#He will treat Sylvia right don't you worry

[masquenoire]

"If I find out you're not treating Sylvia right I'm gonna kick your ass."

“You two know each other? Just when the fuck was somebody gonna tell me about that??” Roman said, throwing his hands up in exasperation. Gotham was small but he didn’t think it was that small that Sylvia and Noetic were on a first name basis. “Anyway, shouldn’t you be more worried about what I might do to you? Cuz last I heard, you’re still working for me...”

[squirrels-are-sleeping]

COUNTER/Weight 28: A Special Kind of Warmth, Liveblog

Faction game! I love to dread the faction game.

AUSTIN: [Ibex] puts a hand on the old hero’s head. … The press of a button, the flip of a switch, and then a cord pulled from its socket. And there on the bed, Jace Rethal struggles, desperate to feel cool air.

Excuse me, WTF did he do? I'm sure it'll become clear in due time, but for the moment I can't work out if he woke Jace up, or killed him. (ETA: Jace is awake, fine, phew.)

AUSTIN: Minerva does this amazing corporate blast about how important the privacy and security of its consumer citizens are. … [T]hey make it really fashionable to wear a different face that fucks up the alogrithmic read of what all of Petrichor’s face-scan technology is. ... You walk [into a shop], and they’re just like, "Oh, Mr." and then bzzzzt. Just noise. Nothing. It doesn’t know how to read you anymore.

I put to you that fucking up Rigour's ability to match data traces to personal profiles wouldn't be a massive blow.

Scientific management (the gross IRL practice that Rigour is based on, as we've figured out last time) treats people as interchangeable. Not being able to differentiate between them is a feature not a bug. A corporation like Minerva wants to know down to a granular level what somebody likes, so that it can sell to them more effectively. Whereas when you're aspiring to treat people like widgets in the grand machinery of your domain, maybe you want to smooth out the differences between them anyway.

Also, 'consumer citizens' is so spectacularly gross. And sailing straight past this detail adds another layer of existential horror, implying that it's just a normalised, stable part of political discourse, why would anyone even notice it? Nothing to notice here. Fuck Minerva very much.

AUSTIN: [T]he Rapid Evening is not Ibex. The Rapid Evening is not Sokrates. They are not coming to save people. They’re coming to destroy Minerva.

I'm just going to take this casually drawn parallel between Ibex and Sokrates on the basis of their noble intentions, and I'm going to slowly chew on it.

AUSTIN: The Golden Demarchy. So they also want Planetary Seizure here. They want to take over Gemm. Do they have anything on Gemm yet?  SYLVIA: They have a base of influence on Gemm. … And they have a demagogue. AUSTIN: A demagogue on Gemm. Ooo fancy. … What if it was someone who used to be a soldier in the Seventh Sun back when Sokrates was part of the Kingdom fleet?..

This moment, when they decide that the demagogue on Gemm is going to be the ex-soldier, Ariadne, whom Sokrates saved in the Kingdom game, is the faction game at its most thrilling, imo. When they come up with this, it just neatly rearranges canon such that it's impossible to imagine the story any other way. It utterly logical and graceful - but not plotted as much as serendipitously arrived at. I love it so much.

In other news, I'm wondering how Sokrates's PR situation across the Sector is, in places where they don't have a demagogue. Especially in places that are still licking their wounds after the war. Sure, the Demarchy is technically a different state from the old Empire, but that big war, where the rest of the Sector had to beat back Sokrates's parent with sticks, is very recent memory. It seems like, if the Demarchy starts making expansionist moves, everyone would get a little worried.

Mind you, everyone is about to have a big Rigour problem, it'll be a moot point probably.

DRE: Well, Rigour is currently on Ionias… AUSTIN: … You can move it to anywhere within 2 spots of JoyPark. DRE: Oh fuck! AUSTIN: It could be on September if you wanted.  SYLVIA: This just got scary. DRE: Okay. So I'm kind of torn between do I put it on September, because that's where the ground game is going? AUSTIN: Shit! Maybe we can put it on— OHHH NOOO! SYLVIA: OH SHIT! AUSTIN: Oh shit! SYLVIA: Oh shit! SYLVIA: Oh shit!

OH SHIT! Ohhhh no, they've got to do it, right, they've got to put Rigour on September?

AUSTIN: How about— here's the shot … And it's Natalya pulling up the September Institute's HQ on Rigour's scanners. … And it's just that shadow moving slowly toward September in the distance. This is going to be the worst. I'm very excited.

F U C K!!

What did I just say about the faction game rearranging canon in such a way that it's impossible to imagine the story any other way? Of course Rigour is going to September! Of course Rigour was always going to have been going to September?

I am losing! My mind! adksjedfhlaksfh

DRE: It's going to be great when Natalya and Orth get to meet again. SYLVIA: Oh fuck! AUSTIN: It's going to happen. [small moan] Oh, Orth. SYLVIA: I'm not looking forward to that. DRE: Poor Orth! AUSTIN: Oh, precious baby Orth. Fuck. Man. DRE: God, no matter what we do, we just shit on Orth.

Somebody check on Orth!

(Meanwhile, Orth is giving Mako fatherly instructions on how to clean glass surfaces without leaving streaks.)

Okay, deep breath, let's stop freaking out and listen to the rest of this game.

AUSTIN: God, I'm just thinking of the time we were like, "Oh, I guess this faction has a seductress. What's that look like? Uh, what if it's a cool dude named Ibex? Let's talk about that guy. What's that guy? Oh, that guy sounds cool. What's he like?" SYLVIA: Yeah. And now— AUSTIN: And now we have lots of ideas about what he's like. God.

You know what, Ibex is a prime examble of critical worldbuilding in action. They take the stupid, unnecessarily gendered term seductress inherited from the published game, question it, subvert it, and produce, well… THIS GUY.

AUSTIN: In the park at the core of Centralia, a new cadence had taken hold. People laughed. And when the laugh bounced from building to building, it didn't twist. It amplified in joy. As vehicles moved by blasting music through the park and the streets, the songs took the architecture into themselves so that each note was performed at a new venue, an intimate stage.

!! This is just fucking beautiful writing, that's all.

AUSTIN: I remember that it was warm that day, a special sort of warm. I remember, because when Ibex pulled away that fake sky … I shivered. And then he saw me, Jace did. And the warmth came back. And people cheered, but I barely remember that. I barely remember the speeches, or the music, or the food, or the dancing, or that night. But I remember the warmth, and even now I hold onto it. One vice, one gift I let myself have. The warmth.

First of all, I can't with how beautiful Austin's narration is.

Also. Is this?.. Am I reading into it? Because the way Austin says "…or that night" sounds like it's a stand in for a passionate reunion?

Anyway, I'm dying over here, RIGOUR IS GOING TO SEPTEMBER, and Ibex is just fully in charge on Counterweight, and Jace is awake, and I just…

[crazyf0rswayze]

Hi! I have a fic idea/request that I hope you'll like <3

Basically it's Curtis Sister!Reader x Dally where he goes to Darry for girl advice but Darry doesn't know that Dallas is asking for advice about his sister because Dally & the reader haven't told the gang yet. So Dallas has to be kinda vague and Darry doesn't really understand what he's asking but tries to be a solid guy and help anyway.

Idk I just love the idea that Dallas sees Darry as an older brother and Darry is the ultimate advice giver in the gang and its like love and fluff but also a solid bro moment??

Basically it's Curtis Sister!Reader x Dally where he goes to Darry for girl advice but Darry doesn't know that Dallas is asking for advice about his sister because Dally & the reader haven't told the gang yet. So Dallas has to be kinda vague and Darry doesn't really understand what he's asking but tries to be a solid guy and help anyway.

Idk I just love the idea that Dallas sees Darry as an older brother and Darry is the ultimate advice giver in the gang and its like love and fluff but also a solid bro moment?? 

Warning: this is a bit ooc for Dal

DALLAS'S POV

"Hey Darry....I've got a question" I say, walking over to the kitchen and leaning on the counter. Darry puts the newspaper down, and looks at me. 

"I need some girl advice" I say. I'm not sure how I was going to ask his about this because he didn't exactly know I was about to ask about his sister....with out...saying it's his sister

"Wow...gee I wish Soda was here right now. Now he's a ladies man" Darry says, placing his hands behind him, on the counter.

"Yea but he's at work right now and you're not. You're the only other person in the gang that can give solid advice" I reply.

"Ok so...what's she like" he asks. Oh how perfect...how do I describe his kid sister without describing his kid sister?

"And what exactly do you need help with?" Darry adds on

"I need help showing that I love her, because I feel like she doesn't know how much I do" I say, looking at the floor

"Does she like flowers? Chocolate? What do you think her love language is?" Darry asks

"Yea...she likes flowers. She likes chocolates too, so I think I could get her some. She likes daisies, and she likes roses too. I think....maybe physical touch, she likes sweet words" I say. I really hoped he didn't know Y/n's favorite flower because that made it obvious it was his kid sister. 

"That's good. So maybe just hug her lots. Hug her from behind, girls like that. Kiss her neck when you do that, some of them like that. Tell her she's pretty, but compliment her personality too, not just her looks. You dig?" Darry explains.

"Yea..." I say

"Who's the gal? If I knew I could help better." Darry asks. My face goes red

"N-nobody you'd know" I say

DARRY'S POV

I was growing a little suspicious because Y/n likes daisies and roses too, but I tried to not think about it. Because if it was her, he would tell me right?

DALLAS'S POV

"What did some of your girls like?" I ask Darry. 

"Don't worry about it. They were all bad people" Darry says.

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"They used me for the popularity ok? Doesn't feel good. I don't wanna talk about it or remember it" 

"Ok...we don't gotta" I say

"What else does this girl like? Is she nice? Is this gonna end like it did with Sylvia "

"DON'T talk about Sylvia. Don't say her name when it comes to my relationship" I say. I hated hearing her God damn name 

"Sorry..." Darry says. 

"Whatever it's fine. And yes this girl is nice. She treats people good. She treats me good....she's the only girl who has and I can't lose her because my stupid self can't show I love her"

"You're not stupid for having a hard time showing love. You..." Darry cuts himself off with a sigh, and I could tell he was trying to find a way to word what he was planning on saying. 

"People who didn't really grow up with love have a hard time showing other people that they love them because you weren't shown it. It's normal, more than you think. Even with me, I grew up with the most loving people ever but have a hard time showing love because I don't have a parental figure to love me anymore. Working two jobs, raising my brothers and my sister and looking after you boys... Hardened me up a little. You know?" Darry rambled looking at his feet.

"Darry I'm real sorry, you shouldn't have to go through that" I say

"Ha! There it is! You can comfort people! You have sympathy! That's great, that's how you show love!" Darry says, snapping his fingers at me and pointing. 

"But just because I got you to show all that, doesn't mean what I said was a lie. But I don't want you worrying ok?" He adds

"Yea...I'll try not to worry" I say looking at him. He smiles back

"Do you have amy other questions?" Darry asks.

"How do I comfort a girl? It's different than comforting a guy" I ask

"Hug her, pull her head into your chest and tell it's gonna be ok. Give her advice, but if she seems really upset, just hold her. Ok? And then you can rub her back, grab her tissues if she needs 'em...kiss her. Little pecks, no tongue. Cheeks, lips, hands, arms, forehead, head. Ya know?" Darry explains

"Yea. I think that's it..." I say

"Alright, if anything comes up let me know ok?" Darry says. He smiles kindly at me, and grabs the newspaper and continues to read. 

"Yea, I'll tell ya." I say. Just then Y/n walks in the door waving at someone outside.

"Oh hi Dal. I didn't expect you to be over. How are ya?" She asks.

Y/N POV

"Good. You?" Dallas asks. 

"Good. I went out with Bella. We did a bit of shopping and grabbed some food" she says sitting on the counter

"Hey! Off the counter you know the rules" Darry says. 

"S-sorry" she says hopping down. 

"Hey, I didn't mean to be rude I'm sorry. Just....no sitting on the counter" Darry says. 

"Don't worry about it" I say. I don't know....I had this feeling that Darry and Dally just had a deep one on one. 

"Well, I'm gonna head out." Dallas says. But....then Johnny, Ponyboy, and Sodapop walk in. And then the rest of the gang.

"Then I guess I'm staying" Dallas says. He sits on the couch beside Johnny, and starts talking to him. I walk over to the living room, and sit down on the floor next to Soda.

"What did you boys do today?" I ask my twin brother

"Nothin' much. Work, and then Pony Johnny and I walked around town a little bit. And may or may not have almost gotten jumped. But surprisingly enough we didn't. " He says, looking at me

"Nice...but don't let Darry find out" I say

"Find out what?" Darry says, sitting off to the side of us in his recliner.

"Sodapop almost got jumped" I say

"Yea haha good thing I didn't" Sodapop says putting his elbow in my side.  

"Ow!" I say jokingly as I hit Soda's arm

"Ok ok...what did you do today" Sodapop asks, returning the question I asked him a few minutes ago

"I went out with Bella, and then grabbed some food. We did a bit of shopping too" I say

"Did you get anything?"

"Just a little necklace." I say

"Cool" Sodapop says. 

DALLAS'S POV

Sometimes I really wish someone knew about Y/n and I. It was getting hard to keep the secret and to be honest I don't even know why we wanted it to be a secret. Maybe because Darry wanted Y/n to have a nice boyfriend, not some JD and a hood. I see her having a good time laughing with her twin, laughing with the gang. But she never laughs with me when they're around. It doesn't make a guy feel too good. It makes it a little harder to show her love because we're always around them...

[shra-vasti]

JEON WONWOO

Series : To all the boys

Pairing : Jeon Wonwoo x reader

Type : non idol au, ex-lovers au

Genre : angst, drama, fluff, romance

Warnings : none

Word count : 2k approx

Synopsis : You decided to write some letters to every boy who was a part of your past as your last message after getting diagnosed with chronical disease.

MAIN MASTERLIST

[Received, 09.10.2020] | previous | next

"Hey y/n, did you hear about the news which is swirling around the school?"

"News about?"

You were currently sitting inside your class with Jane and your other classmate, Sylvia, the gossip queen. It was a free class, not many student were entertaining the classroom so you decided to just spend time there but Jane and Sylvia followed soon.

"Your beloved Wonwoo ofcourse."

You rolled your eyes at the prefix used by her, you had recently told her about your crush on Wonwoo since 7th grade and all you can say is that you genuinely regret telling her about it.

"What about him?"

"About him getting Yena pregnant."

You eyes widened at the information given to you. You remember Sylvia telling you how wrong it was to have feelings for someone who already had a girlfriend and you told her that she came into his life after you did and you aren't a threat to their relationship.

You weren't a threat, Sylvia realised that but she did wondered how you would cope up with your feelings whenever you saw them together.

You had told her that you just cared about him, nothing more than that and feelings can't be stopped, you didn't even know how he fell in love with her that fast when all he did in the past was play around with girls.

You guessed he settled down for good.

"How would you know they are just kids come on we are in high school."

You could already hear your heart beating loudly in your ears, him getting into relationship with the new transferred student even though he knew about your feelings just wasn't enough that now this news surfaced, it was honestly too much for you since you have always took care of him from the past without asking anything in return, silently.

"Y/N, don't think that Yena is innocent okay, I've helped her to take the pregnancy test, she always used to call Wonwoo to meet him up in my place to hungout cause my parents are always out of town and they have many times made out in my room, I know."

Her words silence you, you were aware how Sylvia was, she was someone who would add extra information on a certain scenario just to make others believe her words and you knew she was doing just that, it wasn't new at all but that didn't help the pang you felt in your chest at her words.

Your mind drifted off to 10 minutes before when you saw a really concerned Dani, your other friend beside Zeny and Andie, bumping you. You asked her what's wrong and all she said was she had to talk with Wonwoo and it would be great if you just stay away from him for sometime.

You knew from then that something was off, maybe you're friends were trying to save you from another heartbreak because of him, you knew the information given by Sylvia wasn't all fake and some of it was true.

You shook your head at her as Jane and Sylvia continued to argue whether the information was true or not. You crossed your arms and put your head down on it blocking both the girls from seeing your face as you tried your best to have a control over your rapidly beating hard.

It wasn't much of use since you could feel the tears slipping from your eyes and onto your uniform which your were wearing.

The class was going to end soon and if you didn't control your tears, everyone would know about your little breakdown and you didn't want to entertain anyone else.

"Y/N are you crying?"

You felt your head being pulled up by the two girls and Jane was quick to her action when she saw your tear stained face. Sylvia stayed glued on her seat, shocked to see you out of all people crying over someone.

Jane grabbed your hand and took you out of the class informing the teacher at the door that you've had an emergency and wanted to go to the clinic.

The hallway was empty since every one had retreated back to their classes, you let Jane drag you all through till you reach the turning point where the girl's washroom was supposed to be, then you untangled your wrist from her hand and made a run towards the washroom.

Tears were constantly slipping from your eyes and you were afraid anyone else would see them. Jane looked at your running figure before speeding up to catch up with you.

You bumped into Yena on the way as she was coming out of the washroom. She looked at you corcernly after seeing your tear stained face which just made you ever more hurt because she and her boyfriend were the mere reason you were this miserable.

You didn't listen to her and continued your way towards the washroom, you heard Jane telling her that you had some personal issues and that she shouldn't interfere in it.

"Y/N?"

You lift your head up when you noticed someone calling your name to see Bora heading in your direction.

You immediately ran up to her hugging her tightly as you let your emotions free and cried on her shoulder. She patted your head to console you. Jane reached to both of you as she patted your back and explained everything to her.

"Hey, you know how Sylvia is, don't mind her. I know Wonwoo, he wouldn't do something like that for sure, he's just a teenager and so is Yena."

She kept on consoling you explaining why you shouldn't let these things affect you, she knew about your feelings from day one so she understood how hard it must have been for you.

She told Jane to head back to the class and that she would stay in the washroom with you since she knew you weren't in the condition to do the class.

"I'll go get my things so we can head to cafeteria."

You finally were able to get a hold of yourself and you stayed in the washroom with Bora till the lunch break arrived. You knew you couldn't stay here for long because all of the girls would start piling inside the washroom.

You were sure Jane would have told Zeny and Andie about your situation when both of them came crashing down at the washroom immediately engulfing you in a hug.

"Okay let's go, Bora, thanks for taking care of y/n."

The hallway was a bit busy but it seem as if no one really minded your absence much, to which you were glad. The classroom was empty as you reached the back of the class to get your things.

You bend down when your book fell to get it unknown of the fact that Wonwoo hurriedly entered the class, seeing no one since you were hidden by your desk, he got out of the class running towards the girls washroom.

"Jane, where's y/n?"

He was out of the breath as he held Jane by the shoulder asking her about you.

"In class?"

"No, I went inside the class but I didn't see anyone."

He shook his head as he made his way towards the girls washroom when a hand grabbed his making him stop on his tracks.

"Yah, Wonwoo where do you think you're going?"

He looked at Bora for a second taking her hand off his, then continuing to go inside the washroom to search you only to be held back by Bora again.

"I'm searching for y/n, if no one is going to tell me then I might as well search everywhere I can."

"Why do you want to see y/n?"

His patience was getting thin as he sat on the stairs which led to the girls washroom, Bora stood in front of him to make sure he wouldn't actually go inside the washroom as she crossed her arms across her chest looking at Wonwoo.

"You know all well why I want to."

"Y/N isn't Yena, Wonwoo, don't show so much care to the wrong person."

"I know who's important for me and who's not, you don't need to educate me on that and y/n means more to me and you know that."

With that he stood up heading back to the direction he came from, Bora shook her head before making her way towards the cafeteria where her friends were waiting for her.

He continued walking in the empty hallway, his head hung low thinking about the possible place you could be but sighing when nothing came into his mind.

He look up when he heard the sound of door getting locked, his eyes widening when he finally saw you by the door of the class, head hung low and you started making your way towards him unknown of his presence.

"Y/N!!"

He yelled gaining your attention, you looked at him to see him smiling widely at you before running towards you, standing few feets away.

"Where were you I was searching for you everywhere."

"You don't need to know, I've to go, others are waiting for me."

You sided him continuing your path as you had no energy left in you to have a talk to him cause you knew your emotions would take the best of you.

You stopped in your track when Wonwoo grabbed your hand and turn you around to face him again.

"You're avoiding me now?"

"Why would I?"

He knew you weren't going to give in so easily and he was right. When he came to know that you cried, his first instinct was to find you cause he didn't like you shedding a single tear, he wouldn't let that happen, he needed to know the reason behind it so he searched for you only to get more desperate to find you when he learned the reason behind your breakdown.

"Why did you cry?"

He knew exactly why you cried but he wanted you to voice it so that he would be able to explain it to you.

"It's none of your business, Wonwoo please."

You pushed him aside as you once again started making your way towards the cafeteria but Wonwoo quickly catched up and stood in front of you successfully blocking you from going any further.

"You know the rumours aren't true, I want you to trust me okay?"

"I don't care about that Wonwoo and please don't worry about me anymore, you've a girlfriend for God's sake worry about her."

You hated the way he treated you at times and you hated the way he behaved when he was alone with you, he was completely opposite in front of everyone.

He cupped your cheeks as he leaned his forehead on yours closing the distance, you could feel the warmth of his body and you hated how his simple gestures affected your heart when your mind always warned you to be cautious around him.

"I care about you y/n therefore I worry about you, you know how much I care about you, what do you want me to do tell me, you want me to leave Yena? I'll do that just give me sometime."

You hated him for making you feel like you were on seventh heaven, how he had such impact on you. He had a girlfriend, you had to remind yourself time and again as you pushed his hands away from your face and took a step back.

It felt so wrong to be this close to him but at the same time it felt like your heart was finally at ease. Your heartached as you saw disappointment in his eyes but he needed that, he needed to know he already had a girlfriend and he shouldn't cross his lines.

"Don't do that Wonwoo, don't give me hope."

On your peripheral vision you could see Yena coming in your and Wonwoo's direction as you inhaled deeply.

"Trust me y/n I'll come back to you, just wait for me."

"Wonwoo?"

He turned around to see Yena standing few feet away from both of you, she made her way towards where you were immediately getting concerned when she saw you.

"Are you okay now?"

She asked as she grabbed your shoulder lightly smiling at you. You nodded your head at her thanking her and telling her not to worry much.

"I was looking forward to eat lunch with you."

She turned towards Wonwoo who simply smiled at her but his eyes were focused on you so you decided to get away from them. Seeing them together would just hurt you more.

"I'm sorry for that, I was having a talk with y/n, I'll make it up to you."

She giggled as she hugged him making you involuntarily roll your eyes at him, how typical of him. It was like he just wanted to lift you up only to make you fall down hard and it certainly worked everytime.

You shook your head, knowing he wouldn't stop you now that his girlfriend was with him, you started walking.

Wonwoo grab your hand again, you turn your head to find him still hugging Yena as he looked at you, his other hand guiding Yena's head at the crook of his neck so she won't see what he was doing.

"I'll make it up to you, you just have to wait for me."

He said, his eyes directly looking into yours as if telling you that he meant that for you.

"Of course Wonwoo I'm not angry at you, we can go on a date after school if you are feeling sad about not eating with me."

"Of course babe, whatever pleases you."

You chuckled at the fact that Yena didn't realize whom the sentence was directed to, you shook your head at Wonwoo before removing his hand from your wrist.

You continue to make your way towards the cafeteria, this time succeeding as he didn't stop you. How would he, when he had her in his arms.

In the end it didn't matter how much he care about you because he would always choose her over you and you hated that.

You wondered if Yena ever feels the change in his behaviour or she's just too blinded to see that a person like Wonwoo wants the world and wouldn't settle till he gets what he wanted.

In your case, he wanted to stay beside his girlfriend but wouldn't trade you for anything and you wondered if you ever will be able to get away from his maze.

[crazyf0rswayze]

Dallas: Darry's Kid Sister

Basically it's Curtis Sister!Reader x Dally where he goes to Darry for girl advice but Darry doesn't know that Dallas is asking for advice about his sister because Dally & the reader haven't told the gang yet. So Dallas has to be kinda vague and Darry doesn't really understand what he's asking but tries to be a solid guy and help anyway.

Idk I just love the idea that Dallas sees Darry as an older brother and Darry is the ultimate advice giver in the gang and its like love and fluff but also a solid bro moment?? 

Warning: this is a bit ooc for Dal

DALLAS'S POV

"Hey Darry....I've got a question" I say, walking over to the kitchen and leaning on the counter. Darry puts the newspaper down, and looks at me. 

"I need some girl advice" I say. I'm not sure how I was going to ask his about this because he didn't exactly know I was about to ask about his sister....with out...saying it's his sister

"Wow...gee I wish Soda was here right now. Now he's a ladies man" Darry says, placing his hands behind him, on the counter.

"Yea but he's at work right now and you're not. You're the only other person in the gang that can give solid advice" I reply.

"Ok so...what's she like" he asks. Oh how perfect...how do I describe his kid sister without describing his kid sister?

"And what exactly do you need help with?" Darry adds on

"I need help showing that I love her, because I feel like she doesn't know how much I do" I say, looking at the floor

"Does she like flowers? Chocolate? What do you think her love language is?" Darry asks

"Yea...she likes flowers. She likes chocolates too, so I think I could get her some. She likes daisies, and she likes roses too. I think....maybe physical touch, she likes sweet words" I say. I really hoped he didn't know Y/n's favorite flower because that made it obvious it was his kid sister. 

"That's good. So maybe just hug her lots. Hug her from behind, girls like that. Kiss her neck when you do that, some of them like that. Tell her she's pretty, but compliment her personality too, not just her looks. You dig?" Darry explains.

"Yea..." I say

"Who's the gal? If I knew I could help better." Darry asks. My face goes red

"N-nobody you'd know" I say

DARRY'S POV

I was growing a little suspicious because Y/n likes daisies and roses too, but I tried to not think about it. Because if it was her, he would tell me right?

DALLAS'S POV

"What did some of your girls like?" I ask Darry. 

"Don't worry about it. They were all bad people" Darry says.

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"They used me for the popularity ok? Doesn't feel good. I don't wanna talk about it or remember it" 

"Ok...we don't gotta" I say

"What else does this girl like? Is she nice? Is this gonna end like it did with Sylvia "

"DON'T talk about Sylvia. Don't say her name when it comes to my relationship" I say. I hated hearing her God damn name 

"Sorry..." Darry says. 

"Whatever it's fine. And yes this girl is nice. She treats people good. She treats me good....she's the only girl who has and I can't lose her because my stupid self can't show I love her"

"You're not stupid for having a hard time showing love. You..." Darry cuts himself off with a sigh, and I could tell he was trying to find a way to word what he was planning on saying. 

"People who didn't really grow up with love have a hard time showing other people that they love them because you weren't shown it. It's normal, more than you think. Even with me, I grew up with the most loving people ever but have a hard time showing love because I don't have a parental figure to love me anymore. Working two jobs, raising my brothers and my sister and looking after you boys... Hardened me up a little. You know?" Darry rambled looking at his feet.

"Darry I'm real sorry, you shouldn't have to go through that" I say

"Ha! There it is! You can comfort people! You have sympathy! That's great, that's how you show love!" Darry says, snapping his fingers at me and pointing. 

"But just because I got you to show all that, doesn't mean what I said was a lie. But I don't want you worrying ok?" He adds

"Yea...I'll try not to worry" I say looking at him. He smiles back

"Do you have amy other questions?" Darry asks.

"How do I comfort a girl? It's different than comforting a guy" I ask

"Hug her, pull her head into your chest and tell it's gonna be ok. Give her advice, but if she seems really upset, just hold her. Ok? And then you can rub her back, grab her tissues if she needs 'em...kiss her. Little pecks, no tongue. Cheeks, lips, hands, arms, forehead, head. Ya know?" Darry explains

"Yea. I think that's it..." I say

"Alright, if anything comes up let me know ok?" Darry says. He smiles kindly at me, and grabs the newspaper and continues to read. 

"Yea, I'll tell ya." I say. Just then Y/n walks in the door waving at someone outside.

"Oh hi Dal. I didn't expect you to be over. How are ya?" She asks.

Y/N POV

"Good. You?" Dallas asks. 

"Good. I went out with Bella. We did a bit of shopping and grabbed some food" she says sitting on the counter

"Hey! Off the counter you know the rules" Darry says. 

"S-sorry" she says hopping down. 

"Hey, I didn't mean to be rude I'm sorry. Just....no sitting on the counter" Darry says. 

"Don't worry about it" I say. I don't know....I had this feeling that Darry and Dally just had a deep one on one. 

"Well, I'm gonna head out." Dallas says. But....then Johnny, Ponyboy, and Sodapop walk in. And then the rest of the gang.

"Then I guess I'm staying" Dallas says. He sits on the couch beside Johnny, and starts talking to him. I walk over to the living room, and sit down on the floor next to Soda.

"What did you boys do today?" I ask my twin brother

"Nothin' much. Work, and then Pony Johnny and I walked around town a little bit. And may or may not have almost gotten jumped. But surprisingly enough we didn't. " He says, looking at me

"Nice...but don't let Darry find out" I say

"Find out what?" Darry says, sitting off to the side of us in his recliner.

"Sodapop almost got jumped" I say

"Yea haha good thing I didn't" Sodapop says putting his elbow in my side.  

"Ow!" I say jokingly as I hit Soda's arm

"Ok ok...what did you do today" Sodapop asks, returning the question I asked him a few minutes ago

"I went out with Bella, and then grabbed some food. We did a bit of shopping too" I say

"Did you get anything?"

"Just a little necklace." I say

"Cool" Sodapop says. 

DALLAS'S POV

Sometimes I really wish someone knew about Y/n and I. It was getting hard to keep the secret and to be honest I don't even know why we wanted it to be a secret. Maybe because Darry wanted Y/n to have a nice boyfriend, not some JD and a hood. I see her having a good time laughing with her twin, laughing with the gang. But she never laughs with me when they're around. It doesn't make a guy feel too good. It makes it a little harder to show her love because we're always around them...

[zepskies]

Hello, my love! 🩷

Ahaha no worries, hun!! Now you get to read Parts 2 and 3 without having to wait! 😂

I leave an hour for each stage of getting ready.

Exactly! And an extra hour for cushion! You get my math. 😂

But yes, I really wanted to call back to moments in BMD, and a red dress for Christmas seemed a perfect time to shoutout the night they met. 🥲 I'm so glad you enjoyed the description of the fit. I had a really fun time researching dresses and how to visualize it narratively!

[On Ben buying her earrings from an old-school catalogue lol]: It's my headcanon that with the kind of money this guy has, being a little rich boi, he'd like to bling his girl out. Now, our reader's not materialistic (and probably wasn't given many gifts as a kid/over the years with the hard lifestyle she led), so she really takes those gifts to heart.

THEY’RE SO CUTE OMGGG!!! Him modernising for her, and Pookie dipping her toe into the vintage era for him 🥹

Exactly my goal here! I knew you would pick that out. 😘

Benjamin, that would entail messing up the hair and makeup that took ages to perfect 🖐️

Well, ordinarily yes, but Trina's stress is gonna push our girl to the brink this time. 😅

LOL you're right, Marie treating him like a son is ironic when you remember his real age. 😂 But yeah, Louisa's being a bit salty. She has her reasons, but still. 🫠

“You’d told him about Alexa and Siri and all those techno bitches out there now, controlling people’s houses. He didn’t trust it.” — Omg this is such a funny concept to me, Ben learning about all of this shit would be hilarious 🤣 and it’s even funnier that he doesn’t trust it LMAOO!!

Isn't that just the best visual? Ben interacting with Alexa like she's a real fucking person, being confused and suspicious AF. 🤣🤣

And of course he gravitates to George. They're the closest in age! 😂 But it was so fun shading in the reader's family, especially with George, with her sense of humor/mischief coming from him.

When I see ‘Mets’ it reminds me of a club we have in Brisbane called ‘The Met’.

Oh that's so cool!!

Stan grandma for clear skin. At least Ben can’t hit on her with her being dead…

LOL wait 'til Great Aunt Sylvia meets him in Part 3. 😂

Oh it’s easy, just say that one of his dipshit employees at the time kidnapped you for no good reason, and so Soldier Boy nobly… uhh… kept you on house arrest, and eventually killed aforementioned dipshit.

LMFAO a nice and easy summation. But omfg your comments on Trina had my dying a million deaths. 🤣🤣 Some of my favorites:

Does this mean that EVERYONE can spit the truth? Because Trina I’ve gotta say, you’re a big mouthed slag who nobody likes because you give thoughts that nobody even asked for 🤙

TRINA YOU SLUTBAG THAT WAS SO OUTTA POCKET!

Trina why the fuck are you so obsessed with weight?? Who HURT you?

Believe me, you get this a lot in Latino/Hispanic households. It's obnoxious. 🙄🙄 Meanwhile, they be eating a whole tray of custard flan by themselves.

Ben’s intro to her family was less chaotic then I thought, he funnily enough just got to chill with the oldies.

Lol that's true! His turn will come more in Part 3. But while I don't have a "Trina" to this degree in my family, I have had grandmothers who made unsolicited opinions on weight and beauty, etc. 🥲

It was fun to see Ben and George interact though, I was curious to see how he might react to his granddaughter dating a man as old as he is and I love that it wasn’t even brought up.

...This is a great point, actually lmao. I could've explored that a bit more. But when I think about it, the boomer era was known for being kind of blase about age gaps. Granted, Ben's 102 and the reader is less than half his age. 🤣

But he's in this 45-ish man body, so it's almost like an Edward Cullen/Bella situation -- the age gap is so wide it doesn't even really matter anymore. What matters is the differing rates at which both of them will continue to age.

Though the reader does have to contend with Louisa's opinions on Ben's age. So there's that. 🤣

I'm so glad that you enjoyed Part 2!! I'm very excited to see what you think of Part 3. 😘😘

Love Actually - Part 2

Paring: Soldier Boy/Ben x Reader

Summary: You and Ben steel yourselves in order to meet your crazy family for Christmas dinner.

AN: Here’s the requested Part 2! It got too long, so I had to break it up lol. There will be a Part 3 after this (final part). I also tried really hard to find an image/gif that would match this chapter better, but alas, there are only so many pictures of this scruffy guy. (And none in a real suit. 😂)

Read Part 1

Remember, this story is set in the same world as “Break Me Down,” and set before “Checkerboard.” But this can be read as a stand-alone! Hope you enjoy…

Word Count: 4,800 Tags/Warnings: Tense situations, bit of angst, lots of sexy fluff

Part 2: "Season’s Greetings"

Ben checked his watched again. 

He’d lost count of how many times, how many minutes, how long he’d been waiting for you to come down the goddamn stairs so he could get this night over with. 

You’d been getting ready for this dinner with your family for four hours. How long did it take you to slap on some makeup and throw on a dress?

Finally, he heaved a sigh and got up from the couch, adjusting the watch on his wrist. He stayed by the foot of the stairs and called up to you.

“Hey. What’s taking so damn long?” he asked. His brows were furrowed, mouth set in an aggravated frown. “I already told you. I’m not planning on being at this thing all night. So if you don’t come down here in the next ten minutes, I swear to fucking Christ—” 

Ben stopped short, as he heard your footsteps at the top of the stairs. When he looked up with expectant, pursed lips, his face subtly froze. 

“What? What’re you gonna do?” you teased. Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, you grasped the guardrail and carefully made your way down the stairs. These heels were no joke. 

You had a black suede clutch tucked in your other hand, but Ben was drawn to the bright red of your dress. The color alone appealed to him. It called back a memory of a musty club, rich whiskey, and the dulcet tones of your voice.

But now, this dress was shorter. It also hugged your every curve and stopped just a few inches above the knee. He noticed a tantalizing little slit in the back, at the hem, leading his eyes down your sheer pantyhose and down to the tall, black heels.

His lips formed a teasing smile. “You sure you can walk in those?” 

But you could see the truth in his eyes; he liked what he saw. They raked back up your body, taking in the short sleeves, the slight plunge of the neckline, the red lipstick as bright as your dress, the soft sweep of eyeliner and dark lashes—and you hoped he noticed the way you’d painstakingly done your hair into soft, ‘40s style waves.

“Do I look shaky to you?” you countered.

Ben tilted his head slightly as he stared up at you. “Not one bit.”

He reached out for you on the last step of the stairs. You took his hand and gave him a grateful look, but your hand didn’t stop there. It grazed up the sleeve of his suit jacket as you took him in with a smile.

Not often one to don a simple black suit, Ben went with a charcoal gray against a crisp black undershirt. No tie though, leaving the first couple of buttons casually open. 

“Look at my man, all sharp and modern and sexy as hell,” you purred. He accepted the praise with a pleased quirk of his lips. 

Normally you wouldn’t try to feed his peacock-level pride too much. He knew he was a damn fine-looking man. However, you also knew he wasn’t totally into meeting the rest of your family tonight. You knew you needed to give him a (well earned) ego boost.

“Gotta match my girl,” said Ben. Though he fingered the ends of your softly curled hair with a more genuine glint to his smile. “Though you’ve gone a bit vintage.”

“Compromise.” You grinned, and you leaned up for a soft kiss. 

He met you there, even pressing his luck when his tongue begged entrance against your lips. You held his cheek and brushed your thumb there tenderly, but you soon broke away. 

“We’ve got somewhere to be,” you reminded him. Ben sighed through his nose, though his hands molded to your waist.  

“I didn’t realize you were that kinky,” he said. His voice was deep and suggestive. Your face started to heat up, even as your brows knitted with confusion.

“What?” you asked. 

“I know you’re not gonna make me wait all night to get a taste of this,” he said. And he leaned down to begin plying you with his heavy hands and his lips along your neck. “I gotta assume you want me to fuck you in your mom’s house.”

You uttered a shocked laugh. You batted his shoulder, even though it didn’t even make him blink. His lips curved as they grazed your neck. He inhaled under your ear, making a pleasant shudder run down your spine. He hummed in approval.

“Is that the perfume I got you?” he asked. 

“Mhmm,” you nodded. “I like it a lot. Makes me feel all warm and spicy.”

Ben chuckled into your neck. He did pull back eventually to thumb around the edge of one of your earrings—the second part of his Christmas gift to you. The white stone and silver filigree shone in the light. 

“They look good,” he remarked, giving you a charming smile. “Better on you than the catalogue girl.”

Now that was an image. Soldier Boy: browsing through a magazine of women’s jewelry. You smiled brightly at him. 

“Thank you, baby,” you replied. “They really are beautiful.”

Then you glanced down to find your gift to him on his wrist: a new silver Rolex. You turned his hand over to make sure that it fit him right.

“Not too tight, right? Not too loose.” you asked.

He shook his head. “Nah, it’s good.”

“Just good? Does it still need adjusting? We can go back to the store and have them fix it—”

“It’s perfect, sweetheart. Stop fussing,” he said. Your lips pursed as you looked up at him from the watch. 

“I just want to make sure you’re happy with it, that’s all,” you said. 

“I am,” he replied. But his smile, the hidden glint of something in his eyes, made you blush. Inside, you were warm and pleased.  

“All right, let’s go then,” you said. “I’ve got the rum cake, and the actual rum ready to go in the kitchen. And the presents are lined up by the door. Can you load those up in the car for me while I get the food?”

Ben obliged you, though he soon balked at the army of presents waiting for him by the door. When did you have time to get all of these? He didn’t remember you buying all this shit. 

Though he realized, this must’ve been how you filled your time after work, while he was gone for the past two weeks on that mission. 

As he loaded the gifts into the car, Ben reluctantly remembered that it had been…strange, to be away from you. For the past few months, you two had fallen into a rhythm. Waking up to each other, busy morning routines before work, sharing your evenings afterwards. 

You had also been making it your mission to find new things to do together. Like paintballing, of all things. Or comedy shows, new movies and restaurants, concerts, club nights with your friends. Though it was weird for him, sometimes, to go to a show without all the celebrity fanfare he used to get as Soldier Boy.    

Well, he was still Soldier Boy. He just wasn’t getting paid anywhere near the same as he used to. (But let’s face it, he didn’t need the damn money. He’d earned plenty in 40 years of fame and family inheritance.) 

People still knew his name, still worshiped him at times, but it wasn’t the same. He wasn’t part of Vought’s machine anymore. No one really told him what to do, but if he wanted this life—here, in upstate New York—he was forced to make efforts to color within the lines of the law (mostly). Hell, he actually worked for a living. Even if it was for the government.  

The point was, he was part of something. And it wasn’t totally shit, even if he was surrounded by morons on a daily basis…  

By the time you opened the passenger side door to interrupt his musings, Ben remembered to actually start the car. 

“You okay?” you asked as you clicked in your seatbelt. You were keeping a close eye on him tonight, trying to gauge his shifting moods. 

Ben hesitated, but when he glanced over at you, he reached over and thumbed at your chin, under those ruby red lips. It made you smile. 

“Yeah,” he replied. Though he let out a subtle breath as he faced the road and took the wheel of the car. Ever perceptive though, you sent him an assessing look. 

“You’re not nervous, are you?” you asked. His brows furrowed slightly.

“Why would I be?” he asked, his voice a bit sharp. Defensive, you interpreted. 

Instead of answering, you leaned over and laid a hand on his thigh.

“Look, my mom already likes you. Louisa’s going to come around,” you said. Your mouth edged into a smile, of sorts. “I just need you to stop me from killing my aunt with a ladle.” 

Ben snorted in response. “All right.”

When the two of you arrived at your mother’s house, she opened the door to her home and greeted your boyfriend like a long-lost son. 

“Oh, Ben! Come in, please,” she beckoned, grabbing his arm and guiding him inside. “You look so handsome, my goodness!” 

Ben couldn’t help offering a smile. It was infused with his usual charm. 

“Marie,” he greeted with a nod. You shook your head, despite your own smile. Ben liked attention—along with a bit of praise and fanfare went without saying. And you knew your mom wouldn’t be the only one to play into that tonight. 

“Hi, Mom,” you said pointedly, with a hand on your hip. Marie turned to you with a bright smile. 

“Oh! Honey, there you are. Merry Christmas!” She brought you in and hugged you tight. She then fairly gushed as she took in your dress and touched your hair. “Oh, you look so beautiful. I wish you’d come earlier though. I need you to help me and Trina. Come on.”

Marie glanced up at Ben again. “Oh, you too, hun! We can introduce you to everyone.”

Ben nodded. He followed your lead behind your mother, and you inwardly steeled yourself on the way to the kitchen. The familiar smells awaiting you brought you back to the better parts of your childhood. Ones that were filled with music, laughs, and good food.    

And if there was one redeeming quality about your Aunt Trina, it was that she could cook her ass off. Since your mom had always been more of the “boxed meal” variety cook, Trina always took over at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and just about every other family gathering. 

She was putting the ham in the oven while your sister sat at the kitchen table with your Grandpa George, peeling potatoes. The bigger table in the dining room was currently set up with appetizers and wine. 

But the sounds of chatter and pots and pans and cabinets closing—it all stopped when you and Ben entered the kitchen. You felt his hand at the small of your back, and whether he meant it to or not, that familiar touch stabilized you. 

Even Trina stopped giving Louisa directions on how to correctly peel and cut the potatoes for boiling. Her mouth opened when she took in the sight of Ben, from head to toe. 

“Good evening,” he said, if only to break the silence. 

But you knew the rest was up to you. You curled a hand around his solid arm and gave him a smile, before looking to your family. 

“Hey, guys. Merry Christmas!” you greeted. “This is my boyfriend, Ben.”

Trina squealed in excitement. She came over (with a wooden spoon in hand) to give you an enthusiastic hug and kiss. She held your arms and looked between you and Ben. 

“Your mom said you were dating a superhero, but I had no idea…” she twittered. “I mean…it’s Soldier Boy. He’s in my kitchen!” 

“It’s Mom’s kitchen, actually,” you muttered. Trina’s excitement dimmed slightly as she rolled her eyes at you.

“Ever the smart mouth,” she said, playfully whacking you in the ass with her spoon. 

Ben smirked. He certainly agreed with your aunt’s assessment. He turned to her to offer something in greeting, but before he could, Louisa’s voice cut in from across the room. 

“What should we call you? Ben, or Soldier Boy?” she asked dryly. 

You frowned, gave your sister a look. Meanwhile, Ben didn’t quite make it to a smile, but he was civil when he answered her. 

“Ben’s fine.”

You remained in the kitchen to help out, while Ben migrated to the living room with your grandfather. Ben grabbed a large glass of wine on his way there, along with a few mini quiche to tide him over until dinner. 

He then noticed an old woman sleeping on the leather recliner. 

“Who’s that?” he asked George. 

“Oh, that’s Great Aunt Sylvia,” George said. “She just took an oxy for her hip. She’ll be passed out ‘til dinner.”  

Ben blinked at the casual mention of oxycodone, but he wouldn’t mind a few of what Sylvia was having. Oxy gave him such a nice buzz. 

But instead, he and George sat on opposite ends of the couch while Sylvia snored away. 

For a moment, it was quiet, save for the soft crooning of Nat King Cole playing (and Sylvia). The music came from a small round speaker on the coffee table, Ben noticed. You’d told him about Alexa and Siri and all those techno bitches out there now, controlling people’s houses. He didn’t trust it. 

“You like baseball?” George asked as he turned on the TV. Ben nodded, and the other man put on a game. Mets versus the Cubs, three to one. The men were silent for a while as they watched the game. 

Unfortunately for Ben, that peace couldn’t last. 

“So,” George started. “You’re a supe, huh?”

Ben inclined his head, sipping at his wine. This was what he fucking hated. Small talk. 

“I remember you,” George said. “My wife and I liked that movie you made…King of Kings. With Charlton Heston. What a classic that guy was.”

Ben smiled. “He was a good time. Drank like a fucking fish.”

George raised a brow. “Did he? Well, we all need a glass every now and then.”

Ben nodded, taking a pointed sip of his wine. 

“Heston. One of the few celebrities I gave a shit about when he died,” George said with a shake of his head. “Wasn’t long before my wife’s passing.”

You’d told Ben a lot about your grandmother. When your parents got divorced, she’d insisted that you, your mom, and your sister live with her and George. She didn’t want to take any chances with your dad, who’d been more than unstable at the time in his drinking. 

Ben didn’t often pray. But he drank then with a silent toast, that good ole’ Jon was getting hot coals up the ass right about now. In hell.

Ben then considered your grandfather’s musings, realizing he hadn’t thought about his old pal Heston in a long time.  

“How’d he die?” Ben asked. George glanced over at him.

“Well, official case was pneumonia. But it wasn’t all that clear,” he said. “However, I think he had a flare up.”

“Of what?” Ben asked.

George gave him a wry look. “The fate that all men fear. Ass cancer.”

Ben raised a brow, his mouth twitching. He had a feeling he knew where your sense of humor came from. 

“You probably don’t have to worry about that,” George waved a dismissive hand. “You’re still young. Well, sort of…I mean, being superhuman and all that. I’m sure that comes in handy with the normal stuff, like the sniffles and whatnot…and hey! At least you won’t have to worry about your asshole fallin’ out.”

Ben actually smiled. Now he knew you were related to this man. 

In the kitchen, you were trying and failing to dodge a game of “Twenty Questions” with your aunt, while you and your sister finished cutting potatoes. All of the questions were predictably centered around Ben. Luckily, you had a plate of mini quiche, cheese, and salami between you and Louisa to keep you pacified. 

“Well, you’ve done well for yourself, I’ll give you that,” Trina said. “But why on God’s green Earth didn’t you tell us you were dating Soldier Boy? How the hell did you even meet him?”

Shit. There was more than one reason you hadn’t told the rest of your family yet, and this was partly it. How the hell were you supposed to explain this? 

Louisa shot you a knowing look, along with a raised brow. 

“Well, I was actually assigned to find him after he…went missing last year,” you said, keeping things purposefully vague. “We met and…things just kind of took off from there.”

Your mom and your sister didn’t even know all the details, but they knew this much. After Soldier Boy used his nuclear power to end Homelander, he’d escaped in the aftermath. 

You’d been working a year in Surveillance at Supe Affairs, but you’d been a private investigator by trade, previously working at your father’s firm. You’d even worked at Vought for a few years, before joining the S.A. 

You were then recruited by Grace Mallory to track down Soldier Boy, along with Butcher and his team. 

…And that’s where things got complicated. 

“But isn’t Soldier Boy the one who killed Homelander?” Trina asked. She stopped in her stirring of the cranberry sauce to look back at you. And you met her stare directly. 

“Yes. He was partnered with the CIA on that.” Sort of. You added, “Homelander wasn’t the hero you all thought you knew, remember? He was a raging psychopath.”

Trina huffed at that. 

“So was your father. And you still worked with him for years,” she remarked, even off-handedly as she went back to stirring.

Your entire body stilled. Inside, your temper was a lit fuse, preparing to ignite. You stuffed a mini quiche into your mouth to stop you from exploding. 

And your mom and your sister recognized the danger. Louisa frowned tightly and touched your arm. 

She had been too young to form a true relationship with your father by the time your parents were divorced, and your grandparents (and later you) hadn’t allowed Jon to interfere too much with Louisa's life. So Jon’s death, a mere seven months ago, hadn’t truly affected her as deeply as it had you. 

And that in itself was complicated. 

Marie paused in preparing the sweet potato casserole to give her sister a warning look. 

“Trina, that’s not fair,” said Marie. 

Your aunt shrugged. “It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Slowly, you stood. You grabbed a hand towel and brushed the velvety remains of potato skin from your hands. You also took the plate of cheese cubes and salami with you. 

“Honey, she just means—” 

“I know what she meant, Mom,” you said. Your mother wasn’t confrontational. She would never tell her sister to shut the fuck up when she was being out of pocket. 

But you had no problem doing so. You walked over to Trina, who saw the look in your eye and actually relented, realizing that there was, in fact, a line, and she had crossed it. 

“Look, I’d like us to continue having a nice evening,” you told her. “Mention my father again, and it won’t be.” 

After a moment, Trina nodded. 

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. Don’t mind me,” she said. But then, she smiled. “I’m really happy for you, sweetheart. You’ve got a superhero! Who knew you’d pull that one off, huh?”

Your flat smile remained. “Oh, yeah? How do you mean?” 

Trina faltered. Apparently, she hadn’t expected that. 

“Oh. Well, you know…”

“No. I really don’t. Can you clarify for me?” you asked, using the same even tone you employed with testy co-workers on the Surveillance team. 

Trina sighed. “Oh, honey. You’re a beautiful girl, but…”

“What?” you challenged. “Just say it.”

Behind Trina’s coil of dark hair piled on her head, Marie looked worried. Louisa was also on tenterhooks, gripping the kitchen table. She slowly got to her feet though, in case she needed to intervene. 

“Well, I wasn’t gonna say anything,” Trina said. She gestured to you, after grabbing a cheese cube off your plate. “But your hips, hun. I mean, I enjoy a snack. A bon bon. A chocolate eclair. The occasional croissant, but the weight don’t come off easier as you get older, does it?” 

You were officially burning like a tea kettle.  

“And with a man like that…” Trina fanned herself with the discarded, empty bag of cranberries. “Mother of God. He’s gotta be beating ‘em off with a fucking stick.” 

Your mom pursed her lips at the salty language, giving Trina a sharp glance (for multiple reasons). 

Trina noticed, but she only popped another piece of salami into her mouth. “Sorry, hun.” 

But then she turned back to you. 

“And have you talked about kids yet? That’ll be some serious weight gain.” 

You let out a sharp breath and raised your gaze heavenward, pleading for mercy. 

“Jesus Christ,” you muttered.  

“I’m just sayin’!” she said. “He might have forever, but you certainly don’t.” 

Now that one struck a nerve. Perhaps not the one she intended, but it cut deeply into you all the same. You and Ben had agreed to pin that conversation for now, but the fact was, he would continue to age much slower than you. 

At your steely glare, Trina again raised her hands. This time in placating defense. “I’m trying to help you, is all I’m saying.” 

You gripped the edge of the kitchen counter so tight you thought a manicured nail might break off. You’d reached the end of your tether. 

“I’ve been here for all of five minutes—” 

“Okay, you know what?” Louisa finally stepped in and grabbed your arm. “I need your help. Let’s find the red tablecloth so we can set the table.”

She led you out of the kitchen and into the hall, but you stopped short so fast that you skidded a bit in your heels. You took deep breaths and braced a hand against the wall.  

You turned to your sister. “Why doesn’t she attack you like that?” 

“Oh, believe me,” Louisa said, rolling her eyes. “I had my turn before you got here. I’ve been locked in with these clucking hens all morning.” 

A grin twitched at the corner of your lips. 

“My condolences,” you said. But then, you look at your sister a bit harder. “And you. What’s your problem, huh? How long are you going to give Ben a hard time?” 

It took her a moment, but Louisa eventually sighed. 

“I mean, Aunt Trina’s an asshole, but she kind of said it. He’s literally a century-years-old,” she said. “How do you not have a problem with that?” 

You crossed your arms, though you knew you didn’t have a good answer for that one. 

“Age is…relative.” You struggled against a wince. 

“He lived through the damn Dust Bowl,” Louisa deadpanned. “He’s fucking ancient.” 

You glared back at her. “Okay, enough. What’s your real problem, huh? I mean really.”

Louisa let out another sigh. Her hands went to her hips. You hadn’t had a chance to tell her, but she looked pretty tonight too in her black dress. It flared at the waist and reached her knees, and she’d paired it with some chunky red heels. She was a little taller than you normally, but not by much. As the older sister, you enjoyed finally being taller than her for once in your higher heels. 

Still, you were annoyed with her right now. You sensed she had something deeper against Ben, and it wasn’t all about his age. When she eventually answered, it just confirmed your suspicions. 

“He’s dangerous,” she said at last. “He’s so fucking dangerous.” 

That disheartened you. Your lips pressed, and you held onto your own arms a bit tighter. 

“Not to me,” you replied. Louisa’s frown deepened as her brows knitted together.

“Especially to you,” she said. “He kidnapped you.” 

You gave a wan smile. “Not technically.” 

That had been one of his subordinates, who’d taken you outside of Ben’s orders…

It was a long and complicated story, but basically, it had worked out for both of you in the end. 

Louisa gave you a more incredulous look. “He’s got an atomic bomb in his chest.” 

“He’s working on controlling it,” you insisted. “He’s gotten a lot better!” 

Louisa threw her hands upward in exasperation and turned to leave you in the hall. You stopped her with a hand on her arm. 

“Look, I get it,” you said, meeting her gaze directly. “You’re worried about me. But here’s the thing…you don’t have to do that. I’m the one who looks out for you, remember?” 

Once again, she frowned at you. “Why, just because you’re older?” 

You gave her a teasing smile. 

“Well, yeah.” Still, you grasped both of her arms, now crossed in front of her chest. “Lou, haven’t I always taken care of you?” 

“Okay, yeah,” she said. “But who takes care of you? Who makes sure you’re all right?” 

You gave her a patient, if knowing look. 

She grimaced. “Oh, don’t you say it.” 

“Honestly, Lou. He does take care of me…he makes me feel safe.” You bit your lip, and your eyes began to well up with the sting of tears, emotion rising in your throat. “I’ve never had that. Ever.” 

Your sister released a heavy sigh. “I know.” 

“Then can you actually try to get to know him? Please?” You rubbed her arms, pleading with your eyes. You wanted your family to like your boyfriend, but it was so much more than that. You didn’t want to have separate worlds. Everyone in this house was part of your family, and that now included Ben.

The longer she looked into your imploring eyes, Louisa’s grimace lightened, just a touch. “I’ll think about it.” 

You smiled then, warmly as you hugged your sister. You then kissed her on the cheek, leaving the bright red imprint of your lipstick.

When you went back into the kitchen, your better mood was ruined pretty quickly by watching your aunt run your mother around the kitchen with demands and instructions. You decided to jump into the fray, taking a large serving bowl out of Marie’s hands before it tipped over.

“How’s the ham doing?” you asked. 

“About half an hour or so, I think,” Trina said. “Maybe forty-five.”

“Okay, and what’s left?”

“Let’s get the desserts ready.”

While your help sorely relieved your mother, it was actually a terrible idea for your mental health. When you could take no more of Trina’s irritating, commanding voice in your ear, you had to take a breath (as well as down a full glass of wine). 

You wordlessly asked Louisa to tag in for you before you traveled into the living room. 

There you found Ben immersed in a baseball game with Grandpa George. Both men only looked up at you when you stood near the couch with crossed arms. Your nerves were on edge, your blood still just short of boiling, but you took pains to look pleasant.

“Who’s winning?” you asked.

Ben quirked a smile at the sight of you, while George gave his more freely.

“5 to 3. It’s close on the Mets,” he said. You realized then that you hadn’t even hugged your grandfather yet. 

“Oh my God, Grandpa! I’m so sorry,” you said with a frown. You went over to hug him. “Trina has me all out of whack.”

George chuckled and patted you warmly on the back. “Why do you think I’m out here?”

You sighed with a wry smile. You then turned to Great Aunt Sylvia, who was still passed out in the recliner. 

“Aunt Sylvia?” you tried. You went over to her and touched her arm. 

“Leave her be, hun,” George told you. “Only the smell of food’ll rouse that woman.” 

Your smile deepened. Then you turned to Ben, who’d been watching you with reserved interest. He’d never seen you with the rest of your family before.

You went to him on his side of the couch and asked, in a tone deceptively light, “How about a tour of the house? You haven’t even seen it all.”

He could admit, it was a fairly big house for just your mother, but he was more interested in the game. 

“I’m watching this,” he said, gesturing at the screen. However, when he saw the tight press of your lips, he knew something wasn’t right with you. You were trying to tell him something with your eyes, he just didn’t know what.

You leaned down, subtly grabbing his thigh.

“I need you,” you whispered in his ear. “Now.” 

The tone of your voice set his blood alight with new interest.

Ben’s resulting smirk was subtle, but edged. 

“A tour it is.” 

AN: Just when you thought you'd seen the last of my BMD cliffhangers. 😏

How'd you like Ben's introduction to his girlfriend's family? I also sincerely hope you don't have an "Aunt Trina" in your life. 🙄

Next Time:

He grabbed your arms and meant to kiss you, but you stopped him with your fingers against his lips. 

“Two rules: this lipstick doesn’t come off. And no. Ripping. The dress.”

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