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lillaydee · 17 days ago

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In Time

Rancher Joel Miller / Reader

You lost your dear Uncle. Your TV Star boyfriend dumped you. You needed a job. You got one at a ranch in Wyoming. Where you met Joel. A very grumpy man. Grumpy man has issues.

WARNINGS:

Grumpy Joel, Hurt Joel, Grieving Joel, Joel is Bad at Feelings (The Last of Us), Joel Needs a Hug (The Last of Us), Joel Has PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (The Last of Us), Mentions of Hostage Situation and Shooting, Alternate Universe - No Cordyceps Outbreak (The Last of Us), Mutual Pining, Fluff and Angst

SERIES MASTER LIST

---

You waited all morning for him to pick you up, as promised. He insisted that he would. No need to get a car, Sweets. I’ll get the car. I’ll pick you up, we’ll go together. You’re not alone in this, okay? I’ll be there for you Sweets. You know that, right? I love you, Sweets. Benny was like a father to me, too. Of course I will be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

The service was due to start in an hour. He was still not here. He was two hours late. Calls went straight to voicemail. You were supposed to be there already, greeting the guests. Fuck this. You grabbed your purse and keys and left, driving yourself to the service. Who cared if you arrived in your old beater rather than a fancy town car, right? So long as you got there.

The traffic in LA was no joke. Hence the plan to leave three hours before the service. You made it with five minutes to spare. You were ridiculously disappointed in yourself. You fell for his sweet talks again. He was no longer the sweet, dependable, considerate David you met 10 years ago. He was Dave Landon now. Successful, sought after, crazed over. And you were still the same boring old Amelia, the simple vet, who hadn’t fully practiced for the last three years, ever since Benny got sick.

You rushed in, the pews in the small room already filled with Benny’s old friends, mostly his age. You apologized profusely to the proprietor, who kindly waved your apology off, already aware of the reason you were late. You took the opportunity to go to his casket, and studied the face of the man who took you in, raised you as his own, and made you who you were today.

He looked good. He was right. This place would do a good job, he had said, and they really did. He looked his age, not the shriveled old man the disease had turned him into. Your heart ached at the memory of your dashing uncle in his prime, looking like a movie star, picking you up in his fancy car on your first day at school in a strange country, a far too glamourous private school, where you looked like a twelve-year-old, while the other girls looked twenty.

When your own parents died Benny had flown back to the UK overnight, being your only family left. He officially adopted you and took you with him from the small English countryside farm you had grown up in and brought you to LA where he owned an art gallery, to live with him. His partner left him for refusing to give you up, and he never had a serious relationship again. You lost count of the number of times he had shut the door on his ‘friends’ who knocked on his door late at night for a good time just because you were there. His life became about you. He paid for you to get the best education you could get, and you managed to get a degree in veterinary medicine back in the UK, him scheduling his work to coincide with your breaks there so that he could spend as much time with you. The day you graduated he was cheering for you so loudly, his voice alone overpowered the claps and music, his eyes glistening with tears at your success.

So when he got sick, you stopped everything to take care of him. David had landed his role of a lifetime, and had asked you to move in with him, but you refused. How could you when the man who dropped everything for you needed you?

And now, the man was gone. You had never felt so alone before. Your friends were far and wide, but you had focused so much on Benny these three years you hadn’t really kept in touch with most of them. You had hoped that David would be here with you, at least, be your hand to hold, but that had been too much to ask, it seemed.

You bent down, kissed your dear uncle’s cold hands and cheek one last time, and told him you would speak to him every night, like you had always done since your first night here.

“I promise, Benny. I love you.”

---

The service was beautiful. Simple, dignified, just as he had wanted. When everything was cleared, you finally checked your phone, hoping to see a text, an explanation from David, but there was none.

When the two of you met, you two were fresh faced university students, instantly hitting it off. You had always been shy, never having a lot of friends, and even if you did, after graduating, everyone scattered all over. You had chosen to go back to LA, not wanting Benny to be alone. He came with you, chasing his dreams to be an actor.

David worked hard to pursue his acting career, going for audition after audition, getting small roles here and there, working as a waiter in between jobs. During that time, Benny and you had supported him, his own family being as unstable as they were. You ran lines with him for auditions, held his head when he cried from yet another rejection, paid his rent when he ran short. You were there for him.

That first year Benny got sick, he helped you take care of him, taking him to chemo when you were still working, caring for him at home, keeping him company. He held you at night when you came home tired, listened to your stories, laughed at your jokes, cried when you cried. He was there for you, as much as you were for him.

But then, one day, he auditioned for a pilot, which became an instant hit. In a flash, David Trafford became Dave Landon, TV heart throb who played Jerry, a superstar playboy turned clumsy, inexperienced dad who had a baby left on his doorstep. You quit your job to take care of Benny, David coming by when he was available to do so, the frequency lessening quickly as the show became more and more successful.

He had been very respectful of your request for privacy, not wanting your private life to be plastered all over the internet and tabloids. His agent was very happy about this, preferring that he be linked with famous actresses to promote his name. You didn’t mind, you knew the game, and he was very frank with you about it all. So, you managed to stay away from red carpets, limiting your relationship to the privacy of his house and Benny’s, and the odd outings. Taking care of Benny was a full-time job anyway, and he understood.

But as he got more and more famous, free time became less and less. His agent was taking advantage of his fame, booking him for anything and everything within every inch of his life. Still you understood, knowing this was his dream, and you were not going to stand in his way.

You had supported his dream, his career, his passion.

But when Benny died, when your world stopped, he didn’t show.

You were suddenly seething. You had never asked him for anything. And the one time you needed him, he was a no show.

You drove over and unlocked his front door. You turned the corner of his foyer, walking into the music filled kitchen.

Where Cleo, his costar from the show, whom he had always been gossiped with, was cooking.

Naked.

You stood there, not saying anything, until he himself came out of the pantry, also naked, holding a bottle of wine, and saw you.

“What are you doing here, Sweets? Why didn’t you call first?”

Cleo stood behind him, covering her body with his. You had no idea why, it’s not that you hadn’t seen it before. Her nudes, her sex videos were all over the internet.

You kept quiet. You didn’t say anything. You were wondering why you were not feeling anything but anger at the fact that he didn’t show for Benny’s funeral. He quickly put an apron on to cover himself, again, you didn’t know why, it’s not like you hadn’t seen him naked before.

“I swear this is not what it looks like. We were just getting comfortable with each other, for the show. We have a sex scene coming up. That’s all.”

Cleo said nothing. Just stood behind him, eyeing you up and down.

Still you said nothing. He looked flustered now, knowing there was no way out of this, that you knew, the jig was up.

“Sweets, you know I love you; she means nothing to me. It’s just sex. You’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

Cleo huffed and went off into his room angrily, slamming the door behind her.

Why didn’t you feel anything? You should be angry, right? This was your boyfriend. And you just caught him naked with his costar in his kitchen. A costar who, incidentally, seemed really angry at the fact that ‘she meant nothing’ to him.

He took a step closer to you, and that’s when you saw them. His eyes. He was high.

“You missed Benny’s funeral.”

You turned around to leave.

“Wait! Benny died?”

You stopped and turned, glaring at him. He suddenly looked annoyed, as if you were being unreasonable with him.

“How high are you? How long have you been high? I told you the day it happened. You told me you were coming to take me to the funeral. I waited for you all morning. I almost missed his funeral!”

“Fuck, I’m so sorry Sweets. I don’t remember.”

You turned around, leaving for good. You didn’t have time for this bullshit. You didn’t sign up for this.

“Well what did you expect? You think I’m gonna wait around for you when you put another man and his needs before me? Fuck you, Amy! Fuck you! We’re over! You hear that? I’m breaking up with you! See who will have you now, you boring bitch!”

You slammed the door behind you, leaving this ranting man behind. A man you didn’t know at all, who was not the sweet, caring man you met and fell for years ago.

---

You gave Benny’s house one more look once the boxes had been picked up and the house cleaned. It looked a lot smaller when it’s empty. Funny how that worked. You remember being in complete awe of it all when you first came here. You went to the backyard one last time and laid in the hammock you and Benny had installed together when you first got there, remembering all the time the two of you had done so, talking to the stars. He had you convinced that your parents were among them, and that if you talked to them, tell them your problems, ask them questions, about anything at all, you could always, always hear their replies, and that you would never be alone.

You smiled thinking about the time when he tried to get off the hammock after you had fallen asleep in it during the early days and ended up tipping the hammock over, sending you crashing down to the concrete floor. You broke your arm that night, and Benny carried a sobbing you into the ER shoeless, wearing only his sweatpants screaming for help. He was devastated that he had injured his baby. It took a lot of convincing from you to have him join you in the hammock again, and so much practice getting out of it without tipping anyone over.

You remembered the last week before he passed, where he insisted on lying in the damn hammock with you still, and you helped him lift his frail body into it, just so the two of you could cuddle in it the way you always had. You remembered him falling asleep, his head on your shoulder, telling you he loved you and that being your uncle was his greatest achievement.

He never woke up again.

You caressed his side of the hammock one last time and looked at the stars.

“You’d better be in the stars above Wyoming too, Benny.”

---

You felt like you had been hit by a train. You fell asleep about two hours into the early morning flight and was shaken awake not 10 minutes later. The plane was landing in Jackson Hole shortly. Please put your seat into the upright position, miss, the pretty flight attendant had said to you.

After Benny passed, you were busy taking care of his considerable estate. He had left you everything. You had tried to stay, but you couldn’t help but see him everywhere. The school he used to drive you to, the restaurant he loved, the mural he had liked, the shops he frequented. And at home, you were haunted by his memory. His favourite chair. His slippers. His gown. The breakfast nook. His room. And of course, the hammock.

It also didn’t help that you couldn’t get a job in LA, not that you needed one, Benny’s considerable estate made sure of that. But you just couldn’t stand being idle. Your old workplace didn’t have any vacancies, but your old colleague told you about a year-long job that could be available. It’s a ranch. Their regular vet had to attend to some family matters, and they needed someone to take over for a year. But this ranch was not like the quaint English farm you grew up in or worked at during your Uni days she said, if she remembered correctly from pictures from your Insta. And you had spent almost twenty years in LA. The Tetons during winter was… not quite the English winter you were used to growing up. So, it might be a bit of a challenge, but nothing you couldn’t handle, she said.

You said yes so quickly she laughed and gave you the number to call. “Talk to Tess. She manages the ranch. Tell her I gave you the number.”

And so you called, and Tess was very excited about you coming to fill in, even if you were rusty, having not worked for three years, and had only worked a handful of years before that. Basically you would be taking care of the horses and cows on the ranch, and a few dogs and the likes. The neighbours might call you up for help with their animals too, and they pay you extra for that.

You were worried, you won’t lie. A ranch. But hey, it’s just a year. And you had never lived anywhere that would get proper snow. It didn’t snow much where you grew up, so maybe this would be fun. One year. Good experience. And after that, who knew? Maybe you’ll go back to England. Or move to Asia. Benny had always wanted to do that. Maybe you’ll make his dream come true.

You had sold or donated everything in LA, bringing exactly ten boxes with you to Jackson, mostly books, and four suitcases – Benny’s prized LV ones. He had bought them with his first commission from his first sale at the gallery. You didn’t plan on going back to live in LA, anyway, so might as well make it easy for yourself – easier to bring as little as you can too, considering you were planning on leaving the country after the year was up. The boxes had been sent ahead, and Tess said that someone would be there at the airport to pick you up. Dress warmly, she had warned. And bring plenty of winterwear.

So, you lugged your four suitcases onto a trolley, and pushed. You scanned the arrival hall for your name, but there were none. You pushed the trolley towards the entrance, and when the door opened, you froze.

Literally.

It was fucking freezing.

Shit.

You wrapped your scarf around your neck tighter and kept pushing. You looked around, standing at the area Tess had asked you to wait at, not seeing anyone or any truck that matched the description and photo that Tess had sent you. Just as you were about to call Tess, an old-looking, battered red truck parked right in front of you. The driver took out his phone, looked at something on it, and then you, and got out.

“You Amelia?” he asked.

“Yes?”

“I’m Joel. Tess sent me.”

“Erm, she said someone called Tommy was picking me up. Not Joel.”

He looked annoyed. “Well, he can’t make it. Wife’s not feeling so good. I’m what you’ve got. Are you coming or not?”

You hesitated. This man looked grumpy. And you were not about to get into a truck with a grumpy stranger in a strange place where you knew exactly one person, and that was Tess, who was hundreds of miles away, apparently. You took your glove off your right hand, and dialled Tess’s number, holding a finger up to him. He threw his hands in the air before placing them on his hips, taking a deep, impatient breath, looking like he was about to implode.

You told Tess a Joel was here, claiming she sent him. She laughed and asked you to point the camera at him. Joel rolled his eyes at the camera. Tess told you yep, that’s the grumpy asshole who was going to pick you up. Tommy was supposed to, but his wife was not feeling too well. Sorry, she forgot to text you about it.

Joel started lugging your suitcases, tossing the first one into the back seat.

“Hey! Be careful! That’s my entire earthly possession right there!”

“Doubtful,” he said. “Ten boxes just arrived for you at the ranch. At least lie better.”

“Well, those suitcases mean a lot to me. Please be careful,” you begged. He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like ‘damn city girls’ under his breath, but he did at least place the rest carefully in the back seat. He closed the door and pushed the trolley towards the attendant.

You were feeling like a lost puppet. You didn’t know what to do. Stupid questions filled your brain. Do you get in the truck? Do you sit next to him? Do you take your very puffy jacket that wasn’t doing squat in fending off the cold off? Do you wait and shake his hand? What do you do? It was like your brain decided to stop working. You had just arrived, sleep deprived from the emotional night you had saying goodbye to your life in LA with Benny and how early you had to leave for the airport that morning, got ten minutes of sleep and was greeted by the North Pole and a very grumpy elf.

He came back to the truck and got in. You were still standing there. He opened the door back up and asked if he should open the fucking door for you, Princess? You were startled by his aggression. You went around and tried to open the door, but it was stuck. You pulled and pulled, and finally he gave it a push from the inside and the door flung open, pushing you onto your backside on the fucking freezing road, a passing car narrowly missing you by inches.

He just sat there, staring at you, his lips half curled with an amused smirk.

You got back up as quickly as you could, a bit disorientated from what just happened, and quickly tried to get in. But the truck was high, and you were used to small cars, and had so many layers on, and in your cotton-brained, ouchy-my-buttocks-hurt-like-a-mother state you had trouble climbing up, your petite frame not really helping. He scoffed a not so silent ‘Jesus, city girl’ before he offered his hand for you to take. You stared at him and hoisted yourself in, ignoring his hand.

You pulled the door shut, feeling dangerously close to tears, and avoided looking at him. He took his seatbelt off, scooted towards your side, reached across, opened the door back up and pulled it shut with a slam, the truck wobbling from the force. He buckled himself back up and sat there watching you trying to figure out the seatbelt, which was loose, and looked for the slot in the bench seat, the many layers you had on and the rustling of the puffy jacket getting in your way, your arms feeling stiff and the thick gloves making you less dexterous than you normally were. He impatiently took the seatbelt from you and locked it in, muttering under his breath as he did so before pulling out of the spot.

You glanced at your phone, it was 9 in the morning, you had been here not even an hour, and you were already on the verge of tears, feeling more unwelcomed than you ever did in your entire life. You took a deep breath, and tried again, asking him how long the drive to the ranch would be.

He turned the radio on and upped the volume in response.

You looked out the window, the heated interior of the truck feeling much colder than the cold city outside. You pulled the hoodie of your jacket on so he couldn’t see your face, and leaned on the window, tears silently trickling on your cheek.

What a first fifty minutes to the rest of your next year.

This was clearly a mistake.

---

Part 2

#joel miller x reader #the last of us fanfiction #joel miller #tlou fanfiction #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x you #rancher joel miller

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squishpies · 1 year ago

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~I fell in love with a war~

Sanzu x reader - Angst (cheating)

It was a nice spring day, and you were walking down the street to your local store to find some snacks.

You then noticed your phone started to ring, you picked up to see your boyfriend, Sanzu calling.

"Hey babe, I'm not gonna be home later tonight, I have some business to attend to." He said, sounding like he was in a real pickle,

"Oh.. okay, I'll see you later then.." You replied, sounding sad.

You hung up, and then walked into the store, then grabbed a few snacks and paid, then left.

*A few hours later*

You walked into your shared apartment and took in the scenery, as you saw keys on the kitchen counter, which were your boyfriends.

"It's been a few hours since he was gone, how couldn't of he come back and grabbed them?" you asked yourself, picking them up.

You then decided to try and track him down, so that you can hand him his keys.

You walk out the door and open your tracker app to see your boyfriend was at an unknown location. You get in your car and drive off to where the location takes you. It stops at a fancy hotel, and you feel unsure about yourself, because there was only so very much few cars in the parking lot. As you walk in the hotel employee greeted you.

"Hello, do you have a reservation?" the employee asked, smiling at you.

"Is there a reservation under the name Sanzu?" you asked, looking unsure of yourself.

The hotel employee looked straight at the computer lying in front of them and started tapping away. "Yes, it is, room 204."

You thanked them and headed straight for the elevator, then you pressed the '2' button.

You arrived and ran down the hall and found the room, you stood infront of it as regret filled your senses.

You turned your hand into a fist as you prepared to knock on the door. You hesitated before knocking.

You heard rustling and you instantly felt nauseous. The door suddenly opened, and and there was a tall, gorgeous blonde female, she had pink lingerie on.

"Yes, are you room service?" she asked, looking you up and down.

"N-No, I came here because apparently my boyfriend is here, according to my tracker." You said, unsure of yourself.

The tall woman looked at you with worried eyes, "W-Well, I don't think your boyfriend is here, maybe he is in another room.. the system probably got messed up.." she replied, looking at the ground.

All of a sudden you heard footsteps behind you.

"Y/N..? What are you doing here?" Sanzu said, looking at you with a shocked expression on his face.

The tall woman suddenly closed the door shut and locked it, so nobody could open it.

"What.. What are you doing with that woman, Sanzu?" You asked, looking up at your boyfriend, you could tell he was guilty of something.

"I..I was taking care of a business proposal. I'm sorry Y/N, you wouldn't understand." Sanzu replied, looking at you and frowning.

"I know you slept with that woman.." You replied, with a saddned face.

Sanzu looked away from you, I..I'm sorry Y/N. I am."

"Why would you do this to me? All I've given you is love and support. And you cheat on me?"

Sanzu didn't reply he just looked down at the floor in embarrassment as you continued to yell at him.

He suddenly got a call and took the opportunity to run away.

You started to cry and ran out the hotel, as you got into your car and drove off.

You arrive at your apartment, and you run to your room and continued crying.

12 years later

You wake up and remembered you had to attend a meeting with a gang in your in, you hurried to get dressed and headed straight out the door.

Your leader, Mikey, had recently called you to inform that you must attend the meeting since you are new, so you can meet everyone.

You rush to the meeting site as you see Mikey there already.

"Welcome Y/N, the members will arrive here sooner or later." Mikey said, looking up at you with his black soulless eyes.

"Okay." you said as you sat down next to him, awaiting your co-workers arrival.

The first one was two tall men, they are called "the haitani brothers".

The second one was a man with black hair and a wicked scar on his face, his name is kakucho.

Then another man came, he was gorgeous and he looked very familiar.

"It appears that everyone who could attend is here." Mikey said, looking around the room. "We have a new member, this is Y/N."

The familiar mans face dropped, he looked like he saw a ghost.

#tokyo revengers #sanzu haruchiyo #sanzu x reader #bonten #fanficiton #fanfiction #tokrev sanzu #tokrev #tokyo rev x reader

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nordax · 8 months ago

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in the crooks of your body (i find my religion)

hi. hello. it's been a while. like, a year and a half since i've written anything but sometimes a situation just requires some soft porn, you know?

anyway. buck x tommy, body worship, nipple play & titty fucking coming. word count: 4k ish

also on ao3

“You look… incredible.”

Buck’s words are almost a whisper, and he can’t tear his eyes away from Tommy, who is wearing a dark button up, some flowy, nice material, and the buttons at the top are undone, flashing a lot of chest.

“Thanks”, Tommy says and Buck can hear the smile on his face as he steps closer to kiss him. It’s like a ritual, every time they see each other, that Tommy presses a soft kiss to his birthmark and then grabs his chin, softly. It’s no different this time and it makes Buck’s heart soar and flutter in his chest, like he swallowed a swarm of butterflies. Their teeth clash a little but it’s alright, and Tommy tastes sweet and familiar and it makes his knees buckle a little bit.

It’s a date night, the first in a long while because of course their schedules were opposites for what felt like an eternity. Realistically, it was probably like a week but every day that Buck went without seeing Tommy felt too much. His heart aches with longing, even now, as Tommy’s hand finds its place on the small of his back, pulling their hips together and he has to fight the urge to grind down on him.

They have a reservation at some fancy place Buck’s never been to but Tommy assures is great, and he doesn’t want to ruin their plans but the desire to pull Tommy into his apartment and take him on the kitchen counter is intense.

Still, he lets Tommy take his hand and lead him to the stairs and down to the car. Like the gentleman he is, he opens the car door for Buck and it still makes him feel special. Loved.

It’s a short drive, and the place is admittedly very nice. The food is good, the service great, and all Buck can think about is the way Tommy’s shirt hugs his chest, even with the top buttons undone, and how badly he wants to tear off the shirt and just go to town.

Tommy has incredible pecs. Well, he’s incredible and gorgeous all over but something about this look in particular is driving him crazy. When Tommy leans forward, Buck can almost see his nipples and it makes his mouth go very dry. He wants to get his hands on them, pinch and lick and suck, see what kind of sounds he could pull from Tommy.

Earth to Evan, he hears Tommy say and there’s an amused look on his face when Buck finally meets his eyes.

“Seeing something you like?” he asks, leaning back in his chair and rolling his shoulders, stretching, pulling his shirt taut over his chest and highlighting every curve.

“Uhhh y-yeah, sorry”, Buck manages, feeling his cheeks heat up. “I’m sorry. You look so gorgeous. What were you saying?”

He wants to listen, of course he does, but he’s pretty sure Tommy is teasing him on purpose. He almost maintains eye contact, drifting only to Tommy’s lips and back up.

“Look who’s talking”, Tommy says and nods towards Buck. “You are allowed to look, but there’s drool and maybe that’s for a less public setting. Like back at your place. I could let you take this shirt off but don’t tear it, I can almost hear you thinking about that. It’s a nice shirt and I’d like to wear it again, especially since you seem to like it so much.”

Buck feels heat pooling in his stomach and Tommy leans in closer again, taking Buck’s hand in his.

“If I was, say, shirtless in your bed. What would you want to do?” he asks, voice low and rough and he’s going to kill Buck if he keeps going.

“I- I don’t know”, Buck says and Tommy cocks his head to the side, raising an eyebrow like he’s saying yeah you do, we both know and Buck swallows hard. “I want to undress you myself. I would tear that shirt but since that’s off the table, maybe open it painfully slowly. Button by button, kissing you. Let you get all worked up. And I would touch you, cup those incredible pecs in my hands and pinch your nipples before getting my mouth on that.”

Tommy’s pupils are blown wide and he’s biting his lower lip, squeezing Buck’s hand.

“I bet you like that, don’t you? I’d worship you all night. Bite you. Mark you. I can’t wait to get my hands on your tits.”

The word slips out from his mouth and his heart skips at least three beats. He did not mean to say that, even if he was thinking about it. But Tommy only chokes out a moan, and it makes Buck’s dick twitch in his increasingly uncomfortably tight pants.

“How about”, Tommy says, pausing and his eyes flicker to Buck’s lips, “we skip dessert and head back instead?”

Buck nods enthusiastically and almost knocks the table over in his hurry to get up. Tommy gets the check, and they’re back in the car in record time. Buck lays his hand on Tommy’s thigh, dangerously high, rubbing circles with his thumb and Tommy is gripping the wheel with his knuckles white.

It’s a miracle they make it back in one piece, with Buck continuing his speech about everything he wants to do. Like map Tommy’s body with his tongue, and find all the spots that make him sing and cry and moan. He palms at his own dick through his pants and Tommy’s eyes are hungry, darting between him and the road.

“You’re gonna kill me, kid”, Tommy laughs as they stumble up the stairs and to the door of Buck’s apartment, and his hands shake as he opens the door. The way Tommy says kid makes his heart flutter, again, and his dick twitch.

“Yeah? Is that a challenge?” he muses, tossing his jacket in the general direction of where it should go, pulling Tommy along with him, up the stairs to the loft and why did he have to move somewhere where the bed is so far from the door?

Their clothes leave a trace from the door, along the stairs and to the foot of the bed, and in his hurry to kick off his pants, Tommy trips and lands on the bed and Buck can’t help but laugh.

“You really that eager?”

Tommy shoots him a knowing look, eyes wandering to the obvious bulge in Buck’s pants.

“As if you aren’t.”

Buck shrugs and steps out of his pants and boxers, and slips his socks off before climbing on top of Tommy, still wearing his underwear and that damned shirt. He straddles Tommy and the fabric of his underwear rubbing on his dick sends sparks through his entire body.

Tommy raises his arms above his head, studying Buck’s body and slowly meeting his eyes and there’s such fondness in his eyes it makes Buck’s heart tumble in his chest oddly and he relishes in the undivided attention.

Slowly, with shaky hands, he takes the first button of Tommy’s shirt and opens it. It’s difficult this way around and he would much rather tear the shirt and maybe buy a new one for Tommy. But he continues to the second button, taking it slow like he promised even though he can feel his dick leaking onto Tommy’s stomach. You’re so wet, he remembers Tommy saying the first time he gave him a blowjob and it made him blush violently but Tommy said it with so much love and adoration, and not to tease him and it almost made him cry.

“God you’re fucking gorgeous”, Buck breathes as he finishes opening the shirt, letting it fall open and Tommy shivers. There’s a cocky, confident smile on his lips that Buck can’t wait to wipe that off and replace it with a blissful, spent smile. “I can’t wait to ruin you.”

Tommy moans at that and then covers his mouth, like he surprised himself with his reaction. Buck takes his hand and places it back on the pillow above his head. He leans down to kiss Tommy, on his lips and on his chin. His version of the ritual.

“None of that. I wanna hear you”, he says and Tommy nods, rendered breathless and speechless. It’s a rare occasion, and Buck kisses him again, sloppy and wet and greedy. He trails open-mouthed kisses down Tommy’s chin and along his jaw, down his throat, scraping his teeth softly against the skin. It earns him little gasps and he can feel Tommy’s muscles twitching and moving underneath him. The strength makes his head spin a little. Tommy could relatively easily throw him off, change their positions, but he seems content underneath him, Buck’s thighs framing him.

Buck keeps his eyes on Tommy’s face as he lays his hands on his chest, testing the waters. He squeezes and gropes, letting his fingers dig into the skin and there’s muscle, yes, but softness too. It’s a wonderful view, watching Tommy’s mouth fall open and his head tilt back. He’s sensitive, that Buck already knows, but he’s never really focused this much on his chest. He ghosts his fingers across the soft skin and Tommy groans, arching his body, trying to push into the touch.

When Buck ghosts his fingers over the dark and splotchy scar on Tommy’s ribs, he draws in a sharp breath through his teeth.

“Does it hurt?” Buck asks, even though somewhere in the back of his mind, he knows it’s an old scar. He’s heard the story before, when they laid in bed and he traced Tommy’s scars and asked about the stories behind them.

“Surprised me, is all. Most people aren’t a fan of those. Reminds them too much about how dangerous the job is”, he says and pauses. “Still not used to… this.”

And he doesn’t need to say anything more, because Buck understands and he knows what Tommy means, like he knows Tommy understands when he doesn’t talk about the lighting strike or the ladder truck.

“Reminds me that you’re still here, despite it all. Still alive. With me.”

Tommy hums softly and blinks a couple times, and it feels like too much, for a moment, like he might drown in this emotion and then Tommy’s hands reach for him, pulling him down for a kiss. It grounds him and when Tommy drags his bottom lip between his teeth, he feels those sparks again, lighting a fire in the pit of his stomach.

With his mouth still on Tommy’s, he grabs Tommy’s left nipple between his thumb and index finger, twisting it and drinking in all of Tommy’s soft moans. He ducks down to lick circles around Tommy’s right nipple, just above the scar, circling it with the tip of his tongue and Tommy breathes out his name, pleading. Buck grabs more of his left pec, as much as he can, and thinks about how good his cum would look splattered over Tommy’s chest and face. Wonders if he could fuck those pretty tits of his.

It requires some coordination to do two different things at once, but Buck is good at this and he knows it. While his mouth is busy with Tommy’s right nipple, licking and sucking, he squeezes and twists the other one, and Tommy whines, high and needy. His hands come down, one twisting into his hair and the other sneaking past him, grabbing his ass. Tommy pulls on his hair and Buck moans against his skin. It sends electricity all through him, makes him tingle, the way Tommy grabs his hair and doesn’t let go, doesn’t pull him off but just holds him there, guiding him where he wants him.

Buck scrapes his teeth over the nipple in his mouth and praise rains from Tommy’s lips. Encouraged, he bites at Tommy’s chest, between the nipple and the scar. Soft at first and when Tommy doesn’t protest, he bites a little harder, tugging on the skin with his skin and sucking on it, and Tommy tastes like salt and sex and home.

He sucks three marks there, and it leaves the skin red.

“Admiring your work?” Tommy asks and his voice is a little hoarse, his lips plush and red like he’s been chewing on them. Buck nods and ducks his head again, nuzzling his face between Tommy’s pecs and Tommy laughs softly. He cards his fingers through Buck’s hair, and it feels so nice. He lays there for a moment, listening to the steady beat of Tommy’s heart. When he slips his tongue out and licks the skin, he feels Tommy’s dick twitch against his ass.

Right. Priorities. Like trying to get Tommy off without touching him.

He grazes his teeth over Tommy’s left nipple and in response, Tommy curses and praises him, says his name like a prayer, words all mangled together and the hand in his hair tightens again. Buck licks and sucks and bites until Tommy is panting, hips bucking up and it makes Buck’s heart swell with pride. He sits up just to squeeze Tommy’s tits, pushing them together and he looks so gorgeous with his cheeks flushed and chest all wet and covered in bite marks and bruises.

“Can I fuck your tits?” Buck asks and Tommy chokes on his moan, hand falling from Buck’s hair. He would be embarrassed if he wasn’t so turned on. “Like, can you push them together for me? I want to paint you with my cum.”

“God, Evan”, Tommy breathes and places his hands on Buck’s hips. His fingers dig into Buck’s skin and silently, he hopes Tommy would grab him hard enough to bruise him, to leave his fingerprints on him.

“Can I? Please?” he asks again, watching Tommy intently and trying to convey all of his emotion in that single look. His hard, neglected cock twitches and he resists the urge to touch himself. He wants to give Tommy time to think, because they’ve talked about this before, about trying things they might like.

“Yeah, Evan. You can”, Tommy says finally and Buck moans, deep and throaty and leans in for a kiss. Tommy’s hands slide from his hips and up, along his back, cradling his face and this, right here, is where he belongs. He pulls back breathless and Tommy has that stupid, proud smile on his face. It falters when Buck rotates off of him, crawling to the side of the bed, rummaging through the drawers and returning with a wide grin and a bottle of lube.

“Can I take the shirt off now?” Tommy asks and Buck pretends to think for a moment, because he already decided not to ruin his shirt and they’re trying something new, he doesn’t want Tommy to be uncomfortable. With his permission, Tommy sits up and slips the shirt off, and Buck thinks he sees Tommy flexing his muscles just a bit more than necessary. He hooks his fingers into the waistband of his underwear and Buck stops him, grabbing his wrists.

“Not yet. I want to watch you fall apart for me, so no touching”, he says and Tommy’s eyes flash with something, lust. Hunger. He lets Buck guide his hands to his sides, and straddles him again, shuffling until his dick is perfectly between Tommy’s pecs.

“You look fucking gorgeous”, Buck says because he can’t not, because Tommy is the most beautiful thing he has ever had the pleasure of witnessing and his words make Tommy squirm.

“Really?” he asks, and his usual confidence is hiding somewhere. There’s uncertainty, and Buck understands because he’s pushing Tommy out of his comfort zone but then again, Tommy pushing him out of his was one of the best things to ever happen to him. That, and the constant reassurance.

“Yes, really. Only thing that would make this better is my cum all over your pretty face.”

Tommy makes a choked sound, and grabs Buck to pull him down for a kiss and his hand sneaks between them, fingers wrapping around his dick and he swallows Buck’s moan effortlessly.

“Can’t wait”, Tommy whispers and gives a few good tugs on his dick and Buck is already so worked up he thinks about letting Tommy just jerk him off, it would have the same end result. But he’s been wanting this for a while now, a little longer than he’s willing to admit.

“You’re gonna make me cum”, he says and doesn’t pull Tommy’s hand off, just closes his eyes and relaxes. Tommy works him with certain hands, squeezing the base of his cock and it sets his skin on fire, sends his heart soaring through the roof. He feels so good in Tommy’s hands. Tommy’s big, strong hands that seem to fit on him like puzzle pieces fit together and how their bodies slot together like they were sculpted from the same piece of clay.

Like they were made for each other.

“You wanna fuck my tits or not?” Tommy asks, and it brings Buck back to this moment, and the heat pooling in his stomach. Buck swats Tommy’s hand from his cock and squeezes a generous amount of lube on his own hand, spreading it all over his dick and letting it drip onto Tommy’s chest. He gasps and complains that it’s cold, and it’s cruel to do that without warning, and Buck makes a mental note about pursuing that further one day. Right now, he has more pressing concerns. He orders Tommy to push his tits together, and he does, a lovely blush on his cheeks and it’s such a pretty look. There’s enough soft flesh there to form something he could fuck.

Buck tries slowly pushing his hips forward, guiding his dick between Tommy’s tits, and it feels euphoric. The way Tommy looks so thrown off balance and yet so eager, eyes darting back and forth between Buck’s face and his dick, and the obscene sound of his dick against Tommy’s smooth, slicked up skin.

He wants to do this slow, to make it last, but he can’t, not when Tommy looks like that. Buck leans forward, looming over Tommy and grabbing the headboard for support. Tommy slides his hand to Buck’s dick, guiding it down and deeper between his tits and Buck moans at that, low and rough and oh he’s so wrecked.

“You’re so fucking good for me”; he says and his hips stutter. “Not gonna last long.”

Tommy groans in response and tries squeezing his chest in more, with his arms more than his hands and with a slightly awkward angle, he manages to wrap his fingers around Buck’s dick and tries jerking him to the rhythm of Buck’s thrusts. Buck thinks he might pass out. Tommy is breathing hard under him, and he looks so gorgeous, and somewhere in the back of his mind, Buck thinks about Tommy’s poor neglected cock but then Tommy rubs his thumb over the tip of his dick, along the slit and it almost sends him over the edge.

“Tommy, please”, he manages, voice hoarse.

“Do you want to cum on my tits?” Tommy asks, breathless and so desperate. He tugs on Buck’s dick, matching the increasingly inelegant pace and then he opens his mouth, like an invitation.

It’s like he wants Buck to pass out.

He thrusts harder, faster, desperate for release and he feels his balls tightening and that heat from his stomach rising to his chest, and he chases that, bed groaning under them as he shoots thick ropes of cum over Tommy’s tits and his throat and some of it into his mouth. Tommy keeps pumping his dick until Buck is shaking with overstimulation, gasping out little moans.

“Good?” Tommy asks, the bastard.

“Perfect.”

Buck opens his eyes just in time to see Tommy wipe the cum from his face and licking it off, slowly, one finger at a time.

“You’re such a cum slut, aren’t you?” Buck asks, still a little dazed and floating somewhere between his bedroom and seventh heaven. Tommy laughs and his hands are on Buck’s legs, stroking up and down his thighs, softly kneading his bad knee before going up again and settling on his hips.

“For you? Anything”, he says and it makes Buck’s head spin. He reaches behind himself to palm at Tommy’s cock and there’s a wet patch on his underwear. Tommy moans and tries bucking up into the touch, fingers digging into Buck’s skin.

“Want you inside me”, Buck says without thinking really, still riding his high. There’s a distant throbbing pain in his knee. “Want you to fuck me into the mattress.”

Within milliseconds of the words leaving his lips, Tommy slides him off of him and then pushes him down, and in a flurry of motion his underwear ends up on the floor and Buck finds himself lying on his stomach, Tommy settling between his legs. It makes his stomach swoop, the way Tommy manhandles him so easily.

He hears the cap of lube opening and Tommy’s hands spreading his cheeks, a finger circling him before pressing in. He can’t help but moan and whine when the finger pushes in deeper.

“Good?” Tommy asks and Buck mumbles out a yeah, more please, and Tommy chuckles and pushes his finger in deeper for a moment before almost pulling out and Buck pushes back, trying to fuck himself on Tommy’s hand. He’s done that before, and Tommy watched him with hungry eyes.

“More”, Buck says, muffled against the pillows.

“Who’s the slut now?” Tommy asks, but obliges, pushing in a second finger, slowly. It feels like an eternity before he curls his fingers, pulling them out almost all the way before pushing them in again, scissoring and stretching him. Buck tangles his hands in the bedsheets and begs more, more, please, Tommy-

It’s a blinding pleasure, feeling the tip of Tommy’s cock on his entrance. Buck bites into the pillow and tries not to whine like a cheap whore but it feels so good, to have Tommy fill him and he feels himself getting hard again. He relishes in the stretch of Tommy inside him, and how Tommy’s hand finds its place on the back of his neck, steady, strong. A promise.

Buck arches his back and pushes back, his ass against Tommy’s hips and Tommy’s fingers wrap around his throat. He squeezes lightly and thrusts into Buck, fast and steady, singing praise. You’re so good for me, Evan. Take my cock so well.

It’s almost enough to make him hard again, balancing on the edge of being too much, too painful. Tommy coaxes filthy moans from him, whispering his name and yes I’m good for you, I’m yours, I’m yours, Tommy I’m yours until Tommy’s hand recedes from his throat to grab his hips, lifting him to his knees. He fucks him hard, like Buck asked, hips slamming into Buck with abandon.

“Please make this fast, can’t take much”, Buck chokes out and he’s shaking, but Tommy wants this and his fingers are painfully deep in his hips, and he’ll bruise for sure. Something about them wearing each other’s marks makes his heart swell and rise to his throat and when Tommy cums inside him, Buck feels tears burning his eyes.

Tommy leans down over him, kissing his ear and his neck and his shoulders, down along his spine, dragging skin between his teeth.

I’m so in love with you, Buck wants to say and all that comes out is a muffled moan, and Tommy hums in response. When he pulls out, Buck feels his cum dripping and trailing down his thigh. He slumps down and feels Tommy lay down next to him, a hand coming to frame his face and a thumb wiping the tear from his cheek.

“Are you okay, Evan?” Tommy asks and his voice is so soft and filled with love and worry that Buck can’t open his eyes because if he does, he’ll actually start sobbing. Not because he’s not okay, because he’s more than okay, he’s full of Tommy, he’s loved and sometimes it’s just a little too much.

“I love you”, he answers instead and reaches for Tommy, wants to hide his face in the crook of his neck where he knows it fits perfectly, like it was made for him. But he misses and his hand lands in the sticky, cold mess of lube and cum on Tommy’s chest. “That’s a bit disgusting.”

“The love or the mess you made?” Tommy asks and again, Buck can hear the smile in his voice. He doesn’t reply, just slowly blinks his eyes open and he feels another tear escape. His eyes are drawn immediately to Tommy’s chest, and it’s covered in the marks he made, and they’re getting darker by the second. He might have been a little over-enthusiastic. He traces them with his fingers, a little mesmerised.

“Did I hurt you?” he asks and finally, meets Tommy’s eyes.

“No. It was… really good”, Tommy says and brushes his thumb over Buck’s lips, leaving him breathless. “Feel up for a shower?”

Buck hums in response and there’s a weariness making itself home in his bones, and the ache in his knee is becoming stronger. But he knows they’re sticky and probably made a mess of the sheets too, and falling asleep like this will definitely lead to incredible discomfort when they wake up.

“Carry me?” he asks, holding his arms up and Tommy laughs, but he gets up and pulls Buck up to sit on the edge of the bed, and there’s a certain determination in his eyes like he’s actually going to haul Buck up to his shoulder and carry him to the shower. Unfortunately, there are stairs in the way, and having to call 911 because you and your boyfriend slipped on the stairs, both covered in cum, is a horrifying thought.

“I’ll carry you back to bed, and I promise to be careful with the stairs”, Tommy says, and offers a hand to Buck to help him up and that sounds infinitely better. His hand fits into Tommy’s like it was meant to be there.

#fanfic #bucktommy #mine #listen if you saw this before no you didn't i fucked it up #not sure if i'm a 100% happy with this but i have to post it or i'll go insane #i did have fun writing it #hope you have fun reading it

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milomarigold · 2 years ago

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Skinny Dipping Shenanigans pt1

Gender Neutral | Suggestive | Baxter Ward x MC

Part 1 | Part 2

(Art by MELLodrawmatic on Twitter)

🌲 🌲 🌲

You couldn't believe you were going back to the Rocky Mountains. The fancy mountain lodge you'd stayed in 5 years ago coming into view after a worthwhile scenic drive. Fir, pine and aspen trees as far as the eye could see! What was most surprising is that the same neighbor from so long ago was accompanying you, Mr. Baxter Ward. You turned away from the green forest beyond the car window and towards him.

Did he always look so handsome driving? One hand on the steering wheel at 6 o'clock, his right arm resting on the door ledge. A steady gaze on the road ahead he knew by heart. Warm summer light making him glow and an easy tranquil grin. From your thorough observations, you also noticed gray.

Ever since you two had started dating, you couldn't help but notice this small detail that'd made a younger Baxter so restless. Baxter's hair wasn't naturally black, it was more of a gray. He'd started dying it meticulously when he was 14, bothered that it wasn't exactly black. An "imperfection" he couldn't afford others to notice. So, it surprised you that it seemed he hadn't noticed his natural color resurfacing. It was only about an inch of gray, but that was still more than you'd ever seen from the ever careful Baxter Ward.

Or perhaps he had noticed, but he longer saw it as such a flaw. Perhaps, he felt more secure in showing you this vulnerable side of himself? You hoped so, you thought, smiling secretly to yourself.

"See something you like?" Hm, or perhaps it wasn't so secret. Baxter smirked roguishly at your reaction.

You attempted to recover however, "I can't help it, you look so handsome while you drive!" You said honestly and beamed a smile of your own.

Your bluntness had him chuckling. "Well, I wish I could indulge you longer, but I wouldn't know how to explain to the front desk why we were late for check-in."

"It was a matter of great importance!" You joked and reached for your seat belt once Baxter had stopped the car. He shook his head at your antics but had the softest look in his eyes. The two of you retrieved your luggage and made your way to the log hotel.

You may have been here before, but the familiar grandeur still managed to impress you as the hefty door closed behind you. The inviting hearth of the fireplace, the elegant red rug, stone walls and rustic furniture was still the same with only a few refreshing renovations.

The check-in went smoothly. You both settled into your room/s and ordered room service for dinner. The food was so divine you couldn't resist sending Liz a picture. Baxter came out in frame and you asked him to hold out a piece sign. He did. To which she responded, "Look at you living the high life, with your gentleman suitor!" She also sent you a picture of her having dinner with college friends. You smiled and showed your suitor.

The sky had darked significantly by the time you both finished dinner. So, your food comas suggested you head to bed. The drive had tired you out more than you thought, so you could imagine how tuckered Baxter must be. "Good night," Baxter held the back of your head and pressed a kiss to your forehead, "sleep tight." You were sure you would.

The next day, the two of you walked into the small town for a late breakfast. Afterwards, you both explored the shopping area. While looking at trinkets and souvenirs, you got some gifts for Cove, Terry, and Miranda. "Are you getting something for Xavier?" You looked over his shoulder as he compared several pins.

"Perhaps." he settled on a 4 pack of pastel pins with pictures of the rocky mountains "Yes, these will do." Although he was doing something nice for a friend, his tone resembled a villain picking a poison for their nemesis. Oh, Baxter...

Souvenirs in hand the two of you made your way out and stumbled upon a street performer with a sizable crowd. The Great Who Dini was performing a magic show! You held Baxter's hand and excitedly led him to the front of the crowd. You both watched as he shook his hat, but nothing came out. It was empty, or so the audience thought! The Great Who Dini reached in and pulled out a flurry of petals! You marveled as the petals fluttered around you. Baxter chuckled and clapped along with the crowd, "How delightful!"

The magician bowed with a flourish of his purple cape and a twist of his mustache. You were distracted from the show, however, when you felt your lover remove a petal from your head. Tilting his head to the side with a placid smile. A thought came to you, "You know, The Great Who Dini kinda reminds me of you."

"Because I'm mysterious?" He played with a flip of his wrist.

"Nope, because you're both dramatic!" you quipped with finger guns.

He gaped, a slender hand lifting to his heart as if he'd been shot. Alas, all it did was prove your point.

After the performance, you both made your way towards the lodge. Along the way, was a fork in the road with a sign pointing in different directions. One pointed towards the lake. "If you're not too tired, would you like to take a detour? The lake looks wonderful as the sun sets."

You didn't have an objection to that in fact, especially when there was an ice cream vendor along that path! Baxter paid for both of you. It was delightful to see Baxter choose another comical treat, this time he'd picked one that resembled a blue hedgehog.

Baxter sold it short when he said the lake looked wonderful. It was such a marvel you almost dropped your ice cream! Shades of orange, purple and pink reflected off the glittering water. Best of your boyfriend was in the picture, in more ways than one. That's right, it was the perfect picture opportunity!! You put your arm around his shoulder and prompted him towards your camera. You both smiled lightheartedly. Click!

"It's perfect." He said smiling boyishly at the picture. Then you both took a seat on the dock's edge to finish what remained of your frozen desserts. You gently leaned against him and he did the same. It really was perfect. A comfortable silence followed, until Baxter said something that surprised you. "Seeing the water really makes me want to take a dip."

"The elusive Baxter Ward swimming in a body of water?? Unheard of!"

"It's the uncertain depths of the ocean that frightens me, at least here I can see the bottom." Baxter justified amused. He was right, the pebbles glittered beneath the water.

"I'm just teasing, I'd never actually fault you for being afraid of the ocean. I'm actually proud of you for giving it a chance." You added sincerely, giving his side a hug.

Baxter turned towards you, with an easy gaze, "Thank you,. Honestly, I don't think I would've tried it without you."

It was then that you noticed the ice cream on the corner of his lips. Sensibly, you used your thumb to gently swipe it and try the treat yourself. Nom. "Mm, cherry?"

Baxter watched you, eyes wide. A touch of pink on his marshmallow cheeks. Then his confidence kicked back in, "Yes excellent guess, but there's a second flavor. Care to find out what it is?" You look down at the bit of ice cream that remained on the popsicle stick, and surveyed as he swiftly took it into his mouth. Canine easily dragging the cool treat in. Did he mean to drag the popsicle stick out slowly? Absolutely.

You blushed. However, you liked to think of yourself as a bit of a detective and you couldn't leave this mystery unsolved. You leaned closer, "Yeah, I do." He grinned, eyes lidded and met you halfway. Behaving while you trailed your hand along his jaw and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. He leaned into it eagerly. You noticed his cologne as you kissed him. It was floral, you loved it and lightly bit at his bottom lip. He gladly gave you permission to deepen the kiss. Now what could the second flavor be? He tasted tarte, but sweet.

While you put your detective skills to work, the sneaky dark haired man snaked his arms around your waist. He pulled you against his chest securely. You let out a content noise, wrapping one arm on his shoulders and a hand on his nape. This was a tough mystery, who knew how long the investigation would have to go?

You couldn't help tugging playfully at his hair. Baxter started to groan softly and gently pull at your shirt. Ah, you had it! The second flavor was raspberry! You should let him know you figured it out. Suddenly, you felt yourself moving, Baxter was pulling you onto his lap. Letting him guide your body, you confirmed his lap was better than any chair you’ve ever sat on. His dancer legs could never disappoint. You’d let him know you’d figured out the second flavor later.

Pulling back to take a breath, you started trailing kisses along his jawline. Humming happily he tilted his head back for you. Leaving another smooch behind his ear, you were one kiss away from his iconic beauty mark. His hand traveled down to your thigh- when a strange light flashed across your vision. Strange.

"Hey! You crazy kids, didn't ya read the sign??" The two of you parted startled by the sudden voice calling out to you. An old forest ranger stood holding a menacing flashlight. "No shenanigans allowed!!!"

The two of you looked at each other confused, before Baxter asked the ranger "Pardon? Oh...I see" Both of them directed you to a sign a little bit away that indeed read ‘No Shenanigans!’ in bold red paint. You couldn't believe your eyes and let out a snort of air.

"What?? Do you think this is funny?" Asked the ranger aghast. "Do you know how many juveniles come round here, lighting up fireworks, smoochin’, and causin’ havoc?! Begone, it's past open hours anyways!" It was hard to take the old ranger seriously when he was wearing spectacles and trousers many sizes too big, but neither of you could bear to tell him ‘no' either.

Fixing his hair into place, Baxter cooled "Do excuse us, we hadn’t noticed the time. We didn’t mean to cause trouble. Especially at such a well cared for area such as this. You must be very dedicated to keep the place so gorgeous.” He got to his feet and offered you a hand.

Your lover knew how to charm his way around an older crowd. The old ranger stood taller, flattered "That's right, gotta do my job! People be crazy round these parts, skinny dipping and the such."

"Oh don't worry we wouldn't dare do something so audacious." Baxter assured, straightening his button down shirt.

Your head tilted to the side surprised and asked “People skinny dip around here?” your boyfriend fixed your top to its proper place as well.

The ranger answered, "Yes, that's right! You wouldn’t believe the gall of some youths!” one hand pushed his giant spectacles up his round nose.

Baxter picked up your things and took your hand into his, “We'd wouldn't dare make your job harder, keeping the forest safe is no easy task. That said, we should get going, it's almost our curfew." You knew he was joking, but the ranger didn’t catch that. You both waved innocently goodbye at the ranger who cracked a smile and waved back, “Goodnight, y'all get back safe! …maybe those youngins ain't so bad.” He grumbled, and you left the lake, heading back to the lodge.

When you were far enough away Baxter started holding back snickers, fox eyes glittering in the moonlight. You had to ask "Baxter?"

"Darling, we wouldn't dare skinny dip right?" He flashed a wolfish grin at you. Oh you loved it when he was mischievous! You smirked, encouraging him to continue. "And get caught~" He finished.

"Baxter Alexander Ward, you little devil!!" You gawked nudging his shoulder playfully. Both your laughter rang like bells into the night sky. When you settled, just about reaching the lodge you gave him your answer "Well partner in crime, we better start planning our great escapade."

Your dramatic man looked at you, dead impressed! He hadn't actually expected you to want to go skinny dipping. With a swipe of his dark bangs, he leveled you with a look you'd only ever seen in movies when the villain is planning something evil. "Let us start some shenanigans."

To be continued…

#ourlife #baxter ward #our life beginnings & always #gb patch #baxter ward x #reader baxter ward x mc

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yesyourstalker · 1 year ago

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Part two.... Damn this shit. Long as fuck not even done

Warabi: it's the coldest time of yeeeaarrr! But cod damn I'm so warm in siiioode! When you're close to me and you smile at me! My excitement has no place to hide!

Neta: Warabi

Warabi: while the kids are laughing and screaming and grandma starts to siiing! I pull you aside. A nice place to hide and I pulled out that. Platinum. diamond. ring!

Neta: Warabi please

Warabi: you quickly tried to denyyyy it and that smile. I see you hide it! I give you the best ooooon Frosty Fest cuz our love.is.stronger. than. allllll the rest!

Neta: I'm trying to drive

Warabi: baby take my hand and make me your man- Why'd you turn the radio off?

Neta:........... We're sitting in silence

Warabi: but....it's but it's frosty-

Neta: shut up! [Eating]

Warabi: Don't eat all of the salmon bites. Those are for the guests!!

_______________________________________________

Mahi: holy shit. This place is huge.....it's bigger than the original store.

Baja: look he has two stories! Wow! I wonder what he's going to put up there!

Mahi: He said he wanted some sort of cafe lounge or something? This place is really fancy

Baja: Neta really went all out for this- *gasp* it's.. it's

Mahi: calm down. Take some breaths. Don't be fucking weird..... Hey ikkan you bought some wine I didn't know if it was a white wine or a red wine kind of party so I bought both..... Also this is Baja

Ikkan: thanks. You can just set them on the table over there. You must be Warabi's boyfriend he told me about you It's nice to see you.

Baja: Yes I've heard a lot about you. Not just like from TV and social media and the news. I mean but so has everyone else because you're very successful and famous. I'm sorry I'm rambling but Neta told me a lot about you and it's really nice to see you in person.

Ikkan: It's nice to see you too.... What model saxophone is that?

Baja: ... It's a shanty 44 model it's an Alto. Neta wanted me to bring it to play heheh.... It's the same model as your bassoon. It's a shanty 43 model you played it at the hard shell banquet hall at memorial service If your old high school band director 3 years back.

Ikkan: uh.... Yeah... That's.... Yeah that's correct. Wow ......how did he know that? That's very impressive you know a lot about music

Baja: Yeah it's mostly just history stuff.

Ikkan: That's really cool..... What do you usually play?

Baja: I was in jazz band and I also played an orchestra for the last two years of school

Ikkan: do you know how to play Funtime Frost?

Baja: yes

Ikkan: I'll be right back. I'm going to my car.

Baja: I think we're friends!

Mahi: you two are dorks. I'm going to set up the drinks

_______________________________________________

Carrie: *gasp* Baja!! I knew you'd come! What do you think of my dress. Pretty isn't it? I usually don't wear light colors like cream or white, but it kind of felt special. I also bought my cello I was going to play it for you remember? but I was rudely interrupted by -... Oh It's just you.

Mahi: Yeah, it's good to see you too you little brat. Get on my way, Baja's over there. Also when Mizole shows up don't try anything. This is a big deal for your dad. I don't ruin it.

Cirrina: as if I would talk to him willingly.... Why is he even showing up? This party is supposed to be for important people. Not has beens like your boyfriend

Mahi: you know what!?!

Neta: Mahi do not fight with my daughter unless you want to be fired! Cirrina crab cakes please don't start fights with the adults. Okay? Show everyone at the party. What a sweet, pretty girl you are.

Cirrina: ok daddy.. ..Oh Bajaaaa! [Flips off mahi]

Neta: monster

Neta: awwww my baby's first crush... She's growing so fast they really do slip through your fingers......*sigh* anyway, everything is set up. Decorations are good... Drinks are all set... The waiters are setting up their trays...... Now we just need to wait for the people..... Baja?

Baja: I've already set up! ikkan's getting his bassoon right now! I can't believe I'm going to be playing with the Ikkan Kane! think I'm going to faint

Warabi: hey Mahi

Mahi: ooh those look good!

Warabi: No, you can't have any of these All right. I made 80 of these and Neta already ate five of them!

Neta: They're good!

Warabi: huff I made 40 cooked ones and 40 raw ones so we have options. DON'T eat all of the raw ones mahi! Save some for the actual guests and that goes for you too babe!

_____________________hour in the part____________

[live music playing over a crowd of people talking]

Pearl: you know when you said Frosty fast party. I thought you meant the ones you used to have at the boathouse.

Neta: Oh you mean the one when l passed on the floor in my own barf?

Pearl: Yeah those parties were fun hehehehe

Neta: getting too old for that now can't handle my liquor like I used to

Pearl: you couldn't hold your liquor back then either Jackass hahahahaahaha remember you get your hands stuck in the toilet hahahah we had to call the fire department hahahaha

Neta:heheheheh It was the party where you flashed the cops

Pearl: Yeah! I got one of the lady cops' numbers and after hehehe *sigh* good times..... Oh this is the Marina. She's my fiance

Marina: Hi, I've heard so much about you. I also saw you once in concert with squid squad! You're so talented! It's been honor to meet you actually

Neta: ahhh finally meeting you in person. I'm a big fan of you as well. I love the dress by the way you look great. Hope you're enjoying the party

Marina: I definitely am. This is such a gorgeous place and this is going to be your store?

Neta: Yes! We usually just sell music, merchandise, instruments.........concert tickets.

Marina: well That's interesting. Dance socks is actually starting another tour next year... Here is the number to our vendor they make most of our merchandise and I can see if I can contact 'ticket stand' and provide you access to our supply.

Neta:oh thanks!

Marina : We're going to refresh on some drinks and we'll catch up with you and talk about this little business later.......What is this about you flashing cops?

_______________________________________________

Baja: Yeah so father was actually an apprentice of ikkan's old band director he spent one year in Krillarney. He had to leave when you was born.

Zuzu: wow! That's true he lived in Krillarney for 5 years! How do you know that ?

Baja: It was in an old interview on subshellet I read. I think it was 7 years ago

Zuzu: hehehe I should hire you to write my memoir you seem to know a lot more about me than I do heheheh...... Hmmm

_______________________________________________

Mahi: *sigh*.....*sip*.... Mizole!! Hey over here! Hi babe. [Kiss]

Mizole: hey babe.. [ kiss] I got you a gift..... But it's in my freezer at home. You can't have until tomorrow Mahi I want you to meet wet floor. Guys, this is my partner Mahi.

Mahi: hay guys. Nice to meet you finally...

Wf Candi: He didn't cheat on you yet did he?

Mizole: Candi!!

Mahi: hahaha no!!!..... I hope not

Raley: Oh then he's probably loyal......probably cuz you would definitely know if he was cheating. He's a terrible liar

Mizole: what the hell!! I have never cheated on anyone!!!

Keaton: Yeah I have to back him up on that. He doesn't really cheat. He has ghosted people and never told them that he broke up with them before dating someone else

Mizole: but this time it's fucking different!!. I actually like this one! Mahi makes me happy and I want to see them happy!

Mahi: oh.... mizole.

Mizole: and you know what?? for our one year anniversary that's in a couple months I'm going allllll out! Take them on a trip or some shit! That's how much I care for my partner.

Neil: well I for one am happy you actually found someone that you like.

Mizole: thank you Neil

Neil: I'm more surprised they like you back

Mizole:..........

Mahi: hehehe .. I'm going to go get some food. You hang out with your friends and be nice to each other and I'll be right back and -oh shit. Sorry man I wasn't looking where I was.......... Why the fuck are you here?

_______________________________________________

Mahi and Baja ate all of the raw salmon bites before anyone else could get them and @fish-at-fish-fish-resort Saw the whole thing and didn't say anything

#wet floor bullies mizole I'm sorry but they be roasting him every chance they get #Candi and Candi should interact. I feel like they would be best friends #I can't believe I wrote small holiday song just for a bit #Baja is making friends ☺️#He's made one friend. everyone else is kind of scared of him and all the things about their personal lives and obscure information #Pearl and Neta they are best fucking friends #all of neta's best friends besides ikkan are women #Pearl Candi Sylvia pulpo isn't a binary girl they'd definitely identify as trans femme or demi girl if they didn't die #neta

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morgan-weston · 2 months ago

Text

baby you can drive my car || serena & morgan

WHO: Serena Smythe @serenaxsmythe & Morgan Weston

WHERE: Vintage Car Show

WHEN: The 30th of September

WHY: Serena takes Morgan to a vintage car show, to get him distracted from not being able to work with his injured shoulder, and they go down memory lane.

NOTES: None

MORGAN:

Morgan stood in the midst of the vintage car show, the sun shining bright overhead as he admired a gleaming '68 Mustang parked nearby. He could feel the hum of excitement in the air, mingled with the scent of hot dogs from a nearby stand. It was a welcome distraction from the ache in his shoulder, still sore from moving hay bales a few days earlier. “Ain't that a beauty,” he asked her, a grin spreading across his face as he pointed at the Mustang. “That paint job is something else.” Serena had been so sweet, offering up her services to keep the tall cowboy distracted from the dull discomfort in his shoulder, and the fact that he was bored out of his mind, not being able to work. And somehow, they'd found something they had in common. “I can’t believe you actually like vintage cars,” he said, nudging her playfully. “I thought you were all about high fashion and fancy parties.”

SERENA:

As Serena stood beside Morgan, excitement bubbled within her. This outing felt different. Lighter and free from the tension of a first date. Though a flutter of nervousness danced in her stomach, it was overshadowed by the thrill of discovering their shared passion for vintage cars. She appreciated his authenticity, especially in a world where charm often concealed true motives. Her gaze landed on the Mustang, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Fashion isn’t just about clothes; it encompasses design in everything, even cars. Just like a well-dressed person, a car's appearance reveals its character.” Nostalgia washed over her as she continued, “It’s a fond childhood memory. My father would insist it wasn’t a place for little girls, but I nagged him until he took me. After that first time, he couldn’t argue with me anymore.” She smiled wistfully, then snapped back to the moment. “Omg, look at that one, Morgan! I heard the Rocket 88 was the first car with a V8 engine. It started the whole muscle car craze!

MORGAN:

Morgan watched Serena light up with enthusiasm, a smile tugging at his lips. Despite the throbbing ache in his shoulder, he felt strangely content. The car show wasn’t what he would’ve originally thought of, but their common interest in it made sense. And she was being incredibly sweet. She’d brought him here to keep his mind off the injury - and damn if it wasn’t working. “When I first met ya, I didn’t take you for a car enthusiast, Serena,” he drawled, his voice low and warm. He thought back fondly on that day when her car had broken down, and it felt more like she wanted to dismiss him than anything else. Look how far they'd come! “But you’re right - cars are like people. Some got style and class; some just get you from point A to point B.” He nodded at the Mustang, then let his gaze drift back to her. “Though I’d say you’re more of a ’60s Corvette. All elegance and power rolled into one.” He watched her cheeks flush, a small victory that made him chuckle softly. Shifting his weight slightly to ease his shoulder, he tilted his head towards the Rocket 88 she pointed out. “You’ve done your homework,” he teased. “Most folks don’t know their V8s from their flatheads. Guess I’ve got myself an expert guide today.” Her excitement was contagious, and he found himself wanting to know more - more about her childhood, more about these memories she shared so openly. “Sounds like your dad knew he was raising a strong-willed daughter. Good thing he let you tag along - look how much it stuck.” With a playful grin, he leaned a little closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Think you can find us the best-looking car here? One that suits a couple of troublemakers like us?”

SERENA:

Serena’s cheeks heated, and she ducked her head briefly, pretending to study the Mustang they were admiring. A small, almost private smile tugged at her lips as her fingers skimmed over the soft fabric of her caramel trousers, tracing the polished line of the crease. It was as if he’d flipped a switch. She’d never tried to befriend a guy she was attracted to, but she was sure she was doing a good job so far. Fighting the butterflies was easier when it was just his low, warm voice she had to ignore. But sweet compliments? That was her undoing. Her fingers twitched as if they wanted to reach out to him. Instead, she busied them by smoothing out the bottom edge of her blouse, pushing the want down and away, refusing to let it rule her. “I might know a thing or two, but don’t go thinking I’m some expert,” she murmured, lifting her gaze back to him. “Just passionate. And I clearly don’t know much about the mechanical parts, as you might remember all too well.” Her eyes briefly darted to his shoulder, catching the subtle wince he tried to hide. He was putting up a good front, but she could see through it. Even so, the focus he kept on her, the way his voice remained so steady and warm, made it easy to forget about his pain. She shifted closer, almost unconsciously, drawn in by his presence. “A friend is the proud owner of a Rocket 88. I keep trying to buy it, but so far I’ve only managed to drive it a couple of times,” she added with a light laugh. She never had real friends, but she wasn’t about to talk about the guys she’d only slept with to Morgan. It wasn’t the first time she noticed the urge to keep that part of her life buried—like she didn’t want him to think she was sleazy. The thought disconcerted her. Why should she need validation from a guy like Morgan? She shouldn’t be ashamed of who she was. She grew up owning the world, living on her own terms with barely any parental control. But still… There was this nagging feeling that he preferred sweet, pure girls—girls who didn’t have her kind of past. The thought stung, but she pushed it away, refusing to dwell on it. His low voice was so close, making a ripple of tension run through her. She resisted the instinct to lean back into him, to fall into the warmth of his presence. Instead, she scoffed lightly and shook her head. “Troublemaker? That’s rich coming from you. You’re a good boy, Morgan. You wouldn’t even know where to start if you had to cause trouble,” she teased, a smirk playing on her lips. “But you know what? Maybe that beauty does have all the right elements for the nice guy and his troublemaker.” Her voice softened, and she glanced back at the Thunderbird, the gleam in her eyes matching the car’s chrome finish. She let her gaze linger on his for a beat longer than necessary before turning away, pretending to be engrossed in the lineup of cars once more.

MORGAN:

Morgan chuckled softly, the sound rumbling in his chest. “Good boy, huh? You sure you got the right guy?” he drawled, letting his gaze linger on Serena as she tried to bury her blush behind a playful smirk. "I used to be familiar with a few LAPD cops, I'll have you know - and not in the buddy-buddy kinda way." He adjusted his stance, trying not to grimace as his shoulder protested, and took a slow breath to refocus. The pain was a reminder of all the chaos he was still untangling himself from. “Don’t sell yourself short,” he murmured, his voice steady. “Knowing the parts doesn’t matter much when you got the heart for something.” He let the words hang between them, then nodded toward the Thunderbird she was eyeing. “And if you’re thinking that car’s just for the ‘nice guy,’ I’m here to prove you wrong.” With a grin, he shifted a little closer, brushing his fingers against her back. Just for a second. It was the lightest touch. “I could show you a little trouble, Serena. Might surprise you what this good ol’ boy is capable of.” There was a sincerity behind his teasing, a promise that hinted he wasn’t just talking about cars or stirring up trouble for show. He wanted her to see more of him - the part that wasn’t just a cowboy nursing a bum shoulder.

SERENA:

When his fingers brushed her back, her breath caught for a moment. Not enough to be obvious, but enough for her to feel it. It sent a ripple through her. “Oh, really?” Her voice dipped lower, curiosity threading through her tone as she looked up at him. The small smile tugging at her lips didn’t falter, but there was a glint in her eyes now, a challenge. “I never pictured you as the outlaw type, Morgan. But it’s cute, you trying to convince me otherwise.” Morgan chuckled softly as they walked together, the steady hum of voices and revving engines blending into the background. Serena matched his pace, steps light and unhurried. “And what kind of trouble would that be, hmm? A parking ticket or were you just jaywalking?” She shook her head, scoffing softly but not quite pulling away. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve been around plenty of so called ‘bad boys.’ You don’t exactly scream dangerous to me, cowboy.” The playful banter between them seemed to linger as they weaved through the crowd, making their way to the far end of the show where the driving experience area was set up. A line of eager participants stretched ahead, but Serena paid it little mind, her attention firmly on Morgan. As they approached the area, she turned to him, her gaze flickering with amusement and curiosity. “You know,” she mused, her voice dropping slightly, “now I’m tempted to see if you can back up that talk.” Her fingers brushed against the edge of his sleeve, the light touch barely noticeable but enough to set off a small thrill. With a subtle smile, she stepped even closer, just barely grazing his arm with hers. “And since I'm clearly the one driving today let’s see how much trouble you’re willing to get into,” she murmured softly. By now, they had reached the start of the driving experience. A sleek Thunderbird stood parked and waiting, and the line had moved just enough for the instructor to wave them over.

MORGAN:

Morgan’s grin widened, a hint of mischief sparking in his eyes. “You’d be surprised, Serena. Might not have that ‘dangerous’ look you’re used to, but I reckon you’ve never met a cowboy like me.” He told her with his typical thick accent. He tilted his head, studying her expression with that same steady, unhurried gaze he used when assessing a green horse. Serena was different. Confident, bold, with a flirtatious edge that kept him guessing. He could feel her watching him, that challenge still simmering in her eyes, and it made something in his chest tighten. It’d be easy to brush it off, fall back into his usual self-deprecating charm. But for once, he didn’t want to play it safe. “Let’s just say I’m good at keepin’ things under wraps.” He let his voice linger on the words, eyes never leaving hers. “But get me behind the wheel, and you might see a side of me you didn’t expect.” When they reached the Thunderbird, he hesitated for a beat, glancing at her fingers resting so lightly on his sleeve. The touch was barely there, but it set off a small, electric thrill that had the hairs on his arm stand up. He leaned down, bringing his face close enough to catch the subtle scent of her perfume - something sweet and heady that made him want to take a step closer still. “So, you’re drivin’ today, huh?” His smile turned playful, gaze flickering from her eyes to the sleek car behind them. “Alright, Serena. Show me what you’ve got.” He said, as he moved to get into it.

SERENA:

“Oh, I’ve met cowboys before, I just never wanted to be around them. So I guess we could say you’re the only one I know,” she teased, her voice laced with amusement. “And okay, I suppose I’ll have to take your word for it.” She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing with mock scrutiny. “I do like surprises.” As he spoke, something shifted in her posture. She stood a little straighter, leaning toward him just enough that the heat between them became palpable. The desire in her eyes deepened, her breath hitching slightly as she let herself get lost in the moment. “I wish you could show me,” she murmured, gaze dropping to his lips before flicking back to his eyes again. The words hung between them for a second but just as quickly, Serena broke eye contact, sighing softly and opening the Thunderbird door for him. “But with this shoulder, unfortunately, your inner bad boy will have to wait to spread its wings,” she continued, her tone shifting to something lighter, almost nonchalant, as she gestured toward his injured arm. “Alright,” she said, walking around to the driver’s side with a confident sway in her step. “Just don’t get too comfortable. I might be insane for all you know.” Her smile widened, a playful glint returning to her eyes. She slid into the driver’s seat, fingers brushing lightly over the steering wheel as she glanced sideways at him. “So, buckle up and hold on tight.” For a moment, she looked at him seriously, as if she were genuinely considering something. Then she laughed softly, her gaze softening. “I’m not risking your shoulder,” she admitted, then glanced at the expanse of the road ahead. “Besides, if I remember correctly, there’s a speed limit for these vintage car test drives, isn’t there? They won’t let us go over 60. Guess you’re safe this time, cowboy,” she added with a mischievous wink, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel.

MORGAN:

Morgan chuckled, low and rough, shaking his head as he eased himself into the passenger seat. “Only cowboy you know, huh?” he drawled, adjusting his position to avoid jostling his shoulder. “Guess I better make a damn good impression then.” When she glanced at his lips, his breath caught. He felt that pull again - the urge to close the space between them and test just how far this flirtation would go. But he swallowed it down, trying to keep his grin from softening too much. “I think I’m the one who should be worried,” he murmured, his gaze steady on hers as he clicked his seatbelt into place. “You’ve got me buckled in and defenseless. Who knows what kinda stunts you’re gonna pull.” Her laugh was soft, the sound wrapping around him like a gentle breeze, and he found himself relaxing just a little more. He let out a mock sigh of relief at her mention of the speed limit, smirking at her sideways glance. “Sixty, huh?” He tapped his fingers idly against his knee, feigning nonchalance. “Well, that’s a damn shame. Guess we’ll have to find other ways to push each other’s limits.” He smirked, looking over at her. “Tell you what,” he said, leaning back and watching her carefully. “Let’s see how you handle this ride, and then maybe we’ll plan a trip out to the open road once I’m back to full speed.” His smile softened, a hint of something warmer glimmering in his eyes. “No speed limits. No limits at all.” With that, he settled in, his gaze lingering on her face as she focused on the car. “Go on, then. Show me what I’m in for, troublemaker.” He looked over at her, a gentle smirk resting there on his face. “I’m ready when you are.”

SERENA:

“You already did," Serena said softly, her gaze lingering on his face for a heartbeat longer than necessary before she turned away to adjust the rearview mirror. “I wouldn’t have stuck around if you hadn’t,” she added as she reached for her seatbelt. She tossed a glance his way and couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. He looked so endearing sitting there, buckled in and expectant. “Oh, you should be worried,” she teased, her voice dropping a notch lower. “If it weren’t for Sadie, I’d probably try to kidnap you and force you to take some time off that ranch.” Her lips curved into a playful smirk as she tightened the strap over her chest. “But a life of crime with a kid in tow might be a bit more than I can handle. And I’m certainly not leaving her behind.” She could feel his eyes on her, but she pretended to focus on maneuvering the heavy vehicle. She could so easily imagine pushing him to his limits right now... in all sorts of ways. She took a steady breath and focused on the road, but at his next words, she glanced sideways at him. “You just promised no limits at all… to a Smythe?” she asked, arching an eyebrow and then laughing softly, shaking her head. “You’re lucky you’ve met the mother version of me, Morgan. Old me would find it funny to shock you." He'd be so lost on how to handle her. As they pulled out of the venue, the car’s purr deepened and she carefully steered them onto the open road. The Thunderbird moved with a surprising smoothness, but it didn't have power steering, so each turn of the wheel required more effort than she let on. “This is the only thing I hate about these beauties, driving them is such an arm workout,” she muttered, flexing her fingers on the wheel with a grin. It was the first thing she changed in her personal cars. They passed rows of white picket fences and tidy craftsman style houses in silence then she glanced over at him. “So what was that talk about being familiar with LAPD cops?”

MORGAN:

Morgan raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face as he let her words sink in. “Kidnappin’ me, huh? You’d have your hands full, I promise you that,” he teased, leaning back against the seat. “Though I reckon I wouldn’t put up too much of a fight.” But when she mentioned Sadie, his smile softened, a different kind of warmth lighting up his eyes. He hadn’t expected that - hadn’t expected her to be so upfront about her daughter, especially with someone like him. It struck him, how easy she made it sound, as if he were someone who belonged in that part of her world. “You sound like a mom who’s got her priorities straight,” he said gently, his voice carrying a note of admiration. “Can’t say I’d mind gettin’ caught in a life of crime with you two, though. Sounds like a hell of a lot more fun than mendin’ fences all day.” He said, remembering what he was doing the exact day they'd met. He glanced over at her as she maneuvered the Thunderbird out onto the road, his gaze lingering on the way her hands gripped the wheel. She looked right at home behind it, even as she complained about the arm workout. “Well, you’re making it look easy,” he murmured, smiling at her with a mix of amusement and something warmer. “Guess I can cross ‘woman who can handle a classic’ off my list of things of things to know 'bout you." When she brought up the LAPD, his grin turned wry. “Ah, that.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost sheepish. “I had a bit of a wild streak when I first came out west. I was fourteen, and all I wanted, was to go back to Montana. One too many nights of raisin’ hell - nothin’ serious, just the usual: neglecting school, underage drinking, vandalism.” He shrugged lightly, glancing out the window as if he could see the past playing out on the rows of houses they passed. “I spent a few nights cooling my heels in a cell, and the local cops got to know my name. But I didn’t stick around long enough to become a real problem.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Old me might’ve given your ‘shock factor’ a run for its money.” There was a pause, then he looked back at her, his expression thoughtful. “Guess we both got our stories, huh? Makes it more interesting this way.” He tilted his head, studying her profile. “So, tell me, Serena. What would the old you have done if I’d dared to promise no limits?” He leaned closer, his voice dropping low, just for her. “Because I don’t scare easy, and I’m curious what a Smythe could’ve come up with to shock a cowboy like me.”

SERENA:

Serena’s gaze softened. “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” she murmured with a wry smile. He was hot and nice to her, it was safe to say she wouldn't mind it at all. And she had no idea what she was doing, but she knew she should stop flirting. At his comment about her priorities, she nodded lightly. “Yeah, I only decided to keep her after I was sure I was ready to make her my priority,” she admitted quietly. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel, and she shifted slightly, as if wanting to drop the subject. This was getting too close to a territory she didn’t want to explore today. And so she joked, light and airy, easing back into their usual rhythm. "Oh, sweet, innocent Morgan, you clearly haven’t been around kids enough." Her eyes glinted with humor. “Here's your first lesson: before you agree to going on a run with a toddler, you’ve got to test the waters first. Like having lunch with them or coming over for dinner, you know, something that gives you a quick exit strategy if it all goes south.” They laughed and then she glanced over at him, curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Hey what else is on that list of yours? I hope no one told you I can jump higher than Michael Jordan when I see a spider.” She laughed softly. “I don’t look very sexy doing it, so definitely not one of my finest moments.” As he finished recounting a story from his youth, she shook her head, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "God, I’m starting to think there’s a reason the universe didn’t let us run into each other until now." Apparently if they’d met years ago it would’ve been a disaster. “With teenage Morgan or adult Morgan?” she asked with a teasing grin. “Actually, don’t answer. Let me think about both, this is fun.” She pulled the car to a stop because her arms were hurting and leaned back against the seat, shifting so she was facing him. “So, let’s say teenage Morgan invites Serena to some underage drinking in the back of his truck,” she started, the teasing lilt in her voice hinting at where this was going. “But, of course, she’s extra. So before he knows it, they’d be on her father’s private jet. Which she only gets it off the ground by threatening the pilot with exposing his affair with her little brother’s babysitter. The woman, naturally, wouldn’t want any attention because she’s Russian and in the country illegally. So the jet takes off and they end up at some underground party in London where she’s been invited by some creepy guy off the internet who’s clearly pushing forty.” She turned her head, eyes meeting his to gauge his reaction, expecting to see some hint of judgment. But there wasn’t any. It was Morgan. He always managed to surprise her with his acceptance. It made her heart squeeze uncomfortably, made her feel something she didn’t want to name. “Then, I’m sorry, but you’d probably be stuck in the middle of that club, currently regretting all your life choices, while I’d be off getting into some wild sex with the creepy old guy.” She smiled, a little sad, a little wistful. “But I’d come back for you, I promise. Oh, and it’s a school night, and your grandparents are the type to actually worry about you. So, you’d get grounded for three months, banned from ever seeing me again. And I’d just… go back to my empty life with my two faced friends who only stuck around because of my money. And no grounding for me, of course, because Mother would be off shooting another movie somewhere and Father would be too busy to even notice I was gone.” Her words lingered in the air, the underlying sadness of them more apparent than she intended. She shook her head, forcing herself to smile, the humor returning to her gaze. “Now, old Serena and current Morgan…” she trailed off, her gaze flickering to his lips, her thoughts racing.

If he had rejected her like he did now, a couple of years ago, she’d have gone after him like a storm. Tried to bankrupt him, spread rumors, make Puck hate him with a steady stream of lies. Hell, she’d have sought out that other woman involved with them just to tear her down too. All because she wouldn’t have been able to stand the thought of a man she didn’t even have feelings for not wanting to have sex with her after their date.

But she wouldn't say that. Poor Morgan. Puck ghosted her for a week and she didn't even know about them. She couldn't imagine the hard time Puck gave him after their date so instead, she shook her head, forcing her voice into a light, teasing tone. “The more I think about it, the more I realize, admittedly with some terror, that I’d kidnap you to force you into having fun,” she concluded, a genuine smile tugging at her lips.

MORGAN:

Morgan listened to Serena’s story with a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips, even though her words tugged at something deeper inside him. The way she framed it - wild, reckless, with an underlying sadness that she tried to hide - made him feel for her more than she probably realized. She spoke like it was all in good fun, but he could hear the loneliness in her voice, the way she masked it with humor. “Damn, you know how to paint a picture,” he said softly, watching her as she leaned back, her gaze flicking to his before drifting away again. He wasn't about to make light of his actual thoughts. “But you’re right... teenage Morgan wouldn’t have stood a chance in your world. Probably would’ve gotten grounded for a lot longer than three months. Would’ve spent those nights wonderin’ what I did wrong.” He gave her a small, lopsided grin, though his eyes softened, catching on the vulnerability she was trying to push aside. “But I’d have come back too. Even if I had to sneak outta the house just to see you.” His voice had a warm undertone, genuine, almost like he wanted to reach across and make her believe him. Morgan let out a low chuckle as she teased him about kidnapping him for fun. “Well, I guess there are worse fates than bein’ forced to have a good time. ‘Specially if it’s with you.” His grin widened as he turned to look at her more fully. “I think I’d survive whatever you’ve got planned.” There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his voice quieter this time, more thoughtful. “Serena, you’re not that girl anymore. I mean, the one from your story. You’ve changed, and it clearly shows. I’m not sayin’ it to flatter you, it’s just what I see.” He met her gaze directly, his sincerity cutting through the teasing air between them. Morgan leaned back in his seat, his injured shoulder still aching but forgotten for the moment. “Maybe the universe kept us apart for a reason, but right now? I’m kinda glad it didn’t let us miss each other completely.” He flashed her a playful smile, softening the serious tone he’d let slip.

SERENA:

Serena felt his words sink in while she stared at the center console, suddenly finding it far more interesting than it should have been, his gentle sincerity cutting through her playful facade. Her instinct was to deflect, turn the conversation light again, but something about the way he looked at her, like he actually saw her, not just the persona she put on, made it harder to do that this time. Her lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes softened as she met his gaze. "Well, teenage Morgan sounds like he’d have been a fun one to sneak around with," she said, the teasing lilt in her voice masking the way his words tugged at her heart. She looked away but then glanced back at him, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features, her usual bravado giving way to something softer. "You really would’ve come back?" she asked, her voice quieter now, almost uncertain. Her eyes held a trace of surprise, like she was genuinely taken aback by the idea that after everything, teenage Morgan would have wanted to see her again. Her fingers brushed lightly over the leather seat as if grounding herself. "I mean, I used to be so... mean and God, I was always furious. I probably would've found a way to ruin it," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. When she finally met his gaze again, there was a flicker of hope in her eyes, a silent question she didn’t dare voice aloud. She wondered if, despite everything, she could have been worthy of someone like him back then. And more importantly, if she was worthy of whatever this was between them now. There was a pause, a brief hesitation as she considered his last words, the ones about her not being that girl anymore. She wanted to argue, to say that girl was still very much a part of her, lurking under the surface. But he wasn’t wrong. She had changed. "Maybe I have," she admitted, her voice quieter now, the vulnerability she usually buried surfacing for just a moment. "But there’s a part of me that’s still tempted to do some of those things. I guess not the wild party part because I don't have the energy anymore," she chuckled softly, then looked him straight in the eyes. "But I'd like to be unawarely selfish again. Teenage Serena always had what she wanted no matter how many people she would break on the way to get it." She regretted, almost instantly, letting the conversation drift into deeper, more vulnerable territory. This day was meant to be fun, a distraction from his pain. She glanced at her watch, a small smile tugging at her lips as she caught his gaze again. Her mood lightened visibly as she reached for the ignition, turning the key and bringing the engine to life. "Alright, enough of this heart to heart therapy session," she quipped, her voice playful again. "You know, if you and your damn charming and nice words keep making me do it, you'll need to charge me for emotional support." With a grin, she shifted the car into gear and glanced over at him. "We’ve still got some time and there’s something I want to show you."

MORGAN:

Morgan watched Serena closely, seeing the vulnerability she let slip through, even if she tried to cover it up with her usual teasing. It made his chest tighten a bit, knowing that behind her bold confidence was someone who had been through a lot, who was still figuring out how to let herself be seen. His smile softened as she talked about teenage Serena, and he chuckled lightly at her joke about being selfish again. "Well, I dunno about teenage you, but I’m pretty sure the Serena sittin' next to me now knows what she wants - and knows how to get it - without breakin’ people in the process." He glanced at her, his voice warm but laced with understanding. When she mentioned charging him for emotional support, he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Hey, I didn’t mean to turn this into a therapy session," he teased, though there was a tenderness in his voice. "But if it helps, I don’t mind. Besides, I think we’re both a little guilty of peelin’ back some layers today." As the engine roared back to life and she shifted into gear, Morgan settled back into his seat, the playful mood returning between them. "Something to show me, huh?" He raised a curious eyebrow, glancing over at her with a grin. "Well, I’m all for surprises today. I’m ready to see what you’ve got up your sleeve."

SERENA:

Her hands gripped the wheel as they drove through the sun soaked streets of LA. "This place we’re going, it’s kind of a childhood thing. We spent our summers in LA before I was sent to boarding school. I haven't been back in a while, but when I saw the vintage car show was happening right around the corner... well, it seemed like the universe was pushing me. Especially considering I'd be with you of all people." She glanced at him briefly, the corner of her mouth lifting into a smirk. "But fair warning: you laugh and I’m leaving you there."

The car coasted to a stop in front of a small café tucked between other low key storefronts, the kind of place you might miss if you weren't looking. As they walked toward the entrance, she noticed Morgan glance back at the vintage car, his expression hinting at some concern. She smirked and nudged his arm lightly. “Don’t worry,” she said with a knowing grin. “I pulled a few strings. The event organizer owed me a favor, so we’re good to go. No one's going to come after us for driving it around a little longer.” She shot him a playful look, confidence radiating from her.

Inside, the café was quaint but brimming with personality. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air and the walls were lined with framed photos of famous faces who had passed through over the years. As they approached the counter, a young woman probably in her early twenties looked up and smiled brightly.

"Serena?" she asked, clearly recognizing her. Serena flashed a grin, leaning on the counter. "Hey, Isabella. Your grandma still running this place or has she finally let you take over?" Isabella laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, you know her. She’ll be here till she’s 100. Let me grab her." The young woman disappeared into the back, leaving Serena to glance around the familiar surroundings. "This place hasn't changed much," she murmured, more to herself than to Morgan.

A moment later, an older woman came bustling out from the back, her face lighting up as soon as she saw Serena. "¡Mi niña!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Serena in a warm, familiar hug. Serena hugged her back, laughing softly. "Hola, Abuela. Ha pasado mucho tiempo." The old woman’s eyes shifted to Morgan and her smile widened as she turned to him. "Ohh, tu esposo es muy guapo!" she said with a wink, pulling Morgan into a hug as well. Serena burst out laughing. "Not mi esposo, Abuela," she corrected, shaking her head as the old woman patted Morgan’s shoulder and grinned. "Ah, bueno, novio entonces," the woman teased and Serena shot Morgan a look, amusement dancing in her eyes. "She’s not wrong, you know. You are handsome." They chatted for a while, Abuela asking about Serena's life in LA and reminiscing about family gatherings.

As more costumers stepped in, abuela got distracted and Serena nodded toward a wall near the back of the café, motioning for him to follow. “Come on, the embarrassing part’s this way.”

As they approached the wall, she watched Morgan’s eyes flicking over the photos of celebrities: actors, musicians and other famous faces, each one framed and carefully preserved. But she stopped in front of one that was all too familiar. It showed a beaming seven year old Serena, standing front and center in an adorable cowgirl outfit, complete with a wide brimmed hat and a plaid dress. Her grin was wide, her eyes bright and behind her stood her parents, both looking amused and proud.

"Yeah," she said, groaning softly as she crossed her arms. "That’s me. Mother thought it’d be 'so cute' to dress me up for some rodeo themed event. I didn’t really have a say in it. When you're seven, your parents make all the questionable fashion choices for you." She glanced at Morgan, half expecting him to start laughing.

"I’ve been avoiding this place for years because..." She trailed off, yeah, not today Satan. Serena couldn't believe being around him now meant she wanted to tell him everything she's never told anyone. "I just figured you'd find it funny." She turned to face him fully, her expression softening. She searched his face for a reaction, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Go ahead, get it out of your system," she teased. "I know you're dying to say something."

MORGAN:

Morgan followed Serena into the café, his eyes taking in the cozy atmosphere, the old photos, and the smell of coffee that lingered in the air. He couldn't help but smile at the warm way Serena was greeted, a glimpse into a softer side of her that he hadn’t seen before. When "Abuela" hugged him, Morgan was slightly taken aback, but he let out a chuckled, feeling a little flustered but in a good way. He didn't understand what was being said between them, the most he'd learnt from his Spanish lessons in high school was 'dos cervezas por favor'. A slight blush crept up onto his face when Serena kind of translated things for him, and he cleared his throat, not exactly knowing what to say. "Gracias," he said, offering the older woman a kind smile. As Serena led him to the wall of photos, Morgan’s gaze flicked over the celebrities and framed memories, until she stopped in front of the one of her as a kid. The moment he saw it, a smile crept across his face. The sight of little Serena in that cowgirl outfit, with that big, goofy grin, was too good not to appreciate. But he could tell by the way she was bracing herself - arms crossed, groaning softly - that she was expecting him to laugh. He didn’t, though. Not in the way she thought he would. Instead, he turned to her, grinning but with a soft light in his eyes. "Damn, Serena, you were cute as hell," he said, his voice warm with a hint of teasing. "I don’t know what you’re groaning about. You look like you’re ready to take on the world in that hat." He let out a light chuckle, shaking his head. "Honestly? I think it's kinda perfect. You in a cowgirl outfit? Might be fate." He glanced back at the photo, taking it in for another moment, then looked at her, his expression gentler now. His eyes locked with hers, and his smile softened. "And hey, you pull it off better than most, even at seven."

MORGAN:

SERENA:

Serena’s eyes stayed in the photo, her expression hovering between amusement and something more guarded. She turned to Morgan, eyebrow raised as she caught the smile tugging at his lips. "Glad the outfit’s cowboy approved." She crossed her arms, leaning one shoulder against the wall, her smirk sharp and deliberate. “Maybe one day I'll show you my equestrian phase. Riding boots, braids, the works. It was a whole thing,” she teased, her tone light but a little cutting, like she was daring him to make fun of it. She glanced at the photo again, and this time her voice softened, though her guard remained. "Mother was so beautiful. I mean, she still is, but with a few more lines around her eyes now. She keeps saying this next role will be the last time she plays anyone who’s not someone’s grandma." She chuckled, but there was an edge to it. "Guess we should just be glad she didn’t try her hand at fashion design. Could’ve been worse.” She caught Morgan’s eyes again, her smirk returning, this time tinged with something wry. “But hey, you think I pulled it off so maybe she wasn’t totally wrong after all.” When he talked about fate, she shifted her weight, flicking her fingers like she was dismissing the tension. “Anyway, we’re not here for a stroll down memory lane. Let’s grab some coffee before I get too nostalgic and you definitely start charging me for emotional support.” Just as they were moving away, Abuela bustled over with two cups of espresso on a small tray. “Para ti mi niña y tu novio guapo.” she said with a wink. Serena sipped the coffee then eyed his cup with a raised brow. "Wait, what’s your coffee order? We can swap it out if you’re not an espresso guy." She glanced over at abuela, amused. "Classic latina move, bringing food or drinks without asking what you want first. She’s known my order since forever so I’m covered, but you? Better speak up before she decides you’re a straight up black coffee drinker for life."

MORGAN:

Morgan chuckled softly at Serena’s teasing, shaking his head. “Equestrian phase, huh? I’m not sure I can picture you in braids and riding boots, but I’d bet you pulled it off, too. You seem like the type who makes everything work.” His tone was light, playful, but there was an underlying warmth, a hint that he appreciated these glimpses into her past, no matter how sharp her smirk might be. When her voice softened, and she spoke about her mother, Morgan caught the edge in her chuckle. He knew that tone well - it was the sound of someone trying to brush past something that mattered more than they were letting on. He didn’t press, though. He just listened, nodding slightly as she joked about her mother’s potential fashion career. “Could’ve been worse,” he echoed, his smile gentle. “But I think you turned out alright, cowgirl outfit and all.” As her Abuela bustled over with the espresso, Morgan had no clue what was being said, but he accepted the the espresso with a polite nod, grateful for it, though he couldn’t help grinning when Serena ribbed him about his coffee order. “Espresso’s fine,” he said, taking a cautious sip. The strong, bitter taste hit his tongue and he winced, though he tried to play it off. “Alright, maybe it’s a little intense for me, but I can handle it.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. “But if she brings out anything stronger than this, I might need your help bailing me out.” The playfulness in his voice masked some of the tension still lingering in his chest - the weight of everything with Puck, with Eva - but being here with Serena, laughing and teasing like this, made it all feel a little lighter. For now, at least.

SERENA:

Serena let out a laugh. "Trust me, it wasn’t glamorous. More falling off horses than gracefully riding them. But yeah, I totally pulled off the boots." She shrugged, her smile widening, enjoying how easy Morgan was to talk to. "I hated it, mother forced me, but four classes later I managed to convince father I should do swimming classes instead. Which I also didn't like, but at least it didn't involve horses." She watched him take a sip of the espresso, catching his wince. Her smirk deepened. "Tough guy, huh? You’re lucky she didn’t bring out the real stuff. Abuela’s got some secret stash of liquor that I swear could take paint off a wall." Serena paused, the word "abuela" lingering on her lips. She tilted her head, reconsidering something, and then added more casually, "She’s not actually my grandmother, you know. She’s my mom’s aunt. I started calling her 'abuela' the minute we met when I was three or something and no one bothered to correct me until years later. Turns out, my biological grandma died when I was a baby." She finished her espresso and straightened up, her eyes flicking back to Morgan. "Anyway, we better get going. This is gonna kick in and I’ll be bouncing off the walls. You'll want me busy with something then." She joked, pushing herself off the counter and giving him one last playful glance as she walked to the back to say goodbye to abuela. Of course, the old woman came out to bid farewell to Morgan too, while Serena chatted briefly with Isabella. When they finally started to make their way back to the car, Serena glanced at Morgan with a small, amused smile. "Abuela said you have kind eyes, but I should be careful anyway."

MORGAN:

Morgan couldn’t help but chuckle at Serena’s laugh and her playful description of her equestrian days. The image making him grin. "I'm sure ya could still pull off those types of boots." Was he flirting? Absolutely. He raised an eyebrow at the mention of the espresso, glancing down at the small cup like it might bite him. “This stuff could probably knock me out for a week,” he admitted with a wry smile. “I think I’ll pass on the secret stash. I’ve survived a lot, includin' homemade moonshine, but something that could take paint off a wall? I’m not sure about that one.” Her explanation about "abuela" softened his expression. He could see the subtle shift in her demeanor, the way she spoke a little more thoughtfully. “Makes sense,” he said quietly, his voice carrying the same casual tone she’d used. “Doesn’t matter if she’s not your actual grandmother. She’s family, and that’s what counts.” Morgan finished his espresso with a small grimace and followed her lead as they left the café, catching the warm farewell from the older woman. He smiled, not entirely sure what she had said, but catching the friendly tone. “Gracias,” he muttered again awkwardly, though he knew his pronunciation was off. Serena probably caught it. As they walked toward the car, he shot her a sidelong glance, amused by her last comment. “Kind eyes, huh?” He shook his head with a small smile. “Guess I’ll take that as a compliment. Though, knowing my luck, she’s probably right to tell you to be careful.” His tone was light, but there was a flicker of something more behind his words - a hint of his own guardedness, the weight of his recent heartbreak lingering just beneath the surface. He opened the car door for her with his good hand. “So, what’s next on the agenda? I’ve already survived espresso and abuela. You’re not planning on testin' me with anymore death traps, are you?” His smile turned playful, the tension between them easing as they settled back into their banter.

SERENA:

Serena couldn't help but laugh at the look Morgan gave his cup. God helped her, but the only word in her mind for it was cute. “Yeah, Latin distilled beverages have a way of being on another level,” she said, a playful glimmer in her eyes. “The day I tried Cachaça was the day I realized maybe I don’t need to taste everything to know I don’t like it.” She chuckled, shaking her head at the memory. “But I loved Caipirinha. It’s sweet and girly,” she added with a wink. However, her smile faded slightly as he spoke, his lighthearted tone contrasting the heaviness she felt inside. “Oh, it has nothing to do with you,” she replied quickly, fully aware that her attraction to Morgan was as obvious as the sun. Deep down, she recognized the potential for things to end badly and abuela’s instincts were as sharper as her own. “Always quite the gentleman,” she said, stepping closer to him, her gaze locking onto his. The world around them blurred and for a moment all she could focus on was the warmth in his eyes. She had half a mind to joke about how he’d need to be fully healed for the other adventures she had in mind, but the weight of her thoughts shifted. “You’re a good person, Morgan,” she said, her voice softening as she reached out. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, okay?” She squeezed his hand, the sudden urge to hug him washing over her again, and then slid into the car.

MORGAN:

Morgan smiled at Serena’s laugh, feeling the warmth of her amusement lift the air between them. “Cachaça, huh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “I’ll take your word for it. Sounds like one of those ‘once is enough’ kind of deals.” Her playful mention of Caipirinha earned a chuckle from him. But the moment shifted when she moved closer, her words hitting something deeper than the lighthearted banter they’d been trading. He felt her gaze steady on him, and for a second, the world outside the car, the café, even the pain in his shoulder, faded into the background. There was something in the way she looked at him, something that made it harder for him to brush off her comment like he would have with anyone else. When her hand found his, he froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden softness in her voice. 'You’re a good person, Morgan.' The words hit him harder than he expected. A part of him wanted to pull away, to deflect like he usually did, but the sincerity in her eyes held him there. “Thanks, Serena,” he murmured, his voice quieter than usual. He felt the urge to say more, to tell her how much he appreciated her, how much her presence these past few days had helped, but the words stuck in his throat. As she slipped into the car, he lingered outside for a beat, taking a deep breath before joining her. “Alright,” he said, sliding into the passenger seat with a soft grunt, his shoulder still reminding him he wasn’t at full strength. “What’s next on the agenda? ‘Cause after all this, I feel like I owe you a proper thank you - maybe even something that doesn’t involve near-death espresso experiences.” He shot her a grin, hoping to lighten the mood, but his heart was still caught in the warmth of her words.

SERENA:

Serena felt her heart pounding in her chest, the rapid beat unsettling her more than she'd like to admit. She quickly blamed it on the espresso, but... Touching Morgan had sparked something deep inside her and the sudden intensity of it annoyed her. Intensely. She should just call Puck and ask to fuck his boyfriend so she could get it out of her system, but she knew since she started acting like a boring adult this was the real world and that would lead to far worse consequences than the constant undercurrent of tension she was feeling. She stole a glance at Morgan, keeping her expression as neutral as possible. "I don’t know, what do you want to do now?" she asked, her voice steady. "We could check out the parts and accessories they’re selling for vintage cars if you're looking for something. And there's this band called The Retro Tones playing at the main stage in half an hour." She paused, her attention momentarily shifting to the road as she guided the car, her hands tightening on the wheel to navigate a tricky curve. "There’s also a restoration workshop coming up where they show how they bring these old cars back to life." A broad grin spread across her face. "Or we could stick around for the awards, my favorite part. They’ll be handing out trophies to the best cars and you might even get to vote for your top pick." Her gaze drifted to his injured shoulder, concern flickering across her face. "But maybe the agenda should be getting you home to rest, Morgan. You think you can handle more or are you ready to call it quits?" When they arrived back at the vintage car show, Serena tossed her hair over her shoulder, scanning the scene. The familiar hum of engines and chatter filled the air. “I need some water,” she announced, pointing toward a nearby vendor before shooting Morgan a quick glance. "Are you hungry? They’ve got food trucks here: burgers, tacos, fancy hot dogs and those absurd nachos that come loaded with everything you can imagine. Fancy anything?"

MORGAN:

Morgan noticed the way Serena kept her eyes on the road, her tone steady but a little too controlled. He could feel the tension between them simmering beneath the surface, though she did a good job of pretending it wasn't there. He appreciated the distraction she offered, rattling off options for the rest of the day, but he couldn’t help but sense that there was more going on behind her calm exterior. "I don’t mind checking out the parts and accessories,” he replied, leaning back in his seat with a small grin. “You never know, I might be able to find somethin' for one of my many projects." He caught her concern as it flickered toward his shoulder. It was a sweet gesture, though he wasn’t about to admit it was starting to ache more than he let on. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” he assured her, his voice softer now. When Serena tossed her hair and started walking toward the vendor, he fell into step beside her, his gaze sweeping across the rows of classic cars gleaming in the sun. “I’m up for whatever, really. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a car show this big before, so might as well make the most of it while we’re here.” He glanced at her, catching the way the sunlight danced in her hair. “And as for my shoulder, well, I’d say it’s holding up pretty well. Got you to thank for keeping me entertained, after all.” He let out a breath, the lightheartedness in his voice masking the weight of his own thoughts. The truth was, being around Serena was easy, but it stirred something in him too. There was an attraction there, one he couldn’t ignore, but also a complexity he wasn’t ready to unpack. "Let's share some of those fun nachos," he suggested, giving her a smirk to see if she'd be up for it. "Then, we can take a look around, and if we’re still here when the band plays, well, maybe we’ll catch a few tunes." He shot her a grin, the tension between them still simmering but kept just beneath the surface.

SERENA:

Serena walked beside Morgan, her eyes scanning the array of gleaming vintage cars. She caught the easy grin he wore, but she had spent enough time perfecting the art of masking her own tension so it was possible to recognize it in others. She could sense his shoulder was bothering him more than he let on and she wasn’t sure how long he intended to keep pretending it wasn’t. “Honestly,” she began after a moment, her voice thoughtful now, “I think this is one of the biggest car shows in America. We were lucky it was happening nearby. I mean, we could use Father’s private jet to go anywhere, but I don’t know if you'd trust me after I left teen Morgan by himself in London.” She laughed, glancing over at him, and then catching the way he was looking at her. For a split second, the tension between them felt palpable. As they walked, the crowd thickened, the hum of conversation and distant engines filling the space between them. Serena felt the pull of Morgan’s presence beside her, the ease of it and yet there was that familiar undercurrent too… attraction, curiosity, the unspoken tension she was trying not to dwell on. "One nacho and water, please," she said when they reached the food truck. Turning back to him, she asked, “What are you drinking?” When they got their order, Serena eyed the nachos but didn’t seem entirely committed to the idea of eating them. After a brief pause though, she reached for one, plucking a chip from the pile with a laugh. “Hope you don’t mind. I can't finish a whole one, so maybe I'll just steal a couple from yours.” They found a table nearby, the sun warming the pavement underfoot. Serena nibbled at the nacho she’d taken, leaning back in the chair casually.

MORGAN:

Morgan walked beside Serena, the vibrant energy of the car show buzzing around them, but his mind was only half-focused on the gleaming vintage cars. He could feel her eyes on him, and while he appreciated her concern, he didn’t want to dwell on his shoulder. “I’m fine,” he reassured her with a soft smile, trying to mask the twinge that shot through him with each movement. Her laughter broke through his thoughts, and he couldn’t help but smile back. “Oh, come on, that was ages ago,” he replied, playing into the made-up scenario, shaking his head. “I’ve forgiven you for that one.” He chuckled. As they moved deeper into the crowd, the tension between them felt almost electric. Morgan couldn’t shake the feeling that he was teetering on the edge of something - something he was unsure he was ready for, especially after everything that had gone down with Eva and Puck. But Serena was a distraction he needed, even if it complicated things further. When she ordered the nachos, he raised an eyebrow, a playful grin creeping onto his face. “You know, that sounds like a great way to share.” He grinned and picked up a drink from the vendor, watching her as she plucked a chip from the pile. It was a simple gesture, but it felt significant, like a bridge being built between them. They found a table in the sun, and he took a moment to let the warmth sink in, letting it distract him from the ache in his shoulder and his heart. He took a bite of his nacho, savoring the cheese and jalapeños, and shot her a sideways glance. “So, stealing chips is your strategy for making friends, huh?” Her laughter was contagious, and for a moment, he let himself forget about the weight of the past. “You know, I think we might just make a decent team,” he said, feeling lighter. As they settled into the rhythm of conversation, Morgan found himself wishing that this moment could stretch on forever, and it was all thanks to her. "Thank you for doin' this, Serena. I've had an amazing time with you."

SERENA:

When he thanked her, there was something genuine in his tone that made her pause. Serena felt the warmth of the sun on her skin, the laughter in the air and for a brief moment she wished this day would never end. “Don’t get used to it,” she said lightly, though her gaze softened. “But… yeah. Who’d have thought babysitting a grown man could be so funny?” She smirked, teasing, then sighed, feeling a tug in her chest. “Yeah, I’m having a good time too.” The easy banter between them continued as they ate, talking and laughing like it was second nature. Despite the unspoken tension that lingered beneath the surface, the moment felt effortless, comfortable. She barely touched the nachos, though, picking at a few chips while Morgan enjoyed the rest. When he finished, she casually pulled out her phone and checked the event’s program. “Looks like the booth for the car parts is over there,” she said, pointing in the distance before checking the event map again. “Hey, I know the vendor. Father buys stuff from them back in New York. Tommy’s Vintage Auto Supplies. Ever heard of them?” When they arrived at the booth, Serena took a look at it and said, "Charming mix of rustic and polished." There was an old wooden table covered with chrome parts, leather wrapped steering wheels, vintage emblems and gleaming hubcaps. Metal racks behind the table displayed retro car radios, classic gearshift knobs and vintage license plate frames. The air smelled faintly of oil and leather, the unmistakable scent of a car lover’s paradise. Serena’s eyes lit up as they landed on a sleek, polished steering wheel with a wooden grip. “Oh, look” she said, showing him. “I’ve always liked the feel of a Nardi Classic. I think they were the gold standard back in the day.” She stepped aside to let him get a better look, her gaze shifting to a vintage hood ornament shaped like a leaping jaguar. She laughed softly. “I think this should come with a warning label."

MORGAN:

Morgan chuckled at her teasing, shaking his head as he finished the last of the nachos. “Yeah, well, I’ve always been a handful,” he replied with a grin, though the warmth in his chest from her words was hard to shake. As they strolled toward the booth, Morgan’s eyes wandered over the vintage parts on display. The rustic setup, the smell of leather and oil, it all had a familiar comfort to it. “Can’t say I’ve heard of 'em, but this is impressive.” He tilted his head thoughtfully, running a hand through his beard. When Serena pointed out the Nardi Classic steering wheel, his smile grew. She had an eye for quality, and it was clear she wasn’t just throwing around car terms to impress him. “You’ve got good taste,” he said, running his fingers over the smooth wooden grip. “That’s craftsmanship right there. Definitely the gold standard. Wouldn’t mind getting my hands on one of these for my truck someday.” As she moved aside, giving him space to check out the parts, Morgan found himself glancing at her more than the shiny chrome and vintage gearshift knobs. The way her eyes lit up when she spoke, the way she seemed so comfortable in her own skin - it made him forget, even for a moment, the ache in his shoulder and the mess he was trying to untangle in his mind. When she laughed at the leaping jaguar hood ornament, he let out a low chuckle. “Yeah, that thing’s got trouble written all over it. Can’t imagine anyone needing to drive that fast, but I bet it makes you feel like you’re about to race in the Grand Prix.” He gave her a playful nudge with his elbow. He took a step back, taking in the entire booth before his eyes settled back on Serena. There was something about the easy banter, the way she seemed to get him without trying too hard. He didn’t expect this kind of connection today - hell, he wasn’t even sure he was ready for it. But the more time he spent with her, the more it felt like maybe this was exactly what he needed, even if it came with complications.

SERENA:

Serena’s heart skipped a beat when he complimented her taste. It was something she took pride in, so hearing it from Morgan hit differently. She turned to him with a slow smile, trying to downplay how much it actually meant. "Well, I’d hope so. I don’t settle for second best." As he kept talking, she pictured how perfect that Nardi steering wheel would look in his truck. She started scheming then, trying to think how she could buy it now without Morgan noticing so she could surprise him later. When he nudged her, she let out a light laugh, feeling heat spread through her body. Jesus Christ, get a grip, she thought. The tension between them had been humming under the surface all day and now even this small, innocent contact felt almost too much to handle. She could feel herself leaning in, even though she knew better, her breath hitching for just a second when their hands brushed. "I had a friend in college like that," she said, her voice lighter than she felt. "He was fun, but I had to stop hanging out with him because I was legit afraid for my life. Guy drove way too fast, always miles above the speed limit." As they continued checking things around, her eyes landed on a part she couldn’t place. It looked like a complicated, intricate piece of machinery. She leaned in, furrowing her brow as she studied it. "What is this?" She turned to Morgan with a half smile, genuinely curious but stumped. Her dad had exposed her to enough cars over the years so she thought she knew her way around an engine.

MORGAN:

Morgan caught the shift in Serena's smile, and it tugged at something deep in him. There was a spark in her eyes that made him feel like the whole world could slow down for a second, just the two of them standing there, surrounded by car parts and chrome. He chuckled softly, shaking his head when she mentioned not settling for second best. “I can see that,” he said, his voice low but warm. “You’ve got high standards - nothing wrong with that.” But when their hands brushed, he felt that familiar pull, the one he’d been trying to ignore since they’d arrived. The simple touch sent a jolt through him. Morgan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, catching the slight hitch in her breath, the way she seemed to be leaning just a little closer. It would’ve been so easy to close that space between them, to give in to the tension that had been simmering beneath the surface all day. But he couldn’t, not yet. His heart was still tangled up in knots from the mess with Puck and Eva, and diving into something with Serena before he’d sorted himself out wouldn’t be fair. He forced a chuckle, focusing on her story instead. “Yeah, sounds like your friend didn’t have much of a sense of self-preservation. I had a buddy like that back home - never knew when to slow down," he said, shaking his head at the memory. “Had he caught teen Morgan living in L.A., it would've been a different story, but I guess I’m more of a steady pace kinda guy these days.” Morgan grinned at her confused look. it was half curiosity, half frustration. A look that he found way too endearing. He leaned in a little, taking a closer look at the piece of machinery. “Ah, that’s a carburetor,” he said, his voice casual as he pointed to it. “Regulates the fuel and air going into the engine. Old-school tech. Not as common these days with fuel injection, but folks restoring vintage cars love 'em. Adds that classic touch.” He glanced at her, his grin softening. “Looks like your dad taught you well, though. You’ve got a good eye for this stuff.” There was a warmth in his voice, admiration that he didn’t bother hiding this time.

SERENA:

Serena listened as Morgan explained the carburetor, her eyes narrowing with mock attentiveness before she smirked at how seriously he went on about it. She couldn’t resist breaking the moment. “Oh, Professor Morgan, no need to try so hard,” she mocked in a girly voice, tilting her head slightly, a teasing grin tugging at her lips. “We never listen to anything you say, we only attend your class because you’re sexy.” She laughed softly, and moved on to the next display. As they checked the accessories, her mind wandered. She was getting carried away now and she had to remind herself of her priorities. Puck came first. Normally that would mean cutting Morgan off before this went any further. Yet, there was something about him... He wasn’t just anyone anymore. She wanted him around, even if it meant fighting her own desire all the time. It wouldn't take too long for her to meet someone else to be stupidly attracted to, anyway, she was sure of that. And then she'd definitely move on. They continued through the exhibit, checking some polished vintage hubcaps, vintage steering wheel knobs and classic leather driving gloves. They should’ve been what caught his eye, but when Serena glanced over, he was looking at her. Subtlety, clearly, wasn’t their game. She stopped by a table lined with more polished vintage parts and accessories, her eyebrow arching playfully. “You see anything you like?" Ok, so she wasn't helping herself here. "I mean, anything you need for your projects?” she asked then, her eyes sliding toward him with an amused look.

MORGAN:

Morgan couldn’t help but chuckle when Serena teased him about the carburetor, shaking his head with a small smile. “Oh, is that right?” he drawled, playing along with her mockery, though his cheeks turned into a deep shade of red. He didn't do compliments very well, that was for sure. “Well, in that case, I’ll be sure to keep the lectures to a minimum. Wouldn’t want to ruin my sexy professor image.” He winked, but there was a quiet humor in his eyes, a warmth that came from the easy rhythm they’d found together today, and a slight hesitation in his voice, not exactly knowing if it was the right response to such a statement. As they moved through the exhibit, he tried to keep his focus on the parts in front of him - steering wheels, hubcaps, and all the polished chrome. But every time his gaze drifted, it found its way back to Serena. The way she moved, the way she laughed - there was something magnetic about her, something that pulled him in, even when he knew he should be keeping his distance. After all, he was still reeling from his breakup with Puck and Eva, still trying to sort through all the emotions that mess had left behind. Jumping into something new wasn’t supposed to be on the agenda. But here he was, caught in the gravitational pull of Serena Smythe, unable to stop himself from looking at her when he should��ve been checking out the vintage car parts. When she asked if he saw anything he liked, there was no mistaking the playfulness in her tone, the challenge in her gaze. Morgan raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slow grin. He knew what she was doing, and part of him wanted to play along, to lean into the flirtation and see where it went. “I see a lot of things I like,” he replied, his voice casual but with a hint of something deeper. His eyes met hers, lingering for a beat longer than necessary before he glanced back at the table. “But as for what I need? Well, that’s a little trickier.” His tone was light, but there was an undertone of meaning that neither of them could ignore. He wasn’t just talking about car parts anymore. He reached for one of the polished leather driving gloves, running his fingers over the smooth surface before setting it back down. “These are nice,” he said, his voice quieter now, as if the weight of the moment had settled between them. “But I think I’ve already got everything I need. I'm just not sure what I’m looking for right now.” Morgan leaned back, catching her gaze again. There was a spark there, something unspoken but unmistakable. But he wasn’t ready to step into that space, not yet. It was too soon, and his heart was still too raw. “I appreciate you dragging me out here,” he added after a moment, his tone softening. “I needed this. Not just the cars, but the company. You’ve got a way of making things feel lighter, Serena.”

#thread #serena #thread021

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kilosch · 3 months ago

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Journal Entry: 10/11/2024

Slow Start & Mental Overload at Work: Today started with me waking up and feeling like I had nothing urgent to do since it’s Friday. I was surprised to find out that there was a leadership meeting happening—I almost missed it. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious or time-sensitive. I decided to dive into my usual work and started catching up on CTC tasks, managing to complete 12 patient factsheets.

As I worked, I couldn’t shake how overwhelmed I was feeling. The workload was starting to feel like too much, especially since I had been handling three Teamlets on my own. I needed help, and I finally admitted it. I asked George, one of the staff assistants who used to be an EMT, whether Ruby had been pulling her weight with the CTC tasks. His response was frustrating—he told me Ruby hadn’t been doing her share. I couldn’t believe it. Ruby only handles two Teamlets while I manage three, plus referrals, and somehow, she’s still behind? I felt myself getting frustrated. I vented to Nessa about it, and she wasn’t happy either. Both Nessa and George told me to stop overworking myself and offload some of the tasks before I burn out. Nessa reminded me that I wasn’t useless just because I wasn’t doing everything, saying, “You’re not even close to doing nothing—you’re doing a thousand things!” It hit me, and I realized she was right. I promised them both that I would try to chill out and stop pushing myself too hard.

Coffee & Frustrating Accompaniment: To clear my head a bit, I grabbed coffee at a small shop in Pasadena, enjoying a moment of peace before heading to LA General Medical Center for an accompaniment. Since LA General is part of DHS, I didn’t have to go through security, which was nice. Plus, I got free valet parking—definitely a fancy perk that I wasn’t expecting. Everything was going smoothly until I got a text from the patient, telling me they didn’t want to go to their appointment anymore. Just like that, my trip felt like a waste of time. I was frustrated, to say the least. The patient apologized, but it didn’t change the fact that I had driven all the way there for nothing. I texted Danel, the RN in charge, to update him on the situation.

With the appointment canceled and nowhere to be, I decided to spend some time in the hospital courtyard to clear my mind. I bought a snack from the in-house store and sat there trying to calm down. I was still feeling tired, having only slept for two hours the night before, so I figured I’d wait out the traffic before heading home.

Emergency Activation: Active Shooter on I-5 Just as I was leaving the hospital and hitting the road, I got an emergency activation from LASD about an active shooter situation on I-5 near Boyle Heights. My adrenaline kicked in immediately. I quickly activated the sirens in my personal car, threw on my hoodie over my DHS scrubs while driving, grabbed my service pistol from my bag, and called Dispatch to attach myself to the call. The report said shots had been fired in what seemed like a road rage incident, and there were multiple shooters. The information was limited, but I knew I needed to get there fast.

As I arrived on the scene, CHP officers had already blocked off I-5, causing a major traffic jam. The challenge was getting through all the traffic to reach the incident. People were staring as I pulled up in my old 2003 Toyota Corolla with sirens blaring—it must’ve looked out of place next to the CHP cruisers and unmarked vehicles. As I was getting closer, a CHP officer came sprinting toward me, asking for the password to confirm I was authorized to be there. I yelled the code that Dispatch had given me over the phone, and once I got the thumbs-up, I parked and grabbed my gear—my plate carrier, rifle, and radio headset.

CHP gave me a quick briefing, explaining that the shooter was still at large after firing shots at another driver. More off-duty officers started arriving, including a narcotics officer I’ll call “T” who was driving a Honda Odyssey with sirens on. We all got the same briefing, and LAPD took over command of the scene since it was their jurisdiction. After a few more units arrived, we were told to meet at a Jack in the Box parking lot to coordinate the next steps in the manhunt.

Joining the Search & Tension on the Scene: Once at the parking lot, I teamed up with “T” and some of the other reserves. As we geared up, “T” noticed I was still wearing my DHS scrubs and joked, “Are you a nurse?” I explained I was in healthcare, but I was here to assist. We all gathered in the lot for a debrief, and more unmarked cars and SWAT guys started showing up. The scale of the operation was growing. After the briefing, we began driving around nearby neighborhoods, searching for the suspect’s vehicle based on the description CHP had given us. I staked out an open lot, watching every car that passed by for any sign of the suspect. The situation was tense, and I messaged Nessa, telling her to enjoy her 3-day break. I made it sound light, but I think she could sense I was in a serious situation.

After about an hour of searching, the LAPD command finally gave the order to stand down. They hadn’t found the shooter, and CHP was still keeping the freeway closed for their investigation. I was exhausted by that point, so I headed home.

Dodgers vs. Padres Game 5 & Neighborhood Fireworks: When I got home, I turned on the TV to catch Game 5 of the Dodgers vs. Padres NLDS series. The game was already in the second inning, and I tuned in just in time to see Kike Hernandez hit a home run, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. The next few innings were intense, but the game really came alive in the 7th inning when Teoscar Hernandez smashed a 4th-pitch homer, making it 2-0. The Dodgers held onto their lead, and after the 9th inning, the game ended with a shutout win. The Dodgers were officially heading to the NLCS! The whole neighborhood erupted in fireworks as soon as the game ended—everyone was celebrating.

Dinner & Teaching My Brother Gunsmithing: For dinner, I ate leftovers from the night before with my little brother. Afterward, we spent some time doing gunsmithing. I showed him how to upgrade parts on my AR-15 22lr, and he was really into it. He’s always been interested in building things, like computers, so now he’s hooked on gunsmithing. We even did some dry-run drills around the house, which he loved.

Reflecting on the I-5 Incident: Before going to bed, I checked the news for updates on the I-5 shooting. The manhunt was still ongoing, and CHP hadn’t reopened the freeway. I felt a mix of relief and exhaustion, knowing that I made it through the day without getting hurt. It was a long day, but I was glad to be home, safe.

Tomorrow is the weekend, and I’m feeling a bit more motivated. I might clean the house and try to relax. We’ll see what the day brings.

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heyitschartic · 1 year ago

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Okay, let me give you the definitive Chartic ranking here

1. Waffle House - This is the GOAT. Great food, fast service, this is the place you head to after a LONG night of drinking to get eggs and waffles so you can make it through the hangover. I voted against this, though, cause I wanna go with you next time we hang out.

2. Cheesecake Factory - Cheesecake Factory is a testament to American hubris against God. I've had pasta at this place that was more sauce than noodle. The food is decadent, rich, and absolutely disgusting. This is the kind of restaurant that those of us who live in flyover states consider "the fancy place in town." Horrifying.

3. Taco Bell - Taco Bell ranks so highly on this list because I don't think there is anything more distinctly American in fast food. Not even McDonalds. The food is mediocre attempts at tex-mex classics twisted into something else and covered in syrupy nscho cheese sauce. It's somewhere you go after consuming questionable substances to put a few more in your body. I used to eat here twice a week.

4. Red Lobster - Red Lobster is a holdover from a bygone era. This place should not exist and limps along, with a customer base almost as old as Congress. I don't know why people go here, yet they do. The food is decent, though. It's very hard to screw up Lobster, or deep fried shrimp.

5. Chipotle - Chipotle is lucky it scores so high, and only because it's an easy meal to get. The food is *okay*, but that's it. It's nothing. I could go here and forget it happened before I finish the meal.

6. Chili's - Chili's is where you pound back dollar margaritas and eat deep-fried chicken sticks before crashing your car in the parking lot.

7. Olive Garden - Olive Garden is just boring. It's where Suburbanites take their families to have microwaved pasta and cheap wine before driving home to a dead neighborhood in Bloomington. The food is fine. It's whatever. Just go to a real Italian place. Go to Buca di Beppo instead. At least you might get to be at the table with the pope statue.

8. Macaroni Grill - It's like Olive Garden, but even less memorable. They try to pretend they're a little higher class, but the food is just as bad. At that point, why not just go to a real restaurant?

9. Arby's- A nothing of an experience. It's not interesting, it's not fun, the food is bleh. The only reason to ever go here is if you're a divorced dad looking for the worst sandwich if your life.

I'm amazed you don't have golden corral on here. Feels like that's another quintessential American experience. When I was a little girl from a poor family, it felt like going to a place where you could just eat forever was magical.

I wish there were like, a pyramid ranking of these places. I've done TGI Friday's and Denny's.

#chartic restarant reviews

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an-assistants-musings · 2 years ago

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A Memory

When the Empress had to travel for her final role, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were not given our usual driver from the Director, but instead, forced to call upon our own car service. This was much to the chagrin of myself and the other assistants. When I reported such instances to her, she took it in stride, stating simply. “You worry too much. It’ll be fine, the drive isn’t far.”

“But it’s rude to make you travel like this. He should treat us better. And anyway, how could he forget?” I complained, as we waited on the street for the service to arrive. We had been waiting for a while then, the driver was running ten minutes late. The air that night was thin and cool, with a slight breeze that was enough to slightly chill you, the night lights glittering throughout the street like golden jewels.

Before the Empress could even reply, the car skidded to a halt in front of us, burning the road with the putrid scent of rubber, and splashing us with filthy water except for the Empress, much to our indignation. He then lazily rolled down the car window. We immediately began to cough as the smell of cigar wafted out of his car, a lit Cuban cigar in his hand. He was a rather loathsome creature of a man–his teeth yellowed, his fat head completely bald save for a few pathetic wisps of grey that circled upon his head like a cuckoo’s nest, and beady eyes that stared at us greedily, making our skin crawl. He grunted out her name and we quickly nodded in shock. He then motioned his thumb to the back, not even bothering to get the car door for her, though in hindsight it may have been a blessing as to even stand around his pungency and see even more of him would have been detestable. I, of course, opened the door for her, only to be further disgusted by the sight inside.

A haze of smoke filled the car, obfuscating things in a slightly blurred fashion, burning my throat and causing me to immediately cough again. The seats were torn and filthy, the leather worn and shredded in various places. The floor was completely littered with wads of tissues, plastic wrappers, and other trash that I chose not to examine too closely for the sake of my sanity. As we were already running late though, and it was too late to call another car, we were forced to quickly enter, despite our reservations.

We rode in awkward silence. The only sound was of him loudly chewing, while he blasted some horrendous rap song on the radio to the point of grating all of our ears. All of us, despite our exhaustion from the day, were much too afraid to fall asleep in such a car, lest we be kidnapped or not taken to our destination. Finally, he began, much to my annoyance, to speak.

“So, y’all rich fellas or somethin’? Never see the likes of ya ride with guys like us.” He said, laughing to himself as if he had something amusingly clever.

“How did you know?!”

“Could tell by your clothes. You dress too fancy.” He said, clearly unaware of my mockery.

“Ya know, I have a rich cousin too, he is wearing all that supreme stuff. Made money on cryptocurrency.”

“Fascinating, tell me more about it.”

And so he did, droning on for the rest of the car ride. After what felt like years off of my life, we finally arrived at the hotel. We quickly exited the hellhole of a vehicle, not even bothering to thank him as we desperately desired fresh air, having been trapped in such unpleasant fumigations. The only one to stay behind was our dear Empress, who quietly spoke to the driver for a minute, before exiting

When I later inquired her on what she had asked him, she said with a soft smile and laugh that she had thanked the man for his entertainment and tipped him for his services. I found myself in a state of shock at such kindness despite his unpleasantry, though this would not be the first nor the last time.

#short story #anecdote #memory

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space-mermaid-writing · 2 years ago

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The witchling and the god [Loki x Witch!Reader] Chapter 5

Summary: The Avengers were looking for someone to help Loki fit in with the team. To become socially acceptable, so to speak. He had been given the choice of sitting in a cell in Asgard or serving some sort of community service probation on Midgard. The Avengers and Shield both felt that as long as Loki was on Earth, he should be under supervision. This is now your job. Why? Because you’re a witch. You’re not sure why this qualifies you, but here you are, giving it a shot. What could possibly go wrong?

Tags: Witch!Reader, Magic, Witches, slow burn, everybody lives in the tower, character development, Loki‘s redemption, Stephen Strange is a friend, Loki and Stephen are frenemies, Tony Stark is a good bro, kids love Loki, Tony has stupid nicknames for everybody, eventual smut

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Read it on AO3 | Previous | Next

Chapter's Note: It's time for your lunch date with Loki!. Beta by @zaria-04 <3

Chapter 5: Lunch Date

For once, you knock on the door of the suite instead of going right in. It's more polite today, since you just want to pick up Loki. For the occasion, you've thrown on an elegant dress and chosen shoes that are both comfortable and daringly high. You may have used a little magic for this combination. Since it's cloudy and a bit chilly outside, you've thrown on a thin summer coat.

It's not long before Loki steps out the door.

You were curious regarding what he would wear, because until now you only knew him in Asgardian clothing. Today he looks like he's stepped straight out of a commercial for Armani: he's wearing a perfectly fitted black suit and a dark shirt to go with it, the top two buttons undone. A tasteful combination of sharp and casual. You can see green cufflinks flashing at his sleeves.

The difference between him today and Thor yesterday is like night and day, you notice with amusement. Even though they're both incredibly handsome in their own ways.

"Glad you followed my instructions," you greet him. As if Loki has ever shown poor taste in his choice of clothing.

His eyes scrutinize you, traveling down and up your body once before nodding, as if your appearance has received his approval. However, his gaze lingers on your high neckline. "You, on the other hand, could have made more of an effort," he retorts.

You merely roll your eyes at that without being offended. You get into the elevator and go straight to the underground parking garage. Tony made a joke by installing stereotypical elevator music in all of them. It jingles softly while you take the way down in silence. Loki is standing close to you, you feel him in your personal space. You don't let it show, though, nor do you move aside.

A dark car with a driver is already waiting for you in the garage. It's a fancy limousine, you realize. Presumably Tony doesn't own a single inconspicuous car.

Loki is faster than you and opens the car door for you. He gets a small smile in return but nothing more. You don't want him to think this impresses you.

He takes the seat next to you. "Where are we going?" he asks as you leave the garage.

"It’s a surprise."

Loki chuckles. "You’re making me curious, Witchling."

You notice the new nickname. "Oh, have I been promoted?" you ask amused.

A wide grin spreads across Loki's face. "Don't you worry. You're still my pet."

You leave it at that without a comment.

The drive doesn't take long; the restaurant is only a few blocks away. The car pulls up in front of it and you get out. The restaurant is on the second floor of the building. You climb the stairs and are greeted by the receptionist.

The staff has been briefed in advance and they all behave totally professional. You can't tell if they recognize Loki. Probably the name Tony Stark and the promise of a more than generous tip helps overseeing his past if so.

Maybe it's also because Loki acts like a courteous gentleman. He helps you take off your coat, exhaling sharply as he sees the low back neckline of your dress. You smile knowingly. That was absolutely intentional.

You are led to your table, Loki letting you go ahead. You feel his piercing gaze at your back.

At the table, he passes you and pulls out your chair. You sit down as if it's the most normal thing in the world for him to do. Just because he shows some manners for once doesn't mean you forget his other acts or let them lapse. But it's a nice change from your other interactions and you actually enjoy it. And it's a good show for the staff to see this side of Loki.

He takes a seat across from you and you both get poured champagne.

You two are the only guests at the restaurant. Stark rented the whole place just in case there was trouble. It was apparently not a necessary precaution, but this way the meal has a more private atmosphere.

You raise your glass. "To what are we toasting?"

"Fine food and lovely company."

"Can't argue with that."

The appetizer is served and Loki is in his element. Maybe it's the luxurious surroundings. It's probably a nice change for the prince to be pampered again. Despite the luxury of his suite, he's otherwise on his own in the tower, and aside from Thor, no one else is friendly to him. You wonder if he misses his home. Difficult family circumstances or not. It was certainly a difficult adjustment for him when he arrived back on earth.

"Is this how it is now?" Loki asks, pulling you out of your thoughts. "I wish for something and you make it happen?"

"I thought we'd already established that this isn't the case," you reply.

"Then why the lunch now?" He seems genuinely interested.

"I thought it would be a nice change," you admit, "and you asked nicely. Besides, it's a good opportunity to talk."

You definitely plan to take advantage of the fact that he can't just run away. Tony and Thor are just waiting for a call and would be right here. Loki seems to sense that.

"About what?" the Asgardian asks amused. "My inclusion into the team of these heroes?" He pronounces the word with every ounce of sarcasm.

"I'd love to hear from you about what the attack in New York was like for you."

Loki is taken aback by this change of topic and for a split second his face falls. Then he has a neutral mask back on, but the lightness of a moment ago is gone. "I have nothing to say about this. I'm sure you've already been told about it in detail." He turns his head away, looking seemingly interested at the paintings displayed on the opposite wall. But you're not intimidated by his dismissive manner.

"Some things hurt. But they don't get better unless we talk about them. I imagine it must have been hard to go through all that, to have a captured mind and then to be punished for it later." It's your honest opinion about it. You have had your own experiences with mind control magic and you know that the more complex and stronger the mind is, the more painful the procedure is for the victim. At least if it is done involuntarily. But who would like to be a voluntary victim?

"Then you can guess my opinion about my stay here on Midgard."

"I wouldn't like it either," you admit, "but I'd make the best of it."

"I do."

"Really?" You raise an eyebrow. "Because to me it looks like you just sit in your room and sulk most of the time."

The corners of Loki's mouth twitch up. "I'm sitting here with you, aren't I?"

You nod. "That's right. Thanks, by the way, for calling my company the best."

This makes Loki laugh and his spirits seem to rise again. You've already noticed that his mood is as fickle as the weather on a spring day in April. "I’m planning on calling you other things, too," he promises you with a suggestive look.

"I'm not sure if you earned that yet."

Something in Loki's eyes flashes. It's a challenge you didn't intend, but one he accepts. Fortunately, at that moment, the next course is brought, together with a red wine.

"Can you read the future from entrails, Witchling?", Loki asks you, looking at his beef tartare.

"The only thing I'm reading out of this is that we're going to have a delicious meal." You try your beef and it’s really good. Tony really has the best recommendations for restaurants. However, you don't want to know how expensive this lunch is. In that respect, it's really convenient to have a rich employer.

"When I was younger, I learned the art of palm reading," Loki tells you, drawing your attention. "It's been a while, but I dare to say I’m still good at it.”

"Really?"

Amused, you catch his gaze. He holds his hand out to you. "May I?"

You put down your knife and lie your right hand into his. He turns your palm upward and studies it, tracing the lines. He takes his time, as if he were looking at and analyzing a work of art. His fingers are firm but their touch is gentle.

"Well?" you ask after a while of silence.

Loki looks up at you. "It seems you are quite blessed," is his professional opinion.

"Am I?"

Without averting his eyes, he brings his lips to your hand and kisses your wrist, right where the pulse is. A pleasant shiver comes over you. "You are now." His voice is low as if he were casting a spell on you.

You blink and a moment passes before you remember to react.

"Silvertongue." You chuckle and draw your hand back. But you register that you should be more careful. It’s not wise to be lulled in by his charms. Loki seems to notice his effect on you as well and he winks at you before he turns his attention back to his food.

For dessert, a platter of various small sweets is placed on the table. Loki tries everything and you notice that he seems to have a sweet tooth. You let it go unremarked, but make a mental note of it for future reference.

"So, why are you doing this?" the Asgardian suddenly asks you.

Somewhat puzzled, you look up. "What do you mean?"

"I know it's a great honor to be in my presence, but I'm still wondering why you are here."

You now he doesn’t mean here in the restaurant, but with him in general. "That's quite simple actually: a friend asked me and I was curious," you explain.

"A friend?" Loki asks. "Stark?"

"No, the Sorcerer Supreme."

Loki grins. "Look at you, Witchling, casually throwing in the fact that you are friends with the Sorcerer Supreme."

"Let's just say he's a friend from work. Why? Do you know him?"

Loki swirls the red liquid in his glass. "I've met various Sorcerer Supremes in the past. Can't say I’m fond of the current one."

That makes you curious. "Why not?"

"Let's not talk about that second rated wizard," Loki says firmly, putting his glass back on the table. "This evening is too lovely to ruin it with that."

You drop the subject, but you'll definitely ask Stephen what happened between the two of them. There has to be a story behind it and you are determined to find it out.

Eventually, you finish the meal and stand up. The bill is sent directly to Tony, so you have nothing to do but collect your jackets. On the way to the reception, Loki stays by your side and puts a hand on your back to guide you. Your back tingles at the skin contact and it's not because his hand is surprisingly cool.

You feel the loss of his touch as he pulls back his arm and helps you into your coat.

You leave the restaurant and wait for the car to pull up. The streets are filled with traffic and people whose lunch break has just ended and who are on their way back to their offices. There is a lot of honking, you hear the siren of an ambulance and a child is crying somewhere. You would never think of driving yourself in these narrow streets and you silently thank Tony for offering a chauffeur. New York is really a big city, you haven't gotten used to it yet and you're glad you can spend most of your time at the Avenger Tower. There are a lot of people working there too, but the hustle and bustle isn't as noticeable.

It may be the nature of your being that you're not a fan of large crowds. A large crowd always has its own essence, its own mind. And in your experience, nothing good ever comes out of it. You remember only too well how people used to gather to watch someone similar to you undergo a test. The rules were always simple: if the person died, they were not a witch. If they did not die, they were a witch and had to be killed. The end result was always the same. Fortunately, your mother was always careful to teach her children how to stay under the radar. When it was better to get to safety and move to a new place. The cards helped you do that. It's always quite good to have a little glimpse into the future. Unfortunately, not all of your siblings had the same luck. The modern era got off to an impetuous start. You yourself only barely escaped once. But by now, things had really improved for witches. People were no longer focused on eradicating the occult or simply what they didn't understand. Or at least you stick to those countries where it's like that.

You see your car arriving and turn to Loki - only to find he's no longer standing next to you.

Oh Shit.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Your heart hits your stomach. You've been so preoccupied that you haven't paid attention to him. Searchingly, you turn around, but you don’t spot him anywhere. His tall figure should be visible above the heads of the others. Silently you curse that you have been so careless. The friendly conversation at dinner has put you in a false sense of security. You reach for your cell phone in your pocket to inform Tony or Thor, while walking down the sidewalk a bit. They wouldn't be thrilled at all that you lost the younger prince. Tony had specifically warned you about this.

Suddenly, you hear his voice and as you round a few passersby, you see the Asgardian god kneeling by a child in front of a store window. It is a dark-haired girl with a backpack in the shape of a rabbit, who has red puffy eyes, as if she had been crying bitterly until just now. Slowly you approach the two, your cell phone still in your hand, but not dialing a number yet.

"Loki?" you ask cautiously.

The dark-haired man looks up at you. "There you are. Little Lady Sofía here is lost and can't find her way back home."

Once again, big tears well up in the eyes of the girl who may just be in elementary school, if at all. Loki reaches into the pocket of his jacket and pulls out a handkerchief, which he hands to her.

You, meanwhile, decide that you can scold Loki later for just disappearing like that. Instead, you hunker down next to Loki to the girl, who backs away a bit, though.

"It's okay," he reassures her. "She's a friend of mine and she's helping us."

There are so many things you wonder about. Loki's reassuring way of talking to the child. How he even managed to get her to trust him so quickly. That he called you a friend. But for now your focus is on the girl.

"Where do you live?" you ask her.

"In a tall house," she answers, sniffling loudly. Unfortunately, that applies to pretty much every building in New York, so it doesn't help you.

"There you are," you suddenly hear a voice behind you. As you turn around, you see a short, broad man approaching you, his gaze on the girl. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

You rise. "Are you her father?"

The man shakes his head. "The uncle. I was supposed to pick her up from school, but I got held up at work. By the time I got there, she was gone." He turns to the girl and leans down a bit toward her. "I'll take you home now," he promises her, holding out his hand.

That's when Loki pushes his way into his path, arms crossed. "Don’t get any closer," he growls at the man, who looks at him in surprise at his sudden aggressiveness.

"It’s none of your business," the man says, but uncertainty resonates in his voice.

That's when Loki grabs him at the shoulder and pushes him back. "If you touch her, I'll kill you." If his eyes were daggers, they would have killed the stranger immediately.

You put your hand on Loki's arm. "Loki, what are you doing?" you ask him calmly but firmly.

"He's lying," the Asgardian growls. "I can smell the falsehood in his words."

This makes you frown. You have no reason to doubt the man. However, you have no reason to doubt Loki's words either. Therefore, you lean down again to the girl, who has been watching the whole scene with wide eyes. "Do you know this man?" you ask her, but she only plays sheepishly with the handkerchief she got from Loki. She is too intimidated by the attention of all these strange adults and doesn't answer.

"Let go of me!" the man demands meanwhile, trying to free himself from Loki's iron grip. Some passers-by become aware of the scene and stare at you curiously. You don’t like that, because it's not good when Loki's face is in the public eye in a story like this.

"Let him go," you therefore say to him. "We will report him to the police, but first we need the girl to get home safely."

Loki turns his head toward you and your eyes meet. You nod at him in what you hope is a confident and reassuring manner. This must not escalate or you both will be in trouble. He seems to realize that, because he reluctantly lets the man go, pushing him back a bit while he does. "Lucky for you, the voice of reason is present.”

"You'll hear from me!" the man scolds. But it is half-hearted and he quickly disappears between the passer-by.

Loki clenches his hands into fists and closes his eyes for a moment to take a breath and resist the urge to hurt the man after all. He looks in the direction he disappeared and with a small gesture he sends a spell after him anyway. You don't know what it is and you don't ask. Then the Asgardian turns back to you.

Meanwhile, you've spotted a police officer among the people, who is grabbing something at a food truck. He's probably on his lunch break, but you don't care right now. With what just happened, you'd better get an official party involved. "I'll be right back," you say to Loki and walk over to the officer.

"Excuse me, officer."

"Yes, Miss?" he turns to you questioningly.

"My friend and I found a child who got lost. I'm afraid she can't tell us where she lives," you explain and he looks in the direction you point. Between the passersby, Loki and Sofía are only vaguely visible.

"A child you say? A little girl?"

"Yes, about this tall." You point at hip level.

The cop hands the food truck owner some money for his food, then reaches for his walkie talkie. "Officer Decker, this is Daniel. Are you still with the woman who lost her daughter?" he asks into the device. "What's the girl's name again?"

After a brief pause, the device crackles. "Yes, she's still here. The daughter's name is Sofía, seven years old."

Daniel gives you a questioning look and you nod. "Come over to 34th Street and Lexington Avenue. I think I found her here."

He follows you to Loki, who looks towards you. "He might know where the mother is," you explain to him as the cop leans down to the girl. But Sofía doesn't seem to be in the mood for further acquaintance and hides a bit behind Loki's leg. Daniel looks questioningly at him, but the Asgardian merely shrugs. You all decide to wait.

A few minutes pass by, when the girl suddenly shrieks. "Mommy!" You follow her gaze and see a petite woman step around the corner alongside another police officer. When she hears the call, her worried face turns to relief. Then she spots her daughter.

"Sofía!"

The child runs toward her and the two embrace.

The policemen follow the women a little slower, taking care of the details. Loki and you stay around briefly to make a statement, especially because Loki insists on reporting the strange man from earlier.

It turns out that mother and daughter were shopping when Sofía left a store while strolling. She wandered around a bit and then couldn't find her way back. Apparently she got two blocks far. The mother, who only let the little one out of her sight for a short time, had all the employees search the entire store.

She's very glad to have her girl back.

Loki and you take your leave quietly and get into your car, which is still waiting for you nearby.

Relieved, you exhale. What an afternoon. You hadn't planned something like this to happen when you organized lunch at the restaurant. But with an Asgardian god, you never know exactly what's going to happen next.

Loki looks out his window, seemingly bored, but turns his head to you when you put your hand on his arm.

"You did great," you tell him with an honest smile.

He looks at you with an unreadable expression. His eyes move down to where you are touching him and he withdraws his arm. Then he looks wordlessly at the window again. You get no response. But you don't care, because you know Loki did the right thing when it mattered.

What you don't know is that he is so surprised by your unexpected praise that he doesn't know what to say. He's not used to it and it actually makes him a little embarrassed.

_________________________________

Surprise! Loki didn't run off at the first chance he got. He behaves decently when he is treated decently. Shocking news I know! Kids trusting Loki will be a recurring trope in this story. He deserves all the love and trust. Also, you finally got your nickname: Witchling. Yay

Tag List: @lokisgoodgirl @lokixryss @itsybitchylittlewitchy @yokshi-unbeliebubble @fictional-hooman @elennair @all-envy-suyu @purplekitten30 @elisadmaggiore @nothing2113 @baebeepeach @ceo-of-stfu @moonlightreader649 @ronipiamka @fluffybunnyu

Tell me if you wanna be added/removed

#loki x y/n #Loki x reader #loki layfeyson x you #loki laufesyon x reader #Loki x you #imagine loki #the witchling and the god #imagine marvel #mcu prompt #loki odison x reader #marvel x reader #mcu x reader #loki fanfction #slow burn #loki odinson #loki laufeyson

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juanarc-thethird · 3 years ago

Text

A Jaune of All Trades

In the cafeteria.

Ruby: Jaune, I don't want to sound rude, but how do you pay for things? You know, the comics, the maintenance of your weapons, going to the movies, etc.

Weiss: I wonder that too. I mean, the school already takes care of housing, education and food. But the rest? Do your parents send you money?

Jaune: I have an answer for that. I have my own business.

Ruby: *amazed* Oooh, what do you do?

Jaune: I provided different types of services to my clients.

Weiss: That doesn't sound good.

Jaune: What do you mean.... Oh god no! Not that kind of service. I only do simple things like deliveries.

——————————

Junior: Where is the “package”?

Jaune: *Leaning on a car* In the trunk.

Junior's goons open the trunk.

Man: Please! Don't hurt me!

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Jaune: I also give rides

Ruby: *Smiles* You know how to drive?

Jaune: Yes I do and I'm pretty good at it.

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Roman and Neo get into a car with bags full of money.

Roman: Driver, it's time to go.

Jaune: Hold on *Runs Engine*

Neo: 🤘😆🎉

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Jaune: Sometimes I provide musical entertainment.

Weiss: I don't believe you

Jaune: Well, believe it

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Jaune playing the piano in a fancy restaurant. He sees a couple of girls and winks at them.

Malachite twins: *Dreamy eyes* Aww~😍❤️

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Jaune: Sometimes I help some restaurants when they don't have enough staff in the kitchen.

Ruby: Can you bake cookies?

Jaune: Yes

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Jaune is wearing a chef's outfit and is finishing up a dish.

Jaune: And done.

Gordon Ramsay: Amazing. *To his staff* This is a real chef. Not like all of you worthless pieces of-

————————

Jaune: I also give a hand in some computer stuff.

Weiss: Like remove a virus?

Jaune: Something like that

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Salem: Any progress, Dr. Watts?

Dr Arthur: *Having trouble hacking the Atlas military network* One moment, my Queen. *quietly* Who is this Jboy and how is he so good at this?

————————

Jaune: I also help people recover things that they lost.

Ruby: that’s nice

Weiss: I suppose

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Vernal: What do you mean we're not going to do anything?! He collected a lot of information from us, our targets, names, locations, everything from us! We can't let that traitor escape!

Raven: And we won't. Don't worry, I have the right men for the job. Just come drink some tea with me and wait.

Meanwhile

A guy runs through the woods.

Man: Hehe, I'm going to get rich from all this information once I- What the hell?!

He felt something grab his leg and pull him to the highest point of a tree.

Jaune: *Wearing a stealth suit* Hi, I'm going to take this. *takes his Scroll* Now, let's go visit my client.

————————

Jaune: I also-

*Ting*

Jaune: Sorry, just a moment. *Checks his phone* Oh, sorry girls but I have another client who needs my services. I'll tell you the rest later. byeee *walks away*

Weiss:...I don't believe him.

Ruby: I do

________________________________________

I was thinking of doing something like Jaune is the worst at fighting (of course) but he's the best at everything else, like EVERYTHING else you can think of.

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captains-simp · 4 years ago

Text

Wanda Maximoff ~ Fake It Till You Make It

Wanda version of this fic as requested by @yeetus-thyself

7.7k words

Warnings: shitty family and homophobia

[ masterlist ]

Buy me a coffee ☕

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Pleeaasse, Wan" You pouted once again. You had been begging Wanda for the favour for an hour now; her stubborness was proving hard to overcome.

"I'm busy." Wanda said, her accent strong as she walked around her appartment to collect things for her next mission.

"But will you be busy on the 10th?" You asked from the couch where you watched her disappear into various rooms as she talked.

"I thought you said it was a few days." Wanda quipped, seemingly only giving you half her attention.

"It is." You confirmed with some hope.

"So I'd need to clear my schedule for more than just the 10th." You huffed and rested your head on the back of couch.

"Yes you would. I'm sure Natasha can manage without you for a few days."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." She muttered.

"Please, Wan." You tried. "I need a win." Wanda stopped by the kitchen counter and gave you a long, considering look. You had long given up on your puppy dog eyes and instead copied her expression as you chewed on your bottom lip.

"I'll think about it." Wanda finally said before grabbing something from the cupboard. It was the best response you had gotten all night and you knew you wouldn't get anything more. So you accepted it and hoped for the best.

Your parents had invited you to their cabin for a few days just like they did every year. It was a beautiful place. You could spend your whole visit in the forest along the back. Or swimming in the clear lake that was a short walk away. The cabin itself was the cosiest place you had ever been and had been where some of your best memories had happened as a kid.

As you got older things changed. Being around your family, especially your parents, wasn't as enjoyable. They had high expectations for their children, expectations that your siblings had met without a problem but ones that you had struggled with. You enjoyed your life. You had the kind of relationships you had always hoped for, you loved your job and you had the perfect balance of the two. But you could never shake the feeling that you had failed.

Your brother was a surgeon who always told you all stories of the lives he saved and the close calls he had swooped in to save people from. One of your sisters was some hot shot lawyer who had done great things like help people wrongly convicted but still put dangerous people back on the street. And your other sister was the CEO of an energy company that you never quite understood. They even all had equally successful partners who loved to talk about themselves as much as your siblings did. You didn't have any of that. But you did have Wanda.

Knowing the Avengers was the only thing about you your family took interest in. They were always subtly hinting at wanting to meet your friends. But you knew the Avengers had to endure enough fan service and didn't want to push your family onto them, especially with how annoying they all were.

However as your family's unrealistic expectations reached their all time high you were sure you wouldn't be able to handle another trip with them without a win, and you were far too petty to take the moral high ground and just not go. Not to mention that was a huge part of you that was dying to see what the Wanda girlfriend experience would entail. Yep, that was what you were asking of Wanda. To pretend to be your partner for the duration of the trip.

You knew it wasn't a smart choice. That if Wanda agreed your crush on her could get out of hand. You knew you would end up getting too caught up in the act. You could have, no - should have - asked Natasha or Yelena or even Carol if she was around. But your family knew you were the closest with Wanda and she would be the one it felt the most natural with, and the most believable. At least, that was what you told Wanda.

"When are you going?" You asked, changing the subject in hopes that Wanda wouldn't suddenly conclude she didn't want to do it (then you really would have to ask one of the others).

"Tomorrow." She answered, keeping her focused tone.

"When will you be back?" You attempted to keep the concern out of your voice but the glance the redhead gave you told you you hadn't done a good job.

"The day after." She said, softer this time. You nodded as you looked down at your lap and tried not to think about everything that could possibly go wrong on her mission.

"Be safe." Wanda strolled over to you and placed her hand gently ontop of yours and gave it a quick squeeze.

"Always."

"Got any plans Saturday night?" Natasha smirked knowingly at her friend as they preped for their mission.

"No." Wanda replied as she adjusted her earpiece.

"Nothing with y/n then?" Nat asked, partly genuinely but mostly knowing Wanda would still say no.

"Nope." She said again, biting the inside of her cheek in consideration before speaking again. "Not this Saturday."

Natasha raised an eyebrow in surprise and interest. Wanda rarely made any kind of special plans with you as you would always hang out casual and it was never anything fancy or different. She had always wanted to though.

"Plans for another time?" Nat continued as she double checked her pack.

"Maybe, I'm still thinking about it." The redhead turned fully to her friend at her words, confused at why Wanda was hesitant to spend time with you. "She wants me to go to the cabin with her and her family." Nat had heard all about the infamous cabin and your family.

"That sounds fun." Nat nodded. The cabin sounded fun. Your family did not.

"As her girlfriend." Nat's eyes widened excitedly but before she could speak Wanda clarified. "Her pretend girlfriend."

Nat paused and looked as though she was going to speak for several seconds until she stuck to just giving a confused look.

"Yeah." Wanda sighed. "Thinks it would seem impressive." Wanda had tried not to be hurt over that. She knew you weren't just friends with her to show her off to people, because you never did. But it hurt her to think the only time you could see her in a romantic way was when you were pretending.

"Well," Nat muttered as she adjusted the zip along the front of her catsuit. "Fake it till you make it." It was Wanda's turn to give Nat a questioning look. "Maybe it'll be an eye opener for her."

"You think I should do it?" She asked, fully open to hearing and accepting her friend and mentor's advice in that area.

"Definelty." Nat confirmed. She wasn't sure about it for the reasons she said though. Wanda's crush on you was obvious to everyone except you, just as it was vice versa.

You had been overjoyed when Wanda told you she would come with you to the cabin and play along as your girlfriend. She had told you when she came back from her mission, in fact it was the first thing she said after she had let herself into your appartment. It was never really brought up after that, but you couldn't deny you were incredibly anxious on the week leading up to the visit.

On the drive up to the cabin you and Wanda stayed in a comfortable silence most of the time, clearly both lost in thought. You had the radio on for background noise more than anything else, but you would occasionally lightly tap the steering wheel if there was a tune you recognised, oblivious to Wanda's acknowledging smiles.

"So what's the plan?" Wanda asked as she looked at you expectantly. Right, of course the Avenger wanted a strategy.

"Keep things simple, I guess. They know how we met already so we can just say at some point we took things a step further than friendship." Wanda didn't seem convinced at the simplicity of that. "Look they're not going to want to hear about us, not much at least. They prefer the sound of their own voices, they'll be trying to impress you is all."

"Impress me?" Wanda asked.

"Yeah, hope you warm up to them so one day they can invite you to their snobby parties." Wanda chuckled her heart warming laugh as she glanced out of the window, knowing there was a lot of truth to what you said.

"And what are those like?" She enquired curiously.

"I wouldn't know, I've never been invited." You said simply. You had gotten over that a long time ago, gotten used to being forgotten. Wanda clearly hadn't though.

"It will be an honour to turn them down." Wanda said. You shook your head and smiled at her. That did sound pretty nice.

When the cabin came into sight between the trees your nerves spiked. You figited in your seat and bit your lip when you saw some of your family gathered outside, their attention instantly on you. You shot Wanda a quick smile which she returned before you got out of the car.

"Y/n! So nice of you to come." You mum said as her eyes flickered to Wanda more than you. She opened her arms for the shortiest hug in human history before turning to Wanda. "You must be Wanda, we've heard so much." You mum insisted as she brought the redhead in for a hug too. She raised her eyebrows at you over your mum's shoulder and you bite back a laugh.

The others came over to greet you and mainly Wanda in a rush, overwhelming both of you.

"You two will be in the upstairs bedroom on the left." Your mum told you as you went to grab your bags. You did a double take, convinced you had heard her wrong. That was the best room in the house. A big difference from being in the small room in the basement every other time you had been there.

"First one on the left." Your dad confirmed. There was no way your parents were going to be in the basement so you wondered who else had been moved around but didn't ask, knowing whoever it was wasn't going to be happy.

You and Wanda made your way up to the room and you couldn't help but smile at the sight of the spacious room and the door you knew led to your en suite.

"That was...a lot." Wanda summarised as she said her bag under the bed.

"I would tell you it gets better but I don't want to get your hopes up." You sighed as you got a couple of things out.

"It's just a few days." Wanda said despite the fact you should have been assuring her.

"Yeah." You nodded and stared down at the floor. "Now c'mon." You suddenly said as you took ahold of Wanda's hand and laced your fingers together. You missed the startled blush that crept onto her cheeks when you turned around.

Your family were sat outside whispering amongst themselves when you returned. Their interested gaze fell to your entwined hands in an instant.

"So you work with the Avengers?" Your brother, Dalton, said as soon as you both sat down.

"I do, I'm one myself." Wanda said as she continued to hold onto your hand.

"Must be crazy, what are they like?" He enquired.

"They're good." Wanda said simply. Everyone clearly expected something more but Wanda pretended not to notice making you smile.

"I almost did business with Stark once, decided against it in the end." Claire announced proudly. You and Wanda exchanged knowing glances. Stark had told you all about his encounter with your sister, it definetly wasn't her turning him down.

"I was invited to one of his parties." Anna said quickly. "I was busy that night unfortunately."

Bull. Shit.

"Yes I remember working with Doctor Strange when he was still in the medical profession." You gave Wanda an I-told-you-so look as your family erupted into conversation over who had the most contact with the heroes. That had to be a new record of how quickly they started talking about themselves.

They continued like that until your mum called everyone in for dinner. The food smelt undeniably amazing as you took your place at the table next to Wanda and eyed the dishes infront of you. Your parents efforts to impress the redhead weren't all that bad.

Your family continued to catch up and and you and Wanda half listened as you ate. They were all doing as well for themselves as ever and still hadn't learnt any modesty.

Although you were proud of your siblings for what they had all achieved, Wanda had contained four potentially devastating bombs from going off in the space of half an hour a week before but she wasn't going to bring that up anytime soon. Eventually though, the attention turned to you to bring you out of your silence.

"And you're still working in that little café, y/n?" Your mum asked curiously.

"I own it, mum." You corrected quietly as you stabbed some pieces on your plate.

"Ah yes, quite the contrast though, isn't it. Between you two." She said as she pointed at you and Wanda with her fork. You didn't say anything to that because you felt there really wasn't anything to say in response. It wasn't like you hadn't thought that exact thing every now and then.

"The team loves it." Wanda said suddenly making everyone, including you, look at her in slight surprise from speaking up. It hadn't taken your family long to learn Wabda wasn't much of a talker, not to them anyway. You couldn't get her to shut up half the time. "At least one of us goes everyday. If we're lucky we all can. Nothing beats it." She defended simply before turning back to her food to show she wasn't going to say anymore. You smiled down at your plate at her words and the truth of them.

No one said anything in response, clearly shocked from this new information until Dalton spoke up.

"But doesn't Stark like fancy, top of the line, restaurants? I can't imagine him in some random coffee shop, no offence sis." He nodded towards you though you knew he didn't mean it. He couldn't let you have just one win.

"That random coffee shop has catered some of Stark's parties. Not that many though." A smug smile crept onto Dalton's face as he opened his mouth to make a snarky remark but Wanda cut him down again. "Because y/n's invited to the rest as a guest and a close friend." Your family stared at you with open mouths.

"You've been invited to Stark's parties?!" Anna exclaimed. In your defence, your family never wanted to hear about your life so you never got the chance to tell them anything.

"It's not really my crowd." You shrugged. "I just go to hang out with them after." Dalton's jaw clenched in annoyance and he didn't say anything for the rest of dinner. It was only really your mum who kept talking. Telling everyone about her latest travels that fell on death ears.

It was certainly a first for your family.

When everyone had finished their food you and Wanda excused yourselves and said goodnight before retiring to your room. Wanda shut the door gently as you collapsed onto the bed on your back and glared at the ceiling. The redhead shuffled around quietly to get her toothbrush and toothpaste and some other things you weren't really paying attention to and went into the bathroom.

When she came back out she was in her bedclothes and lifted your feet off the floor to turn you so you could fully lay on the bed. You smiled at her weakly.

"You should go get changed." Wanda said as she got her laptop out her bag. "Then you can pick a movie." She announced when she had gotten under the covers and started her laptop. You smiled more and nodded.

You tried not to think about your family and everything they had said at dinner as you got changed but it proved difficult. Everything they had said echoed around in your head but most of all you couldn't shake the disregarding ways they said it. It was as though you could do no right with them. Maybe they would never be proud no matter what you did.

You placed your toothbrush back I'm the holder and rinsed your mouth before heading back into the bedroom to an awaiting Wanda.

You got under the covers next to her and rested your head on her shoulder as you glanced at the Netflix screen and pointed to one of the comedy movies.

About ten minutes into the movie Wanda spoke. "You okay?" She whispered as she continued to look at the screen although that wasn't where her focus was.

"Yeah." You whispered back.

"You can talk to me." She said after a second." You moved your head away so you could see Wanda clearly.

"I'm so glad you're here." You said honestly. She smiled and nodded as her eyes searched yours.

"I'm glad I'm here too." You knew Wanda wasn't glad she had to spend the time with your family. She was glad that she could support you despite their efforts to bring you down. You were incredibly lucky to have her.

You rested your head back on her shoulder and neither of you spoke for the rest of the movie. Or the rest of the night. You must have fallen asleep about half an hour in.

Wanda was one of the most intimate people you had ever met. It was mainly something she aimed towards you and Natasha but didn't refrain from comforting others and giving hugs to anyone who would take one. She never held back at all with you, as far as you knew. But when you woke up and couldn't tell where your limbs started and Wanda's ended, you were still surprised to find yourselves like that. Butterflies flew around in your stomach in a way you knew was dangerous but couldn't help but love.

You were resting your head on her rising chest and had your arm slung across her stomach. Your legs were tangled together and her arms were holding onto your waist. A warmth spread through you and you decided to settle back into her hold and closed your eyes with a content smile.

You had about ten minutes to enjoy that before Wanda woke up. You could feel the moment she realized you were so close, she physically froze. You waited in anticipation for something for several moments until your friend very slowly unhooked her legs and guided your body to lay against the mattress and pillows as she slipped out of bed towards the bathroom.

You sighed when you heard the door close and rubbed your eyes slowly, knowing you should get up but wishing more than anything that you could return to how you woke up.

"Morning." Wanda croaked when she left the bathroom and saw you sitting up in bed.

"Morning." You said back with a smile and tried not to focus on how ridiculously attractive her voice sounded.

You gathered some random clothes into a bundle and went into the bathroom to change again and brush your teeth. When you came out Wanda was pulling her shirt over her head and gave you a generous view of her toned stomach. That training with Natasha really was paying off. Your face heated up when you saw it and you turned away to pretend you hadn't seen when Wanda noticed you.

"Don't make a sound." Wanda warned. You glanced up at her with some confusion. "I don't think your family's awake yet, that means we get the kitchen to ourselves." She grinned and you did too.

You and Wanda had gotten so used to getting up early for your jobs you forgot other people would still be sleeping. It was hard to break out of the habit but it proved useful.

The pair of you made a quick breakfast and ate it outside thanks to the warm weather even at that time. But soon enough your parents came downstairs and ruined the peaceful atmosphere with the clanging of pots and loud convosations.

You wandered around the side of the house and saw the old table tennis table that bad been folded away years ago and hadn't been set up since. You went over and started setting it up when Wanda joined you and eyed the table with a glimmer of mischief.

The redhead wasn't all that competitive, in fact you were pretty sure she let other people win games on the regular to make them feel better about themselves. But there was an undeniable spark of mischief in her eyes when she saw the table.

"You played this before?" You asked convosationally.

"I have." She said as you both automatically took up your positions of opposite ends of the table.

"Me too." You said confidently. "A lot." Wanda hummed in acknowledgment and swivelled her bat in her hand and stood ready. You smiled at her seriousness for the game.

You served surprisingly well for someone who hadn't played in a few years and Wanda was able to hit it back with ease. Once you had developed a steady pace you started hitting the ball more daringly to Wanda who was caught off guard before she started doing the same.

The moment you missed the ball a small smile tugged at the corner of Wanda's lips, her celebration was short lived when you suddenly sent the ball back her way until it was too late.

"That wasn't fair!" She exclaimed childishly.

"That was tables tennis." You said seriously but started smiling again.

Wanda huffed dramatically and flipped you off as she trudged back to the table and served the ball with force. You managed to send it back but took a step away from the table in caution.

You continued like that for a while. The competition tension rising as you picked up the pace, one of you occasionally getting a point before the other evened it out.

At one point you were vaguely aware of Dalton sauntering over to see what you were doing and arched his brow at the sight of the table.

"We still have this thing?" He questioned and you hummed quietly in response, too focused on the game.

"Hey Claire! Get over here, we're playing table tennis." You rolled your eyes at the intrusive and could sense Wanda refraining from doing the same until an idea popped into your head.

You caught the ball in your hand and smiled at Wanda's protests as you moved round to her side of the table just as your sister came out.

"I didn't even know we still had this." Claire laughed as she picked up another bat from the box.

"Maybe we should take it back with us." Wanda whispered to you and you bit your lip to contain your smile because yes, yes you should.

Inevitably, your siblings sucked at table tennis. You had suspected as much you just never thought they would be as bad as they were. They missed almost every hit and everytime they did they got increasingly angry, which meant they ended up flaring their arms around like idiots. It was a memory you would be sure to treasure.

"Stupid game" and "probably broken" kept echoing across the table until your siblings finally stormed off to throw a tantrum.

The rest of the day went by quietly. You and Wanda sat by the lake for most of the afternoon to enjoy the sun and heat. You reveled in the most recent memories of your siblings embarrassment and had to keep hushing down to childish whispered whenever one of them was nearby.

Surprisingly, dinner went by peacefully too.

You weren't asked anymore questions at the table. Instead, your family were content with talking about their upcoming plans between stealing glances at you and Wanda that the redhead never failed to notice.

The pair of you slipped off to your room the first moment you got and easily fell into bed besides one another. Wanda picked out a DVD from her bag of an old Sokovian show she used to watch as a child and had you hooked on as well as teaching you the language.

She settled down beside you and within the first few scenes she wrapped an arm around your shoulder so you could sink into her further like she did sometimes when you watched things together. You were barely paying attention to the series after that.

Despite trying to keep your focus on understanding what was happening in scenes of the show, you couldn't help but want to melt under the warmth of your best friend. You hoped it was something you got to experience more, you felt safer than you ever had in Wanda's arms.

Little did you know that having you in her arms was the most comforting feeling Wanda ever experienced and she always tried to do it as little as possible to refrain from falling for you more. It never worked.

You had thought waking up in Wanda's arms the morning before had been the best thing to awake to. But that day when you woke up not only were your legs tangled together again but the redhead was slowly stroking your hair while your head rested on her chest.

It was a gradual gesture that maintained a perfect rhythm and made you want to fall back asleep. But you were afraid you would mistake it for a dream later on. No, it was definitely real.

Luckily, your head was already tilted upwards slightly so when you secretly opened your eyes to risk a peek at your friend you saw her staring out the window as though she was in a trance. She was clearly so deep in thought she hadn't noticed you wake up, you had never seen her like it. But the feeling was too good to ignore, too compelling.

Soon enough, you found yourself drifting off back to sleep.

When you woke up again Wanda was gone. Her absence left an emptiness you knew wasn't good for you. As the days of your visit went on your fake relationship with Wanda was going to effect you even more when it was over.

Over...you couldn't think about that.

Once you got up and got changed you found Wanda in the kitchen looking at the news on her phone as she sipped her coffee.

"Morning, honey." You grinned. Wanda blushed slightly into her coffee, something you thought was undeniably adorable.

"Morning yourself." She tried to play off smoothly making you grin more.

You made breakfast for you both just as your mum came into the kitchen and greeted you both with an overplayed smile, already talking to Wanda about an upcoming party that she should go to. Wanda mumbled something about a busy schedule as you managed to whisp her away outside with your food.

Eventually, you and Wanda became bored with sitting around in the house when you had such amazing surroundings on your doorstep. You declared that you were going on a walk with the redhead and left before any of your family could invite themselves to go with you. Especially as you had told your friend to wear her swimwear underneath her clothing as you had a surprise for her.

You made a point of holding Wanda's hand as you left and once you were far away from the house went to take it back only for her to hold on tighter.

"You never know where they could be lurking." She joked as an excuse, so you starting swinging your arms playfully as to assure her you wanted your hands to stay linked together too.

You spent hours in those woods and was thankful for having a spy best friend who of course knew to pack the essentials like food and drinks so you could stay away from the house as long as you wanted.

The redhead brought so much you were able to have a small picnic on top of a hill that overlooked the large lake that stretched out all the way back to the house. You remembered thinking up stories as to explain the strange shape and curves to it as a child.

"It's beautiful here." Wanda said as she picked some grapes from the bunch between you.

"It is." You agreed with a fond smile.

"I used to want to live in a place like this." She muttered, sparking your interest.

"In the woods?" You asked curiously and she nodded.

"I thought I could retire to the woods and get a small cabin and I could grow my own food and that was all I needed." You hummed with a smile as you studied Wanda's features.

"Sounds lonely." You thought aloud.

"I'd have a cat." She said simply making you laugh. "I never used to think that but now when it crosses my mind and I picture that life... I picture someone else there with me." You knew she was imagining it as she spoke and you wished you could see exactly what it was she wanted.

"We could always downgrade the holiday house." You half joked as you nodded in the vague direction of the house. "Make it a simple cabin."

"We?" Wanda asked hopefully, the emotion clear before she had a chance to conceal it.

"There's no one I'd rather run away and live in the forest with." You joked although there was a lot of truth to your words. The redhead considered you for a while before smiling and nodded as though she had reached her own internal conclusion.

"Come on." You said suddenly as you stood up and dusted yourself off.

"You want to go back?" Wanda asked and you grinned.

"I'm going to show you that surprise." You declared and packed the remaining food away. Wanda did the same, eager to see the surprise you kept secret the whole way.

It was quite a way back to the house. The whole time Wanda kept asking more questions about it but you wouldn't say. She could only make guesses based on the swim wear which should have left only a few options, non of which she got right.

Finally, you arrived where you wanted to and grinned at Wabda before starting towards the edge. The redhead frowned as she watched you approach the ledge and became worried when she invisioned the steep slope that didn't always lead to water straight down. If you were to fall... your friend didn't have to wait long to see that. You slipped along the edge and disappeared from her view as she gave a startled cry and sprinted towards the edge and knelt over with wide eyes, expecting to see something that could haunt her forever but instead she saw you on a wide ledge but seven feet below her.

To your left was part of the ledge that had been dug into randomly and acted as perfect aid to get back into the woods above.

"Come down here." You beckoned as you starter to take your top off. Wanda's eyes widened more and quickly turned around and dropped down next to you steadily.

She glanced over the side of the small ledge to glance at the fifty foot drop into the water. There was nothing in the way to fall onto but there was no telling how deep that water was.

"You can't go in like that." You laughed as you kicked off your shorts and pushed them to the side.

Wanda's face heated up at the sight of you in your y/f/c bikini as you assessed the view. But even in her flustered state she was able to put it all together.

"You want to jump down there?" She exclaimed making you laugh.

"I've done it tones of times." You assured. "It's fun."

"It's a death wish! What if the waters not deep enough?" She questioned making you laugh more.

"Are you scared, Wan?" You teased as you took a step towards her making her avert her eyes from your form. She scoffed to play it off.

"Of course not." You hummed in faux belief.

"Well then I'll see you down there." You grinned and took a couple of steps back until your feet were no longer on the platform and you were plummeting down towards the water where you landed with a splash.

Wanda held her breath as she waited for you to resurface for a few agonising seconds. When you did with a gasp and started kicking around frantically to keep yourself afloat with your built up adrenaline the redhead sighed in relief and started taking off her own shorts and shirt and placed them next to your things.

You've jumped from higher. She told herself as she rocked on her feet. And you have powers! She argued back before she shoved those thoughts aside and threw herself off the ledge and into the water below. You laughed as she came back up and pushed her hair away from her way. You swam closer to her and saw her wide smile.

"Fuck." Wanda whispered with a laugh as she looked back up from where you had both come.

"Told you it was fun." You teased as you tried not to focus on the low cut on her bikini bra.

"Yeah yeah." She laughed and paused when she looked past you and saw you were surprisingly close to the house. She could see the outline of your family sat outside.

"They're looking." Wanda muttered. You could tell by the look on her face who she was talking about. It wasn't like there was anyone else around either.

"Do you think they've caught on?" You asked nervously as you stared at Wanda's brown eyes to stop you looking at your family.

"Maybe..." She considered and glanced around. "It's not like we've been acting like that much of a couple." You scoffed at that.

"At home everyone assumes we're dating and the one time we need it be believable it isn't." You rolled your eyes but couldn't help the smile.

"I know." Wanda laughed for a second but then paused. "Then let's give them something believable." She gently placed both her hands on your waist and pulled you slowly towards her. You let her guide you and took extra notice of the water droplets across her face. You almost trembled when your bare stomachs pressed together in the water lightly.

Wanda's soft hands left your waist and gripped your thighs to pull you up to wrap your legs around her own waist. You couldn't help but giggle at the gesture as you wrapped your arms around the redhead's neck and held onto her waist with your legs in a lock.

"Can I?" Wanda whispered when she lifted your chin with her finger and her other hand came round the back of your neck.

"Just shut up and kiss me." You demanded with a playful smile and leaned in to do it yourself.

You smiled into the kiss and felt Wanda do the same. It was everything you had ever imagined it to be. Her lips were soft and fell into place perfectly against your own as they moved together. Your mind was hazey and your stomach was doing flips at the realisation that you were actually kissing your long time crush. You forced yourself to remember that it was all a show. That Wanda didn't mean it. But she put on a believable act and kissed passionately, even slipping her tongue through your parter lips to explore your mouth further.

When she eventually pulled away you rested your foreheads together to catch your breath and grinned as you closed your eyes.

"You're a really good kisser." You blurted out making Wanda chuckle.

"Not too bad yourself." She teased.

"I hope not, we're gonna have to do that again." You smiled and instantly realized that sounded like a confession you desperetly wished you could claim. "You know because...Once probably wasn't enough to make it entirely believable." You rambled and Wanda nodded somewhat stiffly and let your legs drop back down. You wanted to say something to her, anything but it was all stuck on the tip of your tongue.

Just as you opened your mouth to speak, a small murmurarion of starlings flew across the lake, some of them skimming the water then gaining height again as they got closer to you and Wanda. You both ducked instinctively as they flew over your heads and off towards the forest again as you watched them in awe until they disappeared. You glanced up at the sky and noticed the sun had gone behind a cloud, ableing you to continue looking up at the other birds higher up.

You kicked your legs up slightly so you could lay on your back and outstretch your arms to keep you afloat in the water so you could stare up at the sky without hurting your neck.

You didn't realise Wanda mimicked you until her hands brushed against yours. She withdrew it as soon as you touched and went to murmmer an apology but you smiled and held onto her hand as you both lay watching the birds.

Neither of you had to say anything. It was a comfortable and peaceful silence that was occasionally filled with birds chirping or the sound of a calm breeze. Of all the things you expected to feel on that trip, relaxed was not one of them.

You stayed like that for a while until you were both snapped out of your daydreams by the distant yell that declared dinner. Well, you had to go back to them eventually.

Both of you took your time swimming back to dry land and only felt a shiver when you left the water and the breeze hit you. Wanda spotted and reached the towels before you and wrapped yours around you tightly. You thanked her with a small blush as you both sauntered up to the house where the mouthwatering smell of a barbecue greeted you. Your dad was leaning over it while shooing your brother away as he tried to offer his 'help'.

You and Wanda went inside to change swiftly and came back outside as the food was being placed on plates and your mum finished setting up the buffet. Everyone starter helping themselves and you piled as much food as you could onto the plate. You parents had asked what food Wanda liked and when you gave them a brief list you added in a few things you knew you both loved.

"You gonna eat all that?" Anna asked as she eyed all the food on your plate. Guilt and insecurities washed over you until Wanda purposefully grabbed a large handful of small sausage rolls and put them on her plate that was piled with a considerable amount more food than your own. You smiled at the reassuring gesture as she sat down with a satisfied grin on her face when she saw Anna close her mouth to stay quiet.

"Thanks." You whispered to her as you sat down.

"If you don't eat all that I will." She declared. You were pretty sure she went back for seconds.

Instead of disappearing back to your room like you did the previous nights, you and Wanda stayed with your family for a while after dinner. It wasn't to do with their company, more the mesmerising fire in the firepit you all sat around. You were cuddled up into Wanda's side with a blanket over both of you as you stared at the flames, smiling at their small flickers and dances.

"So Wanda," one of your sisters began, "are any of the other Avengers...you know." She nodded her head in the direction of you both.

Oh boy you though.

"I don't think it's my place to say." Wanda said because yes, a lot of the Avengers were queer.

"Oh come on, you can tell us." Anna encouraged as she sat forward eagerly.

"I could, but I'm not going to." Wanda continued to defy.

"Lay off it guys." You mumbled but was ignored. Your family took it in turns saying her teammates names in hopes of sparking a reaction, clearly forgetting they were facing someone who had been trained by Natasha Romanoff.

"Stark!" Claire said but was instantly shut down by the others.

"He's married!" Dalton objected.

"Could still be bi though." Claire tried but Dalton just scoffed.

"I suppose there's going to be more surprises."

"What does that mean?" Wanda asked with narrowed eyes, feeling protective of her teammates. Dalton met her gaze with his own challenging one.

"I just never thought one of the Avengers would be a dyke." You felt Wanda stiffen as you all held your breath. There was no way to tell what was going through the redhead's mind, especially as after all those years of friendship you still didn't even know what team she batted for. She was an ally at least, but would she see this as her battle to fight?

Upon getting no reaction, Dalton continued. "It makes sense why you'd hang out with y/n though, we always knew something was wrong with her but-"

"That's enough." Your mum snapped with a guilty expression she failed to mask. You swallowed hard and moved to get up, deciding you had heard enough.

"Then you're idiots." Wanda stated as she glared daggers at your brother while you sunk down.

"I'll have you know I have a doctorate-"

"Your idiots." She repeated. "There's nothing wrong with y/n, which is impressive considering she's grown up around you lot." You looked at your friend in awe as she continued.

"She's the most amazing person I've ever known, including any of the Avengers. She's everything that you're not and I'm lucky to call her my girlfriend. It doesn't matter what any of you think of her, I love her and I always will." She declared as shot daggers at each individual family member who had fallen silent. She took your hand and pulled you up from your seat to take you inside.

You couldn't get her saying she loved you out of your head. You reminded yourself over and over again on the way to your room that it was just an act. That the redhead was making her point. But God, how you wished it was real.

She was so gentle with you as she guided you through the house. When you got to your room and broke down sobbing she held you on the bed for a long time until your cries turned to sniffles. The thing was, you weren't sure what you were crying over. Sure, what Dalton had said had hurt. As did the confirmation that your whole family had always looked down on you. But you had known that was the case for a long time, you had moved on from it.

Instead, you may have being crying over what you didn't know and didn't have. How much of what Wanda said was true? It was all based off of something that wasn't real. What if she saw you the same way your family did?

When you stopped crying you became aware of Wanda gently stroking your hair as she rested her head on yours and held you close to her. You remembered the memories you had accumulated over the past few days with her. The kisses, the hand holding, the nights together, how she stood up for you like no one ever had. You loved her so much.

"I think we should go tomorrow." Wanda mumbled and you nodded into her shoulder.

"I'm not going to leave you though, you know that right? You can stay at mine and we'll watch more of those crappy American movies you like." She mocked lightly making you chuckle against her. "Whatever you want."

"I just want you." You said honestly. You knew you shouldn't have said that, but you were too emotionally drained to care.

"I just want you too, y/n." You pulled away from the redhead to look at her clearly.

"I don't think you know what I mean." You sniffed and she smiled at you fondly.

"I mean what I said earlier, around the fire." Your eyes widened slightly and you held your breath.

"It was all an act though." You whispered and Wanda chuckled as she exhaled sharply.

"No y/n." "I think I am inlove with you." She said as she took ahold of your hand and searched your face for any signs of a reaction to her confession.

"Me?" You questioned, not quite believing it.

"Yes you, idiot." You smiled and sighed in relief, not being able to find the words to express your overflowing happiness and numerous other emotions you couldn't quite pinpoint. You let go of Wanda's hand and brought them both up to cup her cheeks. You had done a lot more handholding than kissing in the previous few days. It needed to be evened out.

You closed the gap between you and kissed Wanda with just as much passion as you had in the lake, except all hesitation and questions were gone. Because you knew she loved you. Oh God she loved you. You grinned into the kiss at the thought and felt her hand fall to your hip while the other caressed the side of your neck in the most gentle manner you had ever seen from her.

When you eventually pulled away you rested your forehead against hers, a smile still playing on both your lips.

"Told you we'd have to do that again." You said and and laughed. "I love you too."

"Well I hoped that wasn't a pity kiss." She joked and you smacked her arm playfully.

"It definetly was not and I'll prove it to you by taking you on a date when we get back." You promised as you sat back to look at her clearly.

"Oh yeah?" She asked with a playful smirk and leaned over so her face was inches away from yours.

"Yeah." You said back.

"Well until then, my real girlfriend should definetly just keep kissing me." She said as she pushed you down gently and kissed you again. You smiled against her gleefully.

"Your girlfriend would love to."

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