#Victoria Pedretti | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

pankowcrumbs · 2 days ago

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The Set up X Joseph Quinn (Requested)

The smell of rosemary and garlic hit me the moment I stepped into Fred’s house. It was cozy, with warm lighting and the kind of eclectic decor that could only come from someone who spent half his life traveling and the other half collecting oddities from every corner of the world. I slipped off my coat, hanging it on the rack by the door, and smiled at Victoria, who was already perched on the arm of Fred’s well-worn couch.

“Y/N!” she beamed, rushing over to wrap me in a hug. “I’m so glad you made it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I said, pulling back. “Though I still don’t understand why you were so insistent.”

Fred appeared from the kitchen, his apron dusted with flour, a mischievous grin on his face. “Because, dear Y/N, this is not just any dinner party. This is an experience. A culinary masterpiece. A—”

“Okay, okay,” I interrupted, laughing. “I get it. You’re very proud of your cooking.”

“Fred takes his dinner parties very seriously,” Victoria added, rolling her eyes fondly.

Fred gave her a playful glare but then turned back to me. “Anyway, drinks are in the kitchen. Help yourself. Dinner will be ready soon.”

I nodded and made my way to the kitchen, which was bustling with activity. A few of Fred’s friends were already mingling, chatting over glasses of wine and plates of appetizers. As I reached for a glass of white wine, someone stepped up beside me.

“You’re Victoria’s sister, right?” a warm, slightly raspy voice asked.

I turned, and there he was—Joseph Quinn. His curly hair was a little messy, and his dark eyes sparkled with curiosity. I froze for a second, my hand hovering over the bottle of wine, before quickly recovering.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I said, pouring the wine and offering him a small smile. “And you are?”

“Joe,” he said, holding out his hand. “Fred and I worked together on Gladiator 2.”

My eyebrows shot up as I shook his hand, his grip firm but gentle. “Oh, right! Victoria mentioned Fred had been working on that. I’m guessing you’re an actor?”

“Guilty as charged,” Joe said with a grin. “And you? Are you in the industry too?”

“Nope,” I said, laughing lightly. “I’m the boring one in the family. I work in publishing.”

“Publishing?” he repeated, tilting his head. “That’s not boring at all. Books are far more interesting than movies half the time.”

We ended up chatting for a while, standing by the kitchen island as the room filled with more guests. Joe was easy to talk to, with a quick wit and a knack for making me laugh. I didn’t even notice Fred hovering nearby until he cleared his throat dramatically.

“Well, well,” Fred said, a sly smile on his face. “I see you two have met.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, but he just grinned wider. “Fred,” I said slowly, “why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?”

“Who, me?” he asked, feigning innocence. “I’m just thrilled my two favorite people are getting along so well.”

Joe looked equally suspicious, but he didn’t say anything, just sipped his drink and glanced at me with a raised eyebrow.

Fred disappeared into the dining room, and I turned to Joe. “I think we’re being set up.”

Joe chuckled, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “It does feel a bit... orchestrated.”

Before I could respond, Victoria called us to the table. Fred had outdone himself, the dining room table laden with dishes that looked like they belonged in a magazine. We sat across from each other, Fred and Victoria on either side of us, and the meal began.

Throughout dinner, Fred’s “subtle” comments only grew more ridiculous.

“So, Joe,” he said at one point, leaning back in his chair. “Y/N loves art. Do you?”

Joe glanced at me, his cheeks pink. “Uh, yeah. I do, actually.”

“Perfect,” Fred said, clapping his hands together. “You should take her to that gallery downtown. It’s amazing.”

Victoria shot him a warning look, but it didn’t stop him. Every time Joe or I spoke, Fred found a way to twist it into some kind of romantic hint. By dessert, I was half tempted to kick him under the table.

Despite Fred’s antics, I found myself genuinely enjoying Joe’s company. He was charming without trying too hard, and the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed was undeniably endearing. By the time the evening wound down, I was reluctant to leave.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Joe offered as I grabbed my coat.

“You don’t have to,” I said, though I wasn’t exactly protesting.

“I insist,” he said with a smile.

We stepped outside into the cool night air, the city quiet around us. My car was parked just across the road, and we walked in short comfortable silence until we reached it.

“Well,” I said, turning to face him. “Thanks for walking me.”

“Of course,” he said, his hands in his pockets. He hesitated, then added, “I had a really great time tonight. Even with Fred’s... matchmaking.”

I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through me despite the chill. “Me too. You’re not so bad for a setup.”

He grinned, taking a small step closer. “Not so bad, huh?”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” I teased, but my voice was softer now, my heart pounding as he leaned in.

And then, his lips were on mine, warm and soft and perfect. I melted into the kiss, my hands resting lightly on his chest as his arms circled my waist. It was the kind of kiss that made the world fade away, leaving just the two of us in the glow of the streetlights.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and smiling, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I glanced toward Fred’s house and froze.

Through the living room window, Fred and Victoria were celebrating like they’d just won the lottery. Fred pumped his fist in the air while Victoria clapped her hands, both of them grinning like maniacs.

Joe followed my gaze and laughed, shaking his head. “Unbelievable.”

I couldn’t help but laugh too, the sound bubbling out of me as the ridiculousness of the situation sank in. “Well,” I said, looking back at him. “I guess they got what they wanted.”

“Maybe they did,” Joe said, his voice soft as he reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “But I’m not complaining.”

“Me neither,” I admitted, smiling up at him.

He kissed me again, slower this time, and I knew, without a doubt, that this was just the beginning.

#fanfiction #reader #x reader #one shot #joseph quinn #joseph quinn x reader #joe quinn #joseph quinn x you #joseph quinn x y/n #Gladiator 2 #gladiator II #fred hechinger #victoria pedretti

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lezkissgifs · 3 months ago

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