#and lets be honest Mike needs someone to spoil him | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

feeder86 · 2 years ago

Text

The Third

Three years was a long time to be in a relationship. But if Mike was honest, he’d known that things had been declining for at least the last twelve months. That wasn’t to say that it didn’t hurt like hell when Bill finally finished with him and moved out. Worse still, Mike knew that he was mostly to blame for their end. He’d become too comfortable being part of a pair and slid into bad habits, feeling secure in the fact that he didn’t always need to watch himself: what he was eating, how active he was, how much effort he put into his appearance; all because he had already found someone.

When Mike met Bill, he was fresh out of college and just starting to build up his career. He’d had more time back then and was, admittedly, a little more naive about the world. He’d fallen hard for Bill, believing completely in their shared vision for a future together. They would work hard, progress in their careers, retire early to the country and buy one of those beautiful fixer-uppers, with a large yard where Bill could grow his own vegetables. But where Mike found himself at the end of their relationship was very different. There he was, sitting alone in their rented apartment without a single thing of Bill’s remaining anywhere. The guy had insisted on a clean break; he didn’t want to try being friends, or see how they both felt in a few months’ time. For him, it was absolutely over; dead; as if it had never existed in the first place. As if it all meant nothing.

In that sort of scenario, it could have been easy for Mike to feel bitter. But as he looked in the mirror, he could completely see Bill’s take on things. In vast contrast to his sleek, toned physique when they’d got together, Mike had clearly started to let himself go. Having done so much swimming throughout his adolescence, a six pack had always come so easy to him. Yet, now, Mike couldn’t see a trace of it left beneath his doughy middle. On the scale, he didn’t appear to be more than twenty pounds heavier than he had been three years ago, yet the muscle in his arms seemed coated with a softness that spoiled all of their previous definition. He had love handles that pressed unflatteringly against the waistband of his underwear and his face had filled out with the ever so slightly puffy cheeks he had developed; almost like a squirrel filling its mouth with nuts. No wonder Bill was turned off by him. He was twenty-four and already had a dad-bod.

Mike convinced himself that he would have done something about his appearance by now, had it not been for how demanding his job had become. After a long day at the office, he didn’t have the energy to go to the pool, or work out at a gym. He was exhausted. Instead, he looked ahead to the future; to the next promotion, when he would be the one delegating tasks. When that happened, he would give himself more time to focus on himself and find a better balance between work and leisure. What he needed to do wasn’t to burn himself out with a gruelling after-work exercise regime, but work harder and focus on his career targets: long term goals over short term wins.

However, the strategy was failing; at least when it came to Mike’s waistline. He looked down at himself and shifted his tie across his torso awkwardly. There was a button, looking torturously strained just above his belly button. Six months after the break-up, it seemed like the flesh that had draped itself over his six pack had begun to merge with his stubborn love handles; all melting into one. They’d built themselves, forming the start of a little tire that was now spreading itself all the way over Mike’s middle. He tried hard not to look in the mirror at how soft his pecs were becoming and bought himself larger pants, convincing his ego that he just wanted to feel more comfortable in work, rather than admitting that his rear was getting considerably more swollen.

“Hey, Mikey!” came a familiar, deep voice behind him at the supermarket one Friday night. He felt a large hand going straight onto his shoulder and turned to see the best looking gay couple he had ever met in real life.

“Hey, Rob!” he smiled at the man who had reached out to him. He’d almost forgotten how absolutely stunning they both were. “How’re you doing, Liam?”

Mike had met Rob and Liam a few times during his relationship with Bill. He didn’t quite remember how they knew each other. Was Liam a second cousin of Bill’s? It wasn’t really something he had paid particular attention to. After all, it was Rob and Liam’s stunning looks that garnered them the most attention. They were good looking in a way that only Holywood could normally portray; still going strong as a couple after many years together. Yet, they were also quite different from each other. Whilst Rob was incredibly tall, broad and built like a jock who could turn his hand to any sport, Liam was a lot smaller, slender and toned, with the prettiest of porcelain faces. Mike had had steamy dreams about the two of them in the past, both separately and together. And so, whilst his heartbeat raced like a teenage schoolgirl to be stood beside them again, he also felt himself cringing. Today was not a good day for his appearance. His hair needed a cut and he’d tried to get away with a shirt that he could feel clinging to his sides; reducing the full movement of his arms.

“We’re great!” Rob smiled, flashing those perfect teeth and wrapping his arm over Liam’s shoulders to present them both as a united front. He was definitely the top in their relationship, Mike found himself thinking. It was the way he always seemed to take charge and the fact that his body was so much more built and imposing than pretty-boy Liam’s. “We were really upset to hear about you and Bill,” the handsome guy went on, looking like he was settling in for a real chat, rather than a brief supermarket fly-by. ��We’ve missed seeing you when we’ve been out.”

Mike smiled, despite knowing that he would hardly be missed by Bill’s friends. He was too quiet and introverted for his personality to be appreciated by outgoing guys like Rob; although he’d had a couple of good conversations with Liam in the past.

“Rob likes those doughnuts as well,” Liam chirped, gazing into Mike’s shopping cart and making him cringe even more. It had been a long week and Mike had come to the supermarket already feeling hungry. He’d loaded himself up with more beer and treats than usual, determined to reward himself for just getting through to the end of Friday.

“Oh, no,” Mike began, stumbling in the way that he always did when he tried to make up a lie on the spot. “These aren’t for me. I’ve got family over tomorrow,” he tried, seeing only fruits, vegetables and plenty of lean meats in Rob and Liam’s shopping cart.

Rob and Liam seemed to share a look, communicating silently in the way that all long-term couples seemed to be able to do. “You should come over for dinner tonight,” Rob suggested. “You’re not doing anything, are you? We bought a new place just two blocks away and we’ve not had anyone over yet to see it.”

Mike wasn’t the spontaneous kind and his mind immediately set to work, thinking how he could get out of saying yes. But after a week at work, his brain was slow and sluggish, and he stood there, grinning awkwardly, in a way that seemed to make Rob and Liam believe that he was up for it.

“We’ll meet you out in the parking lot,” Liam nodded, already pushing their cart away to finish their shop. “We’ve just got to pick up a few supplies.”

Mike looked on, already knowing it was too late to get out of it. He’d have a good night, he tried to assure himself, getting a sneaky look at the guy’s butts as they walked away: Liam’s small, tight, slender ass and Rob’s larger, muscley and powerful looking rear, a good few inches above Liam’s due to the surprising height difference between the two of them.

“Excuse the mess,” Rob laughed, kicking a cardboard box out of the way as they entered the hallway about twenty minutes later.

The new place was lovely, Mike thought, but it was obvious that they hadn’t moved in more than a couple of days ago. He sat down on their couch, taking a box filled with Liam’s clothes and underwear and setting it on the floor. The underwear in particular, seemed to sit there, staring up at Mike, reminding him just how much he was attracted to both of these guys. Rob had conducted the tour while Liam had unpacked their food shop in the kitchen and started preparing something for them to eat. Rob sat proudly in his own chair just in front of the TV and, even as he spoke to Mike about anything and everything, Mike’s mind couldn’t help picturing Liam stripping off and sitting his cute butt down on Rob’s crotch, bouncing on top of him right there in the chair, until they both came.

“Wouldn’t you agree?” Rob asked, finishing what he was saying.

Mike nodded, not wanting to admit that he had lost the thread of the conversation to his lustful thoughts quite some time ago. That was the point at which Liam came in, placing a large, cheesy pizza on the table; previously frozen, but cleverly loaded with extra cheeses and meats that had turned it into something a lot more appetising and special.

Rob’s dinner was much different, uncliking a food storage container with his pre cooked lean chicken and other high protein foods that he religiously stuck to in order to maintain his perfect, muscular physique. “You’re vegan, aren’t you?” Mike asked Liam upon seeing how many different types of meat and cheese he had added to the pizza. “Aren’t you going to eat some of this pizza too?”

“No, I’ve got this instead,” he smiled, bringing in a large bowl of salad, alongside many strange, colourful accompaniments that Mike couldn’t even begin to name. It made him feel thankful that Liam hadn’t tried to seve the same thing to him; a salad like that wasn’t his type of food at all. “The pizza is for you,” Liam confirmed, pushing the plate a little closer to him on the coffee table.

Feeling like he had made Liam go to a lot of effort for him, Mike took a slice and marveled at the taste of it. Who knew that a simple frozen pizza could be made to taste so much better like this? He made a point of enjoying it, heading back for slice after slice as Rob carried most of the conversation, talking about a vacation they’d taken recently; pulling out his cell phone to show Mike pictures of where they had been. Image after image of Rob and Liam, dressed only in swimwear, or standing shirtless infront of stunning scenery were presented to Mike as he ate. The boys were so incredibly hot, it was ridiculous. When he got back to his own place that night, he’d have to shoot a load off like never before.

It wasn’t that Mike was unaware of how much of the pizza he was eating, but the embarrassing realisation only really hit as he looked down at the plate and saw nothing but crumbs left. He placed it down on the coffee table, only then noticing how much more stretched the buttons of his shirt were. He’d not been aware of how disgusting he’d looked, having balanced the plate of pizza just at the top of his stomach, where his little paunch had started to round out in the last few months. He cursed himself for having taken off his tie. The boys must have seen it; how fat he was getting. Already knowing it was too late, he cupped his hands and rested them on his stomach to hide the gaping stretch, determined not to show his own embarrassment.

“Liam’s got an amazing dessert lined up for you,” Rob smiled as Liam took the plates back to the kitchen. “You’re going to love it!”

“Oh, no. I couldn’t!” Mike protested. “I’m absolutely stuffed!”

Rob brushed Mike’s concerns right away. “You’ll be fine,” he chuckled. “Just try your best for him. Liam loves cooking for people. He gets off on it; hence why I’m so strong now,” he grinned, tensing his bicep and leaning across to Mike so that he could feel how hard it felt. “This is a lot of work in the gym, and almost as much work in the kitchen to maintain a body like this,” Rob explained, detailing the gruelling eating regime he kept up on a daily basis.

It wasn’t long until Liam was back with them, carrying a large ice cream sundae that appeared to be even bigger and better than anything that could be bought at a restaurant.

“That looks amazing!” Rob marvelled, as if determined to boost Liam’s confidence in his dessert-making skills. “I think it’s your best yet!” he stated, as the whole thing was presented to their already overfed guest.

“It looks incredible,” Mike agreed, feeling compelled to continue Rob’s barrage of compliments towards Liam. However, he noted that neither of them were having a dessert like he was.

While he ate, Rob went on listing how much effort his boyfriend, Liam, had gone to to make the dessert. The ice cream was his own, the chocolate sauce made fresh only moments ago. The ingredients had been sourced from several different market places across the city, all chosen based upon word of mouth as to which were the best places to go. Mike felt like he couldn’t waste even the tiniest bit of it, forcing it down into himself even as it became a strain to do so. Then, just as he gladly finished it all and leaned forwards to place it on the coffee table, there was a sudden, unmistakeable pop in his middle; a heartstopping new sensation concerning the way Mike’s shirt was fitting and, to his horror when he looked down, Mike could see the previously strained shirt button had now given way entirely.

All three of them looked on in stunned silence for a couple of seconds. In a flurry, Mike’s brain tried to compute what would be the best thing for him to say. Should he show his embarrassment? Try to ignore it? Laugh it off? The quiet was unbearable. Mike felt like he could never look at the pair of them in the eyes again. How soon could he make up an excuse to run home and hide away for the rest of his life?

As it was, Rob had already sprung into action before Liam even got the chance to react. “Don’t worry about that,” the hunk smiled, sitting himself next to Mike and seeming to command the situation in much the same way that he always did.

The large, muscular body squeezed in next to the humiliated Mike, and he appeared to becon Liam over to sit on the couch as well. All of a sudden, Mike felt his overindulged body being pressed between two of the most attractive boys he had ever known.

“The truth is, Liam and I were kinda hoping that your clothes wouldn’t stay on for very long,” Rob grinned, reaching for Mike’s shirt buttons and confidently starting to undo them from the top down. Mike could feel the guy’s hot breath on his face before noticing that Liam’s hand was also sliding up his thigh.

“Are you up for a bit of fun with us tonight?” Liam asked, lacking just a little of Rob’s assertiveness, despite sharing his lustful passion.

“I think he is!” Rob smiled, nodding down at Mike’s throbbing hardness pulsing against the crotch of his tight pants. Then, without any need for words, Rob leaned in to kiss him. Their tongues fused immediately and Mike realised that any hope of saving his broken shirt were lost when the strong man simply tore the rest of the buttons open as they were kissing.

Mike felt Liam’s hands unbuckling his belt and moaned as a hand touched his erection for the first time. By the time he came out of the kiss, his crotch had already been opened and a shirtless Liam was spreading his legs, ready to go down on him. With his boundless energy, Rob suddenly sprang up, throwing off his shirt and ripping his shorts and underwear down. Even his dick was beatiful, Mike thought to himself as Rob guilded it into his mouth. Moans were heard from all three of them over the next few minutes until, naked and excited, they slipped into the bedroom to continue the fun times.

Mike felt like he was living in a daydream the next day. A threesome? Him? He never imagined that he would do something like that; especially not with guys who were so unbelievably attractive! He chuckled at the memory of it and could barely wipe the smile from his face. He looked at people, wondering if they would ever be able to guess just how lucky he had got last night: the experience of a lifetime! He hadn’t expected to hear from Rob and Liam again afterwards, so it came as no surprise when he didn’t. He’d obviously just bumped into them at the right place and right time, when they were on the lookout for some kinky fun. Even back when Mike was with Bill, he had always sensed that the pair of them were kinkier than they appeared on the outside. However, the way that Rob had fucked him whilst Liam sucked his dick… there was no way anyone could have prepared him for that amount of pleasure.

“We hear it’s your birthday next weekend,” came a message on one of Mike’s social media accounts. He clicked through, seeing which profile it had come from and spotting the unmistakable, handsome face of Rob.

Mike’s fingers stood motionless, thinking how to reply. So many different possibilities, but which one was best? He needed to get this right.

“Are you doing anything FUN for it?” came a second message, as if impatient for Mike to respond.

“Not yet,” Mike simply typed, deciding to click and send it before his brain started to overthink things again.

“Good. Our place next Saturday night then?” shot back the next message, with a swiftness that would have surprised even the speediest of responders. “9pm?” snapped another message straight afterwards.

With a smile and a boner, Mike didn’t question his decision. “I’ll see you then,” he replied in an instant.

Mike had always considered himself to be someone who sought sex only through being in a real relationship. He hadn’t been the type to play about and his new casual attitude to messing around with Rob and Liam both thrilled and excited him. What better way to begin a new year of life than to find a whole new perspective on how to enjoy it?

“You’re going fat!” Mike’s grandmother commented as he showed up at his parents’ place that Friday. She poked her grandson in his stomach, looking sour and disapproving.

In an instant, Mike brushed it off, chuckling to himself and nodding at his grumpy grandmother. “Thanks. I love you too,” he grinned sarcastically. Had it not been for the ego boost provided by Rob and Liam, Mike realised he may have taken such a comment to heart. Having a little extra mass on his frame was hardly hindering his ability to get guys, given that he had two of the hottest boys he had ever met eagerly awaiting his arrival tomorrow night.

“Will you have another slice of your cake. Sweetheart?” asked Mike’s mother, eager to tidy it away.

“Sure,” Mike nodded, feeling like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Rob was the one to answer the door that Saturday night. “Yes? Do you want something” he asked playfully, pretending that he wasn’t expecting a visitor. Then he smiled and pulled Mike inside and into a short, strong hug, pecking him on the lips. “Liam is through there,” he pointed down to the kitchen, already sending Mike on his way by patting and pinching his rear with horny grunts of approval.

“Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to cook for me,” Mike mumbled after Liam had embraced and kissed him as well. He didn’t want to admit to either of them that he had stopped by a burger place on the way over, spoiling his appetite. “I’m not sure I could eat a lot,” he went on, seeing just how much food was already plated up.

“Just give it a try,” Rob grinned, boucing to sit on top of the counter and grabbing Liam from behind, pulling him into an affectionate hug. “My Liam loves to cook and feed people. It’s just his thing, isn’t it honey?” he whispered seductively into his boyfriend’s ear. Mike had only just arrived and he already felt like clothes were going to be torn off any second. “Don’t worry,” he smiled consolingly at his little chef. “We know Mike has got a good appetite. He won’t let you down.”

Mike had the overwhelming feeling that he was about to perform in some way. He was sat down at the now clutter-free table, with the two sexy boyfriends positioning themselves on either side of him. Handed his fork, Mike set to work as Liam began filling up the plate; Rob watching on with nothing but love in his eyes for his handsome partner of five years.

“Is this the dish you were deep frying earlier?” Rob asked curiously as yet another item was brought out ten minutes later. “I’m sure Mike is going to really enjoy it after all that effort you went to today,” he went on, silently piling on the pressure for Mike to keep eating through his already bloated stomach.

The food kept on coming. Mike realised, with a lot of guilt, just how much time Liam must have spent in the kitchen; probably consuming most of his day to prepare all of this for him. He knew that Rob wasn’t about to eat with him; not on his strict low-fat, high protein diet. But Liam didn’t seem at all interested in eating anything of his own food either; even the bits that must surely have been vegan-friendly.

“Do me a favor,” Rob whispered to Mike after he’d finally finished with all of the main dishes. “Let Liam feed you the dessert. He’ll love it. It’ll make his day and be super hot,” Rob went on, trying to give Mike the heads-up whilst Liam was out of the room. “Come on, we’ll move your chair out here so that you’re in a better position for him,” the hunk went on keenly, seemingly determined to give his quieter and more reserved boyfriend a better experience. “I reckon we lose that t-shirt now as well,” Rob finally suggested, pulling it up and over Mike’s shoulders.

The t-shirt, which Mike had taken a considerable amount of time for Mike to choose, had done a good job of hiding his bloated form up until that point. Now he sat there, feeling fat, stuffed and not at all sexy to the beautiful guys he was there with.

However, Rob simply smiled with delight at the sight of him. “Much better!” he grinned. “Hurry up, Liam!” he called out. “Mike says he’s getting hungry again!” he teased, winking playfully at their guest.

In walked the irresistible form of Liam, holding an enormous chocolate birthday cake that he had clearly hidden in another room so that Mike wouldn’t see. His eyebrows rose with excitement at the shirtless form of their new lover, sat in the middle of the dining space, waiting for him.

“Mike says he wants you to sit just here, on his lap,” Rob lied, guiding his boyfriend over to their half naked friend. “He said you can feed it to him yourself if you like?” the bold hunk went on, facilitating the whole thing.

Liam seemed to accpet Rob’s words without question, passing the cake over for the large, muscular man to hold whilst he removed his shirt and straddled his sexy butt across a very excited Mike’s lap. “Can you get me a fork?” he asked Rob, suddenly realsing that he had forgotten to get one. He clearly didn’t want to get up now that he was sat and Mike’s lustful hands had found their way onto his hips and butt, holding the sexy boy up.

“You don’t need a fork!” Rob chuckled. “Just use your fingers. It’ll be sexy!” he encouraged wickedly.

“It could get messy though,” Mike mumbled cautiously.

In response, Rob simply grinned, scooped his finger along the ege of the immaculate frosting and then smeared it over Mike’s nose and mouth. “You bet it’s going to be messy!” he enthused with a giant smile, before feeding his finger into Mike’s mouth for him to lick clean. “Go on, babe,” he prompted his sexy boyfriend. “Do it. Feed him like you did in your dream!.”

Flattered that Liam had supposedly dreamed about this moment, Mike happily opened his mouth to accept the first few fingerfuls of cake. He chewed, grinning at the kinkiness of it all. He felt bits of the cake falling apart and sliding onto his chest and stomach. The frosting was all around his mouth, even more than before, but what did it matter? He had a beautiful guy straddling him right now; he was holding his cute butt in his hands and could see the extreme, sexy bulge in the guy’s pants that was just for him.

Scott yanked the table across with ease, placing the cake down conveniently close for Liam so that he no longer had to hold it up. He seemed to only have eyes for Liam, stroking the sexy boy’s back as he acted out his dream scenario on their guest. “I love seeing you enjoying yourself like this!” he whispered, pulling off his shirt and unbuckling his pants to tug himself off as he watched his boyfriend feeding Mike. “Push more in. We know he can take it!” he suggested, seeming to get hornier and hornier as he played with himself.

Mike soon began groaning from how full he felt and Liam quickly got the hint, getting up and assuming that they were done.

“No, no…” Rob smiled. “Mike can still keep going for you. You just have to get creative!”

Then, with that, Rob pressed his hardness down into the only tidy part of the cake that remained. With his hand, he smeared the sponge and frosting up and down his shaft, making it almost twice as thick as it was before. He then turned to Mike, who opened his mouth without question, so keen was he to have another chance to suck the sexy guy off.

Pretty soon, Liam was doing the same thing, and the two men alternated until Liam slid his naked body down on the table and smeared a large section of the cake all over his crotch and torso. Despite being so full, Mike rose to his feet and set to work; his hands, fingers and tongue exploring Liam’s perfect body as he nibbled and licked at the birthday cake that covered him. As he did so, he could feel Rob’s keen finger sliding up his butt crack and he hoped, with quiet desparation, that the gorgeous hunk was about to fuck him, just like last time.

“Is he ready for me to fuck him yet?” Rob seemed to be asking Liam, still down on the table, enjoying his hardness being sucked clean.

“I want him to eat more of the cake,” Liam replied, sounding almost out of breath from how overwhelmed with pleasure he was.

“You’re the boss,” Rob laughed, sliding the cake stand between Liam’s legs until Mike understood that he was to eat straight from there now. Suddenly all three of them were stroking their dicks up and down as Mike stood, hunched over the cake, nibbling straight from the stand and presenting his butt ready to be taken. Mike had never felt more kinky, submissive and turned on in his life. Above his head, he could hear Liam and Rob kissing passionately, as if congratulating each other on how well they were doing in this scenario.

Then, after a short amount of time, at which point the cake had become a messy pile of only frosting-smeared chunks, Mike heard Liam announce grandly to his boyfriend: ”I think he’s ready. Fuck him, Rob!”

Staying over in the guest bedroom had been the last thing Mike had anticipated that night. But it had been late by the time they’d finished and he’d had to shower more than once; finding traces of the chocolate frosting in all sorts of places across his body. The boys had been sweet and thoughtful towards him, setting him up in there and making sure he was comfortable. He’d slept soundly as well, only waking up once the door was opened and the two of them came in, dressed only in their boxers and obviously excited to see him.

“Morning, Sexy!” Rob called out. “Liam’s been busy making you breakfast. I hope you’re hungry!”

Opening his eyes gently, Mike saw the large tray being carried in by Liam and set down on the side of the bed. Despite how much he had eaten last night, he was surprised to find that he was quite ready for something else, and he sat himself up in bed, taking in the wafting smell of the fried bacon and sausages. “There’s enough here for at least three people!” he chuckled,seeing how full the already large plate was piled up.

“Liam likes to keep his boys well fed,” Rob smiled, using the opportunity to tense his strong arms and show off his impressive size. “You’re always in the kitchen making up something full of protein for me. Isn’t that right, babe?”

“That’s right,” Liam nodded, looking slightly up at Rob with adoration in his eyes.

“You two are so damn cute,” Mike smiled, making a start on the plate of food. “Is this your secret for keeping your relationship fresh? Just have the odd threesome every now and then?”

Liam laughed at the idea. “No. we’re not that interesting! We’ve actually never done anything like this before with someone else.”

“You mean I’m the first one?” Mike asked, feeling completely shocked.

“You’re the ultimate!” Rob countered. “We’ve both had a little crush on you for ages. Not that we would have done anything whilst you were with Bill, of course. Liam was so into you after the camping trip we all went on a couple of years ago. You remember how drunk you got? You ended up eating almost all of the supplies that second night. Liam’s got a thing for guys with a hearty appetite. He’s been desperate to cook for you ever since.”

Mike looked across at the handsome guy who was nodding his head in complete agreement with everything his boyfriend was saying.

“For me,” Rob went on, “it was when you showed up at Colin’s Christmas party the year before last. You’d started to lose that thin swimmer’s look you’d had up until that point. I rember seeing how big and juicy your butt had become and, I’m sorry to say, Mike, but it was always inevitable that I lured you into my bed one day. We used to talk about you a lot in our bedroom at night,” he joked.

“Jeez! Had I known that you two were into me back then, I would have finished with Bill in a microsecond!” Mike shot back with complete honesty.

“Thanks for last night,” Rob began, sounding more sincere than he did usually. “We had a really good time, and Liam here managed to act out a little fantasy he’s had about you for a long time!”

“Happy to help!” Mike smiled back at them, knowing that the pleasure had been all his. What a birthday weekend this had been!

“You know, if you’re keen, Liam and I would be quite happy for this little arrangement of ours to be a lot more regular? Next time, maybe you’d like to sleep with us in our bed as well?” Rob suggested, holding Liam’s hand and presenting themselves as a united front.”I know Liam has got so many more recipes he wants to try out on you…”

“It sounds creepy,” spat an unimpressed friend of Mike’s a few months later, after Mike had opened up and confided in him about his current situation. “This Liam guy cooks way too much food and then gets off on watching you eat it all?” he asked. “And the boyfriend gets off on watching him watching you..?” he went on, seeming to lose track of how it all worked. “Is this why you’ve been getting so big recently?”

Mike scowled. “I’ve not been getting ‘really big!’” he shot back. “I’m just a bit more relaxed about my appearance, and so are they. What’s wrong with that?”

“Plenty,” the guy replied, looking over Mike’s plump body with mild disgust. “You know they’re probably just getting off on making you fat? There’s a word for that, you know. People call them ‘feeders.’”

Mike knew he’d been piling on the pounds even more than usual in the last few months. His little paunch had swollen over time, turning into a full belly. He knew his ass had grown as well, although he minded this less because Rob could never keep his hands off it whenever he was around there. His chest didn’t look that great though. His pecs had now properly started to become more pointed in appearance and he could feel that the muscle had turned into fat, jiggling when he walked; not that he didn’t enjoy it when Liam stimulated his nipples during sex - one of the many sexual pleasures he had had his eyes opened to since playing around with the boys. “Let me show you a picture of them though,” Mike declared, pulling out his cell phone and determined to make his friend jealous.

“Fuck!” the guy shouted, despite the fact that they were out in public. “You’re joking right? That’s them?”

Mike smirked, pleased with the reaction. He knew that Liam in particular would be exactly his friend’s type. “That’s them!” he nodded, swiping through even more pictures and watching the guy’s jaw drop even more. “I’m staying with them all weekend again, starting tomorrow.”

“Shit!” the guy marvelled, as if he was seeing Mike in a whole new light. “You are one lucky fucker!”

Mike was well used to the mouth-watering aromas as soon as he stepped into Rob and Liam’s apartment. The attention that he got upon his arrival was always thrilling. It was as if the two guys had been hard for hours before he showed up, and they were always ready to pounce upon him straight away. Rob removed his shirt and kissed him, his large hands sliding onto the fleshier regions of Mike’s torso that most people seemed to think he should be embarrassed about.

“Look at that,” Mike heard Rob whispering to Liam as he stroked his fingers delicately across a crease of fat on Mike’s back, caused by the ever increasing swell of his lovehandles. The pair shared a look of excitement and then Liam’s fingers too began to caress the little crease. Each week, the pair of them had seemed to become a little bolder in the appreciation of his chubby body. Last time, Liam had grabbed a full roll of Mike’s belly fat as he came all over the three of them.

By the end of the weekend, Mike did the one thing that he had been avoiding for an insane amount of time now. Wiping the steamy mirror clean after his shower, he took a long, hard look at himself. No wonder people were shocked by him. What on earth were guys like Liam and Rob doing with him, looking as he did these days. He’d become used to his fuller appearance, but the last few months had done something completely different to him. It looked like the fat had been added in ever increasing layers all over his body, softening his appearance each time. Everything looked rounded, lacking in any sort of definition; almost as if someone had inserted a bicycle pump into him and inflated him from the inside. The fat around his face and neck! No wonder his colleague from the other office hadn’t recognised him straight away. He tried to reason with himself; he was still bloated after luch; his stomach wasn’t this severe normally. Still, under the harsh bathroom light, casting shadows on his bulges and creases, it wasn’t a good look.

Mike pulled Rob’s scales out of the cupboard and set them up on the floor. He hadn’t been on a set of scales in such a long time, but he remembered his swim coach being surprised at how heavy he was back when he was at his peak fitness; all that muscle had taken his weight to not far off 180lbs. Although, he noted sadly, he knew most of that muscle had gone by now.

The scale was surprisingly complex and Mike couldn’t really make sense of it as the numbers began flashing up. Rob’s extreme fitness regime meant that he took all of this stuff very seriously. Meaningless numbers went round in a cycle. It was only on the fourth time of coming up that Mike finally saw the figure for his weight. The number was so far beyond anything that he had braced himself for; it was no surprise that he had missed it. He stepped off; a look of shock and horror upon his face. Standing there in the reflection of the mirror was a 262lb fat guy.

“I need to go on a diet,” Mike declared as he went back into the living room after his shower. “And you two are going to help me, considering it’s mostly your fault that I’m getting this big,” he grumbled, without a hint of humour in his voice. “I know you two have been getting off on it!” he shouted, no longer willing to sweep their obvious little kinks under the table.

“I guess I could take you to a great vegan place this week,” Liam nodded guiltily. “I could teach you about some good, healthy recipes and… maybe cook some up for you instead of all the high-fat stuff I usually make,” he sighed.

Rob looked on at his partner seeming to share in his guilt. “And I suppose I could get you in at my gym and show you a few exercises for weight loss that you may enjoy.”

It was the darkest way he had ever left things with Rob and Liam that weekend; as if a grey rain cloud hovered over them all. But it had to be done. Otherwise, there was no way of telling what would become of him.

“So, just tell me what the healthiest thing on the menu is,” Mike insisted, knowing that his hour for lunch would soon disappear.

“I’m going to order you a couple of dishes so that we can get more of an idea of the things you like and don’t like,” Liam smiled, taking this all very seriously. Food was his speciality.

The order didn’t take long to arrive, yet Mike’s face clearly didn’t hide anything when the colourful dishes were placed in front of him. Salads had never been his thing and there were plenty of things on those plates that he already knew he could not stand. He picked up the fork, going exploring through it all, hunting for something that might actually taste nice. He poked the very tips of the fork fork in like a toothpick, tasting the smallest amount of each and coming to the worst conclusion: it all tasted disgusting! Every last bit of it!

“Don’t be such a baby!” Liam laughed, still determined to get Mike to eat at least some of it.

“No. No way!” Mike declared, pushing the dishes away stubbornly. “I’m not doing it! Didn’t you say this place does good desserts though?” he asked; his stomach rumbling.

Mike looked at the choices on offer, selecting the thing that was most similar to what Liam would usually make him: the chocolate waffle and ice cream.

“Eurgh! What the fuck is this?” Mike asked upon its arrival, throwing a large piece into his mouth because it looked, on the outside at least, to be pretty decent.

“It’s vegan and low fat,” Liam tried to explain. “Of course it’s not going to taste exactly the same as mine.”

“That’s just inedible!” Mike complained bitterly, spitting it back out onto a paper napkin. Most of his lunchbreak was now gone and he was still starving. There was only one option, and that was the burger joint across the street. “I think I must be more of an exercise person,” he decided. “I think I should just focus on that instead.”

“So, you don’t want me to try out some of these healthier recipes when you come over next weekend?” Liam asked gingerly.

“Fuck, no!” Mike bellowed, frustrated with the lack of time he’d have to eat before he was back in work. “Just do what you normally do,” he suggested, hugging the slender pretty boy and heading straight off to find some real food before it was too late.

Mike had bought himself some new trainers for his gym session with Rob that week. If he was going to go on the way home from work a few nights a week, he’d probably want to think about getting some decent headphones for when he was on the treadmill; so he’d already started investigating the best ones online.

“I’ve written up this list for you,” Rob explained, passing over a slip of paper. “This is a pretty decent cardio workout for fat loss.” He went through the routine and showed Mike how he would use all of the machines on the list; adjusting his times downwards as he saw how inexperienced Mike was with most of the equipment. “Is there anything you think I might have forgotten to explain?” he asked, ready to leave Mike to it.

Feeling pumped, Mike shook his head and, clutching the list in his hand, he set off to begin. However, that enthusiasm only carried him so far. Maybe he was coming down with something? He felt so lethargic after only the first machine and he was sweating so much that it was probably his body’s way of telling him that he needed to take it easier. He stood by the water station, gazing across to the weights area, where Rob was completing his workout.

“You can’t be done already?” Rob laughed as Mike suddenly stood beside him at the leg press machine. The muscle stud was lifting an extraordinary amount of weight and, Mike thought, ogling, Rob’s thighs had never looked so massive and pumped before.

“Do you always press this much?” Mike asked, trying not to get a hard-on in the middle of the gym as he watched.

“It’s leg day,” Rob stated, as if he was answering the question. “I have you and Liam that like a rough fuck. Of course I’ve got to have strong legs!” he grinned, finally finishing his repetition and winking at Mike, knowing that he was turning him on.

It was easier, and a lot more fun, to just follow Rob around the gym as he went through his routine. He began to feel that, instead of cardio, maybe weight training was more his thing, given how easy Rob managed to make it look. But as Rob finally set him up on one of the machines, interrupting his own gym routine, Mike realised that, actually, it was a lot harder than it looked.

“So how about we meet here on Thursday night as well?” Rob finally asked on the way out.

Mike considered. He could do Thursday night, but it would be a bit of a rush. “Maybe we’re best leaving it until next week,” he decided.

“All right,” Rob smiled, graciously deciding not to make fun of how little a workout Mike had actually had that evening. “Fuck you on Friday then?” he winked, patting Mike on his large rear that he had always enjoyed immensely.

By Friday, the shock about how much Mike weighed had seemed to dissipate, and he was ready to take a lot more of a relaxed stance about it. He might go back to the gym at some point with Rob, but he wasn’t going to get caught up about it. The guys didn’t seem to think his weight was much of an issue, so why should he? Surely that was one of the perks of being in a relationship with people who had leanings towards those feeder kinks? Perhaps, now that he had spoken a bit more openly about the guys enjoying his weight, he could even make more of a thing about it; use his weight to get them more excitable when he wanted.

Rob sighed with longing whenever he saw Mike’s butt. He said he liked it so much because of its sheer mass; voluminous ass cheeks that bounced when he fucked him. ROb had always found the contrast between his body and Liam’s to be his biggest turn on. Liam was so much smaller and slighter than he was, he said it made him feel like a giant monster to fuck him. But now he also admitted that it was this same contrast that turned him on about Mike. Sure, Mike had the size, but he also had the softness as well. Rob enjoyed bouncing and stretching his glutes out so that he could better push himself inside. It was part of the reason why Mike started to make more of an effort getting through Liam’s desserts. This, in turn, had the bonus effect of making Liam want to suck Mike off more, which encouraged him to eat more and, simultaneously, make his butt even larger and more appealing for Rob’s poundings.

“My two sexy boys!” Rob exclaimed, standing over the bed as Liam and Mike lay next to each other. Their bodies were so very different from each other, yet also very much contrasting with Rob himself; sending the horny hunk into a constant haze of lust. “I can’t decide which of you I want to fuck most,” he growled, rubbing both of their butts. “Then again, Mike does look like he’s put on a little more weight recently…” Rob teased, bouncing Mike’s rear and seeming to have made his selection.

“He’s definitely gained a few pounds,” Liam agreed, spinning to look at Mike’s belly himself, as they lay in bed together. He stroked the slight shelf where the gut was pushing out and slid his fingers down until they fell over Mike’s belly button, stopping briefly to grab a little of the flesh and jiggle it.

“That’s down to all your cooking!” Mike teased the slender boy, having realised how much pride and satisfaction Liam took in overfeeding Mike to the point where he continued to pile on the pounds. But Mike had also become a lot more hungry in general; everyone had said so. ‘Greedy’ was generally the word they used, and it was the word that Rob and Liam seemed to like to throw about when describing him as well; although in a much more sexy and erotic way than everyone else. Liam even said that it was the quality that had first attracted him to Mike all those years ago. Mike had come to love it as well. He really was greedy; greedy for food, for dick and for pleasure. Surely he was living the dream life that most guys would kill for?

“I got you some new sexy underwear this week,” Rob smiled, throwing over a box to Mike a few weeks later. “The lady at the store thought I’d picked up the wrong size when she saw they were XXL,” he grinned. “But I told her they were for one of my boyfriends. She gave me that snooty, sort of disapproving look and I just found myself enjoying explaining to her how much Liam and I have been delighting in seeing your butt growing bigger and bigger.”

“You didn’t?” Mike laughed in disbelief and decided not to take Rob’s stories as verbatim. After all, he did tend to have a habit of playfully exaggerating things.

“I sure did!” Rob nodded, clearly aroused at the memory of it. “I told her we’d be back as soon as you were ready for the XXXL,” he winked. But then Rob stopped, looked more carefully at Mike and went to stroke around the guy’s neck and chin. “Jeez! You really are packing it on pretty fast at the moment,” he smiled in delight. “Hey, Liam, what have you changed in Mikey’s diet recently?” he shouted through to the kitchen area.

“Coconut milk,” Liam replied back straight away. “It’s good. Have you noticed the difference in his face yet?”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I was just looking at,” Rob nodded, going back for another inspection and rubbing his own crotch with arousal. It was exactly the sort of conversation that, twelve months ago, Mike would have been horrified to hear. Now though, Mike knew the love, attention and pampering he would get once the boys spotted a noticeable weight gain. As such, his dick was already harder than Rob’s as his double chin went under an even more in-depth inspection.

Mike had all but moved in with the boys, speeding up his gains in quite a dramatic fashion. Rob and Liam had literally held a party for themselves as Mike crossed over three hundred pounds, Mike remembered, laughing to himself. He’d woken up the next morning, fuzzy headed from the beer and draped across the bed, still stuffed and covered with the mountains of food that had been pushed into him over many hours of sexual pleasure. Needless to say, his work pants did not fit all that well the following week. The boys had also conducted a large decluttering of the place, noticing that Mike was starting to find their tightly packed furniture a little more tricky to navigate around; althought both of them seemed to delight in seeing Mike knock stuff over with that hefty, oversized butt.

It was a Tuesday, when Mike was working from home. He’d set himself up in the spare bedroom of Rob and Liam’s place, given that his sister was now sub-letting his old apartment these days. Liam had left him with plenty of snacks while they were both out, but Mike simply enjoyed being able to slob out in his sweat shorts whilst getting paid. It was all so much easier than having to go into the office.

A knock came at the door and Mike got up, predicting that the little old lady across the hall was wanting a cup of sugar, or some other such poor excuse so that she could come across for a chat. She loved the boys, but seemed to have not made her mind up about Mike just yet; not quite understanding the set-up, or why he was even living with them now.

“Oh! Sorry!” gasped a man at the door as soon as Mike opened it. “I was told that this was Liam and Rob’s place?”

Mike cringed, recognising his ex-boyfriend, Bill, straight away. He hadn’t changed in the slightest. Mike lowered his head, hoping that Bill would continue to not recognise him. “They’re not in,” he grunted, starting to close the door and hoping for a lucky escape.

“Wait…” jumped Bill, suddenly alerted by the sound of his ex-boyfriend’s voice. “Mike?” he scowled. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“What’s it to you?” Mike shot back, deciding that Bill was the last person he wanted to be speaking to right then.

“Jeez, dude!” Bill exclaimed, looking over the three hundred and thirty pound fat guy and finding him uttterly repulsive. He stared at his bulging belly, flabby chest and puffy arms that looked nothing like they had when Bill and Mike had been an item. “What the fuck have you been eating?”

Mike rolled his eyes, realising that, despite the years that had passed, Bill was never going to be anything but critical towards him. “I just decided to enjoy life a bit more,” he answered simply.

“Wait…” Bill exclaimed again. “I haven’t seen Rob or Liam in a couple of years now, but…” his mind seemed to be whirring, recognising a few of Mike’s old furniture pieces in the apartment. “...Are you the boys’ kinky third that I heard rumours about?”

Mike didn’t reply, but Bill suddenly burst into a roar of cold, bitter laughter. “Shit! It’s YOU, isn’t it?” he bellowed, trying to conceal his shock with a tone of pure mockery. “What the fuck were Rob and Liam thinking?”

“We’re very happy with this arrangement, actually,” Mike grunted back.

“Oh, I bet YOU’RE very happy with this arrangement!” Bill laughed. “But what the hell they get out of it, I have no idea!”

“You just couldn’t understand it,” Mike shrugged. “You never did have much of an imagination.”

“Get real, Mike. Even you must see how mad this is? You can’t seriously be happy? This is Rob and Liam - the golden couple. They’ve been in love with each other since Liam was just eighteen! You can’t genuine;y believe that they think about you in the same way that they adore each other? You’re a third. There’s no fulfilment in being a third in someone else’s relationship! They’ll drop you in a heartbeat, and then you’ll realise what a fool you’ve made of yourself!” He shook his head one more time, seeming to take in the monstrous size of Mike’s stomach all over again. “Jeez, dude! What the fuck have you done to yourself?”

“Bill, go fuck yourself!” Mike finally snapped, throwing the door shut. He retreated back to his desk. However, he soon found that his concentration had been lost for the day. Seeing an ex was always difficult. But, seeing an ex and having them openly citicise you for every single life choice you’d made since your break up… it was like being hit by a bus.

“I hear that you’ve had an interesting day?” Liam asked quietly, entering the apartment just behind Rob and holding his cell phone up as if he had just received a rather interesting message from someone.

“We had no idea that Bill would stop by,” Rob added. “We haven’t seen him in ages. He’s never even been over to this apartment before.”

“I know,” Mike nodded, not wanting the boys to feel at all guilty about how things had played out that afternoon. He looked over at the dishes, realising that he had perhaps eaten a little more than usual after the encounter; comfort eating. “He had quite a go at me when he realised that the three of us were…” he began explaining, suddenly realising that he no longer knew the right word to describe what their whole relationship even was.

“Well, he never was the most enlightened soul, was he?” Liam smiled thoughtfully. “We were actually thinking…” he went on, looking to Rob as if to see if he also felt it was the right time to bring this up. “...Maybe it’s time that we all had a fresh start.”

“A fresh start?” Mike asked, feeling suddenly alarmed and depressed. There was no way Bill was going to keep what he had learned to himself, and the boys had most likely been spooked; deciding to cut ties with him now in order to save the embarrassment later.

“A fresh start for all of us,” Rob nodded in full agreement.

“You want me to go back to my apartment?” Mike asked, feeling more dejected than he had ever been in his entire life.

“What? No!” Liam countered, shaking his head emphatically. “We’re talking about this place. We want to sell up and get somewhere that is more suited to the three of us. Somewhere that is all of ours; stop people, like Bill, from guessing about our status as a threesome.”

“Plus, you’re only a few pounds away from being too fat for our shower,” Rob chuckled, lightening the mood by patting Mike on his hefty rear. “I want to find somewhere a little closer to my gym. Liam would like somewhere closer to the markets in town. And you definitely need somewhere a little more fat-friendly! We’ll get a giant bed; one that we can all fit in together again. A bigger kitchen for Liam would be good as well, because you know how much he loves cooking for you…”

“I thought you were about to…” Mike began, finding it hard to express how relieved and flattered he felt that the boys were willing to make such a big change to include him properly into their lives. “You’re right, I am a little too fat for the shower here!” he joked.

“That’s not to say that I don’t love watching you trying to squeeze yourself inside,” Rob shot back, immediately rubbing at the boner that was already coming his way. “But Liam is getting so damn good at ensuring you continue to pile on the pounds, I’m starting to think that we may need to make this move sooner, rather than later.”

“Do you think you may be ready for the next adventure?” Liam asked, holding up the bags of groceries he had set down when he came in.

“You mean, the next hundred pounds?” Mike smiled back, finally wise to exactly how his feeders’ minds really worked.

Rob and Liam simply looked at each other, grinning.

“Sure,” Mike nodded happily. “Bring it on! Fatten me up! I’ll make you both proud.”

With that, Rob wrapped his strong arm over Mike’s shoulders, pulling the guy in to kiss him on the forehead. “Good man!” he grinned, rubbing Mike’s wide, spherical belly and growling with lust. “You know, Mike, I think that may be the wisest decision you’ve ever made!”

703 notes · View notes

gayboybyerz · 2 years ago

Text

I think that @shandy-and-champagne brings up a very correct point in that Will was pushed aside for season three and with that a lot of people be called him useless.

As someone who sat there hating how season three went when it first came out, I have learned to have a newfound appreciation for it. But that didn’t come till years later.

I have a sneaking suspicion tho that this was intentional. Perhaps it has something to do with vecna or the start of the romance between Mike and Will. It is so interesting when you really unpack it because it actually makes a lot of sense.

First being that was the start of easing the GA into Will being gay. That scene with Will and Mike fighting. Let’s be honest that scene didn’t need to happen, it was irrelevant to the plot. Will could have been helpful to Mike and Lucas, he could have hung out with the girls, he could have been with Dustin at scoops. It would make no sense to have happened in stranger things, unless something was going on between Mike and Will.

I mean think about it, was that fight ever addressed? I mean we had Lucas say a little something in the shed (and his wasn’t as big as mikes)but from Mike? Nada. Mike and Will pretended like it never happened. We never got closure on that, because why?

Because it is still apart of the plot. I feel that season 5 is going to address that. Think about it, that part was included for a reason, we still haven’t got that reason tho. Unless it is a clue to a potential romance…

Another rain fight leading to a confession? Or maybe they address why castle byers is broken, or perhaps a “it’s not my fault you don’t like el”

Next season is the time to address that fight, because that is the season Byler will happen and all the lies need to stop. We should also get other things addressed like in season 4, the painting and Wills confession, Mikes weird hug, his awful love declaration.

If it wasn’t address it will be address. That is why I think they kinda sidelined him.

My other point is that vecna and Will have a connection somehow, so if Will was in the spotlight then that would have been brought up in season 3 as a posed to waiting for the last season. They didn’t want to spoil it. So they gave us easter eggs with Will touching his neck where soteria is at 👀

Remember my Will Byers supremacists, season five will be Will Byers main character arc. All of this sidelining was for a reason. We are going to get the best season yet with our son.

This is like totally reminding me of my theory too arghh! I should make a post about that!

#byler #stranger things #mike wheeler #will byers #will x mike #mike x will #michael wheeler #william byers #byers #wheeler #mike wheeler i know what you are

79 notes · View notes

femmeharringrove · 4 years ago

Text

when steve goes into labor early, he finds himself craving his mother's presence in a way he never has before.

he's always loved her, even if she never really loved him. growing up, she always just sort of avoided him - his eyes were so big and open and honest as he toddled about proclaiming his own love for just about everything under the sun - his nonna, the roses growing, and his mama. and she knew she should have loved him. hell, she wanted to love him, but she just couldn't. and since she couldn't love this little being who seemed entirely made up of love, she distanced herself.

and maybe as a child he didn't know, he was gullible enough to believe that she was just busy, just couldn't come play or couldn't help him plant a new flower, but he grew up and he saw everyone else's mother do so much better. and it stung. it did worse than sting, it ached in a way he just couldn't explain. and when he was fourteen he finally broke down and asked her why she didn't love him, and he'd hoped that she'd tell him otherwise but she was drunk and all she could do was break down and cry and ask for his forgiveness. she didn't remember it the next morning but steve's been haunted by the memory ever since, the knowledge that his mother doesn't love him.

of course he always knew his father despised him, there was no question of that. and now that he's having a baby of his own his aversion to the elder Harrington has only worsened. john harrington is a cruel being, he never should have been allowed near ant child, and steve was determined to keep him away from this one no matter what. he's already told the man he won't be allowed in the hospital, but his mother is supposed to be there. but it's the dead of night and the baby is coming early and as much as he cries for her there's no possible way to get her there in time.

still, billy's heart tugs at the way steve whimpers and says "i - i need her." but the thing is, billy knows the infamous misses harrington. and she doesn't deserve to be there when steve gives birth. but he knows exactly who does.

he does feel a little guilty about calling at such a ridiculous hour, but he isn't surprised when joyce answers, soft and groggy.

"hello?"

and billy pauses, because he doesn't know how to word this. he doesn't know how to tell her that steve's hours away from being a father instead of week, that he's crying for someone who doesn't love him, that billy himself is a little terrified. but in the end it just comes out on its own.

"he needs his mom."

and so joyce shows up at four in the morning and steve sobs against her because he's only ever been ready for the theoreticals. this isn't him reading a book on pregnancy, this isn't one of the kind mothers of hawkins sharing their delivery stories. this is steve, his stomach contracting miserably, his back and hips screaming, his heart racing because he's about to be in possession of a tiny little human being who's going to need him for everything. and this is also steve, barely in the third decade of his life, no real plan for his own future, staying up most nights because he's scared of monsters - monsters he'll now have to protect his baby from. and he doesn't know how to put those fears into words so all he can do is cry, and joyce, she gets it, she always does, and so she strokes his hair and soothes his fears as best she can.

and then there's claudia of course, who's been there since steve's first ultrasound, and she never leaves his room for long, not if she can help it. she holds his hand and wipes his tears and steve feels safe. claudia's always called him the older son she never had, and he feels more like steve henderson than steve harrington in those moments.

the kids won't leave either, because of course they won't. eleven and will overheard joyce on the phone the night before and when hopper tries to get them to school they outright beg to stay home because focusing is impossible knowing their honorary neice or nephew could be born at any second. and hop wants to make them go, but ultimately he can't. and once they get the all-clear, they call the others, and the next thing steve knows he's surrounded by a gang of not-quite teenagers looking him over for any problems and loudly expressing their excitement. and it's endearing, because it reminds steve that this kid has a plethora of babysitters at the ready - even if mike tries to act like he doesn't care, which is decidedly false judging from the panic that crosses his face when steve's hit with a nasty contraction.

dustin refuses to go home even as night falls, and max tells susan she's spending the night with eleven - which is true, but they're both staying at the hospital as well, hopper watching them while joyce stays firmly by steve's side.

on his right, as has been the case for the entirety of his pregnancy, is billy. holding his hand, pushing his hair out of his face, comforting and praising him through steve's low whines and pained groans. he doesn't know how many hours he spends pushing but it hurts like nothing else, like his body is being torn from the inside, and he wants it to stop but he needs to keep going. so he does, he grits his teeth and he pushes through everything, and in the end he's rewarded with the first wail of a human being.

and he doesn't cry right away.

not that he can, his body is catching up with that the hell just happened, his breath is still coming in quick, shaky gasps, and he feels like he's only hearing joyce, not listening. nothing feels right until he's given the solid six-pound weight of his baby on his chest. she's so pink, and her cries are subsiding slowly, but steve runs a trembling hand over the top of her head and realizes she's got the same dark fuzz from all of his baby pictures and then it smacks him in the gut.

this baby is his.

and he holds her close and cries because the amount of love in his chest is too much, he hurts with the intensity of it.

nikita rosaline harrington is her name, and billy tears up a little bit because of it. she's a pretty little thing, her nose is tiny and scrunches up whenever billy runs a fingertip down the tiny bridge of it. she's got her father's eyes too, big and brown and curious, billy's never seen anything more precious - or he thinks so, until he watches steve stare at her with the same eyes and nearly has a heart attack at how sweet the two of them are. and he doesn't need to complicate things right now, not when steve's finally catching his breath after months of hardship, but he knows in his heart this is his family. that's his baby, that's his - well, his steve. and he kisses them both on the forehead and promises he'll take care of them. he's not the dick responsible for knocking steve up, but it's an honor to do this, to step in.

to prove he's not like neil. he can be a dad, and a damn good one at that.

and steve, who doesn't even like letting nancy drive the party to the arcade without him being there, he trusts billy wholeheartedly to raise this baby with him. billy doesn't take that lightly.

joyce and claudia spend a good hour fawning over nikita, they've gotten her so many gifts and she ends up in the little cap claudia made and the outfit joyce got. max and eleven are just as thrilled, max kisses her chubby little cheeks and eleven stares at steve in awe for literally creating a life. will talks to her quietly and holds her like he never wants to let go, even though he does in order to let hopper hold niki for a bit.

there's never been a question about who her grandfather is. neil and john are simply unfit, and hopper's been a pseudo-dad to billy and steve, he's the only one who gets the grandfather status. there's a whole mix of emotion on his face as he bounces the cooing baby, telling her how nice it is to finally meet her and how he's gonna enjoy spoiling her rotten. when he finally gives her back to steve, the man has tears in his eyes.

"you did good, kid," he tells steve, runs a heavy hand over his hair before patting billy on the shoulder.

dustin holds her the longest, of course. he quickly comes to adore the fit of his finger in her curled palm, and he tells her about all the things he's going to teach her as she grows up. steve's fondly amused at how easily dustin takes to carrying nikita, in the same way steve got used to dragging dustin around. every time the curly-haired kid remembers to look up at the other people in the room, he gives steve the brightest grin, eyes crinkled with merriment.

"you have the coolest dad ever, niki," he informs her proudly, and steve's finally beyond the need for cool points but it's touching nonetheless.

mike and lucas meet her in the morning, and lucas immediately charms the baby with a little song as he rocks her back and forth. he declares himself the fun uncle, which dustin protests, but steve and billy know lucas is correct. mike is the only one who just knows how to hold a baby, thanks to a baby sister, so he takes nikita from lucas like it's nothing and stares at her little face for a long time. the emotion there isn't something steve can read, but he sees the way mike draws her closer after a moment and smiles.

mike's a protector, even if he likes to act like he doesn't care sometimes. and steve, who's just as protective, knows that niki is beyond safe with him.

when robin meets the baby she nearly screams. but then she remembers how new those little ears are and settles for the biggest grin as she swipes niki from billy and walks about, cooing all sorts of nonsense to her little neice. "she's too cute," she gushes, planting a kiss to the baby's forehead. "i'm taking her home. sorry, dingus." and steve protests, but they both know she isn't about to walk out of there with a baby. robin loves kids, but she doesn't think motherhood is for her.

it's certainly not for everyone. and that thought doesn't occur to steve until his mother shows up, nearly a day after niki is born.

he watches her go to pick nikita up and his heart twists and he wants to reach over and take her back. his hands stay clenched under the blanket as the woman smiles at the baby, then at steve himself.

"you made a cute one, i'm not surprised," she muses, and then she says, "don't you just love her?"

and steve, he can't really respond to that.

billy's his saving grace, picks up on the shift and ends up gently convincing misses harrington to come back another time. when he turns back to steve, the brunette has tears already streaming down his face.

"why couldn't she -?" he tries, but billy doesn't need him to finish that sentence. he moves closer and wraps steve up in his arms and for the first time decides that he hates both harringtons, not just john.

because steve's easily the most loveable soul he's ever stumbled across. he looks at nikita and all he can see is a little steve, and he hates the boy's parents for refusing to love the vulnerable little soul they brought into the world.

#steebie writes #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things au #co parenting au #harringrove #steve harrington #billy hargrove

52 notes · View notes

colorfullfalls · 4 years ago

Text

Me & You- part 2

Summary: Harry and Y/N have been dating for a few months when Michael invites them over for a small dinner party.

Chocolate cake, double decker, vanilla frosting with the words “Let’s be fucking happy” on top sat upon the large marble counter. Old friends leaned around it discussing memories and ideas, laughing often and smiling even more.

Shoes messily scattered Michael’s walk in room where his guests hastily discarded them- caring more about hugs than shoe placement. Coats were thrown over the bench beside the door, the top two close to toppling over on the floor. Michael and Crystal didn’t mind at the hint of a mess. In fact no one even really noticed, besides Y/N.

She bent over at the hip as she grabbed matching pairs of shoes and lined them up together neatly on the soft black rug. She hummed in satisfaction when the last pair was set in place. Her eyes caught sight of the coats and she moved to fix those into place too.

Truth was, she didn’t give a damn about the messiness of Mike’s house. Well she did, but that wasn’t what her issue was. Calum brought Maya to this stupid get together and she didn’t want to be around them just yet.

Over the months Calum and Y/N got back into the groove they experienced most of their lives, but this time without the romantic agony of pinning after the other helplessly at opposite intervals. The pair was good, but Y/N still didn’t really know Maya. Truth was she was too embarrassed after how Maya first saw her talk to Calum. That was the first impression and it was a rotten one.

Maya seemed nice and of course there wasn’t bad blood, but Y/N still felt like an outsider as she moved to organize the coats better. Maya and Calum came to these dinner parties in the months that Y/N was leaning on Harry for support.

The boys still invited Y/N to get together the whole time but she took the time away that she felt she needed to properly move on. And she loved the boys but the time away allowed her to heal and create a wonderful bond with Harry.

“Having fun down there?”

Y/N sheepishly set the coats down and craned her head upwards to look at the person standing above her.

Luke.

Y/N awkwardly laughed, letting go of the coats and letting her hands fall lamely into her lap. She was caught trying to distance herself from the group.

“Y/N, why are you in here organizing our belongings when you could be in the kitchen having wine and a good ole time?” He joked, blue eyes offering true friendship, consideration, and kindness.

Luke was always so freaking kind, just a really good friend all around.

“I don’t fit in anymore.” She mumbled in embarrassment, “I feel like... I don’t know, I was away for so long that I lost my spot.”

Luke sighed as he struggled to navigate his lanky body to sit with his knees up to his chest on the floor across from her. His back rested against the wall comfortably.

“Y/N, you’re our sister: we love you and you’ll always be one of us.. are we doing something particular to make you feel like this?”

Y/N shrugged, playing with the fray string on her favorite black and gray sweater. A sweater that Harry bought her the other day when she said she needed one. She kept slipping money in his wallet for it but he always caught her and demanded she take it back. Truth was, Harry spoiled her rotten.

“Not specifically. It’s not even your fault. I just feel like you guys have a groove now and I’m messing it up. It’s silly.”

“It’s not silly at all.” Luke’s hand grasped onto her knee and gave a comforting squeeze, “I’m glad you came tonight. We’re glad.”

Y/N smiled, nodding her head. “Okay.”

“Let’s go back into the kitchen.” He helped her stand and together they walked back to the kitchen.

Michael was laughing as he leaned over the counter, Crystal was rubbing his back lovingly as she giggled along with him. Calum was sitting on a barstool with Maya leaning against his left side, her arm wrapped around his neck, playing with the little tuffs of hair. Ashton and Kaykay were painting digging around in the fridge. Sierra turned when she heard the pair walk in and a charming smile graced her lips.

“There you are.” Sierra said, announcing the new entry into the kitchen.

Y/N blushed as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall across from the counter, “I was organizing the shoes...”

Luke laughed, “Yeah she was, and the coats. Little nerd.” He pushed her and she fell into the wall. She smiled slightly as she pushed away his hands.

“We thought maybe Harry finally showed up.” Ashton said, turning from the fridge with a can of Pepsi in his hands. Kaykay grabbed the can from him and opened it, taking a sip and grinning.

“Nope, he should be here soon though. He was working out a song with Sarah.” Y/N explained, shuffling over to stand between Sierra and Crystal.

Crystal patted Y/N back as she walked over. The girls were really kind and understanding through out her trying to get over Calum. They would always invite her to girls nights and would call her regularly to check in and to distract her from the heart break. And they were her biggest supporters when they discovered that Harry and her were an item.

“Sarahs the drummer, right?” Cal asked, looking right into her eyes.

“Yeah, she’s an amazing drummer. And an even cooler person.”

“She seems so. One time I visited for a show and the guards wouldn’t let me backstage and she recognized me. Took me with her. She’s super nice.” Michael recalled the memory.

“Ha, me at your shows. One time the guard called me a groupie and wouldn’t let me in for the first half of your show until the members of Hey Violet realized I was missing. That was some bullshit.. but going back to Sarah, she’s honestly the best.”

“Oi, you can date her then.”

Harry stood in the doorway, two bottles of wine resting comfortable in his hands. His smug grin made him all the more attractive as he gazed into his girlfriends eyes.

Y/N felt the weight of the world fall off her shoulders as she took him in. He was so fucking beautiful. His jeans and gray hoodie looked casual and so domestic. She wanted to curl into him and explain that he made her feel more herself than when she was with anyone.

“Bout time you showed up with that wine.” Crystal said, moving around everyone to grab the two bottles as Mike grabbed the glasses from the top shelf.

Harry walked behind Y/N and slid his arms over her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her forehead and leaning his chin against her head. Her nose took in the natural smell of Harry, closing her eyes momentarily to let it settle the nerves.

“How’d it go at the studio?” She quietly muttered, leaning slightly against his tattooed arms. The very arms that were almost like home.

“Swell. We got most of the music written, I think you’d love the feel of it. Sarah made sure the rhythm was sturdy and it ties it all together.” He explained, nodding a thank you at Crystal as he bent over Y/N to grab her and him a glass of wine.

“That’s great, Har. I wish you’d let me hear it..” Y/N grabbed the glass and took a sip.

Harry snorted, taking a sip as well, “You will. When it’s finished, dork. Already told ya that.”

“Mi mi mi mi mi” she mocked, elbowing him lightly in the ribs, “all I hear when you talk.”

Maya burst into laughter, wine falling down her chin- hand coming up to cup it from falling on the floor. Calum smiled in confusion as she grabbed her a napkin.

“Y/N, you kill me. Your sass is unmatched.” She said, wiping her mess up. Maya smiled towards her and Y/N felt herself shooting one back.

“Yeah, it’s bloody endearing until it’s aimed at you.” Y/N knew Harry was bluffing because he was in love with everything about her. She knew this because he only told her every day.

“Imagine how we feel.” Ash deadpanned.

“You should feel lucky that you got to know me all of these years, and especially since I put up with your boyish bullshit for years while on tour. A moment of peace never existed.”

Ashton blushed, crossing his arms, “Yeah, yeah. Rub it in some more that you took care of us like a mom.”

“I’d say so. You guys would crawl in my bunk when you were home sick.” Y/N said, finishing her wine in one big gulp, “play with my hair, Y/N. Rub my back, Y/N. Talk about home, please, Y/N/N.”

“Wow, thanks for fucking exposing our manly composures in front of our women!” Michael yelled, throwing someone’s IPhone charger at her.

Harry’s reflexes must’ve kicked in because his hand grasped the thick cord before it could come in contact with his lover’s face. She hummed in appreciation, slipping her hand under his sweater and rubbing her thumb over his arm.

“Babe, we are well aware that you guys are softies. She didn’t expose shit. I’m sure she could if you really wanted her to-“

Before Crystal could finish all the boys were quickly shouting out no. Y/N knew the darkest dirtiest, most horridly embarrassing moments of them and they rather not share those right now.

“What’s with the cake?” Harry asked as he set his wine glass down and moved away from Y/N to get a better look at it. He chuckled in amusement as he read the lettering upon the creamy frosting.

“A lot is happening in our lives, and I figured we could just take a night to celebrate our success, happiness, friendship, and creativity. You’re all beautiful and deep souls that I’m glad to have the pleasure of knowing.” Sierra said, wrapping her arms around one of Luke’s.

Sierra’s words were genuine and Y/N felt emotional. She was dumb to think that she wasn’t loved anymore by her friend group. They were good, loyal people that saw her heart and adored her as she was. Awkward tension between her and Cal for a few months wouldn’t ruin the unconditional bond. She felt guilty for pushing herself back in the first place. It wasn’t fair to the group and especially not Calum and Maya.

Y/N should’ve been honest about her feelings. Calum deserved to have known and instead it blew up in her face. She was attempting to shelter herself but her lack of actions was really what wounded her.

Shit worked in crazy way. First heartbreak and then a euphoric relationship with Harry motherfucking Styles? Y/N knew things worked out in the way it was meant to. And she felt bad that so much time was wasted when she could’ve gotten to still see Calum and created a friendship with Maya.

Y/N’s eyes wandered to Calum’s as cheering of concurrent glee filled the kitchen. His brown eyes held the upmost love as his lips quirked into a small smile. He made a kissy face and she let out a content sigh.

Kissy face was their signal of saying “I love you, you’re my best friend.”

It was created when they first started touring and they were embarrassed to say it in front of the boys. The action was used at the most important times when sometimes the words wouldn’t mean as much as the mere gesture.

Y/N made a kissy face back, feeling her lips tremble a bit from trying not to cry from the emotions of relief and joy flood through her veins.

“Cut this bitch up! I wanna slice. The one on that corner? Fuck yeah. Dibs.” Ash said, poking his finger in it to seal the spoken claim.

Calum laughed, dropping his head into his hand. Y/N playfully rolled her eyes at the duo. Ashton could blink and Calum would find it hilarious. The two men shared a beautiful companionship. Y/N knew that she was calums best friend, but after her was Ashton followed closely by Roy, Luke, and Mike tied.

“Nasty.” Harry teased, “you gonna have some?” He asked the woman trapped again in his loving embrace.

“Yep, are you?”

Harry snorted, “My love, you underestimate me. Fuck, it looks so good, but not as good as you do all the time.”

He grinned when she rolled her eyes, “Shut the fuck up and get your cake.”

A few hours later and the group switched to hangout in the living room. Board games were brought out along with wii games. Harry, Crystal, Luke and Sierra played Mario cart while Maya, Michael, Ash and Kay Kay played Sorry. Y/N and Calum watched in amusement.

Harry cursed at Luke as he got hit with a banana peel, “Fucking hell, Hemings.”

Calum shifted so that he could pull the cigarette pack from his pocket along with his beloved blue lighter. His eyes glanced to the balcony before he nudged the woman beside him.

“Y/N, wanna join me for a smoke?”

She knew what he meant. Not for her to actually smoke, but to talk alone for a few minutes while everyone was busy.

She nodded.

Y/N figured it would be chilly so she grabbed her jacket- well it was Harry’s that she loved to wear. Together they made their way onto the balcony of Michael’s house. She wrapped the material of her boyfriends coat close to her, slipping her hands into the pockets.

“Glad you came?” Cal asked, flicking his lighter three times before the flame stayed. The cigarette caught the light and he brought it to his plump lips.

“Yeah. Feels right to be back with you all... I’m so sorry that I hid from you guys. So fucking childish of me.”

Calum shook his head, “No, no don’t even apologize, bub. None of us blame you. And to be honest it’s partly my fault.”

Y/N scoffed, hands gripping the railing to ground herself, “It’s not.”

They sat in silence, not wanting to upset each other and start a fight that was pointless. Calum flicked ashes over the railing, his other hand not holding his cig was running through his hair.

Y/N crossed her arms, pulling the hood up over her head to cover her ears. Soft material swallowed her whole, providing a safety blanket.

“You and Harry- you just fit. I’ve never seen you act like that anyone. It was obvious that you felt sorta awkward but the second he walked in, you were back to being our Y/N.” Cal spoke, taking a hit.

Y/N shrugged, “I dunno; he’s like my comfort person now. Probably because it was just the two of us for so long. But I’m content with him.” Her eyes drifted to gaze in at the window. His brown curls could slightly be seen from the bulk of the couch.

“You love him?”

Y/N blinked in surprise, “I do love him. He’s...”

Calum chuckled at her lack of words, “Difficult to describe the intense feeling into lousy English words, huh?”

She blushed but meekly nodded, “Something like that. I imagine you know the feeling?”

Calum put out his cigarette and pulled his jacket closer to him, “Yeah. I’m not talking about Maya here though. Well, not yet. Im falling in love with her, but Y/N you’re my absolute favorite person in the world. You’re my family in ever sense of the meaning. Words can’t explain how sorry I am that I didn’t realize how you felt and that I hurt you.”

She stood up and pulled her best friend into a hug. His arms dangled around her torso as she shoved her head into his chest, taking in the familiar smoke smell.

“Maya seems super authentic Cal, and she’s like.. hot.” Y/N paused when she felt his body shake against hers from laughing, “I should’ve talked to you about it instead of getting angry. You deserve to be happy.”

“Promise I’ll be the maid of honor at your wedding?”

Y/N giggled, swaying them side to side as her cold hands went under the shirt of his back to warm them up. He jumped at the touch. She grinned at his reaction because she’s done it to him since they were little kids.

“Only if I’m your best man?”

Cal hummed, “Hell yeah, wouldn’t want anyone else.”

She nodded while elbowing him gently in the side, “good. It’s settled then.”

Y/N heard yelling inside and the two turned to see that Harry was dancing around Michael’s living room. His arms flared around in the air as he moved his body side to side. She knew that dance. It was a victory dance. The same one he would do when she agreed to wake up with him to watch the sunrise or when he would get all of pieces in home while playing sorry before her.

Harry turned around and cheekily smiled at her as he pointed at the tv and then himself and gave a joyful fist pump. She gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up in response.

“We better head back in.” She said, grabbing Calum’s arm and leading him inside.

“Love, I just kicked their asses!” Harry yelled, hitting Michael with a pillow. Harry cackled when Michael quickly plucked the pillow from him and threw it back with more force.

“You’re a goofball.” She said, crossing her arms.

Couple hours later everyone warmly hugged their goodbyes, slipped on coats and hats, and they walked out of Michael Cliffords house towards their own. Harry and Y/N were the last ones due to her being adamant on helping Crystal clean up. Harry and Michael had talked about FIFA as they attempted to help too but were more so in the way. The girls appreciated the gesture though.

Harry kissed Y/N a couple times instead of letting her get in her own car. Her muffled words kept getting shut off by his lips meeting hers.

“It’s almost like we have a house that we could make out in instead of my friend’s driveway, Har.” She said, pushing his face away with her hand like she did the first time he kissed her outside the poetry shop.

“Have to drive there first, hun. Takes too long.” He whined, his hands pulling her closer to his chest as his lips dragged across her neck, “What did Cal have to say on the balcony?”

She snorted as he nosed along her jawline, peppering kisses and moving his leg to rest in between hers. She ran her fingers along his arm until she intertwined her fingers with his.

He was jealous.

Harry would always ask her how it went when she met up with Calum. Y/N wasn’t dumb, Harry was scared that her feelings for her old best friend would randomly punch her in the face. Harry was hurt before and she understood that he was just scared of getting hurt again.

Especially since he has been in love with her since he was freshly eighteen years old.

“Just that he was glad that I came. Heart to heart about being best friends. I promised him he could be in our wedding if I was in his.” She said, halting Harry’s kissed against her skin.

His head snapped up so that his green eyes looked into her, “Our wedding?”

She nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

“If we’re in this for life, I’d figure it would happen sooner or later. I don’t know if I wanna wear a traditional white dress with you in a boring tux. I think our style is too spectacular for that normal shit. You look so good in vibrant colors, Har.” She whispered, squeezing his hand.

He seemed in a daze as he listened, nodding frequently in agreement, “You’d look amazing in anything as long as you’re walking towards me to meet me at the altar.”

“Yeah, you think?”

Harry laughed, “Yeah, I do.”

“I’ll marry you as soon as you show me that damn song. It’s driving me crazy, dude.” She said, pushing him away when he went in for another kiss that would turn into ten.

Harry was a lovey, touchy feely man, but she loved it. She loved him.

“You ruined one of the best moments of my life by calling me dude. Seriously, you’re killing me here. Cruel woman, you are.”

She shrugged, “I have my ways.”

“Go home!” Michael yelled out the window, making them separate quickly. Harry flipped him off before opening Y/N’s door and helping her in.

“I’ll see you at home, wife.”

Y/N cackled when Harry gently shut her door and saw him hurriedly got into his. She knew that tonight would be spent in each other’s arms with how absolutely thrilled he was to hear that she thought about their wedding.

She turned her car on and thanked Mother Nature for working her mysterious ways to make her life fit into place so perfectly.

#Harry styles imagine #5sos #harry styles #Harry styles fluff

90 notes · View notes

neil-neil-orange-peel · 4 years ago

Note

do you have any headcanons regarding rivyan just accepting their own sexualities (gay and bi as fandom tends to assign) and living their lives just accepting that maybe they’d found their own Platonic soulmate and resigning themselves to never being together? mild angst I guess but just little excuses for behaviour/convincing themselves that their infatuations are unrequited and assuming the other is straight? (may or may not be projecting here hehe) 🍵

Oof project away! I believe this situation warrants this ao3 tag (and its variants):

A lot of people must know by now that I'm partial to a bit of angst. 😂 Let's see...

There is fear that comes out as jealousy that the other will find a romantic soulmate and forget about them.

Let's be honest: this is more Rick's fear than Vyvyan's because Rick is a terrible flirt. He just gets all awkward and says the wrong things. Plus, if Vyv doesn't know that Rick's gay, that means he's never seen him try it with another man.

Vyvyan's flirting abilities get better over time, they develop beyond the "hey, girls, watch me do press-ups!" method.

But he doesn't seriously flirt with anyone; it's just a bit of fun and usually with women who just so happen to strongly resemble Jennifer Saunders...

Vyvyan thinks Rick's moodiness whenever he catches him with a woman is because Rick is jealous... And he is, just not in the way Vyvyan thinks.

Is Rick still a virgin? If this is set a a few years after uni, probably not. He's probably slept with at least one or two guys - maybe ones who reminded him of Vyv - and they weren't bad experiences but he knows they would have been better if only Vyvyan wasn't so ruddy heterosexual!

Likewise, Vyvyan isn't a virgin either. I reckon he's slept with more women than men purely to lessen the risk of someone unfriendly - or Rick - discovering his bisexuality. He's only ever had one night stands though; he's never looked for anything deeper because he knows he won't be fully invested unless it's Rick. Which it won't be, no matter how many times he calls him a poof.

They're just both very dumb. You could say maybe they're in denial about the other and scared of trying anything lest it spoils what they have now... But mostly they're just dumb.

For instance, whenever the catch the other staring at them when they're watching TV or whatever, they just assume they're about to comment on how ugly they are so quickly fire off retaliation before anything has even happened. Kinda dampens the romantic mood.

Very rarely, they might end up somewhat entwined on the sofa. Vyvyan drapes his arm over Rick's shoulders and Rick leans against Vyvyan, maybe after a hard day. Neither realise but the other is absolutely bricking it whenever this happens. Vyvyan thinks Rick's just touch starved and girly - which he is - and Rick thinks Vyvyan doesn't give much thought to what he does with his body or how certain actions could be interpreted - which is true, most of the time.

To add to this, one drunken night amidst an unexpected outpouring of emotion, Vyvyan comes out to Mike and tells him about his girly feelings towards Rick.

Rick also comes out to Neil and admits the same... Only he wasn't drunk. He didn't need to be drunk; he's just that dramatic.

Unfortunately Mike and Neil have never talked to each other about this and realised that the love is requited because Vyv and Rick made them swear never to tell another soul.

Rick has several poems he's written to Vyvyan over the years but never had the courage to give to him.

Vyvyan once got a small tattoo in a place that's usually covered from view - maybe over his heart because perhaps Vyv can be a sop sometimes too. It simply says "pRick".

I'd like to imagine they figure it out eventually and then bonk like rabbits but clearly it's gonna take them a while.

Hope this was alright? Putting these two bastards in different scenarios is fun. Dammit just kiss!

Thanks for the ask!

#asks #lentil anon #rivyan #the young ones #tyo #rick pratt #vyvyan basterd #headcanons

22 notes · View notes

lu-undy · 4 years ago

Text

Un-alone, Chapter 7

Here it is!

“Hello…? Yeah, Dad, we’re here. Yeah, everything’s fine. No, no, we’re at Uncle Phil’s… Mum? Yeah, she’s alright. She’s talking to him right now so I thought I might just call and tell you we’re here, for you not to worry too much… Yeah, I can put her on the phone, hold on… Mum? Dad wants you on the phone!”

“Tell him I’m coming!” Caroline looked at her brother. “Hold on Phil, Mike’s going to worry otherwise.”

“Go ahead, Carrie.”

The sixty-odd year old woman rose from the sofa and went to the telephone, leaving her brother on his sofa.

"Thanks, Micky, go with your Uncle, I'll be a minute." She gently tapped her son's arm and the tall man nodded.

He went to his uncle and sat on the armchair next to the sofa. The Aussie put his hat and his aviators on the coffee table.

"So, Micky, how're you? How was the flight and all? Oh by the way, here… Your mum's poured you a cup of tea while you were on the phone…”

“Oh, thanks…” Mundy took the cup that his uncle was handing him and nodded in thanks. Micky was the nickname that his family used with him. “Flight’s been bloody long. America’s so far from home and New Mexico’s not on the East coast either so, eh... I slept for most of it but Mum was a bit restless.”

“Ah, I’m not surprised. I know your Mum, she’s always been active and energetic like that.” Phil chuckled. “But all went well on your way here?”

“Yeah, not too bad.” Mundy took a sip of his tea. “Had to drive to the airport for a few hours first. Dropped the van to be delivered here soon hopefully, and then we took the plane with Mum.”

“I see. And what're you doin' now? Still hunting?" Philip drank his tea and offered some biscuits to his nephew.

"Ah, thanks. And uh, yeah, same old." Mundy smiled. "I still hunt."

"Dad still angry about it?"

"Not really angry. He's more than used to it by now. But he'd rather I just helped in the farm, for sure."

"Ah, can't blame him. Guns are dangerous, eh."

They nodded and both took a sip of their tea.

"You make tea exactly like Mum." Mundy chuckled.

"Bah, y'know your mum, she didn't let me do it! She made that herself… Gosh, Caroline! I told her, you took the car for hours and then the plane for hours, you must be dead tired. But y'know how you can't reason with your mum, eh?"

"Yeah, I do…" Mundy smiled.

"So what's new back home?"

"Bah, not much… Mum and Dad are still lookin' after the chickens and geese. I help in between contracts. But you, Uncle Phil? You got injured? Mum told me it was at work…?"

Philip nodded.

"Yeah, y'know, bein' a policeman here ain't always easy."

"What happened?"

"Got beaten up by a group of thugs."

"Mum said something about gunshots."

"Yeah, it was two gangs goin' at each other. Young folks, really. Such a shame to see kids like this these days. But yeah, there were a few gunshots and one caught my leg."

"Oh wow…" Mundy nodded. "When did that happen?"

"About a few weeks ago now…? Yeah, a couple of weeks ago."

"And you still walk with a cane and a limp, eh?" Mundy asked, nodding at the cane resting against the side of the couch.

"Yeah…" Philip frowned and scratched his bushy moustache. "Goin' through therapy, but y'know, I ain't young anymore so it'll take a long time before it'll go back to normal."

"That what the doctors said?"

"Yeah." Philip nodded. "They said I might even retire before it's complete history."

"Oh, bugger… Can you work again at least or…?"

"Well, I'll only do desk stuff but no field work." Philip seemed saddened by it.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Uncle Phil…" Mundy scratched his short, brown hair.

"Bah, I was due to retire in a few months, so it doesn't change much. Just means I can take it easy a few months in advance."

"But you really liked your job, right?" Mundy asked.

"Oh yeah, as much as you yours."

They smiled and nodded at each other. Caroline came back and sat next to her brother on the sofa.

"Alright, Mike's alright. I told him about the van." She said, looking at her son, Mundy.

"What's wrong with it?" Philip asked.

"They said it's gonna arrive in a week or so." Caroline answered. "They’re having delays for some reason."

"You're welcome to use my car whenever you need, eh." Philip offered. “You didn’t need to get Mike’s van over the ocean.”

"Oh, thanks, Phil'. It'll come in handy, I'm sure. And it’s Micky’s van now." She chuckled and was interrupted by Philip's dog coming to lay on Mundy's lap.

"Marty, get off of Micky's lap, you big boy…!"

Marty was a German shepherd. He was Philip's life companion for the past decade now.

"He's fine, Uncle Phil, let him do… Yeah, good boy…!" Mundy was spoiling the dog with pets and scratches. The canine went to fetch a toy and brought it to the Aussie.

"You can take him to the backyard and play there with him if you want, Micky."

"Oh, for sure, c'mon, let's go, big boy…!" Mundy collected his hat and aviators from the coffee table before he exited the living-room through the French window, closely followed by the dog.

That left Caroline and Philip chatting together.

"Micky's told me Mike still doesn't like his huntin', eh?" Philip asked and his sister nodded.

“To be honest, we never agreed to it or liked the idea. It’s dangerous. I mean, you’re livin’ proof that carryin’ a gun can get you at the wrong end of another one.”

“Yeah, but he’s not huntin’ people, is he? They're just beasts.”

“Beasts that could rip your leg off better than that bullet you took, Phil’.” Caroline sipped on her tea. “Nah, we’ve tried to get him interested in anything else. We got him to play in a pub.”

“Play?” Phil repeated.

“The sax. He’s quite decent.” Caroline explained and pushed her pink glasses back up her nose.

“But?” Phil anticipated.

“But he likes to do it on the side… He really likes huntin’ and he’s the best at it. He’s now got a reputation. Sometimes, he says he has work, takes the van and drives off for days. We don’t know where he goes, what he does, but he comes back with heaps of money…!”

“You don’t think he’s doin’ anything dodgy, is he?” Phil asked, his policeman instincts kicking in.

“I don’t know. We’ve asked him countless times and he always says that it’s the price for capturing rare game but…” Caroline shook her head. “I can’t help but think there’s more to it. Once, the police came along with some men who didn’t look like regular police. They took him away to have a chat. In the end, he told us he landed a contract that paid generously, and oh boy it did! We redid part of the house with that money…! But what the job was exactly, he couldn’t tell us. He said the police asked him to be quiet about it.”

“Well if it’s the police askin’ and he’s free, that means he helped them, he wasn’t against them, so I wouldn’t worry.”

“I can’t help it…” Caroline raised her eyes and saw Mundy play with the dog through the French window.

"Hey, Carrie, the boy's a grown up man now. And if the police comes for him to work, that means he's real good… How old is he now?"

"Almost forty."

"And still livin' with you and Mike?"

"Nah, yeah…"

"He doesn't wanna go?" Phil asked.

"I don't know. We never really discussed it."

“D’you think he does the huntin' work only for the money? If he earns a lot of it, he might just continue it for the cash.” Phil asked.

“Yeah, nah.” Caroline shook her head. “It's not for the money. He takes a lot of work for free…"

"For free? Hell…" Phil chuckled. "And what about, y'know, findin' a good woman and all?"

"Oh God, if only I knew what was goin' on with him…" Caroline shook her head. "He never brings anyone home and he never talks about these things. Even with his dad. He's never, y'know, just checked a sheila out or let his eyes linger. It's like he doesn't feel a thing for them."

"I can ask. Maybe he can't talk to y'all about it but is happy to open up to someone else?"

"Maybe."

There was a pause.

"He doesn't seem too unhappy about it all, eh?" Phil nodded to Mundy who was playing fetch with Marty.

"Nah, he doesn't but… We'd love to see him bring someone home, y'know. I wonder if he does have someone but just hides it."

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. Last time he talked about a pretty sheila, he was back in primary school. Since then, it's been different."

"Hm." Phil finished his tea. "And what about Mike? How's he? You left him alone to come and see me?"

Caroline shook her head.

"Yeah, nah, he’s got his brother over and it’s rugby season. I just have to call them to stay away from havin’ barbies everyday.” She chuckled.

“Oh I’m sure he’ll be reasonable.” Phil joined her chuckles.

“Yeah, as long as I call him enough…!”

“I’m happy you could visit, Carrie.”

Brother and sister exchanged smiles.

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other. Micky was much younger. He’s a man and a half now. And not bad-lookin’ at all!” Phil added.

“Yeah, he’s a fine bloke. And you need someone to help with that leg of yours… You should have called and told me right when it happened! Why wait a few weeks?”

“Yeah, like I’d stop middle of the shootin’ to go to the nearest phone, call in Oz’ and tell you about it…!” Phil joked and chuckled.

“You know that’s not what I meant, Phil..!”

“I know, I know, just jokin’. But I just didn’t want to scare y’all. You’re far from me and if I’d called you and said ‘oh hey, Carrie, I just got shot but everythin’s fine’, you'd have jumped in the first plane with your old age and your even older Mike to come and see me…!”

“Oi, you’re older than me and Mike’s your age!” She answered with a laugh. “Besides, here I am anyway with Micky.”

“Yeah, thanks for visitin’, really. I’m sure you’ll help a lot.”

“Of course I will…!”

“But yeah, you convinced Micky to come and Mike to stay?” Phil asked, his tone coming back to being a bit more serious.

“To be honest…” Caroline cast a glance over to Mundy. He was busy and far in the backyard, beyond the French window. In a word, he was out of earshot. “We had to kind of push him.”

“Push him to do what?”

“To come with me.” Caroline explained.

“He wanted to stay with his Dad?”

“Yeah, nah, he just… He didn’t wanna stay with his Dad per se, but he likes to stick to the van. He practically lives there, you know, when he disappears off.”

“Ah, I see.” Phil nodded. “But don’t worry, Carrie. I’d be proud if I were you.”

“What? Why?” She raised a curious eyebrow.

“If the police come to him for help, he’s really good.” The old man poured more tea for his sister and himself. “We don’t get other folks to do our job, and if we ever do, we’re either forced to, or they’re so good that it hurts for us to admit it. Micky might be both.”

Caroline nodded but bobbed her head left and right.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Why force him to come?”

“I’m old, Phil, and I don’t like travellin’ that much.”

“Neither does he, from what you’re tellin’ me.”

“Yeah but... “

“Carrie?”

Caroline raised her eyes to her elder brother.

“I know you’re hidin’ somethin’. Tell me.”

She bit her lip and looked through the window again. Mundy was still absorbed in whatever he was doing with the dog.

“I’m a bit worried. I think he… He might be happy at work but…”

“But what?”

“That’s the thing, I don’t even know…!”

-- A few days later --

“Here, let me help…”

“Nah, it’s alright, Micky.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah! Look, I just need to put the cane first, then this leg and - oof!- this one…! Ah, thanks, son.”

Mundy helped his uncle get in the car anyway.

“Alright, you’ll have to guide me, Uncle Phil.” The younger man hopped in the car.

“Yeah, it’s not too far. Let’s get to the café that I like and you’ll tell me what you think of their coffee, yeah?”

“Mum’s not comin’?” Mundy asked.

“Nah, she wants some quiet time without boys ruinin’ her cleanin’ the house. I got told off this mornin’ cause the house wasn’t clean enough for her standards!”

“Sounds like Mum alright.” Both chuckled and Mundy adjusted the mirrors and the driver’s seat, fastening his seatbelt.

“Alright, let’s go, son.”

The drive was quiet. Phil told his nephew about the neighbourhood and how it had changed over the years, on the few occasions that they stopped at a red light.

“Where can we park?”

“Behind the thing, take it left here… And there.”

Mundy parked and went around to help his uncle out.

“The place looks nice and cosy, eh?” The young man said.

“Yeah, that’s why I like it.” Philip answered and they made their way in. “Here, that’s my table.”

The gentle smell of coffee wrapped them up as Mundy discovered the decor. Cosy was the right word for it. It practically looked like a living-room with the sofas and fireplace, the coffee table and magazines. The rest of the room had the classic restaurant/café layout with tables and chairs but that living-room corner looked very comfortable indeed. The walls were wooden and the beams of dark wood in the ceiling were clearly quite old. It reinforced the overall rustic yet familiar atmosphere.

“Oh hey, Phil!” The café owner greeted him.

“Hey Bob, how are ya?”

“Alright. Who’s this friend with you?” Bob asked as he made his way to Philip and his younger nephew. He was a big man in his late fifties for sure. Salt and pepper hair with more salt than pepper already and big square glasses on a nose that went with the proportions of the large man. Bob wore an apron with the colors and logo of the café and threw the tea towel he was holding on his shoulder.

“That here's my nephew, Micky. He’s come with his Mum to help out, while my bad leg heals up.”

“Oh, brilliant! Where are you guys from?” Bob looked at Mundy who took a seat opposite his uncle. He removed his hat but kept the aviators on.

“From Australia.”

“That’s quite the trip, eh?”

“Yeah.” Mundy smiled.

“Alrighty then, I’ll let you make up your mind. Coffee’s on me, Phil. No, no, don’t even try to argue!”

The three men exchanged a chuckle.

“Alright, Bobby, can you give us your classic. Make it two, I want the kid here to try it. Careful, he knows his way around coffees, eh?” Philip answered.

“Sure thing! Two of Phil’s usual, on their way…!” Bob left Phil and his nephew in peace.

“So, how d’you find America so far, Micky?”

“Not so different from home. You just drive on the right, which confused me a bit but now I think I’m getting used to it.”

“Here, two classics. Enjoy, folks!” Bob put the two cups on the table and added a packet of chocolate for each before leaving them.

Mundy and Phil were sitting in a corner of the café, next to the window.

“Go ahead, son, and tell me.”

Mundy took a careful sip and let it invade his mouth, cover his palate and hug his tongue warmly. It was the beginning of October now and the weather was colder than in his native Australia, so the hot coffee was very welcome.

“Mh… I like it.”

“Yeah?” Phil insisted.

“Yeah, I think so. It’s not too strong or bitter. It’s well balanced without being fruity or too sweet.”

“Gosh, listen to you talk,...!” Phil laughed. “You sound like one of those so called experts they bring on TV or somethin’, heh.”

“I’m just used to drinkin’ loads of coffee.” Mundy explained.

“Drink it when you work?”

“Yeah, all the time.” Mundy nodded and smiled. “I really like it.”

“Even when you’re in the desert, scorchin’ sun and all?” Phil asked.

“Oh yeah, absolutely.” Mundy answered. “It’s really good to drink something hot when it's hot. Helps you sweat and regulate your body temperature. They do that in the Sahara, only with tea and not coffee.”

“Right, right, I didn’t know that, but now that you say it, it kinda makes sense. So talkin’ about your work, tell me what it’s like.”

“What?” Mundy chuckled.

“You a hunter, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So tell me how and what you hunt, son!”

“Oh, uh, you sure?” Mundy asked, raising a surprised eyebrow.

“O’course! Why d’you sound shocked?”

“Cause Mum and Dad don’t really like what I’m doin’ so I don’t really uh… I’m not used to talkin’ about it, is all.” Mundy lowered his head, as if ashamed.

“Yeah and I understand your folks but I’m not them. Besides, I’m a policeman. I’m sure your Mum doesn’t like my job either for the same reason she’s not fond of yours.”

“Fair, yeah.” Mundy nodded, raising his head back for his eyes to meet with his uncle’s.

“So, go ahead! Tell me everythin’!”

Seeing his uncle’s enthusiasm made him blush for an instant. Mundy felt put on the spot. He looked around them and the other customers in the café didn’t pay the last bit of attention to them. He smiled and took a bit of air before starting.

#tf2 sniper #tf2 spy #sniperspy #unalone

8 notes · View notes

rosesvioletshardy · 5 years ago

Text

life as we know it - b.h. - chapter 6

a/n: this is the shortest time i managed to write a chapter. there are some new characters introduced that will also be mentioned in future chapters. also there’s some drama in this that i think is going to be good. it’s a little shorter than what i originally had planned because i had to take some stuff out but i still hope it’s good

also thank you so much for 50 followers and the picture is what imagine ben wore in the beginning

masterlist

summary: when their two best friends die, it’s up to ben and y/n to take of their goddaughter and the challenges that come with it.

# of words: 3,608

warnings: a little angst, drama, fluff, a little language

taglist: @myfatbottomedgirls, @evemarie05

(message or inbox me if you want to be added to the taglist on this story)

------

a month has passed and so far everything has gone smoothly. ben and y/n have figured out how to work around their schedules. most of the time she had charlie because ben was filming but whenever he wasn’t, he was with her. they moved in and ben had brought frankie with him. at first they were a little hesitant about how she would act around charlie and vice versa but now frankie had become her protector. whenever charlie was napping, frankie would be with her. sean was another problem. he didn’t like the idea of y/n living with ben but he had managed to forget about it because he knew he had her wrapped around his finger by acting like the perfect gentleman and changing his attitude.

they had spent the next month planning the funeral and the only date they managed to get was one the 1 year anniversary of christian and lennon’s wedding or else they had to wait another few months until august and y/n didn’t want to wait that long because she didn’t know if ben would still be filming or if he were going to be taking break. ben advised her to go with it. she had never been more stressed in her life to the point where she falls asleep at random places. ben had noticed her behavior and advised her that she should go see a therapist. she didn’t want to. she didn’t want to talk to anyone about how she feels let alone a stranger, he understood where she was coming from but still encouraged her to go. he couldn’t say the same for him, he did have his bad days and did hide his emotions often.

now y/n was in her room putting finishing touches on charlie. they knew that taking a baby to see their own parents funeral wasn’t the best idea or the right one, but they had no choice. ben was in the bathroom fixing his tie, or at least trying to before getting frustrated and throwing it off and putting his hands on the sink counter. Knowing he needed to calm down, he went downstairs to get some water. on his way he saw her with charlie in her lap rocking her back and forth as charlie played with the ends of her dress. she felt someone staring at her and picked up her head to find ben staring at the both of them

“hey” he whispered

“hi”

ben walked into the room and sat on the bed with them. all three of them sat in complete silence with the occasional noise from charlie. she noticed that ben’s tie still wasn’t tied and decided to do it for him. she sensed that he got frustrated about it with what the day was about. rather than celebrating the marriage of two people, they were now honoring the dead. setting charlie on the bed, she went and stood in front of ben, grabbing his tie and started to tie it.

“why are you helping me?” he asked her looking up

“because i can tell you’re stressed about everything, especially today.” she told him

“it’s just not fair that they-” he started

“that they just had to die. if only they had left a few minutes later then- then we wouldn’t be here having to be going to a funeral. we would be here celebrating their marriage. i-i just-” ben said before he broke down again after y/n finished.

she bent down to his level and took his hands. tears were forming in her eyes and she wanted to cry but she needed to stay strong for all of them

“listen i know that today is hard but we need to stay strong for us, for lennon and christian, and most importantly for charlie. they loved her more than anything in this world. more than their jobs, we owe it to them to keep her with us and make sure she knows who her parents were. there’s a reason they picked us.” she told him tears starting to stream down her face before continuing

“i know today like any other day without them is hard, but we have to do it for her and for them.”

they were both sobbing in each other’s shoulders at his point and didn’t know if they were able to keep it together at the funeral. they invited some people that were friends with all of them, lennon’s parents, and christian’s relatives. they’ve done the viewing and no one could keep it together and now they would have to see the official funeral and bury them.

when they got married, christian and lennon had decided to reserve a spot next to where his parents were for the future but the future came too quick for them. they’ve managed to keep it all together throughout the burial service without crying but a few tears did slip from their eyes as they gave their speeches. y/n wanted to hold ben’s hand and he wanted to hold hers but the only thing that stood in their way was sean. what surprised them the most was charlie not fussing at all since she was being passed back and forth between the two. when it was all over, they went back to the house for the reception where there were a little bit more people including the neighbors and the babysitter.

the night before she had baked a storm to make sure everything was in order and that people felt comfortable. ben looked around and saw everyone giving them the pity eyes and most likely thinking how sad it was for charlie to grow up without parents not knowing that him and y/n were capable of taking care of her. he walked around listening in on their conversations to make sure they weren’t talking ill of them dead because that day wasn’t a day he didn’t want to punch someone.

“that was a beautiful service. i didn’t know that’s how they met.” one of their neighbors, mike said

“the story about paris, that’s when i started to cry.” mike’s wife, amber said as she drank some of the tea that they were serving

“what did happen with the baby? do you know?” she continued

“oh you didn’t hear, or well see?” rachel, another woman who lived near them

“No”

“they named one of their friends. the baker who’s dating christian’s partner from the law firm, and the actor from eastenders.”

“oh yeah, the super hot one that always like looks so good and sweaty. that one” robert said before his husband gave him a look

““good”?” mike said confusingly

“oh interesting. so he’ll be about”

“what do you mean, “good and sweaty?”” zachary, rachel’s husband asked

y/n was walking around to make sure everyone was comfortable and that they were alright before she spotted jack and melissa, lennon’s parents. jack was holding charlie who looked like she was about to pass out any moment now

“thank you guys for helping set up everything. i wouldn’t have been able to do it all without you. how are you guys’ holding up?” she asked them

“no problem sweetie, you were always like another daughter. and if we’re being honest, i think we’re getting better. it is a shock that our daughter is dead and i know we look like we should be crying but i feel like she would get mad at us for crying.” melissa said taking her hand

“how are you holding up? i know you and lennon were closer than anyone else, and putting all of this together and taking care of a child?” jack asked

“i could be better, but like you said lennon would be mad at us for crying. charlie is the best. it took a while but i think she’s used to everything now.” she told them

jack and melissa knew that y/n was struggling but they knew that she could take care of herself and know that they would do anything for her

“it doesn’t have to be this hard. if either you or ben ever feel overwhelmed by even the smallest of things, please don’t hesitate to call. you may be her guardians now but we’re still her grandparents and you’re still our daughter. it doesn’t matter if it’s night here and morning for us or morning here and night for us. we’ll always be there for you.” melissa said taking her other hand

“thank you. i owe you both my life for everything.” she tells them

“and we owe you ours for making sure lennon was always happy. now i think we should take this one for her nap.” jack said as they all looked at charlie slowly closing her eyes

“she has a bottle ready in the fridge and her room is upstairs on the first door on the left.”

“i’ll go with him to make sure he doesn’t mess things up like he did with lennon.” melissa said giving jack a side eye

“that was one time melissa! it was 26 years ago.” jack told her as the two left for the kitchen

while she was talking and making sure everyone was okay, ben was doing the same until he overheard something that he found was rather interesting to him

“well yeah. see if i marry her, i get her business and become an owner as well. which means i can technically do what i want with how she’s running it because she doesn’t want to expand it to more locations even though i told her she will get more income from it.” he heard sean say before continuing

“and plus my sister can profit over it and advertise it more. so, she advertises my sister's company, my sister and my family get more money. i mean it won’t be so hard to do it. i got her wrapped around my finger already by acting like the perfect gentleman” sean finished

“but what about that guy she lives with, the actor, ben?” ryan, another one of christian’s partners ask

“please, my family is worth more than him, my place is worth more than him. he thinks he can charm his way into her life and take her away because they’re taking care of some baby. she should be glad i’m giving her another chance after she practically cheated on me by sleeping with him. i spoil her endless and that’s how she repaid me. bitch. just hope she says yes before i decide to propose to amanda and break it off with her. sometimes i just want to do that but y/n could make me more rich.” sean whispered so that no one could hear him

ben desperately wanted to go punch him in the face but he didn’t want to cause a scene or tell social services that he’s unfit to be a guardian because of his short temper at times. he never understood how people could treat others like garbage and only use them for money. yeah money is great but it doesn’t automatically make you happy all time. money doesn’t exactly buy happiness. he decided to ignore what was going on and tell her when it was the right time and sat down in one of the chairs they had set out for the guests.

she started to walk away and saw ben sitting on one of the chairs with a beer in his hand. as soon as he saw her, he got and they started to walk

“there’s a lot of them.” she said thinking about who should take charlie if they can’t do it or melissa and jack can’t

“listen, we just need to find one and if we can’t, we’ll just give her to lennon’s parents” he told her

ben met one of christian’s cousins, peter, and saw that his kids were running up and down the stairs yelling and throwing things while y/n met with christian’s uncle

“alex-” peter yelled before getting cut off by his wife, patricia

“Mason”

“Mason! take a seat right now. let’s go. eight kids..” he told ben

“eight kids? you guys have eight kids.” ben stuttered out shocked

“nine dear.” patricia said

“nine. right.”

y/n was in the other room with christian’s uncle tom, on the couch seeing that he had an oxygen tank

“it’s really nice for charlie to know everyone and know how much she’s loved.” she tells him showing him a picture

“she looks just like christian.”

“yeah. so you have a house where in the countryside?” she asked

“ashwell, hertfordshire. lovely place and lovely people”

“yes, we were hoping seeing that if her grandparents from her mothers side weren’t to take her-” ben started to explain as he sat down until one of peter’s knocked the oxygen tank over and caused the hose to come off and tom to start coughing

“oh my god.” she started to freak out as ben picked the kid up and turned him around to go to the other side of the room

they managed to get the tank working again and helped tom to stop coughing

“i’m so sorry, he came out of nowhere. are you okay now? Good as new! yay!”

“Still breathing okay.” ben said as him and she started to awkwardly laugh

everyone had left and charlie was laying on ben’s chest playing with his undone tie as him and y/n sat on the corner sofa with their feet up, clearly tired

“well, we could go with the nine kids' family. they know how to keep a child alive.” ben said before talking

“the stripper seemed nice. and the uncle’s a definite no?” he finished

“we’re screwed.” she told him

neither one of them knew what to do at this point and it seemed like jack and melissa were they’re only option which meant charlie will move to a new country. y/n just let out a sigh and put her head on ben’s shoulder and he put his on top of her head.

the following weekend her and ben had their official court hearing which would grant them legal guardianship of charlie. jack and melissa told them before they left that they were making the right decision to take on a big responsibility and knew that they could do it and were going to be at their hearing for support. they got a got from jim telling them about when the court date was and what time it was going to happen. here they now sat in the courtroom listening to other cases before theirs was called. ben and y/n were dressed formally but in a casual way to make sure that they knew what the setting was and show that they are responsible.

“the next case, the matter of charlotte wakes, index number 05893-01.” they heard as jim told them to follow him

“alright. i’ve read your submissions, along with the will.” the judge began before continuing as ben and her began to sit down before jim told them to stay standing

“given that you were named as guardians, i see no reason to countermand the parents’ wishes. However, permit-” before charlie threw her toy on the ground and continued to fuss

“until that time, i hereby grant joint legal and physical custody of charlotte lucia wakes to y/n l/n and benjamin jones” she finished

“th-that’s it? You’re not going to ask us anything? how do you know we’re not drug dealers or pimps?” ben asked as jim began to escort them out

y/n gave out a worried and laugh nervously before the judge took her glasses off and asked them

“i’ve seen your work mr. jones and i’ve been to your bakery miss l/n, and i’m sure but are you drug dealers or pimps?”

“no, ma’am. no” y/n said as she gave a look to ben

as they left the room, jack and melissa gave a final hug to the two and charlie before leaving for their flight

“congratulations you’re parent’s now! i know this isn’t how you guys wanted it to be but it’s going to be fun. i guess we better head out now if we want to make it to the airport now. please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions about anything. we know you both can do this.” jack said, hugging the both of them before melissa came to give y/n a hug. as she hugged her she whispered something into her ear

“don’t let him go, this one. he seems like a really good guy and a keeper. good luck” she said giving her one hug

y/n and ben waved a goodbye to them and they walked off and jim started to talk

“well you guys did it. you are now the legal guardians. i have another case in an hour so i’ll see you guys soon and if you have any questions regarding any of this or lennon and christian, don’t be hesitant to call.” jim told them before leaving for another case

“well we’re officially parents now i guess.” ben said as they walked down the halls

“it’s official, now we have a lot to learn more than we already know.”

“yup”

they left and went back home and got charlie’s stroller and put her in it. they realized that the day was nice so they walked down to y/n’s bakery for lunch. what they didn’t know was paparazzi started to take pictures of the two from a distance showing off ben’s private life now. if the pictures decided to run, who knows what would happen. questions would start to be asked during press tours and if they found out who y/n was her shop would be crowded and as much as she wanted that, she preferred the way it is now. it would also be good for charlie’s safety.

when they entered it was a little more busy than usual but that’s how they liked it. they found a table and y/n went to grab one of the high chairs they provided. on her way back, tyler came out of the kitchen with a new tray of their lemon tarts before spotting her. he quickly put them in the display case and yelled her name

“Y/N!”

she set the chair down in between her and ben before turning around and seeing tyler and hugged him

“hey how are you? i’m sorry i haven’t been coming in so much and only calling in to check in.” she told him

“it’s fine. don’t worry you had a lot on your plate and personal things to deal with. come back at your own time. is this them?” he asked pointing to ben and charlie

“hi i’m tyler, the co-head baker here. y/n has told me a lot of about you.” he told ben shaking his hand

“let me guess, she complained to you about me? ’m ben, this is charlie, and this furry monster is frankie” ben told him scratching frankie’s ear

“yeah pretty much. i take it you guys got custody?” tyler asked

“yeah about an hour ago it became official.” y/n told him

“wow well i know you’ll guys be great at this.” he said before continuing

“well it was nice to see you again and meet you but i have to head back to the kitchen. i’ll bring you guys some stuff out. don’t worry”

“thanks tyler, it feels nice to be back here.” she said

“he’s nice. i like him. how’d you meet him here?” ben asked

“well he told me he was on vacation here but he decided he didn’t want to go back to delaware so he decided to stay here. i was just starting out after finishing university with lennon’s help, we got this place and got everything set up. tyler came here asking if we were hiring and the rest is practically history. i gave him his break here and he’s been like a brother to me.” she told him as tyler then came out with a tray full of desserts, sandwiches, some coffee, some mashed bananas for charlie, as well as their pet friendly treats for frankie

“tyler you really shouldn’t have.”

“no exceptions. you’ve done enough for me and now you both deserve some of the best food here.”

“fine, thank you.” she told him

“alright. i’ll see you guys later. bye”

“Bye”

“thanks mate”

y/n got out charlie’s bib and put it around her. she looked at ben to see what his reaction would be to one of their sandwiches. as soon as he bit into it, he felt like he was in a whole ‘nother world.

“wow. that is a good sandwich, holy fuck. shit, sorry.” he said as he saw y/n watching him

“it’s good isn't it?” she asked him giving charlie some of the bananas

“yeah it really is”

the three continued to eat and play before it was time for charlie’s nap. they put her back in the stroller and cleaned up the table before they left. she made a mental note to pay her employees extra for their help and dealing with all of it. when ben and y/ went home, they let frankie off her leash and she went to her bed. ben took charlie from and decided to put her to sleep for once. when he came back downstairs, he saw y/n sitting on the couch with a beer bottle in her hand and another one on the table. he went and picked it up and sat down next to her.

“well, to parenthood.” he said

“to parenthood” she said as they clinked bottles

71 notes · View notes

reyescarlos · 4 years ago

Text

we found each other in the dark

chapter 3/4: heavy in your arms; word count: 6.6k || read on ao3

And is it worth the wait? All this killing time? Are you strong enough to stand Protecting both your heart and mine?

Eddie expected to have an eventful first day at the 118 but he couldn’t have possibly imagined the night would end like this.

Bobby had told him this morning that each shift was like playing Russian roulette. Some calls were minor, scenarios that the team could get through quickly enough without anyone’s life hanging in the balance. But the flip side to that were high stakes moments where one bad decision could mean death.

Eddie was used to working under pressure. He was certain that nothing could be more daunting than trying to save someone’s life and maintain his own while in the middle of a war zone. By comparison, the streets of L.A. would be milder, easier to tame, he figured. So, to find himself now staring down at a 40 mike-mike is startling, bringing his mind back to his tours in Afghanistan. How crazy, he thinks, that he would leave the military behind only to be faced with the weaponry in his civilian life. It’s a lucky thing, Eddie supposes, that he’s here for this now. He has a particular skill set that can very well save this man’s life.

Bobby calls it in to the hospital as they wheel the gentleman across the lawn and get him loaded up into the back of the ambulance.

“We have a 65-year old male with large shrapnel in his right thigh. Femoral artery damage…”

It’s hard not to get caught up in the belief of destiny when this is the kind of call he responds to on his first day with the team.

The gentleman, Charlie, is essentially a ticking time bomb and as he speaks his fears of dying tonight aloud, Eddie is grateful to have Buck with him now. As he gets the drip set up, Buck is there to settle the older man down, assuring him that he’s going to survive the night. Buck glances to Eddie and in his eyes, he sees Buck’s confidence in him. Eddie isn’t expecting such faith from the man seeing as though they’ve only just met but it feels good, he won’t deny, to have someone believe in his capabilities.

More often than not Eddie feels as if he’s stumbling through his life just hoping for something to stick but situations like this are ones he tends to thrive in. The irony doesn’t escape him. Day-to-day life is a challenge. Matters of life and death bring out his sense of calm.

Eddie assesses the damage, quickly working through the best course of action. Charlie’s words slur and soon he’s under, giving Eddie and Buck the chance to work in absolute silence.

“Tell me what you need me to do,” is all Buck says as he settles in beside Eddie, looking to him expectantly.

Buck takes a backseat and follows Eddie’s instructions to the letter, clearly realizing that even though he’s been with the LAFD for however long, it’s Eddie’s experience as a military medic that can decide the fate of this man. It’s quite the test for them to have on their first day but Eddie is relieved to see they’re able to meet the challenge head on and work so well with one another.

Buck is good at reading the terrain and anticipating what he’ll need next, an invaluable skill to have in a partner, Eddie notes.

Eddie can feel Buck’s eyes boring a hole into him as he tries not to disturb the grenade too much. One false move and all three of them won’t make it. With clear knowledge and practiced hands, Eddie works carefully as he extracts the grenade from the man’s leg, with Buck continuing to keep pressure against area to prevent Charlie from bleeding out. Eddie has been through much worse, much more intense situations than this controlled environment but this scenario is still grave. He feels confident, however, in his element somehow and that clears his mind enough to successfully dislodge the grenade.

“Get that box open,” he says, though Buck is unsurprisingly already flipping open the lid beside him. They’re still not in the clear yet but the second he hears the contact of metal against metal, Eddie can’t help but to let out a shaky breath of relief.

Buck is beaming at him, a mix of wonder and disbelief on his sweaty face.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” Buck says.

“I can’t believe you’re still holding that thing and we’re still in here. Let’s go.”

Buck’s laugh is hearty and Eddie feels the timbre of it somewhere in the pit of his stomach, along with a strange tug of some kind. Eddie chalks it up to adrenaline and opens the door to the ambulance to make the hand off to the bomb squad.

“Hell of a first day, huh?” Buck notes as the ambulance pulls away, that playful smile on his lips again.

It’s growing on Eddie already, the way Buck acts as if the two are co-conspirators who share some kind of secret. It manages to draw him in and make him feel included in something even though this is all still so new. It’s been far too long since Eddie’s felt close to anyone, or even felt the inclination to let someone in. He’s used to keeping the world at an arm’s length but in just one day, Buck has managed to ease past those walls he’s been putting up. If he’s to keep to his objective for life in L.A., Eddie knows he has to do things differently this time around.

If that means forming a friendship with new his co-worker, he supposes it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to open himself up a bit more. The purpose of his move was to start over, to reinvent himself and grow. Eddie liked the idea of creating a new kind of family for himself. Judging by this trial by fire experience, Buck seems like the perfect starting point.

“Good work you two,” Bobby compliments as the pair take off the vests given to them by the bomb squad.

Eddie looks over at Buck and smiles. “He can have my back any day. I couldn’t have asked for a better a partner in there.”

It’s the honest truth. From their calls earlier, Eddie had gotten the distinct impression that Buck thrived off the high of rescuing people, of the danger in this profession. But when it came time to dial back and let someone take control of the wheel, he’d done so without question. They strike the perfect chord with each other and for Eddie, that bodes extremely well. Good chemistry was hard to come by but for them it’s organic. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since Eddie’s instinctively clicked with someone to this degree.

He supposes maybe this feeling is due largely in part to the fact that their kinship was just forged by fire. But if there were ever a measurement by which to set such a thing to, Eddie feels safe in saying this experience would bond them for a long time to come.

Buck smiles back at him, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

“Or, maybe, you could have mine,” he counters. He gives Eddie’s shoulder a light squeeze. “Welcome to the 118. We’re damn lucky to have you.”

But Eddie hears a different set of words behind the ones Buck has just uttered.

Welcome to the family. This is where you belong.

~*~*~

As they hang around the loft between calls, Buck and Eddie settle around the table grabbing a quick bite. Eddie takes his phone out of his back pocket and sets it on the table. The screen comes to life and Buck’s eyes immediately take notice of Eddie’s lock screen. The image is of Eddie with a young boy, their cheeks pressed tightly together to fit into the frame. He doesn’t mean to be nosy but that’s a hard thing to miss.

Eddie notices, his expression soft as he looks at his phone.

“That’s Christopher,” he says. “My son.”

Buck sits up at this bit of information. Of all the things he’s been trying to imagine about Eddie, he hadn’t expected him to be a dad. Eddie unlocks his phone and pulls up a new photo and hands it to over to him.

Buck takes the phone, his smile almost as bright as Christopher’s in the photo. Chris has got a big grin on his face as he stands with the Ferris wheel at the pier in the background on a cloudless, sunny day.

“He’s ridiculously cute. How do you keep from spoiling him rotten?” Buck laughs, grinning at the photo for a beat longer before looking up at Eddie. “How old is he?”

“Just about nine actually. I can’t believe the years have been going by so quickly.”

Buck sucks in a breath. He’s been haunted by that precise length of time. It’s too coincidental not to mean what he thinks it does. Buck has been allowing himself to dive in slowly to the idea of claiming Eddie as his soulmate. Between the rush he felt when they first met to how natural they are with each other to this discovery that nine years ago Eddie had created a family supports his budding theory. This would explain perfectly why nine years ago he stopped getting updates to his marking.

It’s all matching up perfectly into place like a key in a lock. Buck just wonders what’s waiting on the other side of the door for him when he eventually pushes on it.

“Nine? That’s a fun age, right before the double digits kick in. Kids are such a blast,” Buck says, sitting back in his seat and handing Eddie back his phone.

“You like kids?”

“Oh, I love them. They’re way cooler than adults, that’s for sure. I like how they see the world, you know? They’re just taking it all in and learning about things for the first time. It’s awesome. Plus, they’re hilarious and rarely ever have a filter. You’ve got to respect that kind of honesty.”

Eddie smiles at him and Buck can’t help but to think his response passes some kind of test. Eddie looks satisfied with his answer, setting his phone back down and picking up his fork again, spearing a piece of fruit on the prongs.

“Judging by that picture I’m guessing he’s liking Cali a lot, huh?”

Eddie laughs. “You could say that again. He barely even mentions Texas. All he wants to do is explore the city. It’s been great for us, the move. I still have a few loose ends to tie up though.”

Buck raises a brow. He doesn’t want to push the matter too much but the statement intrigues him a bit.

“I’ve almost got his school situation figured out. I had a meeting a few days ago with the school coordinator but...,” he trails off, looking away. Buck isn’t sure he’s going to continue until he clears his throat and speaks. “They need to speak with Chris’ mom first. She has an interview with them tomorrow. If that goes smoothly, he should be enrolling with them.”

Buck shifts in his seat, his head erupting with questions about Chris’ mother. Whether they’re still together is the most pressing of them all. From Eddie’s tone and hesitancy, Buck can tell they aren’t on the best of terms. Eddie called her Chris’ mom, not his wife or partner. It’s a stretch but Buck is flexible enough to make it work.

“I haven’t seen her since the divorce but this is important. I really want Chris to get into this school. It’s perfect for him.”

Buck’s thoughts are split evenly in two, torn between the sheer relief in he feels in hearing Eddie isn’t married anymore and the concern he feels in seeing how worked up Eddie is over Christopher’s schooling.

“I’m sure her talk will go well. I know there’s a lot riding on this but she has to know that too and I’m sure she’ll crush the interview because of it.”

Eddie stares at him for a moment, his brown eyes meeting with his blue. Land and sea, Buck thinks, two components that make up a world.

“Thank you,” Eddie says simply but Buck feels the full weight of it.

“Anytime.”

~*~*~

Eddie’s fingertips drum an uneven beat against his knee as he waits for Shannon to show up. It’s ridiculous, he’s well aware, to feel this antsy over seeing a woman he’s known for almost half his life. But these last nine years, their relationship had risen and fallen like a heavy breath. Now that it was out of both their systems, Eddie isn’t sure how to function around her.

He keeps an eye out for her and rises awkwardly off the park bench as she approaches. He waves at her, trying to gauge what kind of mood she’s in from a distance. She’s got on a flowing yellow dress that makes her look like sunshine. Her smile is just as warm too.

Eddie relaxes at the sight of that and takes it as reassurance that this talk will go well. It’s strange seeing her now. She looks different to him and Eddie has to wonder if she sees changes in him too.

“How’d it go over at the school?” he asks as they both sit down.

Shannon sits back and stretches her legs out, letting them cross at the ankles.

“Pretty well. They seem excited to have Chris enroll. You picked out a great school for him.”

Eddie takes the compliment with a simple nod and a quiet word of thanks.

“How…how is he? Is Chris liking it out here?” she asks tentatively, dipping a toe into uncertain waters.

Eddie unclenches his jaw and nods. She’s making an effort and Eddie knows this can’t be easy for her, to be sidelined in her own child’s life. Even though she had made the decision to take time to find herself, Eddie can see that it’s taking its toll on her to be away from their son. He can extend a kindness, an olive branch of some kind by way of decent conversation.

“He loves it so much. I think he wants to live at the pier,” he muses. He’s taken Chris down a few times now just to watch the waves and enjoy the beautiful weather. “He’s doing really well here and honestly, it’s a relief,” he sighs.

When he’d told his family he was leaving, they’d gotten into his head a bit that uprooting Christopher from Texas could have a damaging impact on his son. But he knew better than they did about Chris’ resiliency and adaptability. Chris was the kind of person who could make himself comfortable anywhere. It was a trait Eddie prayed his son would never lose. He knew all too well what it felt like to struggle for a bit of semblance. Luckily, Chris didn’t seem to have that problem.

Shannon stays quiet and Eddie desperately wishes he could open up her mind and see the thoughts that live there. There’s an unnamed tension between them, an awkwardness that Eddie doesn’t know how to get around. He supposes, with their history, it makes sense but he wants better for them both.

He decides to switch gears. If they’re really going to have a clear road ahead, he needs to do whatever he can to show Shannon that they’re on solid ground now. It’s exhausting constantly being at odds with her. Now that they’re divorced and no longer confined to the box they’d shoved themselves into, they both have room to breathe and grow. Hadn’t that always been a wish he had for them? For the two to mend the bridge that had given way years ago? They are in a different place now and Eddie knows he has to adjust his outlook accordingly.

“I don’t want us to be angry or upset with each other anymore. I want us to…I don’t know, be better to one another than we have been in the past. I don’t think I can carry those feelings inside me anymore. It’s draining and I don’t have the energy for it. I never really did.”

This seems to be the right set of words because Shannon blinks back tears and smiles at him.

“I would love that.”

Eddie sighs in relief and this time the quiet that settles between them is comfortable.

“Can I ask you something kind of ridiculous and personal?” Shannon says, tucking one of her legs under her, fanning out her dress over her legs smoothly.

“Should I be afraid?”

She laughs and it feels good to be able to joke around with her again. These are tentative steps but it feels reassuring to think he could be on his way to getting his old friend back.

“Eh, it could go either way.” She pauses for a beat before continuing. “Have you met Eva yet? I’ve been thinking a lot about your move and imagining you finding her out here.”

Eddie thinks it says a lot about where their relationship left off that Shannon is so casual in discussing him with another woman, a soulmate at that. It’d been awkward for the both of them seeing the makings of names on each other that weren’t theirs. They’d never talked about it explicitly but Eddie figured it was just as strange for her to wrap her mind around as it had been for him during their nine years together.

“Actually, it’s Evan not Eva,” he drawls, trying to get used to the taste of the name on his tongue. His heart is racing with the confession. How much will this change the way she sees him?

Eddie doesn’t even look at her. He fumbles with his watch and takes it off, showing her the soulmate marking. They both stare in silence at his wrist. It had been a complete shock to his system when it appeared so he can’t blame her for being stunned over the news.

“Wow. Wow, that’s…I don’t have any other word,” she laughs.

Eddie turns to look at her then. She looks surprised, of course, but happy. Eddie’s brows furrow.

“Where’d you meet him?”

“I’m not sure exactly,” he says, flipping the inside of his wrist back over, pressing it against his thigh. “I’ve been trying to figure it out. I think he’s someone I bumped into outside of a coffee shop but I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since. I didn’t even see his face that day, actually.”

Shannon’s smile turns into a frown at this.

“Oh, Eddie. I’m sorry.” He can tell she really means it. “But at least you know he’s out there. Whenever you do find him, don’t let go.”

Eddie searches her face for a moment, looking into her eyes and for a fleeting moment his mind drifts to a different set of blue eyes, ones that he’s grown so accustomed to in the short time he’s been working at the 118. It’s a startling thought that seems to come from nowhere. Eddie does his best to cast it aside. Buck isn’t where his thoughts should be right now, despite the fact that the other man has been on his mind more and more as of late.

Shannon takes him in as well before she continues to speak.

“I know you, Eddie. I know you’re probably scared over the fact that this is actually happening for you. But please remember you deserve to be happy. Despite everything we’ve been through, or maybe because of it, all I want is for you to be able to let the right love in. Evan is your soulmate, whether you’re ready for it or not. When you meet for real, don’t run from it, please.”

It isn’t lost on Eddie that this is the second person in a little over a week to tell him not to be afraid of his destiny. The women in his life know him better than anyone else. There’s no hiding from his grandmother who always had a knack for understanding him since he was a child. And Shannon had cultivated a life with him. Eddie couldn’t avoid being known by either of them. He could hide and keep himself from the rest of the world but these two were in the rare category that could see through it all to the heart of him each and every time.

Eddie wipes at his eye and laughs nervously. “I don’t know if I’ll be good for him. I’m kind of still figuring things out these days.”

Shannon reaches out a hand and holds onto his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“That’s sort of the point of a soulmate though, isn’t it?” she says, peering at him, lifting a brow knowingly. “To love you unconditionally, no matter what kind of state you’re in?”

Eddie can’t refute this argument. He had always liked the idea of being able to turn to someone at the end of the day and speak openly about what he was feeling. He was able to do that with Shannon at times during their marriage, of course, but the tension between them made it hard for Eddie to cross the divide that lived with them sometimes. He imagined being with a soulmate would be the exact opposite, that even if they were upset with each other they’d still be a harbor for one another.

“I hate it when you’re right,” he jokes.

“You poor thing. Then you must be upset all the time,” she quips.

Eddie laughs, a real sense of elation he hasn’t had around her in some time solidifying in his chest. They still have a way to go but this first step was a crucial one and Eddie feels as if they’re finally moving in the right direction together.

~*~*~

Days like today have quickly become Buck’s least favorite. He knows he can’t expect to work every shift with Eddie but still, the times when they aren’t together begin to grate at him. He feels selfish for how badly he craves Eddie’s time and attention but he can’t help it. Soulmate or not, he’s genuinely been enjoying getting to know his new co-worker. The two have found an easy rhythm with each other since Eddie’s first day. Buck supposes nothing bonds two people together faster than saving the life of someone else.

With Eddie out for the day, Buck feels restless.

“Aww, is someone missing their new best friend?” Chimney teases as Buck flops back against the sofa in the loft. “Look at that pout, Hen. We can go diving off that lower lip.”

Buck tosses a cushion at him as Hen laughs at the two of them. Chimney lobs it back and jokingly flips him off, revealing his soulmate marking on his middle finger, the word Mad branded there. He thinks it’s the height of comedy. Buck has to agree it is pretty hilarious.

Hen nestles in beside him and pats the top of his head.

“Come on now. Buck up, Buck,” she muses. Chimney reaches over to give her a high five and Buck rolls his eyes playfully.

“A couple of comedians here.” He rises from his seat, ignoring their outcry for him to come back. They get over it quickly, starting up a new conversation by the time Buck makes it to the dining table.

They’re absolutely correct and Buck can’t even pretend to deny that. He’s gotten so accustomed to having Eddie around that a day without him just doesn’t feel right. He feels…unmoored somehow and Buck wishes he could have a definitive explanation for why that is. He has his theory, of course, but a proven hypothesis is what he longs for most of all.

The thought of asking Eddie outright what his first name is terrifies him. He doesn’t trust himself to have a neutral reaction if he were to hear it directly from Eddie’s lips. What he needs is a filter, a buffer of some kind to absorb his shock should his suspicion pan out to be correct.

Bobby is in the kitchen getting started on dinner.

“Hey, Cap,” Buck calls over as he goes into the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “What’s Eddie short for?”

As he closes the door to the refrigerator and looks to Bobby, the man has stopped chopping peppers and is standing still, looking at him.

“Why do you ask?”

Buck busies himself with twisting off the bottle cap but he can still feel Bobby’s eyes fixed on him.

“No reason; I was just wondering. I mean, I know I could ask him,” he says, hoping his tone is nonchalant. “But you’re here right now so…I figured you could answer just the same since you’ve seen all his paperwork and stuff.”

Bobby holds his gaze for a beat before returning to prep the meal and Buck is glad for it. Sometimes his captain just seemed to fix him with a stare that went right through him. There were so many things he didn’t want anyone else to see and Buck always had the feeling Bobby was skilled in noticing private things, even if he didn’t voice his findings out loud.

“His first name is Edmundo but, as you know, he prefers going by Eddie.”

Buck pretends not to notice Bobby’s eyes flickering up to him again. He just takes a sip of his water and nods.

“Cool,” he says, trying to keep his tone indifferent but inside Buck feels as if he can just about burst at any second. He isn’t sure which is racing faster, his heart or his thoughts.

Buck still can’t shake the feeling that he’s showed his hand in a way he can’t bounce back from but he couldn’t stop himself from asking the question. It’d been gnawing at him having this question mark dangling over his head. At least he could finally put that mystery to rest officially. If the cost of that information was making Bobby suspicious, it was a price he was willing to pay. Any bit of information that could bring him one step closer to certainty would be worth it, ten times over in fact.

But for the sake of not drawing Bobby’s eye too closely to the situation, Buck does his best to change Bobby’s train of thought, whatever track it may be on.

He reaches over the island and snags a piece of meat off one of the cutting boards. As he expects, the move is enough to shift Bobby’s focus. His captain swats at his hand and points his finger at him.

“What are you, a dog swiping scraps off the table?” Bobby jokingly reprimands, shaking his head. “You know, you really shouldn’t tick off the guy with a knife in his hand.”

Buck grins and wiggles his brows as he tosses the food into his mouth and walks away, successfully dodging a bullet and distracting Bobby from getting close to whatever conclusion he seemed to be gearing up towards.

It isn’t until he’s heading down the stairs, past Hen and Chim, and is safely on his own that his thoughts begin to spiral in earnest. His hands shake as he holds on to the railing to keep from losing his balance. He’s coming undone at the seams. This confirmation is too much for him and the worst part of all is that he has no one to talk to about it now.

Buck keeps moving forward, his legs working on their own accord to take him outside of the station. His body knows that what he needs is time to himself to process this information. Breathless, he presses his back against the side of the building, the surface hot but he doesn’t care. He needs the support of the brick wall to keep him standing. The question of who his soulmate was had plagued him for almost a decade and now that he has an answer, Buck isn’t even sure what to do with it.

He knew he felt drawn to Eddie, literally from the moment they met. He had sensed it. Buck was a personable guy; he got along well with virtually everyone but that instantaneous connection to Eddie felt different to him. Buck had wondered if he was just so keyed up on the idea that Eddie was meant for him, as if he had on rose colored glasses but the truth was, he had been seeing the situation for what it was exactly. That spark was a flare, an internal signal alerting him to the fact that something big was happening here.

Buck presses his fingertips against his ribs, the move so instinctual since the name first appeared. It’s like air to him now. He may not be able to see it but he knows it’s there. More often than not, it feels like the only thing sustaining him. Discovering that Eddie is in fact Edmundo is similar to learning the meaning of a word that you’ve come across often but never looked up. You’re aware of its existence but it’s abstract until knowledge is gained.

Buck’s eyes sting and he feels as if he could just scream. For as much as he hated the fact that Eddie has the day off, he’s glad to be away from him in this moment. He’s in no fit state to be around him now. He wouldn’t trust himself to keep from shouting the truth that’s desperately trying to claw its way free, demanding to be heard.

~*~*~

The station’s alarm blares, drowning out the sound of the simulation game Hen and Buck are playing. They drop their controllers and hop to their feet, ready to gear up.

“Hen and Chim, I need you two to ride over in the ambulance. Eddie and Buck, you’re with me. Let’s go, guys,” Bobby instructs.

The team doesn’t hesitate to fall into line with Bobby’s orders. Buck grabs his helmet and hurries to the rig, swinging open the door and climbing inside, Eddie right on his heels. Bobby has the truck pulling out of the station just a few seconds later.

As always when they’re sent out on a call, Buck’s adrenaline races wildly. He’s already trying to imagine what scenario they’ll find themselves in, coming up with tactics he could use to help those in need before even arriving at the scene. If he can be prepared in any way, even by way of a hypothetical simulation in his head, Buck will be grateful for it. Sometimes seconds is all it takes between making sure someone can return home to their families that day or them never seeing their loved ones again.

As Bobby cuts through the streets, his hand heavy against the horn at times, Eddie looks at his phone screen and purses his lips. Buck knows he shouldn’t pry but he can’t stop himself from speaking up, seeing how distressed Eddie’s expression is.

“Everything alright?” he asks over the headset.

Eddie glances up at him as if weighing what to say before he sighs.

“Not really. My aunt is saying she isn’t sure she can watch Chris next week like she thought she’d be able to. I need to find someone in case it turns out she can’t. I haven’t been meeting too many people out here and either way, I’d hate to have to ask that favor.”

Buck thinks for a second. “I know a woman who could help,” he offers up.

“Are you trying to play matchmaker?” Eddie jokes.

Buck resists the urge to grimace at this. Like he would ever deign to pair Eddie up with someone else, as if the man’s name hadn’t been branded on his skin for days now. Eddie was his, even if the other man was none the wiser. Buck wouldn’t compromise that for anything.

Regardless, that wasn’t even remotely close to where Buck was going with this conversation so he dismisses Eddie inquiry with a laugh and roll of the eyes.

“Not in the way you’re clearly thinking right now. Her name is Carla Price and she is possibly the most badass caregiver in the whole city.”

He skips over the details of how it is he came to know Carla. Abby hasn’t crossed his mind in ages and he’d rather not get hung up with her in the back of his thoughts.

“Wait, seriously? Do you think she’d be willing to meet with me?”

Buck nods and fishes his phone out of the inside of his jacket. He sends a quick text to Carla and she responds less than a minute later.

“She’s up for it. If you’re free tonight, she says she’s available to chat.”

The smile that washes over Eddie’s face makes Buck’s brain short circuit for a second. All he ever wants to do is keep Eddie in good spirits, to ensure his peace of mind however possible.

“Buck, I owe you. Whatever you want, it’s yours. Just say the word.”

Buck falters for the briefest of seconds before smiling to cover it.

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad I could help you out somehow.” His voice sounds different in his own ears but Eddie might be too distracted and overjoyed with the good news to notice it.

Buck bites back on the inside of his lower lip and glances away, unable to look at Eddie right now. He’s certain the truth of what he wants is written plainly on his face. He’s sick with want, filled to the brim with longing. It’s a wonder Eddie can’t hear the call Buck’s soul makes to his regularly.

He looks out through the small window in the back of the truck to see how close they are to the scene and to look at anything but Eddie. What he finds is that Bobby’s peering at him through the rear-view mirror before turning his focus back on the road. Buck can feel his cheeks flushing and is glad for the hot day to be the perfect cover for the sudden change in hue.

He wishes the comms had a private channel he could speak on. Bobby was too good at reading between the lines.

~*~*~

It’s the end of their workday and the team hangs about the station around their engine, recounting the day they’ve had. Hen is adjusting her shirt, her wife Karen’s name visible on her collarbone. Eddie wonders what it would be like to be that confident in showing his soulmate marking off. In theory he could do so at work but for nine years, Eddie has gotten into the habit of hiding it.

At first it had been to avoid throwing the reminder in Shannon’s face every single day. Now it’s just become second nature. If he’s being completely honest, there’s also a small part of him that isn’t ready to make that bold of a statement. He’s comfortable in his sexuality and clearly the 118 isn’t close-minded but he isn’t even sure what label suits him best. His soulmate marking calls into question a lot of things he’s suppressed over the years. Being in L.A. as a whole is dredging up those dormant feelings.

He’s had fleeting attractions to guys every now and then but these days he finds himself focusing on one guy in particular even though he knows he has no business feeling anything towards Buck. He’s his co-worker and nothing more. He can’t be anything else to him. Eddie’s already disregarded his soulmate marking once before. He can’t bear to go down that road a second time.

Sometimes, he’d try discreetly to see if by some strange miracle his name is on Buck’s body but to no avail. He’s constantly torn between thinking Buck is skilled at hiding it like he is with his own marking or that the truth is staring him in the face and they aren’t meant for each other. The latter is a terrifying thought, especially since Eddie has been quietly taking a real liking to the man already but it’s just as well. Eddie’s never been lucky in love. Why should that change now?

“You good, Eddie?” Hen asks, pulling him from his thoughts.

Eddie looks around at the group, their faces all expectant. He clears his throat.

“Yeah, just daydreaming, I guess.”

She regards him thoughtfully and her kind, concerned gaze is like a serum that manages to pull more words out of him.

“I just noticed your marking,” he says, pointing to his own collarbone. Hen breaks into a wide smile and places a hand over where her wife’s name is printed on her skin.

Eddie wishes he could have that sense of ease. The matter of soulmates has always been such a sensitive topic for him, a source of stress.

Hen must see something in his face because her head tilts a bit to the side.

“Have you gotten yours?” she asks.

Eddie glances around at the group. These people are supposed to be his family after all. He can trust them and speak as freely as he’s comfortable with.

“Yeah, but I don’t think it makes much of a difference either way.”

Buck looks affronted as Chimney and Hen share a glance.

“Why do you say that?” Chim asks, leaning a shoulder against the side of the truck.

Eddie shrugs, struggling with the right words as he always seems to do any time he talks about something so personal.

“It feels a little too good to be true when you stop to consider it. Maybe for some folks it works out perfectly, like for you and Karen. But, I’m not so sure that’ll be the case for me. My soulmate and I have already gotten off on the wrong foot, I think. It’s…complicated,” he settles on saying.

“Like a Facebook status?” Chim interjects.

Hen presses her fingertips to her forehead, dropping her head down. “You’ll have to excuse him. His foot has a habit of landing in his mouth. There’s no cure for it, unfortunately.”

Eddie laughs and shakes his head. “I’m just not in a rush to find them right now is all. If it happens, great. If not, it’ll be alright too. I guess I’m good with just playing it by ear, you know? Whatever happens, happens.”

That’s the mantra he’s been adapting for himself now. Evan has been elusive since the man’s name first appeared on his flesh. Every day he’s had to look down and see it plastered on his skin but still he is nowhere near closer to finding him than he’d been on day one.

Chimney shrugs and nods in understanding. “I get that, too. I mean, they’re our soulmates, right? They’ll turn up. I’m just happy to know it’s going to happen,” he laughs, looking at the budding marking on his finger.

Buck rises from off the back bumper of the truck suddenly, making everyone in the cluster look over at him.

“I really gotta get going, sorry, guys,” he mumbles, saying something else Eddie doesn’t catch.

Eddie frowns, unsure of what to make of Buck’s changing mood and apparent hurry to get home. Hen and Chimney look just as confused too as Buck hooks his duffle bag onto his shoulder and starts to walk straight ahead.

“See you tomorrow?” Eddie calls after him but he doesn’t think Buck hears him for the man does not reply.

#buck x eddie #buddie #evan buckley #eddie diaz #sulkybbarnes #rafasilvas #bisexualbuck #starlightbuck #athenagrantt #userbones #tylerhunklin #captainstennerstar #maysgrant #userkinga #kimmy writes

37 notes · View notes

trashcanreddiefan · 5 years ago

Text

The 3rd Annual Losers’ Club Christmakkah Celebration

Summary: The Losers gather for their third annual Christmakkah celebration, which doubles as Richie & Eddie’s wedding.

Word Count: 3600-ish. (This one got away from me.)

Warnings: Usual Trashmouth swearing.

Author’s Note: Post-Chapter 2. All of the Losers are alive in this fic, including Stan, because canon can suck it. 3rd in what will now be a (at least) 4-part series where the Losers take turns hosting Christmakkah. Part 1 here, part 2 here.

CROSS-POSTED AT AO3.

Richie watched as Eddie slept soundly next to him. How did I get so lucky, he thought.

Not only did he have a successful career he now enjoyed, an adorable niece and 2 nephews that he loved to spoil, and the best friends he could possibly ask for, but he was also about to say 'I do' to the man he had been in love with his entire life.

All of the Losers would be involved in his and Eddie's wedding in some capacity. Once Mike had found out that Richie and Eddie wanted to get married on Christmas Eve he had offered to host Christmakkah at his house so they could have a private ceremony on the beach behind his house and wouldn't have to worry about the added stress of hosting the Losers; Stan and Bill would be Richie & Eddie's witnesses/best men, respectively; Beverly would escort Richie down the aisle to Eddie and had personally designed their suits; and Ben would officiate.

Mike had also planned a joint bachelor party for them, the seven original Losers all going out to a local nightclub earlier that evening.

He must've tipped off the DJ when he had gone to get the first round of drinks, because shortly after Mike came back she said, "I hear we have a bachelor party in the house tonight, where are our two lucky gentlemen that are getting hitched?"

Richie's eyes widened as Bill, Mike, Bev, Ben, and even Stan -- the traitor -- all hooted and pointed over to him and Eddie.

"Well now, look at this gorgeous couple," the DJ said. "Congratulations and best wishes!" She winked. "Enjoy your night, boys."

Richie drank just enough to get a good buzz going but not so much that he'd pass out as soon as his head hit the pillow, which is why he was still awake at 3 AM while the love of his life softly snored beside him.

His thoughts were interrupted when Eddie stirred. "Rich, I can feel you staring," he mumbled before blinking blearily up at Richie. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Just thinking," Richie replied.

"Is it about the wedding?" Eddie sat up, looking panicked. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

Richie quickly shook his head. "No, no, absolutely not. I've never been more sure about anything in my life than I am about marrying you. I just… It all feels like a dream, like I'm going to wake up from the Deadlights and the past 2 years won't have actually happened."

Eddie studied him for a moment before reaching for him. "Come 'mere." He pulled Richie into his arms and lay them both back down, tracing gentle patterns on Richie's bare back. "It's not a dream, you know," he whispered into Richie's ear before gently kissing his shoulder. "I'm real and I'm here and I love you more than life itself."

"Love you too, Eds," Richie murmured in reply. "Can't wait to marry you."

"Try to get some rest, ok?"

Richie nodded sleepily. Eddie was an expert at getting Richie to relax enough for his brain to shut off for a while. "Ok," he whispered before nodding off into dreamland.

____________________________________

Late the next morning Richie woke up to a fully-dressed Eddie pressing light kisses to his face. "Morning, soon-to-be husband," Eddie murmured against his lips.

"Mmm, yeah, husband. I like the sound of that," Richie replied, grabbing Eddie and rolling them over to kiss him more thoroughly.

Eddie squeaked as Richie kissed his way down his neck to his collarbone. "Come on, Rich, we don't have time."

"Wedding's not till 4, you sure we don't have time, Eds?" he mumbled, dipping his tongue into the sensitive area between Eddie's head and neck. He'd kill me if he had a visible hickey in our wedding photos, he thought, resisting the urge to suck a mark into Eddie's clavicle, although he couldn't deny that having photographic evidence of his physical claim on Eddie was a bit of a turn-on. He settled for planting soft kisses along Eddie's collarbone before gently grazing Eddie's pulse point with his teeth, one of his hands sliding underneath Eddie's shirt along his rock-hard abs.

Eddie bit back a moan. "It's already noon, we have to finish getting everything set up, and we'll both need time to shower and get ready, and -- Jesus Christ, that feels amazing. I'll -- I'll let you ravish me as soon as we're married, how about that? You can even drag me off to Mike's utility closet and have your wicked way with me if you want."

"Mmm, promise?" Richie rolled his hips into Eddie's.

"Yeah, baby, whatever-- Fuck, Richie." Eddie groaned. "Whatever you want, just wait until after we say 'I do'."

Richie gave Eddie one final kiss on the lips. "Okay."

He hopped out of bed and headed for the dresser, grabbing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. He hid a grin as he heard Eddie mutter 'fucking tease'. "So what's on the agenda for this morning?"

Eddie huffed then sat up. "Ben and Bill are setting up the awning outside, Bev is steaming our suits, Patty and Audra are taking the kids to get Olivia's hair done, and I'm going to head with Mike and Stan to pick up dinner for tonight. Bev will bring your suit in here once it's ready -- I'll be getting dressed in Mike's room." He got up and straightened his shirt from where Richie had rucked it up.

"Oh come on, Eds," Richie said jokingly. "You don't really believe in all that 'bad luck to see the bride before the wedding' stuff, do you?"

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "No," he replied lowly, walking towards Richie, "but I already want to jump you and I know if I see you in your suit before the wedding I won't be able to help myself, and I would much rather be able to take my time peeling it off of you after you're my husband."

Richie shivered as Eddie backed him into the wall. "Christ, Eddie."

"Mmm hmm. I know, baby. Me too." He gave Richie a chaste kiss. "See you later, gorgeous," he said with a wink before walking out the door.

Richie got dressed at lightning speed and walked out into Mike's backyard and down the boardwalk to the beach, where Ben and Bill were putting the finishing touches on the awning.

"Hey, there's the other handsome groom," Bill said.

"Morning, guys," Richie replied. "Need any help?"

"Nah, we got it," Ben said. "You just focus on getting married later. Got your vows done?"

Richie and Eddie had talked it over, and since the only people at their wedding would be the Losers and their respective spouses, they had decided to write their own vows since they wouldn't have to censor themselves… much.

Richie smiled. "Yep."

"Gonna let anyone read them before the wedding?"

Richie shook his head. "Nope."

Bill grinned. "Am I going to have to make sure Eddie doesn't kill you before you two are even married?"

"We'll see," Richie replied with a wink. "Since you guys are done I'm gonna go see if Beverly needs any help."

As if summoned Beverly appeared behind him. "Wow, guys, that looks great." She turned to Richie. "Your suit is in your room whenever you're ready to get dressed."

Richie gave Beverly a hug. "Thanks, Bev."

"You busy?"

Richie shook his head. "No, looks like everything is taken care of here. Need me to do anything?"

Beverly smiled. "Yep, come with me."

She grabbed Richie's hand and dragged him to her and Ben's rental car.

"Where are we going?" Richie asked as he buckled his seatbelt.

Beverly squeezed his hand. "We're getting you ready to get married."

She brought Richie to a moderately upscale salon where the stylist tamed his wild curls into something that was manageable, but still very much Richie, then they swung by the florist to pick up the boutonnieres before heading back to Mike's.

Beverly ushered him towards the shower. "Now, go get ready and try not to get your hair wet. I'll see you downstairs."

Richie took a brief shower, managing to avoid ruining his hairstyle. He had gotten his shirt, pants, socks and shoes on and was attempting to tie his bowtie when there was a knock on the door.

"Rich? You decent?" came Stan's voice.

"Yeah, man, come on in!"

The door opened and Stan walked in, wearing a black suit similar to the one Richie was currently sporting. "As your best man, I feel it's my duty to see how you're doing," he said.

"Fine, fine," Richie replied. "Never better, to be honest."

"Here, let me help you. You've always been completely useless at tying a tie," Stan said fondly, giving Richie a warm smile.

Richie sat down on the bed. "Thanks, Stan."

Stan made quick work of Richie's bowtie, straightening it once he had it knotted and handing Richie his suit jacket.

Richie stood and slid his suit jacket on.

Stan pinned Richie's boutonniere to his lapel and quickly ran a lint roller over the suit jacket. "There, you're all set."

Richie walked over to the mirror and caught the first glimpse of himself in his suit. He froze as the realization struck him. "Holy fucking shit, man, I'm getting married," he said. "To Eddie."

"Aaaand there it is," Stan said, turning Richie back toward him and guiding him back to sit on the bed.

"What the fuck am I doing, Stan?" Richie asked, his voice starting to wobble. "Why would someone as perfect as Eddie want to be with a fuckup like me? I'm just some hack comedian who got lucky telling other people's jokes and Eddie's out there saving lives and shit. He's too good for me, I don't deserve him."

"Rich, buddy, look at me. It's okay, I promise." Stan gently placed his hands on Richie's shoulders. "Eddie loves you, and I know he wouldn't have asked you to marry him if he didn't. You're way more than just a hack comedian -- and I swear to God if you ever tell a soul I said this I'll deny it till I die -- but your original material is actually pretty damn funny."

Richie siffled. "Thanks, Stan."

Stan dug in his pocket. "Here, Bill gave me this to give to you."

He handed Richie a folded piece of paper. On the outside, written in Eddie's neat script, was Richie.

Richie unfolded the note and began to read.

I know what you're thinking, and stop that nonsense. I love you and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you as my brilliant, funny, loving husband.

See you soon,

Eddie

Richie laughed tearfully. He folded the note back up and tucked it into his pocket before wiping his eyes.

Stan checked his phone. "It's time. You alright?"

Richie nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I'm ok."

"Ok then, let's go."

Beverly, who was escorting Richie down the aisle, was waiting for him by Mike's back door. "Richie, you look wonderful."

"Well of course, my suit was personally designed by the best," Richie replied with a wink.

"Good luck, Rich," Stan said, giving Richie one last hug before slipping outside to let Ben know that they were ready. "See you out there."

Beverly patted him on the arm. "I'm proud of you, Richie."

"Bev, I'm so fucking lucky," Richie replied.

Beverly smiled warmly. "So is Eddie, honey. You two are good for each other."

The music started up and she offered him her arm. "He's waiting for you. Ready to go get married?"

Richie nodded. "Abso-fuckin-loutely."

Beverly opened the door and led Richie down the stairs to the pier. Richie glanced up and locked eyes with Eddie, whose smile bloomed so brightly that it made Richie's heart flutter happily in his chest.

Any residual nerves he may have been feeling suddenly left him. That's my husband, he thought.

Beverly escorted him to the end of the aisle, where she gave Richie and Eddie each a kiss on the cheek. "Love you both," she said before taking her seat between Mike and Patty.

Richie turned to Eddie. "Hi," he whispered. "I love you."

"I love you," Eddie whispered back, giving Richie's hand a brief squeeze.

Ben cleared his throat. "Dearly beloved Losers," he began, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Eddie and Richie, who have asked us to join them as they pledge their lives to one another.

"Eddie, Richie, before we begin let me just thank you both again for asking me to officiate. It's truly an honor and I love you both so much. I didn't meet you guys until we were 13, but I could immediately tell that there was something special between you two and I've loved to be able to watch your bond blossom and grow once we all reunited."

He looked down at the piece of paper he held. "Now, please face each other and join hands."

Richie took Eddie's hands in his own, rubbing his thumb over Eddie's ring finger as Ben began to read.

"These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, support and encouragement to pursue your dreams, and comfort in difficult times. And these are the hands that even years from now will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just one touch."

He looked up. "May we have the rings, please?"

Audra, who was holding her and Bill's son Max, and Beverly, who was holding her and Ben's son, Burke, set their respective sons down and handed them each a ring box containing Eddie and Richie's rings, whispering, "Go see Uncle Richie!"/"Go give this to Uncle Eddie!"

Richie couldn't help but make an aww sound as his nephew toddled over to him. "Thanks, bud," he said, squatting down and giving Max a hug before sending him back to Audra.

"May you be reminded each day how precious a gift you have each been given as you exchange rings as a symbol of your love and devotion to each other," Ben continued. "Now, Eddie and Richie have decided to write their own vows -- God help us all." He paused as the Losers all burst into laughter. "Eddie, would you like to go first?"

Eddie took Richie's left hand in his. "Richie, ever since the day we met you have been the sun in my solar system, the brightest star in my sky, and the biggest pain in my ass."

Richie honestly wasn't sure if he was going to laugh, cry, or blurt out something inappropriate so he bit his lip in order to keep his mouth shut.

Eddie quirked a smile before continuing. "But honestly, there's no one else I'd rather go through life with than you. You are my life, my love, my forever." He slid Richie's wedding band onto his finger, squeezing his hand before letting go.

Ben wiped a tear from his eye. "That was beautiful, Eddie. Richie?"

Richie took a deep breath. "Eddie, my love," he began, "All I ever wanted when we were kids was to be able to spend my life with you, but growing up I never thought I would be able to have that happiness. God, what I wouldn't have given back then to have been brave enough to tell you just how much you meant to me and to be able to hold you and kiss you. Well here we are 30 years later, where I'm now able to do all that and more. Better late than never, right?" He winked at Eddie, who seemed to be fighting back tears even as he let out a chuckle.

"Every day I thank whatever higher power is in existence that I have you in my life. You are my best friend -- sorry Bill and Stan, the debate is finally settled -- my heart, my soul, and my partner in crime, in life, and in love. Words cannot even begin to express the love I feel for you, but I hope to be able to show it to you today and every single day for the rest of our lives." He slid Eddie's ring onto his ring finger, placing a soft kiss there as he did so.

Eddie was openly weeping. "You ass -- asshole, I -- I was expect -- expecting your vows to be fun-- funny," he hiccuped.

"Sorry to disappoint, babe," Richie said, wiping away Eddie's tears with his thumb.

Eddie shook his head. "I love you so fucking much."

"I love you too."

Ben discreetly blew his nose before continuing the ceremony. "Ok, well since there's no way anything could possibly top those vows, by the power vested in me I now pronounce you married. Fellow Losers, please join me in officially welcoming Misters Edward and Richard Kaspbrak-Tozier!"

Richie reached out and tilted Eddie's face up for their first kiss as husbands. He took Eddie's left hand in his and raised them above their heads, the setting sun glinting off of their matching rings. "We fucking did it!" he cheered as their friends surrounded them with love and congratulations.

Later, after Eddie had dragged Richie off to make good on his promise of a thorough ravishing, the Losers sat in Mike's living room, warm and sated from Christmakkah dinner and good wine.

They had completed their Christmakkah gift opening and Bill, Ben, and Stan had just returned from putting their respective kids to bed. Richie and Eddie sat together on Mike's floor, fingers intertwined and Richie absentmindedly rubbing his finger across Eddie's wedding ring.

Bill stood and held up his glass. "I'd like to make a toast to the newlyweds," he announced. "Richie, Eddie, may your marriage be blessed with many years of happiness, laughter, and love. Congratulations, guys. We love you."

"To Richie and Eddie!" everyone echoed before taking a sip.

Richie gave Eddie a kiss before standing. "Actually I'd like to say something as well." He turned to Eddie. "Eddie, my husband, love of my life, congratulations on being the one to make an honest man out of me. Since Ben, Stan, Bill and Mike are all tragically straight, I guess you'll have to do."

Eddie rolled his eyes. "I knew you had written joke vows," he muttered fondly. "Jackass."

Richie chuckled. "No but seriously, thank you for loving me and bringing light to my life. I'm looking forward to spending a lifetime with you."

He turned to the rest of the Losers. "To you guys, thank you all for being a part of our special day. You all went above and beyond to make sure that everything went off without a hitch, and I know that Eddie agrees with me when I say that you are the best bunch of Losers we could ever ask for. Mike, thank you for being such a gracious host and for putting up with Eddie's bridezilla-y ass the entire week before the wedding."

"Hey!" Eddie protested. "You're the one who walked down the aisle, if anything you were the bride. I just wanted to make sure that we weren't forgetting any details."

"Whatever you say, oh husband of mine." Richie winked as Eddie got a sappy look on his face at the word 'husband'. Oh, I'm going to enjoy milking that for all its worth.

"Bill and Stan, thank you for being our witnesses. Really feeling the OG Losers love. Bev, thank you for designing my and Eddie's suits. Never thought my husband could look any more gorgeous than he does in his scrubs, but fuck, was I wrong. Ben, you were the best damn officiant we could've asked for. We love you, man. Patty, thanks again for taking wedding photos for us, we really appreciate it. Audra, same goes for the video. Now I have proof for when Eddie denies crying during my vows."

While he was talking, Eddie had gotten up and gathered gift bags, handing them out to each adult Loser in addition to handing an additional gift bag to Beverly, Audra, and Patty for the kids before returning to Richie's side and wrapping a hand around his waist. "Rich and I have a small gift for each of you as a token of our appreciation," he explained. "Hope you guys like them."

Richie and Eddie watched as each person pulled out their gift - a personalized wine glass and beer stein for the adults with the phrase, "Losers' Club est. 1989" and their names underneath and a personalized hooded towel for the kids with "Junior Loser" and their names monogrammed into the corner.

"Patty, Audra, even though you two married into the Losers' Club, you're still official Losers in our hearts," Richie said, placing a hand over his chest.

After everyone had finished their drinks they bade each other goodnight before beginning to disperse to their respective rooms, Richie and Eddie heading hand-in-hand to theirs.

After they had showered and brushed their teeth, Richie climbed into bed, hovering over Eddie. "Hello, husband," he purred.

"Mmm, hello yourself, husband," Eddie replied, pulling Richie in for a tender kiss. "God, we're really fucking married, aren't we?"

Richie hummed in the affirmative. "Till death do us part, baby. No takebacks."

Eddie was silent for a moment. "No takebacks, huh? That gives me an idea."

A few days after they arrived back in Los Angeles, Richie sent a photo of his and Eddie's ring fingers sporting matching tattoos with their wedding date. Decided to make the symbol of our love a little more permanent. ;)

#Richie x Eddie #Reddie #tcrf writes

8 notes · View notes

pixieungerstories · 6 years ago

Text

Darkness - 3

violence warnings

In the last two months, Brie had settled into a routine. Weeding early in the morning before it got too hot. The flower beds were looking awesome. Brunch in her cottage around 10 when the sun was at its worst. Followed by nap since she got up around five. Mowing or pruning happened after two in the afternoon. The orchards were looking … better, but if she were honest that wasn’t saying much. They had merely gone from awful to shabby.

She had yet to see any signs of life from the house, although keeping in mind Mr Lynn’s story about the owner, she had respectfully not looked for any. She knew he was watching her, at least some of the time. Any time she did anything near the big tree at the front of the house, she came home to find an email waiting for her. It got to the point where she would let Mr Lynn know what she was planning to do near it and why the day before so she could deal with any objections that came up ahead of time.

Mostly she left it alone.

She had found a stone bench in one of the orchards where she could stop for water or snack breaks. It was surrounded by apple trees and creepy statues, but Brie was mostly able to ignore them.

Artistically, they were very good, the problem was the subject matter. There was a marble angel worthy of any museum, except he was engaged in sexual activities with tentacle monsters. Prometheus and the eagle, traditional enough, but Prometheus had one hell of a stiffy and was arched back over the rock as though he were enjoying the experience, complete with the O face. All the statues human sized and clearly enjoying themselves, it was just that they were engaged in all manner of taboo activities from the three men one high five away from an Eiffel tower to the three ladies engaged in cannibalism of a young man (complete with spilling entrails) as well as a fair amount of beastiality. The bench itself was big enough to be a sarcophagus, but wasn’t a box. It was a marble slab with vines carved into the edge resting on two pillars, which (in keeping with the theme) were a small naked man and woman bent double under the weight of it.

She supposed that when they were carved, they had been incredibly risqué, but these days a quick google search could find you much worse content. In the meantime, she felt it was her job to clear the ivy away. After all, maybe the owner would want to sell them at some point. She was sure there was someone on the internet who would be interested.

Supper was always in the pub. By then she needed some human contact. The pub was a family business, even it was a an odd family, and had the slightly dorky name: A Wing and A Prayer. The barmen were the three oldest brothers, who only ever went by their nicknames as they appeared to be named after turtles, Mike, Gabe and Rafe. The waitstaff was sisters and cousins to the barmen, Dina, Manny, Joe, Tabby and, of course, Charmeine.

Tabby had taken Brie under her wing and was always encouraging her to try new things and consider some community college courses. “C’mon, Gabriela! You need something to fall back on we you don’t want to garden any more.”

Brie would just laugh and shake her head. “I’m saving hard. When I don’t want to garden anymore, I’ll figure out school then.”

But tonight there was no visiting with the staff. The main road in town was getting new tarmac and the pub was full of road crew. Brie was late getting in and all the tables were full. Oh well, she could always sit at the bar. The food was divine, as always, but her enjoyment was rather spoiled by the dust covered asshat sitting next to her. She concentrated on ignoring him. She just finished her dinner and her drink and wanted to leave.

It was full dark out by the time Brie left. She figured she must be really dehydrated because that one beer she had nursed through supper was hitting her hard. She was glad she had brought her bike because there was no way she should be driving.

She was barely out of own when she got off the bike to walk. Her balance was shit. Beer never hit her this hard. By the time she had reached the corner of iron fence marking the edge of the property she was hardly able to walk.

That’s when the truck pulled up.

The loser from the bar got out.

“You almost got away on me.” he laughed. ‘I’m surprised you are still upright.”

And just like that, she wasn’t. She fell down over her bicycle and felt hands dragging her away from it. She was laying on her belly on the dirt road and there wasn’t anything she could do about it. The world was spinning. She felt sick. A boot was wedged under her shoulder and she was flipped onto her back. The moon was full and way too bright. She squinted, the light hurting her eyes.

Someone was undoing her pants. Brie tried to bat the hands away. She was barely able to lift her arms. The man was silhouetted in the headlights of his truck.

Her pants were gone now. He pulled out a pocket knife and flipped it open, slicing down her shirt and through her bra. He pushed her knees up and apart.

Brie was barely able to roll her head to the side. On the other side of the fence the woods were full of eyeshine.

The truck lights went out.

The weight from on top of her was suddenly gone.

Someone was screaming. It wasn’t her. They were screaming a lot. The was a wet splat and the screaming got more desperate. The screaming was replaced by someone pleading stop.

A large, warm, slightly damp and sticky hand cupped her face and turned her to face back at the night sky which swirled overhead like a Van Gogh.

A face appeared in her field of vision.

It was the devil. Big horns, red skin, glowing yellow eyes with wide pupils like a cats. Brie was dimly aware that wasn’t right. She managed a pathetic whimper.

The devil clicked his tongue at her and grinned revealing sharp teeth. He caressed her face, his claws gently pricking at her skin.

Brie shivered and closed her eyes. The last of her clothes were pulled away, then she was lifted on the dirt road and cuddled against a warm chest. The devil began to walk, she felt where he stepped easily over the iron fence. That was wrong. Why was the wrong? No. NO! He shouldn’t be here.

A deep bass voice rumbled, “I am taking you safely home, my lady.” She was pulled tighter against the chest. She could hear a deep slow heart beat.

--------

Mr Lynn arrived at the scene only a little behind the police, but ahead of the ambulance. He got to explain that it was his client that had heard the screaming and called the police. He got to watch the junior constable be sick in the bushes. He tried to ignore the man who had been disemboweled and whose entrails were currently decorating the fence. He was quite surprised by that, the master must be in a generous mood. Given the phone call he had received he hadn’t expect the man to still be alive.

He also got to identify the bicycle and women’s clothing as belonging to the grounds keeper. He accompanied the second police cruiser to the cottage and found Ms Moreno curled up, naked, on her front step. Mr Lynn narrowed his eyes, but the superficial scratches covering her body could have been explained by a naked sprint through the woods.

-----

Brie woke up in a hospital. She knew it was a hospital by the smell. Her head hurt and, after she slammed her hand with the finger heart monitor into her face, so did her eye. Actually everything hurt. Someone hurried over and pried open her eyelid to shine a light in her eye. Rude!

“You wake, pumpkin?” Iggy asked.

“No,” Brie grumbled.

Another voice asked, “Do you know where you are, Ms Moreno?”

Brie shook her head, it was easier than talking just now.

“Do you know what happened?”

Brie tried to concentrate. “I fell off my bike. No… I fell off the ground and my bike fell on me. There was screaming and the devil was there.”

The voices whispered to each other, “She is still drugged, but that might be all you get.”

“That isn’t good enough, we need a description of who did this.”

“Try again in four hours.”

“That’s a long wait, doc.”

“That’s a lot of drugs in her system, officer.”

“She still made it home.”

“You didn’t see how much gravel we picked out of her back. She didn’t make it home on her own. Someone took her home.”

“Right, her knight in shining armour strung up her attacker and brought her safely home.”

“Not entirely. She had been dragged through the woods.”

Brie managed to pry her eyes open, “What happened?”

Iggy opened his mouth to speak but the constable interrupted, “You need to be able to give a statement before we can tell you that.”

“Hurts.”

“We can’t give you any painkillers until the drugs are clear of your system.”

“I don’t take drugs. Hadda beer. One.”

Iggy rubbed her shoulder. That hurt too, “We know, pumpkin, no one thinks you were taking drugs.”

Brie nodded and went back to sleep.

------

Iggy drove her home the next day, after she had given her statement. She felt embarrassed and useless. “The devil did it,” was not a rational thing to say, so she had just left that part out.

The man from the bar had confessed to drugging her. He admitted he was planning a sexual assault. He couldn’t describe the man who had attacked him either. She was going to stay with Iggy and Tessa at least until the stitches came out. The scratches that covered most of her body were already mostly healed, but there was one that was going to scar.

The idea that someone was coming for her was worrying. The police could find no sign of the attacker. Mr Lynn was very supportive. Her anonymous employer was paying her wages until she was able to come back to work and promised her a severance package if she chose not to.

Her employer was very concerned for her well being, she was told.

Her family didn’t want her going back to Morning Side, and the whole week she was waiting for the stitches to come out Iggy lobbied hard for her to quit. The townspeople came to visit, bring flowers and food and assurances that nothing like this had ever happened in their town before.

The thing she didn’t know how to explain was that she wasn’t afraid. She knew she should be, but none of it seemed real. The devil did not come to save her from her rapist. The only logical explanation was that person or persons unknown had come for HIM, wearing halloween masks, and she had gotten away while they were settling whatever score they had with him.

That was the story the police were going with. It was the only rational explanation. Between the drugging and what had to be a halloween mask there was no way for Brie to identify them. The incident was widely publicized, including a bad picture of her from a friend’s facebook page. In the city people looked at her and whispered. If she went back to her cottage, she wouldn’t have people staring at her. She wouldn’t have to see the look on her family's faces every time they saw her.

She hadn’t told anyone she remembered being carried. That made about as much sense as the idea that she was rescued by the devil. But ultimately she knew that if the person who had gone after her attacker had wanted to hurt her, he would have done it. She had been completely at his mercy. And yet, she hadn’t been raped. Or injured that severely. Most of the scratches were superficial and gone without a trace before she even got out of the hospital. The last one was an odd unpleasant shape, but the doctors had assured her that with care the scar would fade and become unnoticeable.

Since who ever it was hadn’t hurt her at the time, she believed that there was no point in him coming back for her later.

There was a peace she had found in the cottage. The quiet. The trees. She missed it. Missed her home. Missed her garden. And it was her garden. She tended it. She never saw anyone else in it. It would be good to have something to keep her busy.

#terato #monster #monster boyfriend

34 notes · View notes

dammitadolfnomorecake · 6 years ago

Text

DOTW 48 - Start

Eren's meeting with Floch hadn't gone well. His barely used voice still hurt his throat each time he spoke, and he'd left Levi waiting outside in the living area. Being pregnant, he felt wrong having another alpha in his bedroom, but there were so many things he couldn't tell Levi yet. Not without clear answers about just what had happened at the compound. He had no idea if anyone had survived, outside of the few omegas and children, he and his father had been able to sneak off the property. Compared to living there, being with Levi again was a luxury. And he knew how fucking lucky he was to be home with both he and his pup in one piece. His father had been the first suspect his pregnancy, then had gone to great lengths to hide it from everyone else. It was probably the only kindness Eren could ever remember the man showing him, though it was also probably for his own personal gain. If they'd found out he was pregnant, it would probably have been a great way to limit his father's actions even more. Eren couldn't say he understood anything his father told him, or what motivated him, only that he still didn't think he loved him like a good son should. Not with what he'd done to his mother. Floch had asked so many questions. Not stopping as he forced him into a panic attack. Blindly gripping his chest, he'd fled to Levi, his alpha wrapping his soothing scent around him and coaching his breathing back to normal, while evicting Floch from their apartment. If he had to ever see him again, it would be way too soon. Once Floch had left, and his panic attack had turned to vomiting, Levi stayed with him on the bathroom floor. They'd been to see his doctor, who'd ordered a fresh lot of blood tests... much to his disgust. He was sick of needles. And, despite how sweet it was, he was sick of the fuss. Levi would do everything for him. Since discovering that he was indeed the father of the pup, his alpha was now smothering him with affection, trailing after him from room to room like a lost puppy. That's why he didn't tell him he'd messaged Hanji. She's scolded him for not messaging sooner, then in the same sentence told him that he was coming over for dinner on Friday night... which happened to be the same day as Floch's visit. He hadn't told her about his pregnancy, instead wanting to surprise her. Being able to tell someone the news himself felt good. Erwin's heart might have been in the right place, and Mike had to know because of the whole doctor thing, but he'd wanted to keep it to himself for a little longer. Especially with how hard it'd hit Levi. He'd tried to make up for the awkwardness with affection. His stupid words had left him from the moment he'd seen his father, so he couldn't really convey everything he wanted to tell Levi properly. After he'd returned, he'd tried speaking a few times. When he was alone in his room, but hated the squeak in his voice. He sounded stupid, and the words felt weird. Then realising that Levi wasn't being completely honest about the pup and his feelings towards it, he felt so fucking angry. An anger that halted his words again. He felt like Levi should have known better to think he'd just let himself get pregnant to another alpha. If that had been the case, he would have found some way to take care of it... he didn't want to be carrying anyone else's child. And the sense of pride and the thrill of it being Levi's, had been crushed to dust by his alpha's constantly foul mood. By the time it came time to head to Hanji's, he was exhausted. His courage waning, and his anxieties flaring. He'd never appreciated all the unwanted emotions and thoughts his omega had forced him to endure, yet the loss of its solid presence had shattered something inside of him. Without its voice, he felt lost inside his own body, only really feeling connected when having sex with Levi. He couldn't make fun of Marco anymore, not when his own sex drive was out of control. All Levi had to do was breathe, and his dick sprung up. Slick all but gushed from him each time his boyfriend was close, and more than once he'd taken "matters" into his own hands, in a desperate bid not to seem too needy. It was struggle. Living in a community that had used and abused omega's had driven home his awkwardness around sex. He craved the touch of Levi, while feeling dirty. Like he shouldn't want it, or accept what the changes he was going through so easily. The pads he was forced to wear almost all the time barely lasted an hour or so before being soaked, and he felt guilty over Levi having to replace everything he was using. He loved him. Even after he'd hurt him so deeply. But it was all a bit too much and he hoped that Hanji would be able to act like a wall between them, at least for one night. Asleep on his feet, he'd dozed off while Levi drove. His alpha had helped him dress, because he had no idea what to wear anymore. Something as simple as going to Hanji's shouldn't have sent him spiralling like it had. Waking to find Levi staring down at him, he'd completely slept through his boyfriend pulling up in Hanji's drive way "You should have woken me" Wincing at the pain in his throat, Levi reached out and wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth "We only just arrived" Eren was pretty sure they hadn't only just arrived. His seatbelt was already undone, and Levi's jacket was covering his torso "Liar" "5 minutes, is close enough. Erwin's already here" Ugh. He was tired of Erwin living with them "Don't give me that look. You told me to send him to Hanji's, it wasn't my fault he came back" "Can't you just go back to work already?" Helping him down from the Range Rover, Levi wrapped his arm around his waist "Trying to get rid of me already?" Eren coughed. Fuck. He was sick of this. His father had poked around at his throat, before deciding his muteness was psychological and teaching him the basics of signing. Now he was wondering if the man hadn't done something "Eren?" "It's ok. Just tender. And no. But I'm back. I just want things to go back to normal" "I don't think there's such a thing as normal. Not when you're around" "I'm serious" Pausing, Levi sighed "Is that something you want? Me returning to work?" "I... I think you need it" "I need it" "You do everything for me. I want you to have something for yourself" "I'll think about it" That was something. He hoped Levi actually would. His boyfriend couldn't chase after him forever, and it wasn't fair to keep him home all the time. Once the pup came, then they'd be both busy taking care of them. He hadn't confided his fears over it being an omega. Levi might accept his dynamic, but Eren didn't want to condemn his child to a life of fighting for existence "Are you ok? We don't have to go in..." "'m ok. Just... a little anxious" "You don't have to tell Hanji more than you're comfortable to. And if you don't want to tell her you're pregnant, that's ok to" "I'm nervous" "You'll be ok. I'm here, and if you want to go home, all you have to do is say" As nice as it was, Eren really wished Levi would stop saying things like that. It made him feel weak. He was done with feeling weak. He wanted to be strong. Strong for Levi and their pup. Forcing a smile, he nodded "I know. Let's head in" "Eren!" Screaming his name, Eren couldn't help but retreat as Hanji launched herself at him "My sweetheart! I've missed you! I can't believe I had to wait this long to see you. Let me look at you!" Stepping between them, Levi ended up the one caught in Hanji's hug "Back off, Shitty Glasses. You're scaring him" "Sorry. Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you" Shoving Hanji off, Levi shook his head "He missed you too. Now, are you going to let us inside? Or do we have to spend the whole evening out here?" "Come in, come in. God. I'm so happy you're back" "T-thanks" Yeah. Talking had to stop. It hurt way too much and now Hanji was frowning at him "Ignore her. It's fine" How was he supposed to ignore the look on her face? Tugging at his jacket, he felt the need to scratch or do something to relieve his bubbling anxieties "I was just..." "Eren is perfectly fine. He's been checked over by Mike, and his own doctor. And he's had a chat with Krista" Hanji threw her hands up in surrender "Message received. Anyway, we should get back to Erwin and Anna. She's got him wrapped around her little finger" "Good. You can keep him. He refuses to move out. The arsehole owes me a new sofa" Cackling, Hanji finally moved out the way, leaving Eren to close the door behind them. Trailing after Levi, his eyes widened at how big Anna had become in his absence. The little girl was beautiful "Yep. Just about four months old now" Fuck. It was July already. With everything that happened, it was hard to believe it was nearly four months. Yet, at the same time, if someone had told him he'd been gone for the last 10 years, he wouldn't have been surprised. Retrieving Anna from Erwin, Eren soon found himself with his arms full of the baby girl "Anna, this is uncle Eren" Deciding not to talk and risk scaring her, Eren smiled down at the girl "I need photos! Make yourselves at home. Levi, do you want a beer? How about you, Eren?" "I know what you're like. We'll stick to water" Hanji poked her tongue out "Spoil sport. This is a party. One won't hurt" Eren looked to Levi in desperation "You can't get my omega drunk" "Aw. Eren's great fun to drink with" "I know, and maybe some other time. But for now, water will be fine" Carrying Anna over to the dining table, Eren held her close. He was in complete and total awe over how much she'd grown, and how much she looked like Hanji. A mini-Hanji... god. One Hanji was bad enough "Soooo. What's it like being back? Is Levi still being a grumpy arse?" Busying herself with getting two bottles of water out, Eren was relieved to see she wasn't cooking. With no scents of food in the house, he hoped that meant they were ordering in. He could at least use dodgy food to cover up smell nausea "I'm not grumpy. And things have been going alright" Eren nodded, Erwin sighing "I guess these two idiots forgot to tell you Eren can't talk at the moment" "I noticed the wince when Eren was speaking before. What's up, honey? Is your throat sore? I can take a look for you" "Hanji, drop it" "But if he's in pain, he should get it looked at. He sounded squeaky" Fuck. He wanted to scratch... or scream. Screaming would have helped... and helped make him look even more like a basket case "Hanji, it's fine. Eren lost his voice for a bit, and is getting used to talking again" "Oh. Did something happen... No. Never mind. We'll make do" So two and two clicked for Hanji, while Eren's stomach dropped. He didn't want to be treated differently. Placing the bottle of water beside him, Hanji dropped a kiss on Anna's head, who immediately reached for her mother. Lifting Anna from him, Eren was at a loss for what to do with himself "Actually, Eren can sign" Couldn't Erwin shut up?! A distressed whine fell from his lips before he could stop it "Alright. The next person who picks on my omega is getting hit. Leave him alone" "Really! That's so cool" Well, after 8 weeks or so of his father's forced lessons, he should be able to at least remember the letters. He'd even met an omega who'd helped him a little. He hoped she was alright, wherever she'd ended up "I had no idea you could sign. You're just full of surprises" Yeah. She had no idea because he couldn't fucking sign when he'd left. This whole dinner thing felt like a terrible idea. Rising from his seat, he walked towards the glass doors that lead to the side of the house "Eren?" "Need air" Signing at Hanji, Hanji looked to Levi "He's fine. He just needs a moment" He'd been under no delusions that he could just return to his old life. Not being pregnant and not having gone missing again. And though he knew Hanji didn't mean anything bad at all by the things she said, he still felt like he needed a moment to himself. Sitting on the back steps, he wasn't surprised when Levi trailed after him "Are you ok?" Outside, it was too dark to really sign "Y-yeah. I know she means well" "She does. She's been hounding me to come visit you. She was really worried for you" "I don't need the guilt" "I. Sorry. I don't know what to say" "It's ok. I knew coming back wouldn't be easy, but there's so much I'm not ready to talk about" Shit. He'd just scolded himself for being weak, and now he was tearing up again. Slinging his arm over his shoulder, Levi pulled him into a hug "I know. You don't have to talk and you don't have to sign. I'll have a word with Erwin, but I wanted to see how you were doing first" "I don't think I can tell her" There was half a moments silence "You don't have to. Like I said, we can tell her when you're ready. Just use tonight to get used to her crazy all over again" "I fucking hate this" "What?" "My voice. Feeling like I'm back at the start all over again. My voice" "I like your voice. You probably haven't noticed but you've gotten better" "Really?" "Yeah. You were much more raspy before" "It still feels weird" "It's fine. Hanji's just in mum mode" Eren nodded, Levi kissing his temple "Let me know when you're ready to head back in" "Should go before Erwin opens his mouth again" "That's a fair point. I've already told him not to talk about the pregnancy. Not until you're ready. But I don't know if he'll take that to mean with people like Eld and Gunther, instead of Hanji" Eren groaned, why did all these big mouthed people have to be the ones to spread his news? It wasn't fucking fair "I really want to be the one to tell people when I'm ready. I'm sick of it" "I know. I'm sorry. I wasn't going to tell Erwin, then he noticed your stomach" "I know he's been there for you, but I can't take much more. I can't even be mad because he doesn't mean to be a dick" Coughing, he wrinkled his nose at the feeling "Yeah. I think there's a fair bit I need to talk to him about" "Levi, don't kick him out... just because of me" "I'm not. He needs to start moving on with his own life too. And he's not going to do that on our sofa" Kissing his temple again, Levi rubbed his arm and gave him a quick squeeze, which for some reason his body decided he needed to slick over "Let's head back inside. It's colder out here than I thought it'd be" "Mmm..." Lead back inside, they interrupted whatever conversation Erwin was having with Hanji. Eren felt guilty for interrupting them, and then paranoid when they both looked to him at the same time. Levi squeezed his hand firmly "It's ok. Why don't you go sit down, in the living room? I'll join you in a minute" Even if this "chat" was necessary, he didn't like knowing it was about him "Is everything ok?" "Yeah. He'll be ok. Erwin, can I talk to you?" Ignoring the look on Erwin's face, Eren tried not to trip over his own feet as he wandered over to the lounge room. Sinking down on the sofa, he drew himself into a ball, resisting the urge to place his hand on his stomach. He didn't want Levi fighting with Erwin, or with Hanji. He especially didn't want to fight with Hanji. Joining him, it was like the woman could see right through him "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anxious" Looking to him, Eren wanted to reply, but was too self conscious about his voice. Pulling out his phone, he opened a new message. Typing to her would have to do "I know. My anxiety isn't good" Showing her the message, Hanji nodded "I really didn't mean to. I'm just so relieved your back. After you went missing, we were moved to a safe house for the first month. Levi wasn't coping and Erwin had to step in" Erasing his message, he typed another "Yeah. I heard. He needs time" He hadn't heard about the safe house, not that he remembered "And I guess Erwin crashing on your sofa isn't helping?" "Not really" Hanji nodded at his message "Levi's not going to be too blunt is he?" "No. He said they needed to talk. I told Levi he should go back to work too. I don't want to be treated differently" "I can understand that, but you were gone for two an a half months, after a death threat was made against you. We don't know what's safe to say and what's not" "Then just talk about what I missed? Not about me" "I don't know what to say. Levi fell apart. He quit his job, and spent all his time searching for you. To the point he could barely function. He started drinking more and more, and every time we tried to talk to him, he'd shut down" It wasn't his fault he ended up taken again. He'd expected to die. Not for Bertholdt and his father to show up... nor did he expect that he'd ever have to kill another person, or be involved in their death. But here he was. And gone was Bertholdt "I didn't ask for this" "I know. It was just a horrible situation" "Then why do we have to talk about it?" "Because talking helps" "Not when you're not ready" Hanji sighed, Anna was curled into her as if she was already sleeping "I suppose you're right. You haven't missed much here. Moblit's grandmother tried to take my chance at having another child away" Eren raised an eyebrow. He didn't like the woman, but he didn't think she'd do that... and he wasn't sure he understood "Sorry. What?" "Moblit and I had been considering going down the IVF path. He had sperm frozen, which came out at the reading of his will. I didn't even know he had one. He expressed his desire that I use his sorry if I wanted to have another child, should something happen to him. His mother didn't like it at all. She called it disrespectful" Eren let out a sign of his own, echoing Hanji's "That's rude. Moblit wanted a family with you" "Thanks, Eren. I was really angry with her at first, but I guess I can see where she's coming from now" "I can't" "That's because you don't have children. You'd do absolutely anything to protect your child. She didn't want me possibly tarnishing Moblit's name, or relying on them for money" "Moblit wanted this. This is his choice. He wouldn't have wanted kids with you, or for you to have more children if he didn't believe in you and that you'd be a good mum" Hanji smiled sadly "At the moment, they're still in storage. But like I said. You haven't been pregnant, nor or you a mother" What the fuck did that have to do with anything? Maybe he was stupid for not getting it, but wasn't it Moblit's and Hanji's choices? They'd dreamed of having a family. Moblit absolutely adored Hanji, and Anna was so adorable. It was clear that Moblit was the love of Hanji's life. The only ok thing he could pull from her reply was the fact Erwin hadn't told her his secret... and after hearing that, he wasn't telling her either. He might not have been pregnant, but he'd been there for Marco and for Hanji, as well as a dozen or so omega's at the cult. And their children. He'd unfortunately been made to sit through births. Like. Multiple births. He wasn't exactly clueless "I guess I'm stupid for thinking that love and decisions should be made by the two people in love" "Sadly, it doesn't work that way when one parent dies" Who the fuck decided that? Instead of replying to Hanji, he sent an "SOS" to Levi. Jogging into the living room, Levi visibly relaxed when he saw he was ok. Walking the rest of the way to the sofa, he dropped a kiss on Eren's hair "What did I miss?" "Eren and I were just talking about Moblit. How did things go with Erwin?" "He's moving in with you" Hanji snorted, before looking over the sofa to Erwin who was standing near the kitchen counter "You can stay if you clean" Erwin shrugged "The lovebirds need some alone time" "Can you blame them? Eren just came back" Eren was right there! They didn't need to talk like he wasn't "Levi's thinking of coming back to work though" "That's something. Have you called through for dinner yet?" "I thought you were" "Aww. No. See. This is why we couldn't live together. Neither of us would ever remember to eat" Sitting on the arm of the sofa, Levi ruffled his hair "You'd remember to eat, you're just both too stupid to organise the food part" "Well, if Eren wants a job. I wouldn't mind help around here" "I'm not leaving him with you" "More like borrowing?" "He stays with me" Hanji pouted "No fair" "Tough shit. Get Eyebrows to help. You're not taking my boyfriend away" Again. He was right there.

8 notes · View notes

sleemo · 7 years ago

Link

Mike Celestino, Inside the Magic: I’ve been looking forward to this film for quite a while, but some fans have expressed that they’re not sure why we need a Han Solo origin story. What is your response to that?

Jonathan Kasdan: We don’t. [laughs]

Lawrence Kasdan: I’m mystified by that one question. I feel I can answer almost any other question. But, ‘Why do we need…?’ I feel that you can say that about any movie that was ever made.

Jonathan: I think we need it almost exactly as much as we needed ‘Iron Man 2’… or 3. For that matter, ‘Batman Begins.’ I mean, I am a huge fan of the [Christopher] Nolan Batman cycle, but let’s be honest, there had been five Batman movies. And never in any of the Batman movies, even as they continue, has there been any danger that he was going to die. So the handicaps on this movie that I think have caused people to ask that question are a little baffling, simply because it’s such a hallmark of the culture now to revisit characters we adore.

Lawrence: You find out more than you knew before. ‘Godfather [Part] II’ was not necessary, but I’m so glad that Francis [Ford Coppola] made it. I wanted to know more about that.

Jonathan: And then there’s the further element of it, which is that we never thought of this as a movie that was going to answer questions. Because we weren’t really asking questions either. We weren’t saying, ‘You’ve got to see the scene where he wins the Falcon.’ We were saying, ‘How can we make a really fun heist/crime movie with a character we absolutely adore, and pepper it with moments that are delightful and fun, and they give you a little kick?’

And I gotta say, seeing it with an audience for the first time two days ago, I think that was Larry’s initial impulse, and I think he totally was right on the money. There is something so primal about seeing Han and Chewie see each other for the first time, and that connection between them evolve. It’s powerful. It’s what movies do best. I’m excited.

ITM: Lawrence, you helped originate the relationship between Han and Lando in ‘The Empire Strikes Back.’ How do you feel that relationship is different when they first meet each other in this movie?

Lawrence: Well, it’s the seeds of that relationship. And what’s fun is that neither man is [fully] formed. They’re both at an early stage, and you can see where it’s headed, but Lando is not the Lando we meet in Cloud City, and Han is certainly not the Han that lands at Cloud City and is suspicious of Lando. They have to learn to suspect each other. They have to learn to be competitive with each other, and that’s what happens in this movie. They recognize that this is a kindred spirit: someone who’s reckless and out for himself, will say anything, do anything. You don’t know if what he says is true. That’s all a fun way to make a relationship.

Jonathan: I was constantly saying to Larry that one of our inspirations for Lando had to be those beer commercials with The Most Interesting Man in the World. [laughs] I thought, ‘Lando is that guy.’ He’s gonna tell you all this stuff and you’re just gonna think, ‘Is that true or isn’t it true?’

ITM: Jonathan, you mentioned on Twitter that the Corellian Hounds were inspired by the Death Dogs in Ron Howard’s Lucasfilm movie ‘Willow.’

Jonathan: It’s an incredible coincidence, because it was one of these things that, from the very first [time] Larry had started working on the script, before I got involved, he had wanted [it] to open with a very Dickensian, Oliver Twist-ish feeling. These kids are going to be on the run. And I said, ‘What I want to see more than anything is something like this thing that terrified me when I was nine years old in Willow.’ Which were these dogs that felt very real, and would maul you if they could.

We stuck with it all along, we made sure that element stayed in the movie, even as things got embellished and longer. And the dogs that they came up with are the coolest thing ever. To see my six-year-old niece visit us on the set and pet these horrifying creatures was so cool.

ITM: Prior to the existence of this movie, there had been a rough established origin story for Han Solo in the Expanded Universe. We knew about Sabacc, we knew he grew up on Corellia. How did you decide what to keep from what had already existed?

Lawrence: I’m lucky because I know nothing about the Expanded Universe. I had never read one of those novels, so for me it was always starting from scratch. And Jon, who’s much more converse in that stuff, would sometimes say to me, ‘But here’s what happened.’ But we never felt limited by it.

Jonathan: What we took as a golden rule was that if it was mentioned in any of the seven at that point existing movies, it was officially a hard and fast rule. But even after the decision to make certain things canon and other things not, there’s still so much material between ‘Rebels’ and ‘Clone Wars’ and the books and comics they do consider canon, that it’s almost impossible to think of every reference within that world as law. It’s just too big.

I understand the desire in fans to feel that anything they read in that world, ‘Okay, well this is really what happened.’ But the truth is it’s such an expansive galaxy. And there’s a great guy at the center of this: Pablo Hidalgo, whose job it is to sort of master all this stuff, and he helped us a lot with things that he thought were hot button. What’s great about Pablo is he’s not the guy who says ‘No, no, no. You can’t do that.’ He’s the guy who says, ‘This could be tricky, and here’s what I would do that might help.’

Lawrence: And he lets you do that.

ITM: I don’t want to spoil too much in this interview, but my all-time favorite minor ‘Star Wars’ character– Bossk– gets a brief mention in this movie, and I want to know where that came from.

Jonathan: [points back and forth between me and himself] My favorite ‘Star Wars’ character too, by a hundred percent! I will say that there was a lot of effort on the part of this guy [points at himself again] to get Bossk into the movie. Desperately trying to, and there was not even resistance exactly. More what it was is that in the process of telling the story and refining the script, he kept falling out. And I kept trying to sneak him back in.

It went back and forth, and there did come a moment early in pre-production where I was like, ‘Guys, why do we keep taking Bossk out?’ And the guys were like, ‘There’s just no place for Bossk.’ And then once we were shooting I was like, ‘Well can we at least indicate [his presence]?’ Because he represents– and here’s why he’s important– because he’s so badass. He is like the Lee Van Cleef character in ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ or something. And you want to believe that these characters live in a world where that guy, and all those bounty hunters lined up along that wall in ‘Empire,’ are moving around and in proximity. That’s really cool.

#jon kasdan #lawrence kasdan #solo #han solo #lando calrissian #pablo hidalgo #bossk #star wars #interview #link #*

34 notes · View notes

yourdailykitsch · 7 years ago

Photo

Taylor Kitsch on Learning From ‘Friday Night Lights’ and ‘Humanizing’ David Koresh in ‘Waco’

Taylor Kitsch rose to fame on NBC’s football drama “Friday Night Lights” but since hanging up his jersey, he has taken care to diversify the roles he has played so he wouldn’t be typecast. From soldier Michael Murphy in “Lone Survivor” to firefighter Christopher MacKenzie in “Only the Brave” and now to leader of the Branch Davidians, David Koresh, in Paramount Network’s “Waco,” Kitsch has become the go-to guy for playing real larger than life personalities. “I always want to do something different,” he says. You’ve been able to move back and forth pretty effortlessly between film and TV. Is there something you like more about one than the other? It depends on the material, but I think you’re a bit more spoiled in television. To use “Waco” or “True Detective” as examples, you have six or seven episodes to show more colors and to dive deeper and to have a crazier arc. I love that part of it. And TV shoots quicker! “Friday Night Lights” was a learning experience for you as an actor. When you look back on that experience now, what strikes you about what you learned most about the business there? It was misleading! Just in the sense of we had so much creative control, and the process was f—ing amazing. No marks, no rehearsal. You do or don’t want to say it, then do or don’t. It was so much fun, and not every project is going to be like that. I wasn’t naive, expecting that either, but I was super green and allowed to make mistakes without being stepped all over. Sometimes the mistakes were celebrated, and I loved that. Kyle [Chandler] was a great leader through his work ethic, and Connie [Britton], and they’re still really close friends. That’s rare. Is there still a concern about getting offered roles too close to Tim Riggins? No, I’m over that. I’m very proud of that part of the career. Being a small town Canadian kid going to play Riggins, there were some parallels for sure — lack of father, sports figure. I think in the beginning when I was coming out of it, sure, but now I feel to be 36 and to have played such a crazy range, I’m very proud. David Koresh is not the first real person you’ve played but he was larger than life than many. How do you juggle the facts with still wanting to put your stamp on the character? Through research, and I’m going to anyways! If you let have people have that kind of impression — especially if you’re playing someone who’s lived, no matter if it’s Dave or Mike Murphy or anybody — you have to bring in the facts. And obviously you have a script that you have to follow. There were certain beats in there that rocked me that weren’t in the script but I begged to put in there because they rocked me. I loved that creative process with the Dowdles. What is an example of one of those beats that you wanted to make sure made it in? I wanted to see this guy and what it means to be Dave and what he tells his kids. What are the repercussions to his beliefs? Because we know everything else of having all the women and having your own band — it’s great to be Dave in a lot of ways. It really is. Before the siege, he’s in control, he’s created this bubble where he knows everything that’s going to happen — which is quite the opposite from his childhood. But what does it mean to a seven year-old when you’re sitting on this man’s lap when he’s dying, and Dave tells him, “You will be king. When the Kingdom of Heaven comes down, you are the eldest of 24. You have this responsibility.” That to me is fascinating. That’s what I wanted this series to be about — humanizing. How do you keep the judgement from creeping in to just play the man? Selfishly to tackle Dave, you want to show every light you can. To tackle any character, really, but especially someone so sensationalized. The tapes, the phone calls, the letters, they helped immensely. The abuse he came from was huge. It kind of opened a lot of doors for me in understanding the why. He left the house at 14, his mom was 14 when she had him, and he was raised in a tiny community as well. When you’re 16 or 17 and at that point you’re living by yourself and you memorized the bible, there’s some kind of identity you’re searching for. He changed his name, went to Jerusalem, and he starts to find control and power through this knowledge and this scripture. So when you sign on, you go into the Book of Revelations and you try and start drawing some parallels because you have to marry yourself emotionally until the death. And now it goes back into what control means to Koresh, which is everything. That’s his purpose. Because he didn’t have it — he had nothing growing up — but he creates this world where he controls the food, the diet, the sex, the kids. How do you then shed such a character after filming is over? I need time. Dave was a bunch of therapy and then motorcycle rides. I went on a motorcycle ride through Utah, Montana, Idaho, and you just rest. You just slowly integrate back into reality. I had gone through it with Kevin Carter and “Bang Bang Club” and it rocked me. I didn’t have enough experience then to understand what it was I was dealing with. Now I know I’m going down this path, and I know I’m going to have these repercussions, and it will be the same process and it will sting but I’ll be OK. But I wasn’t. It kind of blindsided me, even though I thought I was ready for it. So I just kept telling my team, “I need time.” Are you at a point in your career where you want to develop something for yourself yet? I wrote a movie. We have it financed, and hopefully we’ll do it at the end of this year. I’ve seen enough where I’m excited to take my own swing. I think creative control is big. And this story just won’t leave my brain, to be honest with you. I spent awhile writing it, and I’m really proud of it, and I sent it out and had amazing actors attached so hopefully they still want to hang out. You just have to do it right. Pete Berg’s producing, Taylor Sheridan’s had his hand in it, and he’s amazing. If you could talk to the younger you, maybe that was just about to book “Friday Night Lights,” what would be your advice? I think to just not be so hard on yourself. To take more of a breath. Now I’m starting to enjoy the process more, but I can be super hard on myself. So take more vacation time and don’t kill yourself over this stuff. Put the time and the work in, but when there is time to laugh, take it.

#taylor kitsch #waco #david koresh #interview #friday night lights #tim riggins

20 notes · View notes

monkeesimagines · 7 years ago

Text

Monkee Mayor

It wasn’t that you didn’t support Mike in his campaign for mayor. But after all those letters and checks poured in, just two days before the election- well, you figured something was wrong. The whole time that Mike was campaigning, and the other three Monkees- especially Micky- were running the campaign, you had taken the liberty of polling the populace- and nobody was voting the Nesmith ticket.

After you told Mike the results of your polls, the two of you got into an argument, a bad one. He was determined to go through with all Micky’s planned craziness and advertising. And you told Mike just what you were thinking: that it was all Micky’s idea- which was true- and that Mike had let himself get talked into something he never wanted to do it in the first place- which was also true. But pointing out that he wasn’t thinking for himself was just about the worst thing you could do to him. You had practically accused him of not having a mind of his own. It turned out to be the easiest way to make him mad.

His face was red, his jaws clenched tightly. It was the only time he was ever angry enough at you to clench his fists. He didn’t raise them, but you half-expected a slap. Instead, he let his fiery brown eyes burn into yours for a moment before he spun on his heel and stormed out of your house, slamming the door behind him.

You figured he must have told the other Monkees what you’d said, because it was a couple of days before you heard from them. You spent most of that time at home, crying. When you finally got a call, it was Davy, explaining about Zeckinbush’s threats, confirming your worst fears about the contribution money. Mike had accepted and spent the money, and that meant the biggest crook in town now owned him, just like he owned Mayor Motley and the rest of the city. Cold terror gripped your heart. Mike was ruined, and the other Monkees, too- your best friends, and so early in their lives! You could see no way out of this mess. Now you had a new reason to cry.

Davy told you when and on which station to watch Mike’s campaign speech. With the Monkees out of the house, you decided to go to their pad (you didn’t have a TV) and watch the speech with the three neighbors that were living with the boys. Not knowing whether the Monkees or any of their friends might be angry at you, you sat off to the side, away from the neighbors, but still at a good enough angle to see the TV.

The TV cameras showed Honest Tex (one of your nicknames for him) staring at the table in front of him, chewing on his lip until it seemed he would make it bleed. He looked up sharply as someone off to the side directed his attention to the camera. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “Hello, my name is Michael Nesmith, and as many of you know, I’ve been running for- as an independent candidate for mayor of this city.

"Politics is a very interesting game- but it’s a dirty one, too, as I found out, and I don’t guess that I’m tough enough to play that game.”

Your brow creased quizzically as you listened. Michael, what are you doing?

“You see,” Mike said, lowering his eyes, “in the beginning, when I started all this, I sorta wanted to do something for the community, because… uh… Well, Mrs. Filchok- Oh, you don’t know who Mrs. Filchok is.”

Mrs. Filchok, sitting in front of the Monkees’ TV set, gaped at the mention of her name. You realized that, until that moment, none of them had known that Mike had started all this for them.

Mike explained, “There are some people in this town who are the little people-” He frowned. “Well, no, they’re not the little people!” He slapped a hand down on the table in front of him.

You thought perhaps you understood the source of his frustration. He had been playing this politics game just long enough to start talking like a politician, like he was somehow better than everyone else. That was how he’d always been treated growing up, and now he saw himself doing it, and he hated it.

Mike stumbled on, “What I- what I mean to say is, there are some people in this town without power. They’re people like my next door neighbors. And what I wanted to do was go down to city hall and make their voices be heard, because I didn’t think it was right that because they didn’t have any power, that nobody would listen to them.”

You felt like crying. He was taking this whole thing personally. What he saw happening to his neighbors was the same thing he had seen happen to his own family when he was a child.

Mike looked down at his hands, clasped together on the tabletop. “Well, I suppose that was a noble enough motive, but somehow, in doing that, I got sucked up in the very forces I was trying to conquer.”

You inhaled sharply. He was going to come clean, right there on television for everyone to see and hear!

Needing something to look at besides the cold, unforgiving cameras, and something for his hands to do, Mike began gouging his left thumbnail into the lines of his right palm. “Well, the newspaper ads and the skywriting…” He drew his lower lip into his mouth, biting down hard, leaving marks, and shut his eyes briefly, as if experiencing some terrible, gut-wrenching pain. “…and this television show, much as I hate to say it, were all financed by funds that I got from an improper source.” He had to pause for a deep breath before he went on. “I didn’t know they were improper. I don’t suppose that’s any excuse.” He finally managed to look up at the camera. “But if I can be tricked like that, I don’t guess that I’m smart enough to be your mayor, so I’d like to take this opportunity to announce my withdrawal from the race-”

“Mr. Nesmith?”

You tensed as Mayor Motley appeared beside Mike. What could that mealy-mouthed windbag want, unless it was to torment Michael?

“You’re right,” the mayor said. “That’s usually how city hall is run, except when one man’s honesty throws sand in the machinery. I promise you- and all our citizens- that from now on, our city will be a cleaner and more personal place to live.”

Happy tears flowed freely from your eyes as you watched Motley grab Mike’s hand and start pumping. Mike grabbed onto his hat and stood up to keep from falling out of his chair. Then there was the sound of shouting and cheering as the other three Monkees ran in front of the camera to grab Motley’s hand themselves.

And you and Mrs. Filchok and the others were crying tears of joy as you cheered and hugged each other.

* * *

You could hear the Monkees as they came up to the door, singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” as they came in. Micky and Peter were deliberately singing off-key. Well, at least the guys knew better than to try to lift the proud Texan on their shoulders and spoil his dignity.

As soon as the guys walked in, their houseguests gathered around to join in the chorus. Mrs. Filchok had baked a cake, originally intended to celebrate Mike’s becoming mayor. The icing on the cake read, “To Mike, Our Hero.”

You hung back uncertainly, wondering whether Mike would forgive you.

The three neighbors thanked and congratulated Mike profusely for what he had tried to do. He thanked them for their praise, blushing slightly, but not smiling, tucked his hands in his pockets, country-boy style, and muttered, “Ah, well, I tried. Too bad it didn’t work out.”

“That’s all right,” Peter said reassuringly. “You’re not cut out for politics, anyway. You’re a leader of men!”

Everyone looked at him funny, the way they always did. There was logic in his statement somewhere, but no one felt like looking for it.

Except Davy. “He does have a point, you know,” the British lad said. “You’re not a politician.”

“Like I said before,” Micky said with a smug smile, “he’s too honest.”

Mike shot him a dirty look. The Texan had a quippy retort on his tongue, but before it came out, he noticed you standing by the stairs. You offered him a small smile and a slight wave of your fingers. Mike came over to you, his head down, ashamed to look you in the eye. “Hey, Y/N. Listen, um…”

“I’m sorry.”

The two of you chuckled, as both of you had spoken at the same time.

“No, I really am,” Mike said. “I- Hey, what do you have to be sorry about?”

“For accusing you of having no mind of your own,” you said. “Did you tell the others what I said?”

“No,” Mike said, with one of his emphatic head shakes. “They knew we weren’t talking, but I didn’t tell them why.”

You sighed with relief. “Good. At least I don’t have to apologize to Micky for the things I said about him.”

“Yeah, but you weren’t so far off,” Mike admitted. “I got in over my head when I didn’t even want to. I let myself get dragged into all this. It’s my own fault. Well, mine and-”

“Hey!” cried Micky, coming to you and Mike. The curly-headed Monkee grinned widely. “Hey, Y/N, did you catch the show? Man, I didn’t know how that was gonna play out, but it turned out all right in the end.”

“Sure did,” you agreed with a small smile.

Micky grinned at his friend. “See, Mike, I told you running for mayor would solve everything.”

Mike gave him a small, tight smile, his eyes narrowed. “Yeah, you did. Which reminds me…” He grabbed the back of Micky’s collar, yanking him up onto his tiptoes, and started him towards the other room. Micky squealed in fear.

“Mike,” you pleaded, “go easy on him. He was just trying to help.”

“I’m not gonna hurt him,” Mike said. “I just have some things to settle.”

Micky winced. “Uh, this is just a wild guess, but are you upset with me about something?”

“Yup,” the Texan answered, Gary Cooper-style.

“I was afraid of that,” the former campaign manager whimpered as the former candidate marched him into the next room for a stern discussion about the difference between free speech and loose tongues.

* * *

A couple of days later, you took another poll, asking people if they were happy about Mayor Motley’s re-election. Most of them were.

When you asked what they had thought of the independent candidate, most of them replied, “What independent candidate?”

“The Texan, Mike Nesmith,” you reminded them.

“Who?”

But of those who did remember Mike- and mostly what they remembered was his withdrawal speech- this is what they had to say:

“Oh, yeah, he was that southern boy with the hat that pulled out at the last minute. I wasn’t sure about him until his TV speech. Too bad he withdrew. After that speech, I just might have voted for him, after all. Sure, he messed up. But who doesn’t? At least he admitted it. Most politicians are such cowards, they try to hide their mistakes. And maybe he isn’t that smart when it comes to politics, but then again, most politicians don’t really seem to know what they’re doing, anyway. If I’ve gotta be under someone’s rule, I’d rather it be an honest human being than a smart politician.”

#mike nesmith #mike nesmith imagine #submission

11 notes · View notes