a full day of unloading furniture and unpacking boxes, Mrs. Henderson had cooked you a hearty meal. Dustin was just 9 years old and had stared at you with wide eyes as you ate. As you helped Mrs. Henderson clean the dishes, she’d told you that if you ever needed a woman to talk to, she was just a short walk away. 

The woman rambles gently about some mischief her cat got up to while you stare at the radio. It's a horrifyingly familiar piano riff. If there was ever a song you didn’t want to hear, it's this. Elton John’s unintelligible singing continues as it draws nearer to the chorus. You try to will the radio to combust as your hands ball into tighter and tighter fists. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Over and over you count until all you can focus on is the song in your ears and the numbers in your head.

“...Y/n? What's wrong?” Ms. Henderson's voice cuts through the ringing of ears and the song, which seems impossibly loud. 

“B-B-B-Bennie and the jets” Elton John's voice sings emphatically.

“Oh god!” Ms Henderson exclaims, quickly switching off the radio, “I’m so sorry sweetie, I didn’t even hear the song playing.”

The silence from the radio is welcome, but the ringing in your ears remains. 

As you pulled into the parking lot, you came out of your daze. 

“Y/n, sweetie, would you mind grabbing a cart?”

You silently grabbed a shopping cart from the line up, falling into step with her. 

“What's on your list?” Mrs. Henderson asked, pulling out a written list from her bag. 

“Uh, just coffee”

“Oh, thats it?” You shrugged. Your father had never been the shopping list type, preferring to just pick up whatever he needed on the way home. It was a trait you’d picked up as well. 

“Well, we can get that first then we’ll tackle my list.”

You trailed behind your neighbor with the cart, occasionally throwing in groceries that looked interesting or you figured you’d be running out of soon. A pack of coke, a bag of chips, and a carton of eggs soon joined your coffee grinds in the cart, surrounded by Mrs. Henderson’s haul. 

It was dark by the time you got out of the store, and you pulled your sweater arms up on your hands to protect them from the chilly air.

Her car warms you up quickly and you are reminded of your own car, “Mrs. Henderson,” you begin, “could you stop by the high school? My truck is still parked there.”

“Of course sweetie, don’t want you walking so early in the morning tomorrow!”

The drive to the school is fairly quiet until a thought pops into your head, “How’s Dustin holding up with the whole Will thing?”

A sad look crosses Mrs. Henderson’s face, “Honestly, I don’t know. He seems to be perfectly unaffected. I don’t know if he’s really optimistic or just putting on a brave face…he’s always been a resilient kid, but I can’t imagine how it’ll affect him if Will…” she shakes the worried look off her face, “I hope they find him soon.”

“Yeah, me too.”

She pulls her car next to yours and turns to face you. “Y/n, I know that you probably don’t want to talk about Benny right now. But I want you to know I’m here for you. If you need a shoulder, or another girls’ night, I’m just a walk away.”

“Oh,” you aren’t sure how to respond, “Thank you…I’ll keep that in mind.”

She pursed her lips, an emotion crossing her face that you couldn’t quite read.

“Anyways, thanks for the ride…it was nice. And make sure Dustin helps you carry in the groceries. I know you’ll probably try and make it in one trip.”

“Dustin’s actually at the Wheelers tonight, though he should be getting soon I suppose.” she replies, seemingly realizing the time

Driving your truck home, you immediately missed the warmth that Mrs. Henderson’s car offered. Alone with your thoughts, your mind began to wander as you drove. Considering all the odd things going on in town, you tried to piece them all together. Maybe Eleven and Will met and were on the run together, but why would Will run away? And on that note, Why had Eleven run? Did social services ever pick her up? How long after they showed up did Benny shoot himself? Did he even wait for it? Did Eleven have to witness it? 

You were so lost in thought that you almost didn’t see the other car parked on the side of the road. You have to use your whole body to turn the wheel enough to avoid hitting the car. Huh. It looks slightly familiar. Then it hits you. This is Jonathan’s car. You pull in front of it, hopping out the truck. Looking around, you see the caution tape and a pit grows in your stomach. 

“Jonathan!” you call out, trying no to let your voice quiver. “Jonathan! Where are you?”

Silence. 

You take a deep breath before breaching the treeline, still yelling his name. The empty branches shine silver in the moonlight. Leaves crunch beneath your feet as you carefully step through the woods. You stop for a minute to listen for any sort of response before continuing the trek. 

“Y/n?”

You whip around, Jonathan standing behind you, camera in hand

“What are you doing here?”

“Me? What are you doing here?” 

He stumbled over his words for a few seconds before clearing his throat, “I was trying to find evidence”

“Evidence of what?”

“I don't know, whatever I could find.”

“Jesus christ. Well, did you find anything?”

“Not really.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah me too…I heard about Benny.”

You purse your lips and look away. You wrap your arms around yourself, shivering. 

“Are you cold?” Jonathan asks, already tugging off his coat.

“Oh I’m fine, besides, now you’re gonna be cold” you shake your head in protest as he tries to hand you the coat. 

“I’ll be fine, besides I run hot.”

You hum in consideration. You are really cold and his jacket looks really warm compared to your hoodie. 

“Thanks”

You warm up almost instantly, pulling the coat further around yourself. 

You walk back to your cars in solemn silence. 

“Jonathan,” you say as you reach the edge of the woods, “I am really sorry about Will. He’s a good kid.”

Jonathan turns to you, eyes shining in the moonlight. He lets out a defeated sigh.

“Yeah he is…I need him to be okay.”

“He will be.” you rest a comforting hand on his shoulder and the boy surprises you with a bear hug. You hear him sniffle into your shoulder. 

It's a weird sensation, all in all, as Jonathan holds onto you. You’re not quite sure where to put your hands, and you struggle to support the sudden weight. 

“It’ll be ok, you’re ok”  you whisper to him, comforting him in his crisis. 

His breathing evens out and he steps away, pink faced. “Sorry about that.”

“It's okay, Jonathan. Sometimes you just need to let it out.”

He chuckles wetly, wiping his face. 

“See you at school tomorrow.”

You wave from your window, “See ya!”

Next Chapter

Tags:

@ucannotcompare

[anki-of-beleriand]

Bad Liar ch. 4

Summary: Life is about lessons, and Wanda has been learning some harsh facts that had define her life and taken her to a place in which she was given a second chance. Then, all of a sudden, she meets you, and she realizes why it's easier to lie to yourself than to accpet what's right in front of her.

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff/ Female!reader - America/Kate - Mentions of past Vision/Wanda - past Natasha/Reader - Some Female!Reader/Carol Danvers - past Shuri/Female!reader

Warnings: Slow burn - Enemies to friends to lovers - Mentions of abusive relationships - Toxic relationships - angst - drama - mentions of abuse - more tags as the story progress.

Author's note: In the midst of celebration R and Wanda cross paths once more, and this time around something changes, and after that nothing would be the same. Some clarifications, R parents died almost two years ago from the moment the story takes place, and her relationship with Shuri ended almost 8 months before meeting Wanda.

Thank you so much for reading, commenting, liking and reblogging the story guys! Remember that English is not my mother tongue, so forgive my grammar, spelling and funny mistakes.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18

Chapter 4

Shaky foundations

The sound of muffled conversation resounded in the empty balcony. 

The cold breeze of the night brushed away the pearly drops of sweat pouring from her face. The sweet freshness of the rainy air filled her lungs, while her heart tried to slow down the heavy beats against her chest. She clenched her eyes close trying to stop the world from spinning too fast, too unsteady under her. 

Laughter and music tried to deafen her, but the ringing inside her head made it impossible for the buzzing to kick her senses completely. Her trembling hands rested upon the stony rail, her knees buckled up under her weight and the sobs she was trying to hold back came forth with a defeated sigh. 

The night had started out pretty well. 

Natasha had lent her a beautiful dress that complemented the figure she forgot she had. Her hair had been put up into a ponytail, with light makeup and low heels, Wanda had entered into a world of glamour and power she had only witness under the shadow of Vision.

Wherever she looked, she would recognize people from the news and the magazines, the parents and contributors of a school that was destined to raise the future of the nation. 

There were no cameras, no press. 

It was only them enjoying a light evening in one of Tony Stark's convention centres. Natasha Romanoff had kept her promise to never leave Wanda's side, the woman took her by the hand around the room filled with people eager to meet the new English teacher. By now, Wanda realised that her students had not been afraid to talk about her, and her name was in the lips of many proud parents that praised her work with their offspring while promising money, status… Power.

It was too much, too soon. 

The last time she  had been under so much scrutiny Vis had taken her back home with an anger and hatred Wanda would not forget any time soon. She still had the scars on her back, the souvenir of a man that had claimed property on her by any means possible. 

You are nothing more than a common whore, fucking disgusting I have to throw up everytime I have to touch you… The only good thing about you, it's what you have between your legs. 

Wanda shivered under the memory of that particular night. The scars on her back burnt with the remembrance. 

"You are safe." Natasha had noticed her distress as soon as it happened, Wanda had grabbed the hand of the older woman taking into the comfort of her sympathy. 

"Now, lift that chin up and let's meet with the real people of money around here." Natasha winked at Wanda leading the young woman down the hall towards the main table. 

Up until that moment, Wanda had not met with any of the school board members in full. But as they approached the table, Wanda realised she was about to have her world turned around by the people shooting at her curious glances. 

"Romanoff, as always, your taste in women is impeccable." A dark haired man declared, his smile bright and full of mischief with dark glasses and a flirty attitude, Wanda recognized Tony Stark almost instantly. 

"Shut it, Tony." Natasha shook her head, and while the gesture seemed familiar and teasing, Tony could see the warning glint in Natasha's eyes. "This is Wanda Maximoff, the new teacher for the Special Class."

"Mr. Stark, it's an honour…" Wanda stretched her hand clumsily, her cheeks burning red when the man lowered his shades to lock eyes with her. 

"If what Romanoff says about you is the truth then, the pleasure is all mine…" Tony stretched his left arm showing the rest of the people at the table, there were three empty spots, and soon he lifted a single eyebrow at Wanda. "Please, Mrs. Maximoff, we were waiting for you."

"And, Y/N…" A woman with light brown hair said smiling at Wanda. "But she must be fighting with her sister over the phone."

"As always." Natasha rolled her eyes pointing with her hand to the woman. "Please, meet the only woman that can put up with Tony, Pepper Potts."

"I resent that!" 

Wanda soon found herself meeting everyone at the table and being part of a group she never thought would be this… Amicable to her. Sitting right beside Tony and Pepper was Loki's older brother and guardian Thor Odinson and his wife Sif. Then, there was Steve and Bucky, the legal guardians of the Captain of the football team Sam Wilson. To the other end of the table was Clint Barton and his wife Laura, who were in charge of the exchange students program and then there was Kate's mother, Eleanor was the CEO of one of the most important security businesses in the nation. 

Wanda had been overwhelmed by the full presentation, and she had tried to hide her awkwardness behind a tentative smile and stumbled words. Everyone was kind, commenting on Wanda's best traits while directing the conversation to general matters that the redhead thanked silently. 

Finally, Wanda sat just beside Natasha with an empty spot by her side, she furrowed her brows glancing at the blond-haired woman sitting on the other chair. 

"Finally but not least, that's Carol Danvers, Y/N's companion." Natasha stated, Carol tilted her head stretching her hand to greet Wanda. 

"A pleasure to finally meet someone normal amongst this lot." Carol said, winking at Wanda. 

For some reason, Wanda smiled at the comment looking around the table then at the empty spot. Carol waved her hand while pointing with her head to the other side of the room. 

" Y/N is the one with money, not me." Carol returned her attention to the table, everyone was already engaged in conversation waving the two women alone. "And, this is my first event, just like you."

"Good, I was afraid this could be too awkward for me to suffer alone."

Carol let out a soft laughter, Wanda relaxed a little, finally finding her confidence as she engaged the other woman in small talk. 

Everything seemed to be going well, Wanda was finally finding a spot in between her awkwardness with which she would work while trying to enjoy the evening until a familiar voice broke her bubble of happiness all of a sudden. 

"I swear to God my sister is impossible to deal with when she is around your brother, Thor." You came in putting your mobile away while dropping on the chair, you furrowed your brows turning to the gaping woman glancing at you with disbelief, anger and uncertainty all in a single glance of emerald green. 

" You!" Wanda finally sputtered, you raised a single eyebrow tilting your head to see Natasha highly shocked at Wanda's reaction. 

"Me. Yes, as far as I know, Princess." You replied mockingly, Wanda clenched her jaw jumping startled when Natasha leaned over. 

"Do you know Y/N?" 

"Know?" Wanda turned to Natasha with a hint of disbelief tainting her voice. "Do you remember the… The…the bi… The rude woman I met on my first day here?" 

You leaned back on your chair watching with growing amusement the red-head's reaction to your presence. Everyone had their eyes on the both of you, Carol sneaked her hand under the table placing a hand on your thigh while cocking her head with curiosity. 

"I do…" Natasha trailed off before shooting you an annoyed glance. "It was you?!" 

"It was me what, Tasha?" 

"You were being a bitch to Wanda on her first day here!" 

Wanda opened her eyes wide at Natasha's words, her cheeks colouring red as now the attention of all the presents at the table were on her. You made a face while taking a glass of wine while shrugging. 

"I wasn't being a bitch, she just couldn't take it that I was faster and smarter than her." You replied tilting your head to the redhead. "Really? You have been complaining about that?" 

"It's not… I didn't…" Wanda scoffed at you, obviously affronted to be this close to you. "God, who are you anyway?" 

Natasha winced at the question, everyone turned their attention to you but all of a sudden you were very busy playing with the red beverage on your glass. 

"Wanda, let me introduce you to Y/N Y/L/N, who recently became the head of Alchemax Corp." The introduction was quite simple, but Wanda just as everybody else on the planet had heard the story of such a company. 

She kept her eyes on you, though it looked as if you were unfazed by such revelation. Money was certainly something you didn't lack, but by the time Wanda met you it wasn't something you reek of. For a brief moment, everyone was pretty silent, and you growled rolling your eyes while shrugging while drinking your wine in a single sip. 

"Right, nice to meet you, Princess." 

Carol furrowed her brows at the nickname, while Wanda turned away flustered without knowing how to react. 

In the end, she went for the most familiar emotion she related to you. Anger. 

"Not my pleasure, unfortunately."

"Woah, you really make up for good first impressions, Y/N." Tony chuckled, lifting his glass to you before turning to Wanda. "She is not very nice when you know her at first but, after a while, she warms up to you, right Romanoff?" 

"Shut up, Tony!" 

You disconnected yourself from the conversation soon after, the tension between you and Wanda was still quite palpable for you, but it seemed for everyone around the room it was a thing of the past. The hand on your leg drew circles, trying to help you reach a comfort you didn't feel. 

"So, besides fighting over food at the supermarket, and crashing your car against your neighbour's, you're into teaching teens, Princess?"  You asked after a while, everyone at the table was either busy eating or had left to go around the room and socialised. 

Wanda blinked a couple of times, her attention drifted from the plate in front of her to you. The infuriating smile dancing on your lips made her blood boil, Wanda scoffed leaning back while looking around for some back up.

She was alone, though. 

Tony had dragged Natasha away with him, and Wanda was left alone with you to her left and a pretty boisterous Thor to her right. You tapped the table with your fingertips, your gaze travelling down the features of the young woman sitting beside you. 

You had noticed her beauty before, but right now she was looking stunningly beautiful. There was a light of innocence on her that made her cute, it made your heart flutter with something akin to attraction and the mere thought scared you a little. 

"I am a teacher, yes." Wanda finally gave in, the fork in her hand putting away some of the food she would not consume that night. 

"I see." You whistled impressed, the glint of teasing in your eyes warning Wanda your next comment would be a stupid one. 

"Smart, even though you're an awful driver." You chuckled, lifting your hands in a sign of peace at her enraged expression. 

"You…" Wanda took a deep breath trying to control her anger, now that she knew who you were she would need to measure her words. You could see her effort to keep her tongue controlled and a part of you hated it. 

"Why are you so…infuriating?" 

The question came with a tired huff, the redhead woman didn't even dare to look at you but instead of waiting for an answer she just stood up and walked away leaving you with an empty mind and a yearning heart. 

"Hey, did you know Hope is here?" Carol sat to your side, her hand placing itself in your thigh. 

Your eyes popped open, turning your head you went to look around for the woman before settling your eyes on Carol who was giggling at your reaction. 

"I mean, here in the country and the city, silly not here-here." 

"Oh, no, I didn't know…" you mumbled, frowning a little. "She didn't call me…I mean, not that she needed to is just…" 

Carol softened her features, placing a comforting hand on you. She leaned in to place a kiss on your cheek while her hand played with your hair. 

"I'm sorry, I thought you guys were talking again."

You offered a terse smile, the air around heavy and hot. 

"I think it's complicated." You tried to cut off with the topic, but Carol would have none of it. She knew your friendship with Hope was something you had treasure from an early age, but things had gone out of hand after your last relationship. 

Carol frowned, taking a sip from her beverage before speaking. 

"I thought that after everything was cleared up, she would side with you instead of being a bitch about it."

The world came to a stop, Carol knew she had made a mistake the moment her clear eyes fell on you. Your hand had grabbed the glass of wine tightly, the memories assaulting your senses. 

"Things have not been the same since Shuri, I wasn't her only friend… And for Hope it was harder to understand the whole situation." The name of your ex-girlfriend rolled out of your lips with the same pained expression it usually did. 

"She is not being a bitch she just…she doesn't need to lose her two oldest friends for something like this."

It was enough to make Carol stop, your body tensed completely and the moment was broken. Carol pursed her lips leaning back to fix her position on the chair, the warmth in her eyes turned to pure cold and you knew you had broken an unspoken rule between the both of you. 

"Y/N…" Carol started but you stood up. 

"I think I'm going for a drink." You finally mumbled leaving the table behind, Carol staying there her eyes glancing regretfully at you glass full of wine. 

______________________________________________________________

Wanda was not sure how she ended up in her current predicament, what she did know was that her heart rate had increased exponentially and her body was sweating profusely at her current situation. 

The man standing before her was huge, with big muscle arms and an imposing figure. His eyes were black, and while his smile appeared to be kind there was a strange tension around her eyes that made people doubt his intentions. Simon Williams had set his eyes on the new teacher the moment she crossed the threshold of Stark's convention centre by the arm of Natasha. 

The woman didn't look gay, mostly shy. 

Which was perfect for him, shy women were terrific in bed and usually easier to convince than regular ones.  After he finally got his chance at the redhead, he realised this one would be harder to crack. She was not only shy, but a bitch. Almost unresponsive, and kind of dull, Simon decided to go all in with his open flirtatious nature and his comments, he wanted to make it clear to the woman what he was looking for. And if that didn't work the way he wanted, he could always toss in the name of his father and see how this would ease the woman's attitude. 

Wanda from her part was trying to locate Natasha with her eyes, but so far she had failed miserably. No one had noticed her in this dimly lit corner, and she was certain the huge man was hiding away her frame and probably the expression of pure terror she was sporting at the moment. The young woman winced, her body froze completely while her eyesight went blurry when Simon placed his hand on her forearm, leaning in his hot breath filled with alcohol and hit her in the face. 

"So what do you say, Princess?" 

The nickname under his lips, with the suggestive tone and his deep guttural voice made Wanda shivered in fear. She felt trapped. And the only thing she could see at the moment was Vision hovering above her, punishing her for, once more, bringing the attention of a man. For being the whore he always thought she was. For Wanda the man in front of her didn't look that different from Vision, he had the same dangrrous vibe, the same threatening gestures. Wanda was scared, and didn't know how to get out of that situation.

"By the heavens, Simon, are you tormenting another poor soul with your breath and macho persona?" Your voice broke the fear Wanda was in, her heart leaped in hope when she saw you frowning at the scene. 

Simon Williams stepped back, his annoyance evident on his face and the mocking curve on his lips. 

"L/N."

You were unimpressed by his height, looking him up and down you then redirected your eyes to Wanda who was still frozen in the spot. You tilted your head noticing the sheer terror on her face, the eyes wide open and the rictus on her lips. Simon had not made note of this, of course, he was a brute that thought with his dick and not his brain. If he had one. 

"I thought you were with that dyke friend of yours, the blond one." Simon slurred mockingly. "She dumped you already?" 

You smirked, your eyes turning to ice while you started walking around the table, never leaving the eyes of the man in front of you. 

"You know what's the difference between you and me, Simon boy?" 

The man clenched his jaw, lifting his chin to send a defiant glance your way. Your tone never changed, but you had walked around until you were in between Simon and Wanda. 

"That I don't get dumped by black bitches?" 

You chuckled, a humourless laugh that was followed by a glance of pure amusement. 

"That your mother loves me more than she does you."

Wanda didn't know what happened, the only thing she knew was that soon a deafening crash was heard and the big man had launched at you with rage and unsteady footsteps. You had grabbed the red-haired woman dragging her to the side, and the man had tripped on a chair and landed on a marble table that ended up on the floor. 

Your hand had closed tightly around Wanda's wrist, and by the time Wanda was finally aware of what was happening panic rose to her throat and with a harsh slap she freed herself from your touch and ran away from the scene. 

Wanda put a hand on her mouth, tears fell freely on her face while she tried to grasp her sanity. She could only think of what had happened, of the mistakes she had made through her life… Of the slap that was going to get her fired.. 

She had her eyes closed, breathing was getting harder and harder, the sobs strangled in her throat. She gasped when two hands placed tenderly in her shoulders, she had expected to see Natasha not you. 

"Stop it." You spoke calmly, softening your features without losing your firmness. 

Wanda tried to breathe, but it was getting difficult and the tears full of memories were not helping her case. 

Wanda tried to calm herself, but it was almost impossible. Then, your arms wrapped around her and the woman started crying non-stop until she almost fell to the floor. You held her steadily in your arms, the sound of the party going on inside the room was not enough to quiet Wanda's cries. 

The moon was already igniting the skies, the light rain falling on the ground and while the night was completely cold you could only feel the warm body against yours. The trembling of the thin frame, while her tears covered your blouse and her hands held onto you as if there was nobody.

Whatever story was behind those tears, whatever story was behind those green eyes you wished there was something you could do at the moment. That there were words that could stop her suffering, but there was nothing you could do.

While the party continued right outside the balcony, you held onto Wanda offering the only comfort you could at that moment. Your arms and a protective embrace against the cold and rainy night.

______________

Carol stood right in front of you with her lips pressed together, and her hand grabbing the small purse she had taking with her. The idea of a perfect, romantic night with you went to hell the moment you two discussed at the table but she thought the night was young and she would get the opportunity to redeem herself.

Now that your car had an unsuspected guest waiting for you to go in, Carol was sure trying to get to talk to you was going to be more difficult than before. You stood in front of her, scratching the back of your neck in the same nervous way you did whenever you felt lost. Carol nodded turning away before her whole face changed and she offered you her best smile.

“I understand.” Carol let out a breathy laugh, her hand brushing away her hair before she stepped closer to you, you grabbed her hand putting her closer.

You tried to hold back your expression, there was just something wrong about the situation.

“I…I will make it up to you, Carol.” When you put her closer, and your lips brushed against hers it made you trembled. “Call you later? Perhaps, we can go out tomorrow…or you can come over and have some lunch with me and America?”

The words were out of your mouth before you could stop them, Carol seemed pleasantly surprised at this and soon she was kissing you with more passion. You smiled through the kiss stepping back, Carol blushed lightly licking her lips while nodding.

“Yeah, I would like that.”

“Good then, talk to you later.” You stepped back finally turning around going to the car, Carol’s voice stopped you just before you went in.

“Be careful.”

Carol wanted to add something else, but she refrained herself waving at you. With a last gesture, you went into the car and soon you found yourself driving down the streets towards Wanda’s house. The woman was sitting right beside you, her head on the window and her hands wriggling together nervously; you were tempted to say something, anything at all, but Wanda had not talked since the incident in the room and her breaking down in the balcony.

The car ride was very silent, the tarnish windows didn’t allow for a good sightseeing in the city but Wanda didn’t care. She was just trying to forget what had happened, how stupid she had been for breaking down and for letting a stranger get to her the way he did. How would she take care of her children if she couldn’t even face some stranger? How would she change her own life if she was still so afraid?

She was weak.

And Vision was right.

She couldn’t do any good without him by her side.

“I lost my parents to an accident.” Your voice broke Wanda from her thoughts, the woman jerked away turning to you before her eyes focused on the lane that was right in front of her home. You leaned back not even looking at her, your voice was flat, as if this story was something you weren’t especially thrilled to be sharing at the moment.

“I was young and…I have to take care of my sister, and then stop doing what I wanted to do because I’m the head of a big empire and…I am the only one that can…” You trailed off lifting your head while glancing at the roof of your car. “There is so much paperwork! God, I hated it, you know?”

You turned to Wanda; the woman was half listening to you not really understand where that conversation was going.

“I hate it.”

Wanda furrowed her brows, her arms wrapping around herself. Silence filled the loneliness inside the car, you shrugged, turning your attention back to the road. 

"There are things we can't change, I guess."

"We just had to live with them." Wanda mumbled in the end, you snorted, shrugging again. 

"I guess we have to."

Her eyes flickered tentatively to the side, then she finally faced you and there was nothing you could read on her face. She was looking different, though the fear was hiding behind the glistening tears in her eyes. 

"Thank you."

You smiled at her, nothing too friendly, just polite. The woman earned your sympathy that day, it was pretty obvious by the reaction she had that things had not been easy for her. Whatever happened in the past, Wanda was still a work in progress. 

Nothing else was said, and soon Wanda exited the car and went down her entrance directly to her home. 

You would sit in your car for a couple of minutes, before you realised that the redhead had been tormenting your thoughts since she left the car. By the time you were back home, your back against the door you couldn't stop thinking about the night. 

About Carol. 

About the incident. 

And most certainly, you couldn't stop thinking about Wanda and how you suddenly felt overprotective of the redhead. With these confusing emotions pouring out of your mind, you turned off the car and went home.  ______________________________________________________________

America stretched out, her mouth opened wide with a deep yawn while her eyes almost dropped with tiredness. She tried to get a glimpse of the piece of paper in front of her but was almost impossible to make out the words without seeing the blurry figures of the letters.

“I think we should call it a night.” Kate mumbled noticing Loki was already fast asleep right beside Kamala, the both of them were cuddling with Yelena taking pictures and giggling like mad.

America snorted nodding tiredly, her eyes soon drifted to the twins and Balder that were fast asleep on the sleeping bags she had fixed for them. Taking care of the boys had been quite easy, America was always surprised to see just how well-behaved the Maximoff twins were; she didn’t want to comment much about it, but she had also seen the look of fear in their eyes, the way they turned to the clock and the door whenever they heard a noise of a car driving by.

“You’re thinking of that again.” Kate leaned in, her hand placing softly on top of America’s one.

For a brief moment, America glanced at their hands while her cheeks burnt lightly. Kate leaned in resting her head on her shoulder, her eyes centring on the form of the twins before she lifted her face to America.

“I just…I can shale the feeing they really had it rough for a while.” America furrowed her brows, her heart beating hard when she felt Kate shifted closer to her. “You should see him on that first day, and Mrs. Maximoff is sometimes…just like them.”

“Well, my sister is keeping everything tight in her office, and I haven’t been able to get much of her.” Yelena slumped on the sofa; her eyes gleaming mischievously to the pair sitting at the other side of the room.

“I can try to do the investigation online.” America and Kate jumped startled; Loki was glancing at them with the same mischievous glance Yelena was shooting at them.

“I thought you were asleep!” America shifted on the chair, her sudden movement putting her away from Kate who couldn’t help but lower her gaze hurt.

Yelena sat watching as America stood up, she stretched before babbling away having some drinks before they could discuss the Wanda Maximoff situation in further detail. Kate crunched up her nose, rolling her eyes slightly annoyed by this.

“…And, if you think you can find something without getting caught…”

“Excuse me?” Loki straightened up rather offended. “Are you doubting my abilities?”

America rolled her eyes trying to evade Kate for a moment, “of course no. But I do think that if they found out about that…”

“We could get into a lot of trouble.”

Kate hated the passion with which America dealt with the situation, ever since the new teacher showed in their lives it was quite evident for everyone in the group that America was quite found of her. Kate knew it was stupid, but whenever America got something into her head she went all the way until she got answers; her passion was one of the things Kate loved the most about her.

“I guess, there is not escaping this then.” Kate mumbled offering a weak smile to America, the young woman opened her eyes quite shocked but happy.

“That’s the attitude, Kate Bear!” America wrapped her arms around the other woman, wriggling her eyebrows before letting go and walking to Loki.

“We could always go to her home and look for information.” Yelena chimed in playing with her phone.

“Why is it breaking in and some minor crime with you, Lena?”

“Excuse me? You’re the one hacking into private records.”

“I am not hacking into private records.” Loki retorted. “I will do it, but…”

The discussion went on and one, America sat near the window her eyes narrowing lightly at the sight of a car parked nearby. Kate sat beside her, chuckling at the discussion that had just woken up Kamla and Balder.

“You think this is stupid and that I shouldn’t mess around with this, right?” America could see Kate was not comfortable answering her question, but she didn’t need to it was obvious that Kate didn’t like the whole situation.

“I just think that you are thinking too much about Mrs. Maximoff, that’s all.” Kate shifted uncomfortably, her hand placing on the young woman’s knee.

America lowered her gaze for a moment then she just shrugged lightly.

“I just…I think there is something else, and the twins…” America lifted her face only to lock eyes with Kate. “I just think…”

“Here comes, America Chavez, the defender of the unfortunate and those who don’t have a voice.” Kate chuckled resting her head on the back of the sofa, her eyes taking in the soft features of the young woman sitting in front of her, on the bashful smile on her face.

“When you said it like that, sounds cheesy.”

“It is cheesy.” Kate shivered when America grabbed her hand leaning closer.

“I just have a gut feeling about this, you know? Kate, you should have seen the fear in those kids. I just want to make sure…”

Kate didn’t need to hear anymore about it, America had already made her mind and whether she liked Wanda or not, there was something she couldn’t take and that was a kid sad or suffering. America had been there, and that usually made her a sucker for helping people around her; and as always, Kate was there to help her up.

If she was to be honest, America was not sure as to why she was so adamant in finding more about her neighbour and teacher. There was just something inside her that told her it was necessary; it was the right thing to do; so she went with her instincts and decided to take a look into the case.

“I guess I can also help in the search, I know that Jack would be more than happy to help me out and we can see if there is anything to know about her.” Kate felt butterflies fluttering around her stomach at the sight of America’s smile; the brunette offered a shy smile before looking away to the street.

“Thank you, Kate. I know you don’t like this, but…maybe if I get my curiosity satiated it would be easier.” America furrowed her brow when her eyes fell on the form of your car, it was parked right next to your house. “Is that my sister?”

Kate had already noticed this, she leaned in pursing her lips while recognizing the plates.

“Looks that way, why is parked over there?”

The question went unanswered, at that moment Kate’s phone rang and America’s vibrated on the table. Wanda was letting America know she was home, while Jack was telling Kate they were ready to pick her and Yelena up.  Soon, Loki was also picking up his stuff while the conversation turned to the project and what they should do the next day.

You stayed inside your car for a moment, the night had been tiresome and confusing. The woman living next door was not leaving your mind, and all you could think off was how to forget the whole drama you certainly didn’t need.

Your phone vibrated, your eyes drifted to the screen to see the name of Carol and Natasha there. More than a couple of messages, and missing call from your sister. You sighed tilting your head until you were looking into the yellowish light coming from the house next door.

“You gonna stay there all night, or are you coming inside, doofus?” America rested her weight on the car, there was a light frown on her face but otherwise she was just looking tired and happy to see you there.

“I don’t know, are you guys making a ruckus like last time?” You exited the car chuckling when America winced at the memory.

“Nah, we were really studying and babysitting.” America put her jacket closer, her eyes went to your car then to the neighbours home, you turned your head focusing your attention back to your home.

“How did it go? Why are you here in the cold?”

“Well, I saw you get here but never get inside…everything good?” America placed a hand on your forearm, her concern stare pierced right through you knowing there wasn’t much you could hide from your sister.

“Yeah, I just…it was a strange night, you know?” You rested your weight against your car. “I’ve got into a fight with Simon Williams and then…well, Carol and I got into a discussion over Hope…”

“Whoa, quite the night…” America chuckled nodding towards the house. “I only stopped a couple of fights and tried to distract the kids from doing something stupid.”

“The twins and Balder?”

“Humph, Balder and Loki.” The both of you chuckled at this, America rubbed her hands glancing back at the house then at you.

“I’m going to take the twins to their home, Kate and Yelena are coming with me and Loki is waiting for Thor.”

You nodded pointing to your car, “need a ride?”

“Nope, they really do live next door, you know?” America observed with utter care your reaction, you tensed completely furrowing your brows while lifting your eyes the light next door.

“You mean…” You trailed off remembering the children crying in the car, and the fact your neighbour had mentioned the kids before. “Wait, that woman is your teacher?”

America rolled her eyes making a face, “well, duh, I thought you knew.”

“I didn’t.”

There was nothing else you could say, and soon you were remembering those brief encounters in which she mentioned her kids, in which you heard the cries from the children. And it was obvious you were overlooking something about the woman you had insulted and mocked ever since your crossed paths on that supermarket a couple of months ago.

The woman you had defended that night, and the one you had tried to comfort that night. The sound of our phone called your attention, the name on the screen made your heart jumped in anticipation. Carol Danvers.

America took a closer look at you, her lips pursed as you put the phone out ready to answer.

“Try to not take to long, and it is really cold tonight. Take a jacket and make sure the kids are wearing something warm.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

You nodded at your sister before picking up the phone, “hey, you, how did it go?”

America watched as you walked into the house, the door was left opened and the young woman stood there wondering…and then, all of a sudden…planning.

This ought to be interesting.

___________________________

There were only dark clouds with freezing winds disturbing the activity of the inhabitants of the city.

You wrapped the scarf tightly around your neck, your eyes lifting to the sky observing the gliding clouds right above your head. It had been almost a week since the party and the incident, and in all this time you could only think of was the woman living right next door.

It was ridiculous.

The woman was just someone quite easy to torment, and while she might be attractive she wasn’t that extraordinary. She was not that important. She was not even a friend or anything at all, she was just your neighbour, and the mother of the kids America couldn’t stop talking about.

God, if she had kids she was most probably straight as an arrow and might even had a lover boy around.

You jerked startled when a hand placed itself on your shoulder, standing right behind you wearing a black coat and a black beanie and liner gloves. There were bags under her eyes, but her smile was tentative and a little shy, behind her was her car and you could see the small heads of the twins through the window.

“Hey, I…” She started trailing off when you didn’t even react, just stood there watching at her with the same unreadable stare you had been sending her way whenever you two found yourselves on the lane. “I was wondering…”

There was a moment of silence in which you shifted one foot to the other, your lips curling lightly into an easy smile while there was a teasing glint in your eyes.

“Gonna talk anytime soon, Maximoff? I need to be somewhere else.” You observed as her cheeks burn lightly, she looked away before the warmness in her stare was replace by a familiar coldness of annoyance.

“I was just wondering if you were okay.” She said stepping back while turning to her car. “I see that you’re still the same jerk, so have a good day, Ms. Y/L/N.”

You watched the woman get into her car and leave without anything else left to say, you grabbed your keys cursing mentally at the fact your heart was beating so fast and all of a sudden you were back into high school talking to the most beautiful woman ever.

Really, Maximoff was not even that good looking, and the meek personality of hers was not attractive at all.

“Hey, you okay?” America frowned watching you from the passengers door, you turned sharply nodding.

“Yeah, why?” You asked approaching the car and getting inside, America sat beside you narrowing her eyes.

“I don’t know, you have been weird as of late. Anything you want to share with me?”

“Nope, nothing at all.” You sighed leaving the house with music blasting through the speakers. “Any plans for tomorrow, kiddo?”

America shrugged watching her phone, “Mrs. Maximoff asked me to babysit, and later I think I will meet with Kate, why?”

“Oh, okay I…” You trailed off biting your tongue before you could ask about the babysitter job. “I think I’m going over to Hope’s.”

Here America tore her attention from her mobile, she was highly shocked at your words and you could tell the young woman was dying to ask a hundredth questions. But she knew better.

“You really are going?”

“I figure…I figure we need to talk, right?” You shrugged looking at America out of the corner of your eyes. “Besides, I miss her, so I think it is time to patch things up with her.”

“I guess you’re right, and it will give you the chance to talk about whatever is up your ass.” America mumbled, you snorted shaking your head.

You loved America, but if you started telling her about your recent idiocy you wouldn’t hear the end of it. And, knowing America the way you did, you knew she would snoop around only to give you a chance to be out there and be happy again.

Snow started falling that same night.

The news broadcast the miracle of White Christmas as if it was something everyone should be grateful for. But in reality the only thing it did to you was bring sore memories of the accident in which you lost your parents. Life had been different two years ago, and everything had been brighter back then; now all there was for you were problems.

You lifted your gaze to the office building in front of you.

Hope Van Dyne had built her little practice off scratch as soon as she was out of her parent’s watchful eye. She was one of your oldest friends, and the person you had gone to when everything went to hell; right after your parents died and you had to take care of America she had been right by your side with Shuri but after what happened…

You sighed.

It had been almost a year since you had seen or talked to Hope, and you missed her. Finding out she was back in town was hard on you, and that Carol was the one telling you this was even harder. Pressing your lips together you left your car and went inside the building, with hope bubbling up your chest that this meeting would be different to the last one you had with her.

The office was empty.

It was warm inside, and the place was looking cozy with a coffee maker and some warm water at the ready for anyone that would come in. Your eyes lifted to the camera right at the corner, the small red light blinking on a corner that served as a bell to announce the arrival of new patients. You stepped inside looking around the sofas and the chairs, the space Hope had build in a couple of months she had been back into town.

“I thought you would never come.” Hope stood by the door of her office; her eyes softened when you finally turned to her. “I’ve been meaning to call you, but…”

“You misplaced my phone number?” You asked, offering a half smile.

“I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk to me, Y/N.” Hope stepped inside the waiting room, her feet taking her to the coffee maker where she served two small cups.

You took the one she was offering, while looking around the room with a smile.

“I’m glad to see you here, Hope, and I love what you did to this place.” You took a sip from your coffee looking down to the floor. “This is your dream come true, I’ve been hearing you are quite the success around here.”

Hope allowed herself a small smile, she sat down in one of the love chairs in the corner, her eyes never leaving your passing form. It had been a while, but you were just like she remembered you; and whether good things of bad things had happened between you two, she was still your best friend and she knew you even better than you knew yourself.

“Thank you.” Hope wrapped her hands around the cup of coffee smiling softly. “It was really hard, I started it back in NY but I didn’t want the big life in the big apple, I want something…homey. So I came back.”

“I can see that, it’s good to see you again, Hope.” You trailed off not knowing what else to say, Hope sensed your hesitation and soon came the questions you were dreading to hear from her.

“And you, Y/N, how have you been?” Hope leaned forward, her eyes never leaving yours. “I’ve heard you finally took care of the business and that you have been dating Carol, how is it going so far? How is America? How are you, really?”

You snorted sitting down as well, shaking your head you lifted your stare to the ceiling holding back the tears trying to form in your eyes.

“I’ve been…better, I guess.” You tried to lie but Hope was a pretty good psychiatrist and either way, the idea of coming to Hope was to be honest with her. With you.

“It’s been hellish at work., trying to get the ropes of the business. And America is fine, you know her, she is more of a fighter that I am.” You allowed yourself a bitter smile, “she is the one holding me tight and feeding me.”

“The youngest ones are always the responsible ones.” Hope chuckled tilting her head. “I’m glad to hear you have her trying to keep you from starving to dead.”

“Yeah, she is a good kid. Good grades, good friends, she even got a job now.”

“She does?” Hope was highly surprised by this, you didn’t need the extra money of course, and hearing that America was working was something she had never heard from someone that could actually buy whatever they wanted whenever they needed it.

You leaned forward, and something in your posture and the way your eyes gleamed told Hope this was a story worth listening to.

“Yeah, twins. They live next door and she has been rocking it.” You shook your head shrugging. “The mother is this young woman, teacher at her school and…well…she is…nice, I guess.”

“You guess?”

You rolled your eyes shaking your head, “I’m not one of your patients, Hope.”

The other woman chuckled, “I know that. It’s just…It has been a while.”

“I know.” You hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Look, I was thinking maybe dinner? Or coffee?”

“I’m not one of your girls, Y/N.” Hope laughed at the horrified face you put on at her suggestion.

Somethings never changed.

And the both of you were glad some things stayed the same.

“Please, ugh…would be like hitting on my sister.” You rolled your eyes, turning to Hope. “So, what do you say?”

“That sounds perfect. I have an appointment today, and then Scott and I are going to my parents place but what about next week?” Hope said tentatively.

“That’s alright then, I can squeeze you in my schedule and we can really have a talk.”

“And you can tell me about Carol, and what was really going on in your life.” Hope said trying to get more out of you. Your posture, the tension around your eyes and the sudden shifted of your body told her everything she needed it to know.

“Right, Carol okay…yeah, sure we can talk then, I…hope you still have my number then?”

“Right under the emergency one, yep.” Hope declared standing up.

You stood up as well ready to say good-bye when the door of the practice open and in there came Wanda Maximoff in all her glory.

The woman stood there with her auburn hair covered by the same black beanie she wore the day before, with a black coat on and her cheeks red for the cold. Her green eyes opened wide at the sight of you, you were just as shocked as her, and once more your heart rate increased, and the horde of butterflies in your stomach didn’t help to improve things.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry, Doctor Van Dyne, I didn’t know you were busy, I can come later…”

“No, no…I’m not a patient.” You replied rather quickly, you turned to Hope lifting a hand in a gesture of good-bye. “I’ll text you, and we can arrange that date, don’t bail on me, Van Dyne.”

“Oh, I hope I didn’t interrupt…” Wanda started again, she hated the fact all of a sudden seeing you in a place she thought was a safe place for her you came all of a sudden making her heart speed up, and the tingles in her chest and abdomen increased.

“You didn’t, Maximoff, don’t sweat it.” You winked at the woman patting her awkwardly on the shoulder. “I’ll be going, have fun!”

Hope held back her laughter when you almost crashed against the door in your hurry to leave the place. Wanda stood there rather awkward, out of place while her lips quivered trying to say something. Soon you were gone, and Wanda was left there wriggling her hands nervously with her stare lingering on the door.

“I’m sorry, Doctor Van Dyne, I didn’t want to interrupt…” Wanda started but Hope shook her head standing up and going to the coffee maker again.

“You didn’t interrupt nothing, Wanda, no need to worry.” Hope poured another cup of coffee she offered to the woman still standing by the door.

It had been a couple of weeks since Wanda had come in, the woman had not improved at all and Hope was having a hard time trying to reach out to her because of that. Seeing her back into her practice, well Hope thought perhaps something had happened for the young woman to be here.

That you two know one another was complete surprised for Hope, and your reaction and hers…well, that ought to be interesting to dig in.

“Y/N it’s an old friend, we were just catching up.” Hope pointed to the sofa on her waiting room, Wanda furrowed her brows but took the offering chair. “I think we could do our session in here today, no one else is coming and well, I find this sofa so comfy, what do you say?”

“Yeah, yeah sure…that’s…nice.” Wanda sat down with the cup on her hands, she bit her lower lip for a moment before speaking again. “So, you and…Y/N…are friends? I…that’s a surprised.”

Hope held back her reactions; she offered a simple nodded emptying her cup.

“Yeah, we have been best friends since forever.”

“Oh, I see.” Wanda pressed her lips together tilting her head, she frowned while her mind tried to tie up more questions to know more about you. Wanda hadn’t come today to talk about you, she was there to talk about what had happened.

What you had done, what Wanda had done.

“So, how did you two meet?” Hope asked all of a sudden, she was looking curious but nothing out of the ordinary.

Wanda shook her head, she opened and closed her mouth before speaking again.

“How did you…I mean, I don’t know her.”

“She did call you by your last name.” Hope chimed in, her amusement mixed with curiosity was making her look at the situation under a different light.

Wanda blushed lightly looking away, she remembered you calling her by her last name. Your eyes, your smile and that infuriating tone of voice…

“Right I…forgot.” Wanda tried to smile but it came like a grimace. “We’re…we’re neighbours.”

Now, this particular piece of information was quite interesting, then a light bulb came into Hope’s mind and she couldn’t hide her surprised this time around.

“Oh, she is the neighbour you told me about! The one that got on your nerves by being…”

“A bitch, Yeah, that’s her.”  Wanda broke into an easy smile, she lowered her eyes and soon, Hope found herself hearing a story she was not asking for.

______________________________________________________________

[cinewhore]

Til Death Do Us Part

Pairing: Dave York x fem!reader (Mr & Mrs Smith AU) Rating: General Warnings: none? Word Count: 620 A/N: first thing I wrote in like a year. So do what you will with that. Was inspired by the new amazon series, go watch if you haven't already!! Will there be more? Maybe. Maybe not. Enjoy! Credits to the gif makers.

Dave forgot just how much he loathed flying. 

Not that he was afraid of heights or anything, it was a simple matter of not being in control. Should anything go to shit, there was nothing he could really do to stop it. You’re more likely to die in a car accident compared to a plane but if he was required to take down an enemy on a flight and things got choppy? He was useless. Unless he learned how to fly a plane. Surely, that wouldn’t be expected of him, would it? He wasn’t entirely positive about that. 

Dave glances out of the window once more, admiring the cloudless sky. It looked like he felt, bare. 

He had survived the accident, the fall and decided that instead of putting the girls and Carol through all that hell, he remained dead. They would receive his pension, life insurance and be set for life. That was the one thing he was proud of outside of everything else. He didn’t want to hurt or kill Mac but that was the name of the game. Mac was once his friend. He realized that this life wasn’t for making friends, though. The lonelier, the better. 

A stewardess arrives in the main cabin, rolling out a small beverage cart. 

“Good evening! We are about to begin our descent so I wanted to grant any last minute refreshment requests.” 

Dave admired her pretty teeth for a second too long before answering. “I’m fine, thank you.” 

She nods and turns to her cart to grab a tiny silver platter. Placing it delicately on the table in front of him, she folds her gloved hands together. 

“Thank you for flying with us this evening, we hoped you enjoyed your trip. The plane will land at approximately 6:37 pm, Central European Standard Time. You will find a wardrobe through those doors,” she gestures towards the back of the plane. “The event is a black tie affair, so please dress accordingly. Welcome to Paris, Mr. Smith.” 

Oh. 

Right.

He wasn’t Dave York anymore, he was now John Smith. 

John opens the silver platter carefully only to find a folded paper underneath. His instructions were clear. 

Find Jane.

[cbsghostsmetasandtrevor]

Finally got to see last night's episode.

-Pete and Hetty laughing at Carol. 🤣🤣

-How does Issac "have" money. I'm sure the check was made out to ONLY Sam. And she put it in HER account. No way did she open a bank account in Issac's name. So how can he "claim" it's his? I'm totally with Jay on this. Issac can't LITERALLY spend it, so how is even ONE CENT his?

-Pete going from no ladies to two BABES. 😁

-Carol shut up.

-No, I'm sorry. Issac and his "demands" are pissing me off. Jay is a bit harsh, but really Issac is being ridiculous.

-Wouldn't the smell go away after a good shower and fresh clothes?

-Oh shit. GO PETE!!!

-Pete and Sass bonding over butterscotch. 🥰

-Jay reading the book and making peace. ♥️ Although giving the center table to the ghosts IS a bit questionable.

-Alberta. 🤨🤣🔥

-Damn I knew I forgot something. Trevor. 👏 Although I question him taking two HOURS, what did Sam and Jay do all that time?

YESSS OMG, I am not always the biggest Hetty fan, but I loved her last night! She was fun and cheering Pete up and it's so good. Especially laughing at the Donut Hole bit! LOVED IT.

I've complained about this SO MUCH. It makes 0 sense for Isaac to have money. First because of the whole book was part of "the deal" to leave Sam alone - since they haven't left alone, really - the money for the book should be her compensation. She did the work for it. And second, again, he's a ghost - he doesn't need money and he shouldn't have any. Sam & Jay already do so much for them without anything in return - especially Jay since he can't even see them - so I thought it was ridiculous.

I love Trevor, but the only reason I was okay with what he did there in the episode was A-it helped them, and B-Jay's been always giving him a hard time, so it makes *sense* that he'd be difficult (or encourage Isaac to be difficult).

Anyway, tangent there.

Pete is a BABE magnet. I would've LOVED if Hetty had gotten in on it, too.

I still can't believe Carol was like "I only know from *soaps*" - bitch, please.

I absolutely agree that Isaac was ridiculous about it and Jay was right and I really enjoy the fact that JAY STOOD UP TO THE GHOSTS.

I don't understand the lingering smell - we've never got that indication before? So it feels weird. It should've faded the same way that Flower's hits fade after a time. Or at least after a shower.

YES, Pete went off! He didn't yell, but he was plain and simple getting things off his chest. And I loved it. Also loved Carol's JAW DROP. It was so good.

How'd a miss bonding over butterscotch with Pete and Sass?

I do love the center table thing, but fuck, Isaac didn't apologize did he? Also, it might be a bit weird. Unless, they go with "Haunted" restaurant/B&B (which is what they should've done from the start), and say it's for the ghosts.

Okay okay - So I'm not sold on if that was his power, if it was a dream sequence, or if that is just a thing he can always do but the hair thing is what turned Alberta on? What do you think?

Also, on that note, it felt very 80s/90s, take glasses off and you're suddenly hot moment.

Lastly, the whole TREVOR TAKES TWO HOURS for a password makes no sense. I'm sorry, he was good enough for it to be VERY obvious that a ghost was typing in the Ghost Trap episode in just a very second videos. It feels like they're taking that back and erasing his - getting better at his power thing and it makes 0 sense. Like let him get better at his power now that he can use it all the time. That would make sense, right?

Anyway, didn't like that bit 'cause it makes no sense.

But overall, I'm very, very invested this season.

[dc-marvel-life]

Perfect Fit Part 3

Pairing: Wanda x Natasha x reader

Summary: Y/N is the new member joining the Avengers that came from a top-secret program in SHIELD that she was in all her life. Now that she has joined the team, she is experiencing life for the first time. She has caught the eye of the two most powerful women on the team.

Word Count: ~1.6K

Part 1 Part 2 Part 4 Part 5

“Y/N, come on, the party is about to start, and that means drinks should be in use already,” Carol says through Y/N’s door. Y/N laughs at opens the door to Carol, who is wearing black leather pants and a black leather jacket. She is wearing a worn rock band shirt on, and she looks very hot. 

“You look so hot right now, Carol,” Y/N says shamelessly, looking her up and down. Y/N hasn’t had any action in a long time. Right now, she has her eyes on Wanda and Natasha, but they are in a long-term relationship, so why not try your hand at the all-powerful blonde woman in front of her. Y/N knew she loved powerful women and had no shame in it. Y/N knew it was wrong to think about hooking up with team members and could end badly, but look at all the women she works with. It will be hard not to hook up with all of them. Natasha and Wanda are dating, and everyone thinks Yelena and Kate are dating.

“Thanks, Y/N, you don’t look bad yourself,” Carol says, checking out Y/N. Y/N and Carol just stood there for a second, checking each other. They turn away from each other when they hear a door open, and it is Natasha and Wanda’s door. 

“Didn’t yall hear? The party is about to start, so let’s make our way to the living room to start drinking,” Wanda says, then grabs Y/N’s hands to lead her to the living room while Natasha glares at Carol. Y/N didn’t understand what was happening because she was too distracted by Wanda holding her hand. All four ladies entered the living room, and Tony, Bucky, and Thor were already there. 

“Ladies! How great to see you guys again! There is a new one here too! My name is Thor, the God of Thunder. What a pleasure meeting you,” Thor says, bowing to Y/N. Y/N bows back at him.

“Nice to meet you, Thor. I heard so much about you,” Y/N says, smiling. 

“Well, I hope all good things. I wish I had been here sooner, but I am king, and my people needed me. The good news is that I am here now, and I brought Asgardian booze and Valkyrie,” Thor says. Valkyrie comes busting in the door with two barrels of Asgardian Booze. Y/N lets go of Wanda’s hand that she forgot she was holding to go and help Valkyrie with the barrels.

“Let me help you out there,” Y/N says, trying to take a barrel away.

“Trust me, I can handle-” Valkyrie stopped talking when she saw Y/N. 

“Actually, you can take it, pretty lady,” Valkyrie says, winking at Y/N. Y/N takes the barrel quickly and places it on the table with all the other alcohol. 

“Better be careful with that, Y/N. That booze will get you drunk with only one sip,” Thor jokingly tells her.

“I bet it is not that strong,” Y/N teases back.

“The last person who said that was Nat, and I drank her under the table before Valkyrie, and I had a buzz with this stuff,” Thor tells her.

“I bet I can handle you guys. I am not a lightweight,” Y/N challenges them.

“Alright, I like this one. How about this? Once everyone gets here, we can open this barrel and see who can drink the most,” Valkyrie says.

“I am in,” Y/N says with her hand out. Thor and Valkyrie all shake on it.

“We will call you when we are about to start,” Thor says and go and talk with Tony. 

A few hours go back, and the place is packed with people. The whole team was able to show up, like T-Challa. The drinks are flowing, and everyone is having a great time. Y/N is on the couch with Natasha and Wanda talking. 

“And that is how I was able to take down a 6’5, 300-pound man in a padded room with just a pencil,” Y/N finished telling them the story.

“Wow, you seem pretty talented; I can’t wait to see what you can do on a mission. You will be a huge help,” Natasha says, placing her hand on Y/N’s thigh. Y/N looks down at Natasha's hand and tries not to freak out; Thor hops onto the couch to sit with them. 

“It is time, Y/N! It is time to see if you can hold your liquor,” Thor says and hands Y/N a cup of booze. Y/N takes a sniff, then chugs the liquid into her cup.

“Mmmm, that was good. Can I have another?” Y/N says, handing back her cup to Thor.

“Oh, this is going to be a good night. Come on, Y/N,” Thor says and gets up from the couch to go to the kitchen with the barrel.

“Looks like I will see you two ladies later because I need to go and drink Thor and Valkyrie under the table,” Y/N says, laughing, going to Thor and Valkyrie. They both watch Y/N walk away from them.

“We are fuck aren’t we,” Wanda says to Natasha, then sipping her drink.

“Oh yeah, we are. No doubt about it,” Natasha says and sipping her drink too.

“Dragoste, I just want you to know that I do love you, and my feelings haven’t changed for you,” Wanda says, a little tipsy.

“Dorogoy, I feel the same way about you. I love you so much and wouldn’t change anything about you. I am confused about why I… I mean, we have a strong attraction toward Y/N,” Nat confesses.

“Me either, but let’s just let her settle into her new life and see if we still feel the same in a few months” Wanda grabbed Natasha's hand and kissed her knuckles. 

“Agree, now let’s go watch Y/N get drunk and try to out-drink Gods,” Natasha laughs, and they go and watch Y/N, Thor, and Valkyrie.

Everyone at the party watches all three of them drink. No one thought that Y/N couldn’t hang with Thor and Valkyrie, but she shockingly did. She was going back to back with the drinking duo; yes, she was getting drunk but holding her own. Later in the night, 6 barrels have been through, most strangers have left the compound, and only the team is left. They are all hanging out on the living room couch, winding down for the night.

“Val, I don’t think I can drink anymore. You have to hold down the fort,” Thor says to Valkyrie, then stumbles to sit on the couch but misses and sleeps on the floor. 

“Oh no, it looks like Thor is out, and there are two left. I’ll put some money on Y/N,” Tony says, waving his drink around. 

“I will say I am... I am… I am very impressed by you, Y/N, for holding your booze well. Thor is out, and I think I am next. Great job because now I found a new drinking buddy,” Valkyrie says, putting down her last drink of the night.

“YESSSS, I win!” Y/N cheers.

“Wait for a second; you still have to finish that last drink to prove to us that you can out-drink them,” Sam says, egging her on more.

“Deal” Y/N stands up with her cup and chugs the last drink with the team cheering her on. Y/N finishes her drink and puts it on the coffee table. Y/N then loses her balance and falls back onto Natasha and Wanda’s laps.

“I am alright! I just want to say that this is the best day ever, and I am happy to be a part of this team. This is my first time letting loose, and it is great. I am happy to make even more memories with you all,” Y/N says, and everyone claps to that.

“Sorry for landing on you two, but I wouldn’t have it any other way to land on the two most beautiful women in the world,” Y/N says drunkenly. Everyone was too drunk to hear what she said, but Natasha and Wanda weren’t. 

“Thank you, Y/N, but I think it is time to go to bed for you,” Natasha says, patting Y/N's thigh.

“No! I am having so much fun with my new friends,” Y/N whines and pouts at Natasha.

“Okay I can’t handle her pouting because she is too cute. Dorogoy, deal with this,” Natasha tells Wanda. Wanda gives Natasha a little smirk and looks down at Y/N.

“Dulceata, if you go to bed now, then Nat and I will tuck you in,” Wanda says sweetly.

“I have no idea what you just called me, but it sounded so sexy, and of course, I want to be tucked in by you two,” Y/N says, getting up and running into her room. Everyone turns to watch Y/N run into her room. Wanda and Natasha laugh and explain that she is going to bed now. Natasha and Wanda get up, bid the team goodnight, and head to Y/N’s room. When they get to Y/N’s room, Y/N struggles to remove her pants.

“I need help,” Y/N says, frustrated like a child, and lets out a big huff. Natasha and Wanda look at each other and smile. They go over and help Y/N out of her clothes into some sleeping clothes, tuck her into bed, then give her a goodnight kiss on the forehead.

Taglist:

@tigerlillyruiz @marvelwomen-simp @smromanoff @whitewidowsbite @cd-4848 @fxckmiup

[octahedral-chaos]

Been seeing those asks you've sent Sqarlet, and... I'm honestly kinda lost with the lore of these three...

I guess... Ramble about Carol, Daylily, and Arxyl? (Forgive me, I forgot the name of the last one)

Yeah... thing's WILD. Daylily appears and grabbed my brain in a chokehold /SILLY

Anyways... Daylily! She's our silly Eclipsed! ophan. Taken in by a cruel couple hunger for power and status, she was proven to be more than they bargain for and was abused. She was locked up in the basement and got both wings removed in a rather painful and traumatic manner (Basically she was still awake when they did it... and they did drag her to the table-).

Because of this, she can be EXTREMELY skittish and even somewhat aggressive, but is extremely loyal once she warms up to you. Carol and Alyx helps her with healing, which shows that they're surprisingly silly. She loves early 2000's- early 2010's stuff! She also got an Idog and Ipod from Carol-

Okay back on track, Carol and Alyx found her while exploring the mansions basement. Her "parents" had to leave in a hurry because of a scandal they were involved in. Initially, Daylily was freaked out, but eventually calmed down enough for them to coax her out of the mansion and into the outdoors. She, along with Carol and Alyx, tries to figure out what is she and get answers to her past.

Carol, full name Carol Angus, is a rather chill guy. He's pretty curious and loves to learn about the world. He's also Alyx's only friend.

Alyx Donne is rather shy, less inclined for interacting with people, but loves wandering around. She tends to be a bit hyperactive when it comes to her interests, but she's still a pretty neat person to be around, if she feels comfortable enough around you.

Oh and on the topic of story (Since it's more of a thing my brain daydreams about-), I like to imagine that Daylily's "adoptive parents" ends up returning and upon realising that Daylily is gone, basically goes on a witch hunt for her. Thankfully, the trio eventually manages to find this little portal to Eclipsed's world and Daylily gets reunited with her flock!

And then Alyx, Carol and that flock effectively scares the everloving daylights out of the couple-

( @sqarletsworldlesswandering have this I guess because I may be a bit cringe-)

[icezansky]

okay roosmav soulmates next please!! love me a soulmate AU

for the WIP title game

Ahhh you’ll like this one!!!

It’s probably the closet one to a publishable fic I have rn and it’s set in the same universe as the Macheresin soulmate au (Feels Like Home) with the same soulmark dynamics and I’m obsessed with it. Basically Mav has had his mark for as long as Bradley has been alive, but since it doesn’t appear til age 21 in this AU they’re estranged when the mark appears (but obviously he KNOWS what Mav’s mark looks like it so ofc he recognizes it on his skin)

Snippet below but man. I need to get my ass in gear and finish this one I love it so much

“Mav,” he asks, peering up at the man. “What’s this?”

It’s movie night, or “Boys Night” as Carole had put it. She’d said the words like they were a title, an event. Like this evening is the most exciting thing Bradley’s done this month. Bradley knows that it’s just an excuse for her to have an evening out with her latest boyfriend - a guy who smells so strongly of cheap cologne and cigarettes it makes Bradley’s nose crinkle every time he has to be in the same room with him – and have Mav babysit. At least this one is mildly better than the last: the guy who kept calling him “squirt.” Probably because he forgot Bradley’s name and was too proud or careless to ask for it again.

But if it means he gets to spend the night at Mav’s, he’s not going to argue too much. Maverick had even splurged on McDonald’s and the good brand of microwave popcorn. Now, he’s tucked up against his side, Maverick’s arm draped around his shoulders and his feet propped on the coffee table. Bradley’s own legs are pulled up beneath him to scooch in as close as he can get to Maverick’s reassuring heat.

“Hm?”

Maverick’s gaze is locked on the TV, but he tilts his head vaguely in Bradley’s direction. He resists the urge to roll his eyes - it’s just Die Hard. They’ve watched it a hundred times already. But it’s Mav’s favorite and he thinks Bradley likes it just as much. He doesn’t have the heart to argue that point.

“This, Mav,” Bradley presses his finger into his skin demonstrably. “What is it?”

Maverick finally tears his gaze away from Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman’s standoff, glancing down at his wrist and huffing out a laugh.

“‘S my soulmark, kiddo,” he mumbles, attention returning to the screen. “You know that.”

“I know what a soulmark is, Mav,” Bradley rolls his eyes. “I wanna know what it means.”

[skulduggery-pleasant-bp9]

Playing with a Coroner and a Detective is not wise - Skulduggery x Male!Reader Universe

WARNING!: Anger issued Reader, cursing, threatening, mild violence, Fergus x Beryl (They are really people responsible for snger issues) AND MORE ! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !

Part 1 - Gordon’s Testament

Gordon was dead and the Edgley Family was with Gordon’s lawyer, to hear who inherited what. Fergus, Beryl, Carol and Crystal were VERY impatient, while they had to wait for two more people.

“Can’t we just start without them already ?!”, Beryl demanded like a spoiled brat.

“No, we have to wait for the last two people.”, Mr. Fedgewick answered nervously.

Then a man, face completely covered in a scarf, hat and sunglasses, entered.

“I apologize for my lateness, it really didn’t get sooner.”, the man excused himself.

“You are ?”, Fergus asked with annoyance.

“Skulduggery Pleasant.”, the covered man answered.

Beryl scoffed and looked at Melissa and Desmond.

“Of course YOUR brat will be late ! At such an important day he HAS to be late !”, she yelled.

“Don’t talk about my Brother like that.”, Stephanie defended.

Then Melissa’s phone rang and she sighed in relief as she saw her Son’s name appear. She answered and put him on speaker.

“Hello, Son. Where are you ?”, she asked worried.

“Hey Mom ! I am so sorry ! I forgot to bring something to my workplace and had to go there to turn it in, because it was due for today. Then I wanted to drive straight to Mr. Fedgewick’s and meet you all there, but I am stuck in traffic. A car accident happened and I am stuck in here. I will need another 10 to 15 minutes to get out of here. Do you think you can wait that long ? Otherwise I am fine with you all hearing Uncle’s Will without me. It will be saddening that I am not there, but this was really unexpected and I am unsure how long Mr. Fedgewick will have time. He probably has other clients too...”, a teenage boy’s voice explained.

Before Beryl and Fergus could snarl at Fedgewick, to read the Will already, Stephanie replied.

“We can wait. This reading means a lot to you and you are Family too.”

Melissa nodded and smiled at her, while Stephanie’s Aunt and Uncle scoffed in hatred.

“She is right, Son. Just be careful and don’t drive too fast, yes ?”, Melissa said worried.

“I will be careful, Mom. I will be there soon. I am really sorry, that I am so late today. Usually I am always the first one to arrive and this is just embarrassing...”

“It could have happened to anyone, Son. Don’t sweat it. I stuck a lot in traffic and came late to work and meetings. No one was ever mad at me for it.”, Desmond replied happily.

The boy chuckled.

“Thanks, Dad. I love you two, see you soon. And Steph...when I arrive there, you better give me back my SD card.”

Stephanie chuckled.

“I have it in my bag.”

“Good.”

With that they hung up and waited a bit more.

-Twenty minutes later-

He cursed as he ran through the corridors and to the office. Why had this to happen to him at this day ?! Got he could beat himself up about this right now ! He soon arrived at the door and knocked gently.

“Come in !”, Fedgewick’s voice called.

He opened the door and breathed heavily, then entered and closed the door, taking off his coat.

“I am so very sorry that I am late. Traffic was a nightmare. The police gave my side two minutes to pass, while the other got ten. The traffic lights were broken and there was a nasty car accident, so police had to deal with it. Did I miss anything important already ?”, the Teenager asked.

“Are you M/n Edgley ?”, Fedgewick asked.

“Yes, that is me. Do you need my ID ? I have brought it with me, in case.”, M/n replied.

Fedgewick nodded and M/n quickly got out his purse and pulled out his ID card. He gave it to Fedgewick and he checked it over, after that he nodded and gave it back to him.

“Well then, FINALLY we can start.”, Beryl replied pissed and glared at M/n.

M/n scoffed as he sat down.

“Shut it, woman, you are the most disrespectful person here. If I were you, I would be praying that I even got something from my Brother in law. For your personality, I wouldn’t be surprised if he would only give you a boot to the head.”, he replied to her comment.

“You little shit ! Respect your elders !”, she yelled.

“You are older than me ? Then fucking act like it. All I see is a spoiled little brat that is a five year old. You aren’t older than me.”, he scoffed.

“Why YOU-?!”

“Anyways. Now that I am here, let us start, yes ? I still have so much paperwork to do...”, M/n said slightly saddened and rudely interrupting Beryl.

Just then he spotted Skulduggery Pleasant and he gave the person a smile.

“I think we haven’t met before. My apologies, that I didn’t notice you, Sir. My name is M/n Edgley. What is yours, if I may ?”

“It is nice to meet you Mr. Edgley. My name is Skulduggery Pleasant.”, the man covered in a scarf, sunglasses and had said, nodding his head in respect.

“Ah, Uncle talked a bit about you. His best friend, as much, as I recall. Nice to finally see you in person. I was worried that Gordon was messing with me at this point, given I never saw you around.”

The man chuckled.

“I was pretty busy, but came to visit often.”, he replied.

“Ah, that explains it. The job must be pretty serious then, otherwise you would have a lot of time. Every job is different after all.”, M/n said smiling.

Skulduggery nodded.

“He is a weirdo. Who covers their face like this ?”, Fergus scoffed in disgust.

M/n’s smile fell and it turned into an annoyed glare.

“Believe it or not, Mr. Snotty 24/7, there are people that are VERY insecure about their looks and rather hide them. From where would YOU know, what this Gentleman went through, huh ? Maybe he had a terrible accident and his face got it worst or he was attacked once and barely made it out alive or he was born a bit weird looking, that he started to hate it. Who the flying FUCK are YOU, to judge people that hide their face, hmm ?”, M/n snarled back in disrespect, getting fed up with his and his Wife’s attitude.

“You little-!”

“Now then, I deeply apologize for these Crack heads. Can we start ? I fear if I stay any longer with them in here, I will start a scene. I never got along with these people.”, M/n asked kindly and rudely interrupted Fergus.

Stephanie smiled in amusement and Fedgewick chuckled slightly.

“You are almost like Gordon was. Honest and still humorous.”, the lawyer said.

“What can I say ? I take more after him. I liked the way he was as a person and looked slightly up to him. Thanks to him, I am the person I am today.”, M/n said happily.

Stephanie, her parents and Fedgewick smiled at that, while the other half of the Edgley Family glared at him. Then Fedgewick started to give them all his condolences, with Baryl interrupted rudely, wanting to cut straight to the chase, which made M/n lose his smile yet again. He turned to her.

“Shut the fuck up, will you ? Here are people that cared about Gordon. Just because you don’t, doesn’t that mean, that you can tell anyone what to do. If you don’t wanna hear it, then get the fuck out. No one wants to hear your snotty, bratty attitude.”

“How about you learn manners ?!”, Fergus yelled.

“How about you look in a mirror and take your own advice, Fergus ? You, your Wife and your children are all VERY disrespectful. So shut the fuck up and if you don’t like it, get the fuck out. No one wants to hear you, you Gold diggers.”, M/n snarled back in hatred.

“You little adopted shit !”, Carol yelled.

M/n glared at her.

“You, better bake VERY little buns right now, you little Bitch. Get involved again and I might make you shut up in a way you won’t like.”, he threatened darkly.

“Is that a threat towards my daughter ?!”, Beryl yelled.

“Yes, it is ! You all apparently didn’t learn any manners as children, so I might as well, smack her across the face if she keeps it up ! You two grown up idiots can’t even raise your own kids properly !”, M/n hollered.

Stephanie got up and went over to her older, adopted, Brother. She pulled him into a hug, while he continued to glare at the wedded couple with hatred and disgust.

“Calm down, M/n... They aren’t worth it.”, she tried to calm him down.

“I can’t do this anymore, Stephanie ! Everywhere we go or show up with them, they are like this ! They treat everyone like utter shit and think they are the most perfect people ever ! I am sick and tired of it ! All they do is embarrass us ! God, every time we go somewhere with these people, I am in second hand embarrassment ! I have to pretend that I don’t even KNOW them, with their disgusting attitude ! I’m sick and tired of it !”

At that everyone was dead silent. M/n was pissed off and that rightfully.

“I HATE them ! All they do is care about themselves ! They never cared about Uncle Gordon and now they demand to get something from him ?! I hope they get close to nothing from him !”, he yelled.

Stephanie hugged M/n tighter and he hugged back, tears coming to his eyes. No one could tell if it was from rage or sadness, but it, none the less, made everyone go silent at once, while Stephanie was there for him.

After a while, she parted and pulled her chair next to him, so she was close, in case he had another rage episode. M/n was always short tempered and quick to rage when Fergus and Beryl were around with their kids. It wasn’t always like that, but one day, they were just toxic to each other and M/n wanted nothing to do with them since, only if necessary, did he spend time with them. And with necessary, it meant when Melissa forced him to stay and spend time with the whole Family.

“Excuse me...please continue.”, M/n got out with a quiet voice.

He was still calming down, but Fedgewick nodded and started with opening the Testament. Again giving his condolences and everything, this time, no one interrupted him, in fear M/n will lash out again.

Skulduggery kept a close eye on M/n. The Teenager seemed to be between 15 and 18 years of age and he seemed very sad.

Then Fedgewick read out what Beryl and Fergus got.

His Car, boat and a little present. As they asked what the present was, in excitement, he opened a small box and in it laid a brooch. It looked old, but M/n, none the less, smirked.

Gordon’s car wasn’t worth much to sell, the brooch was old and pretty, but not much worth and then the boat. It was a small one and also not worth much, because it was old and needed some work to look better.

M/n would have laughed, if he wouldn’t feel so incredibly sad at the same time. His Uncle was dead. He always brightened up his day after work, always knew what to do with him...He was the best and he left. Why couldn’t someone from Fergus’ side have died ? They were always rude and mean...and they only cared about the money Gordon made anyways. They didn’t like M/n either and they never helped, nor supported him, in anything he did.

It was unfair !

After that, they tried to know what else they got, but that was all, which made Beryl wail. M/n scoffed and stared at her with darkness in his eyes.

“Kindly get out of the room and cry. As many say in my workplace ‘Cry silently, Chantalle.’”, M/n scoffed.  (In my school we knew that term, please don’t take it as offense, whoever knows a Chantalle ! We just had that saying !)

Fedgewick then looked at Skulduggery Pleasant and read out a small text that Gordon wrote down. He left the man only an advice.

“Your path is yours alone and I don't want to dissuade you, but sometimes we find the greatest enemy within ourselves and fight the greatest battles against the darkness within. A storm is coming and sometimes the key to safe harbor remains hidden from us. Sometimes, however, it is right in front of our eyes.”

Everyone stared at Skulduggery with wide eyes, besides M/n. He was very interested in that advice. It sounded more like a riddle he had to solve. M/n got out his phone, opened Word and then wrote the whole thing down quickly. He will figure this out ! His Uncle was very cryptic, but he knew for a fact that this was a riddle. He will solve it !

Stephanie looked at her older Brother and saw that he typed it all down quickly. So he thought it was important and a riddle to solve. She knew, from the moment this stranger entered the office, that there was something about him. Something mysterious and dangerous.

M/n stuffed his phone back into his pocket as he finished and waited for the rest to snap out of their momentum.  Skulduggery only nodded silently. Fergus then told his Wife that they were at least lucky enough to get the few things Gordon had, instead of some stupid advice. She just hissed at him to be silent, which made him cower away.

“He is right, be grateful, Beryl. And you know what the best part is ? This Gentleman is taking it with dignity and respect. Just an advice and yet, he accepts this and doesn’t whine about it. I understand why he liked you, Mr. Pleasant.”, M/n said smiling.

Skulduggery chuckled softly and nodded.

“Thank you. His advices are greatly appreciated. I need them a lot.”, he replied.

M/n smiled.

“My Uncle was cool in that way, aren’t I right ? He helped me with these a lot too.”

“Hah ! A Team member then, huh ?”, he asked jokingly.

“Seems so.”, M/n chuckled.

Then Melissa and Desmond had their turn. He joked about leaving Desmond his Wife, that he successfully took away from Gordon. Of course it was a joke. They were saddened a bit and then Fedgewick read out that Desmond also inherited his Villa in France.

Beryl made a scene at that, while Fergus wanted her to stop her tantrum. She went on about how much worth it is and it made M/n’s blood boil.

“Fergus, put her on a leash, before I snap and slap her so hard that she will see starts, pass out and wake up in a hospital.”, M/n growled out pissed.

Fergus grew worried. M/n never threatened to hurt Beryl.

“Beryl, please calm down...”

“NO !”

M/n snapped up and stalked towards her.

“You shut your ugly trap right now ! Otherwise you won’t like the outcome, Bitch ! I warned you multiple times that I am VERY close to snap at you ! Sit your fat ass down and shut it !”, M/n screamed.

“You are my Nephew ! You have to RESPECT ME YO-!”

SLAP !

The whole room was dead silent and Beryl looked at her left, eyes wide in shock, while her right cheek formed a red handprint. M/n glared at her, his hand still in position to give her a backhand slap too. M/n looked livid.

“I. Said. SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SIT YOUR ASS DOWN, BITCH !”, M/n screamed at her pissed off.

She whimpered and sat down instantly, tears in her eyes.

“Just WHY do we have to deal with people like YOU, Beryl ?! My GOD are you ANNOYING and OBSESSED with showing off and money ! No wonder Uncle Gordon didn’t want you to have anything too expensive ! Such an ungrateful woman like you, I have NEVER met in my LIFE !”, M/n raged.

Stephanie quickly pulled him to his chair and hugged him tightly again. She was his anchor, when he let his rage consume him.

“DON’T mess with my Family, Bitch ! They deserved the Villa, because they CARED about Gordon as a PERSON, not some fucking PAYCHECK !”

“We are Family too, M/n.”, Fergus said softly.

“NO YOU ARE NOT ! I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU AS A PART OF MY FAMILY ! ALL YOU EVER DID WAS HATE UNCLE GORDON ! YOU !!! HIS OWN FUCKING BROTHER !! GO TO HELL, FERGUS !”, M/n yelled in rage and pure hatred.

He looked away, scared for his life.

“M/n, Brother, remember what the psychologist said a few years ago, yeah ? Don’t let your rage consume you. Take deep breaths. Relax. No one is hurt. We are all fine. Remember what Uncle Gordon said, yes ?”, she whispered into his ear.

M/n’s rage was gone in a flash as she mentioned Gordon. His eyes went wide and then he hugged her back, tears again in his eyes.

“S-sorry, Steph...”, he muttered out.

“It’s okay. Just stay calm, okay ? No one is hurt and we won’t have to endure them that long anymore, okay ? After this testament is over, we can leave and have some bobba tea, okay ?”

He nodded with a small smile and sat down again, this time Stephanie sat on his lap, to keep him grounded.

“Is he always like this ? No judgment, just curious.”, Skulduggery asked softly.

Melissa and Desmond looked at him worried, while Stephanie felt like she had to answer him.

“Only if someone hurts us, threatens us or if Beryl and Fergus are around him with their kids. He is very overprotective of Family and he hates people that see his Family as an object, they can use. So he gets pissed off very easily.”, she answered softly.

M/n wrapped his arms around his little Sister and hid his face in her left shoulder, still trying to calm down. She felt that he was shaking. Skulduggery only nodded at that. He knew that kind of rage and protectiveness. It has been a while since he saw someone, who was just like he used to be.

“Can we please just continue ?”, M/n asked softly.

Stephanie rubbed M/n’s hands softly, to help him calm down. Fedgewick looked back down at the paper and continued to read, understanding that M/n got more and more unstable.

“With all that sorted out, I want to come to my Niece and Nephew now.”, he read out loud.

M/n and Stephanie looked at him with wide eyes. They will also inherit something ? Is Uncle Gordon serious ?

“I regret that I never had children of my own, but at the same time I felt lucky that I never had any, if I think at what Fergus and Beryl produced.”, he contined to read out.

M/n smirked and Stephanie had to keep her chuckle in.

“Although I have to admit that I saw Steph and M/n like my own kids at some point, sorry Melissa and Desmond, but I had to be honest. M/n, I know that you are adopted and that you always felt like, you weren’t good enough for anyone. That you felt like you never tried or did enough, but I promise you, you are enough. You do enough. You try enough. I know you are only 16 years of age, but you already finished school and college with 13 years of age, thanks to your incredible intelligence. I am proud of you and of how far you have come in such little time. And as you know, I let you move in with me, so you have more space to work and storage notes in and for Stephanie to finally have a bigger room to herself. I don’t want you to move out, so I decided, since you and Steph were both like my own kids that you have to share my house together.”

Their eyes went wide and M/n smiled happily. He was already worried where he should go that had enough space for him to work even from home, but now, this was a blessing to him. And he will share it with his little Sister ! He hugged her tightly, he didn’t mind sharing, all he wanted was for her to own the house too and he was happy they both own it now.

“Stephanie, my wonderful niece, I hope you aren’t all that mad with that decision. I want to give you also a few words, before I reveal what else YOU alone will inherit. The world is bigger, than you think, and scarier, as you can imagine. The only currency, that is worth something, is that, you always stay loyal to yourself, and the only goal, that is worth going for, is to find out, who you really are.”, Fedgewick read out.

She was giving a sad smile, while M/n smiled at her too, saddened, but with slight joy for her.

“Make your parents proud and take care, that they are lucky, to have you, because I am leaving to you all of my possessions, my financial assets and my royalties. They shall with the day, you’ll turn eighteen, be transferred to you. I want to use this opportunity and tell you, that I love you all in my very own way, even those, that I don’t like very much. I mean you with that, Beryl.”

Beryl scoffed softly, but instantly cowered away as M/n glared at her, with a dark promise.

“Before we end this whole testament, I want to remind you of something, M/n.”, Fedgewick continued to read out.

M/n snapped his attention back to him, listening.

“We all know you have serious anger issues and you are very overprotective, maybe even a bit territorial, of the Family. Anything bad, no matter how small, sets you off into a raging storm and that goes to Family only. Remember what I told you. No matter how outraged you get, try to keep a clear head for me, okay ? Rage can make you blind and you could lash out, doing or saying something, you didn’t mean to. Rage makes you think illogically, so please, always try to stay calm enough to take in your surroundings. Think, before you act. I know you are a very smart and clever boy, so please use that head of yours. I know you will miss me terribly, because now you have no one that will help you out, when you are stuck or stressed out, so I thought of something small, but don’t have too much hope on it.”

M/n listened very carefully and he was confused. What was his Uncle planning ?

“I bet you met Skulduggery Pleasant, my friend that I told you a bit about. You two have almost similar jobs. I ask of Skulduggery, as a very good friend, to give you his phone number. He might be able to help you in some problems you are going to be stuck in. And no, Skul, I don’t mean any physical problems, I mean in his job, some problems. After all...your jobs are almost the same. Please help him out when he asks for your help. I trust you enough for this. I love you all and I hope you will live happily.”, Fedgewick finished and took off his glasses.

M/n was surprised and Skulduggery seemed to be too.

“Similar jobs, huh ?”, Skulduggery asked.

“What kind of job, M/n ?”, Melissa asked.

M/n felt himself sweating at that question.

“Marketing ! I got promoted and I do marketing stuff now and I design websites. I didn’t know Mr. Pleasant had something similar to it.”, he lied quickly.

Skulduggery seemed to pick up on it, while the others blindly believed him.

“Ah, yes. I do something quite similar. I am surprised you do such a job as well.”, he replied, playing along.

“You might have some tricks that I don’t know of. Can’t wait to learn from them.”, M/n played it off.

“Of course.”

Stephanie got up and M/n stood up as well. Beryl threw a fit and M/n raced out of the room, wishing Fedgewick a nice day and thanking him for everything. Skulduggery was close behind him.

“Alright.”, M/n said as he was alone with the mysterious man.

“What are you actually doing for a job ?”, M/n asked.

“You say yours first.”, Skulduggery replied.

“I work as a Coroner.”, M/n answered honestly.

Skulduggery was stunned into silence.

“You, a Coroner ?”

“Yep. I worked and studied very hard for it and with 13 years I got the job. I have been very good since, but there are newly some...clients that seem to have died...weirdly. Or better...murdered....weirdly... Any time I was stuck and couldn’t make sense of it, Gordon helped me. He made me relax and then we talked about it, then he came up with conclusions and at least one of them was always right.”, M/n explained.

“You are sixteen and you work as a Coroner ?”, he repeated.

“I had to grow up way faster than others. When you lived on the streets for a while and saw horror at its worst, as a kid none the less, you don’t get scared that easily anymore when you work with corpses.”, M/n said slightly monotone.

“Oh dear... I work as a Detective.”, Skulduggery answered softly.

M/n stared at the masked man in surprise.

“Huh. Uncle was right then. We have similar jobs. You solve the Crime and who did it, while I inspect the corpses and what killed them.”

“Seems so.”

“Though, I bet you do a different Detective job, because I’ve never seen, nor heard of you around here before. So I guess you work on ‘special’ cases. Am I right ?”

“You can call it that.”, Skulduggery confirmed.

“Okay... I have some ‘special’ cases sometimes, that the Crime police doesn’t want to waste their time on, because they think it is stupid or too much of a hassle. I can send you one and you could tell me if that would fall into your categories of ‘special’ cases.”, M/n offered.

“That would be a good idea.”

“Well then...phone number ? I could send you pictures of the reports then.”

“Oh, right.”

Skulduggery pulled out a pen and paper and wrote down his phone number, then he gave it to M/n.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“If we work together a few times, just call me Skulduggery. Sir makes me feel older than I am.”

“Okay, Skulduggery. I will text you later, when I have the reports.”

“Splendid.”

Then Skulduggery looked at his pocket watch and sighed.

“Well, I have to get going to work now.”, he told the Teen.

He was about to leave as M/n stopped him.

“Hey.”

“Yes ?”, Skulduggery asked.

“If you need help or something, tell me, yeah ? I might look like I don’t know a lot, but I know more than anyone thinks. If you are stuck on something, tell me and I’ll try to help. Helping goes both ways, after all.”, M/n said softly, with a kind smile.

Skulduggery felt touched.

“I will. Same goes to you. If you are in ANY trouble, call me. I will come to help.”

“Any trouble ? Even physical ones ?”, M/n asked softly.

“Any trouble. That includes physical trouble. If you feel watched or are being followed, call me and I will come.”

M/n smiled brighter and nodded.

“I will, thank you.”

“You are welcome. After all, Coroner is just as much of a dangerous job, as a Detective one’s is.”

With that Skulduggery left and M/n felt a bit touched. He understood now why Gordon liked this guy.

Masterlist HERE !