#and i’m so heartbroken for his family and friends this is just so shocking | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

writingforstraykids · 7 months ago

Note

I keep thinking about dilf!Felix like him being your besties dad or something….

-🎀

I swear I've been staring at this for so long, debating if I should do a full fic or just some thoughts. Well, thank my dear Azzy @galaxycatdrawz for this, because you made his thoughts go wild. Basically I just had to transform his whole little plan into a fic. There will be 2nd chapter (including smut) but have fun with this for now.🖤

Finding home in your heart

Pairing: Felix x fem!reader (mention of Minchan | Jisung)

Word Count: 7571

Summary: Felix got cheated on by his wife repeatedly and ends up heartbroken after the discovery. His adoptive daughter, your best friend, tells you the whole story and asks you to move in as you're struggling to find a place. Your only problem; you had a crush on Felix for ages and living with him isn't making it easier...

Warnings/Tags: angst, emotional hurt!comfort, fluff, insecure!lix, domestic shit, baking, cuddles, slowburn (ig?), first kiss, age difference (8 years, it's legal since this fic is for adults, chill out)

PART TWO

do not repost, translate, or plagiarize my works in any way here or on other platforms. ©️writingforstraykids 2024 -

Felix’s love life had been nothing but a steady stream of predictable days blending into years. He would have never doubted his beautiful wife and would have never second-guessed her love for him. They had gotten married early and soon found out his wife was incapable of carrying his children. So, after some consideration, they adopted a young girl and raised her like their own. She had grown into a smart young woman, and Felix couldn’t be more proud of her. Given the age gap of only ten years he had always been rather close with her and later you, her best friend.

One night he decided to surprise his wife, coming home early as his daughter was staying at yours. What greeted him wasn’t the usual warmth and coziness of his home but the sight of his wife in a certain setting no man wants to find the love of his life in with another man. For a moment, Felix found himself frozen in place, the safe foundation of his life slowly crumbling away beneath his feet. He whispered her name in disbelief, only to find out that this had been going on for years. Felix felt like his whole life shattered to pieces and the betrayal left an ugly taste of bitterness on his lips. How the hell was he supposed to get out of this?

“And then she just left,” your best friend ends her story, and your eyes grow even wider than they have already been.

“You’re kidding?” you ask, shocked.

“Apparently, she said something about how this shit has been going on for years, that she never really loved him, and that she’ll leave until he finds a new place,” she rages on and paces her bedroom angrily. “Oh, and I’m just another burden he talked her into,” she scoffs, and your frown deepens.

“You won’t stay here, right?” you ask cautiously. You can’t imagine she will, but still.

“Oh, hell no. I’ll go with Dad, she can piss off,” she shakes her head and drops onto her mattress. “The perk of being not related to her is that I can push her out of my life for good,” she snorts, and you gently pat her back. “I feel so bad for him,” she sighs.

“It must’ve been a huge shock,” you nod, your heart feeling heavy. Felix has always been kind to you from day one. Whenever your family was struggling, he helped out, even if it was simply by taking you with them to theme parks, the movies, or shopping. Felix was only eight years older than you and ten years older than your best friend, so the older you got, the more he felt like an older friend instead of your best friend’s father. Also, he was stunningly handsome, but that wasn’t relevant right now.

“He’s trying to hide it, but I know how shitty he feels right now,” she tells you worriedly. “I mean, he’s never been with anyone else and-.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” you assure her gently. “He has such a kind heart, I’m sure someone will love him, truly.”

“I will thoroughly check the next person. You’ll have to help me then, go all detective on them,” she smirks, and you agree, laughing.

A gentle knock at the door interrupts you, and Felix opens the door flashing you a tired smile as a greeting before glancing at his daughter. “Channie called, he has a spare place we can have.”

“Just like that?” she asks baffled.

Felix chuckles weakly and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, just like that. I told him I’d pay, but Minho insisted they don’t need the place, and it’s all paid off.”

“How convenient,” she smirks and rolls her eyes. “Typical uncle Min,” she grins.

“Yeah,” he laughs and sighs softly. “You think you can get everything ready in the next few days?”

“You really can’t wait to get out of here, huh?” she laughs, and his smile dies, eyes clouding with pain.

“Yeah, I guess,” he nods and clears his throat as his daughter looks at him apologetically. “Well, let me know when you’re hungry, and we can order something,” he announces, putting on a smile and quickly pulling the door closed.

“See?” she whispers. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

You hum gently and pat your best friend’s knee. “Well, I can help you move, I have nothing to do those next few weeks.”

“You’re so sweet,” she giggles and hops up, ripping the door open. “Dad, Y/nnie says she’s gonna help us move our stuff!” she shouts downstairs.

“Lovely,” Felix shouts back halfheartedly and flinches as his daughter slams the door closed again. “Fucks sake, this woman,” he snorts and stands still in the living room for a moment. He chews on his lower lip as the many memories he made in this very room crash over him like a wave, trying to drown him. “You’re such a dumbass,” he whispers to himself.

“No, you’re not, she’s just a massive bitch,” you speak up gently, suddenly standing in the living room with him.

He blinks at you with wide, confused eyes before a small smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Mhm, you could say that. Doesn’t make me any wiser, letting her fool me for the past ten years,” he huffs softly and rubs his face. “I just feel bad for her,” he says, and you know he means your best friend upstairs. “All I always wanted for her was a stable home after everything she went through.”

“Look at her, you did great,” you tell him, and he chuckles weakly.

“Yeah,” he sighs. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this,” he waves you off and blinks at you surprised as you offer him a hug. He accepts it after a short moment of hesitation and bites back a laugh as you pat his back encouragingly.

“You’ll be okay…she’ll never find someone better, so fuck her. It’s her loss,” you tell him, and Felix snorts before letting go of you and grabbing his phone.

“We’ll see,” he hums softly, subtly bringing some distance between the two of you again. “You’re gonna stay for dinner?” he asks, and you gently shake your head.

“I promised Mum I’d be home for dinner today,” you tell him, and he nods gently.

“You need a ride?” he offers, and you wave him off.

“I’ll be fine, promise,” you assure him and exchange your goodbyes.

One week later

You put down the boxes you carried inside and look around with wide eyes. “Wow, Min wasn’t lying. This place is huge.”

“Right? I didn’t quite believe it as well,” your best friend giggles and puts down her boxes as well.

“Why would I lie about that, huh?” Minho asks playfully offended, adding some boxes on the floor next to yours. “You think we’d give your dad and you some shabby place? You think that lowly of us?”

Chan pokes his side, making him squeak and giggles as Minho playfully raises his fists to fight him. “Relax, no one’s calling you a liar, baby.”

“Sure hope so,” he teases and naturally intertwines their hands, pulling Chan with him. “You haven’t seen the view from up here yet,” he announces and waves you after him.

You follow the pair of them onto the huge balcony, and your breath hitches. From up here, you can see parts of the city and the ocean, and still it’s so peaceful up here.

“How’s your dad, kiddo?” Minho asks your best friend after a moment of comfortable silence.

“Worse than he admits,” she answers, and Minho hums gently. “If you ask me, he’s fucking heartbroken and feels worthless. If you ask him, he’s okay and just a little caught up in his thoughts,” she further explains.

“Give him time,” Chan tells her gently and sighs, looking down at the ocean. “Ten years is a lot, you know?”

The door to the balcony opens, and Felix steps outside, laughing at you all. “Seriously? You’re out here enjoying the view while I’m carrying all those boxes?” he asks, and you all start laughing before hurrying back inside to help him.

Once everything is inside, Minho and Chan give you a tour through the house and you wonder what Felix and your friend would do with all this space. The couple soon leaves again to give them some space to settle in.

Your best friend strolls through the house and frowns softly. “You’re alright?” Felix asks her, frowning softly. “I know it’s not home, but we can make it work, it’ll just need some time and-.”

“Dad, home is wherever you are, relax,” she laughs, and Felix nods, stunned, looking adorably touched by her words. “I just…this place is huge.”

“It is,” he nods. “I have no idea what the hell they had planned for this.”

“Nothing useful, as Min put it,” you chime in, and Felix grins at your remark.

“I’ll feel so lonely here if you’re at work,” she speaks up after a moment, and Felix’s face softens.

“Dear, there’ll be a point in your life when you move out and everything. I won’t always be around,” he says, and she glares at him.

“Don’t say shit like that, you’re only ten years older than I am, it’ll take a while,” she points out, and he snorts but gives in, remaining quiet. “Y/nnie, how’s the hunt for a flat going?” she asks.

“I already told you it’s shit,” you sigh softly, not quite picking up on her true intentions behind that question. “It’s either too expensive or so much out of town it’s not exactly convenient.”

“Oh, you’re going to move out?” Felix asks, busying himself with one of the boxes.

“I want to, my parents could use the space for something else,” you nod.

“Dad?” she asks, drawing out the word with a sweet tone.

“What do you want?” he asks, not even looking up.

“She could move in with us,” she says, and you frown at her. Felix looks up, confused, and tilts his head at her. “She can’t find a place, I worry about getting lonely here…you could use some more company as well before you’re fully depressed and-.”

“Will you stop?” he snaps at her. “I’m not depressed, I’m fine besides the fact that I got cheated on after wasting ten years of my life,” he continues and shakes his head at her. “Stop reading into it that much, I’ll start believing you at this point.”

You lower your gaze at the floor and awkwardly shuffle on your feet. “Gosh, relax,” she sighs. “That just proved my point.”

Felix throws the contents of the box back inside and pushes himself up. “I’m getting some fresh air. And yes, you can move in if you want to, it’s not like we’d lack space or whatever,” he says before leaving the two of you.

“Nice one,” you sigh softly.

“What?” she groans and rolls her eyes. “You know I’m right.”

“And that makes it better?” you chuckle, and she huffs softly. “Fine, fine, I’ll go apologize…but would you?”

“I don’t know,” you sigh softly. “I’d feel like I’m intruding,” you argue gently.

“Never,” she shakes her head firmly. “Also, you’re here every day anyway, so nothing changes,” she grins before sighing softly. “Dad?” she shouts, and you roll your eyes at her.

Should you? Move in with your best friend and her heartbroken, conveniently handsome adoptive father? That could only go wrong, right?

You join them on the balcony and sigh softly, meeting your best friend’s eyes. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

She shouts in joy and pulls you into a tight hug, hopping excitedly. “You’re the best best friend I could’ve ever wished for!”

“Yeah, yeah,” you chuckle and roll your eyes playfully, catching Felix smirking at the two of you.

Three weeks later

You hum to yourself as you make your way from the kitchen to the living room area. Your best friend is staying the night at her boyfriend’s, and Felix is out on Stray Kids duty, as you jokingly call it. So, for now, you have the whole house to yourself. You moved in fully about two weeks ago, and your new room is bigger than you ever dared to imagine. There’s an attached bathroom as well, and your few things look ridiculous, trying to fill up all that space you have now.

You grab your phone and check your messages before scrolling through some news. Refreshing the page, a new article appears on top, and you realize it’s about Felix. Curiously, you click on it, and your eyes widen, realizing it’s about what happened with his wife. You read through it and smile sadly; Felix seems to have tried putting it as respectfully and vague as he could. You don’t support what that woman did for years one bit, but you also know how their fans can get so you’re glad Felix tries to stay neutral in public.

You glance up from your phone as the front door opens downstairs, and Felix comes up the stairs only a little later. Looking at him, you can tell he was crying, and your heart sinks to your stomach, seeing how tired he looks. His eyes meet yours, and you swallow softly as he stops in his tracks as if he just remembered you live here as well. “You’re okay?” you ask softly, and for the first time in weeks, Felix shakes his head.

“Not really, no,” he admits, his voice a little raspy. You can tell he’s fighting back tears, and you gently pat the spot next to you on the sofa. Felix momentarily searches your eyes before moving forward and dropping down on the sofa next to you. “I know it’s my own fault because I took off my wedding ring but I didn’t expect them to ask already,” he tells you quietly and nervously fidgets with his hands. “Chan told me to be honest before she comes up with something that’ll drag me down.”

“I think you’ve handled it quite well,” you tell him gently, and he groans in response.

“Already online, huh?” he sighs, and you hum softly. Felix throws his head back against the sofa and stares up at the ceiling. You can’t help but take in his side profile and let your eyes wander down his neck. “I hate this.”

“Hate what?” you ask gently.

“I have to have an explanation for everything as if I’d know why she cheated. Maybe it’s because I’ve been gone often with all our schedules. Maybe she got bored. Maybe she just saw past that facade of fame and sunshine behavior and realized I’m not as lovable as everyone thinks I am,” he huffs, making you frown at him. “Maybe she never loved me in the first place, and I can’t even blame her for that.”

“Stop it now,” you scold him firmly and Felix turns his head, blinking at you. “Have you ever considered that maybe she’s just a massive bitch and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you?”

“Not really, no,” he shakes his head and sits up straight again. “That’s rather unlikely, isn’t it? There’s always a reason people cheat.”

“Sometimes it’s simply stupidity,” you insist. “Not everything is your fault, Felix.”

“Why does it feel like it then?” he asks quietly, and your heart breaks at the desperate glint in his eyes. “Why does it feel like I’m the one who fucked it all up? And why doesn’t she care one bit, and I’m here feeling like complete shit?”

“Because you loved her,” you say quietly and watch his face fall. “She didn’t try to make it right, did she? She didn’t protest when you suggested a divorce.” Felix shakes his head, eyes brimming with tears. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe she never loved you for who you truly are. Maybe all she saw was the fame, the money, the places you went to…but how is that your fault?”

“I…I should’ve known,” he says quietly, his lower lip quivering a little.

“You can’t know that shit if they’re good at hiding and pretending. Who knows how long she could’ve kept up that show if you hadn’t come home early that day?” you ask, and Felix avoids your observant gaze, staring down at his hands. “The only thing you’re at fault for is beating yourself up for this and thinking you’re worthless.”

Felix remains quiet and presses his lips together tightly as hot tears run down his cheeks. His hair falls into his face as his head hangs low, and you can only tell as he sniffles softly. You hesitantly reach out for him and rub his back soothingly. Felix whispers an apology and buries his face in his hands, a quiet sob rippling through his body. You don’t know where you get the confidence from, but you move before you can reconsider what you’re about to do. Wrapping your arm around him, you pull him into a warm embrace and gently rub his shoulder. Felix tenses up briefly before he relaxes into your touch, allowing himself the comfort you spend.

It doesn’t last for all too long, and Felix pushes himself off the sofa, messily wiping his cheeks. “Sorry, I shouldn’t-,” he stammers and exhales shakily. “I shouldn’t dump this all on you.”

“I don’t-” you start and shut your mouth as he raises his hand to stop you.

“I know you don’t mind. I know,” he says and shakily wipes his cheek. “That doesn’t make it any better. I appreciate you trying to help, but I’ll go before I start unloading even more nonsense,” he sniffles and flashes you a sad smile. “Thank you, though.”

“You’re welcome,” you nod gently and watch him leave. Only then do you notice your heart racing in your chest and the wet patch of his tears in your sweater. “So much to keeping boundaries, Y/n,” you scold yourself, rubbing your face tiredly.

Felix closes the door to his room and buries his face in his hands with a soft groan. “What the fuck are you doing?” he whispers and stands still for a moment. What is he doing, sobbing in his daughter’s best friend’s arms? Is he going insane? Felix closes his eyes and tries to forget how comfortable your hug felt, how good you smelled, and how soothing your presence was to him. “Fuck,” he whispers into the emptiness of his room.

One week later

Your heart thumps loudly in your chest as you walk down the hallway, clutching your visitor pass. Your best friend asked you to pick up Felix from work tonight because she had to work late and would then stay at her boyfriend's again. Would he think weirdly of you for it? He's been avoiding you a little after that emotional breakdown a week ago, and you can't blame him.

You reach Chan's studio and knock gently, letting yourself in.

“Oh, Y/nnie,” Chan greets you cheerfully.

“Haven't seen you here in a while,” Minho adds curiously.

“Yeah, uh, I have to pick up Felix,” you say, and they frown.

“I thought-”

“No, she's working late and staying at her boyfriend's or something like that,” you shrug your shoulders.

“She asks you to move in so she isn't lonely and leaves all the time,” Minho shakes his head, amused. “Well, at least someone's keeping an eye on Lix, then.”

“Mhm, yeah,” you nod. “Where is he?”

“In the practice room down the hallway. Uh…he's in a shit mood today,” Minho tells you.

“Define shit mood,” you chuckle.

“Everything is shit, nothing works, he's useless,” Chan sighs softly and shakes his head. “We tried.”

You sigh heavily and roll your eyes. “Fine, I'll do my best.”

“Good luck,” Chan giggles.

Only a little later, you open the door to the practice room and slip inside. You frown as you spot Felix stretched out on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. “I swear, Channie, if you're here to tell me another bad joke that's supposed to make me laugh, I'll snap,” he announces.

You stop next to him and tilt your head at him. “Not Channie,” you say. “What's that supposed to be?” you ask, vaguely waving at his current position.

“It's my new favorite yoga position called utter depression,” he says dryly and throws you a peace sign. “That's I'm a failure, what's your name?”

“Chan wasn't lying,” you nod slowly.

“Did Chan call you? Seriously?” he asks, sitting up on his elbows.

“No. In fact, it was your lovely daughter asking me to come pick you up. She's working late, and then she'll stay over at her boyfriend's.”

“I still can't believe she asked you to move in so she wouldn't be lonely, and now she's barely home,” Felix snorts and groans softly.

“Mhm, you guys are repeating yourselves, Min said the same thing,” you tell him and gently poke his side with your shoe. “What's going on, Mr. utter depression?”

“Nothing, as you can see,” he sighs. “I fucked up during practice today. Minho only didn't call me out for all the mistakes because he felt sorry for me at the time,” he tells you.

“And that led you down the good old road to self-hatred?” you ask, sitting down on the floor next to him.

“Maybe,” he answers vaguely.

“Surely,” you correct him. “Lix?” you ask gently, and he turns his head toward you. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No,” he shakes his head as his eyes trace your features.

“We could take a walk and grab some food on the way. We don't have to talk or anything. It's just for you to clear your head and empty all that garbage you keep up there,” you tell him, tugging a small smile at the corner of his lips.

“Yeah, okay,” he nods.

You exchange your goodbyes with Min and Chan, who secretly throw some hearts your way when Felix isn't looking. Idiots.

After that evening, it all got easier again. You didn't talk much that day, but the fresh air, bright lights, and warm food had lightened Felix's mood immensely. Over the following two weeks, you two grew closer, and Felix allowed himself to be more open. With your best friend gone quite frequently, it was often only you and him.

The more time you spent together, the more you realized how ridiculously perfect Felix was. His beautiful brown eyes, soft features adorned by all those sweet freckles, and blond hair falling around his face made your stomach flip. His sweet smile and even prettier laugh made you feel like winning a trophy every time you were the reason for it. He's so kind and polite that it makes your head spin.

Felix can't quite stop himself from looking at you whenever you don't notice. The more time you spend, the more he notices how beautiful you are. How caring and gentle. Your smile brightens his days and he can't fully shake the longing to be in your arms again off. He hasn't felt as comfortable around someone in a while, and there's a lingering worry in the back of his head telling him that he really shouldn't allow himself to fall for you. It only gets worse watching you doing the most mundane things and wishing that you wouldn't leave again.

Another two weeks later your best friend announces she'll be abroad for a holiday with her boyfriend for two weeks. Two weeks. It'll only be Felix and you for fourteen days. That thought wasn't helping your anxious heart, trying not to fall for him at all.

You decided to make the best out of it and forget about your worries. Seeing Felix smile again was all that counted.

The first morning, Felix tiredly strolls down the hallway from his room and stops in his tracks when he sees you at the stove. A sweet scent lingers in the kitchen, and he realizes you're making pancakes for breakfast. His heart picks up pace, and he takes a deep breath, reminding himself to act normal. “Morning,” he says, not knowing that his even deeper morning voice sends shivers down your spine.

“Good morning,” you smile at him, bright as ever. He has to look somewhere else to stop himself from blushing. “Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes,” you tell him, and he hums softly.

Felix sits down at the kitchen island and watches you thoughtfully. It's ridiculous how used to your presence he got over the past few weeks. Almost as if he couldn't imagine it any other way anymore. “Do you have any plans for today?” he asks and you shake your head as you put the pancakes on a big plate.

“Why?” you ask curiously and turn off the stove.

“Uh, I was thinking about painting her room since she wanted a new color so badly…I was wondering if you'd like to help?” he asks nervously.

You put down the plate and nod. “Sure, why not?”

Felix flashes you a sweet smile and thanks you as you hand him a plate with some pancakes. They're so fluffy they almost melt on his tongue, and he has trouble biting back a moan. “Oh, they're amazing,” he tells you and notices the subtle blush settling on your cheeks.

“Thank you,” you smile almost shyly.

Seriously, can't you give him a break?

After breakfast, Felix takes a quick shower, and you put on some clothes that could be ruined by the paint. You meet again in your best friend's room, and you smile at how soft Felix looks in a pair of gray sweatpants and a wide sweater. You pull all the furniture away from the walls, covering everything up before Felix shows you how to apply the paint properly. In the beginning, you're both quietly working and it feels peaceful, just focusing on painting for now. Then Felix starts talking, trying to kill the silence. “I signed the divorce papers yesterday,” he says casually, and you need a moment to figure out how to answer.

“Congratulations?” you chuckle, and he laughs, realizing how out of pocket this has been.

“Sorry, that was pretty random,” he apologizes.

“No, it's fine. I'm glad you did,” you say, and he glances at you, making you ramble on quickly. “I mean, it's the right thing to do. Did you settle on anything? Does she demand stuff?”

“If she doesn't want my legal team to be less nice about the reason we're getting a divorce than I was, then she won't,” he tells you and sighs softly. “She has the old house, and I don't have to pay her anything. I'm glad when we're done with the whole process,” he admits tiredly.

“I bet you are,” you nod gently. “You deserve some peace after everything,” you say, and he hums softly, pressing his lips together briefly. “We can stop talking about it,” you assure him gently, and Felix nods thankfully.

“We need more paint,” he states.

“Well, we should let this dry anyway for today,” you nod and flash him a gentle smile. “We could go buy some more and then call it a day?”

“Sounds good,” he nods, rubbing his face tiredly, and turns toward you fully now.

“You've got some paint on your cheek,” you say, and he blindly reaches out to wipe it off. He doesn't quite get it and you step in front of him, reaching out for him. “Let me help,” you say and gently rub your thumb over his cheek, wiping the still fresh paint off.

Felix freezes in place, staring at you as you do so. He feels like the world stops for a moment but then your soft touch is already gone again. He exhales a breath he didn't know he was holding in and follows you outside. Fucks sake.

You wander through the store next to him and you end up buying some more stuff to decorate the house a little more. Felix's phone rings and you can tell it's Chan by the way his face lights up. He nudges your side after a moment. “You're hungry?”

“I could eat,” you nod.

“Min and Chan ask if we wanna stop by,” he tells you, and you shrug your shoulders.

“Sure, why not?”

Only shortly after, you reach their house, and your eyes widen, spotting the two small kittens on the carpet. “Oh, you have new ones?” you ask excitedly and Minho looks at you as if he's going to hit you.

“Or not?” you ask, chuckling.

Chan gently pokes his cheek and grins at you. “Yeah, we got them like a week ago,” he nods, and you crouch down as they make their way over.

“Can I hold them?” you ask, looking at Minho, and his face softens.

“If they let you,” he nods and tells you to sit down on the floor.

He picks up the first one and gently hands it over to you, making sure you hold it right. “He's usually very calm, so if you don't move too quickly, you should be fine,” he tells you and sits down, grabbing the second one. “She's a little rascal,” he smirks and gently scratches her head.

“They're so tiny,” you say, amazed.

“Here, he loves those,” Chan says, handing you a little treat.

You hold out your hand for the kitten, and he doesn't waste much time. You giggle at his tiny tongue licking over your palm and beam at Minho excitedly. Chan passes Minho and gently runs his hand through his hair mindlessly. Minho smiles softly and looks up at him so full of love you can't help but wish you'd find someone you shared the same type of deep love with. “Wanna help me set the table, Lix?” he asks, and Felix hums, following him, not after a quick glance in your direction to make sure you're alright.

Soon after, you're all gathered around the table, and you all thank Minho for cooking. Chan glances at Felix after a while and seems to debate whether he should ask what's going through his head. “Lix?” he asks, and his friend turns toward him. “How are you holding up?”

“I'm fine,” he smiles tiredly, and you know the question starts to bother him by now.

“You said that from day one,” Minho chuckles and tilts his head at him.

“No, I am. I signed the papers yesterday and then soon it'll all be over,” he explains.

“Have you met anyone new?” Minho asks curiously. “I mean, it's been almost two months.”

“Mhm, after ten years of a fake marriage. I still have time, don't you think?” he asks sourly.

Chan steps in, trying to ease the mood. “We're just worried about you getting lonely, Lix,” he tells him.

“I'd rather be lonely than that,” he says and rolls his eyes at them. “Not everyone finds the one and lives happily ever after from day one on,” he says, looking at the two of them.

“That's hardly realistic, nothing was perfect from day one,” Minho shakes his head.

“Not really, no,” Chan snorts and winks at him.

“Well, you're not me, so…,” Felix says quietly, and the mood changes.

“Meaning?” Minho asks patiently, even though you can tell he’d rather punch some sense into him.

Felix puts down his chopsticks and sighs heavily. “I'm way too emotional, I'm too shy to approach anyone or initiate anything further, I mess up stuff constantly and-.”

“Will you stop?” you cut him off, and everyone looks at you as if they're remembering you're still here. “You keep on talking shit about yourself, and you don't even realize you're letting her win.”

“I'm not letting her—” he frowns. Chan is about to speak up, but Minho stops him, resting his hand on his.

“Yes, you are. She used you for years, and you're still letting her by making it all your fault. As if she had no other choice but to go off and fuck around with whoever she found moderately fuckable,” you say, and he blinks at you, stunned as Chan chokes on his breath. “You're talented at what you do, you're hardworking, and you're one of the most caring people I know. You didn't have to, but you always made me feel at home when I visited your daughter. You haven't done any differently since I moved in, and as long as you aren't talking shit about yourself, you're pretty funny. And-.”

“Y/nnie,” he says softly, and it's the first time he's called you that. “Eat up; it's going to get cold.”

You quickly shut your mouth, ears burning up as you realize you've just been pretty open in front of Minho and Chan. “Yeah, okay, you better shut up then…respectfully.”

“Message received,” he smiles gently.

Minho raises his eyebrows and glances at Chan before moving his eyes between the two of you. Chan frowns before his eyes widen, and he squints at him. Minho widens his eyes and puts on a little passive aggressively encouraging smile, signaling him that, yes, he is VERY right about this.

“You can stop the eye fuckery over there, I'll get sick,” Felix calls them out, and you frown softly at Minho's mischievous grin.

“Y/n, what about you?” Minho asks curiously.

“You're playing cupid as a side business, or what is this?” you ask right back.

“Simply interested,” he gives back.

“I'm single if you must know so badly, and no, my self-esteem isn't drowning as much as Lix’s,” you say, and Felix pokes your side, protesting softly.

Chan watches you quietly before glancing at his husband and humming softly. Minho simply smirks.

Later, when it's time to leave, you hold your hand out for Felix, and he tilts his head at you questioningly. “Keys, please,” you smile.

“Huh?” he asks, amused.

“You had two drinks, I didn't have any, and I'm driving,” you tell him, stretching your hand out once more.

“Listen to her, Yongbokie,” Minho tells him, and Felix gives in and hands you the keys.

“That was really sweet,” Felix says, almost too quiet to hear.

“The kittens?” you giggle.

“Mhm, yeah, they too,” he nods and glances over at you. “I meant what you said…I uh... thanks.”

“Oh,” you nod and feel your heart warming at the softness in his eyes. “I meant it.”

“I know,” he whispers and can barely meet your eyes.

“You should give yourself more credit. Try seeing yourself through the eyes of the people you mean something to from time to time,” you say, parking the car in front of the house.

Felix looks at you, a little stunned. “I mean something to you?” he asks softly.

“Well, of course you do, Lixie,” you smile and lean over, brushing his hair back for him.

“Yeah?” he asks, eyes traveling down to your lips before he can fight it.

“Mhm,” you hum softly and search his eyes. Suddenly, you move forward and your lips meet in a soft kiss that has him melting in his seat. He reaches up to bury his hand into your hair and-.

“Felix? Felix, wake up,” you say gently.

“Huh?” he asks confused.

“Wake up, Lix, come on,” you say softly, daring to brush a loose strand from his face. “Come on, let's get you upstairs.”

Felix blinks at you drowsily and needs a moment to realize he's been dreaming—dreaming of kissing you. His face burns up red with embarrassment as your gentle eyes meet his, and he shoots out of his seat. “Yeah, sorry,” he stammers, and you watch him a little confused.

“You're okay?” you ask, closing the door for him.

“Sure, why wouldn't I be?” he asks, laughing nervously. Don't look at the lips. Don't.

“Man, you're weird when you get woken up,” you shake your head and unlock the front door, letting him in. Felix stumbles taking off his shoes, making you laugh. “Is alcohol having such an effect on you?”

“Mhm, yeah,” he lies, spotting his lifeline.

“Well, let's get you to bed then,” you say and gently pat his back, shoving him inside.

“I'll make it on my own, thank you,” he quickly says and wishes you a good night. He throws himself face forward onto his bed and groans into his blanket. “Fuck, no, Lix, you can't.” He turns onto his back and stares up at the ceiling, brushing his fingers over his lips. Groaning softly, he fumbles for his phone; he needs some clarity now.

“It's late, what the fuck, mate?”

“Jisungie, I fucked up,” Felix whines softly.

“Oh, please don't tell me you're drunk,” Jisung sighs softly. “Do I have to pick you up somewhere?”

“No,” he quickly assures him. “I just…there's this certain someone I can't stop thinking about, and…Ji, it's wrong!”

“I don't like the sound of this,” he states calmly. “Go on.”

And Felix does, spilling all his hurt, feelings of emptiness, and worthlessness. Telling him how you mend his heart, fill his entire being with happiness, and make him feel loveable. He confesses how he can't stop thinking about you, worrying how messed up this could get.

Jisung lets him ramble on and nods gently once he's done. “That's fucked up, mate.”

“I know,” he whispers.

“No, I don't think you know how bad that bitch fucked you up,” Jisung says, and Felix is too stunned to speak for a second. “Fucks sake, Lix! Where's my pretty boy getting all the girls, huh? When did you get all shy and scared? Did she fuck up your self-esteem that badly?”

“Ji, you're missing the point here,” he insists. “Everyone would think I'm using her, she's eight years younger. They'll make her a victim and-.”

“Lix,” he cuts him off firmly. “I'm that victim you're describing here, you do know that, right? My hubby is ten years older, Hyune’s wife is six years younger, and no one gives a fuck,” he tells him. “The thing you really can't take is the fact that she's your daughter's best friend.”

“That surely doesn't help,” he groans.

“Well, technically-.”

“She's my daughter, you can try and twist this how you want,” he shakes his head. “And she'll hate me if I act upon my feelings for Y/n.”

“All she wanted was for you to be happy. Why not with Y/nnie?” he asks gently. “Listen, buddy, you gotta figure out what you really want and then act accordingly. Stop sending her signals if you don't want this to evolve into something more.”

“I know,” he sighs softly. Fuck.

“Can you get the eggs?” you ask him as you pour some sugar into a bowl, weighing its content as you do.

“Sure,” Felix nods and his hand rests on your lower back for a brief moment, notifying you of him standing behind you to stop you from bumping into him.

You swallow softly at the lingering touch, and it's already gone again before you can't think much of it. Felix got home from the studio about an hour ago, and you two decided to surprise your best friend with a cake for her birthday tomorrow. At least she had planned to come back again for it. After quickly buying the ingredients, you two got busy in the kitchen. He's unusually clumsy, your hands brushed against each other four times already since you've started and you already bumped heads, both wanting to grab something off the floor he dropped. The brief touches and his soft eyes combined with that shy smile are slowly driving you insane.

Once you're all done you put it in the oven and set a timer, cleaning up the kitchen for now. You'll still need a few things for the icing later but you get rid of most of the mess for now. After loading the dishwasher, the 25 minutes are over, and Felix carefully takes it out. You leave it there to cool and throw yourself on the sofa.

Felix joins you and turns on the TV, putting on the next episode of the series you've recently started watching together. After a while, your head slowly drops onto his shoulder and it takes him a moment to realize you fell asleep. He cautiously wraps his arm around you to make you more comfortable and lets you rest against his chest. He tries not to think too much of it and chews on his lower lip nervously as he tries to pay attention to the screen.

As much as he tries to fight it, he's exhausted from their intense practice today, and his eyes grow heavier with every minute. It doesn't take long and he falls asleep as well, getting more comfortable and dragging you down with him in his sleep.

You wake up in his arms, your head resting on his chest. Your eyes widen in shock, and you fight the urge to jump up and get as far away from him as possible. You barely dare to lift your head. Glancing down at him, your heart skips a beat at how soft and vulnerable he looks in his sleep. His chest is slowly rising and falling, his hair hangs into his face and he looks so soft it makes you want to squish his cheeks. You admire the beautiful freckles painting his face as the fading sun caresses his golden skin. Gosh, he's pretty.

He moves in his sleep, tightening his grip around you and rolling you both onto your sides. Burying his face in your neck, he lets out a content sigh and pulls you in close. You bite your lip and curse yourself for wanting this so badly. You should really wake him up…but you couldn't. Not when he had a long day and finally got some rest. Not when he looked this content and peaceful. You couldn't.

You timidly rest your chin on his fluffy hair and wait for a moment, but he doesn't seem to mind. Carefully, you fondle his back and rest your hand between his shoulder blades. He doesn't stir one bit, and you decide to try sleeping some more as well.

You wake up again when he stretches in your arms, pulling back with a soft groan. Felix squints at you drowsily before he slowly picks up on your current situation. A blush creeps up his neck and colors his cheeks and ears. He pulls away and rolls onto his back with a soft sound, rubbing his face tiredly. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

“For what?” you ask gently.

“Uh…this,” he awkwardly gestures between the two of you. “I uh…I tend to get cuddly when I fall asleep. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable or-.”

“You didn't,” you say firmly, and he slowly glances at you.

“No?” he asks quietly.

“Not at all,” you assure him, and he hums gently in response. “You seemed like you needed it, so I let you sleep a little longer.”

“Oh,” he nods dumbly and searches your eyes timidly. “Okay.”

“Yeah,” you nod and smile at him. “I think we can finish the cake by now.”

“Probably,” he laughs and sits up.

The pair of you soon gets busy in the kitchen again and Felix turns on the mixer to finish the icing for the cake. It's a little too fast, and some of it lands on his sweater. “Fucks sake,” he curses softly before slowing it down.

You laugh at him, and he turns to you, raising his eyebrows. “Oh, you got some on your face,” you giggle and step in front of him. You cup his face gently with one hand, rubbing your other thumb across the icing on his forehead. “Keep still, Lixie,” you say and don't quite notice his lips parting at the new nickname. You move further down, wiping the bits on his cheek off, and only then you meet his eyes. They're wide and filled with thousands of questions and insecurities. “You're okay?” you ask worriedly.

Felix blinks at you before very slowly shaking his head. “I'm not okay,” he says, and you turn off the mixer, bathing the room in silence.

“What's wrong?” you ask and want to pull your hand off his face, but his hand wraps around your wrist keeping you there.

“I…,” he trails off, sinking deeper into your eyes, and you can see the sudden longing in them. It's pure and innocent, making you all dizzy the longer you look at him. “You're driving me nuts,” he confesses.

“Breathe,” you tell him before experimentally brushing your thumb over his lips. He exhales shuddery, eyes fluttering close at your touch. “Can I kiss you?” you ask.

“What?” he squeaks, eyes snapping back open.

“You heard me,” you say and tilt your head at him. “Can I?” Felix gulps before nodding timidly. You close the distance between the two of you, and your lips brush against his. A soft, quiet sound escapes him and then you're cupping his face and kissing him. Felix melts into the kiss, body searching yours as he grips your waist and stumbles a little, shoving you against the kitchen counter. He pulls back only to catch his breath and presses his forehead against yours. “You're okay?” you ask again. This time, he nods.

“Yeah,” he whispers with a soft smile. “I'm okay...”

PART TWO

MASTERLISTS | PROMPT LIST | GUIDELINES

Taglist: (Please let me know if you want to be added to/removed from the taglist!)

@atinyniki @galaxycatdrawz @silverstarburst @kailee08 @mal-lunar-28 @lilmisssona @aaa-sia @kthstrawberryshortcake @channieaddict @soullostinspaceandtime @michelle4eve @lixie-phoria @xxstrayland @kibs-and-bits @mellhwang @ihrtlix @pheonixfire777 @palindrome969 @harshaaaaa

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kckt88 · 1 month ago

Text

Jilted.

Summary:

After Y.N is jilted at the alter she recieves comfort from an unlikely source.

Warning(s): Angst, Drama, Swearing, Alcohol Consumption, Mention of Infidelity, Smut, Kissing, Fingering, Oral Sex (F Recieving), P in V.

AEMOND x Y.N

Word Count: 8278

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon or Fire & Blood characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used.

Comments, likes, and reblogs are very much appreciated, do not copy/post to other sights without my permission.

Tag List - @jasminecosmic99 @kaelatargaryen @yesterdayfeelings-blog @immyowndefender @0eessirk8 @killua2dot0 @msassenach @xcharlottemikaelsonx @moonnicole @toodlesxcuddles @mamawiggers1980 @minttea07 @nommingonfood

Y.N sat on the soft grass, her knees pulled up to her chest as she stared out at the river flowing in front of her, the bottle of champagne gripped tightly in one hand.

It had been meant for a toast on what should have been the happiest day of her life—her wedding day—but now it served a different purpose entirely.

Her mascara ran in dark streaks down her cheeks, mixing with the tears that continued to fall as she wiped them away with an angry swipe.

She raised the bottle to her lips and took a deep swig, the bubbles burning her throat.

She wasn’t sure if the burning was from the alcohol or from the bitterness that welled up inside her. Jacaerys, she thought, her lips curling into a frown as his name echoed through her mind. Her fiancé—no, her ex-fiancé—had come to her before the ceremony and confessed to being in love with another woman.

He had left her here, heartbroken and humiliated, without so much as a second thought.

"Fucking coward," she muttered bitterly under her breath, taking another swig. He hadn’t even had the decency to tell the guests himself that the wedding was off.

No, he’d left that task to her, left her to stand in front of their family and friends and break the news.

The memory of their shocked faces, the murmurs of confusion and pity, was still fresh in her mind. She had never felt more embarrassed.

From the distance, she could hear the faint sounds of music drifting from the estate.

She had insisted everyone still attend, considering everything had already been paid for.

At least someone’s having a good time, she thought bitterly.

The life she had imagined with Jace, the children they had talked about, the future they had planned—it was all shattered now.

She let out a huff of frustration, bringing the bottle back to her lips for another long drink.

“How could he do this to me?” she whispered, her voice trembling. She thought they had been happy.

What had gone wrong?

As she wiped her face with the back of her hand, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Her shoulders tensed, and she let out an annoyed sigh.

"I thought I said I wanted to be alone," she called out, her voice rough from the crying.

She turned her head, to see Aemond Targaryen, her ex fiancé’s uncle.

He stood there, his long silver hair shimmering in the moonlight as he casually leaned against a tree, lighting a cigarette.

He took a slow drag, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the evening air before meeting her gaze with his cool, ever-watchful eye.

He was dressed impeccably as always, but there was an unreadable expression on his face as he watched her.

“Well,” Y.N said, wiping away another tear and taking another sip from the champagne bottle. “Come to gloat?”

Aemond raised a brow, but said nothing for a moment, simply taking another drag before responding. “Hardly.” His voice was low, calm, as though nothing in the world could ever rattle him. He let the silence stretch out before he added, “Just thought you could use some company.”

Y.N snorted at that, shaking her head. “I’m not exactly great company right now.”

"Neither am I," Aemond replied dryly, his lips curling into the slightest hint of a smirk.

He moved to sit down beside her, still keeping a comfortable distance, the smoke from his cigarette curling up into the air.

She glanced at him, unsure whether to be annoyed by his presence or grateful for the distraction. “You don’t strike me as the comforting type.”

Aemond chuckled softly, the sound almost surprising in its warmth. "I’m not. But for you I shall make an exception” he said, glancing out at the river.

Y.N stared at the cigarette Aemond held loosely between his fingers, the smoke swirling into the air in lazy patterns.

Without a word, she reached over and plucked it from his hand, bringing it to her lips for a long, deliberate drag.

The familiar burn of nicotine filled her lungs, and for a moment, she closed her eyes, savouring the feeling she hadn’t allowed herself in years.

Aemond arched a brow, clearly surprised. "I didn’t know you smoked."

Y.N exhaled the smoke with a scoff, her lips curling bitterly. "I used to. But I gave it up because Jace didn’t like it." She took another drag, the resentment heavy in her voice. "But he’s not here, is he? So, fuck it."

Aemond huffed a low laugh at that, when Y.N offered him the cigarette back he shook his head, before pulling another from his pack and lighting it effortlessly. "Fair enough."

Y.N watched the flame briefly before taking another long drag from her cigarette, letting the smoke slip from her lips in a quiet sigh.

The music from the distant reception still played faintly in the background, a cruel reminder of the day that should have been hers.

“Has Jace’s mother and stepfather left yet?” she asked, the bitterness creeping back into her voice.

Aemond took a drag before answering, his tone as nonchalant as ever. “Yes. They couldn’t get out of there quick enough.”

Y.N scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. “No doubt Rhaenyra’s gone to coddle her darling boy. It’ll all be my fault, of course. I drove him into another woman’s arms, or whatever bullshit excuse she decides to come up with.” Her voice was sharp with resentment. “Seems to be a talent of hers—blaming others for her sons’ actions.”

Aemond’s lips curled slightly as he glanced at her. “I’ve experienced that myself.”

Y.N knew exactly what he was referring to. Her gaze lingered on the scar that marred the left side of his face, the reminder of the day Jace’s younger brother, Lucerys, had slashed out Aemond’s eye when they were children.

Aemond had never received an apology. Lucerys had never been punished. Another one of Rhaenyra’s sons shielded from the consequences of his actions.

She took another drag, feeling the cigarette burn down to its end before stubbing it out in the grass. Her thoughts swirled darkly, anger and confusion twisting together.

She unscrewed the champagne bottle again and took a swig, then wordlessly offered it to Aemond. He accepted without hesitation, taking a drink before handing it back.

“There’s one thing I can’t understand,” Y.N muttered, staring at the bubbles rising inside the bottle.

Aemond flicked ash from his cigarette, giving her a sidelong glance. “What’s that?”

Y.N shook her head, her brow furrowing. “If Jace is in love with someone else, it’s obviously been going on for a while-why not just end things with me? Why ask me to marry him? Why go through all the planning, the ceremony, spending all this money—for it to end up like this?”

Aemond took a slow drag, his expression contemplative. When he spoke, his voice was cold and matter-of-fact. “Because he’s a fucking spineless coward.”

Y.N huffed in agreement, her lips tightening in frustration. "You got that right." In a sudden, angry gesture, she reached up and ripped the veil from her head, throwing it to the ground beside her.

The delicate fabric fluttered briefly before settling in the grass, forgotten.

Aemond stifled his cigarette in the dirt, watching her with a quiet intensity. Then he noticed the way her shoulders had started to shake ever so slightly, her body trembling from the cool breeze now settling in for the evening.

Without a word, he shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Y.N blinked in surprise, turning her head slightly to look at him. “Thanks,” she murmured, her voice softening.

Aemond nodded, his sharp gaze lingering on her face. He noticed the fresh tears that were sliding down her cheeks, the pain evident despite her attempts to mask it with bitterness and anger.

For a brief moment, he hesitated, unsure if she would accept comfort from him.

He shifted slightly, reaching out but pausing just before his arm could settle around her shoulders. “Is it okay?” he asked quietly, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.

Y.N gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes.”

With that, Aemond wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into a warm, firm embrace. Y.N didn’t resist.

She leaned into him, burying her face into his shoulder as the tears came faster now, her body shaking with quiet sobs.

He held her tightly, letting her cry without saying a word, offering her the kind of quiet strength she hadn’t known she needed.

After a few minutes of quiet sobbing in Aemond's embrace, Y.N suddenly pulled away, furiously swiping the tears from her cheeks.

Her jaw tightened as she shook her head, her voice firm with newfound resolve. "I’ve shed too many tears over that man today, and I refuse to cry anymore."

Aemond, watching her closely, reached into his pocket and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief. "May I?" he asked, his voice as gentle as it had been all evening.

Y.N hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes.”

Aemond shifted closer, lifting his hand and gently placing it under her chin, tilting her face up toward him.

His touch was unexpectedly soft as he wiped away the stray tears that still clung to her cheeks, dabbing at the streaks of mascara with deliberate care.

His fingers brushed against her skin, and for a moment, their eyes locked, the spark of something unspoken passing between them.

Neither of them moved for a moment, but then their faces inched closer, the tension in the air palpable.

Y.N’s breath caught in her throat, and Aemond’s hand paused under her chin, his gaze flicking briefly to her lips—

Then his phone buzzed, shattering the moment.

Aemond blinked, his expression shifting as he reluctantly pulled his phone from his pocket.

He glanced at the screen, his thumb brushing across it to check the message.

It was a text from Helaena: Heading home with Aegon. You coming?

Aemond’s lips thinned for a moment before he typed back a quick response: No. I’m staying with Y.N.

He waited a moment, then Helaena’s reply came through: Take care of her.

Aemond slipped his phone back into his pocket, turning his attention back to Y.N, whose eyes were still clouded with the remnants of her earlier emotions.

“Is everything alright?” she asked, her voice quiet but steady.

"It was just Helaena," Aemond said with a small shrug. "She’s heading home with Aegon and asked if I was coming."

Y.N gave a half-hearted smile, her tone self-conscious. “You can leave if you want to. You don’t have to stay with me.”

Aemond looked at her, his gaze unwavering. "I’ll stay if you want me to."

Y.N’s eyes softened at his words. “I’d like that”.

Aemond glanced down at the empty champagne bottle between them, an amused smile pulling at the corner of his lips. "We might need more to drink, though," he pointed out, his tone light as he lifted the bottle, giving it a little shake.

Y.N huffed a quiet laugh, the tension in her chest easing ever so slightly. "I’ve got a mini bar in my room," she said, standing up slowly.

She clutched his suit jacket tighter around her shoulders, the warmth of the fabric still clinging to her.

Aemond stood up as well, slipping his hands into his pockets as he gave her a small, knowing smile. "Lead the way."

Y.N met his gaze for a moment before turning toward the estate, her steps steady, the weight of the evening still heavy on her—but somehow, with Aemond beside her, it didn’t feel quite so unbearable.

As Y.N unlocked the door to her room, Aemond’s sharp eye immediately took in the sight before him.

The rose petals on the bed, arranged meticulously in the shape of a heart, a cruel reminder of what this room had been meant for.

The honeymoon suite. He glanced over at Y.N as she kicked off her heels without a second thought, crossing the room and draping his jacket over the back of a chair before heading straight for the mini bar.

"Don’t you have to pay for that?" Aemond asked, raising an amused eyebrow as he watched her pull out a handful of miniature bottles.

Y.N flashed him a mischievous smile. “Yes, but it’s not me paying. It’s Jace-he used his credit card to pay for the room-”

Aemond let out a genuine laugh, the sound rich and deep as he crossed the room. “Well, in that case-” He grabbed a handful of the tiny bottles, particularly all the whiskeys.

He poured them each a drink, watching as Y.N downed the amber liquid in one go, grimacing at the harsh burn it left behind.

Y.N sat down on the bed with a soft thud, laughing as Aemond handed her another drink. He tilted his head, curious. “What’s so funny?”

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “When I woke up this morning, I never imagined I’d end up in the honeymoon suite-with Jace’s uncle.”

Aemond smirked as he leaned against the bedpost, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “Could be worse. You could be with Jace.”

Y.N burst out laughing, shaking her head. “Yeah, and none the wiser to his cheating.”

Aemond’s expression darkened for a moment before he gave a slow nod. “Blessing in disguise, then.”

Y.N raised her glass, her eyes locking with his. “Here’s to spending the night in far better company.”

Aemond’s smirk widened. “Here, here.” They both downed their drinks in unison, the liquid burning all the way down, and Aemond poured them each another.

As the silence settled between them, Y.N leaned back slightly, her gaze drifting over him with a curious intensity. “You know,” she said slowly, “I always thought you didn’t like me.”

Aemond looked at her, caught off guard. “No-why would you think that?”

She shrugged, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. “You never looked at me when I was around. Never spoke to me unless you had to.”

Aemond sighed softly, running a hand through his silver hair. “It’s not that I disliked you,” he said quietly. “I just-find it easier to push people away.”

Y.N tilted her head, her expression softening. “That’s not a healthy way to live.”

Aemond gave her a wry smile, his gaze flickering with something like understanding. “Neither is changing who you are to suit someone else’s idea of you.”

Y.N blinked at that, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Aemond took another sip of his drink before speaking. “I mean how you changed when you started up with Jace. You stopped being-you.”

Y.N scoffed softly, her eyes narrowing slightly. “What would you know about that?”

Aemond’s voice was steady, unflinching. “Oh, I know plenty. Like how you gave up smoking because he didn’t like it. How you turned down that dream job offer because Jace threw a tantrum about you being away too often. And how you stopped dyeing your hair because he didn’t like the colour.”

Y.N opened her mouth to argue but quickly closed it, swallowing hard as she looked away. “That’s not—”

Aemond cut her off, his voice firm. “What happened? Of course it is. You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. Any man who treats a woman like that is no man at all.”

Y.N looked down at her glass, biting her lip. “Maybe…”

Aemond scoffed, sitting down on the bed beside her. “There’s no ‘maybe’ about it,” he said, his voice low but insistent. “You don’t need to change yourself for anyone. You are perfect just the way you are.”

Y.N turned to face him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You think I’m perfect?”

Aemond downed the last of his whiskey, his gaze intense as it locked onto hers. “Yes,” he said softly, his voice almost a whisper. “I always thought so.”

Y.N’s heart skipped a beat at his words, her pulse quickening as she leaned forward just slightly, her voice barely audible. “So, you wouldn’t change me?”

Aemond shook his head, his expression sincere. “No. I like you just the way you are.”

The air between them shifted, thick with tension as Y.N slowly leaned in closer, her gaze drifting to his lips.

Without thinking, she pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. Aemond froze for a moment, caught off guard, but then responded, the kiss deepening as something ignited between them.

After a breathless second, he pulled back just slightly, his forehead resting against hers. “I don’t want to take advantage of you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with restraint.

Y.N shook her head, her hand cupping his cheek as she looked into his eyes. “You’re not. I want this. I want you.”

Aemond’s resolve crumbled at her words. He leaned in again, and this time, the kiss was urgent, filled with all the emotions neither of them had spoken aloud.

Aemond’s hands began to roam over Y.N’s body, his fingers gripping the fabric of her wedding dress.

In his desperation, he tugged too hard, the sound of ripping fabric breaking the silence. He froze for a moment, pulling back, eyes wide with regret as he muttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—"

But Y.N shook her head, a wicked smile curling at the corners of her mouth. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice husky with desire. “Rip it some more.”

Aemond’s breath caught, a soft laugh escaping him as he eagerly obeyed. His hands found the delicate silken fabric again, tearing at it with abandon.

The sound of buttons popping off echoed in the room, the gown splitting further under his grasp, until the once-pristine dress hung in tatters from her body.

His eye darkened with lust as he took in the sight of her, and before she could say another word, his mouth was on hers again, kissing her with a fervour that sent heat coursing through her veins.

Y.N moaned against his lips, her arms winding around his neck to pull him closer, pressing his lean body against hers.

As their kiss deepened, her fingers tangled in his long, silvery hair, tugging gently, and Aemond groaned into her mouth, his hips shifting toward her at the sensation.

Her hand trailed up to the leather strap of his eyepatch, her fingers brushing it tentatively. She broke the kiss just enough to whisper, “Can I take this off?”

Aemond stiffened for a moment, hesitation flashing in his eye. "It’s-unsightly," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want to scare you."

Y.N shook her head softly, her thumb brushing over the strap reassuringly. “It’s okay-you could never scare me”

He closed his eye, giving a small nod of consent, and Y.N carefully removed the patch, letting the worn leather slip from his face.

She gazed upon him, her breath catching as she took in the sight of the jagged scar that bisected his face, the brilliant sapphire gleaming where his left eye once was.

Y.N didn’t flinch or recoil. Instead, she reached up, cupping his face gently in her hands.

She pressed a soft kiss to the scar, her lips brushing over it with reverence, and whispered, “You are so beautiful.”

A single tear slid down Aemond’s cheek, and he pulled her into another kiss, this one tender and full of unspoken emotion.

Y.N responded with equal fervour, her hands running down his chest, fingers slipping beneath his shirt, feeling the hard muscle underneath.

As their bodies pressed even closer together, her hand drifted lower, fingers brushing over the bulge straining against his trousers.

Aemond’s breath hitched, a low groan vibrating in his throat as she cupped him, the pressure sending a rush of heat through him.

“I need you” exclaimed Aemond quietly as he pulled Y.N into his arms and ran his nose up and down her cheek, his hot breath tickling her skin.

“Then take me” whispered Y.N as the rest of her ruined dressed slipped from her body.

“Not wearing a bra, you naughty girl” muttered Aemond as he pressed a firm kiss to Y.N’s shoulder and directed her to sit on the bed.

Aemond’s singular blue eye roved over Y.N’s body, thinking how beautiful she was.

“Open”

Aemond smirked as Y.N obediently opened her mouth; he ran his thumb slowly over her plump lower lip before slipping it inside her mouth.

Without further prompting Y.N closed her mouth and began to suck, her tongue sliding along his thumb, Aemond watched as a small trickle of drool made its way down her chin.

He leaned forward and ran his tongue over her chin as Y.N continued to suck the thumb he had in her mouth.

“Such a good girl”

He removed his thumb and grasped Y.Ns chin, holding her mouth open as he leaned forward and spat in her open mouth.

“Swallow”

Aemond growled as he watched Y.N obey and swallow, her eyes never leaving his.

“Give me your hands” ordered Aemond as he slowly slipped off his tie and his shirt.

Y.N placed her wrists together and held them towards Aemond.

Aemond pressed Y.N backwards, so she was laying on the bed, he loomed over her as he hooked his long fingers on the tie and moved her arms above her head.

“Aemond” gasped Y.N.

“Don’t move your hands” said Aemond sternly.

Aemond pressed a series of delicate kisses to Y.N’s neck before he nipped at her ear lobe.

“Be a good girl for daddy” whispered Aemond as he moved his lips to hers.

Y.N whimpered as Aemond pulled away and began moving down, pressing kisses and running his tongue over her body as he went.

Aemond could still smell vanilla infused lotion that she had no doubt massaged into her skin earlier in the day.

When Y.N began squirming, Aemond knelt down beside the bed, reaching to remove her knickers, he bunched them up his hand before he pressed the white lacy material to his face, inhaling the scent of Y.N’s arousal, his eye rolling into the back of his head.

After stuffing the underwear into his pocket, Aemond slid his hands up Y.N’s smooth legs and held open her thighs as he moved forward and teasingly pressed his nose against her slick folds.

“A-Aemond”

“Hm, so wet for me baby” rasped Aemond.

“P-Please”

“Please-what?” asked Aemond.

“Please daddy. I’ve been so good” moaned Y.N as Aemond’s mouth descending on her cunny.

Ravenously, he pressed into Y.N’s core with his tongue, in and out.

Remembering that Aemond had ordered her not to move, Y.N clutched the bedspread above her head, her fingers digging into the fabric.

Aemond withdrew from her soaking wet core and lashed hard at her clitoris with his tongue, pulling on it with his lips.

He was hard, fast and brutal, alternating between her assaulted bundle of nerves and drinking deep from her cunt.

Y.N ground down on Aemond, hard; his tongue speared deeper inside her, and she felt the warm curl of her peak approach.

“That’s it come for me baby” urged Aemond, his fingers reaching forward to caress her pearl.

“AEMOND” screamed Y.N arching off the bed as she peaked.

“Hm” muttered Aemond as he pressed a series of kisses to Y.N’s inner thighs.

“P-Please A-Aemond. Need you” begged Y.N.

Aemond rose from the floor, his chin shining with her slick, he smirked as he swiped the back of his hand over chin and then ran his tongue over his hand, savouring the delicious taste of Y.N.

Aemond reached forward and manoeuvred Y.N onto all fours, pressing her face into the mattress, as she braced her weight on her arms.

Y.N was a delectable sight indeed, her arse in the air, her wet cunt on display, gods he needed to be inside her, but first he reached over her body and quickly untied her hands.

Throwing his tie over his shoulder, Aemond squeezed the meat of her arse before he slapped her, delighting in Y.N’s squeal of surprise.

He then bent forward to press a series of kisses to her glorious arse, his large hands kneading the soft pale flesh, before he sunk his teeth into her.

“AEMOND” squealed Y.N.

“Hmmm”

“P-Please Aemond” whispered Y.N, her voice slightly muffled as she pressed her face into the mattress.

Aemond stuck his finger in his mouth before he ran it over her puckered hole.

“Is this alight?” breathed Aemond.

“Y-Yes. Put it inside me. I can take it” whimpered Y.N.

“Tell me-Tell me if it’s too much” replied Aemond as he slowly pressed his finger inside her.

“Ooh Aemond, yes. Please. More” babbled Y.N as he moved his finger in and out before adding a second.

“Your doing so well-my darling” moaned Aemond as he moved his fingers inside Y.N.

“I want you-please Aemond”

“Now baby, I’m going to fuck you until you scream” said Aemond, delighting in the way Y.N began nodding and whimpering.

“Y-Yes” whimpered Y.N

“FUCK” groaned Aemond as he removed his trousers and took his cock in hand and began rubbing it along Y.N’s wet folds.

“Please, daddy. I want it-I want you, please don’t make me wait anymore” begged Y.N.

“Fuck, that’s it” moaned Aemond his hard length filling her cunny in one smooth stroke.

“God. Yes. Aemond” moaned Y.N, his fingers in her arse and his cock deep in her cunt was so good.

Aemond began to thrust in and out of her in deep achingly slow thrusts, his fingers moving in rhythm with his cock.

“Harder-more-please” wailed Y.N

“My dirty girl” growled Aemond, his fingers moving faster.

“Aemond-” whimpered Vaelynn.

“That’s it-take it-take all of me” muttered Aemond as he removed his fingers, and grabbed hold of Y.N’s hips and increased the pace of his thrusts.

Y.N took one of Aemonds hands that was on her hip and brought it to the back of her head.

Knowing what Y.N wanted, Aemond placed his hand on the back of her head and pushed her face into the mattress, her back arching.

His cock reaching deep inside her as he moved with such ferocity it could rival an animal, his long silver hair sticking to his sweaty back.

Aemond then grasped both of Y.N’s arms and held them behind her back as he pounded into her, the sound of his hips slapping against hers echoed around the room.

Y.N’s cries of pleasure were muffled by the mattress, her face buried in the soft fabric.

Her body arched in response to Aemond’s relentless rhythm, each cry escaping her lips in a series of desperate moans that reverberated through the room.

Aemond’s grip on Y.N was fierce, his movements relentless. He drove into her with a force that seemed almost brutal, but Y.N took every thrust with an almost frantic eagerness.

Her body trembled under him, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she surrendered completely to the intensity of their coupling.

“Fuck-that’s it” moaned Aemond.

He released Y.N’s arms and then took hold of her hair, twisting his fingers into her messy tresses before he pulled her backwards, her sweaty back colliding with his chest.

Aemond held Y.N tight too him as he fucked her, his cock reaching deep inside her.

One hand grasped her hip, his blunt fingers digging into her flesh. Whilst his other released her hair and moved to her throat, squeezing gently.

“Give it to me please” pleaded Y.N her head lolling back onto Aemond’s shoulder, her arm reaching behind her to tangle in his hair as their lips connected in a messy, passionate kiss.

Aemond felt his balls draw in; his peak was approaching.

But he didn’t want to finish like this, he wanted to see her face as she came around his cock.

Aemond withdrew, ignoring Y.N whimper of protest as he rolled her onto her back and slipped inside her again.

Y.N wrapped her legs around Aemond’s waist, drawing him closer as he began to thrust inside her, his cock reaching deep inside her.

“A-Aemond, I’m close-please” begged Y.N.

He snaked a hand down Y.N’s body and played with her clitoris, teasing it with his fingers.

“Oh gods” moaned Y.N as her whole-body began to shake.

“Come for me, love” breathed Aemond, his thrusts starting to jerk.

He was close. So close. Just a little more-

Y.N screamed as her desperately needed peak exploded from her body, making every limb tremble as her body bucked around Aemond’s cock.

Aemond’s own peak nearly took him off his feet. The sensation took over his body as he spilled rope after rope of his seed, he had no recollection of what he did or said for the good minute it took for his peak to crest, then subside.

He had never come so hard in his life.

For a moment he held himself over Y.N’s body, as his cock softened inside her.

After a few minutes Aemond gently pulled out and rolled onto the mattress beside Y.N, he reached forward and enveloped her into a tight hug.

“I-I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Not at all” replied Y.N smiling.

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room as Y.N slowly stirred awake.

She felt the warmth of Aemond's body pressed against hers, his arms wrapped securely around her, holding her close. For a moment, she just lay there, taking in the strange turn her life had taken.

Yesterday, she had woken up believing she was about to marry the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. But instead of the dream wedding she had envisioned, Jacaerys had cruelly abandoned her, leaving her humiliated and heartbroken.

And now, here she was, wrapped in the embrace of his uncle, having spent what should have been her wedding night in a completely unexpected way.

Y.N bit her lip as she thought back to the events of the night before. She could still feel the ache of Jace’s betrayal, but perhaps Aemond had been right—it was a blessing in disguise.

Better to have been spared more pain in the long run. As hurtful as Jace’s actions had been, Y.N knew deep down that the relationship had been built on shaky ground.

She had been bending herself to fit into his world, while he had been unfaithful and deceitful.

Her mind drifted to the night she’d spent with Aemond. A smile tugged at her lips as she remembered how incredible it had been.

It had been a long time since she had felt so wanted, so fully satisfied. Shamelessly, she couldn’t help but think that Aemond’s prowess in bed far surpassed Jace’s by miles.

The thought made her giggle softly to herself.

Aemond stirred beside her, pressing a lazy kiss to her shoulder. His voice was still heavy with sleep as he asked, “What’s so funny?”

Y.N turned slightly in his arms, her smile widening as she looked at him. “Just a thought I had.”

Aemond hummed, his interest piqued. “And what would that be?”

Y.N smirked, biting her lip playfully. “How skilled you are in bed,” she teased, watching as a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, though his cheeks flushed a faint pink.

He chuckled, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice soft yet filled with amusement. “Not too bad yourself,” he added, his tone teasing as he pressed another kiss to her shoulder.

Y.N rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help but feel a little flutter of satisfaction at the compliment.

She shifted in his arms, feeling his warmth against her skin. “Do you fancy some breakfast?” she asked, her voice light. “I can order room service.”

Aemond’s lips grazed her shoulder again, and he hummed in consideration. “Sure,” he said, but then he shifted, his hard cock pressing against her body. “But in a little while-there’s something else I’d rather have first.”

Y.N giggled as she felt his hard cock pressed against her, his desire unmistakable. She turned her head to meet his gaze, eyes bright with amusement and anticipation. “Oh?” she teased, her voice playful.

Aemond leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, the heat between them quickly rekindling as his hand slid down her side, pulling her closer.

“Mmm,” he murmured against her lips, “definitely.”

Y.N giggled again, wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed him deeply, already feeling the sparks of another passionate encounter beginning to ignite.

Perhaps this wasn't the wedding night she had imagined, but in Aemond’s arms, she felt a sense of comfort and desire she hadn’t known she was missing.

And as they lost themselves in each other once more, Y.N realized that maybe, just maybe, the unexpected turns in life could lead to something far better than what she had planned.

Y.N sat across from Aemond at the small table, the remnants of their breakfast spread between them.

The atmosphere was quiet, but not uncomfortable, until her phone buzzed, vibrating against the table. She glanced down, her face stiffening slightly as she saw Jace’s name flashing on the screen.

Without a second thought, she rejected the call and set the phone back down, picking up her fork as if nothing had happened.

Aemond raised an eyebrow. “Why didn’t you answer?”

Y.N shrugged, keeping her gaze on her plate. “I have nothing to say to him. If he’s calling to apologize, he can stick it up his arse.”

Aemond huffed a laugh, his lips twitching in amusement. “Fair enough. But you’ll have to talk to him at some point, won’t you?”

Y.N shook her head, her expression firm. “Not really.”

Aemond frowned slightly, curiosity evident in his face. “Don’t you live together?”

“No,” Y.N said, taking another bite of her food. “We still have our separate apartments. We planned to move in together after we got married.”

Aemond cocked his head to the side, a hint of confusion on his face. “That’s a little odd, isn’t it?”

Y.N let out a small sigh, her fork stilling on her plate. “At the time, I didn’t think it mattered. But looking back-I guess it was just Jace’s way of keeping his affair hidden. Separate lives, separate apartments. Made it easier for him to lie.”

Aemond noticed the sadness in her eyes, the way her posture slumped ever so slightly as she spoke.

Reaching across the table, he gently took her hand in his. His thumb grazed over her knuckles, and his voice softened. “If you wish to forget what happened between us last night and this morning, I’ll understand.”

Y.N looked up at him, shaking her head immediately. “No,” she said firmly. “I don’t want to forget. I just-I’ve realized I’ve been living a lie for so long and I’ve spent years with the wrong man.”

Aemond smiled softly, his grip loosening as he let go of her hand. “The right man is out there somewhere,” he said, his voice low and sure.

She smiled at his words, though there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes. Checking the time on her phone, Y.N bit her lip in thought.

“What are you doing?” Aemond asked, sensing her change in mood.

Y.N hesitated for a moment before answering, “I, uh-was the one who paid for the two-week honeymoon in Italy. It was supposed to be a surprise for Jace, but obviously, he’s not going anymore.” She gave a soft, bitter laugh. “But I’m not about to waste all that money. I still plan to go. The flight leaves later tonight, so I’ve got time to go home, grab my suitcase, and head to the airport.”

Aemond nodded. “That sounds nice.”

She was quiet for a moment, her mind clearly racing, before she suddenly blurted, “Would you like to come with me?”

Aemond blinked, surprised by her offer. “Me?”

“Yeah,” she said, her voice growing quieter. “I have an extra ticket, after all-”

Aemond hesitated, an apologetic expression crossing his face. “I’m grateful for the invite, truly, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The embarrassment was immediate, and Y.N could feel her cheeks burning. “-Oh, it’s okay,” she said quickly, forcing a smile as she pushed her plate away. “I-I shouldn’t have asked.”

She began fiddling with her fingers, her appetite suddenly gone. Aemond watched her closely, noticing the way her mood shifted, her body tensing with the sting of rejection.

His gaze followed as her hands moved to her engagement ring. Without a word, Y.N slipped it off her finger and placed it gently on the table, the small band glinting in the morning light.

“Have I upset you?” Aemond asked softly.

Y.N shook her head, though her eyes remained downcast. “No,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. “It was my mistake. Last night was obviously just a one-time thing, and I let my imagination get the better of me.”

Aemond’s heart sank, guilt gnawing at him. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, though he knew his apology would do little to ease her pain.

“There’s no need to say sorry,” Y.N replied, wiping at her eyes discreetly as she gathered her things. “It’s my fault.”

Aemond’s chest tightened as he watched her silently cry, her movements hurried and full of hurt. She stood up and walked over to the corner of the room, grabbing her ruined wedding dress, now nothing more than shredded fabric, and threw it into the bin without hesitation.

Once all her things were packed, she picked up the spare plane ticket—the one meant for Jace—and crumpled it in her hand before tossing it in the bin as well.

The tears were falling freely now, though she tried her best to keep her composure.

Y.N turned to Aemond, her voice barely above a whisper as she said, “Thank you-for everything,” before quickly leaving the room, the door closing softly behind her.

Aemond sat at the table, his fingers toying absentmindedly with the engagement ring Y.N had left behind.

The silence of the room felt suffocating, and the more he thought about what had just happened, the deeper the pit in his stomach grew.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

His mind drifted back to the first time Jace had introduced him to Y.N. He remembered the surge of jealousy that had ripped through him, a sensation so raw and unexpected.

Jace had Y.N—and he didn’t. She had been more than just beautiful, though her beauty had certainly caught his eye.

It was her intelligence, her wit, and her infectious laugh that had captivated him. He could still hear it in his mind, the way her laughter lit up a room and made anyone within earshot want to join in.

Aemond had tried to bury those feelings. He had told himself over and over that if Y.N was happy with Jace, then so be it. He cared about her enough to wish her well, even if it meant stepping aside.

But the more he tried to forget her, the harder it became. His feelings for her had been relentless, unyielding, and he hated how they refused to fade no matter how many other women he took to bed.

None of them had been her. None of them even came close.

When Jace and Y.N’s wedding had been announced, Aemond had dreaded the thought of attending. The idea of watching her marry his nephew, of seeing her in a dress meant for someone else—it had been too much.

He’d almost convinced himself not to go. But in the end, he had decided it would be the perfect opportunity to say goodbye, to let go of whatever foolish hope he had clung to for so long.

Then the wedding had been called off. The moment he had heard about Jace’s cowardly confession, something inside him had snapped.

He had always disliked Jace, but now, now he hated him.

Jace had cheated on Y.N, broken her heart, and abandoned her on the day they were supposed to be married.

The bastard had left her alone and humiliated in front of everyone. Rhaenyra and Daemon, of course, had rushed to coddle their darling son, leaving Y.N to fend for herself.

It made Aemond sick.

When Y.N had run out of the room, her voice thick with tears as she insisted that everyone should still enjoy the reception, Aemond couldn’t just stand by. He had to find her. He had to know she was alright.

And when he did find her—sitting by the riverbank, her hair a mess, mascara running down her cheeks—she had still been the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

But seeing her there, so broken and alone, had torn at something deep within him. He knew she didn’t have any family left to lean on, her parents long gone, and her grandmother recently passed.

She had no one. So, he had sat beside her, intending to comfort her, to offer whatever solace he could. He never expected how the night would turn out.

It had been one of the best nights of his life.

Taking Y.N to bed hadn’t just been a fleeting moment of lust. It was something Aemond had fantasized about, but actually experiencing her, feeling her trust, her passion—it had been indescribable.

The way she responded to him, the way he could bring her pleasure—it was something he had dreamed of for so long, and the reality of it was far better than he ever imagined. Even that morning, waking up with her in his arms, he had felt something he hadn’t in years.

But then he had ruined it. He had ruined everything.

His words, his hesitation—they had shattered the fragile connection they’d built in the span of one night.

He replayed the scene over and over in his mind, the way Y.N had pulled away from him, the hurt in her eyes when she asked him to come with her to Italy.

He cursed himself for not saying yes. He’d watched as she silently cried, throwing the wedding dress in the bin, discarding the plane ticket, and leaving him behind with nothing but regret.

Aemond stood up suddenly, his chest tight as he walked over to the bin. He reached in and picked up the crumpled plane ticket, smoothing it out in his hands.

As he stared at it, the weight of the decision he knew he must make pressed down on him.

Y.N stood in the queue at the airport, clutching her passport and boarding ticket. Despite the whirlwind of emotions from the last 24 hours, she was determined to make the most of this trip.

It was supposed to be her honeymoon, but now, it was a chance to truly move on from Jace—and perhaps even from Aemond.

The thought of him stung more than she wanted to admit, but she knew she had to clear her head, away from all of it.

The boarding attendants had just opened the doors, and people began filing onto the plane. Y.N took a deep breath, ready to step forward when suddenly, she heard her name being called.

Her heart skipped a beat. She turned, and there he was—Aemond, rushing toward her, his long strides quick and desperate.

Before she could say a word, he was in front of her, wrapping his arms around her. His apologies poured out between kisses—on her forehead, her cheeks, her lips—as he held her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he kept saying, breathless and frantic.

Y.N blinked in surprise, her brain trying to catch up with what was happening. "Aemond, what—what are you doing here?" she asked as he finally pulled back, his eyes full of urgency.

Aemond took her hand and gently pulled her out of the queue, leading her to the side. "I would've gotten here sooner, but I couldn’t find my damn passport,” he explained, almost laughing at himself, “and then I had to pay to change the name on the ticket.”

Y.N stared at him, still trying to comprehend. "But you said it wasn’t a good idea—coming with me," she reminded him, her voice tinged with confusion. “What changed?”

Aemond let out a breath, shaking his head. "I shouldn’t have said that," he admitted, regret heavy in his voice. "Because I’m a complete idiot."

Y.N crossed her arms, raising a brow. "You can say that again."

He smiled, but it was fleeting, his eye soft as he looked at her. “I’ve spent too many years watching from the sidelines, Y.N. Letting my feelings fester and pushing you away because I thought it was the right thing to do. I thought you were happy with Jace, and that was enough for me. But I was wrong. And I know it’s probably going to take time, but I want to prove to you that I can be the man you deserve.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Years?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aemond nodded. “Years. But I kept it to myself because-I thought you were happy, and that’s all I ever wanted for you.”

Before Y.N could respond, the flight attendant interrupted. "Ma'am, are you getting on this flight?" she asked, her voice professional but expectant.

Y.N looked back at the attendant, momentarily torn. She handed over her ticket and passport. “Yes,” she said, glancing back at Aemond.

As the attendant checked her details and nodded, Y.N turned back to Aemond, her heart racing. “What about you?” she asked softly, her emotions all over the place.

Aemond’s hesitation lasted only a moment. He met her gaze, and the vulnerability in his eye was unmistakable. “Please,” he said quietly, “give me a chance.”

The attendant turned to Aemond. “Sir, are you getting on this flight as well?”

Y.N smiled at him, her expression softer than it had been earlier. “Yes. He’s coming,” she said confidently.

Aemond's lips lifted in a relieved smile as he handed over his ticket and passport. The attendant checked his documents and smiled back, nodding as she cleared him to board.

As they walked toward the plane together, the reality of it all sank in. Aemond draped his arm over Y.N’s shoulders and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

For the first time in a long time, Y.N felt something close to peace. Maybe this trip wasn’t about running away or moving on anymore.

Maybe it was about finally finding what was meant to be.

Two years later, Aemond stood tall and proud, his eye never leaving Y.N as she walked down the aisle toward him. She looked radiant, her smile glowing under the warm sun, her white dress flowing like waves with each step.

Aegon walked beside her, grinning as he gave his brother a playful wink when they reached the altar.

The sound of the sea crashing gently against the shore created a perfect backdrop for their beachside wedding. The sky was clear, the soft breeze carried the salty air, and everything about the day felt like a dream.

Aemond held out his hand, his heart swelling with love and disbelief that this moment was finally here.

As Y.N took his hand, their eyes locked. He stared at her, his chest tightening with emotion. She was everything he had ever wanted, and now she was about to become his wife. He mouthed softly, "I love you."

Y.N blushed, her smile growing even brighter as she mouthed back, "I love you too."

Their small, intimate ceremony had only his siblings—Helaena, Aegon and Daeron—his mother Alicent, his grandsire Otto, and a few close friends. It was exactly how Aemond had always imagined it. Simple, quiet, perfect.

The priest began to speak, but Y.N’s mind briefly wandered, filled with gratitude for the strange twist of fate that had led her to this very moment. She thought about Jace jilting her two years ago and how, in hindsight, it had been the best thing that could have happened to her.

If not for that heartbreak, she wouldn’t have Aemond. The man who now held every piece of her heart, who made her feel seen, valued, and loved in ways she never thought possible.

As they exchanged vows, hands tightly clasped, Aemond’s thumb brushed gently over her knuckles, a silent reminder of his unwavering devotion.

Even during the ring exchange, they couldn’t stop smiling at each other, their gazes filled with tenderness and joy.

Everything felt so right. Aemond slipped the ring onto her finger, and she did the same, feeling the warmth of his skin as he squeezed her hand in reassurance.

When the priest finally proclaimed them husband and wife, Aemond wasted no time. He cupped her face in his hands, pulling her in for a deep, passionate kiss as everyone cheered softly around them. His lips moved against hers, full of love, full of promise.

When they finally parted, his voice was filled with pride and happiness as he whispered, "Mrs. Targaryen at last."

Y.N laughed, a sound so joyful it made his heart leap. "At last," she echoed, gazing up at him with all the love in the world.

As they stood there, hand in hand, the sun setting behind them over the ocean, they both knew that this was only the beginning of their forever.

TBC

#house of the dragon #aemond targaryen #hotd aemond #aemond fanfiction #hotd fanfic #aemond fic #hotd fic #aemond one eye #aemond #aemond smut #aemond targaryen smut #aemond x reader

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 5 months ago

Text

End Game 7

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, age gap, stalking, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Your gaming buddy asks to meet up but it doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Characters: Andy Barber

Note: hump day, wooooo.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

Strange how you never found comfort at home. Well, it never felt like one for you. You were always just a hanger-on. A burden.

As you enter your grandma's house, you can't help but exhale the tension you've been holding in. She's in her chair, reading, not a word at your arrival. You go into the kitchen, set on eating the frozen meal you lost your appetite for the other night.

You peel back the corner on the tray and shove it in the microwave. As you shut the door, you nearly wince at the unexpected figure in the doorway. You don't know if you're really surprised or if Andy has you jumpy. Both.

"Want some coffee?" You offer your grandmother, hoping to appease her. "Tea?"

She grumbles and waves you off, shuffling across the tile in her slippers. She crosses her arms and her lip sticks out, "nice of that man to come all the way down here like that."

You turn your attention back to the countdown and shrug, "yeah."

"He didn't need to just for all that. For you, did he?" She prompts. Her interest both irks and worries you. She never cared about anything. "And after losing his family."

"Right, yeah, it's tough," you twiddle your fingers at your side.

"Don't sound so heartbroken," she scoffs, "Christ, wasn't that boy you're friend?"

You face her as the microwave beeps, "grandma..." you can't tell her. If she even bothered to listen, she wouldn't believe you. She doesn't even know Andy and she's already taking his side. Typical. "Yeah, I'm sad. Guess I'm a bit in shock."

You turn back and take the too hot tray out, holding back a hiss at the singe in your fingertips. You spin and cross the kitchen to grab a fork. Your grandma huffs and putters after you.

"He sent them flowers," she says.

You stir the noodles and cheese, "he did."

"Fancy. Expensive."

You don't really get why she's still harping on. She didn't put so much mind to your prom or graduation or even when you got your job. Yet you can't be surprised where she's strayed; she's always been on you about money.

"Seems to me he's a bit lost," she says, "you're..." she weighs her words before she speaks, something she rarely does, "maybe he's tryna find some direction. He might... might wanna take care of ya."

"Huh?" You make a face and glance at her from the corner of you eye.

"Like, I dunno, I watch those talk shows, grief is something nasty. I would know," she goes on. You can't remember the last time you heard her talk so much. "He only got-- had the one kid. You're about the same age... maybe he's tryna, I dunno, replace what he lost."

You nearly laugh in her face. Really? This is what she cares about? You stare at her and furrow your nose. You could tell her. You could try. She's listening. For once.

"I don't think... it's not... I'm not his responsibility and I don't wanna be."

"You're barely your own responsibility," she sneers, "can't see a good thing in front of you."

"Grandma--"

"Well? Pretty sure there's more where those flowers came from," he tuts, "you got a few hard lessons to learn, girlie.

You look down at the macaroni. You're not hungry anymore. You grab the tray and walk away.

"Yeah, well, maybe you shoulda tried to teach me some, huh?" You toss over your shoulder and stomp out of the kitchen.

You go into your room and kick your door shut. How is he doing this? How is everyone, even a woman who hasn't lived in reality for twenty years, on his side?

You put the tray and fork down and go to the other side of the bed. You sit facing the window and drop your head into your hands. The only person you have is too far away. Besides, you don't want to drag her into this. Not any more than you already have.

🎮

For once, you’re anxious to get to work. You welcome the distraction from everything else; debt, grandma, and the biggest problem of all, the one you won’t even name. You stroll up to the ice cream booth as Luis stands outside the window, chatting to Jessie as she stands at her vigil inside. You frown. You don’t see the manager often. Only when he hired you.

“Ah, there she is,” Luis spots you and waves you over, “right on time.”

As he checks his watch you pull out your phone. You’re early, like always. His presence is more than a coincidence. You have this ripply feeling in your stomach. You black your phone and cross your arms, hiding it under your elbow.

“Hi, how’s everything going?” You ask as you approach the kiosk.

“Everything’s great,” Luis smirks, “sunshine’s out, customers too.”

You glance around. The picnic tables are mostly full. It is the perfect weather for a scoop.

“Yeah, gonna be a busy shift,” you pander with a smile.

“Hey,” Luis wags his finger as if remembering something, “before you start, let’s have a chat.”

“Oh, alright,” you agree.

He waves you away from the window as more customers approach. You follow him to one of the tables. You wait for him to sit before you do the same. He looks around from behind his black lenses and tilts to reach into his back pocket. He slides out his phone and brings it forward to cradle in both hands.

“So uh, how are you liking it? The work?” He asks.

You’re uneasy. You stare at his cell then look him in the face.

“It’s good. Steady,” you answer as you keep your own phone in your lap.

“Mhmm,” he hums and once more glances around, “look, this is never easy but I got a complaint--”

You blink slowly. You’re not surprised. You figured it would happen. Still, you thought maybe Andy might be above that. Or anything at all.

“Obviously, I take these things seriously. This business is all about customer service, especially with the Dairy Queen down the block,” he explains, “but I do try to give the benefit of the doubt. I checked the cameras.” He pauses for effect as you shrink down, “you closed the window.”

You sigh and heave out a breath, “I did.”

“You know we don’t do that,” he reprimands.

“Sir, I know but... the customer... he wasn’t a customer. He’s... bothering me.”

He pokes his tongue into his cheek and scratches his neck, “oh? Didn’t look like that type. When I spoke to him, he didn’t even seem upset. He just asked me to check in, really, but it’s not his shop. He don’t gotta worry about the bottom line. I do.”

“It won’t happen again,” you wisp out.

“I know it won’t,” he says.

You sit, waiting for him to continue. He just stares at you. You shake your head. No.

“Sorry, I gotta let you go.”

“What? It’s my first complaint--”

“This is an ice cream shop, how many of those do you think we get? Not very hard to keep the people happy so if you’re getting unhappy customers, well, that’s all I need to know.”

“Please, Luis, I need this job--”

“Shouldn’t have closed the window. I’m sorry. That’s the one rule.’

“God, I--” you huff and snarl, “whatever. Fine.” You stand and untie your apron, “get your bottom line.”

You toss the apron on the table and swipe up your bag. You turn without waiting for another empty apology. Fuck. It’s shitty but hey, there’s always the DQ and now you have experience, right?

🎮

You fill out an application for the Dairy Queen and a few other places. Your job hunt has been chronic as it is. It’s only that your search for a second gig, is now back to square one. You have only your last check coming to you before you’re digging into your meagre savings; the money meant for tuition.

Your grandma is back to living in her novels. Good. You didn’t realise until before how much you preferred it.

As you close yourself in your room, your phone vibrates. You look down at the message. It’s him. He’s been messaging, still thinking he might talk you into it. He is a lawyer but this isn’t his court. This is your life.

How pathetic. A grown man meddling in the affairs of a nineteen-year-old. If you could let go of the catfishing, everything else has assured you of his character. You flop onto your bed and swipe away his texts.

You wallow there for a while. In self-pity, in futility, in listlessness. You don’t know what to do. Everything is at a standstill. You have no job, you don’t know if you can pay for next semester, let alone the year, and you’re stuck in this deadbeat town.

You put on a video to try to drown out the incessant anxiety. Today, you’re just going to let yourself sink. You can deal with everything tomorrow. You close your eyes and yawn, drifting into a haze that makes your head fuzzy.

You’re roused by another vibe of your phone. You ignore it. He’s not going to get an answer. He can keep skirting around your blocks but you’re not wasting your energy. You’ve told him enough times to leave you alone. He has to get bored eventually.

You roll over and bury your head in the pillow. You hear your grandma clunking around in the kitchen. You hate this place. You hate your life. The more you think about it, you can’t deny how horrible it really is, especially in the shadow of your dwindling future.

What did you do to deserve this? You’re a good person. At least, you’ve always tried to be. It feels like a lot of karma for that Twizzler you stole when you were eight.

Your grandmother keeps up the racket and your phone keeps on buzzing. You flip over and sit up. You snatch up the phone and stop yourself from flicking your thumb sideways. It isn’t him. It’s Kara. You never did call her back.

You answer and put her on speaker, “hey, sup?”

“Hey,” her voice is shaky, “uh, I don’t know.”

“What?” You sit up straighter, “is everything--” your voice trails off as you listen to the commotion on her end; chatter you can’t make out, movement obscured through the speaker, “what do you mean you don’t know?”

“The cops are here,” she murmurs, “I don’t know. They just showed up. Said they got a call from the landlord or something. Cause it’s the property owner, they can just come in or whatever. I don’t know, I don’t know...” Her voice quivers with panic, “me and Calvin were just hanging out...”

“That’s... why would they--”

“Shoot, I think...” she lowers her voice, “they must’ve found his stash. Shit, shit.”

“Kara?” Your heart races as you try to keep track of what’s going.

“Miss, can you please hang up the call? We need to question you,” a deep voice interjects.

“One second, I’m just on the phone with--”

“Miss, hang up or you’ll be charged with obstruction.”

The line cuts and you gape at your phone. What the hell? You try to dial back, the call rolls through but doesn’t pick up. You try again and again. You get out of bed and pace, texting Kara helplessly. Shit, shit! How is this happening? Over what? A tiny dime bag? Everyone smokes, not that you’re the biggest fan. Too smelly for you.

You put your hand to your forehead. What do you do? You can probably get a bus ticket. Even if you get to her, the bond is going to be way more than you can afford. You doubt you’ll even be able to scrape it together.

Do you call her parents? No, they’d kill her, then she’d kill you.

You shake as your legs turn to jello. You sit back down and close your eyes. Holy crap, this can’t be real.

Your phone vibrates. It doesn’t stop. You look down at the incoming call. Unknown Caller. You’re not stupid. You know it’s him and his timing assures you he had something to do with this. This isn’t a coincidence. Those don’t exist. If there was any sort of luck in this world, you would have found some by now.

“What?” You put the phone to your ear and snarl.

“I can help your friend,” he says.

You’re silent. You want to scream at him. You want to swear at him. You want to call him every nasty word you can. But this isn’t about you, not just you. You brought Kara into this mess, even if you never meant to. You won’t let her pay for your stupidity.

“Meet me at Oxford and Maris. There’s a restaurant--”

“Fine,” you snip and hang up.

You lower your phone and shudder. He won. Given his career, he must be used to that.

#andy barber #dark andy barber #dark!andy barber #andy barber x reader #fic #dark fic #dark!fic #series #defending jacob #end game

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damiansgoodgirll · 6 months ago

Note

can you please write an Damian Priest X Fem Reader Story where Reader was in a toxic relationship and Damian helps her with the trauma from the past?!

damian priest x reader

likes, comments and reblogs are always welcomed!!

‼️ mention of past abusive relationship, damian being a softie , mention of verbal abuse and violence

behind closed doors

you’ve been in love before but you had no idea how it feels being loved.

you were in a happy relationship, or so you thought. but happy relationships aren’t made of lies, cheating, violence and hate.

you didn’t know what made him change his behaviour towards you. during the first months of relationship he was kind and loving, and suddenly he changed.

he blamed it on you being away for too long, he didn’t like that. he knew that you were doing an important job, working for wwe meant investing most of your time in your job but it was all you dreamed of.

you graduate in journalism just for that main reason and when you were offered the position of hosting some wwe programs after the main events you couldn’t say no.

you made so many friends that in all reality, were like a family to you.

but your ex didn’t like that, so he made you quit. when your colleagues noticed your sudden behaviour change, they started asking questions you didn’t want to answer. when they saw how you changed your wardrobe, they started investigating in your private life a little more and you hated that, and an escalated fight with your ex made you quit your dream job.

all because of him.

“let me know when you’ll stop whoring around” he said, with such a low voice that made you shiver.

“i’m not…”

“you’re not?” he laughed “yes you are!” he raised his voice at you, again “i see the shows you are hosting, i see all the wrestlers flirting with you and you, like the good whore you are, doing nothing to stop them!”

“it’s part of the job, i’m not flirting with anyone!” that was your first mistake, raising your voice back at him.

“so you’re saying i’m a liar” he went, gaslighting you.

“no - no, i’m not saying that…” your voice smaller “i’m just saying i’m doing my job, i’m a journalist and that’s what i’m doing…”

“now, hear me very well, you’re quitting that job and you’ll stay here at home, waiting for me when i come back from work, like the good wife you’re going to be one day” he smiled at you, making you shiver again.

“i’m not quitting my dream job!” you screamed back and before you could move, slap. a loud and strong slap to your face.

“scream at me again bitch! you’ll be six feet under ground next time” he screamed, before leaving the room and leaving you standing there, frozen on your spot.

so you did what he threatened you to do. you quit your job. without giving explanations.

all of your friends texted you, tried to reach you in some way but you never answered back.

he was controlling your phone, who you called, who you texted, what you posted on your socials. he became too invasive that at some point, you weren’t allowed outside without him.

rhea and damian, your best friends became worried about you, especially when they didn’t see you at the airport when you were all supposed to leave together for the european tour.

“what you mean she quit?” rhea asked jey.

“i don’t know man, she did. no one told me anything else. she simply quit without giving any explanation man…i’m worried for her, she wasn’t the same person anymore” jey said, making feel damian more insecure.

damian had a crush on you. he did from the first day he saw you, and he was heartbroken when he found out you had a boyfriend. but he didn’t want to ruin your relationship so he was okay with just being friend with you.

he was the first person to notice about your sudden change. the dress you wore were more covering - not that he minded what you were wearing, but he loved your coloured and crazy style that he was kinda shocked to see you wearing black long sleeve dresses everyday. he noticed the way you talked less and smiled less, he noticed how you stopped going to the gym with rhea, he noticed that you would eat less and less and alone.

he knew something was up, he just didn’t know what.

and now, the news that you quit.

he knew he had to reach out to you once he came back from the tour, even if it meant breaking your house down.

two weeks into the european tour and he finally was coming back home with all the crew. while being away he tried to call you many times but he was always sent to voicemail.

“i can’t do this anymore…something’s wrong, i can feel it” damian said to rhea once he was driving back to his home.

“you wanna go check on her?”

“not now…she’s probably asleep. i’m going tomorrow, when she’s home alone…” he said, gripping stronger at the wheel.

rhea just nodded, knowing that talking about you was hurtful for damian.

and so the first thing damian did was to wait until you were home alone. when he saw your boyfriend leaving was the moment he stepped out of his car and knocked on your front door.

his heart broke when he saw your face.

you had a purple bruise covering half of your left cheek and your eyes, they didn’t sparkle like they used to do.

“y/n…” he sadly smiled at you.

“dam - damian, what are you doing here?”

“i wanted to check on you…” he said and you softly smiled, letting him inside the house.

“i’m good damian, how are you by the way?” you tried to avoid the conversation that was coming.

“you’re not good y/n…what happened to your cheek?” he asked, a little too worried.

“oh i fell” you said causally but damian wasn’t having any of it.

“definitely not a bruise from a fall…y/n, can you please look at me?” he asked you softly stepping in front of you.

tears were already forming in your eyes.

“did he do this?” was all he asked before your eyes betrayed you and you let those tears fall “oh sweetie…” he whispered before wrapping his muscular arms around you.

it’s been a long time since someone hugged you like that and you didn’t want to let go. you felt safe in his arms but you knew it was coming to an end.

“is he the reason you quit your job?” he asked and you nodded, too scared to speak “look at me love…” he softly smiled, gently wiping your tears away “you’re coming with me…i’m not letting you stay here okay?”

“i-i can’t damian…”

“yes you can love, i’m not letting you stay here with that dick…he doesn’t fucking deserve you, not after this, i’m so sorry i didn’t realize what was going on before…”

“its not your fault dam” you said.

“so…are you coming with me?” he asked, hopeful.

“o-okay…”

“i’ll help you pack love…you’re staying with me for all the time you need okay?” he gently asked you and you nodded.

when your boyfriend came back home and saw that all of your clothes were missing, he went crazy. he knew he would have happened sometimes but he never thought that you would actually leave him.

he tried to call you and text you but you blocked his number. damian even turned your phone off so you could focus on your self a little more.

damian was so kind and patient with you. he firstly offered you his own bedroom but you couldn’t accept it, so he gave up and gave you the guest bedroom. the first few nights were completely nightmares, you couldn’t fall asleep and every time you did, you would wake up with a scream. but damian was always there for you, he helped you calm down after a bad dream, he held you if you wanted him to do so, he wiped your tears away everytime you woke up crying.

he was always there for you and you couldn’t be more grateful.

of course - if damian knew, rhea knew. you wanted to keep it a secret, the whole “violent boyfriend thing” - you didn’t want people to know about it.

eventually hunter found out and he was more than happy to give you your job back. he even suggested that you would be accompanied by guards from home to work and viceversa.

but somehow your ex found out too. he saw you were back working on tv, he saw you were enjoying more time with your friends again and he couldn’t accept it, so, after a failed attempt of breaking into damian’s home, you had to ask for a restraining order.

damian was always by your side, trying to give you your own space but keeping an eye on you.

you’ve spent two months now with him, and, even if you don’t want to admit it to yourself you were falling for him, more and more every day. you weren’t used to be treated with such love and care, and all damian did was natural for him.

but even if you were feeling better the nightmares never stopped.

“no, please don’t” you screamed but your boyfriend was just staring at you with a mischievous smile.

“don’t what uh?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“don’t hurt me please, i-i will do anything you want to but please…don’t hurt me again…” but no matter how you begged, he wasn’t listening and so his strong hand met your face once again.

you woke up with a loud scream and damian, being only two doors away from you, came running to your bedroom.

you were heavily breathing and your eyes were full of tears.

“hey hey it’s okay…” he whispered gently sitting next to you.

you involuntarily flinched when you heard him talking.

“it’s me amor…it’s me, it’s damian…” he softly talked to you “breath with me…let’s breath together okay?” and you did as he told you.

his hand softly reached your face and wiped away your tears. you melted into his touch and he felt that. he wanted to scream how much he loved you but he didn’t want to scare you away.

“i’m sorry for waking you up…go back to sleep” you apologised.

“i’m not leaving you here…don’t apologise for this”

“i don’t want to keep being a burden for you and-…”

“stop it right there…hermosa, you are not a burden for me, you’ll never be a burden for me, you’re…i care for you, so much…i-i” he wanted to say he loved you but couldn’t “you will never be alone okay? i’ll be here for all the time you need me to”

“can you please stay here with me until i fall asleep?” you shyly asked him, hating how vulnerable you sounded.

“absolutely love…come here” he laid down and let you lay in his arms, the place where you felt more protected.

“thank you damian…i mean it”

“there’s nothing to thank me for…”

“damian…”

“yes?”

“i care for you too…maybe more than a friend should” you confessed “but it’s okay if you don’t feel the same, i just wanted to let you know, nothing would change our friendship”

“i want to change our friendship though…i wish we could be more than friends” he confessed too, making your heart skip a beat.

“what?”

“you heard me right y/n…i like you, a lot. i’ve always liked you but i didn’t want to interfere with your relationship, if i only knew what was really going on behind closed doors…i won’t rush you to do anything…we’re going slow if you want to…”

“i want to damian, i want to have a relationship with you i just” you were scared honestly “i’ve never been loved before, i don’t know how to love again…”

“it’s okay y/n…it’s okay…we’ll take things slow love”

“thank you damian…” you thanked him “but…i would really like to kiss you now…”

“we can do that” he smirked making you smile. his soft hand caressing the cheek where once there was a huge bruise, he leaned over you and captured your lips over his big ones. the kiss was soft, full of warmth and love that a tear of happiness fell from your eyes.

he smiled into the kiss, making you smile too.

“i liked that…” you confessed making him chuckle.

“good night hermosa…sleep well” he said when he saw you yawning.

his hand scratched your head, making you fall asleep faster than ever, his arms around you making you feel safe.

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blushweddinggowns · 1 year ago

Text

It had started as a rough few weeks. A rough few weeks that turned into a rough few months. It was weird, because in all honesty when it came to social standings, Will was doing a lot better here than he ever did in Hawkins. There were no Zombie Boy stories following him here, and he even managed to get a few girls to have a crush on him. He…still wasn’t quite clear how that worked out and he really wasn’t a fan of it. But they were also the only people he could talk to at school. He was way too paranoid of getting close to any guys. God forbid he got another crush on a friend, having none of them just seemed like the better course of action.

It didn’t help that Mike had basically stopped acknowledging that he existed after they moved. He didn’t write to him, he didn’t call him, and it felt like the only time he heard his voice was when he politely asked for El over the phone. And it hurt. It hurt a lot. Especially when he still put in so much effort to get ahold of El all the time. He’d resent her for it if he could, but the only one who was having a worse time than him with the move was her. Maybe Mike was a shitty friend to him, but at least she had someone to talk to.

But whatever. Lucas and Dustin cared, and so did Eddie and Steve. And when Jonathan wasn’t busy being high as hell, he had him too. Even Max called him more often than Mike did. Even when she was just trying to get ahold of El she’d take the time to ask him how he was, a courtesy that his best friend from freaking kindergarten couldn’t even offer anymore.

So maybe Will didn’t have many friends in California yet, but he didn’t feel very lonely.

Just a little heartbroken.

But he could get past it. Especially when some of his favorite people were only one phone call away. Sometimes it made him feel a little guilty, that Steve and Eddie were his go to for talking about his problems. Especially since Jonathan was always trying to get him to open up. Even when he was zoinked out of his gourd he never failed to ask Will how his day was. Though…he did have a hard time following the plot when Will told him.

But that didn’t change the fact that Jonathan always wanted to help. But what could Will say? I’m depressed because I’m in love with my best friend who doesn’t care about me? And oh yeah, I’m gay? Yeah, no. That wasn’t going to happen. If Jonathan of all people hated him for that…he’s not sure he could recover. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t think about it.

It was kind of pathetic, but he’d fantasize about it sometimes. Coming out to his family, everyone smiling and saying they’d love him anyway, no matter what. And if he was being honest with himself, it was technically possible, right? His brother had never said a bad word about Steve and Eddie. His mom never failed to shut the homophobic crap down when his crappy sperm donor had still been around. But it was different when it was your own kid, right? Will wasn’t quite sure. But he did know that he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

So he called who he always did when he had a problem. It only took a few rings before someone was picking up, Steve’s familiar voice on the other end, “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me,” Will sighed, flopping face first into his bed, the phone pressed to his ear.

He could hear the smile in Steve’s voice, “Hey kiddo, what’s up?”

God, he was such a dad. Will wouldn’t be shocked if he started wearing socks with sandals by the time he hit twenty-three. He went straight to the point, “Do you think that living happily ever after is like a real thing? For people like us?”

Steve laughed, “It better fucking be after all the shit we’ve seen.”

“I don’t mean the Upside Down stuff,” Will sighed, “I mean like…y’know. The gay.”

Steve snorted, “The gay? I’m going to have to tell Eddie that one.”

Will rolled his eyes at the redundant statement. He had learned a long time ago that telling Steve something meant telling Eddie something, and vice versa. He sighed a tiny smile on his face, “Oh what, like he’s not already next to you listening in?”

“...touché.”

Will laughed, turning over to stare at the ceiling, “I’m serious though. Like…is it even possible? It’s not like everyone gets to magically find their soulmate at eight.”

“Is that such a bad thing though?” Steve asked, “Because no offense dude but honestly? I think you could do a lot better than Mike-”

“Be nice,” Will interrupted, torn between being defensive for Mike’s sake and amused at Steve never failing to find a way to come at him.

“I will when he starts being nice to me.”

“Well that’s just not going to happen,” Will laughed, “I’m starting to think Eddie’s right to call you a brat.”

Steve gasped, loud and scandalized. He’d been hanging out with Robin too much, “Me?! Never!”

Will could barely hear it over the receiver, but he could hear Eddie’s faint voice coming through, Yes he is!

And it was making him laugh even harder. Will missed this, so much. He missed having a place where he could just say whatever he wanted, with no worries. Even now he was looking over his shoulder, anxious at the chance that his mom or a sibling could come bursting in at any moment to catch him in the act of being comfortable. It was a confusing and weird feeling, and probably a little unfair to assume they’d prefer him to be sad and quiet over happy and queer. But he still did.

But for now he was safe. And he might as well take the chance to speak on all the things he couldn’t with anyone else, “But what if I don’t want to do better than Mike? Like…it’s stupid but do you think that um, I would ever have a chance?”

The answer was a strong no, but sometimes Will just needed a reality check from someone else’s mouth.

Steve sighed, “I think the odds are pretty low bud. All jokes aside, even if he was playing for our team, I’m not sure if he’s the type who could even accept it. Y’know?”

Will did know, unfortunately. And if he’d never met Eddie and Steve there was a solid chance he’d be that guy. The truth stung a bit, but it was necessary, “I know, I know. But…do you think he would accept me? If he ever found out?”

“He fucking better. Otherwise I’ll-”

Will heard a shuffle on the other end, paired with something that sounded suspiciously like whining before he heard Eddie’s voice, “Will? You there? Sorry about that. I had to take the phone away before he started talking about beating up a child.”

Will grinned, happy to hear Eddie’s voice, “You made the right call. Do you think they’ll ever get along?”

“Not in this lifetime,” Eddie sighed, “And I know Mike’s not perfect, but if he’s okay with us why wouldn’t he be with you?”

“But it’s different when it’s a friend, isn’t it?” Will asked, “I’m not even sure if my mom would accept it, let alone him.”

“Well first of all, you don’t have to tell anyone shit, okay? But I can promise you that Joyce would be fine with it. And so would Jonathan for that matter. And I don’t even know if El is aware of what homophobia even is.”

It all sounded a lot more believable out of Eddie’s mouth than what was going on in his own head. But still… “What if they don’t though? What if I tell them and they kick me out or something? Or make me go to therapy?”

“Okay, on the off, off chance that you tell them and Joyce suddenly became a monster overnight, we’ll go to plan B. Steve and I will drive up there to kidnap you and you can live in Indy with us.”

Will grinned. He could live with that, “Can’t we just make that Plan A?”

“No, because your family loves you, as they should by the way. And this won’t bother them, I swear. Plus, telling them on your own terms is a lot less awkward than getting caught in the act.”

Will didn’t even want to know what Eddie was alluding to with that one. Poor Wayne, “But what if we’re wrong?”

He wanted to believe him, he really did, but stranger things had happened outside of gay people being disowned.

“Will, listen to me,” Eddie said, his voice confident enough to make Will perk up, “I swear on Steve’s life, okay? There is no way in hell anyone in that house is gonna reject you for this.”

Will blinked, a little shocked at just how much faith he had in his family. More than he did, “Really?”

“Really. Trust me on this man, you’re going to be fine.”

They hung up pretty soon after that, mostly because El started knocking on his door for the phone. The conversation made him feel a bit better, but also…nervous. Could he really tell them? Would it all just work out? Just like that? Will wasn’t so sure.

He decided against doing it right away despite Eddie’s own confidence. But he did start to drop a few feelers. He started with Jonathan, waiting until he was high enough for him to forget the conversation if it didn’t go well. And that wasn’t a long wait.

He found him and his new friend sprawled out in his room, Fast Times playing in the background as they both stared into space. Though Will wasn’t quite sure he could count what Argyle was doing as staring. He’s eyes were barely open, and Will was 90 percent sure he was passed out. But that was good for him, now was as good a time as any.

Jonathan smiled at him as he wandered in, his words kind but slurring, “Hey! What’s up? You never come in here. You wanna watch something or…?”

Will shook his head, his heart aching a little at the way it made his brother frown. Maybe he really had been neglecting him, too caught up in his own head to spend time with the closest thing he had to a Dad.

It made him feel a little bad, but that wasn’t what he was here for, “No thanks. I just wanted to ask you something.”

“Sure!” Jonathan said, way too excited at the prospect of a simple question, but maybe that was the weed, “What’s up?”

Will shrugged, casually leaning against the door. Or at least he hoped it looked casual, because his heart was beating a mile per minute, “Steve said that his and Eddie’s anniversary is coming up soon. Do you think I should send them something?”

Jonathan tilted his head up to look at him, his eyes bloodshot with a tiny smile on his face, “That’s like…so nice dude. You’re always so nice. How are you so nice?”

“You don’t think it’s weird?” Will pressed, hope fluttering in his chest, “To be, y’know, celebrating them like that?”

Jonathan shook his head, “Nah man. It’s like…romance. Y’know? It’s sweet.”

“Yeah dude, gay guys are cool,” Argyle agreed out of nowhere, his eyes still closed, “Good for Stu and Eggie. Gay people got like, the best hair.”

Will didn’t really know what to do with that one. But Jonathan was impressed. He jerked his head back to stare at Argyle, his voice in awe, “How’d you know he had good hair? I never told you he had good hair.”

“I bet they both have good hair,” Argyle sighed, “They alway do.”

“Are you like, psychic?” Jonathan asked, like that made any sense at all.

“Shit, you think I could be?”

Will watched as the two of them started to debate the idea, his brow raised. God, weed sure was a hell of a drug. He left them to it after that, deciding to slowly back out of the room. But he was going to chalk it up as a positive.

preview for the next chapter (kind of) of this fic

#steddie #stranger things #will byers #steddie fic #steddie ficlet #steve harrington #eddie munson #the universe trapped in your skin #she's coming along #so fucking slowly #but she's coming #just a little preivew to prove she still exists

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gothamite-rambler · 4 days ago

Text

If you make her cry you deal with her family (Batfamily Chronicles Microfiction Series)

Stephanie sobs as Barbara passes her a tissue. Her boyfriend, Tanner has dumped her, harshly too, leaving her heartbroken.

Barbara (sincere): You gonna be okay?

Stephanie shakes her head while whimpering.

Barbara: I’m so sorry he hurt you. You didn't deserve what he put you through or said to you. I have some good news for you, I invited some friends over to help comfort you.

Stephanie: Really, Cass is coming?

Cass: I’m already here.

Stephanie jolts, turning around to see Cass behind her. Cass has a smile on her face.

Cass: I was hanging out with Barbara earlier, I didn’t teleport here.

Stephanie: I was confused for a second. Who else is coming?

Barbara: They-

Frantic banging at the door, alerting Barbara the right people made it.

Barbara: That’s them.

Barbara rolls to the door. The batboys wait for the door to open slightly before rushing in.

Barbara: Rush in, guys don’t wipe your feet or anything.

Dick Grayson sits next to Stephanie.

Dick Grayson: What happened, Steph?

Stephanie: Tanner cheated on me and then dumped me!

Stephanie bursts into tears. Dick Grayson hugs her.

Jason (anger brewing): He cheated on you with who?

Stephanie: She was his friend from school… he said she was just a friend!

Duke Thomas: That’s how they trick you. Same thing happened with one of my exes.

Dick: Same.

Jason: Three times, now.

Tim: That was my second relationship.

Cass: My last boyfriend dumped me for an actual clown, she was nice, but he was not.

Damian: I don’t date. I’m just here for moral support.

Barbara: Have all of us excluding Damian, had that happen?

The group, minus the Damian: Yeah.

Dick: This heartbreak will pass, Steph. He's a jerk for betraying you like that.

Stephanie: The cheating wasn’t what stung the most... It was why he said he did it.

Dick: He gave a reason for why he did it? What did he say?

Stephanie: He said I was annoying and smothered him. My jokes weren’t funny and th- that… that he can’t date girls who have more muscle than him!

Stephanie stops talking to sob more. Jason pulls out his phone and types in Tanner’s name.

Stephanie: He called me a try-hard, a flake, and that I'd grow to be a lonely spinster and... that it was my fault he fell into the arms of his friend.

Duke hummed to calm himself, but he had to clench his fist as well.

Dick's left leg shook in anger.

Tim (tranquil fury) : What else did he say to you that in his warped mind was justification for cheating on you?

Stephanie (sobbing while talking): It was insult after insult. I'm too opinionated, I don’t... make him happy anymore, I'm ugly and wasn’t worth his time.

Damian frowned, walking behind the couch and patting her on the shoulder.

Dick (shock): He said that to you as a defense for cheating on you?

Stephanie: Yeah. Finished it off by saying I’d never find anybody with how I am. Then he laughed in my face when I cried... he laughed when he saw my cry.

Jason: Oh he did now?! That mother fucker! I’ll be back!

Dick: Wait, Jason, Jason don’t go alone. I’m coming with you. I got my Escrima sticks in my car!

The two men run out. Dick walks back in a second later.

Dick: Where is he currently?

Stephanie (dejected): At the local arcade, he said he wanted to play some games after dumping me!

Dick (laughing angrily): Jason he’s at the arcade!

Duke: I’m not letting this slide! Barbara, I’ll buy you a new umbrella.

Duke follows behind the two men, taking the umbrella at the front door.

Barbara: Is he going to beat him with that? Okay.

Stephanie: Wait stop them! Tanner and his friends are pretty good fighters, they could do some damage.

Tim (reassuringly): They're going to be fine... not sure about Tanner.

Cass: I’ll go with them to make sure they don’t hurt him too much. I’ll try to resist the urge to punch him, but I make no promises.

Cass leaves next. Tim sat next to Stephanie, deciding it'd be better for him to stay. He rubbed her back to comfort her.

Stephanie (sniffling): You know with how busy I got with patrols and keeping up with Batman, maybe... maybe it is my fault. I shouldn’t have thought someone like him would like me. I can't keep a single damn relationship stable. Not him, not you... so what's the point in trying anymore?

Tears dripped down Stephanie's cheeks while talking.

Tim: Steph, you weren't to blame for us breaking up and you aren't to blame for his sorry ass dumping you.

Stephanie (dejected): I- I don't know if that's true. So many of you told me Tanner was no good for me, but I kept trying every... bullshit piece of advice article to keep him because I thought he liked me.

Tim's eyes widened hearing Stephanie use a curse word, something she rarely used and in that moment he felt his heart beat quicken seeing his friend, practically sister, so sad.

Stephanie: After ignoring the issues for so long all it got me was crying as he laughed in my face. He was right, wasn't he?

Tim’s left eye twitched, and he reasoned his brothers would need some 'moderation' from Tanner and his douche bro friends.

Tim: I- I should go make sure they don’t harm him too much… definitely not going to participate in beating him up and possibly breaking his hand.

Tim raced out of the apartment following his three equally pissed-off brothers.

Damian: Can I come?

Tim: No!

Damien attempts to sneak away, but he's yanked back by Barbara.

Barbara: No, that’s grown-up business. They aren’t going to rough him up too badly. I should call Bruce and tell him to have possible bail money ready.

Damian (whining): I have to stay here with the crying person?

Damian glances at the sniffling Stephanie.

Damian (sitting next to her): There. There.

Damian patted Stephanie on her thigh, he wasn't the best at comforting others thanks to a mom and dad who struggled with this as well, but seeing his family friend torn up at a partner ending their relationship with her, he wanted to give some advice to her.

Damian: As I've stated, I have not dated anybody, being young, but don't beat yourself up over a loser named Tanner dumping you for an equally spineless girl. You’re not to blame for his bad decisions. You may be annoying, but that’s what makes you a delight to be around at times. You’ll find the right person for you. He simply wasn’t the one.

Barbara (dialing Bruce's number): That was actually really sweet to say, Damian.

Damian: I watch a lot of daytime talk shows and romance shows, I learned enough. Stephanie, I mean every word, you’re a good surrogate sister to me and if Tanner can’t see that kindness that even Kite Man appreciates, then he's the problem. Not you.

Stephanie (whimpering): Oh Damian, you so sweet!

Damian is pulled into a tight hug. He groans softly, patting the girl on the back.

Barbara (talking to Bruce): Yes, yes, Tanner is a jerk… Yes, you were right about him… Steph is fine, I got her. The guys and Cass went to find Tanner, he’s at the local arcade with his friends… yeah they’re going to beat his ass and probably his friends. You should pick them up in about twenty minutes when they get there. Maybe 15 if you call one of them now and they can avoid getting arrested..... Thanks, Bruce. Bye.

Barbara ended the call and then rolled over to Stephanie.

Barbara: All right, while the guys and Cass talk to Tanner, us three can watch a movie and eat snacks. I picked up the best post-breakup snacks. Do you want to watch Mean Girls or Addams Family Values?

Damian: Please pick one, I can’t breathe!

Stephanie (somberly, laughing): Addams Family Values.

Stephanie felt disappoint me at being dumped and rejected by Tanner, but at least she had her family.

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luvrrgirl444 · 1 year ago

Text

chapter 14: genius

IRL, INSTAGRAM!

“hi, y/n and i’m here today with genius to explain the lyrics of my song ‘kill bill’.” you smiled at the camera.

“so, fun fact about kill bill is that it actually only took about 6 hours to produce. i, uh-” you laughed. “i saw this thing online and it made me feel some type of way, and i was like ‘i need to release what i feel right now.’ so, i took out my songbook and went crazy. i called up my friend jean, my producer, and i was crying,” you laughed again, and made a phone gesture with your hand and brought it up to your ear. “and i was like, ‘bro i just wrote these lyrics, can we make a song right now?’ and we did, in like 6 hours.”

VERSE 1

i’m still a fan even though i was salty

hate to see you with some other broad, know you happy

hate to see you happy if i’m not the one driving

“the person that this song is about is actually also an artist, and he’s actually really talented. so basically, i was saying that even though i hate that nigga,” you stuck up your middle finger. “he’s still a great artist, unfortunately. the next two lines are literal, uh, about a month, maybe a month and a half after we broke up, he was posted up with another girl. which was honestly really shitty because he broke up with me to ‘focus on his music’” you quirked your eyebrow and used quotation marks. “basically this whole song is about me being a jealous heartbroken bitch.” you sarcastically smiled.

PRE-CHROUS

i’m so mature, i’m so mature

i’m so mature, got me a therapist to tell me there’s other men

i don’t want none, i just want you

if i can’t have you, no one should

i might

“i was tryna convince myself that i was strong, and that this wasn’t hurting me as much as i thought it was, but it definitely was. literally wrote a whole muthafucking song about it.” you laughed. “we we’re dating for a long ass time to be honest, so with the ‘i don’t want none, i just want you’ lyric, it’s basically saying that i’ve been with you for so fucking long, it’s always been you, how am i supposed to move on, y’know? it’s lowkey corny but yeah. the last lyric is very um, yandere simulator vibes but it relates to the theme of the song, which is like jealousy and vengeance and possession.” you put your hands up. “don’t worry y’all, i’m not a criminal.”

CHORUS

i might kill my ex, not the best idea

his new girlfriend's next, how'd i get here?

i might kill my ex, i still love him though

rather be in jail than alone

“i can explain y’all, i’m not a killer or a criminal but imma be real, i was definitely having some intrusive thoughts. but everyone does. like, anyone who says they’ve never had thoughts about hurting someone that did them dirty, or fucked with them, they’re fucking lying, 100%. and relating to what i said before, we were together for so long. no matter how much i try to deny, the love is still there. it’s been built up for years, as much as i want to, i can’t magically forget it overnight.”

you continued on with singing the lyrics and explaining them until you completely finished the entire song.

“kill bill was an impulsive creation and release. we recorded and finished the song in like 6 hours, and i was like ‘i want to release this today’” you pointed downwards. “but everyone told me no.” you rolled your eyes. “so i asked when was the soonest we could release it, and it was like in 2 days. so the next day i posted on instagram saying that i was releasing a song tomorrow and that was it. there was no promo for it, which is why i’m so fucking shocked that it did so well. but, thank you to my fans, friends and family, i love you all. stream kill bill, album coming soon, bye!” you blew a kiss to the camera, before smiling and making heart with your hands.

liked by erenjaeger, latto & 588,087 others

y/nsinterlude kill bill interview w @genius out neowwww!! go run it up 🫣🫣🤍

comments

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⤷ y/nsinterlude i’ll revive u bae 😘

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view 86.7k others..

🦋 !

- this chapter is fr just a whole lotta yapping but 🫣🫣

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dandyslibrary · 3 months ago

Text

love me like how you used to.

Kalim x Reader — Angst — Romantic — TWST

I’ve been itching for some Kalim x Reader Angst, and I couldn’t find anything that could suffice so I just thought that I’d make it myself. This could probably be seen as Yandere, or not, depends on you.

TW: Grammatical Errors, Typos probably, owie my heart angst. Some stuff probably don’t make sense, Didnt proofread. Squint real hard and you’ll probably see some Silver x Reader, OOC probably sorry huhu. Kalims one sided rivalry with silver. Kalim probably being an ass??

once again, characters might be OOC.. so please don’t attack me for this.

“I love you.” the words slipped out of your mouth, something that you’ve been wanting to say for such a long time. How could you not say it though? The setting was perfect, just you and Kalim in Ramshackle sitting on the stairway entrance looking up at the skies. You so sure that Kalim felt the same way too, you calculated everything.

Kalim sat up and you followed, his eyes staring at you wide in shock. It’s almost as if he was speechless. Maybe he felt the same way? Maybe he was waiting for this moment just like you did? You sure hope so..

So why did his expression turn from happy to discomfort? Why were his eyebrows arched? Why did his smile falter when you said so? You could feel your stomach churning. Maybe it was a mistake— no, no you’re sure that he feels the same way!

All of those times where you comforted him, helped him through his struggles when Jamil couldn’t be there. And all of the hang outs you both did to release some stress. He gifted you so many things too! You constantly put so much effort into being what he wanted you to be. Kalim narrowed his gaze managing to keep up a slight grin to make the situation less awkward than it is already.

“I-I’m sorry.. I don’t feel the same way.”

he stammered out, shattering your heart into millions of pieces. Kalim only saw you as a close friend, nothing more. You blink back the tears forming in your eyes.

“We can still stay as friends! Don’t worry, I’ll just forget about all of this if it makes you feel better—“ he tried to reassure you putting his hand on your shoulder looking at your saddened expression. He feels guilty, he feels horrible.

you shook your head chuckling awkwardly. “It’s fine, I understand.. I would just like some space.” Pushing his hand away you stand up slowly. “You should get going Jamil is probably looking for you.”

the tears were threatening to fall down your cheeks, but you hold them back as you didn’t wanna look weak. Kalim wanted to protest- but he didn’t. He only nodded getting up going back to Scarabia.

You didn’t even try to watch him walk away, you walked into your dorm closing the door. Slamming it slightly, and you immediately let everything out. You leaned onto the door burying your face into your palms.

It hurts, your heart hurts so much. You feel so stupid so dumb, of course Kalim wouldn’t like you! He’s from a family of royals- you’re just a nobody from another world, he treats you the same way he treats everyone.

You were just a friend, nothing more nothing less. Why did you believe that he liked you back!? You feel so heartbroken, you feel like ur an idiot. You’re nothing special.

the rest of ur days were spent being comforted by grim and adeuce feeling absolutely tired. You tried to stay motivated with school, and stuff, but for some reason you just couldn’t let go. Being rejected sucks real bad.

Of course nobody knew except your close friends, the professors noticed you’re feeling a bit down so they lessened the strictness and work for you. And you haven’t seen Kalim in a while, you guess it’s because of Jamil.

Mentally thanking Jamil, since you couldn’t handle seeing the person who just rejected you and needing some space. It didn’t stop the gifts appearing on ur doorstep though. You didn’t want anything that could remind you of Kalim at the moment so you always leave them be till they disappear.

it’s not like you hated Kalim, no, you just needed some time to yourself. Kalim was the one person in NRC who was genuinely kind, first meeting he didn’t look down on you or saw you weak. He treated you kindly, and wasn’t snobby. He was like a fresh breath of air!

Maybe you shouldn’t have fallen for him, he was doing the bare minimum after all. He was just being kind.. You feel stupid for letting your feelings take over. All in all you just feel like a big dumb dumb.

You just wished he wasn’t so nice, huffing to yourself not paying any mind to your surroundings you accidentally tripped on something.. wait, no, someone? Looking down you see a boy with silver hair, a peaceful expression on his face. He’s wearing green and black so you assume he’s from that Diasomnia. His silver hair reminded you of Kalim a bit making your mood tank.

Suddenly you felt a stinging sensation from your knee, you look over to see that your skin got scratched from the concrete. You winced and tried to stand up to try and get to the infirmary— but instead you tumble and fall again but this time you were caught.

You looked up to see the boy you tripped on holding you with a worried look on his face. “I’m sorry, are you okay?” he asked. You were stunned, gosh he looks gorgeous— I mean what?

You were too busy admiring his face that you forgot to answer. He tilted his head to the side looking even more concerned. “Yes! Yep, I’m fine, sorry..” you chuckled awkwardly standing up properly.

“Are you sure? Your knee..” he looked down to your knee, as blood was trailing down your leg. You looked down to see that your socks are stained with blood making you wince

“It’s just a scratch, I’ll get to the clinic..” looking back up at him he bummed and held your shoulder.

“Let me take you there, your knee is injured because of me after all.” He suggested, and it reminded you of Kalim making you feel like you’re gonna start crying again. The boy called out to you, making you snap out of ur thoughts shaking them away.

“Alright, thank you.. uhm, what’s your name?” You stammered. He introduced himself as silver and you introduced yourself to him too, and soon you both found yourself to be really close friends.

Slowly you forgot about Kalim, your feelings washing away. Spending more time with Silver, napping or just chilling in general. You found being around him quite relaxing and you’re glad that he found your company just as enjoyable.

Months passed, you and Kalim reconnected but this time as friends. You spent less time with him and more time around silver though

Kalim had mixed feelings about this, tossing and turning on his bed. He’s happy that you’re doing better! He loves seeing his friends smile! But he wished that you would spend more time with him like you both used to before. Seeing you spend your time with silver, made him a bit envious.

He tried so hard these past few months to make it up to you too! Sending gifts but you didn’t accept them, and he wanted to talk with you also- but Jamil didn’t allow him sadly.. but he let you be alone for a while.

But now that your back to being friends everything could go back to the same way it did!

But why do you barely pay attention to him? You don’t hate him right! No, he’s sure that you don’t. He wants to spend time with you just like how you both used to. Even if it’s just for a few minutes.. all you give him is a smile or nod

the only time you do talk to him is when it’s for school, and when he does try to make plans with you it seems that your already busy with silver!

He’s happy you’re doing better than before, he does really! He missed you so much, he missed the way you smile he way you laugh.. the way your hair flows when it’s windy. He missed when you combed his hair right when he wakes up. The way you would join him in his antics

he missed everything you both did together.. the way you would go on for about hours on your interests. He especially missed your voice. wait, isn’t this how people feel when they’re in love?

…

When the realization hits Kalim, it hits him like a double decker bus making him sit up in his bed. He.. loves you? No way.. Days go by after this realization, Kalim’s heart flutter every time he sees you. His face feels warm when he hears your laugh. He really loves seeing you happy, but seeing you laugh with silver by your side instead of him.. he feels.. jealous.

No way.. he really does love you.. haha! He loves you! It’s a nice feeling, it makes him feel warm and giddy whenever he thinks about you. Is this how you felt? But he rejected you.. so.. He feels bad now.

He’s now set on getting you back, you and silver are just friends right? He hopes so! It starts with him appearing more in your life. Oh! You need help with your homework? Don’t worry he’s here to help— you were planning on asking silver?.. okay.. but he can be some sort of help to you though! Right?

Obviously that doesn’t work, just makes him more jealous.. but doesn’t matter! He’ll try to swoon you with gifts! You always loved his gifts, right? He sends you gifts daily based off on what you like.

oh! you’ve been eyeing that one particular ring for some time now? don’t worry! Kalim bought ten of those for you!.. and.. you don’t want it?.. no? You already have it?

But how— oh. Silver already bought one for you? Doesn’t matter! Just take what he bought for you!..

okay.. so that doesn’t work either! Doesn’t matter! He’ll host parties in your name, oh! Your coming? Great! And when you get there he sees you!.. with silver..

Kalim couldn’t take it anymore. He grabs your hand and drags you to a different room, far away from everyone else— far from the party.

“Kalim? Is something wrong?” you asked looking at the boy who was facing the ground. You tried to pull your hand away from his but his grip on you is tight.

“Kalim, please let me go.” you pleaded trying to pull your hand away once more, but failed. Kalim looks up at you with tears forming in his eyes

“I’m- hic sorry..” he sobbed squeezing your hand. You stared at him in shock, what was he apologizing for?

“Kalim whats wrong?” You furrowed your eyebrows pulling him into a gentle hug. He reluctantly hugs you back, starting to sob into your shoulder.

”I miss you, I miss you so much— I miss when you would hang out with me, I miss when you would laugh and smile just because of me— I miss everything of you.”

this leaves you in shock, you just stood still. Is he really doing this to you? When everything was going so great in your life? When you finally moved on-

“Please! Just please, treat me the same way as before..” he pulled away looking at you right in the eyes. You could see tears running down his cheeks his eyes red, your mouth went agape. At first you didn’t know what to say— but after a few moments of silence you knew what to say.

“Kalim I’ve moved on, I’m sor-“ you were cut off by Kalims hand covering your mouth

“I- I don’t understand..” He sobbed. “Why.. why can’t you just love me like how you used to?”

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

and that’s a wrap! I was bored and the ending was lowkey rushed, I swear this was so much better in my head- thanks for reading this far. This was a shitty fic 😭 it’s my first official one too, oh btw if anyone has any asks, ask way 👀

#; 🐍 vipers fics #twst x reader #kalim angst #kalim al asim #Kalim asim #Kalim x Reader angst #Twst #twisted wonderland #silver twst #TWST angst #silver x yuu #PLS SEND ASKS MWAH

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bensonsbobblehead · 2 years ago

Text

Mistakes— Spencer Reid x Mom!reader

Summary: Spencer choosing to leave you when you were pregnant

Pairings: Spencer Reid x Mom!reader

Category: Angst & Fluff

Content Warnings: Pregnancy and abandonment

Word count: 1.9k

[masterlist]

Spencer is the love of your life, you both had a deep connection among no other. He had known you inside and out. Spencer was your everything and you were his. You were both in school in Vegas and both had fell in love fairly quickly. Moving in together and you were the best versions of each other.

“Hey baby, I’m home!” Spencer shouted as he walked into the apartment. You were in the bathroom face drenched with tears. You were pregnant, and according to the ultrasound very pregnant. With you both in school and Spencer getting a job you could raise a child, you thought. You also knew he was waiting to hear back from the FBI.

Spencer talked about being a dad in the future all the time. It made you happy knowing you were the one he wanted to raise his children.

You quickly wiped your face and stuffed the test and ultrasound back into your bag. You opened the door to see a very smiley Spencer “I have great news, I got into the BAU!” he said excitedly “Well I more so had an interesting conversation with a man named Jason Gideon but still.” He ran to you hugging you. Your mind was completely scrambled.

“Oh my gosh, babe that’s so great! I’m so happy for you!” You said with a smile. You were genuinely happy for him. You knew where the FBI headquarters were, meaning you would have a transfer. You didn’t mind though if it meant starting a family with Spencer.

“Are you okay though? It looks like you’ve been crying” Spencer said with concern in his eyes.

“Spencer…I’m .. im pregnant.” You said in a whisper with a slight grin, and the blood drained from Spencer’s face.

“What? How?” He said in a blank tone. “I’m pregnant Spencer, one month exactly and you know how” rolling your eyes, He stared off, you were so nervous. It was silent for a few minutes before you spoke up.

“Spence say something.” You begged he turned towards you. “I’m sorry but .. I can’t have this baby with you, I just got into my dream job Y/N.” He said grabbing his keys and heading for the door.

You stood there completely in shock. You never thought he would react this way. You were willing to move with him. This was everything you wanted and he doesn’t want it. You started to quickly pack everything you could all the things that were important. You didn’t want to ruin his life and he made his choice.

Once you had a few bags packed you drove to a cousins house, somewhere Spencer couldn’t find you. Spencer broke your heart but you wanted this baby. You didn’t need him at all, you had your cousin. He didn’t deserve you and or your child.

He chose the job over your child. Spencer had been anything but a coward but he proved you wrong.

Spencer came home heartbroken and in tears. Noticing all your things were gone he couldn’t hold it together. All your books, the mug he gave you for your first anniversary, everything was gone. He blamed himself for you leaving.

He was ready to have the baby, he wanted to do everything with you. The job didn’t matter, he always wanted a family especially with you. He called you and your best friend and couldn’t get a hold of you. Spencer knew he fucked up big time.

Months later you were giving birth to your baby girl, Beatrix Marie. She was so healthy, she looked like a perfect mix of you and Spencer. You hated him even more now that she was here. Her perfect nose and eyes that are bound to be huge like Spencer’s. You can’t believe he didn’t want her, to raise her, and love her but he made his choice.

No matter how much you disliked Spencer Bea was every part of him. She was a curious baby and had such a goofy smile like him. Years later Bea was still such a sweetheart and it broke her heart when you moved her across the country.

“Mommy, why do we have to go to Virginia?” Bea said after as you both were watching Doctor Who, which was her favorite show even for a 6 year old.

You had to move to Virginia to finish school and your residency. The pay was decent so you worked at the bookstore which Bea loved. She would also get to see the Smithsonian which she ended up loving. The move was great, life was great, and Bea was amazing.

On her 7th birthday she asked to of course go to the Smithsonian Zoo and to her favorite book store to see her favorite Liberian. Bea was so smart, you didn’t want her to move up in school just yet, she enjoyed the grade she was in for right now. Spencer always lingered in the back of your head. You never knew if you were making the right decisions without him.

The Smithsonian was great, Bea squealed looking at the different animals. She had a love for books, sugar, and animals of course. The bookstore was your next stop, you didn’t even call to see if Ms. Willis, the old Liberian women that would read and watch Bea when you first got to Virginia was in today.

Bea ran off as soon as you hit the door. “Bea no running honey, and stop laughing so loud.” You said in a loud whisper. “Sorry mommy.” She giggled as she ran off. “Hey, Ty is Ms.Willis here? Bea wants her to read to her for her birthday.” Ty was the cashier and a sweetheart who would babysit Bea sometimes when you worked late.

“Yeah she’s in the back I’ll go get her!” Ty said walking to the back. You went to the section you knew Bea would be in. You faintly heard her laughing and smiled. That’s when you heard a man’s voice and your smile dropped. Thinking the worse you walked quickly to the voice and there he was.

Spencer Reid, with his legs folded reading to his daughter, your daughter. “Hey Bea, go up front with Ty and I’ll be right there.” You said looking at Bea and Spencer noticing how she looks more like him then ever before. “Butt mommy, he was just reading Charlotte’s Web from memory.” Bea whined, “Beatrix. Now” she quickly stood and walked off “Bye spencer” she said in a defeated tone.

“Bye Beatrix.” He smiled faintly, you knew how much this was hurting him. “Hey Y/N” he stood and was now standing in front of you. He was tall, he had a tab of weight on him but you liked it, with his perfect hair identical to Beatrixs.

“Hi Spencer. Don’t come anywhere near her again“ he cut you off “I’m so sorry I didn’t know what I was thinking. It was the biggest mistake of my life.… I’m sorry.” He said as you seen his eyes began to water.

“Spencer you downright told me you didn’t want her and now?” you had no words, you never thought you would see him again. You knew it was a possibility but you haven’t thought about it in so long.

“Beatrix Marie Reid, happy birthday to my favorite 7 year old!” Ms. Willis said loudly with a ballon and a book Bea been asking for. The look on Spencer’s face when he heard her full name. You still named her after him even after what he did.

“It’s her birthday today, Spencer I’m mad at you, I love you and you left me, you left us” You said quietly looking at him with tears forming in your eyes. Spencer wanted to be in Beas life, to read with her and take her to ice cream. He wanted you most of all, he was still madly in love with you.

“I’ll give you time to process but here’s my number and address so we can .. talk.” You passed him the note. You didn’t know why you gave it to him. Beatrix was a smart girl so she had questions about her dad.

“Why does Mariah have a dad but I don’t?” Bea asked while you both were eating breakfast. “You do have a dad baby .. you just don’t know him.” You wanted to be honest and open with Bea.

“Did he not want me?” She asked looking down with her hair falling in Her face. Spencer didn’t want Bea you knew that, you just hated seeing her like this.

“How about I’ll tell you the whole story when you’re a little older.” Pushing her brown curl behind her ear. She pushed her glasses off the bridge of her nose “I love you mommy.”

——-

Beatrix had an amazing birthday she enjoyed it so much. It was always time for her last birthday request which was any horror movie of her choosing. To no surprise she chose The nightmare before Christmas her absolute favorite movie.

Bea had just showered and but on her pjs waiting on the couch for the popcorn. As your putting the popcorn in the bowl the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Bea hopped up fast knowing she wasn’t allowed to open the door. Making an exception this time cause her best friend was supposed to be coming over also.

She swung it open with you behind her quickly, “Spencer! How do you know where we live? Do you think you can read to me? After the movie please.” Bea rambled so fast you could barley understand.

“Of course only if it’s okay with your mom.” He smiled at her, even missing 7 years of her life he still looked at her with a love you never seen. “I’ll think about it B, go watch the movie.” Kissing her head and handing her the popcorn.

You and Spencer walked to the kitchen watching Bea from the island. The love was still there between you and Spencer.

“I won’t keep her away from you. She deserves to know you but you have to tell her why you left.” You said looking him dead in his eye.

“Okay. Let me explain to you wh—“ you interrupted “Spencer this is about you and Bea not you and me. You explain to her why you left. Now come on her favorite movie is on.” You said walking towards Bea as Spencer trailed behind.

They both talked through the entire movie. Bea asking every question and Spencer there with an answer. Bea laughed and laughed so much with him. 45 minutes later Beatrix was sleep. You quietly picked her up to walk her to her room with Spencer trailing behind.

You laid her down and tucked her in giving her one kiss on the forehead. Spencer watched the entire thing in awe of how amazing you were with her. He always knew you’d be the perfect mother.

As you walked out and turned out the light Bea whispered “Can spencer still read to me mommy?” In her sleepy voice. “Maybe next time B, Goodnight” you said walking out with Spencer in front of you.

Once you were in the living room the room fell silent. You both pick up the tv room and headed to the kitchen. “I want Beatrix to have the most normal upbringing I can give her.” You started catching his attention, “if you tell her there’s no backing down. You will not come in her life and leave her.” You said in a stern tone.

“I will never leave her or you again.” Spencer said knowing he meant it, he was ready for everything fatherhood had to offer.

#spencer Reid x you #spencer Reid x mom!reader #spencer Reid dad #dad Spencer reid #spencer reid angst #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid one shot #spencer reid x fem!reader #criminal minds mom #spencer reid daughter #spencer reid x daughter!oc

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deliontower · 10 months ago

Note

could you do a Sejanus angst fic where he finds out snow betrayed him instead of being hanged and the reader comforts him (heavy angst, heavy hurt comfort)

take me to the lakes | s.p

pairing: sejanus x covey!gn!reader

warnings: heavy angst, hurt comfort, fluff, swearing and spoilers of both movie and book

word count: 560

a/n: Thank you for the request! I hope you enjoy it, I love sejanus getting a happy ending. Sorry it took so long to get this done :( had a busy few weeks then I just wanted to enjoy Christmas with my family. Not that happy with this but I think it has something to it :/

Also added this request: an au of where Sejanus lives instead of dies but finds out coryo betrayed him (his only true friend betrayed him and left him heartbroken/extremely hurt) so he goes home and seeks comfort from burning that photo of him and snow (kind of inspired by the song burn from Hamilton) but he burns the photo and then sobs his poor heart out

MAIN MASTERLIST | REQUEST OPEN

Sejanus had appeared at your door, in the middle of the night. His face dark and stormy.

The rest of the covey were still fast asleep, when you snuck out and headed to the lake together. Sejanus wanted to be alone and only there would you be away from hearing ears.

The sky was a light pink by the time you reached the lake, he still hadn’t said anything but the storm had passed leaving only hurt. Theories spun in your head, had someone died? His Ma? Was he being sent away? You touched his arm, “What’s wrong?”.

He looked around, making sure no one was hiding in the trees. “Love” you whispered, hoping to pull him back to you.

He uttered your name.

You half pulled him into the last house that remained and built a fire, you made him sit close by, he must be in shock you thought. Tears started to fall, panicked you hugged him, his head in the crook of your neck.

“What happened?” you asked.

“Coryo-” he swallowed, “He betrayed me”.

You inhaled a sharp breath, the plan, the rebel plan.

A plan you were a key part of, it would break the others heart, working with Billy Taupe but you couldn’t live one more day in 12 and you knew if the others had the same chance they’d jump on it.

“Oh love” you sighed, holding him tighter. Coryo was like a brother to Sejanus, this betrayal would run deep. You pulled apart, then you noticed the crumbled picture in his hands, of him and Coryo from their school days.

“What am I going to do?” he asked hopelessly. You felt yourself crying, “I don’t know but I do know he has never deserved you or your friendship”.

You had never been a fan of Coryo, even after Lucy Gray came home and told you how he had saved her. The night he had watched her sing at the Hob, it was like he owned her, your blood ran cold thinking about it.

Another night at the Hob after you and Sejanus had started to fall in love, Coryo had said something about them all being above the people of the 12. He and Sejanus Capital men and you and Lucy Gray were Covey.

Once he and Lucy Gray left, the two of you, you learnt close to Sejanus and said, “Be careful of that one, love. He’ll do what it takes to survive”. He had shook it off, assuring Coyro wasn’t like that and at the time you chose to believe him.

“You have to stay here and I’ll tell the others to bring the plan forward” you said, the plan coming together in your mind, “and I’m gonna tell Lucy Gray what he has done”. He nods meekly, the picture shaking in his hand. Then in a blink he straightens up, “I thought he was different”. “I know love” you sighed. “But he is just like the rest of them” he muttered, then he threw the picture into the wild flames and burned the picture, first the edges curled up melting then the flame engulfed it fully. The air smells like smoke and chemicals, the wild batted against the building.

You could feel the heat from the fire in your chest, it spread through your limbs to your fingertips.

“He won’t get anyway with this”

#the ballad of songbirds and snakes #the ballad of songbirds and snakes fanfiction #sejanus plinth #sejanus x reader #sejanus x gn reader #sejanus plinth x reader #senjanus plinth x gn reader #gn reader #x gn reader #gnreader #hunger games #hunger games fanfiction

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wardenparker · 2 years ago

Text

Down the Rabbit Hole - ch 15

Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

When Jack accidentally shoots a civilian on a mission he takes on not only the guilt of the man’s death, but inherits his soulmate as well. To you, it’s a dream job with more perks than you can imagine - but for Jack it’s a nightmarish complication. Even more so when he starts to develop feelings.

Rating: Mature, but this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 14k Warnings: *Blanket warnings - mentions of deceased spouse, a lot of food and alcohol consumption, family recipes, age gap, cursing.* Flirty and somewhat explicit banter, pregnancy, discussion of symptoms, mood swings, cemetery/deceased loved ones, speaking to deceased loved ones. Summary: A bittersweet return home to Montana brings mixed emotions for Jack, while you get some insight into the young man that he used to be via some unexpected new friends. Notes: Sincerest apologies for any typos/mistakes I missed in editing this week, my loves. Chronic illness has reared its ugly head again. Next week’s epilogue will be the final installment of this beautiful rollercoaster ride, and I am so, so grateful to all of you for sticking with us on this adventure! Though I’m absolutely heartbroken to see it end, when one door closes another opens, and I know that we’ll have just as much fun with the next story as we’ve had with Jack and Sugar. 🧡🤠

Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~ Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14 ~ Ch 15 ~ Epilogue

The last step off the jet's ramp makes him pause. One little step between him and the ground. Staring at it for a second before Jack Daniels steps foot back in Montana again officially. It's been a long time. Boot hits the tarmac and Jack turns, holding out his hand to help you down even though he's well aware you don't need it. He had decided to bring the jet, the smaller one. Needing the expedience of the private plane if something that required his attention happened, it also allowed him this moment without prying eyes. Swallowing slightly as he offers you a nervous smile. "Welcome to my home state, sugar."

"Looks a lot like every place else so far," you squeeze his hand gently and smile, knowing that this trip has been causing him a lot of apprehension in the weeks leading up to it. He had even called up the board overseeing the ranch to have the main house cleaned up for the two of you to stay in. It was still his house, after all. "I'm sure the rest of the state is lovely beyond this little airport."

"Hell, this airport wasn't even here the last time I was here." He had been shocked when he learned there was an airport within an hour of the ranch. He had purposefully ignored anything about the entire state while he had been an agent and Champ had not given him any missions that would taken him there.

"It's been a long time." With your suitcase in one hand you reach for Jack with the other. He might need an extra bit of grounding on this trip and you're happy to provide it. Especially with the added weight of things sitting on your shoulders. Happy, of course, but still heavy. "Let's find our ride and head for the ranch? I'm excited to see where you grew up."

The ranch. Jack nods, gripping your hand tightly in appreciation before he lets go so he can grab your suitcase from you. His own bag is sitting beside him right as two dually trucks pulls up, both with the emblem of a beautifully scrawled 'D' emblazoned on the side with the Daniels Ranch est. 1851 written underneath. The director of the ranch had told him he would have a truck from the ranch dropped off at the airport for his use. A younger man, obviously a cowboy, hops out from behind the wheel and dashes back behind him to the truck following to climb inside and the second truck takes off.

"I guess that's us." There's no mistaking the yellow logo on the side of the black trucks, and Jack loads your bags in the back before helping you up into the cab where the keys have been left in the ignition.

"Been a long damn time since I've been in a ranch truck." It's obvious that the truck has been cleaned and polished up, but it's a working truck. The toolbox in the back held plenty of tools and ropes for any issues they could run into. "You ready, sugar?"

"Ready as ever." It's a beautiful day and the flight was easy. There's no reason that this drive should be difficult at all beyond the emotional weight that it holds for Jack, and you turn on the radio to see what the ranch hands had been listening to on their way to drop off the truck. Classic rock pours through the speakers - currently a song by the little-appreciated band Little Feat that has you turning up the sound with a gleeful cackle. "This is my mom's favourite song," you explain, when Jack raises an eyebrow at you over the lyrics 'If you'll be my Dixie Chicken, I'll be your Tennessee Lamb'.

He grins, relaxing slightly at the way you start singing the song. Off key and not even trying, but he thinks that might be on purpose. “Should be at the ranch in no time.”

It's a beautiful drive. The Montana countryside is in full bloom as the end of the summer starts to just barely wave at autumn, and there are as many folks out on horses as there are in trucks or in cars. The rolling hills and striking distant mountains remind you of home much more than you had expected, lending a sort of calm to the whole thing. By the time the big iron main gate of the Daniels Ranch comes into view, you're nearly sighing. "I know we just got here, but I kind of love it," you tell him honestly.

Montana does have a sense of magic. At one point in time, Jack would have been content to spend his entire life here. “Wait until you see the main house.” He chuckles. “The master suite is the original log cabin, the rest of the house was expanded over the years.”

"1851." The year is on the gate as you pass under it just like it's on the side of the truck you're in. "That's before statehood, right? I barely remember all those dates from history class. But does that mean your family were early settlers or something?"

“I guess you could say that. Montana became a state in 1889. My family decided to move to the territory because a change of heart.” Jack explains. “The way I understand it, the first Daniels here wanted to go to Oregon in the ‘40s, but didn’t manage to convince his wife until ‘49. Then there was some kind of dispute on the trail and they turned north.”

"Sounds like it took a whole lot of convincing." You laugh, imagining the conversations that must have happened over the course of almost ten years. As he drives further onto the property it's apparent that his family's land is as productive as it is vast. There are fields as far as the eye can see and plenty of activity to boot. "Well you really are a cowboy, aren't you?" Past one pasture, you can see a heard of maybe two dozen head of cattle being inspected by a pair of men on horseback. "Right down to your bones."

“Born on this ranch.” Jack chuckles. “In the same bed we are sleepin’ in.” He breaks away from looking at the activity to wink at you. “New mattress though.”

“That’s a good thing.” Though you’re practically hanging out the windows for a better look at the ranch, you tangle your fingers through his on top of the gear shift. “Hope the bed frame isn’t as old as the ranch, either. Or we might break it.”

“Don’t think you’re gunna break that frame.” Jack hums, wondering what you will think of the rough hew timber bed frame that is polished smooth after over a hundred years of use.

“Maybe not.” Turning to flash him a mischievous grin, you also leave a kiss on the palm of his hand that you’re holding for good measure. “But we could sure give it a good try.”

Humming quietly, he smirks as he pulls your hand across his body to hold it against his heart. “We’ll give it a good try. I know you’ll like the tub that my momma had daddy put in.”

More than anything you just want this trip to be good for him. He has avoided coming back here for decades with good reason but you want this week to give him some new, positive memories to associate with the family ranch. “I’ll love every inch of it. Especially if there’s a good tub.”

“It’s big enough that I used to swim in it when I was younger.” Jack throws you a grin. “It was my swimmin’ hole when I couldn’t get out to go to the real one.”

“I like your parents’ style.” A swimming hole sized bathtub sounds like perfection to you. “We’ll have to have at least one bath while we’re here.”

“Oh yeah. I told them to make sure that we could use it.” He doesn’t mention Abigail. His daddy had still been in that bedroom when she had lived here.

“My back aches from hunching over the line at the restaurant thank you.” There’s been other aches lately, back and hips and those sorts of things, but it doesn’t matter. Life is good these days. Better than good.

“Well then, we’re going to get you set up with a Jack Daniels specialty massage.” He winks over at you and then nods as he spots the main house. “There she is. The old homestead.”

The ranch house is on top of a small hill, sprawling out against the late-summer sun like it’s welcoming Jack back with open arms. “She’s fantastic,” your eyes light up at the sight, already falling in love with every inch of Montana that unfurls around you.

“Lot of memories here.” They aren’t as bitter as much as bittersweet these days. “Most of them good. Unless you count the first time I broke my arm when I got bucked off my horse.”

"First time?" You raise an eyebrow at him as he pulls the truck up the driveway and parks in front of the garage. "What was the second time you broke your arm?"

Jack grins. “Uh…might have been jumpin’ off the roof.” He admits with a chuckle. “Thought I was bulletproof back then.”

"Of course you did." Despite huffing and rolling your eyes heavily, you just chuckle until your breath.

Snorting, Jack pulls up to the house and lets go of your hand so he can put the truck in park.

"Mr. Daniels." There's a man in a suit and bolo tie with a crisp Stetson on his head coming out of the house when Jack comes around to help you out of the passenger side of the truck. "Ma'am," he nods to you and tips his hat. "Hope your flight was alright. Did you find the place okay?"

“Like ridin’ a bike.” Jack keeps his eyes away from the northwest corner of the property. The iron fence is small and neat but he doesn’t want this to crumble now. “You always know your way back home.” He holds his hand out to shake the director’s hand. “Everything ready for our visit?”

"Yes, sir. Neat as a pin and fully stocked with essentials. I think you'll find everything in order, and of course you have my number if you need anything additional." Since it was the first time ever that the owner had asked to come out to the property, the director and his team had gone slightly overboard in making sure that everything was here that could possibly be needed.

“Place looks good.” Jack looks out over the front pastures with a hum. “I’ve been looking over the reports and it seems like the ranch is doing well.” Since Champ had retired, Jack had to take over his own oversight of the board for the ranch.

"Very well. Blue ribbons and record profits, actually." And clearly the director credits himself with that, from how puffed up his chest is. "Can I ask, sir...what prompted this visit? It's been a mighty long time since we've seen you. Not that we're not glad you're here, of course."

“My soulmate wanted to see the place.” He’s aware the director has been informed of the circumstances that had caused Jack to leave the ranch. Reaching back, he draws you forward and into his side to hug you to him. “It’s time to put old ghosts to rest.”

"Sounds like a very good reason for a visit." The director commends. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Anythin' you need, you give me a call. The crew knows not to use the main house this week while you're here but they'll be going about their duties as usual."

Jack nods. “Thank you. I’m sure we will enjoy ourselves. Thank you for having the truck brought to the airport.”

"Of course." With one more tip of his hat and another, "ma'am" to you, he gets in his car and heads off for the main road.

“Well, that went well.” Jack blows out a breath and grins at you. “Ready to go inside? I’m not sure if the house has been redecorated or not in the last…well, since I left. So, wanna find out?”

"Let's go find out." He earns a pout from you when he won't even let you carry your own suitcase, but you follow just behind him as he heads into the house with curiosity. It's a comfy little place - even though it looks small it seems to sprawl on forever as you step inside. One room after another with a long hallway and a carved stairwell leading to the small second floor. Everything looks hand hewn even though it couldn't possibly have been, and it seems as though the dormer dining room downstairs has been transformed into a working office. Other than that? You could trick pretty much anyone into thinking that a family still lived here every day.

“Damn.” The place is immaculate, telling Jack that they probably keep a housekeeper on. He doesn’t mind that, the old place deserves the respect. “Bedroom we are staying in is through here.” He nods down a hallway that connects the original cabin to the rest of the house.

"So upstairs was your room?" You guess, glancing up the stairs as you follow him down the hall. There's a little bathroom at the top of the stairs and another closed door. "At some point the attic got turned into a second bedroom?"

“Yeah.” Jack sighs. “Momma and daddy were tryin’ for another. When they remodeled that area last.” She had gotten sick and passed, making his daddy concentrate on the ranch.

One hand rests on his back gently in support, but when you follow him into the master bedroom you end up sighing a little. One entire cabin was now just a room - but what a gorgeous room. Carefully crafted and lovingly done, it's obvious that the whole rest of the house was done to try to mimic the style of the original little cabin and no one could come close to the beauty of the original craftsmanship. "Oh..." You breathe out, looking around as Jack sets the suitcases on the bed. "Jack, it's beautiful."

“The bed is original.” Jack reminds you, showing you the large bed in the middle of the room. “Mattress has to be special made.”

"This bed is from 1851?" You raise an eyebrow at him again, though this time it's in surprise. "That is some damn good craftsmanship."

“Solid.” Jack chuckles. “Hundred-year-old oak.” He sets the bags down and slaps one of the solid wood posts.

"Alriiight," you relent like it pains you. "We won't try to break the antique bed. But we will damn well enjoy having it all to ourselves."

“Oh yeah we will.” Jack smirks as he takes your hand and pulls you through to the bathroom. “Just like you will live in here.”

"Oh yes, yes I absolutely will." The bathroom isn't overly large but it is dominated by an enormous tub that fits neatly into the far corner of the room.

“Told you that you would like it.” He chuckles quietly.

"I'm gonna live in this room every night," you promise him with a grin. "We are going to live in this room every night. Long, indulgent baths after walking around town or the ranch all day."

“That sounds good. That tub has seen many nights of soaking aching muscles.” Jack tells you, smirking slightly.

"You trying to tell me you were conceived in that tub?" The smirk on your lips is barely holding back a giggle, and you lean in to kiss Jack in the doorway. "Let's unpack, baby. I want to drive around town and have you point out all the places that you used to hang out as a teenager that are different now."

“We can do that.” Jack stops you from moving, pulling you close and cupping your cheeks as he stares into your eyes seriously. “A lot of those stories include Abigail, baby.” He reminds you softly. “But I want you to know that I love you.”

"I especially want to hear the ones that have to do with Abigail," you promise him. To you, that really is part of the whole point of this trip. To give him the opportunity and the freedom to tell you those stories about how he came to be the man he was when you met him. The man who was very much formed by his experiences with his first soulmate. "I love you more than anything, Jack. All of you."

Closing his eyes, Jack leans forward and presses his lips to your forehead and then your lips. “Let’s get this trip started then.”

******

The day really is mostly spent in that truck driving around. For as small as Lloyd is, it holds a lot of memories and that means Jack has a lot of stories to tell. It's past dusk when he parks the truck on Main Street and helps you out, intending to walk down the main drag of town and pick out someplace to eat before heading back to the ranch for the night.

“So that little candy show used to be an ice cream shop. Or soda shop.” Jack points out, holding your hand as he slowly reacquaints himself with the little square. “They made the best floats.”

"I can see little Jack pulled up to the counter at the soda shop for a root beer float." The visual makes you grin, picturing a glass as big as his head and how big it would make his eyes with anticipation while he watched it being made. "I can't believe you still had a soda shop growing up. That's positively picturesque."

“The little old man who ran it, Mr. Johnson, he met his soulmate there. So he couldn’t bear to let it go.” He explains with a small smile. “Nearly all of our dates where there.”

"That's pretty much the perfect date place if you're a teenager." You can acknowledge that wholeheartedly. "That, and Lover's Lane." A place which he had already pointed out to you with an especially sly smirk on your drive earlier.

“Remember, nothing too bad happened on Lovers Lane.” He hums. “We were good and waited until our wedding night for the full experience.

"Definitely not something you and I can say." With the wedding still nine months away, you almost have to laugh at the irony of the amount of time you have left.

“No way I could wait with you, sugar.” Jack smirks, sliding a gaze down to your lips. “Not when you look like a sin wrapped angel.”

"Oooo, that's a good one." You crack a grin, beaming at him as you hold hands and stroll down the street. "You should remember that one. It's guaranteed to get a reaction out of me."

��It was good, wasn’t it?” He’s proud of that one. “Maybe you’ll ride me in that bathtub tonight. I did bring a bottle of whiskey with me for tub drinks.”

"Nobody's gonna make a noise complaint on that big ranch when it's just you and me at night." The smile on your face gets a little wider. "So I can all but promise I'll be taking my cowboy for a ride tonight."

“That’s - are you ready to go back now?” He waggles his brows playfully just to get you to laugh. He won’t cut this short, enjoying watching you experience it too much. It solidifies his theory that you and Abigail would have been good friends.

"You promised to take me to dinner on our first night here," you remind him with as pretty a pout as you can manage. It's not that the little town has anything grand to offer in the way of restaurants, it's just that you're enjoying seeing where he came from. The kind of place that brought your Jack into the world is exactly the kind of place you want to explore.

“Anything you want, you know you’re gunna get when you poke that lip out.” He groans, shaking his head even though he’s grinning.

"How about a kiss and whatever they serve at..." Arbitrarily looking around, you blindly point at a store front about a block in front of you that has a big bear's claw on the sign and not much else. "The Bear Claw," you read the name off the sign with a shrug. "If there's not one single thing on the menu containing bear, I'm gonna be disappointed."

“Done.” Jack pulls you close and doesn’t hesitate to cover your lips with his own. Groaning slightly at the way your arms immediately curl around him and hold him to you. There’s a sense of deja vu, he had kissed Abigail here a hundred times before on a rare night in town. Because of the Rollins bullshit, most often they were at the ranch, but on the nights that they ventured into town, it had been just as sweet as this moment.

The enthusiasm and sweetness of the moment has you giggling in his arms, loving how relaxed he is so far. It’s a little bit of a surprise - I had thought he would be more serious or more guarded - but this stroll down memory lane seems to have been a wonderful idea for him. Being wrapped up in each other on the little Main Street without a care in the world is a very good look for both of you.

“Are you hungry, sugar?” Jack pulls away and grins at you. “Might need your strength for later.”

“Let’s get some dinner.” Your nose wrinkles as your smile grows, not wanting to let go of him even for one second. “I’m suddenly ravenous.”

“For food, sugar.” Jack hums playfully, letting you turn and tuck yourself into his side. The lights that are strung over the street come on, giving the Main Street a very quaint and homely glow. Obviously set up for the festival, or maybe the town has them year round now.

“Yup. For food.” Deciding to go see what The Bear Claw is all about, you and Jack walk down the next block and find yourselves in a homey little restaurant-and-bar with a dance floor and pool tables not unlike Shootouts back in Louisville - but definitely more family oriented. There are kids at tables and some arcade cabinets lining one wall, giving you the impression that the place has put more of an emphasis on family dining than being a bar over the years.

“Have to admit, this place wasn’t around when I was here.” Jack tells you as you both walk up to the host stand. “This building used to be an old office humoring for lawyers.”

"I like it." Even at first glance it's homey and welcoming. Exactly the kind of place where you can imagine the owner knows every single regular's name without hesitation. You stay tucked into the side while Jack chats politely to the teenaged hostess and she brings you to a booth along the windows before retreating again. There's a sizeable drink menu, which makes sense, but you spot a section of the drinks list marked Homebrewed Iced Tea with raspberry listed as a flavour and hum happily.

“The menu looks good and I spy something….” Jack taps the menu where it says that all beef is provided by the Daniels Ranch. “Looks like I’m getting the largest damn steak they have.”

"Sounds like I'm going to satisfy my burger craving after all." If you've maybe been having more burgers than usual lately it is probably a complete coincidence, but you've definitely been on a kick lately. "So..." you venture quietly, reaching your hand across the table for his. "How has your first day back been so far?"

“It’s….” Jack pauses and tilts his head. “It’s not as painful as I thought it would be.” He admits quietly. “I thought I would be a mess. I probably would be if it weren’t for you.”

"Then I'm very glad to be here with you." Not that you wouldn't be glad to be with him anywhere, but it seems like it's especially important right now. "I love you, honey. And I'm so glad that this has been easier than you expected."

“I’m sure there will be some moments where it’s not easy.” Sunrise will be one of them. Abigail had loved sunrise on the ranch, often sitting with her tea or coffee on the front porch and soaking it in. “But just bear with me, sugar, and I’ll get through it. I love you so much.”

"I love you, too." You squeeze his hand gently as the waitress comes over, smiling sunnily when she greets you and takes your drink order.

Jack hums when you order the raspberry sweet tea, ordering a plain Arnold Palmer for himself and grinning when you impulsively order the Korean BBQ sliders as an appetizer.

"So the festival starts tomorrow." The little town seems to be booming with excitement - decorations are up and the streets are bustling. Tomorrow morning the town square will be transformed and there will be booths, competitions, and from the flier you saw there's even a beauty queen to be crowned. "Is there anything in particular you want to check out? I know you were peaking at the town website."

“There’s a roping competition.” Jack chuckles, smirking slightly at you. “Thought I might throw my hat in the ring.”

"You gonna show off a little?" It's definitely not something you're going to discourage him from, and you shoot him a sly grin. "You know...they're handing out a blue ribbon for a few categories of baked goods on the second day." The page dedicated to the rules on the town's website had caught your attention and you had wiped away the thought of showing off in your own right, but if Jack is going to throw his hat in literally, you could do it figuratively.

“You gunna make your coconut cupcakes?” Jack chuckles, sending you a wink. “Or that lemon tiramisu you made and nearly sent the restaurant into a frenzy?”

"That tiramisu is incredible." It was the final result of all of your experiments with lemon curd and the combination of the tart fruit with fresh basil had resulted in a new permanent menu item from how popular it was. "They have categories for cake, pie, and cookies. I bet if we took a spin around the nearest grocery store after dinner to look for ingredients, I could find everything I need for the coconut whiskey cake I made back when Champ first brought me to Louisville. Bring a little Statesman spirit into things?"

“I knew you weren’t gunna be able to resist.” He leans back on the booth, grinning. “Tequila owes me a hundred bucks.”

"I wasn't going to!" You groan playfully, sitting back at the table and pouting at him pathetically to keep yourself from laughing. "I was going to resist! I was! And then you said you might try your hand so I figured it was okay."

“Never make excuses for making me money.” Jack teases. “Even better than the hundred bucks is the braggin’ rights.”

“How do you know you’ll get to brag? Maybe someone here is a much better baker than me.” You pause for a moment to thank the waitress when she brings your drinks and appetizer, and you and Jack order dinner at the same time. “It’s not impossible.”

“Pretty damn near.” Jack snorts. “Face it sugar, you’re gunna win that competition.” He winks again. “Just like I’m gunna win mine.”

“I see we’ve come home to show the old town a thing or two about who Jack Daniels grew up to be.” There’s pride in your voice, and you don’t bother to hide it for even a second as you sip your tea. “Sounds like maybe you should get some kind of extra prize if you win.”

“What kind of prize are we talkin’ ‘bout?” His brow arches and he leans in, real interested in hearing a hit this secondary prize he could be winning.

“Let’s see…” His attention is piqued and you grin, always loving the slightly hungry look in his eyes. “The first thing that comes to mind is an extremely sensual massage from your devoted fiancée, but I’m open to requests.”

“Depends on if this massage comes while you are sitting naked, on my cock.” Jack leans in and murmurs the last part quietly.

The corner of your mouth twitches into a smirk. “You don’t want me to do your back first? Weird choice, but alright. It’s your massage,” you tease him, throwing a wink his way when you pick up a slider to have your first bite of dinner.

“How is that slider, baby?” Jack asks, watching as you moan softly after you bite in. “Is that what you wanted?”

“I guess I was hungrier than I thought.” He hasn’t remarked at all if he’s noticed your appetite increasing, but you know it has. He’s fired up the grill every time you’ve asked and let you call the shots when you had something in mind for a meal. “They’re crazy good. Try one.”

Jack does take one, taking a bite of it and then eyeing it. Humming in appreciation as he chews. “That’s really good.”

“No wonder,” you grin, inspecting the shredded beef in the sandwich before taking another divine bite. “I hear the ranch they use is excellent.”

“It’s an old operation.” Jack hasn’t had anything to do with the ranch in forever, but he’s damn proud of the quality. “What else are you getting to eat? Might want to try that too.”

“They have a burger with bacon, onion straws, sharp cheddar, and a barbecue sauce they mark as award winning.” The look on your face makes it clear that it’s as close to heaven as you could get right now. “With fried pickles and tater tots on the side, apparently. It’s called The Hot Mess on the menu.”

“Hot Mess sounds appropriate.” He chuckles. “All it’s missing is a fried egg.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to remake it at home.” The quiet moment between you is so welcome, even with the music playing through the restaurant and the sound of families all around you - and therefore of kids. This is just your personal little bubble of happiness and you couldn’t ask for more. “What did you decide on with your steak?”

“Sautéed mushrooms, onions with potatoes and red eye gravy.” The rolls that it comes with sound heavenly, although he had a feeling he would lose one of them to you. Not that he minded at all.

You moan softly at the choices, any and all god sounding amazing to you right now. “Sounds like we’re going to eat amazingly tonight.”

He chuckles, fully aware that you are going to be stealing some of his meal. That’s perfectly okay to him. “We will.” He nods. “Especially because we are going to be picking up something to snack on later if I’m knowing you.”

“We have to go to the grocery store to get cake ingredients,” you defend, those it’s half-assed.

“Oh, I know. And then we’ll find some shredded beef ‘n jalapeño cheddar dip.” Jack predicts. “Or you’ll get a hankerin’ for some cheeseburger dip. And then we gotta have some of that smoked Gouda.”

“You’re teasing me.” The wry observation comes with a little flustering in your part, and you bite your lip before sitting back in your seat. For a week now you’ve been walking around with something zipped into the pocket of your leather jacket or sitting in your bedside drawer, and not found the right time to give it to him. You feel like it’s finally crept up on you - finally - and swallow down your nerves. “I have something for you,” you tell him finally, reaching into the interior pocket of your jacket. “I haven’t…really…been sure of how to do this. But I feel like it’s time.” Here, in this little booth in this little restaurant in his hometown - a place that didn’t exist when he was growing up here seems to be an appropriate choice. It’s a new memory, just for the two of you.

Jack frowns slightly at the box that you set down in front of him. Reaching for it and watching you squirm in your seat. Happy or anxious, maybe both. He shakes his head as he flips the lid open and sees a gorgeous watch, butter leather band and gold trim. Obviously an antique that has been lovingly kept, gorgeous and expensive. “Sugar, you shouldn’t have.” He huffs, even as he is already moving to pull his Statesman watch off, so he can try on your gift.

“I know you like the one you were issued, but this one is…special.” It’s not even a birthday present, since you had abided by his wishes and not celebrated it this year. The Statesman watch, thankfully, is just for show and not a necessary gadget now that he’s out of the field. Otherwise you would never think to replace it.

“Special how?” Jack quizzes you, rubbing his thumb over the leather grain of the band and then there is a tiny imperfection on the back. His brows knitting together as he turns it over. Frowning as he reads a date on the back.

March 21, 2019 the date reads. It’s this coming spring but it’s not your chosen wedding date. Not a birthday. Not an anniversary. You exhale carefully when he looks up at you again, and find yourself beaming through the nerves. “I’ve been trying to find the right time to tell you,” you murmur softly, keeping the moment just between the two of you. “I—I’m pregnant, Jack. For certain, this time. That’s our due date.”

Jack’s lips part, his tongue running out to wet them as he absorbs your news. Thumb rubbing over the date again and he swallows harshly. “Pregnant.” The sheen to his eyes is nearly instantaneous and his gaze flickers between you and the watch. “Sugar, I—” he chokes out and slides out of the booth to join you on your side.

“I know it’s not exactly what we planned.” As soon as he slides onto the bench beside you, you feel like you’re going to start crying instantly. “But I think it’s right. You’re out of the field and the restaurant is doing so well. We have plenty of room in the new house to start decorating a nursery whenever we want and…” It feels like you’ve been rambling since your last breath when you finally stop and smile. “Do you want to see them? Ginger sent the last sonogram to my phone.”

��Yes.” Jack breathes before his eyes widen. “Them? Are— are there two?” He asks, breathless at the idea. You could just be using them as ambiguous terms or there could be two babies in your womb.

“Just one this time.” You could melt at how excited he sounds, though. It had worried you that you hadn’t exactly planned the timing. “We just can’t tell the sex yet. It’ll be a couple more weeks.” Digging into your pocket again, you come out with your cell phone and open the message from Ginger that has the picture from your last appointment. “Look…”

“Jesus.” Jack nearly sobs the word as he looks at the tiny little nugget that is in the middle of the sonogram. “I— sugar, you’re pregnant. With our baby.”

"Definitely ours." There's no way it couldn't be, this time. All doubts have been erased from your mind. "I love you so much, honey. I wanted to find some way to tell you that you could always remember."

“I’ll never forget.” Jack promises, lingering gaze on the photo before he reaches out and cups your cheeks to kiss you passionately.

It's a beautiful moment to get lost in, and you don't even hear the waitress come or go but when you part again your dinners have magically appeared on the table. "Ginger thinks she got the due date pretty dead on," you murmur, looking down at his watch and momentarily ignoring your plate even though it smells amazing. "She, um...when she took out my IUD it was crooked. So she asked if there was any particularly active night in the last few months that I could remember."

Jack frowns, trying to remember before his face clears and a slow smirk rides over his features. “You mean the night of Tex and Sophia’s wedding?” He asks smugly. “Where you could barely walk for the entire next day?”

"That's the one." You cover your face with one hand to smother the giggle that bubbles out of you. "If that's the right date, then I'm ten weeks along already."

“Almost through the first trimester.” Jack murmurs in awe. “I can’t- sugar, this is amazing.”

"I'm so glad you're excited." Of course there will always be worry, but seeing how happy he is - how the happiness completely overtakes everything else - makes this moment so worthwhile. "I've been bursting at the seams to tell you but just couldn't pinpoint the right moment."

“I— it’s perfect.” The urge to bundle you up and keep you locked inside a bullet proof room is there, crawling under the surface, but he tamps it down. “I— love you so much. A week? You’ve known for that long and kept it a secret? I don’t know how you did it.”

"I've known a little longer than a week," you admit. "But I wanted to find you exactly the right gift and find exactly the right time to give it to you. I swear it's all I've talked to Ginger about since I went to her for a test. If I didn't have her I would have broken and told you immediately."

Jack grins and shakes his head. “I would have been just as happy, but—” he looks down at the watch again. “I love this. I love you and I love our little nugget.”

******

You knew that after you told him that he would start pampering you immediately, but everything from the gentle way he washed every inch of your skin and caressed your belly in the bath to the slow and gorgeous way he made love to you last night has been amazing. This morning he had caressed you all over again before dragging himself out of bed to make you both breakfast and now he's being as gentle as a breeze in helping you out of the truck when you arrive for the festival.

He knows you won’t put up with him being too protective, but he manages to caress your belly gently only once before he is pulling away to gather your baked treats for the competition. “I’ve got all this, sugar.”

"You're not going to let me carry anything for the next seven months, are you?" You tease, shooting him a grin and sliding the strap of your purse over your shoulder. The little town square is already full to bursting with people even though the festival supposedly only started a half hour ago, and you're excited to see what sort of booths will be around.

“I can’t carry cupcakes for my soulmate?” He pouts, his own grin matching yours. Of course you will carry things, but he was going to dote more than usual. You deserve it.

"Of course you can." It's sweet, the way he has already jumped into high gear to take care of you. "I'm just teasing you, baby."

“I know you are.” Jack doesn’t want you to think he’s upset at you. “Helping mitigates the fear.” He leans in and kisses your cheek.

"Then help as much as your heart desires." That one little explanation is all you need to be nodding and letting him take over completely - leading the way with his hand on your back and a proud smile on his face. If helping is what lets him adjust and be less afraid, then you'll welcome every second of it.

It’s not that you are pregnant, per se, it’s that you’re pregnant here. If he had sat down with the doctor - which he had, but he didn’t know you were pregnant - before coming; he might have cancelled the trip. But you were right to do it this way. He knows the circumstances are completely different and he needs to work through the fear. This is a healthy coping mechanism and if you get to benefit from him pampering you, that was just fine with him.

The tent where they are accepting submissions for the baking and cooking competitions is bustling this morning. Everyone is supposed to drop their items off with a sheet of information and then show up for judging at various points during the weekend. It’s a nice and tidy way of doing things and you step into the line of folks dropping off submissions with Jack easily enough.

“Now that our mission is accomplished…” Jack takes your hand in his hand tucks it around his elbow, resting his hand on top of it. “What do you want to do first?”

“How about we take a walk and see what catches our eye?” There’s plenty here, of course, and you know that at some point this weekend you’ll get sucked into the game booths and the flower displays, but right now the bright excitement of everything is just the right way to begin your day.

“That sounds good to me.” Jack murmurs quietly. “Let me know when you need to rest or a drink.”

“I’m okay, honey. I promise.” Of course he’ll worry, but you’re feeling pretty good about the fact that you’ve made it through most of your first trimester with so few symptoms that you found out about the little nugget from being concerned over missing periods again and not from being sick in any way. The two of you start to walk through the maze of booths, tents, and stands in the town square. Some are new and flashy with colourful printed signs while others are old fashioned and folksy with handwritten and hand painted materials, but either way the effect is always welcoming. The town library has an Adopt-A-Book drive open at their booth and you can’t resist, nudging Jack toward the crowded tables with glee. Each volume with wrapped in brown paper and tied up with twine, with a one or two sentence description of the plot, setting, and characters written out on the paper. “They’re all duplicates,” the young librarian is explaining to the people gathered around. “Books that the library has more than two of, and we want them to go to a good home instead of sitting unread on the shelf.”

“That’s pretty good.” Jack nods. “You guys still have the Book-Mobile?” He asks, turning towards you. “Back when I was a kid, because we were so far out of town, they had this old van that would come and bring books to the ranch.” He explains. “All the kids on the ranches loved it because we didn’t have time to run to town to check out a book.”

“Yes sir, we do.” The young woman beams happily, obviously proud of that particular program. “Where’d you grow up, if you don’t mind my asking? I thought I knew just about everyone in town.”

“Daniels Ranch.” Before you or Jack can answer, a deep, smooth voice answers for you. Been a long time since we saw Jack Daniels’ face around here,” the man tells the librarian. “You were probably still in diapers back then.”

Jack stiffens slightly, wary, but not upset about hearing that voice. It’s been a long goddamn time though. Turning, he finds his former brother-in-law watching him with the same sense of appraisal. “Aiden.” Jack murmurs quietly, nodding his head towards the man. “Good to see you.”

“Surprised to see you.” There’s a ghost of a laugh in the imposing man’s voice, and he nods to you politely but without bothering to mask his curiosity. “What brings you back to town?”

He probably should have called the man. Warned him, but there’s nothing for it now. “It was time.” Jack admits quietly. “Past time. We’ve come to visit ‘em. Pay respects.” Jack subtly takes your hand and displays where the tiny bull’s eye tattoo rests on each of your left hands. “Finally got the sons of bitches that killed her, Aiden.” He manages, emotions and sorrow thick in his voice.

“You said you would.” Aiden nods solemnly, remembering the way Jack had railed about it years ago. How nearly unhinged it had made the man. He shakes his head, banishing the anger that he’s worked so hard to be rid of, and levels his eyes on you again. “I take it this is the second Mrs. Daniels?” He asks, not meaning to be unkind but able to read the situation easily enough.

“Not yet.” Despite that, you offer to shake his hand and smile warmly. “You must be Abigail’s brother?” The name does ring a bell, after all, and Jack has told you a little bit about her and her family over your time together. “I’ve heard some very nice things about you.”

Jack knows that this is going better than he would have ever expected, but Aiden knows how he had grieved Abigail, there has been no question of his devotion to his first soulmate.

Aiden accepts the handshake and you chat for a moment, mostly with him asking polite questions like what you do for work and if you’ve chosen a wedding date yet. The kind of low key chit chat one would expect to make with a new acquaintance or friend of a friend. “I have to be getting back,” he tells you both after a time, looking curiously once more between you and Jack. “You should stop by the farm’s stand later. We went all out this year.” He wants to say more - the urge to reconnect for Abigail’s sake is strong - but he doesn’t know how you would feel about it. “I’ll…I’ll put together a basket for you?”

Grinning, Jack shakes his head. “You’ve done it now.” He warns his former brother-in-law. “She’ll be askin’ for shipments to Kentucky.” He laughs. “Aiden’s place produces the best damn fruit and vegetables in the state.”

“Then we will definitely be stopping by.” Your eyes light up with possibilities, thinking of autumn and winter menu specials. When Aiden’s hand extends to you again you shake it warmly and offer him a smile. “I’m very glad I got to meet you. We’ll be sure to stop by the farm stand this afternoon.” Aiden finds himself chuckling, moving to shake Jack’s hand after yours. While he had first felt a twist of sadness to see his late sister’s husband with a new woman, even he had to admit that it wouldn’t be healthy to cling to old memories. Abby wouldn’t have wanted Jack to be miserable. “I’ll save you a bottle of cherry blossom honey to take home,” he promises. “It goes fast and it’s too good to pass up.”

Jack chuckles at the way you gasp in excitement, squeezing Aiden’s hand slightly. “You still visit ‘em?” He asks quietly. The Daniels cemetery still hadn’t been visited, although that will be something that is done soon.

“Every month.” The way Aiden nods is solemn, but not sad. He’s grown accustomed to the loss, as all survivors must after losing someone. “I planted some flowers. Keep their headstone clean. Nothing fancy, but I like to talk to her from time to time.”

“If you’ve not visited this month….” Jack shrugs, trying to extend the invite as casually as he can. “I’m plannin’ on visiting day after tomorrow. Properly introducin’ ‘em.” He licks his lips and looks up at the older man who had once kept him from doing something extremely stupid. “If you’re wanting to visit with us some more?”

“That…” For a moment the older man hesitates, but it’s a mixture of surprise and perhaps gratitude. The idea that Jack is remarrying but hasn’t pretended that Abby never existed is comforting in an unexpected way. “I’d like that,” he says finally, looking between you. We’ll have lunch? I—” He shrugs and grins slightly. “If you’re alright with it, I’ll bring Sheila? You guys always got along well, if I remember right.”

“Sugar?” Jack turns towards you, wanting to confirm that you are okay with the idea. “Sheila is the sweetest little spitfire you ever did meet.” He promises. “She runs that farm, truth be told and shame the devil. Always had since she came into the picture.”

"I think it sounds wonderful." Which isn't even an exaggeration, or an attempt at being polite. For you, this was part of the hope for this trip. A glimpse into Jack's past and the young man that he was before he grew into the man you fell in love with. "But you won't be able to stop me from cooking if we're having company. Consider yourselves warned."

“I know.” Jack sighs softly and shakes his head. “That’s why I was askin’.”

"He's making noise, but he likes to be kept on his toes." Aiden shakes his head and chuckles under his breath. "I really do have to get back, but come by the stand later and we're figure out what time we're doing this." "He's nice." When Aiden is out of sight again, you snuggle into Jack's side and leave a kiss on his cheek. "and obviously still thinks well of you."

“I’m glad that he does.” Jack admits with a loud, exaggerated exhale. He had been worried about what the man would think about him having a new soulmate.

"We'll talk to him more in a few days. But I'm glad we ran into him." Both of your arms rope around Jack to give him a squeezing hug. "Now I have someone I can ask for stories of when you were a kid."

“Great.” Jack rolls his eyes, but he’s grinning at you. “You know he was the one who convinced me to jump off the roof, right?” Jack chuckles. “I was in Abigail’s room and he had told me that his daddy was gunna stomp me. We weren’t doing nothing but kissin’.”

"Oh, I am going to enjoy this lunch." You practically cackle as you give him another kiss. "I can't wait to hear every single story."

Jack pouts at you, knowing that Aiden will tell you everything. “Well then don’t be surprised when you learn I ran down Main Street in my birthday suit.” He grunts, shaking his head.

"You did what?" The shock and glee on your face are joined by an absolutely delighted peel of laughter. "I have to know. I have to know why."

“I’ll let Aiden tell you that story.” Jack grumbles, smirking slightly. “Again, that was his fault.”

******

When the time for that lunch comes just two days later, Jack has resigned himself to the fact that there is nothing he can do to calm the whirlwind of you in a kitchen. The lemon tiramisu was made last night and will be the perfect thing to cool off after the enormous platter of spicy, smoky steak tacos with plenty of sides that you went overboard in spending all morning preparing. You've been perfectly honest about wanting everything to be perfect for Aiden and Sheila's visit, and since you're hosting in a house that is technically Jack's but he hasn't lived in in decades, you don't truly feel that comfortable. It will all be okay, of course, but it has you a little more jittery than normal.

“I put a gallon of that raspberry tea you liked in the fridge.” Jack murmurs, watching as you scrub the same spot on the counter for the millionth time. “There’s some coolers, I put some waters and beer in them.” Anything he can do to help calm your nerves, he will. “Anything else you need, sugar?”

“No…I’m just nervous.” Finally realizing that the spot you’ve been trying to clean is a natural dark spot in the granite countertop, you sigh and force yourself to step away from the counter. “I’m sorry. I just…Aiden seems like a very nice man, but I don’t want him to think you’ve picked some inferior after his sister. That’s probably stupid, but I can’t help it.”

“You are not inferior.” Jack frowns and steps in front of you, wrapping his arms around you to pull you into his embrace. “Sugar, Aiden will love you. Shelia will too. He knows you aren’t Abigail, and he doesn’t resent you for that.”

“I’m just glad the baby’s not making me feel sick during all this.” Although you do reach over and rap your knuckles on the wooden dining table just so you don’t jinx yourself. Your morning sickness has been next to non-existent so far. Hopefully that doesn’t mean it will come back with a vengeance in the second trimester.

“Come sit down with me, sugar.” His hand immediately goes to your stomach and he caresses it gently. Marveling at the still fresh news that you are carrying his baby. “Take a little rest.”

The love seat in the living room is where you’ve taken to sitting, and you relished the stories from Jack on the first night about how it was his mother’s favorite place to sit. Now you let Jack lead you over and plop down in his lap with your arms around each other. “Sorry if I’m a tornado,” you murmur near his ear.

“In a trailer park.” Jack jokes, squeezing you tight. “I know that you’re nervous, but you don’t need to be. I’ve known them both my entire life, and despite Aiden being Abby’s brother, he wants me to be to happy.”

“I think I’m nervous because of that,” you admit, laying your head on his shoulder. “Like somehow…” A sigh escapes you, resigned and acknowledging. “Like I know I’ll never have Abigail’s approval to be with you and make you happy. Her brother’s approval is the next best thing.”

“She would have loved you.” He promises, turning his head to kiss your forehead. “I know she would have, sugar. Aiden is going to love you.”

“I know it’s silly to worry.” Sniffling slightly, you snuggle deeper against Jack and huff softly. “Maybe I’m having my first overly-emotional-pregnant-lady moment.”

“Might be.” He honestly thinks it’s more to do with wanting approval by his original soulmate’s family, but he doesn’t say that. “And you are completely justified in feeling that way.” His hands slide up and down your back soothingly. “No matter what sugar, I’m going to be right here with you. Your backup.” He teases playfully.

"Thank you, honey." He's damn good at not making you feel like an idiot when you're being emotional, which you appreciate, and you trail your fingers through his hair softly while you sit firmly in his lap. "I love you so much."

“I love you too, sugar.” Jack hums, closing his eyes and smiling softly. “It’s good to be back.” He admits. “To see them. It doesn’t hurt like I expected it to.”

"If you still feel that way when we leave in two days, we'll have to see about making the trip more often." It will always be up to him whether or not he wants to come back to the place he called home for the first part of his life, but you've thoroughly enjoyed spending time here. It's quiet and homey, and feels like a world away from Louisville just for the slower pace of life. "It might be nice to have family vacations out here."

“I can see your family gettin’ a kick out of the place.” There’s plenty of room and it might be fun to see your dad on a working ranch. “The kids would shit themselves over the horses.”

"By the time we do another family vacation, we'll have another family member." Your hand drifts fondly over your belly. "I can't wait."

“Yes we will.” Jack nods. “Maybe we can figure out how to do some kind of reveal or somethin’ for your folks.”

"Yeah?" You had just figured on FaceTiming with your parents to let them know, but they would adore a reveal. It would be fun to see your father a blubbering, excited mess again like he was when he found out about both of your sister's kids.

“Maybe we should fly up there? Bring them some baby themed gifts?” Jack offers, wanting to make it special.

"They would lose their minds." It's such a sweet thought, and absolutely characteristic of Jack. "Do you think there's a store for baby things around here that we could go poke around this afternoon or tomorrow?" Without knowing how long Jack's former brother-in-law and his wife will be comfortable staying or how emotionally taxed you'll both be after the visit, it's good to be flexible.

“Whatever you want to do.” Jack smiles, happy you liked his idea. “We can do that for sure.”

"Let's see how we feel tonight." Like a cue in a play, the doorbell rings just as you're tipping your head back to kiss Jack's cheek.

Patting your thigh, Jack gets up after you do and throws you a smile. “It’s going be a good visit, sugar. You’ll see.” He promises, walking towards the door to let his brother-in-law and his wife in.

"Jack!" Sheila is an energetic woman with a personality as strong as she is physically, so when she opens her arms to hug Jack after crossing the threshold of the house she means business. "I'm so sorry I missed you at the festival! Heard you took home a shiny prize though, good for you."

“Hey Sheila.” Jack allows the other woman to scoop him up into a hug that would crush a lesser man’s ribs. “It’s so good to see you. How have you been?”

"Good!" Her exuberance is shining through at seeing an old friend again, and her head bobbles on a nod. "Really good. Farm is doing great and the kids are grown so the house is mostly quiet these days."

“That’s good.” Sheila had just found out she was pregnant with their second when Abigail had been killed. Their oldest boy had just been a year old, so the idea of the cousins growing up together had been very real. “Real good.”

"Let the man breathe before you start giving him the whole rundown." Aiden chuckles softly, obviously used to his wife's boundless energy. He pats Jack's shoulder but steps past him with a basket in hand to offer you a warm, if polite, hug. "Brought you something, hon. As promised."

"That's so sweet of you. Thank you, Aiden." You easily accept the small embrace as well as the basket, looking inside eagerly. There are all kinds of jars and a few fresh things as well as a bottle of the first batch of cider of the season.

“He was eager to show off.” Sheila appraises you with unabashed interest as she walks over towards you. “Something about you being a professional chef and wanting to show you farm to table.”

“That’s true, I do have restaurant.” Something about the way she’s looking you over makes you hesitate self-consciously, but you still put your hand out to her to shake. “You must be Sheila. It’s really nice to be able to meet some of Jack’s old friends.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Sheila shakes your hand heartily and pulls you towards her. “I can see why Jack likes you. Besides the obvious part of being soulmates.” One arm goes around you in a quick, half hug.

"It was...a surprise. To say the least." When you and Jack had gone to get your playing card put back on your arm he had also gotten a bullseye on your hands, and Sheila smiles softly at the mark now before letting you go. "Who knew that kind of thing actually happened in real life?"

“I know that it’s not something to be taken lightly and it looks like you aren’t.” She sends you a devilish grin. “So what embarrassing stories do you want to know about Jacky? He used to get so mad about being called that, but it was that or Jackson.”

"I want to hear everything." You return her grin with glee, already feeling much more relaxed than you had been a second ago. Maybe it was just a mood swing after all. "Why don't you both come in? We can have lunch before we go up and make our visit, if you want?"

“I wish you hadn’t gone through the trouble.” Sheila huffs, shaking her head. “We could have brought something from town. But I have a feeling it’s hard to keep you out of a kitchen.”

Jack snorts and nods. “Yeah it is. Practically impossible. Swear that’s why she moved in with me, I’m convinced. For the kitchen that I had.”

"And then we moved and now our kitchen is even bigger." That grin is now flashed at Jack, and you reach out to squeeze his shoulder gently as he and Aiden trail behind you and Sheila through the living room and into the kitchen. The basket sits neatly on the corner of the counter while you go about checking on the food that you have cooking, and Jack starts pulling out drinks from the cooler before pouring you a glass of tea. It's the small amount of caffeine that you're allowed each day and you relish it, hating having to give up coffee.

“Really thought you would have brought a bottle of that Statesman.” Aiden chuckles, lifting the tea. “Since you run the company.” Shrugging, Jack grins. “We aren’t big on drinking whiskey right now.” He admits, glancing at you before he decides to go ahead and break that other news when you give him a subtle nod. “Don’t think it’s quite fair for me to drink when she can’t.”

"Well damn." Aiden looks between you with dawning realizing. "I, uh...congratulations. That's real good news." It stings a little, in that deep part of his heart that misses his sister most, but this isn't about him. Feeling jealous on Abby's behalf isn't going to bring her baby boy back.

“It’s not something that we— well, it’s a little earlier than we planned but I am trying not to smother her.” Jack huffs with a slight grin. “It don’t replace Timmy in my heart one bit, just like Abby’s still there too.”

"We only just found out." As you bustle around the kitchen, it's easy to see how comfortable you are in this particular room versus every other. "And I mean just. I only told Jack a few days ago."

“That’s wonderful.” Aiden watches Jack, wondering if the other man is worried about the loss of another child. He knows he would have many sleepless nights. “I mean that.”

"Do you know what you're having yet?" Not willing to be impolite and assume she can tell how far along you are by your figure - something that the mother of three knows is pretty impossible to do anyway - Sheila just offers you a soft smile with the question.

"Not yet. It's a little too early." It comes with a shake of your head and you step back from the counter to go to the fridge for all the accoutrement you made. "It's a little nerve wracking, but we're excited. Everything right now is...it's really going pretty perfectly."

“I swear I almost didn’t believe it.” Jack admits, glancing down at his watch that you had given him. “But we are going to be good parents.”

"So your fiancée has a restaurant," Aiden sips the beer that Jack handed him as he sits down at the table with his former brother-in-law. "And you work for Statesman?" He hadn't been clear about it during their quick conversation during the festival. "What is it you're doing there?"

“I’m the Director of the distillery.” Jack admits, taking a sip of his tea. “I own the operation.” He doesn’t tell Aiden about the other side of Statesman, but he shouldn’t have to.

"Damn, Jacky!" Sheila spins around to face him with an impressed look of surprise on her face. "That's a pretty huge company, isn't it? I heard they - you - have an operation in Europe somewhere now?"

“We’ve partnered with a company called Kingsman in the UK.” Jack leans back and smooths his mustache down. “They make tailored suits. All keys to being a gentleman. It actually has been a very profitable venture.”

"So it's what..." Aiden tilts his head curiously. "Scotch and fancy suits?" That's a hell of a long way from the little town he grew up in, yet somehow he still fits here as much as he ever did.

“Pretty much.” Jack chuckles and pushes back from the table. “I’ll get that bottle for you to take home and try.” He offers.

"Sounds like you've been doing damn well for yourself," Sheila commends, offering him a genuine smile. "Running a bit company like that isn't easy." When she thinks about it, her smile softens a little. "Good job, happy wife, and a kid on the way. Sounds like you're settling down again. That's...that's really good, Jack. I'm happy for you."

“Peace only came after getting the men who killed Abby.” Jack can admit that. He glances over to you with a wry smile. “Fought the idea for awhile, make her and myself miserable until that happened.”

"It wasn't always smooth sailing, but it's good now. Everything is so good now." You step back, setting the tray of things on the table so you can leave a kiss on Jack's cheek. You're not going to be overly physically affectionate in front of his first wife's family, but you are so fucking happy. It's worth showing it just a little.

The bottle is retrieved from the side board, and set down in front of the couple. “Want you to know that it’s my involvement with Abigail that got her killed.” He murmurs quietly. “It’s not my fault, but she died because of me.”

"What happened?" Aiden hadn't wanted to sully the good atmosphere of the lunch with the question, but he needs to know. He has to know who the bastard was that killed his baby sister and unborn nephew.

“Rollins.” Jack grunts, still of a mind to go by that spread and burn it to the fucking ground. “Crazy ass Rollins killed her because he couldn’t have her.”

"Jesus." Aiden and Sheila exhale in unison, shaking their heads as their eyes cast down to the floor. The five of them - Aiden, Sheila, Jack, Abby, and Hank Rollins - had all been in the same class at school together. Grown up together. They had watched Rollins' madness grow over the years without understanding more than the fact that he was crazy. Dangerously so, apparently. "How did you find out?" Aiden asks, shaky breath hovering just below the surface.

Jack moves over to you, wrapping his arm around you protectively. “He kidnapped her.” Held her so I would sign over the ranch to him and let him kill me.” You shudder and his hold on you tightens, reassuring you. A lot has healed since that time, but he knows you still think about it sometimes. “He confessed everything. I have a video of it.”

"I—Jesus H. Christ." Sheila shakes her head with one hand clutched to her heart. "I don't think I need to see that." The shudder Aiden gives could be discomfort or disgust, it's hard to tell, but either way he shakes his head along with his wife. "Whole goddamn family needed help. They haven't been back to the valley in years. Bank repossessed the ranch near a decade ago."

“None of them will be back…ever.” Jack promises ominously.

“Just glad you’re both okay.” What else can Aiden say, really? He’s not glad to know that men have died - though the death of his sister’s murderer doesn’t pain him at all. It’s just not as comforting as he thought it would be during the many years he imagined it.

“Appreciate that.” Jack leans in and kisses you again before he lets you get back to finishing up and walk back over to slap Aiden on the back. “Tell me about the kids.”

“Tyler’s married.” Immediately, Aiden is reaching for his wallet to pull out family photos. “Actually…he and Faith just made us grandparents.” He beams when he holds out the photo. “Kayce is seven months old. Happiest little baby boy in the world.”

“Jesus.” Jack’s eyes wide dramatically. “I can’t believe Tyler is a daddy.” He looks over at you. “Last time I saw that boy was right before his second birthday.”

“He keeps talkin’ about wanting to move out and see the whole country,” Sheila shakes her head and laughs. “I told him it’s gonna be mighty hard with that little baby to think of.”

“Yeah it will be.” Jack smirks slightly and looks over at you. “Only reason we are as travel ready as we are is the company jet.”

Aiden whistles, making you grin as you finish putting lunch on the table. “Company jet, huh? That’s a pretty perk of being the big man in the building.”

“Sometimes it’s good to be the boss.” He agrees, winking at Aiden and Shelia and standing to get your tea from on the counter. “Sit down, sugar. I’ve got it.”

“Everybody dig in,” you encourage, knowing that you made something social and familiar on purpose. Tacos aren’t exactly a formal meal and that’s what you like about them.

“Tacos.” Aiden chuckles. “I’m guessin’ the beef is straight from the freezers in the big barn?” He asks, knowing that Daniels Ranch produces top quality beef.

“It’s been sort of a craving lately,” you admit, knowing that you’ve been eating a lot of beef than usual lately. “But how could we pass up such quality ingredients?”

“I see now why you wanted cilantro.” Jack teases, well aware of your cravings and completely okay with that. “We’ll see about having some beef shipped home with us.”

Settling himself across the table, Aiden slides another photo over to Jack for him to see - the other two of his grown children, the photo looking to be just a few months old if the little bundle they’re holding is indeed their nephew Kayce. “That’s Wayne,” he explains, indicating the boy on the left. “And our youngest is Abby. After her aunt, of course.”

Covering his mouth with his hand, Jack studies the photo, staring at his first soulmate’s namesake. “You— you named her Abigail.” He breathes out quietly, watery smile on his face.

“They have the same birthday,” Sheila explains, a little teary eyed. “It seemed like a sign.”

“That does seem like a sign.” Jack nods, handing the photo back to Aiden. “Beautiful family, brother. I’m happy you have that.”

“You will too.” The smile Aiden offers is to you this time as he tucks the photo away. “You’re already on your way there. Abby would… she’d be glad to see you happy.”

“If they knew each other…” Jack points at you. “I would never know peace.” He jokes, laughing at himself.

“Not in your whole damn life,” Sheila agrees with a chuckle. “And you wouldn’t ever mind.”

“Not a lick.” Jack winks at you again. “Not one damn lick.” He picks up a taco and takes a bite, moaning at the perfect balance of spices.

“Please tell me you have tacos on your restaurant menu.” The twin groans from Aiden and Sheila are music to your ears, and she looks up at you immediately.

“It’s a family favourite.” The compliment has you beaming, though, and you have to admit this is a particularly good batch. “The restaurant menu is a little different. But I made one of our specials for dessert.”

“This woman makes a crawfish salad that would make you slap your momma for another bite.” Jack promises, grinning at you. “Her cooking won me over slowly. I couldn’t stay away.” It’s a lot more than that, but it’s an easy, playful tease.

“Oh, wait a minute.” Like she’s just remembered an amazing fact, Sheila smacks her hand in the table and points at you. “You ran away with a baking prize this weekend, didn’t you?”

“Yes she did.” Jack puffs up proudly. “Just like I knew she would.”

“That cake recipe means a whole lot to my family, so I’m glad it went over well.” Jack looks as proud as a peacock beside you, and you can’t help but be pleased by it. It doesn’t matter that Tex will tease you mercilessly when he finds out you couldn’t resist entering. It just matters that it made one more happy memory.

“So you feel Jack’s sweet tooth?” Aiden grins. “He would bring candy out onto the ranch. Can’t imagine he’s gotten better.”

“Oh no, he hasn’t.” That makes you laugh, conjuring the image of young Jack on the ranch with a pocketful of sweets. “His desk has a secret candy drawer he thinks nobody knows about, and he’s my taste tester for all my desserts.”

“Hey.” Jack pouts. “You said you liked me trying your desserts.” Just because he’s had to start using the treadmill in his office doesn’t mean he’s eating too many sweets. He’s not running around on missions like before.

“I do!” His little pout makes you laugh, delighted that this meal is going so much easier than you expected. “It’s sweet, pun very much intended. And you’ve given me some great ideas.”

“What can I say? I know my sugar, sugar.” Jack smirks when Shelia and Aiden laugh, happy that this is going well. He hadn’t anticipated them not liking her, but it has to be odd to see Jack happy with a woman who is not Abigail.

******

The rest of the lunch goes about the same way, small jokes and stories shared as the four of you graze the taco platter and eventually break out the lemon tiramisu to have a sweet ending to the meal. It's midafternoon by the time you get up from the table, and though the mood shifts it doesn't become uncomfortable. It's easiest to bring both trucks up to the family cemetery on the east side of the property, and you climb into the vehicle that you and Jack are borrowing from the ranch beside Jack with a look on quiet concern on your face. "I was thinking," you turn completely to face him in the cab of the truck. "If you wanted to spend some time alone with them - with Abigail and Timmy, I mean – I can go for a walk so you can have some privacy after Aiden and Sheila leave. I wouldn't mind at all."

“Sugar…” Jack picks up your hand and kisses it. “I appreciate that, but I would like you to be there. If you’d rather not, that’s one thing.” He wanted to share this with you, but not if you didn’t want to.

"I absolutely want to." Originally, of course, it was the entire reason for the trip. "I just wanted you to know that if you want privacy, I totally understand."

“I’ve got nothin’ to hide.” Jack promises. “I might cry, but don’t blame me for that.”

"I would honestly be surprised if you didn't." He might not cry in front of many others, but you certainly have shared your fair share of tears between the two of you.

“It’ll be okay, sugar.” He kisses your hands again and he squeezes it slightly. “Let’s go introduce you to Abby.”

The drive up to the site doesn't take long. Maybe twenty minutes of driving total, and that is filled with quiet music pouring from the truck's speakers as Jack steers down the long ranch trails. When you pull up beside Aiden and Sheia's truck, Jack hustles around to help you out and you give his hand a squeeze before lacing your fingers together. A hundred and fifty years of his ancestors are buried up on this hill, and there are plenty of headstones to prove it.

Jack’s stomach flips and rolls as he holds on to you. His momma and daddy are buried here. Along with every other Daniels. In the newer potion of the cemetery, there’s a large angel rising up from the ground, standing guard over two headstones that are covered in colorful blooms.

The tulips all around the headstone have been planted in every color imaginable, and it's obvious that the other buds of flowers you don't recognize as easily have been very carefully tended to over the years. Aiden's expression is set in pride and sorrow and Sheila swallows a lump in her throat, but you hold on to Jack like a pillar. His need to do this is very different than yours, and you won't let go of him for a second unless he makes the move to let go of your hand first.

Abigail Monique Daniels April 24, 1976 - August 12, 1998 Beloved Daughter, Sister, and Wife A Light from Our Life is Gone

Timothy Charles Daniels Too Precious for This World

The two headstones stand side by side, and the fact that Abigail's can't even credit her as a mother breaks your heart. Tim's stone doesn't even have a birth date listed. It's agonizing in a way you truly didn't expect, and you can feel the tears pushing at your eyes immediately trying to imagine what kind of agony losing your baby before you ever got to hold them would be.

“Hello sweetheart.” Jack’s voice catches and he has to clear his throat. “It been a long time since I’ve been to see you. I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it before now.” In his minds eye, he still sees the raw ground, broken open as they lower the caskets in the ground. No one would dare interrupt Jack in this moment but the wind, a gentle breeze picking up and making the tulips wave in their own little hello. “There’s so much I want to say, that I should have said.” Jack stares at the dates on the stone and his heart aches but it’s not the bleeding agony that he had thought. “I got ‘em baby.” He manages first. “I got the bastard that took you and our little boy away.” Your hand tightens in his slightly, always the silent 'thank you' for keeping you safe. “I know you’ve been watchin’ from up there, shaking your head and chewing me a new one, so I won’t tell you about the last twenty years. But I—” he brings you up closer. “The universe gave me something special, sweetheart. I have another soulmate.”

“I wanted to come and meet you.” Unlike Jack, you kneel down beside the stone, instinctively feeling closer this way. It’s also so you can take the daisy blossom out of your jacket’s lapel that you’ve been saving there since you bought it from a florist at the festival. Jack has shared some wedding pictures with you and you had loved Abigail’s bouquet of daisies. “And to say how sorry I am we didn’t get to meet. Jack seems to think we would’ve made the best of friends,” you tell her softly, laying the daisy in the grass.

Jack’s lip trembles and he bites it to keep from crying already. Listening to your compassion, the flower, it makes him see that you are just too damn good for this place - for him. The universe has messed up, but it was to his benefit.

“I know you’ve been watching us, like Jack said, but just…please know that he’s loved. And taken care of. And that he thinks about you and Timmy every day.” There’s no denying it, and you never would, but as you stand back up with Jacks hand still in yours, you wipe away a few tears with your free hand. Saying goodbye is never easy, but sometimes saying hello can be just as emotional.

“I do think about you two all the time. You’re always in my heart, sweetheart. You and our baby boy.” Jack rasps out. “I’m not ever gunna forget you.”

“He’s going to have a brother or sister in about seven months.” You place a hand on your belly and try to bite back tears. “Not sure which yet, but the next time we come back, they’ll be with us.”

“I’ll protect them this time, Timmy.” Jack promise, his choked sob muffled by his hand. “I p-promise.”

Your arms come around Jack quickly and without hesitation, letting him bury his face in your shoulder to cry as much as he needs. There’s no reason to be ashamed of this moment of emotion, or to leave or anything like that, but you want him to feel safe and supported.

Jack knows that Shelia and Aiden are there, witness to this, although he feels no shame. They have seen him at his lowest, prevented him from destroying the place after coming home that first night. Stayed with him so he didn’t do anything stupid. They know how he has grieved Abigail. So he feels no shame in sobbing into your shoulder in front of them, letting the anger, sorrow and rage flow out of him cathartically.

“We are safe,” you remind him quietly, knowing that while there is nothing in the world that can bring back his first family, his second is going to love them with everything you’ve got. “We’re safe and no one’s ever going to hurt us again, because you saved us.”

“I know, sugar.” Jack clings to that fact and to you as the tears start to ebb. “I know. I know.”

Nothing will change what happened before, all of you know that. But even Aiden’s shoulders slump a little knowing Hank Rollins won’t be hurting anyone else ever again. “You’d like her, Abby,” he murmurs to his sister when he steps forward to lay his hand on the top of her headstone in an old, accustomed gesture. “I’m sure you’ve been watchin’ and shaking your head at Jack like always. But I promise I won’t lose track of them this time.”

That vote of confidence means the world to Jack. He knows you have been worried about what Abigail’s family would think, if they would accept this. He pulls away from your shoulder and kisses your forehead softly. “Thank you, sugar.”

“I love you.” Small words, just on a whisper, but right now they mean more than anything. Your arms around Jack are tight and sure and you know in your heart that this trip needs to happen more often from here on out. Coming home has been good for him. Not running from his past has lifted something almost visible from his shoulders.

“I love you too, sugar.” Jack stands in front of the graves of his first soulmate, his love, and the sweet baby boy he never got to meet. For the first time since that horrible day years ago, his soul is completely peaceful and at rest. His heart open to the future and what is to come with you, the other third of his soul. “What a journey.” Jack murmurs quietly, turning you in his arms and tipping your chin up slightly. “Thank you.” He whispers. “Thank you for going down the rabbit hole with me.”

“Any time, my love.” The shared ink on your skin, the twists and turns in the beginning, the ups and downs and in-betweens; all of it has brought you here to his arms. And from now on, that’s the only place you ever want to be. “Any time.”

______ Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle

DtRH: @haileymorelikestupid @spishsstuff @missmarmaladeth @axshadows @a-gay-cryptid @sgt-morgan @1a-ma1a-su3rt3 @flowers4copper @ghost-timelord @the0racl30fd3lphidos @all-the-way-down-here @bobafvcker @ficsbynight @dinoflower @supernaturalgirl20 @xdaddysprincessxx @bobawh0re @amiee-mitch18 @darkhairedmenrule @heyyimlaynna @strawberry-f4iry @3zm33atzbuss33 @whataghost @cyber666slut @nobody-000 @eddiemunsonsgirlfriendirl @lucciolaraven @powergirlsupremacy @secondsistershelby @dreadmars @androgynoushellscape @soytomatecherry @cheesecake-massacre @mylifeisbasedonashow @idiotickiddo @tomfeltonisbae @maratheidiot22 @im-nada @everybirdfellsilent @deepdarkdelights @brokenwhitegirl384 @ur-honey-child @caseket @copperrose15 @we-could-have-been @valkyries-ride @scarletmunson @strawberriricemilk @ghost-timelord @galactigoos @floridawaters @cutiepie6473 @pinball-vance @theslytherinwriter @scorpioswonder @stankyleg05 @fxdsketches @sad-innit @coffeyorky @1a-ma1a-su3rt3 @starlordsonlywife @aura626 @mistresskei @marv3lwhor3 @sadimusprimee @yourwonderbelle @sgt-morgan @spot116 @milybaby018 @loserk1nks @artfulthoughtswp @aavw @babyrunsforfanfic @faceache111 @midnight-huntress @asimpleraccoonqueen @marki-moo0 @pages89 @rawr-bitches @rebel-fanfare @soooosha @luna-is-out-there @im-sylien @timpletance @certifiedhunter @ellenmunn @littlethief78 @tinalbion @eddy-y @tikibabi @whyidkok @bearcoon1666 @littlebirdsbookshelf @a-gay-cryptid @disaster-ahaha @viridiesa @axshadows @purplerain04 @karmarouge @holycyclehomo @sainteredhood @prostitute-robot-from-the-future @the-wishmonger @theliferuiner @raptorclaw24 @asp1r1ngm1lf @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @st4rl1ght444 @litholithium @tusk89 @youjustneedatherapist @nekodemon73 @iceclaw101 @lightningsface @shakespeareanwannabe @jasminemunson @spideysimpossiblegirl @wannabedaphne @sammus-white @jazzieomega @88dragon06 @ishabull @raquel-rial @tuquoquebrute @hotleaf-juice @dantaku @youokhoney @thisiswhyibleedsstuff @maximumkryptonitegladiator @jediknight122 @gadsgikklesen @movievillainess721 @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi @the-strawberrythief @spishsstuff @choppedmugjudgeplaid @haileymorelikestupid @gooddaykate @missredherring @abyssal-zone-stares-back @supernaturalgirl @winterandstars @severewobblerlightdragon @missmarmaladeth @noisynaia @saintbedelia @algressman16 @eaks0710 @mina2000alex @emdraws02 @universallyclodlawyerpainter @rayrayvan @akaleelanie @mishasminion360 @amneris21 @roxypeanut @lunarcatbun 118 @frasmotic @emdraws02 @universallyclodlawyerpainter @rayrayvan @lovelychaos420 @1432690 @no1pornstachefan @thegrimreaperbitch @esmeensheep @izz-ayes-world @kittycatcait219 @loveyou3000tonystark @tintinn16 @igenerallytrynottogiveagoshdarn @motheroftorches @phoenixhalliwell @the-dazzling-urbanite @coffeyorky @trickstersp8 @victorian-cherub @julissadunn @clarysthing @the-girl-that-loves-many-fandoms @mastersurf @theghostofutopia @ncsls0515 @seraphinaivy @hiyorinatsuki @ghostofaboy @yn-hamato @elfwriter1088 @sunnygrey99 @lexinicolenix @lazyemisfandomtrash @curiouskeyboard @qualityearthquakes @spider-284748 @unnecesarysstuff @sgt-morgan @love-affair-with-fandoms @lunarcatbun @kstar770 @kykymarty @supergingerlocks @hell0kittybimb0222 @a-birds-fin @loidforgerishotashell @mythical-writer @ghostshalo @avengersimaginesfan @sccialcasualty @lordecult @petalo-dropsart @i-quite-like-eating-carrots @svudetective @hasta-la-pasta-bb @manicpixiedreamgirly @destinydog @skeppycarnation @anaisweird @critters-beware @fruityforcocoapuffs @linnnniie @spideyromantic @paupeach2024 @faithxyu @fxramir @legomyeggo @jjggdfvvy @hi-my-name-is-riley @kasaikawa @lost-ghost-thats-sleepy @callmegkiddo @2dead2function @generallysleepdeprived @failingclassesinmygucciglasses @thebeesknees42 @moonmoon007 @wi0na @cilliansangel @lostinsideourminds @angstismydrug @elvenmother @bilibiche @kettlekatie @preschoolispunk @djarinsstuff @generallysleepdeprived @love-affair-with-fandoms @jay-ghostly @wowieitbeme @fanofverymanythings @josephquinnswhore @this-harl0t-shant-be-unalive @djarinsstuff @justherebecausesafarisucks @cedricbitch @rebel-soldat @madisonred88

My Masterlist!

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Jack Daniels #Jack Daniels x reader #Jack Daniels x you #Jack Daniels x female reader #Jack Daniels x f!reader #Jack 'Whiskey' Daniels #Agent Whiskey #Kingsman Golden Circle #soulmate au

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