#ava x sarah

[solesommerso]

whumptober 2023 day 3 : vows

Chicago med, Sarah/Ava other characters: Kevin (cpd), other doctors from med

warnings : forced marriage, kidnapping, chains/restraints, unwilling drugging, mentioned torture

Sarah takes in a breath as she smoothes over her white dress, the material is thin and soft under her hands, it feels all too revealing. There’s a crowd of people awaiting her to walk down the aisle, a man she doesn’t know at her side, a sympathetic smile on his face as though he’s apologizing for what’s about to happen.

“You look stunning.” A grin gets sent Sarah’s way once she approaches her awaiting partner, anxiety sitting painfully in her stomach as she takes Ava in. Her dress is much more modest than Sarah’s is, gold jewelry laid over her neck to match the clip she has holding her short hair back, her makeup is light and shines under the overhead lights. She looks like any normal bride, happy and excited about her marriage, not like she drugged Sarah to get her here and like the chains still clanking at her ankles weren’t put there by Ava herself.

“Do you two have vows prepared?” Connor meets Sarah’s eyes with his own fearful look, she can’t see but she assumes he has chains around his ankles the same way Sarah does. The same way they all do: April, Natalie, Noah, Ethan, Will, even Maggie. They still look more drugged than Sarah herself is, she’s been here the longest, at the apartment complex that Ava bought but uses as her personal prison for her past coworkers.

“Sarah, the light of my life, you were perfect the minute I laid my eyes on you. You were everything I ever wanted, I knew I had to have you.” Her hands get taken into Ava’s, it makes her body shiver but she musters the best smile she can. Fighting only leads to punishment and Sarah can’t sit through another day of being strapped to the medical table in that cold room she could throw up thinking about.

“What the hells going on?!” Will yells and cuts through the quietness of the room, it startles the others more awake, the redhead pulling at the ties that hold his hands behind the chair he’s sat in.

Sarah hates to see him struggle, she wants to tell him it’s okay, that if he goes along they’ll make it out okay, but the man who walked Sarah down the aisle is moving towards Will before she can. His hands are on Halstead’s shoulders, holding him down with a grunt about staying quiet during the ceremony. Reese isn’t sure how Ava knows him, how he became apart of this, but she doesn’t think it’s by his own free will.

“No more interruptions! Today is a special day, a day for me and Sarah.” Ava shouts the first words but drops her tone to something softer. It’d almost sound sweet if Sarah didn’t know how her mood changes within seconds and how she might be plunging a knife into Reese’s skin if she’s not careful.

“Ava, what are you doing? Can’t we talk about this?” Natalie pips up with her voice shaking but that signature Natalie type of care showing through, she’s always been so hopeful.

“There’s nothing to talk about, me and Sarah love each other, we’re getting married.” One of Ava’s hands moves to brush against Sarah’s skin, Reese almost starts to cry. She feels so empty staring back into someone she once considered a close friend who know seems like a complete stranger.

“Sweetheart…” The dark haired girl trails off, looking helplessly at Sarah before turning her head towards where Will is still being whisper-yelled at by the man Sarah’s yet to hear name for.

“Will it’s okay, it’s alright.” Reese calls out as assuringly as she can, watching him continue to struggle is making her chest ache, and she knows Ava won’t tolerate it much longer.

“Kevin’s a cop, he’s going to have his unit looking for him. The people at the hospital are going to look for us.” Halstead ignores Sarah’s pleads to instead start shouting at Ava, an almost frantic tone in his voice.

“Nobody will be looking for Kevin since he quit his job, and so did you all, such a shame Goodwin wouldn’t pay you better wages. Nobody will notice you’re gone.” Even if Sarah has heard it all before, it still makes her stomach churn.

“And don’t worry Natalie, sweet little Owen is staying with his grandmother while you take some time to clear your head.” That eases Sarah as much as it does Manning, she hadn’t heard Ava mention Owen till now but it had been a constant question in the back of her mind.

“Now let’s get back to the wedding. It’s your turn to say your vows baby.” Ava’s lips curl into a smile, hands gripping Sarah’s, it takes all of Reese’s willpower to not start to sob the tears she’s been holding back since she got taken, instead she steels herself with a breath and thinks up the most romantic vows she can. The more she goes along the better it’ll be, the more of a chance they’ll have to get out of here.

[xenaisnumber1]

When your acting is so good that one look can convey all the love and awe your character has for the girl she loves

[ethan-nestor-owns-my-heart]

“Hashtag save warrior nun…what happened to the warrior nun….who’s warrior nun?”—Sarah Michelle Gellar (2023)

[avrilsky]

A lot had changed in the six months she had been gone. And Ava remembers breaking down when Lilith had told her how long it had been for them.

Six months.

It felt like a fucking lifetime for her. So long she started to forget the sound of Beatrice’s voice, her laugh. Started to forget the way she looked in the mornings, the just rising sun casting a heavenly glow on her. Started to forget what it felt to touch Beatrice, soft skin under her fingers, shoulders brushing as they walked home from the bar, what it felt like to be held by her during the night.

She remembers begging Reya not to let her forget, promising that she'd stay there an eternity willing, as long as Reya made it so she didn't forget Beatrice, didn't forget the woman she loves.

[nohasslecastle]

A girl that knows how to use her assets

[littlenahsstuff]

Requests open!

What I write:

Only x reader

No male reader but all will be gender neutral unless specified otherwise when requested

No smut for now

Fluff

Angst

Darkfics (again no smut though)

Poly

Who I wrote for: (if not on this list you can still ask me)

-Disney Descendants

Red

Chloe Charming

Bridget

Ella

Evie

Mal

-MCU

Natasha Romanov

Wanda Maximoff

Agatha Harkness

Kate Bishop

Yelena Belova

Rio Vidal

-Resident Evil: Village

Alcina Dimitrescu

Donna Beneviento

Bela Dimitrescu

Cassandra Dimitrescu

Daniela Dimitrescu

Mother Miranda

-Slashers

Tiffany Valentine

Amanda Young/The Pig

Laurie Strode(ik she ain’t but she’s in the genre)

-Abbot Elementary

Melissa Schemmenti

Janine Teagues

Ava Coleman

-Mean Girls

Regina George

Janis Caplan

Cady Heron

-Sarah Paulson

Pretty much any character besides Bette and Dot, TB Karen, and Mamie. Not exclusive to AHS

-Avatar the Last Airbender/ Legend of Korra

Azula

Katara

Kuvira

Korra

Asami

Lin Beifong

Kya

-Stardew valley

Abigail

Haley

Leah

Emily

Robin

Caroline

Sandy

-Once Upon a Time

Regina Mills

Zelena Mills

Maleficent

Emma Swan

Belle French

Anna

Elsa

Tinker bell

Ivy/Drizzela Tremaine

-MISC.

Nadja of Antipaxos (What We Do in the Shadows)

Kara Danvers (Supergirl)

Lena Luther (supergirl)

Evelyn Deavor(Incredibles 2)

Other, I might do the character you want if I’ve heard of them

[uroojs]

Thanks Sarah Walker

[civicmuses]

Relationship Tag Dump

[ marsha x octavia // cause you're a sky full of stars // outofheavenandhell ]

[ marceline x vaggie // loving you is a good problem to have // outofheavenandhell ]

[ sarah x echo // i think you're mesy; but i'm messy too // outof heavenandhell ]

[ salamy // it's a love story baby // alreadyknowthisstory ]

[ marsha and rin // we like disliking one another // aonokumura ]

[ charlie and lucifer // i'll shelter and adore you more than anything // themosthatedbeingg ]

[ marsha and ava // i'll help you carry on // sinshosted ]

[kissandships]

I love seeing happy, married couples on tv

[slightlyaboveaverageiq]

Connor and the Brat {Part 3}

A/N: I would just like to say the CSA story is mine, what I went through as a child so it’s not like my brain just thought up this terrible thing to happen to Brat. TW: None for this chapter that I can think of

Connor had kept his promise, he had gone back to see Brat during visiting hours on his off days, and in his breaks when he had to work. He often brought her snacks to supplement the meals she had and was happy to see she was gaining weight and he started participating in group most days. She still had days where she didn’t want to be around anyone but her overall participation was at 80% and Dr. Charles was quite happy with the progress she has made with the help of Connor. In fact Dr. Charles had told Connor that as long as she continued on this path they would be aloe to look into getting her into an IOP program within 3-4 weeks.

“Are you considering jumping ship?” Connor had been so lost in his thoughts about Brat that he hadn’t even noticed Ava sitting in the seat next to him.

“What do you mean by that?” Connor hadn’t applied for a fellowship anywhere else, trauma and cardiothoracic surgery were more than enough to keep him on his toes. Knowing Ava thought she was going to try and bait him into biting off more than he could chew so she could establish herself as the superior surgeon. She just shrugged and opened the patient portal on the computer in front of her.

“It just seems that you’re spending quite a bit of time on the psych floor, and that you’re quite popular up there. Well popular with one patient really. Olivia thinks you might have a little crush on her.” There it was Ava couldn’t just ever have a normal conversation there was always something in it for her. This time the something being getting under Connors skin by talking about Brat.

“Olivia doesn’t have two brain cells to rub together so of course she would say th. I thought you better than to listen to the gossip of 22 year old nurses Ava.” She smirked at him and stood grabbing her lab coat.

“I ship it, girls got guts and you need to hear someone tell you no every now and then.” She walked off to a trauma room leaving Connor alone with his thoughts, his timer went off letting him know they would be serving Brat lunch soon and he was sure she would be looking for him. He took the elevator up to the psych ward and only had to look for about 30 seconds before he spotted her sitting with Sarah and playing what looked to be monopoly.

“Connor! Dr. Reese is cheating!” He laughed and took his jacket off before sitting in between the two girls and looking at all of Sarah’s properties with hotels and Brat with her measles one light blue property.

“I think she’s got you beat Brat, might as well go ahead and admit defeat.” She stuck her tongue out at him and reached for the dice. Ah so she wasn’t about to lose the game without a fight, good for her.

“I’M GONNA WIN.” Sarah laughed and stood up going to get Brats tray from the lunch cart leaving just the two of us alone. “Remember when you told me to ignore Olivia and Ellis?” Brat had started whispering and fidgeting with the playing pieces so Connor pretended to find the board extremely interesting picking up on the fact she probably didn’t want people to know they were having this conversation.

“What did they do now?” She bit her lip and looked unsure as if she wanted to tell him. He dipped a finger under her chin to have her look at him and then quickly dropped his hand once he realized what he had done. “You can tell me.”

“It started off harmless at first, forgetting my breakfast tray and then writing in my paperwork that I didn’t eat so I would have to be here longer. They conveniently forgot to call me for hygiene and group a couple of times. But last night when I was taking my shower I noticed my clothes were gone and they said that they ‘forgot’ that i was only supposed to be wearing paper scrubs and so I asked for some and they said we were out and I would have to wait so I sat in the shower room waiting on scrubs until like 11:30. Then they just keep making really mean comments, they keep saying I have a crush on you, that I’m going to get you fired by asking you to come up here. I tried telling them that Dr. Charles and Dr. Reese both know and said it was fine but they’re still being mean.” She had started to cry and was now hiding her face in her hair. Perhaps there was some truth to what Ava had heard.

“I’ll take care of it okay? They’re not going to keep bothering you.” Her green eyes wide need and she started shaking her head.

“Please don’t, it’ll just make the rumors so much worse if they know I said something.” He gave her knee a reassuring squeeze before standing and brushing his pants off.

“Ellis already ran her mouth to Dr. Bekker so I can just tell Ms. Goodwin and Dr. Charles that’s where I heard it from okay?” He turned and almost ran smack dab into Sarah on his way out.

“Connor? Where are you rushing off to, don’t you normally eat lunch with Ms. Scott?”

“Two of your nurses have been bullying Brat and starting rumors and just neglecting her so I’m going to talk to Ms. Goodwin.” He saw a small smirk make its way to Sarah’s face.

“About time someone put Olivia and Ellis in their place.”

[writtenbykie]

WHO I WRITE FOR!

CRIMINAL MINDS: spencer reid, emily prentiss, alex blake

MARVEL: matt murdock, natasha romanoff, sharon carter, steve rogers, riri williams, sarah wilson, joaquín torres

OTHER: shiv roy, jessica chastain characters (mace brown, mira phillips, beverly marsh, ava faulkner, melissa lewis…)

[willbikeforfood]

Another chapter of Within, My Darkness Howls 🐺🐺

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36814258/chapters/122457391

[xenaisnumber1]

The strong, silent character who becomes an efficient killing machine when their girl is threatened.

[toomanystoriessolittletime]

time

Summary: Not wanting to face Joel after you found out that you're pregnant, you leave the Boston QZ to live with Bill and Frank. Almost four years pass before you can't hide from him anymore, letting him finally know why you ran from him all these years back.

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem. reader

Wordcount: 6.7k

Rating: E

Warnings: angst, unplanned pregnancy, secret pregnancy, secrets, fluff, trust issues, Joel being Joel, making up, kissing, age gap (not specified but it's around 15 years), smut (unprotected sex), mentions of alcohol, Joel really is bad at feelings, but he's trying, Girl Dad Joel Miller, happy end

A/N: if these two had a relationship status it would be "it's complicated" Another WiP done! So now I am allowed to think about Biker Raider Joel for a moment, right?

follow @toomanystoriessolittletime-fics and turn on notifications to get notified when I post new fics

Pedro Masterlist || Joel Masterlist || Main Masterlist

“You know you’ll have to face him at some point,” Frank had a fond smile on his lips as he sat in his wheelchair next to you. He was watching Bill who let himself chase across the yard of his picture perfect post apocalypse home. 

Nobody would expect that just down the street, outside of the fence the world as you knew it had ended. 

“I know,” you sighed. 

“He asks for you every time he’s here. If we had seen you, if we knew where you are. He’s gonna understand,” Frank said and you scoffed. 

“He’s not gonna care. He has Tess and… he’s not…” you shook your head, searching for the words, “he’s not the man I fell in love with.”

“We all can change,” Frank said, reaching over to squeeze your hand. 

“Bill is the best example for that. Could you have imagined him like that when you showed up here three years ago?”

You watched Bill play with your daughter, Ava, playing catch. 

“Joel is not like that. He was like that. Before. But that part of him died long ago.”

You sat in silence for a while, just watching Bill and Ava, trying to soak it all in. It would never be like that again and you were already dreading having to explain all of this to her. 

“I’m gonna miss you,” you whispered, fighting against the tears as you looked at Frank. He smiled softly at you before he came closer, kissing your forehead. 

Four years earlier

You knew he could tell when you were lying. He would know with one look at you that you were full of shit telling him that this was not working for you anymore. Whatever this between you was.

Joel and you had known each other since before the outbreak. You had started babysitting Sarah to earn some extra money while you were finishing you degree when she had just been nine years old and you had moved in next door.

You had been there on outbreak day. Next door, still living at home to take care of your sick father. You would never get the picture of his infected body lunging at you out of your head the night the world changed. 

You and Joel… You didn’t know what Joel and you were exactly. 

You loved Joel, you knew that. And you were pretty sure he loved you too. You just wanted… more. Most people did not allow themselves to love so openly anymore. And in Joel’s case? Losing Sarah had changed him. After fifteen years the man who had been Sarah’s father was gone, replaced by a man that still had his face, but was missing the warmth and comfort Joel Miller had once provided. 

You could see it in glimpses, whenever his hand would rest on your back when he passed by. When he fell asleep in your arms deep in the night. When he kissed your forehead before he headed out for work. 

Loving Joel Miller was easy. 

Being loved by him was close to impossible. 

You never really labelled your relationship, mostly because you did not think of it as important. You trusted him more than any other person on this planet. It’s why you ignored the way he had started looking at Tess. It’s why you did not question him when he stayed away at night. You ignored it all, opening your arms for him when he chose to come home to you, letting him in your bed just to feel close to him. To feel something. 

The jealousy was killing you slowly, making you reckless when you let him have his way with your body. 

But once you had missed your period the first month, and then the second, you knew that there was only one possible answer to your dilemma. You had never been late before. A ration card swapped for a twenty year old pregnancy test had your worst fears come true. 

You were pregnant with Joel Miller’s child. 

Fifteen years after you both buried his daughter. The daughter he never got over losing. 

You could already see his reaction. The eyes you loved so much empty before he would tell you to deal with it. 

You could not face his anger or disappointment, but mostly you could not face him not caring. So you packed your little belongings once he had left you in the morning, sneaking out of your bed without a word.

You did not leave a note, just fled the QZ, making your way over to Bill and Frank, hoping your friendship with Frank would make them take you in. 

Of course Bill hadn’t want to, but once he saw your stomach swell (and tasted the sweets you baked in his kitchen) he had put all his work into making the house next door into your home. 

“Mama, can we go get Strawbebbies?” you chuckled, holding her hand as you walked with her on your daily walk by the fence. 

“Strawberries, baby,” you tried to correct her. Ava pouted at you, her dark curls swinging in the wind, her brown eyes so much like her fathers. 

“That’s what I said!” she put her little hands on her hips and you smiled. 

She was definitely her father’s daughter.

“Okay, baby. Let’s get some Strawbebbies,” you picked her up, making her shriek with laughter. Once again you were glad you made the decision to come here. She could grow up like a child was supposed to. 

Even though now that Bill and Frank were gone it was getting kind of lonely. You had all enjoyed a last dinner together before Bill and Frank had tucked Ava in for one last time and read her a story. 

You had tried to keep the tears at bay as Bill had reminded you of the folder full of instructions of how to take care of things around here for you. 

After dinner you had walked them to the gate, opening the fence for them as they took their last walk. You had watched them until they had disappeared into the dark woods before you made your way back to their house. You had cleaned the dishes and tidied everything up, before with a heavy heart, you had turned off all the lights and closed the door behind you before you walked to your house, allowing yourself to cry yourself to sleep as you sat on the floor next to the bed of your daughter, watching her sleep. 

That night was almost three months ago. The days were getting shorter, the nights colder. You’d have enough firewood for this winter but come spring you would have to find a way to make more. 

You had just finished making breakfast for Ava when the motion detector alarmed you that someone was at the gate. You froze, telling Ava to eat her fruit salad before you made your way downstairs to check out what was happening. 

Your heart was pounding against your chest, once you noticed his face. 

Joel Miller. 

And a…. Teenage girl?

The gate swung open after he put in the code and you allowed yourself fifteen seconds to panic. You knew this day would come. The day after Bill and Frank had gone you had checked the basement, finding that Bill had put on 80’s music, the distress signal. 

Even though you had turned it off immediately deep down you knew he would show up at some point. 

You just did not think it would be that soon. 

You grabbed your gun, checking if it was loaded before you made your way back upstairs. You did not think you would need it, but it was better to be prepared. 

“Ava? Remember when Uncle Bill played hide and seek with you and showed you the best place to hide?” you asked, hiding the gun in the back of your jeans as you got to your kitchen. She nodded. 

“I want you to hide there until I come and get you,” you said. 

“Hide?” she asked. You nodded, kissing her cheek. 

“Take Sluggi with you,” you smiled. Sluggi was the stuffed plush slug Bill had gotten for her. She nodded and ran out of the kitchen and upstairs, You heard her door to her room close and took a deep breath, calming yourself. 

You knew this day would come. You knew one day you would have to face Joel Miller and you knew you would have to face his reaction. 

You never regretted your decision to leave. Life has definitely been better here. That did not mean you had just stopped loving him, no matter how much he had hurt you in the past. 

Stepping towards your front door you could see him walk towards Bill and Frank’s house. 

You closed your eyes, taking a calming breath before you opened the door and stepped out. 

His head snapped towards you once he heard the door opening, eyes widening for a split second before he pulled the girl that was with him behind his back. 

He was protecting her. 

“What are you doing here? Where are Bill and Frank?” he asked, his voice low. 

“They’re dead. Frank got worse and… he couldn’t…” you shook your head, lost of words. He just looked at you before he shook his head, trying to put in words what he wanted. 

“I just… We need some…” he took a deep breath, looking up at you, a million emotions playing over his face. 

“Are you hungry?” you asked the girl behind him. 

“Starving,” she replied and you smiled a little.

“There’s some fruit salad left on the kitchen counter if you want?” you asked. She stepped around Joel and he looked at her. 

“It’s safe. There’s… there’s no one there,” you lied. He gave her a nod before she walked past you into your home. 

It had been years since you’ve been alone with him. He did not really change. His hair maybe a little grayer, the lines around his mouth a little deeper, but he was still Joel Miller. 

“You left,” he said. 

“I did.”

“Why?”

You took a deep breath. You looked past him towards the house the girl had walked in, hoping your little girl continued to hide. Knowing her she had was working on her puzzle. She would be okay for a moment. 

You knew she was safe. You just needed a little moment alone. 

“You can have some fruit salad too. I am going to get some vegetables for dinner,“ you gave him a nod, before you turned around and walked towards your garden, ignoring him as he called after you. 

With a basket full of salad, cucumbers and some tomatoes you pushed the door of your house open. Joel was sitting on the stairs, across the door, already looking at you. 

The girl walked past the both of you towards the living room, an apple in her hand she was munching on. 

„This is so fucking weird,“ she shook her head and you snorted while Joel hissed at her. 

„What? It is weird,“ she said, her head turned towards him. 

You smiled a little as you looked at her, before you walked towards the kitchen, setting the basket down. You had to go up to check on Ava. 

And you had to talk to Joel.

You couldn’t hide her from him, even though you wanted to do nothing more than that. 

You took a deep breath when he walked into the kitchen. 

„Is it okay if Ellie takes a shower?“ He asked, knowing that there was warm water around town. 

„That’s her name. Ellie,“ he clarified.

„Oh. Of course, yeah,“ you nodded and Ellie walked in, snorting as she looked up at Joel. 

„You could use one too dude,“ she said and you had to fight hard against the grin as you watched the look on Joel’s face. 

You were about to offer her to show her to the bathroom when you heard a door upstairs click open, followed from little footsteps, your eyes widening. Joel frowned, his hand immediately searching for his gun, his arm putting Ellie behind himself. 

He raised his gun, taking a step forward as you ran around the counter, the knife you had put out to cut the salad now in your hand. 

„Gun down,“ you hissed and his head snapped to you, his eyes widening when he saw the knife in your hand. You stood in front of him. 

„I will not repeat myself, put the gun down, right now or I will put this knife in your thigh,“ you fingers flexed around the handle of the knife. The footsteps came closer as you kept eye contact with Joel until he slowly lowered his gun. You nodded at him once you saw him put the gun back to wherever it came from, then looked at Ellie who was looking at you with wide eyes, before you let the knife fall down to the floor just in time as Ava jumped the last step down, rounding the corner. 

„Potty?“ She whispered shyly, looking up at you with big eyes and you sighed, before you nodded, the people behind you forgotten as you picked your daughter up. You risked a glance at Joel as you turned towards the stairs, your daughter in your arms.

His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, before you practically ran up the stairs. 

„Who is the man mommy?“ Ava asked as she was finished, washing her hands like you taught her, making as many bubbles as possible as she rubbed her hands together. 

You sucked your bottom lip in as you watched her, your hand brushing over her soft hair. 

„That is an old Friend of mommy,“ you explained, and she nodded. 

„And the girl?“ She asked. 

„That is a friend of him, I think. I am not sure.“

She finished washing her hands and you handed her the towel, her little face full of concentration as she dried her hands, making you smile.

You got down on your knees in front of her, your hands on her shoulders. 

„Do you think she’s gonna play with me?“ She asked, hopeful.

„We can ask her,“ you said with a smile.

You weren’t prepared for the sight in your kitchen when you came downstairs. Joel was standing at the counter, the sleeves of his shirt rolled back as he cut the tomatoes with the knife you had threatened with him not only ten minutes ago. 

He didn’t look up as you entered the room, but Ellie did. You looked between them warily. 

„I’m Ava,“ your daughter chirped and you took a deep breath, Joel still not looking up. Ellie looked at him with a frown, before she sighed, rolling her eyes, and walked towards you.

„I’m Ellie,“ she said and smiled a little and bend down to her knees. Ava looked first at her, then at you. 

„Ellie, do you like sea turtles?“ You asked and the girl looked at you. 

„Uh…. I guess?“ She said and you smiled. 

„Because Ava loves them. Her whole room is full of them,“ you said and saw interest flicker in her eyes.

„Can I see?“ Ellie asked and you nodded. 

„You wanna show Ellie your sea turtles?“ You asked Ava and she nodded eagerly. 

„Awesome,“ Ellie said, taking Ava’s hand before you could offer to show them, the girls already walking upstairs towards Ava's room. 

Which left you alone in the kitchen with….

„How old is she?“ Joel asked, still not looking at you as you turned to face him. He grabbed the cucumber after he had used the knife to put the tomatoes in the bowl you had prepared for the salad, beginning to slice them. 

You took a deep breath. 

„She turned three last month,“ you said, watching him nod slowly, the knife hitting the cutting board the only noise in the room. 

„She has my eyes,“ he finally said and you sucked your bottom lip in, nervous. 

„Yeah she has,“ you agreed and he finally looked up at you, setting the knife down, his hands spread out on the counter, resting his whole weight on them. 

„Why didn’t you tell me?“ He asked, his voice quiet. 

„I didn’t know how. Joel…. You were barely acknowledging me outside of when you were inside of me. You spend all your time with Tess doing god knows what. How would you have reacted if I told you that I was pregnant? You never even acknowledged what we…“ you stoped yourself, shaking your head. 

„You should have told me. I could have…“ he stopped himself, searching for what to say and you looked at him, waiting. 

„I could have helped you. I would have….“ He shook his head, his hands shaking. 

„I’m gonna need a moment. Can you watch after Ellie?“ He asked and you nodded, confused and he nodded back before he walked past you and out of the house. 

You just didn’t think it would be almost two days before he got back. You were outside in Bill’s garden, letting the girls help you pick everything that was ready from the garden when you noticed him walk towards the house. 

You knew he was still inside the little locked up town Bill had made his safe haven. None of the alerts had went off, indicating he had left. And yeah you could have searched after him, but what good would it have done?

You’ve known him from almost twenty years, and you knew that he needed time to process certain things.��

He hadn’t talked to anyone in almost a year after the outbreak and what happened to Sarah. 

„Look what the cat dragged in,“ Ellie said as she spotted him and Ava perked up, her little head turning towards where Ellie was looking. 

Joel nodded at the girls before he looked at you. 

The sun was already setting and you had dinner prepared inside. 

„How about we have some dinner and then Ellie can read you some more of the story you started yesterday?“ You asked and both girl smiled at you. Ava ran past Joel who looked after her as she disappeared into the house, Ellie following her. 

„Next time you ditch me, at least tell me?“ She glared at him before she walked back into the house. He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. 

„Can we talk?“ He asked. 

„After dinner?“ You said, getting up and grabbing the basked full of fresh vegetables. 

„Yeah. Yeah okay,“ he nodded and you walked towards the house, giving him a hesitant smile when he grabbed the basket from you and walked inside after you. 

It was two hours later that you found yourself on the left corner of your couch, your legs tucked under you, a glass of wine in your hand. 

Because this conversation needed some alcohol. 

And not only because of what you were about to talk about, but because of the man who was sitting on the other side of the couch, similar glass of wine in his hand. 

Because he looked so damn good.

He had showered while you put the girls to bed after dinner, the whole scene feeling so domestic. Like a dream you had many many times before when you were still dreaming. 

Dreaming of a normal future. 

Dreaming of a normal life. 

Dreaming about how it would feel like if Joel Miller loved you back. 

Because no matter how much he may have hurt you in the past, you just could not stop loving him. 

„I’m sorry,“ he whispered after a while and you turned your head to look at him, his eyes already on you. 

„I’m shit at talking about those things….“ He stopped.

„Those things meaning feelings?“ You helped and he groaned. 

„Yeah. Always sucked at it. Even before….“ 

He sighed. 

„Sarah would be so angry with me with how I treated you,“ he whispered and your eyes softened. You could count on one hand how often he had brought Sarah up ever since she died. 

And while you thought you could understand him in the past, you loved her like yours after all, now that you had Ava, you realised that loosing her would kill you. 

It would be something you could never come back from. 

But he did. 

„I never cheated on you. I know you thought I did, can’t blame your for it. Tess was just…. Fuck, how do I explain this?“ He sighed, his fingers rubbing over his chin. 

„I never deserved you. You’re too fucking good for me. For everyone really. Because even after the whole world went to shit, you still had some kindness left for everyone around you. I know how much you hated what we did in the beginning. And I hated myself for putting you through it. I hated myself for putting you through everything I did to you since the moment Sarah died…“ he said and you could see his eyes watering. 

„Can’t blame you for hating me and leaving. And not telling me about….“

„Joel….“ You said, setting your glass down and getting closer towards him, your hand reaching for his. Slowly he turned his hand so you could put yours in it, his fingers wrapping around your hand softly. 

„I’m not gonna lie and tell you that it’s okay. Cause I was hurting. You were hurting me. Every time you left in the morning without a word. Every time you passed out drunk and drugged after you came back. It was like living with a ghost and it was killing me. That was the reason I decided to leave when I found out. I could…. I couldn’t bring a child into this. And I knew I wanted her before I even met her. Even though it seems crazy to bring a child into this world. But… She was half you. And the thought that there was even the possibility that you didn’t wanted her….“ You took a deep breath. 

„Honestly? I can’t tell you how I would have reacted. I was… I was really fucked up in the weeks before you left. I was taking too many drugs. Drank too much. Got too fucking reckless. But that changed when you left,“ he said and squeezed your hand. 

„Not right away. It might have gotten worse first but… I got better. Not perfect, but better. And I… Fuck I even talked through some shit with someone. Made me realise I never even told you how much I love you,“ he said and you were pretty sure you stopped breathing as he looked at you, a small smile tilting his lips up. 

„Pretty sure I fell for you the first time you walked through my door wearing that pretty baby blue dress. Even though you were way too young for me. Still are. But…. I hope you knew, know. I really fucking love you,“ he said and you felt a tear running down your cheek. 

„Can you tell me about her? About Ava?“ He asked before you could form an answer to his confession. And so instead you told him. 

You told him about how you craved strawberries your whole pregnancy. How Bill traded one of his guns for the seeds from Tess.

You told him that she only slept through the night in the beginning, when Bill put her to sleep. 

You told her how much she reminded you of Sarah when she smiled at you. 

You told her how every time you looked at her you saw him. 

Hours went by where you two talked, you ending up leaning against Joel’s side, his arm around you. His fingers brushing over your arm, his other hand still holding yours. His lips brushing over your skin when he told you about how Ellie ended up at in his care. 

How he wanted to take her to Wyoming to search for his brother who might know how to find the fireflies. 

„Do you know where he is?“ You asked and he shrugged. 

„Not exactly. I know he messaged me from the Cody tower, so that’s where we’ll be going,“ he mumbled and you nodded. 

„We could take Bill’s truck,“ you said and he stilled. You looked up at him. 

„We?“ He asked and you chuckled, sitting yourself up so you were facing him, your hand now on his cheek. 

„You really think I’m gonna let you go now?“ You asked with a smile. 

And then you finally kissed him. 

It was decided that you would leave within the next 5 days, giving you enough time to make a list (You always made lists) of everything you had to pack. 

Which was a lot. Getting four people across the country on a trip that hopefully would be just like you remembered road trips to be, took a lot of supplies. 

And while you were preoccupied deciding which food was best to take, Joel had asked you if he could spend some time with Ava. He wanted to get to know her. And of course, you agreed. Watching him, Ellie and Ava walk towards the garage where they spend hours doing god knows what. 

It was almost dark outside when they walked back in, your heart melting as you watched Joel carry a very sleepy Ava inside who told you all about how seatbelts where very scary, something you would make sure to ask Joel about as you took her upstairs, putting her to bed. 

The days went by quickly like that.

Joel quickly became Ava’s favourite person which could have to do with the fact, that she was always allowed to sit on his shoulders. Ellie had been confused, yet delighted at the change in the grumpy man she had left the QZ with. 

He even got his Dad jokes out, making the teenager groan in mock annoyance throughout the day. Ellie also spend a lot of time with you, wanting to learn everything you offered to teach her. Starting from making protein bars for the trip down to how to properly braid her hair. 

Even though she preferred you doing it. 

You got the impression that she never really had anyone how just… listened to her or wanted to spend time with her. She told you she grew up in FEDRA School and that her mother had died while giving birth. 

She had no family and her best friend (though you got the impression Riley had been more than just a friend) had died not that long ago. 

That the only thing she had left in life was her purpose to save the world. Joel had told you that she was immune, Ellie showing you the healed scars to confirm it. 

„You know that that’s not the only thing you have left, right?“ You asked her, sitting on the porch next to her, enjoying one last sunset, watching Joel and Ava play soccer. Her little feet chasing after Joel with happy squeals. 

„What do you mean?“ Ellie asked and you looked at her with a smile. 

„You have us, Ellie. You think we just gonna let you go?“ You asked and she stubbornly shook her head. 

„I have to do this. It’s my purpose. I have to save the world,“ she said and looked away from you. 

„Are you saying this because you feel that way, or because someone told you so?“ You asked and she looked at you. 

„Because it should be your decision what to do and what not. And… think about it, even if they are somehow able to make a cure out of your blood, do you really think they will be able to make enough to make a vaccine for everyone? Who will decide who gets it? And if they end up deciding on giving it to everyone…. There are so many bad people out there. Do they deserve to be saved too?“ You asked and you could see her thinking about your words and you smiled softly at her. 

„Even if you don’t like hearing it, your a kid Ellie. You should grow up and live first before you make a decision like that. You don’t even know how they would get whatever they needed from your blood. If I remember correctly Cordyceps grow in the brain, what if they have to get into your brain to get out whatever they need?“ You said and her eyes widened. 

„But Marlene….“ She whispered and you reached over her, taking her hand. 

„I don’t know how well you know Marlene, but I’ve known her for more than ten years. I know how she manipulates people to get what she wants. You wouldn’t even notice it,“ you said and she sighed. 

„I’m gonna think about it,“ she said finally and you gave her a small smile. 

„That’s all I ask about. Now how about you get upstairs and take one last long hot shower before we are on the road for days?“ You asked and she nodded, standing up and turning away from you to walk inside the house before she turned back to you and hugged you quickly.

After saying good night to Ellie later you walked towards your daughters room, her little suitcase for her toys laying open next to her bed, waiting for Sluggi to be put into the next morning. She was already in bed, Joel sitting on the floor next to her, reading to her. 

You wished you could take a picture of this. Unfortunately the Polaroid camera had broken earlier this year. 

„Mommy!“ A tired Ava smiled as she saw you, her arms raised towards you. Joel looked up and smiled at you as you walked over, climbing into the bed behind your daughter, pulling her into your arms. 

„What story is Joel reading you?“ You asked. 

„The little mermaid,“ she said and you found Joel’s eyes. You had been thinking about it for the last days now. Telling her who Joel really is. He slipped into your life like the missing piece, the man you had fallen in love with all these years back seemingly falling right back into his role as being the best father there ever could be. 

So before you could talk yourself out of it you said

„Your sister loved that one too.“

Joel gulped, his eyes growing sad for a moment, before he looked at Ava. 

„I have a sister?“ She asked you, her eyes big.

„Mmmh…. Her name was Sarah. She watched the movie every single night before she went to bed,“ you explained and Ava pursed her lips in an ooooh motion. 

„There was a movie?“ She asked in awe.

„Oh yeah there was. And a cassette with the music. Can’t remember how often she made me listen to it“ Joel said and smiled softly. 

„Where is Sarah?“ Ava asked and your smile went sad. 

„She’s where Uncle Bill and Uncle Frank are. Watching over us,“ you explained and she hummed. 

„I wish I could hug her,“ she whispered and you nodded, tears in your eyes, squeezing her against your chest, your hand reaching out Joel’s hand finding yours as you kissed her forehead, looking at him who had tears in his eyes. 

„Me too baby. Me too,“ you whispered before taking a deep breath.

„You know Joel is her daddy,“ you finally said and she looked at you. 

„He is?“ She asked and you nodded. 

„I bet he is the best daddy,“ she sighed and you chuckled at Joel’s cheeks turning pink. 

„Yeah he is. What would you say if I tell you that Joel is your daddy too?“ You asked and her big eyes looked at you first and then her head turned towards Joel. 

„My daddy?“ She asked and both you and Joel nodded with a smile, her smile getting wider, before she jawned.

„I always wanted a daddy,“ she whispered before her eyes dropped close. 

You were walking down the stairs to Bill's basement after you showered, finding Joel checking if he could manage to take any more guns. The supplies had all been packed into the truck already, but he just couldn’t bring himself to leave anything of value behind. 

He looked up when he heard your footsteps, giving you a small smile. 

Walking over to him you were surprised when he reached for you, pulling you into his lap, one of his arms looped around you, his other hand on your cheek, his fingers brushing over your skin. 

„I didn’t know you were gonna tell her,“ he whispered and you smiled. 

„She deserves to know. I’m sorry I didn’t tell her sooner. If I would have stayed you wouldn’t have missed so much…“ he stopped you by kissing you softly. 

„None of that. We both know I would have fucked this up. I would have said some really fucked up things and hurt you even more. So, there’s nothing you have to be sorry for, okay?“ He looked at you, his eyes pleading. 

You released a long breath, bringing both of your arms up to cross behind his neck. 

„Have I told you lately that I love you, Joel Miller?“ You whispered with a small smile that he mirrored. 

„Don’t think so. But I don’t blame you, I gotta say it a lot more often than you to make up for all the years I didn’t tell you. I do love hearing it though. Love you,“ he mumbled before he kissed you again. His lips moving on top of yours slowly, his hand tilting your head up a little so he could deepen the kiss. 

With a little sigh you parted your lips for him, his tongue dipping into your mouth, a deep moan coming from him, his arm pulling you closer against him. 

There had been lots of making out in the last days, stolen kisses when the girls weren’t in the room, secret touches under the table while you had dinner. 

But you haven’t slept together. 

And you were ready. 

„Joel,“ you mumbled, parting from his lips. He hummed, his lips running down your jaw. 

„We aren’t gonna be alone for a while,“ you whimpered, your head tilting up to give his wandering lips some more space. 

„What are you proposing?“ He asked, playfully nibbling on your neck. 

„I’m proposing that you fuck me, Miller. Right here,“ you gasped when you felt his other hand slip between your legs. 

„Right here?“ He asked, his fingers over the seam of your slick panties. 

„Mmmmhh….“ You closed your eyes, biting your lip when he pushed the fabric to the side, his fingers dipping between you slick folds, lazily teasing you. 

„All that for me?“ He asked and you opened your eyes, crashing your lips against his. 

„It’s been almost four years Joel. Please don’t tease me,“ you whined and his eyes softened before he picked you up and set you down on the table behind him. Within the next minutes you were both naked, your hands in his hair as you kissed him as he stood between your parted legs, the heavy weight of his cock resting against your stomach. 

„Gonna need to prepare you,“ he hummed, his hands on your ass. You shook your head. 

„Please just fuck me. You know I can take it,“ you whined, one of your hands wrapping around his cock, making him hiss. He groaned, sucking your bottom lip between his before he slapped your hand away, his dark eyes fixed on yours as he held his hand out to you. Waiting. 

Feeling your whole body heat up you spit in his hand and the left corner of his mouth twitched. 

„My good girl,“ he praised you and you couldn’t stop whimpering. 

He brought his hand down to wrap it around his cock, coating it in your saliva, before he lined himself up. You had dripped on the table you were sitting on, more than ready to take him. 

„I love you,“ he whispered and you looked at him with a soft smile, your lips parting when he slowly pushed his cock into you. Filling you inch by inch, both of you starring into each others eyes. 

„Missed this,“ you moaned. 

„Missed you,“ you crossed your legs behind him, giving him a little push, his cock finally filing you up completely. 

„Fucking Perfect,“ he groaned kissing you again before he began to move, pumping into you slowly. 

You let yourself fall back down against the table, stretching your arms over your head, your back arching, your tits moving every time Joel fucked into you. 

He licked his fingers, bringing it down between your legs, his thrusts getting harder as he rubbed your clit, your pussy clenching around him. 

„Yes… Baby… Just like that….“ You moaned, your hands coming down to play with your tits. 

„You gonna be a good girl and cum for me?“ He asked, moving faster, his skin slapping against yours every time he moved.

Nodding, you moaned, your eyes rolling back as you came, your whole body shaking as he fucked you through it. 

„Shit….“ He groaned, both of his hands now coming to rest on either side of you as he leaned down, fucking into you deeply, chasing his own orgasm. 

„Want you to cum again,“ he grunted, kissing you, drilling his cock into you, the whole table moving over the floor. 

„Want you to cum inside me. Let me feel you,“ you whimpered, your hands in his hair, trying to meet his thrusts. 

„Fuck that is…. Not a good idea….“ He laughed and you grinned. 

„I don’t care. Wanna feel you. Cum for me, Joel. Cum inside me,“ you whispered and he groaned, fucking into you a half dozen times more before you felt him twitch inside of you, filling you, making you cum for a second time. 

Both out of breath you looked at each other before Joel leant down and kissed you. 

„Sleep in bed with me?“ You hummed against his lips. 

„As long as you let me,“ he answered against your lips before you both sneaked upstairs. 

Against all odds after six days of a rather boring trip across the country you reached the radio tower in Cody. And two days later a group patrol of people on horses found you, asking you all kinds of questions before a man pulled the bandana that had been covering his face down, revealing Tommy Miller in the flesh. 

By now you were living in Jackson for almost a year. 

Ellie had decided to stay and live her life, the constant threat of someone looking for her still on the horizon, but it was decided that the town was not in immediate danger. Patrols kept an eye out for fireflies, but they haven’t spotted anyone. 

You were living a happy life all things considered. 

Ava went to pre school, Ellie went to normal school. They really became sisters in the last year, spending a lot of time together. 

Even though Ellie started to spend more and more time with a girl called Dina you suspected was more than just a friend. 

Joel was always working on improving the house. 

He had changed the most, back to the man he had been before the outbreak. Yes, he still was the protector when he needed to be, but most of the time he was just Joel. Your husband. 

„Yellow?“ He asked, holding the can of paint up.

You walked over to him with a smile, nodding.

„It’s a happy colour. I like happy colours,“ you shrugged and he chuckled, setting the can down on the floor before he put his arms around you, pulling you against his chest.

One of his hands came to rest on your growing belly, the baby inside kicking up a storm as if it could sense their dads hand, making you both smile. 

„Still think it’s gonna be a girl?“ You asked and he nodded, before he kissed you softly. 

„Think I’m meant to be surrounded by beautiful girls,“ he hummed before he kissed you again. 

[marlenesluv]

Ken and Barbie. (LL)

summary: reader is an actress in outer banks as sarah cameron’s younger sister, and while filming in New Zealand, she meets Liam Lawson.

note: idk if they ever filmed in New Zealand, its j for the plot 🫶

pairing: liam lawson x actress!reader

fc: ava alfaro (avaalfaroo on insta) (picked her bc she genuinely looks like madelyn clone a bit lol)

warnings: minor cussing

masterlist here -> masterlist link

^ check my list for all posts! ^

liked by: liamlawson30, rudeth, and 1,244,913 others

y/n.user: i <3 🇳🇿

view comments…

obxfan5: THE LAST PICTURE??

y/nfp: you’re actually a goddess

cline9edits: her and madelyn are literally siblings

↳ user3: huh? they are..?

↳ cline9edits: omggg no, im j saying they look sm alike

↳ user3: ohhhh, yeah. the casting department did sooo good here

madisonbaileybabe: i’m the best photographer 💁‍♀️

↳ y/n.user: you really are

f2edits: *liam lawson likes a post* *i spawn there to see what’s going on*

user7: LMAO rudy and drew😭

↳ starkeysgf0: my bf’s asf

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

liked by: y/n.user, yukitsunoda0511, and 213,193 others

liamlawson30: 🇳🇿❤️

view comments…

user2: what is it finna play…? WOAHHHGG

liamledits: holy shit, who is this girl??

f1editpag3: guys, we know she’s blonde!! FIND BLONDE GIRLS WITH A BLONDE POTENTIAL BF

↳ y/nfp4: …………….@y/n.user

↳ f1editpag3: OMG, and they are both in new zealand and soft launching a bf/gf, suspicious

f1wags: ik liam isnt in f1 (yet) but i am totally posting abt them 

y/nfp111: anyone else see y/n liking this one?? 😏

yukitsunoda0511: do i know who this is?

↳ liamlawson30: shut up, just text me mate

user6: whoever this girl is, she’s lucky asffff

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

your instagram story:

seen by: liamlawson30, madelyncline, and 1,013,824 others

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

Liam On a Podcast:

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

liked by: liamlawson30, francisca.cgomes, and 1,301,813 others

y/n.user: ken & barbie 💗💐

view comments…

f1wags: it’s literally them🥺😩😭

liamlawson30: and i don’t have a good day unless barbie looks at me🙃🩷

↳ y/n.user: but you’re kenough☹️🩷✊

user3: hellllooooo?? they are the cutest, your honor

editf1p8: living for the shirt, y/n!!

drewstarkey: mmm slay icons

↳ rudeth: hm, yeah slay!

user8: the way y/n could literally play barbie and liam could play ken💅

austinnorth55: ik im not ur actually big brother, but i will kill him if he hurts you💪

↳ liamlawson30: i wont, why would i??

↳ austinnorth55: don’t be snarky, you’re on probation

↳ liamlawson30: what??

↳ madelyncline: oh yeah, you’ve entered a tight knit little family, let them warm up to you

↳ y/n.user: don’t scare him off

↳ liamlawson30: nothing will scare me off

user4: they are so cuteeeeee, i need this tbh

lailahasanovic: pretty girl!!!

↳ y/n.user: 💜

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

liked by: y/n.user, logansargeant, and 347,048 others

liamlawson30: babe took my to the outer banks for her shoot💓

view comments…

y/n.user: the outer banks🙃🫶

↳ hichasestokes: paradise on earth ☀️⛱️

↳ rudeth: WOOHOOOOOO BABY

user3: them getting so hype abt the next season gives me LIFE

f1wags: y/n is actually so gorgeous wtf??

obxedit2: petition for liam to be on obx 😋

↳ y/n1fp9: no literallyyyy. they are too cute i need them always

oscarpiastri: not sure why i wasn’t invited 🙄

↳ rudeth: come next time! the more, the marrier!

↳ y/n.user: merrier*

↳ rudeth: we sure she shouldn’t play popes little sister? always correcting me

↳ jonathandavissofficial: i wouldn’t have been upset about that. she’s my favorite out of all of you

↳ rudeth: that’s actually fucking rude

↳ liamlawson30: …..yikeys mate

user9: cutest couple ever, thank you

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

liked by: liamlawson30, madisonbaileybabe, and 1,460,024 others

y/n.user: that’s a wrap!! obx is yours…soon☀️🩷🐚

view comments…

liamlawson30: my beautiful actress😇❤️

↳ y/n.user: my handsome driver😊❤️

user5: ugh, y/n is actually so pretty it’s unfair. plsss

f1wags: nothing guys, just me crying over their cuteness

user4: lfgggg, you’re an icon UGH

obx5: plsss i love how y/n is just merging with f2 and f1 fans. shes gonna be so cute in the paddock fr

↳ llfp3: wishing i was her fr

paddockgirls1: y/n!! can we have a release date 🙏😇

↳ y/n.user: i wish i could, but i’ll get in trouble🤐 keep your eyes peeled tho!! :)

↳ paddockgirls1: HOLY SHAT- okay queen🫠🫠

user7: LOL YUKI AND LIAM

francisca.cgomes: prettiest girl everrrrr. can’t wait for the new season❤️

↳ y/n.user: awww kika, ily. i cant wait for you to see it either😁❤️

wagcityf1: kika and y/n hangout when??

*liked by creator and francisca.cgomes*

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

your instagram story:

seen by: liamlawson30, pierregasly, and 1,129,024 others

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

(reposts, comments, and likes are appreciated!^-^)

[cowgurrrl]

Okayyy bear with me, this for our OFTM! What about a celeb who meets actress!reader at some awards or something or they’ve worked together and the pictures turn out so gorgeous and he uploads it with some cheesy lovey dovey caption and it kinda sets Joel off with jealousy and a bigggg green eyed monster. It doesn’t help that Tommy, Ellie, and Sarah start pulling his leg in their fam group chat saying oh wow look at mom with him or something and y’know tommy would pull his leg more to get a reaction out of Joel. And Joel is just alternating between fighting for his life in the chat and fighting for his wife with actress!reader and just comedy and fluffiness????

(also I have one more inspo that I dreamt of sending you in the next one)

OOOOOHHHH LOVE THIS I haven’t played around with jealous joel in SUCH A LONG TIME also I know you weren’t necessary referring them but I immediately thought of Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac because I MEAN

ANYWAYS HERE WE GO

Wildflower & Barley

Pairing: rockstar!joel miller x actress!reader

Summary: this ask

Warnings: ✨multi-media✨, jealousy, life stuff, literally just them being the sweetest couple

You sigh as you read the text. Joel is normally very comfortable in your relationship, unshaken by the various actors and actresses who’ve played your love interests and partners on screen. He shrugs off silly press comments, sits through love scenes remarkably well, and even goes as far as congratulating your costar on a job well done. “Not that it’s hard to pretend to be in love with her,” he said when asked about it in a red carpet interview a few years ago. But, once in a blue moon, he gets jealous and a little insecure. You figure Spencer’s post didn’t help with the little green monster sitting on his shoulder the past few months. 

With all your littles in school now, you’re extremely busy. You’re constantly running around from baseball practices, PTA meetings, recitals, doctor’s appointments, birthday parties, and more. Not to mention making time for all the Miller-Hernandez-Caradonna-Pierce grandkids, Isaac, Cecilia, and JJ. Joel’s working on a new album and getting his record label up and running while you’re not only directing and co-producing a smaller film while acting in a different one and getting ready to go on a (limited) press tour. You and Joel haven’t had the most time to catch up, and it feels like you’re passing ships. It’s temporary. You know it is, but it doesn’t feel good to see your costars more than you get to see your husband. You’re almost positive Joel’s jealousy stems from that. 

“Hey, you ready to get back to it?” Your co-producer, Ava, asks, jolting you out of your thoughts, and you nod. 

“Let’s do it.” You say as you tuck your phone into your back pocket. The day goes relatively smoothly with only one broken prop and an impromptu refresher session with one of your actors and the armorer. You make it a point to end the day early so you can get home and talk to Joel before one of you can fall asleep on the couch (a bad habit you’ve both developed recently), and thank god you did. 

The second you open the door, you can smell the delicious dinner Joel is making in the kitchen and hear the music he’s blasting through the Alexa. “Mom!” Sammy yells as he and the girls run over in a flurry of overlapping stories and demands for hugs and kisses. Even though Sam is nine now and on the cusp of thinking he’s too cool for his parents, he’s still your little love bug. 

“Mommy, will you come draw with me?” Violet asks and you smile as you tuck a curl behind her ear.

“Of course, baby. Can I go say hi to Daddy first?” 

“Fine but hurry!” Violet whines, making you laugh. You hang up your purse by the front door and toe off your shoes, already feeling better with your heels off, and pad into the kitchen. Joel is wearing the apron you got him for Christmas last year that says “Caution: Hot Dad” and made the older girls groan in embarrassment. You laugh when you see it on him, and he quickly turns down the Bee Gees to hear you. 

“You’re home early.” He says as he leans down to peck your lips and wrap an arm around your waist. You chase his lips and kiss him again before pulling away to look at him.

“Wanted to catch you before bedtime,” you say, and he hums. “Plus, we’re making good time on production. We can afford to cut a little early.”

“Well, I‘m glad you did.” He says. You can hear the kids in the other room playing loudly and you know Violet is gonna burst in any moment and order you to draw with her so you savor the semi-private moment with him.

“Are we okay?” You ask quietly and he takes a deep breath. 

“We’re okay.” 

“It’s okay if we’re not.” 

“Baby,” he soothes, slipping a hand in your back pocket. “We’re okay, I promise. I just… had a moment.” 

“It’s fine to have a moment. I don’t want you to keep that from me just because we’re busy,” you say. “You don’t actually think I’d trade you in for someone else or whatever the fuck Tommy said, right?” He sighs and you raise your eyebrows at him.

“Just… please tell me this isn’t like a Mr. and Mrs. Smith thing.” He says. You would laugh if he didn’t seem as upset as he does just because of how bizarre the idea is. How could anyone ever compare to him? How could he even think that you’d leave him like that?

“This isn’t a Mr. and Mrs. Smith thing. Not even close to it. Spencer has been married to his wife longer than we’ve been married and they’re solid. I promise, he just posted that to get people excited about the movie.”

“You’re not wearing your ring in the picture.” He says. You pull the chain hiding under your collar out and show him.

“I was. You just couldn’t see it.” 

“How long have you had that?” 

“Since we got engaged. You’ve definitely seen it before.” You say, laughing a little at the surprised look on his face. 

“Yeah, but I didn’t know that’s why you wore it. I thought you got it as a wrap gift or somethin’.” He defends. It makes sense why he wouldn’t know. You only take the necklace off when it can’t be hidden under the costume, and even then, it’s normally tucked into your pocket or, at the very least, hidden safely in your trailer. It’s a part of your routine to put your ring back on at the end of a shooting day or between breaks to help you transition back into your real life, which means Joel only sees it after it’s returned to its rightful spot. Even the few times he’s been on set filming something with you, you’ve been so busy that he didn’t have time to notice it. 

“Good to know I can still surprise you all these years later,” you say. He only looks a little embarrassed when he reaches around you to turn off the stove. The kids are, thankfully, still occupied, and you take the opportunity before it can slip away. “Joel, I adore you. I am still as helplessly in love with you as I was when we were in New York for the first time. There isn’t anybody else for me, okay? It’s you. It’s always gonna be you. So you don’t need to worry about costars or living Brangelina or whatever because you are it for me.” He works at his jaw as he processes your words, and you wait. Joel’s mind has always been an elusive one, so you like watching his gears turn. 

“Okay,” he mumbles finally. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. You just have to tell me when you’re feeling this way,” you say, kissing his jaw. “Besides, if you’d said something earlier, I would’ve been able to tell you that you’re a much better kisser than Spencer.”

“I was just gettin’ over the post, and now I have to watch y’all kiss?!” He groans dramatically, and you laugh. 

“You’re the one who married an actor.” 

“And I’d do it again.” He says as he kisses you, crowding your space so you’re stuck between him and the counter. It’s broken between giggles and kitchen timers beeping but it isn’t until Violet tugs at your shirt do you fully break away from Joel.

“Mommy, you said you would come draw with me.” She pouts, and you immediately drop down to her level.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I did say that. Daddy just had a hard day so I was trying to cheer him up. I can come draw with you now.” You explain, and she gasps, looking between you and Joel.

“Daddy!” She exclaims, putting her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having a bad day?” 

“Because it’s not your job to fix Daddy’s day.” 

“But I want to! Can I give you a kiss?”

“I wanna give Daddy a kiss!” Sophia runs in, launching herself into Joel’s arms. He scoops both girls up and kiss his cheeks simultaneously, making you both laugh. 

“Thank you, girls. You always make me feel better.” He says, and they giggle.

“What about Mom?” Sam asks. He’s too big and too tall for you to pick him up anymore, but he snuggles perfectly under your arm and squeezes you tight. 

“You’re so sweet, honey. Thank you.” You say, kissing his head. 

“Are you better now?”

“So much better.” 

“Daddy, are you better?” Violet asks. Joel meets your eyes over the heads of the kids and smiles. It’s sweet and just for you, and you can’t help but smile back. 

“I’m perfect.”