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i-rely-on-you · 4 years ago

Note

could I request a Farah/Saul...with maybe Farah taking care of hurt Saul...I need more content

Okay so this took me so long to write, I am terribly sorry I am so slow at this!

This one got away from me a little and I am laying it on thick with the angst but oh well... I hope you enjoy regardless

Thank you so much for the wonderful promt!!!

Soothe my Heart

It wasn’t often that Saul went out on a mission without Farah by his side and there were several good reasons for that.

First off he had a tendency to get hurt whenever she wasn’t there to have his back. It happened a lot. And it was annoying and easily to be avoided.

Secondly, in all the years they had worked together, fought together as a unit, they had rarely if ever been separated on any of the many assignments they’d been on together. It was always better to have your partner with you so they could make sure the other was alright.

Third and the most important reason for Farah, she worried when he was gone. It didn’t matter if he went out with a whole platoon of royally trained soldiers or not. She worried regardless.

Their bond was too strong and whenever she could feel even the slightest bit of anxiety or stress the headmistress had to get up from whatever task she’d been performing to walk off all that muscle tightness that wasn’t her own.

It was distracting to say the least and had also disrupted her class on several occasions.

Which brought us to Farah’s current predicament.

The mind fairy could feel heat radiating off of her bond with Saul. And it wasn’t a good kind of heat. Not the kind she felt when they were stumbling to their rooms late at night after leaving Bens and having had one glass too many of his home made parsnip wine.

It was piercing hot pain like an iron pulled from the flames, still glowing red from the fire. It was torching her nerve endings where she could feel herself being attached to Sauls mind.

It was excruciating and painful. And she could only imagine the pain he must be in, if this was how she felt still being many kilometres away from him.

The white hot pokers continued to stab her in the side with each minute passing. And the pain was worsening steadily which could only mean one thing. He was on his way back.

It gave her solace to know he’d be by her side again soon.

Finishing up classes early for the day Farah dismissed her pupils and went to search for Ben. She found him in his usual place, the greenhouse, tending to his flowers.

The way she came strutting into the room had the earth fairy on high alert in an instant.

Turning towards her Ben started “What’s going on?” brows knit together in concern.

Coming to a stop before the man Farah said “Saul is on his way back and he will be in need of medical attention.”

Having known of their bond for many years now, it didn’t even surprise the botanist anymore that the mind fairy could predict or rather know this before anyone had even called ahead to inform them.

Nodding Ben walked over to his well stocked medical cabinet and started preparing the small infirmary for the arrival of their patient.

“Is it a stabbing pain or rather an infectious pain? Is he still lucid?” her friend inquired.

Concentrating on the ever growing pain Farah focused on her bond with Saul trying to determine just how severely he had been hurt.

Scrunching up her face in concentration the headmistress replied “It’s definitely a localised pain radiating up from his flank. I can’t feel the onset of an infection yet so I don’t think it was an attack from a Burned One. I would be able to feel the difference.” She paused for a moment. “It could be a stab wound?” she wondered out loud.

Nodding again without taking his eyes off his task. “How close is he?” Ben questioned over his shoulder.

The bond Farah and her specialist shared didn’t exactly come with a GPS, but it was as close as it could get in her opinion, enabling the woman to vaguely feel the distance their bond had to travel.

“They shouldn’t be long now. I will wait for them at the gate. Maybe get Sky to help me get him here.” The fairy mused. The greenhouse was located to the far left side of the old school building. There was a pathway leading up to the entrance of Bens workplace but it wasn’t wide enough to navigate a car through. She’d have to bring him here on foot. With the help of her magic if need be. Begging to all the gods that were listening it wouldn’t come to that.

Farah shook her head to clear her mind of that thought and started walking out of the building back towards the main hall in the hopes of finding Sky. The boy needed to know.

Making her way through the winding corridors she tried to press down on the distress she was still getting from Saul and tried to concentrate on Sky’s energy. He was surrounded by friends that much she knew.

Not being able to stench the feeling of her specialists pain though, she opted for asking other students if they had seen the blonde soldier. She would not be able to find him with this much pressure pushing down on her feelings.

At last one of the first graders directed her to one of the reading nooks where she found Sky chatting and laughing with his friends Sam, Terra, Bloom and Musa.

Coming to a sharp halt in front of the group her face must’ve looked anxious in some way because the group stood up as soon as they saw her rounding the corner. All of them having apprehensive looks on their faces.

“Headmistress Dowling is everything okay?” Bloom asked immediately. Concern for the older woman clear in her voice.

Nodding Farah tried to smile reassuringly, “Yes Bloom, thank you. But I need to talk to Sky for a second. Alone.” she added.

Knowing it wasn’t a request the group dispersed quickly while still throwing worried glances at the headmistress and their friend as they went.

Sky’s face didn’t betray his emotions she could feel bubbling to the surface and she was very impressed by that.

Getting a little closer as to not alert any bypassing students Farah spoke lowly. “I need you to come with me. There has been an incident.”

Being the ever perceptive young man he was Sky picked up on her meaning almost immediately. “Is he alright?” he rushed out in a hushed tone.

Bowing her head Farah knew she couldn’t lie to him. Not about this. “He is severely injured. I don’t know more than that other than he’s in pain and on his way back.” Sky’s eyes widened a fraction his mouth falling open but unable to form the words she felt circling his mind.

“I will need your help to move him from the car to the infirmary.” The specialist in training nodded his head before she even had time to finish the sentence.

“We will meet the Queens cars by the gate but we will need to get him from there to the greenhouse and I don’t know if I can hold off on his pain and carry him all the way both at once.” she pressed on.

Sharing a nod with the boy they made to move towards the main hall again weaving their way through masses of students mingling on this early evening.

Reaching for the big door to the front of the school Farah let him pass through first before following him and closing the door quickly behind her.

She could already make out headlights coming up the path to the gate and they both began walking in the direction the cars where coming from.

On instinct the mind fairy braced herself for the onslaught of emotions that were coming their way.

The black jeep came to a halt in front of them and a Solarian guard opened the door to greet them.

“What happened?” the headmistress inquired without wasting a second on pleasantries.

The man didn’t waste any time either before opening the back door of the car.

With the last barrier between them gone the pain wafting off of the man lying in the back was like a punch to the stomach. She would’ve probably lost her footing if the need to get to him hadn’t propelled her forward in the first place.

She couldn’t even make out the words of the guard explaining the hows and the whys over the pounding in her ears anymore and in this moment she didn’t even care.

Taking the last steps she pushed past the guard and looked inside the cabin, bending over the crumpled form of her partner immediately.

“It’s not as bad as it looks Farah.” Saul tried to placate her while trying to slide out of the car.

Reaching out for him promptly the woman grasped him by the shoulders and pulled him towards her hauling him out of the enclosed space.

Stumbling as soon as his feet hit the gravel, Farah tried to steady him. Sky coming around from behind slipped underneath his other shoulder and took the brunt of his weight from her.

Looking him up and down while already steering them in the direction of the greenhouse she noted that he had already been patched up to a degree. There were bandages peaking out from his ripped shirt and he was limping quite severely too.

She could also feel his mind being a little foggy around the edges making her think he might’ve been drugged. Pain medication of some sort probably.

Struggling to keep the heavy man upright and moving, the two Alfeans staggered under his weight.

Covering the distance from the gate to the double doors of the greenhouse quickly while half dragging half carrying the injured man, Farah used her mind to give a powerful push to the door making it swing open for them.

Ben was already pacing up and down the space between the door and the infirmary when they stumbled into the room. He stepped up to them, taking Farah’s place at Saul’s side and helped them settle his injured friend onto the flat white surface of the stretcher in the corner of the room. She helped the men heave Silva’s legs onto the recliner as well before taking up her spot at the head of his prone form.

Just now noticing his pale complexion, the fairy sucked in a breath, before putting her hands on either side of his face tentatively.

Ben had already gotten to work cutting open his ruined shirt and peeling away the soiled bandages. It had indeed been a stab wound that she had felt.

Taking her eyes off of his wounded side again she looked into the face of the man before her with a solemn expression. He closed his own eyes for a second, leaning more fully into her touch, sweat glistening on his forehead.

Asking quietly what had happened, Farah waited with baited breath for him to open his eyes again and explain. After a while of just hearing him taking in shallow breaths and the soft sounds of Ben cleaning his wound he looked up at her again and swallowed thickly. “It was stupid really. It was standard procedure.” Ben snorted at this in disbelief. The absurdity of the situation making Saul grimace at how ridiculous it sounded to his own ears.

Farah nodded at him to continue. “It was basically just Luna trying to show off her power in the kingdom again. But it escalated into a small revolt in the blink of an eye. And I got stabbed by one of the insurgence party.” At this Farah’s eyes lit up with her powers and also barely contained anger.

Feeling this Saul grabbed one of the hands still holding his face and turned his head so he could place a soft kiss in the palm of her hand.

“He was barely Sky’s age. He was so afraid the guards were gonna kill him for just standing where he stood and he reacted on instinct taking me for one of Luna’s men.” he continued. Breathing deeply. “It was an accident.” he added. It was so like him to try to shield his own attacker from

Farah’s wrath. He had always had a heart too big for his own good.

“An accident that left you almost dying in an unmarked car on your way back here.” pitched in Ben while applying a local anaesthesia before getting ready to sow him back together.

Stepping up to Farah, Sky asked “Should I tell the guards to leave?” with a not small amount of distaste in his voice.

Having almost forgotten the boy was there the headmistress turned to her young pupil to address him directly. “They have already left Sky. But I would like for you to retire for the night now. Headmaster Silva is in the best of hands and we will inform you of any changes. I promise.” she vowed honestly.

Seeing as this was another situation where he needed to prove his level headedness Sky hesitated a moment before looking down at his father figure and getting a small reassuring smile in return from the man. “Okay.” he breathed out and looked up at his headmistress again. “Okay.” And with that he walked over to the double doors to the infirmary, looked back one last time and left.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Saul sagged in on himself a little. The front he had tried to keep up for the sake of not worrying the boy having drained the last of his energy it seemed. “How bad is it really Ben?” He asked breathlessly wincing a little.

Not looking up from his work the earth fairy started to tie off the last of the stitches on the wound before saying “It is rather deep but it seems to have missed any of your organs. It is mostly just tissue damage. It will heal but it will keep you immobile for a little while. I’ll have to keep you on bed rest for a few days but you should be fine in the long run.”

Breathing out a sigh of relief of herself Farah closed her eyes and lowered her head to her partners forehead. She started to slowly caress his temples in a soothing motion making the man relax slightly.

Reaching deep inside his mind she started to look for his pain receptors. They were alight with stimuli at this point and she had a little trouble grasping at all of them all at once. But once she had gathered the strongest points of pain she started to pull them from him and into herself. Her own head began to hurt from the pressure she created.

Sighing Saul started to shake his head. “Stop it Farah. It’s too much.” But his almost begging went ignored by the fairy. She kept on soaking up his anxiety and hurt like a sponge.

Knowing what was coming Ben got up from putting the last of the bandages on the wound and brought over a nearby chair for Farah to sit down on. Not needing an invitation she let herself fall into the cushioned stool and kept on stroking Sauls face.

The sensation of taking on someone’s pain had always been a difficult one. But taking on your partners pain was a whole different world of anguish. Their bond was so powerful that it left her panting with the sensation of tiny needles prodding her brain and then experiencing the wound for herself in every way but the physical. The only thing lacking in this exchange though was the blood.

Panting out one final puff of air the mind fairy leaned back in her chair suddenly and tried to calm her breathing. Putting her head in her hands for a moment to collect herself she suddenly felt the specialists hand in her hair. Carding his fingers through her wavy locks still held up by a few pins he proceeded to caress the side of her face with his thumb.

“You didn’t have to do that Farah. Not all of it. Never all of it.” he breathed. But hearing the relief in his voice let her know she had made the right choice.

Looking up from her hands again she found his gaze already resting on her. A relieved little smile playing around his lips. But she could also see pain there from causing her so much grief.

Tutting she got to her feet again already shaking her head. She took the half step separating them on unsteady feet until she was standing close to his side again.

Letting her fingers slowly move across his cheeks she bent down to lay a gentle kiss on his sweaty brow before putting her forehead to his again. Blowing out a shaky breath, letting it waft over his face she shook her head whilst never losing contact to his skin. “Of course I did. You know I always will.”

Nodding a small nod of his own the man admitted defeat albeit unhappily, fully knowing he’d do the same thing in a heartbeat had their roles been reversed.

Feeling a lot stronger now with the pain not lingering in every pore of his being Saul grasped Farah’s face in both his hands and nuzzled her forehead for a moment before trying to get up from his reclined position.

Feeling and seeing the movement both the headmistress and the earth fairy at his side went to help him sit up.

Letting out a small grunt as the motion pulled at his fresh stitches Silva let his feet fall to the ground and tested his bearings. Farah having moved to support his side inched closer to him to be able to assist if need be.

Standing up as straight as he could manage the specialist looked down at his side and put a hand to the bandage for a second before his eyes landed on Ben still standing close by in case he was needed.

Putting a reassuring hand on the other mans shoulder Saul said “Thank you old friend. I’m as good as new.” and gave him a small grin. Scoffing at that Ben responded quickly by saying “Hardly but I know you are in good hands.” Moving his eyes to his other friend standing to support Silva, Ben looked at Farah now. “You okay to get him to his quarters on your own?” he continued.

Nodding the mind fairy slipped beneath her injured specialists shoulder and started to move him in the direction of the door. Throwing a small goodnight over his shoulder Saul grasped at Farah’s arm to keep from staggering.

Opening the door for them with her powers she put her hand not lying on Sauls uninjured side on his stomach to keep him balanced. They hobbled slowly in the direction of his sleeping quarters. The quiet of night being their only companion. They didn’t feel the need to talk on their way up the long winding passageways and staircases of the old school. They were very content to just be in each other’s company without talking, seeing as they knew what the other must be thinking anyways.

Upon reaching the door to his quarters Saul put out a hand and pushed it open, letting them into the room. Farah let the door shut behind them with a small click as the lock latched into place.

She steered them in the direction of his bed and proceeded to set him down gently on the neatly folded sheets. Looking him up and down carefully the fairy wondered “Do you want to take a shower or just sleep for now?” she reached to help him get out of his ripped shirt before even having asked the question.

“I don’t think I could manage a shower if I tried to be honest.” he laughed softly. She knew he meant it as a joke but could also hear an underlying truth and honesty laced with his words which told her just how bone tired he must be.

Nodding once the headmistress got to work undressing him and decided it would suffice to leave him in just his boxers before pulling back his sheets and helping him get settled beneath the covers.

Sighing Saul stretched out his long limbs and looked up at the woman. Holding out his hand for her to take, she came closer to his side immediately. “Will you be staying?” he asked with more than a little pleading in his eyes.

The fairy conceded without hesitation. Nodding, she straightened up again before kicking off her heels and crawling onto the covers to sit next to him stretching out her legs in front of her fully.

Saul took this as permission to get closer. The headmaster rolled onto his stomach at an angle as to not put pressure on his sore side and laid his head in her lap.

Throwing his arm across her legs he grabbed on to her tightly before slumping down into her body in a boneless heap and let out a content sigh.

Still reeling in his pain through her mind the fairy also let out a small sigh in relief at being able to sit like this. Starting to relax herself she put her hands on his head and started to massage his scalp in a soothing motion. Moaning a little in bliss, Saul let out a big puff of air from his lungs. Grasping onto her legs tighter he caressed her thigh where his hand had found a spot to call home.

They continued to lie like this in companionable silence just feeling the other all around them.

It was Saul who broke the silence first. “I am sorry I caused you to worry.” he mumbled it into her thigh so softly she had to strain her head a little to hear his words.

Letting out a sad sigh she let her hand wipe across his brow to soothe his worry lines she could see forming there.

“I felt your pain since the moment it happened Saul.” she gave back quietly.

Letting out another groan but this time in discomfort the man turned his face further into her legs. The air coming out of his mouth warming her thigh letting a tingle of heat seep into her bones. „I’m sorry.“ he pressed the words into her skin more than actually saying them.

Humming softly Farah continued to card her hands through his hair more firmly now. She knew he would never cause her pain willingly if he could help it. It was hard for him to hold back his feelings sometimes causing their bond to simmer with activity. But she wouldn’t have it any other way if it meant she knew he was still alive.

Wiping a few wisps of hair that had fallen into his face away, Farah hummed again. “Don’t be.” Patting his cheek softly she went on “I like knowing you’re still alive out there.” Smiling at feeling his lips forming a smile of his own on her skin she thought of something else.

“We need to stop doing this.” she muttered sadly.

Not knowing what she meant by that he let her gather her thoughts quietly. He could feel she needed to say something and he would give her all the time in the world to find the right words for it.

After a short pause she continued on tangling her hands through his short hair.

“We can’t go out on assignments on our own anymore. I don’t care what Luna has to say about it and how much she despises seeing my face.” Letting a breath leave her lips in an exasperated manner she pushed on. “If she needs either one of us for something again we go together.” The finality in her statement made him giggle a little.

Tugging on his ear softly the headmistress scolded the man in her lap “Oh don’t you laugh at me now Saul. It’s not funny.” Belying her own words she puffed out a small laugh herself.

“Hey, injured man here. Stop tugging on my ear woman!” he feigned being hurt gaining him another soft tug shortly after.

After giggling softly to themselves for a minute the room grew quiet again.

“I can’t bear it Saul.” With this Farah grew solemn. But she pushed on to get her point across. “I can’t walk these halls and teach these young minds what it means to control their powers when I can feel a knife being pushed through your flesh as if it were my own.” It saddened her to know he felt bad about it even though he had no way of preventing it from happening. He couldn’t shield his feelings from her like she could from him. He wasn’t trained like she was.

Knowing she wouldn’t want to hear another apology he opted for rubbing circles into her thigh again. It seemed to have the desired effect as she sighed a little in response to his ministrations.

“You should get some sleep.” She mumbled softly.

Nodding he responded “So should you.” Before letting out a yawn, almost biting into her leg with the force of it.

Smiling she caressed his head a little more softly now. “I will. Now close your eyes.”

He did as he was told and it didn’t take him long to fall over the edge of unconsciousness. Snoring softly.

~~~

He woke up some time later to the feeling of slight shifting beneath him.

Farah had gotten up during the night to take off her dress as he could see it hanging from a chair in the corner of the room. She was now clad in an old black t-shirt and a pair of boxer briefs of his.

How she had managed to do that without waking him he didn’t know.

She was lying on her back, her arms wrapped around him. He had his head pillowed beneath her breasts resting on her stomach as it moved up and down with each breath she took. One of her knees slung over his ribs where he lay nestled between her legs, bracketed by her thighs. He didn’t know where he began and she ended anymore. But he didn’t care. It was the most comfortable and safe he had felt in years lying with her like this.

Snuggling down again he pressed his face to her belly softly. Her shirt had ridden up during the night granting him access to the soft skin of her stomach. He laid a kiss on the spot where his lips met her skin making her shiver subconsciously in her sleep.

Still asleep as if wanting to make sure he was still alright, Farah wound her arms around his head and let her hands sink into his hair at the base of his neck. Sighing softly she settled down, her breathing evening out again.

They were going to be alright.

They were home.

Together.

fin

Thank you so much for readin! Be sure ro like/reblog

@chibsytelford u like it?

#fanfic #farah dowling #farah dowling x saul silva #saul silva #fate winx saga #chibsytelford

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reddieorrnot · 5 years ago

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I would love to see 22 and 29 for reddie I think that'd be hilarious if your could

shorter than the others but hopefully still as good! hope you like it :)

Eddie was ready to go bat shit crazy.

It was a Friday afternoon, and he was sitting in a hot, humid, Eleventh-grade History classroom. The whole day had gone by far too slow with not enough excitement. Of course, it’s school. It’s not supposed to be fun or enticing on a basis further than educational, but still. Eddie had been ready to fall asleep all day, and all he wanted was for the day to end, and for all his friends to had over to the quarry. Then they planned on going over to Mike’s and just hanging out. Eddie had stuck out the day until now, and he planned on staying awake until the bell rang. Even though the next period of History was going to make him want to shoot his brains out.

Don’t get him wrong, Eddie loved this class and every topic that came with it. It was just so horrifically boring today. The lecture was dragging on forever, and at this point, Eddie didn’t really care who saw how he was nearly drifting off. Unsurprisingly, one person had indeed taken notice. That’s what Eddie realized as a note landed onto his desk. It was small, folded in half. Eddie turned to look in the first place he thought of, Richie Tozier.

And there the boy was, a foolish grin plastered on his face staring right back at Eddie. They didn’t sit too far apart, Eddie was a seat in front and over from his boyfriend. Note passing was a daily thing between them usually when Richie got so restless that he needed to talk to someone or he’d just blurt out everything that came to mind. After getting in trouble countless amounts of times, Eddie had finally told Richie to just pass him a note whenever he felt like talking.

Remembering this, Eddie turned back around and quietly unfolded the small piece of paper.

‘Am I the only one melting in this joint? Feels like it’s a hundred degrees!’

Eddie wanted to giggle, but the classroom was too quiet for that. So instead, the note produced a smile while he flipped the piece of paper over and started to write a reply.

‘It isn’t just you, I feel like I’m dying over here’

He folded the note over the other way, and checked to see if Mr. Samson was looking. After finding a moment where their teacher was turned away, Eddie leaned back and placed his note on Richie’s desk. The other boy wasted no time grabbing the note and ripping out another piece of paper from his notebook to write on.

Just like that, Eddie felt more awake. Richie tend to have that effect on him, after all.

Soon, Richie’s new note landed on Eddie’s desk. It was larger than the last one, perhaps intended for more uses.

‘Same Eds, not only from heat but boredom

The nickname made Eddie’s heart flutter, glad Richie couldn’t see the blush that appeared. He pressed his blue pen into the paper, writing out his reply.

‘Then do something Rich’

When Eddie got the note back with Richie’s response, he immediately regretted telling Richie to do something about being bored. He opened up the note, and read what Richie had written.

‘How much money would you give me to flip this table, right here, right now, in the middle of class?’

Eddie gasped at the note, turning around instantly. Richie was leaning back in his chair, curls nearly touching the desk of the student behind him. He had a huge playful smirk, visibly being serious about his idea.

Eddie scolded his boyfriend, mouthing a very clear, “No.”

Richie pouted, ripping out another piece of paper. He scribbled something on it, then folded it up. Eddie felt a small sting of jealousy when Richie didn’t pass it to him, but instead to his left. Eddie watched as the note got passed to Beverly Marsh, who was a few aisles down from Eddie’s spot. Eddie saw Beverly open the note, grin, and turn around to Richie.

She threw up both her hands, showing ten fingers, then mouthing, “Ten dollars.”

Eddie stared in horror as the amount was said, Richie’s face lighting up. He probably would’ve done it for five cents, knowing him. Not missing a beat, Eddie spun around and abandoned his previous silence.

“Are you insane?” Eddie whispered, as low as he possibly could. The teacher wasn’t a hardass, but wouldn’t be happy with side conversations.

“No, baby, but I am bored.” Richie shrugged, starting to sit up.

“We all are, Rich!” Eddie hissed, “You don’t see me flippin’ desks, do you?”

“Because you’re a behaved little cutie, duh.”

Eddie rolled his eyes, understanding that there wasn’t any way he was convincing Richie otherwise. Especially with money on the line, Richie didn’t have to think twice about getting the reward for his stupid actions. Eddie, of course, wouldn’t blame Richie. He nearly never did, he was too in love.

Eddie looked over at Beverly, who had been watching the whole thing, and mouthed to her: “This is your fault.”

She just chuckled.

Eddie huffed, accepting what was going to happen. He just looked at Richie, awaiting the scene to unfold.

Richie waited until the teacher was writing on the board, to quietly stand up out of his seat. He stood there for a second, possibly thinking about what he was about to do. Then looked over at Beverly, who was watching intently. When he had gotten up, Richie had caught the eye of nearly everyone else in the room as well. He grinned at the given audience, then bent down. Richie placed both his hands on the right legs of his table. It was one of those tables that were attached to the chair, the ones that high schools always had. So of course, Richie would be flipping the whole thing.

He grasped the metal in his clutch, then flipped the whole thing.

Had the class not erupted in laughter, and the table not made a clanging sound as it fell to the ground, Mr. Samson possibly wouldn’t have noticed what Richie did. Too bad that wasn’t the case though.

Mr. Samson had whipped around, seeing Richie standing next to an upside-down desk, and students laughing all around him. It was how innocent Richie looked that made Eddie join in on the laughter.

“Richard Tozier, what the hell were you thinking?”

Richie gave the teacher an honest shrug, “To be fair, I wasn’t thinking. Just wanted some cash.”

“Well, I hope whatever cash that is was worth detention! Report to the principal's office now, and fix your desk!”

“Aye, aye, captain!” Of course, Richie had to salute the teacher before flipping the desk back into place. Eddie couldn’t believe Richie, but hey, he knew he was full of surprises. Richie then picked up his backpack, started to walk down the aisle, and stopped at Eddie. He leaned down and gave Eddie a quick peck on the cheek, leaving the smaller boy flustered. “See you at Mike’s, babe.” He whispered before continuing to the front of the class and then out the door.

Mr. Samson let out a deep sigh, and then looked at Eddie. “Learn to control him, Kaspbrak.”

If Eddie hadn’t been embarrassed before, he definitely was now. Sinking into his seat, he didn’t miss the smirk Beverly shot him.

***

“Wait, so what happened with Richie again?” Ben asked as the group of friends walked over to Mike’s. They had spent a little bit of time at the quarry but were all more excited to head over to the Hanlon home. Eddie, who had been worrying that Richie would get there before them, was glad to finally be leaving the swimming session. When the others had asked why Richie wasn’t with them, Eddie simply stated he had gotten detention. Beverly looked like she wanted to tell the story, but they both knew that Richie was going to arrive wanting to tell everyone himself, so there was no need to.

“He’s gonna let you all know detail by detail when he shows up, don’t worry,” Beverly answered, throwing her head back in laughter. Eddie didn’t miss the way Ben’s eyes shined as he watched the redhead grin. He wished his boyfriend were here for him to look at like that, but no, he had to flip a fucking table during their History class. Eddie grumbled to himself the whole walk to Mike’s house, the other losers talking amongst themselves, not wanting to bother Eddie.

When they finally arrived, Beverly offered everyone a cigarette, even though she knew they’d decline.

“Oh Bev, I’d kill for a smoke, and also, my ten bucks!”

Richie stood in the front doorway, looking like an utter fool with his glasses crooked and stupid smile. Even though Eddie had been convinced he was annoyed at Richie, he wanted to melt into his arms right there and then. Beverly rolled her eyes and fished in her bag, pulling out a ten-dollar bill. She walked over to Richie and placed it in his hand, along with a cigarette. Before going to smoke, Richie told all the losers his story, making everything more dramatic than it actually had been. Eddie didn’t mind though, he liked the way Richie’s face lit up when he went into storytelling mode, the way he used wild hand gestures and tone of voice changed.

“You’re a whole different breed of dumbass, Richie,” Stan spoke when the story was over.

Mike simply chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t believe you just flipped a desk… right in the middle of class!”

“I’ll do anything for that sweet cash, Mikey,” Richie nudged Mike with his elbow, making Bill and Ben laugh.

“Alright guys, let’s see what’s on TV,” Beverley suggested, forgetting about her earlier desire to smoke and picking up the remote. Everyone piled into the living room as the girl flipped through the channels. Richie got up at some point, heading to the kitchen to get a cup of water, he told them. Eddie waited a couple of seconds, then got up to follow him.

Eddie loved Mike’s home. It felt so warm and kind, like he was always welcome. He liked Richie’s house the best, but Mike’s was always a close second. He turned the corner into the kitchen, seeing Richie struggle to grab two juices from the fridge while holding a plastic cup. Eddie smiled at the sight, moving quickly over to help out his clumsy boyfriend. He took one of the drinks from Richie’s grasp and closed the fridge. Eddie then placed it on the counter and leaned back against the wall.

“Are you planning on mixing those two?”

“Eds, you know me so well,” Richie planted a kiss on Eddie’s forehead, then returned to his drink. Eddie smiled, then remembered what he had come into the kitchen to do.

“You know, that thing you did today was really dumb…” He frowned, and Richie noticed this.

“You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“No, no. I’m just a little sad that, uh…”

Richie tilted his head to the side, looking like a confused puppy. Eddie felt his heart burst at the image, wanting nothing more than to be cuddling Richie.

“Why are you sad?” Richie set down the carton of juice and moved over closer to Eddie, taking his hand and holding it. Eddie’s heart quickened at the contact. He was convinced that no matter how long he dated Richie, he would always find a way to make Eddie feel like a hopelessly in love teenager.

“I’m a little sad you were in detention, and not at the quarry with me.”

Where his pout once was, Richie now had a smile. He gave Eddie’s hand a light squeeze, “Did someone miss me?”

Without hesitation, Eddie answered, “You know I always do.”

Hearing that made Richie close the distance between the two with a kiss. A familiar sense of security flowed throughout both of the boys, as Eddie let go of Richie’s hand and moved both of them to his cheeks.

Once their lips parted, Richie kept his face close, just looking into Eddie’s eyes.

“I love you,” Eddie whispered, his mouth so close to Richie’s that it was like the words were only theirs to hear, and no one else in the world. “Even if you do flip desks during class and get detention.”

“I love you too,” Richie breathlessly whispered back with a chuckle, then leaning in for another kiss.

#reddie #reddie fic #richie tozier #richie x eddie #eddie kaspbrak #eddie x richie #reddie prompt #i love these two

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marvelousbirthdays · 5 years ago

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Happy Birthday, ameve2

September 6-Wintershock with the prompt "Wow, you're really hot." for @ameve2

Written by @kathryn-claire-oconnor

“Wow, you’re really hot.”

That particular statement, or anything like it, from a man that Darcy wasn’t expecting in her home would’ve usually gotten said man slapped, or tased if she was in the right – read: wrong – mood, or otherwise removed from her apartment. Especially when he moved on feet that were as silent as those attached to the super-soldier assassin-turned-boyfriend behind her. In this case, though, she recognized the voice quickly enough that the only thing her visitor got was a death glare as Darcy stood from where she’d been kneeling on the floor and turned to face him.

“Yeah, my dude,” she said irritably, though she didn’t miss the double meaning as she pushed her glasses up her nose. “That’s what happens when your AC unit dies on you when it’s somehow eighty outside.”

“Are you sure it’s dead, doll?” Bucky asked, and Darcy would’ve sworn she saw a teasing smile flickering about the edges of his usually stoic expression as he said, “Maybe it just needs to be talked to nicely.”

She took that to mean that he had heard her very recent litany of curses at the hunk of metal, but she didn’t particularly care. Taking stock of the way he was standing with one hand behind his back, she asked, “Where’s Tony? I called Jane complaining that my landlord wasn’t answering my calls, and Tony overheard our conversation since Jane was in the lab, and he said he’d come over and fix it for me.”

“I know, but I thought you might appreciate a cuter repairman than Stark,” Bucky replied, reaching with his visible hand for the screwdriver Darcy was holding.

She arched an eyebrow but let him have it. “You know how to repair air conditioners?”

“No, but I taught myself how to repair my arm… ages ago, so how hard could this be?”

Darcy completely believed him, not-so-secret nerd that her boyfriend was, but still she felt compelled to say, “If you push it beyond the point of repair, you’re buying me a new one.”

“Nah, that is where Stark will come in, if something needs bought.” Now Bucky was definitely grinning. “I, on the other hand, may take your air-condition-less existence, you poor child of the twenty-first century –” Darcy rolled her eyes at him while his expression remained fond. “To invite you to move into Avengers’ Tower. And you know Tony will, and so will Jane. And possibly Thor.”

Darcy sighed, admitting, “Jane already reminded me of that open invitation when I called her this morning.”

“And I hoped I might beat the onslaught…”

Darcy’s gaze turned suspicious as she looked at his exaggerated forlorn expression. “Why?”

Now Bucky revealed what he held behind his back. “Because I brought ice cream to soothe the irritation of it all for you, and to help cool you down.”

“I knew I liked you for some reason,” she teased. Darcy’s eyes lit up at the sight of the pint of Ben & Jerry’s as Bucky held it out to her. She took it, kissing him in thanks before she suggested, “AC first; ice cream after?”

Bucky nodded, moving to get to work on the AC as Darcy went to put his gift in the freezer for safe keeping.

They sat together on her couch later, the floor covered by pieces of a mostly-dismantled, still-broken AC – Tony had taken one look at the mess over a video call and informed them that he was buying Darcy a new one; he had told Barnes to wait for him, but nobody wanted to listen to the genius, did they? Darcy licked her spoon clean before setting her empty bowl on the coffee table and putting her head on Bucky’s shoulder. “I don’t mind that it’s not fixed,” she informed him while he stared moodily at the bits and pieces that had bested him. Apparently, an AC was far enough removed from a robotic arm that it was outside her boyfriend’s wheelhouse.

“What are you going to do until the new one gets here, though?”

Darcy shrugged. “Make the best of it. We both know that if Tony’s in charge of the project now, the new one will be installed by tomorrow night, so I guess I’ll just have to spend tonight at my boyfriend’s place.”

Bucky tilted his head to kiss her hair, and she heard the small smile in his voice as he commented, “Great plan.”

But there was something… more in his tone, a thoughtfulness that meant he was debating saying something else, and Darcy sat up to look at him. “What’s on your mind?”

Bucky blinked back at her, taking another second to think before he said, “I get it, that you don’t want to move into the Tower, that you want space between your life and the big, glowing ‘kick us here’ sign in the sky that the ‘A’ is. I…” he pursed his lips, pausing again for a moment before he continued, “Was never a willing fighter, either, you know, unless it was for Steve, and now you, too. I wouldn’t mind some space between myself and the fight, either. So I get that you don’t want to live with the fight, because I don’t really want to live with the fight anymore either. But I also don’t like that you put up with a bad landlord and crappy appliances and a creaky apartment. So… what would you think about… the two of us finding a new place together?”

It was Darcy’s turn to blink at him in surprise, a slow smile starting to pull at the corners of her mouth as she asked, “Is Bucky Barnes, 1940’s war hero, asking me to move in with him?”

Bucky nodded apprehensively. “Yes?”

Darcy was grinning as she leaned into him again, his arms sliding automatically around her as she fit her head back into the curve of his neck. “Well, aren’t we both full of great plans today? You know, except for the part where we went DIY on the AC.”

“…Is that a ‘yes?’”

“That is definitely a ‘yes,’” Darcy agreed, tilting her head to look at him with a smile. “We can start looking tomorrow, if you want, but right now we have a pint of ice cream to finish off.”

“Should someone tell Tony not to worry about the new air conditioning unit?” Bucky asked as Darcy reluctantly stood from the couch to retrieve the ice cream from the refrigerator.

“Nah. He’s bound to get something really nice, which means that the landlord here will, one way or another, have to reimburse him at some point, and I kind of like the idea of that guy having to shell out a little extra.

Darcy shot Bucky a vindictive little smile that left him chuckling as she turned into the kitchen.

#WinterShock #Bucky Barnes #Darcy Lewis

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moonythemoody · 5 years ago

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To Have and To Hold

Richie looked in the mirror. He frowned and adjusted his tie for the fourth time in two minutes. “It’s just not right, it’s the wrong color.” Richie rips the tie off of his neck and throws it across the room. “It’s not the right one! He said that he liked the one with the flowers on it, but did I bring it? No, I fucking forgot it!” Richie sat at the table and put his head into his hands. Bev knelt down next to Richie, placing her hand on his arm “Listen, he’s going to love it no matter what, remember? And why is he going to love it no matter what?” Richie rolled his eyes and huffed “Because it’s me.” Bev nodded and patted his shoulder. “And why else, Rich?” He sat straight up and closed his eyes “Because we’re getting married, and that’s all that matters.” Bev smiled and nodded “And don’t you forget it!” Richie reached up and grabbed her hand, giving it a slight squeeze. “Thanks for coming in and helping me not lose my mind over this. I know the tie is not a big deal, but I want him to be happy with today.” Bev leaned down and gave Richie a quick peck on the forehead. “He’s going to be beyond happy, Rich! He’s marrying you! Now don’t lock Bill out again, okay? I have to go back to Eddie now.” She walked off, her floor length navy blue dress flowing around her. “Tell him I love him!” He called after her, she waved a hand in the air with a laugh “You can do it yourself in ten minutes! Get your tie on!”

She opened the door and let Bill and Mike in, they both looked at Richie with exasperation. “Are we ready to get this show on the road, prima donna?” Bill questioned. Richie shot him a look. “Oh, blow me, Denbrough. You can’t tell me you weren’t this anxious on your wedding day.” Richie leaned down and grabbed the die from the ground before he put it back around his neck. Bill shrugged “I was, but I knew it was going to be okay at the end of the day because I was going to be with her.” Bill patted his friend on the pack and pulled him to turn around “Now lets get this tie on you before Eddie thinks you have cold feet.”

Bev opened the door to the other suite and the first thing she heard was “Oh god, oh god, where the fuck is my inhaler?!” Eddie was scrambling through his overnight bag searching for the thing. She shot Ben a look “What did you do to him? He was just fine when I left!” Ben threw his hands up in front of him “Hey, I didn’t do this, he talked himself into a panic attack.” Bev rushed over to Eddie, grabbing his hands “You told me to only let you use the inhaler once tonight, do you really want to make it now?” Eddie’s breathing was heavy, but she was right, he should save his one use of his inhaler for the vows. “No. You’re right. Richie is okay, isn’t he?”

Eddie slightly frowned, Richie was always joking around, so Bill having to call for Bev to calm him down worried Eddie tremendously. Bev sat down on the sofa and patted the empty seat next to her “He’s fine Eddie, he wanted me to tell you something before the wedding.” Eddie fidgeted with his hands and tripped over to the sofa. He plopped down next to the redhead and leaned his head against the back of the cushion. “What was it, did he want you to tell me that I’m too high maintenance for him?” Eddie closed his eyes, he knew what he was saying was ridiculous, but he was anxious. He had fought and killed a fucking clown, but getting married? He hadn’t had a panic attack this bad in a long time. Bev reached over and rubbed the back of Eddies neck, “No, he didn’t say that. He said that he loves you and he’s sorry he didn’t bring the tie that you loved so much.” Ben laughed from across the room “What tie?” Eddie asked, sitting up quickly. “The one with the flowers?” He got up and crossed the room to his bag again. He reached in and grabbed a black tie with navy and baby blue flowers all over it. Bev stood up “I think so! Yes!” Eddie rushed over to Bev just as a knock came on the door.

“Hey, Eddie, you ready in there? We’re just about to start.” Bev flung the door open “Stan! Where is Richie?” She said this quickly, Stan blinked in surprise. “He’s in the main room!” Bev ran down the hall and into the massive room decorated for their big day, roses and babies breath all up and down the aisle. “Richie!” He was talking to Bill and Mike “He brought it! He had the tie all along!” Richie beamed at the redhead “Oh my god! He’s going to be so happy!” Richie ripped off the plain and boring blue tie and replaced it with the flowery one. Bev took the discarded one and smiled “Now lets get you two married!” She grabbed Bills arm and smiled at the trio. “I’m so happy this is finally happening. You two deserve this.” She backed away and ran back up the aisle and back to Eddie’s room. “C'mon Eds, he’s handsome as hell and waiting for you.” Eddie grinned and scratched the back of his head “I can’t wait to kiss that cute man right on the lips in front of all of you.” Ben laughed “Not like you guys have been doing that for the last year or anything.” Bev elbowed her husband “Hey, we haven’t been very discreet either.” Bev linked her arm into Eddies “Lets get you married, Eddie.”

Ten minutes later Eddie was pacing outside of the doors. Everyone was waiting for him just past the white wooden barrier. He’d been married before, and he definitely didn’t feel this nervous. Since he didn’t have a parent, he decided to have Bev walk him down the aisle, she always had that motherly kind of tone towards him. Everyone would tease him for having his pills and inhaler all the time, but Bev would elbow him and remind him to take his medicine, to use his inhaler when he needed to. She’d called him the night Richie proposed to talk to him about it, to check in with him, make sure all was well. It was that night that he decided she would be his best man and the one to give him away. “You alright there Eds?” She smiled, holding a small bouquet of blue roses in her right hand, and a small wristlet attached to the same wrist, inside that bag were the wedding rings, note cards with vows on them (in case Eddie forgot) and the rescue inhaler, (in case he had a panic attack). “I’m okay, I just don’t remember being this nervous about marrying Myra. Like, sure I was nervous, but I wasn’t nervous about the actual wedding, I was worried about her ruining the whole thing by hating everything.” Eddie put his hands up and locked his fingers behind his head “She still ended up hating everything. But with Richie, I know he’s going to love everything about this day. I’m just.. I’m nervous because he makes me so happy and I don’t want to fuck this up.”

Bev smiled and rested her hand on his shoulder, rubbing lightly. “Hey, you’re not going to fuck this up. Richie is so excited to be with you. You can do this.” Eddie threw his hands down and let out a heavy sigh. “I can do this.” He jumped up and down a few times and then closed his eyes for a moment, imagining how handsome Richie probably looked at the end of the aisle, and that goofy smile.. God that smile. He opened his eyes, his cheeks feeling a bit red thinking about his handsome soon to be husband. He grinned and held his arm out for Beverly to link on. “Let’s do this.” Bev knocked on the door and Ben peeked out. “It’s time!” She whispered excitedly. Ben nodded and walked down to the altar, letting everyone know to stand up. Stan nodded at the small congregation as the doors opened up.

Eddie had no idea what he was walking down the aisle to yet, he told Bev to chose for him. “What am I walking to? What did you decide on?” Bev grinned and whispered back “I have no idea Eds, I let Richie chose.” Eddies eyes widened, he was so screwed. He took a deep breath and stepped forward as the drums and guitars started, a moment later, the beautiful sound of The Chordettes crooning rang through everyone’s ears.

Eddie my love, I love you so.

Eddie grinned up at Richie like an idiot.

Eddie my love, I love you so! How I’ve wanted for you, you’ll never know.

Richie’s smile was everything he had imagined and more, he did his best to walk without tripping. He felt himself tear up as the song continued on. Beverly let out a small laugh and squeezed his arm. Eddie couldn’t see through his tears, but Richie was crying too. Bev and Eddie reached the alter, she squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek before stepping behind him. As the voices of The Chordettes faded out, Eddie grabbed Richie’s hands and squeezed them. “You did that for me?” He whispered softly, Richie grinned. “Anything to make this day more special for you.” He leans forward and kisses Eddie on the forehead, Stan clears his throat and raises an eyebrow. “You’re supposed to wait until after the vows, Rich.” Richie’s face turned a light shade of pink and he elbows Stan. “Then get on with it already! I want to kiss my husband.”

Stan gestured to the audience “You may be seated!” He grinned at his two friends in front of him. Stan took a deep breath. He looked over the rest of the group and felt at ease. This was going to be the easiest wedding he’s ever done. Richie and Eddie told them they just wanted something casual, nothing too fancy considering the wedding was already small and it was just all of their friends.

“I’ve known Eddie and Richie for years” He started with a small laugh “Longer than I care to admit. Richie has always been the Trashmouth, and Eddie has always been the germ hating medical nerd. If you had told me they were getting married 27 years ago, I would’ve laughed, Richie and Eddie probably would’ve too.” Richie laughed and nodded, Eddie pulled on his hand lightly to try and shut him up. “But here we are today, here to honor them, their love, and everything they’ve been through together. Although time has passed, and life has been scary for all of us, the love Richie and Eddie have for one another has remained steadfast and true. I wouldn’t want to see these two with anyone else but each other. You two have always been there for each other, and I know that you always will be.”

Stan placed his hands on their shoulders. “I won’t go over the traditional vows, because I know you’ve written your own, so I’ll leave this to you two. Richie, you’ll go first.” He took his hands down and stood back, letting Richie grab the mic. He held it like he was doing a comedy routine. Eddie half expected the first thing out of his mouth to be a joke, but was pleasantly surprised when he started.

“I’m going to start this off by saying I love you. I just want to get that out there before I trip over my words.” He let out a shuddering sigh and Bill reached up to give him a reassuring pat on the back. He smiled over his shoulder at his best man before continuing. “I didn’t know what I was missing. For so long, I lived the bachelor life, always hoping there was someone out there for me, but never remembering the gangly hypochondriac from Derry. It wasn’t until last year when I walked into that Chinese restaurant that I remembered, and when I did, it all came rushing back to me. The hammock, the kissing bridge, that punch in the face from Bill after I lashed out when you broke your arm..”

He stopped and looked up from his cards to stare lovingly into Eddies brown eyes. “And then I almost lost you.. Again. And when Bev tried to tell me it was over, and that I had to let you go, I knew I had to protest.” He squeezed Eddies hand as the tears came rushing in. “And I’m so fucking glad I did, Eds. I don’t know what my life would be if I had left you behind, but I thank God every day that you’re alive and in my life.” The tears were coming faster, he reached his hand up to wipe the tears away from his eyes. “I promise to take care of you when you’re sick, and even when you’re not. I promise to listen to you bitch about how much you hate work, even though you love telling people what they’re doing is dumb and dangerous, and I promise to adopt more dogs with you, and when you’re ready, I promise to be the best father to your children.” Eddie gripped his hand tightly “I’ll keep you safe and warm. I love you Eddie.”

Richie watched Eddie close his fingers into a fist, relax them, and close them into a fist again. Richie grabbed the hand, and smoothed it out over his. “Hey, you’ve got this. I love you.” Eddie rolled his eyes “I love you too, but how am I supposed to go after that?” He let out a weak laugh. He was half kidding but Richie’s words had caught him off guard. He let out a shaky sigh before closing his eyes, trying to visualize the vows he had written out. I will not ask for my inhaler or my backup cards. He thought this before opening his eyes and looking at his soon to be husband.

“Richie.” He started slowly, testing his voice. “I never knew how to be loved as a kid. As we all know, my mother had a very funny way of showing her love for me. I couldn’t be brave or do anything for myself. That is, not until I met you.” He sighed as Richie rubbed his hand with his thumb. “You taught me what love was, real, unconditional, safe love. You taught me what it’s like to be brave, to kick ass, and to joke around.” Eddie looked at the audience for a moment before continuing “I still can’t believe you found something in me to like, something to love for as many years as you have. And I know that’s silly, everything considered, but I feel so lucky to have known you for as long as I have.”

Eddie paused, his voice was getting shaky, his chest was constricting. No, I’m not doing this, I’m not using the inhaler. He tried to take a deep breath and looked at Richie with wide eyes. Richie reached towards Bev, gesturing for her to hand him the inhaler. Eddie gripped his hands tightly and closed his eyes tightly. He was embarrassed, he couldn’t even get through his damn vows without having a panic attack. Eddie felt Bev put her hand on his back lightly. Richie let go of one of his hands and grabbed his chin, pulling it up slightly. “Eddie, hey…” He cupped Eddie’s cheek with the hand, and held tightly to Eddie’s hand. “It’s okay, deep breaths, one two three in… one two three out…” Eddie opened his brown eyes and stared into Richie’s blue ones. He nodded “One two three…” He whispered, pacing his breaths “One two three.” Richie rubbed Eddie’s cheek and smiled “It’s just you and me here Eds. Just us. Don’t worry about anything else. You’re doing so well. I love you.”

Eddie wanted to kiss him right then, but he didn’t want another scolding from Stan. He squeezed his hand in earnest and shook his head at Bev who was holding the inhaler out for him. She nodded and held it, hiding it in the flowers, just in case. Eddie looked Richie in the eye and chose to take his words to heart. It was just them in his mind. Just he and Richie holding hands, talking to each other. “Richie I love you. You’ve been there for me so many times. I can’t even begin to count all of the times you came to my house after my mom yelled at me for not taking my meds, or for playing in the grass. I can’t count the number of times you brought me ice cream because I wasn’t allowed to leave the house with you guys.” Eddie laughed a little “And then, after everything, after forgetting and losing each other to time and memory, you came back. You came back into my life and you saved me, Rich. You saved my life in more ways than one, and I promise you, in sickness and in health.. In jokes, both unoriginal and downright hilarious. I promise, to take you as my own, to have and to hold from now until forever. And everything that comes between now and then. Dogs, children, and what have you. I love you.”

Richie shot a look at Stan who rolled his eyes “You can’t wait another thirty seconds?” He asked with a sigh. Richie shook his head quickly, which emitted a laugh from all of the Losers up at the podium, Eddie included. Stan gestured for Richie to get on with it, and with the permission of the officiant, Richie leaned forward to the man that would officially be his husband in less than five minutes, and placed a kiss on his forehead. “You did so well. Digs at my jokes included.” Eddie scrunched his nose up and laughed at the man in front of him.

“I think we’re all getting tired of watching you guys flirt up here, so lets get to the marriage part of this wedding.” Stan looked at Bill and Bev before continuing. “The rings?” He asked, Bev pulled Richie’s ring out of her bag. It was a beautiful, somewhat unorthodox ring, which matched Richie’s personality. It was a silver band with rings of petrified wood and a green crystal inlay. Eddie slipped the ring on Richie’s left ring finger and looked up and smiled at the man. “With this ring, I make you my husband.” Richie grabbed Eddie’s ring from Bill, it was more simple, something Eddie would enjoy. Not too flashy, just a silver band with a blue inlay. He chose blue because it reminded him of Richie’s eyes, those eyes he’d never want to forget again. “And with this ring, I make you mine.” Richie beamed at Eddie, his eyes welling up with tears.

Stan smiled at his friends, tearing up himself. None of them ever expected for them to be this happy, not after growing up in Derry, but here he was, helping two of his best friends marry each other. “It is my pleasure, with the power vested in me by the internet link that Richie sent me, begging me to do this for you two… To finally pronounce you two, husbands. Richie, Eddie, you may finally kiss each other without a word from me.” Richie hopped on his feet a little, excited and full of energy. Eddie grinned and reached his arms up around his husbands neck “Chill out, you’re going to give me a busted lip if you keep moving around like that!” Richie wrapped his arms around Eddie’s waist and pulled him close to him “Wouldn’t dream of it, Eddie.” He leaned down and kissed Eddie, releasing the grip he had with his left hand to bring it up to Eddie’s cheek. They kissed and smiled the whole time, lips moving together as one. Eddie pulled back, wiping his face. “Oh Rich! You’re crying!” Richie wiped his own tears away and nodded. “I’m so happy Eds, I love you.” Eddie snuggled into his chest. “I’m happy too, I’m happy to be Mr. Eddie Tozier.”

#Reddie #Richie Tozier #stanley uris #bill denbrough #beverly marsh #ben hanscom #mike hanlon #It #It chapter 2 #fluff

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mrdanielbond · 5 years ago

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Bond’s New Flatmate (Chpt. 8)

“Anything you need...”

Plot: As a way of helping cope with the troubles you’ve faced for the last two months, Jonathan decides to treat you to a holiday to Geneva and it is a well deserved break. A holiday with a hunk you like to drink with? What could possibly go wrong?

A/N: I guess Tumblr is letting me post my full chapters now so imma get to it and see what I can work from. Remember, Jonathan is an actor of your choice!

“Aww hello!” You called. A German Shepard puppy raced towards you and barked instantly, dropping a tennis ball before you. He nuzzled it once more by your foot, then leapt up onto your leg, playfully barking.

“Oi! Duke stop that!” Jonathan called as he quickly pulled the ball away from you and tried to lure the dog towards him. “I’m really sorry, he gets seriously playful whenever there’s a guest in the house. Duke, come on, be a good boy and leave the lovely lady alone.”

Duke continued puffing then dashed towards Jonathan, who raised Duke up in his arms, and held him close. The overhyped dog licked his face then remained still, panting with his tongue hanging out.

“I’m really sorry about that. Duke gets really overexcited. I should’ve warned you about the dog. Are you alright with them?”

“I love dogs!” You grinned happily, tempted to lean in and hug the happy pup.

How could this man get sweeter? He had a dog! “Got him from the rescue shelter, he wasn’t in a good way, very timid at first but now, he can’t seem to get enough of being playful. I have no idea how he manages to keep all this energy.” And he did get better. “I’ll show you to your room.”

You followed him around the beautifully designed home, there was something about it that was warming. Maybe it was the fireplace that had been glowing in the distance, or the couches that you made you keep a note on where you may find yourself most comfortable in this place, if you could even do that.

Then you noticed that beside the television there was a photograph of him with a woman when he was younger. His hair was tousled, he was completely clean shaven, bright eyes that were clear through the faded picture. He wore a teal blue shirt, that was slightly unbuttoned and he was pulling a face, leaning into the woman under his arm. She was slim, blonde hair with a smile on her face. She looked far more attractive and from how close they were, maybe you thought it was his girlfriend, resembling a model if you could even say that. The two were very close, you could tell with the way she pressed against him. He never mentioned being in a relationship nor did he mention being single either.

Before you could deal with the internal questioning he opened the door to your room, still with the pup in his arm and your backpack over his shoulder. “And this is your quarters, my lady.” He said with a small smirk. That smirk was going to be the death of you, but you weren’t going to say anything about him. Definitely do not give him the satisfaction for it at least.

Your room was fairly large and goodness, it looked comfortable. This was much different to the one you had in your shared flat with James. It had a large double bed and a slick, modern touch to it once again, with a view of the city.

“Is this alright?” He suddenly asked, and by the time you turned around you could see him wait with nervous anticipation.

“This is - it’s great. I feel like I’m seriously imposing now.” You sighed, scratching your head.

“Of course you are.” Jonathan retorted. “Me and Duke were gonna have a lads night in until you ruined it.” He winked and let out a small chuckle. You rolled your eyes and set your bags inside with Jonathan behind you. He set Duke back down and the excited pup wandered his way out of the room so Jonathan could help set your bags beside the wardrobe. You realised you had been silent for quite a while and Jonathan had clearly noticed but he hadn’t wanted to point it out. He helplessly smiled, realising how close the two of you stood to each other. “Um, so if you need anything my room is down the hall, sometimes I’m in the study, it depends. Don’t be afraid to give me a shout. Any questions, just ask. Sometimes you’ll hear something smash, that’s just the bloody poltergeist that used to live here. He did have a really violent death.”

“Excuse me the what? You are joking. You have to be.”

“No. He used to own the building, died after having his throat slit. Cheated on his wife for another woman who lived in this building like ten years ago. Yes it was quite nasty, that.” He said slowly, looking down with a serious face. “Oh well. He’s not gonna kill any of us, just make his presence known.” He shrugged casually.

“His name was Tom."

"That’s bullshit.” You said, squinting your eyes.

“You want to see what he looked like then?”

“Yes.” You folded your arms. He brought out his phone and showed a photograph of the name with the exact name, outside a building with his children twenty years ago.

“The fuck is this...?” Your eyes widened as you looked at the photograph then the attached article, everything he said was correct. There was a silence, then suddenly he burst into laughter.

“His name was Tom Foolery.” A smirk emerged from his lips, which caused him to be struck with a playful slap to the arm. “Ow!” He chuckled. “I didn’t think you would believe me!”

“I knew you were lying the moment you said poltergeist. Anyway, who the hell is that then?!”

“I don’t know. There’s no bloody poltergeist here. If you hear a crash it’s Duke probably dropping something. He does that sometimes in the middle of the night. When he does that and if I’m not around, try teaching him to stay away from the kitchen, he’s still learning. Anyway I’ll leave you to it, I imagine you’ve had enough of me for now. I’ve got a phone call to make.”

He left the room and you inside it. You dropped onto the bed for a moment and let out a long sigh. This bed is bloody comfortable, you thought. Though you couldn’t help smiling, maybe you were going to enjoy your time here after all.

After a couple of hours settling down, you made your way into the living room that was adjacent to the kitchen, to smell something deliciously pleasant behind you. As you turned around you heard playing in the background as you found Jonathan with a towel over his shoulder and see him frying food at the pan. It brought you memories of your time with James, that one time he cooked for you and when Q interfered. You couldn’t help but smirk at that thought, it was a painfully humorous evening. There were few of them like that with James as time grew on and the more Madeleine stayed. You silently scolded yourself for even thinking about him.

“Ah. Y/N, why don’t you come round here. I want to show you something.” As you made your way down, you couldn’t help eyeing the television once more, seeing that photograph and how happy he looked. Jonathan had aged really well if this was his very much younger years. Now he was well defined, with a beard that had been growing out and his hair well taken care of.

“Try this.” He said, dipping a small teaspoon into the pot of sauce and handed it to you.

“I’m not going to get food poisoning am I? Because I intend on living until I’m past thirty. I know - I know it’s a surprise but a pleasant one at least!”

“I thought you liked testing the waters?”

“And I would’ve thought you’d have more creative ways to kill someone. I’m a sucker for a cup of tea or some ice cream, why couldn’t you have poisoned that?”

“I’ll take notes for next time, darling.” He winked.

“Is this going to poison me?” You said, not moving the spoon an inch closer to your lips. “You know what? Fuck it.” You shrugged, slowly moving the spoon to your lips and leaving the spoon linger in between your lips longer, causing Jonathan to cock his head to the side slightly, observantly taking in your reaction. “You said you never cook at home, right?”

“I said I’m never around enough to cook and there’s no one I can cook for. Big difference.” He said casually, his eyes moved towards the spoon before he quickly looked up and shrugged.

“Why don’t we get drinks. How do you feel about Ben Nevis? I’m a sucker for some quality scotch.” He said, making his way towards the cupboard and pulled out the bottle.

Once you had eaten your delicious meal, specially prepared by Jonathan might you add, the two of you both cleared the table and got to washing up. He tried hard to keep you away from doing anything but your stubbornness is the reason you stuck around. The two of you shared a laugh with each other now and again, something you never thought would happen especially with Jonathan.

You made your way to the guest room once you had finished, leaving Jonathan to place back the rest of the plates. You took in the view of the beautiful scene at your disposal. Colourful lights below, all similarly to dots driving through the road, while a dark blanket covered the sky above.

It had been like that for the next week under your stay with Jonathan. He had been caring enough to look out for you. You both helped each other with breakfast and supper with him and watching late nights films together. Soon that had to end and you would have to go back to work after you spent the last three nights away from work. Currently, you found yourself staring at your chemistry set, wondering what to do with it. Back at the old flat, you were able to work in your own comfort zone as you knew you were paying to stay in the flat and in your space. But in this case you weren’t and everything here looked more expensive than your yearly salary alone. As much as he said it was your home just as much as his, you knew for a fact this was solely his home. He paid for it, no matter how much you tried to offer him your share and promised him that you would be out of his way, that was not the case with him. He strongly refused, telling you that his apartment was big enough for more than the two of you and this was barely any trouble for him.

The time was 2.00 am and you had to get back to work but the downpour outside kept you awake. Suddenly, your phone buzzed. On the screen appeared a name, one that caused your tossing and turning to stop immediately.

From: Unknown

Y/N, we need to talk.

James

The sight of the message caused you to roll your eyes immediately. There was no way you were going to talk to talk to him. You couldn’t, at least not yet. The anger that seeped from within towards him and the betrayal he caused couldn’t be stopped. There was only one way you could de-stress yourself and that was to take a shower. You took a shower and once you were comfortable in just a tank top and shorts, you made your way to the kitchen to make yourself a drink when on your way you stopped to find a light shining from a room beside you.

Tea first. That’s what you needed. Once you were successful, you made your way back down the hall, when you found the light still shining. The door was left slightly unhinged and you could see a figure, probably Jonathan, looking down at something. From what you could see, he was in a white t shirt and his hair was slightly tousled but it only made him look better.

“You know you don’t have to hide behind that door.” The velvet voice said behind the door, instantly catching you off guard.

You slowly opened the door raising an eyebrow. “Was I that loud?”

“Let’s just say there’s a reason why you would make an awful spy.” He gestured to the seat before him.

“What’s that?” You knew parts about Jonathan’s job. All you knew was he spent time in Afghanistan as a soldier, then worked with intelligence through a private branch. There were a lot of things you hadn’t known about this man and his job was the biggest one of them all. He travelled around the world and stated that when the real operatives failed, he had to step forward and get the job done, which essentially is what left him with all that he has today, as you may guess.

“It’s just something for work. They want me to go to Geneva this time. Turns out an agent from MI6 has failed to capture a potential threat and they want me to investigate the mess.” He scratched his head, “I’ll have to head off in a couple of days.”

The small nod surprised him. Not even a response left your lips. You fiddled with your fingers, suddenly alarmed by the fact that you felt his eyes bore into you. At this point in time, all you could think of was him. He didn’t have the right to just instantly message you like that. Why did he choose now? When you were just managing to forget about him and appreciate your time here, as much as your mind challenged the whole living situation.

“Y/N?”

“Oh right. Yes, Geneva sounds great. I hope you have a great time.” Your eyes lit up, if there was a time to escape before getting attached, it had to be now. “That’s great timing anyway. While you’re gone, I’ll be able to pack my bags-”

“Wait - pack? Where?” His eyes widened quickly and he reached his hand forward, immediately stopping you from moving any further. “Hold on. I need you to breathe, love.”

You stopped talking and did as he asked, noting the worry that shot into his eyes. He seemed like a deer in headlights. Though these terms of endearment were going to be the death of you.

“Talk to me. What’s up?”

“Look, I don’t want to be negative or anything but this? This isn’t right.” You huffed, “I shouldn’t be here, Jon. I should be out there finding myself somewhere else to live. The only reason I am here, and let’s be honest, it’s because you felt so much pity for me that you had to do something and I’m going to be honest, I don’t do sympathy. I can’t do sympathy. I don’t want it. As much as you want to call this my home just as much it is your home, that can’t happen because this can’t be my home I didn’t pay for anything here. I’m practically just a wet blanket around this place. You’re cool and all, I like you and I have never been this far with anyone but I feel like now’s the time the fun ends.”

He sat forward with his hand over his mouth, something that you knew only a man like him would do when he was annoyed or trying to figure something out. However, you couldn’t tell which one it was.

“Where’s this coming from? I thought you liked it here.” It took a second for him to piece the puzzle. “He’s contacted you - hasn’t he?”

“It’s nothing to do with that.”

The man rose from his seat and made his way towards you, leaning against the surface of his desk. The reading glasses he donned you could not lie, made him look more attractive than you expected him to be but you realised, not now. You couldn’t let those ideas come in now. He stepped casually towards the other side of the desk, right in front of you and at this moment in time you could finally take his figure in. There have been moments now and again where you found yourself coming close to him but it wasn’t like this. The tension in the air lingered between the two of you - unless you were the only one who could sense it.

“Do you like being here?” He asked, folding his arms with an observant look on his face.

“I - It’s not about whether I like being here or not.” You sighed helplessly.

“Well that’s a shame because I have enjoyed your company a lot here these past few days.” He leaned forward and reached for your hand, “And just so you know this goes beyond missing one lads night in with Duke. I enjoy it being a night in, just me and you, drinking and watching every single ridiculous film possible and criticising it while drunk. I don’t know about you but I’ve loved being around you - the sarcastic, stupidly stubborn woman before me.”

“Yes I’ve enjoyed being around her too.” You mumbled with a smirk.

“See!” He chuckled lightly. “Come on, tell me something. If you really didn’t want to be here, why did you stay so long? Because you’d feel bad for me? Or is it something else?” He slowly reached for your hand and pulled you to him. There was a silence between you two, before he pulled you close. Subconsciously, you interlocked your fingers with his, moving closer.

“Let’s go to somewhere.” He said.

“I’d like to say I like your thinking but where on earth are you planning to go?” You pulled your head back, confused.

“Anywhere, after this. A holiday. Somewhere away from work. Get so fucking drunk and have such a wild time that when we come back maybe you’ll feel differently about what home feels like. We can get to know each other. Nothing better than friends having fantastic bloody time abroad. What happens in Geneva, stays in Geneva sort of thing.”

“Isn’t that a bit spontaneous - even for you?”

“It depends on how you look at it. This is an opportunity to go anywhere and I know, Miss Independent, you want to pay for something on your own but that's not happening this time. I don’t want to stop you from being you but I also want you to move away from money troubles. Being honest, I just want you to have a break from all you've been through these past few weeks and if I could take you, it would be my absolute pleasure.”

#007 #british #fanfic #daniel craig #james bond #james bond 007 #literature #mi6 #casino royale #fanfiction #tom hiddleston/reader #tom hiddleston x reader #tom hiddleston #michael fassbender x reader #michael fassbender #james mcavoy x reader #james mcavoy

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sithlordintraining · 7 years ago

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When A Man Loves A Woman

A/N: This is a story about a girl and broken relationships. Y/F/N= Your father’s name.

tagged: @rebeccamaximoff @hoe-for-kylo

Tell Me More Masterlist

Summary: Greaser Kylo Ren fell in love with good girl Rey Kenobi over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? OF COURSE, with a little help from their friends and some singing. But that was Junior year, can their love really stand the course of Senior year, college applications, and other teenage problems?

Kylo dragged his feet through the door. The sound of laughter could be heard coming from the kitchen. He saw the smoky air and knew it had to be boy’s night. The different, but deep, laughter from Han, Chewie, and Lando continued without even catching a breath. Kylo thought he was in the clear, halfway up the stairs, until the short middle-aged woman appeared. “Ben, is that you?” Leia called. “Yeah.” He croaked. The doorbell rang and he was asked to get it. He rolled his eyes and swung the door open. It was two people he really didn’t want to see: Uncle Luke and Mr. Kenobi. A blush hit his face immediately as the two men cut their conversation to greet him. “Hi, Mr. Kenobi, Uncle Luke.” He mumbled. The men moved passed him. “Oh Ben, are you going to join us so I can get you back for skipping History?” Luke joked. Mr. Kenobi gave him a judging look. It wasn’t a secret that Rey’s father wasn’t the biggest fan of Kylo nor the relationship, especially since he always saw it as him weighing Rey down. “I-I don’t know, I have homework.” And began to sneak his way upstairs.

It seemed like a good ten minutes before he was being called again. Rolling his eyes, he made his journey downstairs to see his mother with her hands on her hips. “Yes, mom.” He groaned. “Ben, we have guests, that’s rude to not say hello. Go in there right now.” She pointed. His large form slid past her as she went to open the door that was yet again ringing. Entering the smoky kitchen, Han, Chewie, and Lando greeted him with a loud roar. “THERE HE IS!” Han smiled. “Come on and play with your dad.” Han pulled him closer. “Oh no, Han. I taught him, he’s mine.” Lando pulled. “Just choose so I can whip you already!” Luke yelled fixing himself a drink. “Look who’s here!” Leia’s voice rang out. “Y/N!” Kylo got out of the men’s hold and over to his best friend. His large arms wrapped around her tightly. “Thank you for saving me.” He whispered into her hair. You just laughed at his dramatics. “Looks like you’re the superhero now, Moonbeam.” Mr. L/N chuckled. Kylo removed himself to greet him. “Y/F/N, let me introduce you to Obediah Kenobi.” Han beckoned. “Obediah, Y/F/N; Obi here is the lead doctor at Hoth Hospital and Y/F/N is the country’s best defense attorney.” The two men greeted each other and humbly denied what Han said was true. “And this is my daughter Y/N.” Your father put his hands on your shoulders. “You attend Hoth as well?” The man shook your hand with a firm handshake. “Yes,” You smiled. He looked at you and Kylo before retorting “If I would’ve known, I would’ve told Rachel to come so you could have a friend.” But you didn’t catch on because you were trying to figure who Rachel was. “Rachel?” Your arched brows furrowed. “Rey,” Kylo whispered. You didn’t mean to laugh but you did and it came off disrespectful. “I-I I’m so sorry, I just, I just thought it was Rey and that’s it. I’m surprised, but it’s ok, I have a friend.” You turned to Kylo. “Thanks for the concern.” You smiled, eyes widening realizing how disrespectful this whole conversation was becoming. But now you realized where Rey got her snooty attitude from. “Oh, I like her! Princess, you play poker? Because my team needs a mouth like that.” Lando called you over. Everyone laughed except for Mr. Kenobi and the hidden one from your father. “No sorry. She’s grounded hopefully you need some help around here?” Mr. L/N asked Leia. “Good!” Leia pulled at both the teenagers. “You can help Ben clean out the basement, so next time, they play down there.” They couldn’t even reply before they were shoved in the basement.

“Oh, this is the famous whirlpool!” Y/N exclaimed causing Leia to snort. “What?!” “Benji wouldn’t stop raving about it.” You shrugged nonchalantly. The tips of his ears turned red and poked out underneath his raven hair. “Really? Yet he has yet to do any of his own laundries.” “MOM!” She shushed him as you giggled like a child. “Oh, that’s a pretty necklace you have there.” Leia walked towards Y/N who began to beam. “Thanks, Mrs. Solo. My boyfriend gave it to me for Christmas. He couldn’t wait.” Both she and Leia giggled. “Sounds about right, Han couldn’t even wait a day after he picked up the ring.” She smiled at her hand and Y/N gushed about how beautiful it was. From the corner, Kylo watched with warm eyes, his best friend and mother talking about wedding rings. A strange feeling was whirling in his stomach at the sight. “Yeah, we are waiting for this one to ask for it for Rey.” This quickly pulled Kylo out of his gaze as he concentrated on your face, he expected to see some type of disgust or disappointment but instead, you were just happy.

Some time had passed between then and now, Leia stood on the stops patrolling the two teens like a warden. “I’ll be back, you two. Behave!” Leia said leaving her post. Kylo waited until he could hear his mother’s footsteps before asking you the question that’s been gnawing at the back of his mind.”W-why are you grounded?” You turned to see him staring at you. You chuckled a little before starting: “After the match on Tuesday, we all went out to eat and then the movies and I went past curfew.” You laughed but Kylo didn’t find this funny. “Y/N, I don’t think you should be joking about Juney getting you in trouble.” He stated. Your (y/e/c) eyes shined in front of him. “It wasn’t like that. He rushed me home and I didn’t have my key so he rushed me to Daddy’s firm and apologized for making me late and it was only five minutes past. It was so funny. Even Daddy thought so! He told Juney every day for every minute. But, it’s nothing serious. If it was, do you think I would be here?” You questioned him and he just shook his head. “Look what I found!” You were peering into a box. Kylo came up to you as your revealed two colorful recorders. A wide smile spread across his face; taking the red one, he blew the dust off. “I can’t believe you still have these, especially mine.” Your eyes scanned the plastic instrument. Your heart tugged and you didn’t know if it was from happiness that he kept it or sadness because you gave it to him before you moved away when you were younger. (Y/e/c) eyes looked up solemnly. “I’m sorry Benji. I didn’t want to leave you.” You sighed.

Kylo sat on a sturdy box as his mind drifted to that day you two were practicing for the Christmas show. It was in this basement when Han came down to tell the kids to stop and Y/N’s mother wanted to see her. You gave him your recorder and told him ‘you’d be back’. He watched you, unknowingly, climb those stairs for the last time. He waited for you, recorders in hand until Han called for him and told her she wasn’t going to come back. Apart of him felt that his resentment towards his father came from her. From the first time Han scolded his strong attachment to the girl, that moment seemed like Han finally getting his way and removing Y/N from his life. As time went on, he became insecure, her being his only friend, he thought she did this; that it was her fault. But it was proven wrong every time she came back, yet he still couldn’t shake that feeling. So when those words came out her mouth, he knew that the situation was bigger than both of them. They were just children, even still. Standing from his spot he sauntered towards her. His large hand enveloped hers as they both felt their heart beat against each other’s chest. “It’s not your fault.” His breath fanned against her cheek. “But you can do me the honor of playing ‘Jingle Bells’ with me.” A toothy smile made his eyes shine brightly in this dim room and you swore this was the happiest you’ve seen him. “Okay,” you nodded.

“What is that sound?” Han asked the guys who just ignored it. “No,” He hushed them. “I know that sound.” Han became paranoid the more the high-pitch squeals rejoiced. Everyone else thought maybe it was a busted pipe but soon the sound came together to be an off-putting Christmas song. “No one look!” Slamming his cards down he made his way to the basement where he saw the two teens smiling as they butcher ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’. It reminded him of when they were children, that smile was quickly wiped away as an off-note screeched through the air. “ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! Don’t start this again!” Han startled them. “Come on upstairs, no more concerts.” He told them and waited for them to follow him. As the three of them made upstairs, they saw Luke, Mr. Kenobi, and Mr. L/N getting up. “Oh did you lose money that fast?” Han joked. “My wife just called, they need me at the hospital.” Rey’s father said. “I’m broke.” Luke shrugged. “Sounds like my daughter has caused enough trouble down there so, we should be going.” Your father said. You waved goodbye to the men in the kitchen and the ones in the hallway. “Tell your mom I said bye, Benji.” You wrapped your small arms around his middle as he pulled you into him closer, cherishing this moment. You pulled back and tugged on his hair. “OW!” “You need a haircut.” You teased. “Thank you, kid. I’ve been telling him that.” Han joked. Kylo watched as his dad let everyone out before his attention was on him. “Come hang with us in the kitchen.” Han dropped his arm around his son.

With his hands in his pocket, Kylo went along with his father. “Where is Mom?” He questioned. “She went to get us some cakes from Dex’s, join us before she scolds you for not cleaning.” He patted his son’s shoulder. Kylo dropped both recorders on the table and just stared at them. Lando began to deal the cards. “You alright there kid?” He asked. “Yeah.” Kylo nodded. The silence set in once more as they looked at their cards. His Uncle Chewie was the first time to initiate the conversation. “So Rey is your girlfriend, right?” Ben nodded. “And Y/N is your friend.” “Best friend.” Kylo corrected. Chewie just shook his head. “How long have you two been together?” Chewie asked. “All my life.” Kylo mumbled. The three men looked at each other knowing that, that was not the girl they were asking about. “How’d you two meet?” Lando asked. “We went to preschool together. She was my first friend, my only friend.” He picked up the top card from the deck. “Do you remember how you met her?” Chewie asked. “No…she’s just been there for as long as I could remember.” The corner of his lips tugged up. “She almost drowned,” Han said. Kylo’s eyes looked up at his father. “What?” “They asked how you met, she almost drowned, you met Rey because you saved her from drowning,” Han said as everyone’s eyes were on the boy. It was in that moment he finally realized, they weren’t talking about you.

“Ben,” He turned to his left to look at him. “Do you want to start from the beginning or just all the recent stuff?” Uncle Chewie inquired. Soft brown eyes looked at the man in front of him, his father, for a right answer. Han nodded. So Kylo spilled everything, from every little fight with Rey to all the big ones with you; he talked about homecoming, Juney, the party, Thanksgiving, everything! The game was long forgotten as the men listened to him. “Sounds to me like your mind’s made up,”Chewie said. “Loud and clear.” Lando squeaked. “You’re in love with Y/N.” Kylo looked up with unconvincing eyes as he shook his head no. “Yes!” Chewie and Lando said in unison. He looked down before asking the inevitable. “What do I do?” His lips were bright pink as he bit back the tears that threatened to fall. And of course, his gaze fell on Han. “Well, I think it’s time everyone goes home.” Han stood up collecting the poker supplies. Lando and Chewie groaned because they knew the conversation was only going to get serious once they left. Sending Kylo good luck, they left. Kylo just remained in his seat as his father silently cleaned up.

“If you’re going to yell at me, I’m not in the mood,” Kylo spoke bluntly. Han froze giving his son a look, he wanted to scold him but seeing those now bloodshot eyes and how the situation affected him, he couldn’t. “I can’t tell you what to do.” Han sighed. “Next year, you’ll be in college and a job, you’ll be a man. And the only thing I can do is prepare for you to be a good one.” Kylo watched as his father leaned against the counter. “You know you’re the only guy I know that liked someone for almost the same amount of time they’ve been living?” Han joked to lighten the mood, but it didn’t work. “Look, kid, I know I’m hard on you when it comes to her but I didn’t think of it as something…this serious. Right now, you’re in the worst position because of Rey. It’s been a year and you two have been so steady and since the arrival of Y/N I don’t see or hear about Rey from you at all.” Han told Kylo. “We aren’t the same.” Kylo shook his head. “I thought being with her would make me better, the person everyone wanted me to be because everyone hates who I’ve become. Rey is constantly trying to get me to be someone I’m not! And then there is Y/N who just makes me feel like I don’t have to be anyone but myself. Her and Juney are so real with each other, they take each other and all flaws. And I-I just want that, I want something real and I want it with her!” The tears streamed down Kylo’s reddening face. Han rubbed circles on his son’s back. “Well, there’s no winning in this. You can either keep hurting yourself and stay quiet, or speak up, but others might get hurt too.” Kylo looked up at his dad. Footsteps could be heard approaching before Leia appeared. “Where did everybody go?” She held the layered chocolate cake in her hand and then gave Han the evil eye. “Why’d you make my big boy cry?!”

P.S.: Can you tell I’m growing into someone who isn’t affected by past relationships?

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sushigirlali · 4 years ago

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If You Don’t Love Me, Lie To My Face - Part III (Reylo Fanfic)

Part I | Part II | Part III | Epilogue

Summary: Grifter!Rey helps U.S. Senator Leia Organa’s son, Ben Solo, out of a jam when a couple of muggers invade her turf. Afterward, she debates robbing the rich American herself, but can she protect her heart while stealing his?

Pairing: Rey + Ben Solo | Finn + Poe Dameron

Rating: E

Continuity: Modern AU

A/N: Thanks for coming along on this journey with me! I had so much fun writing this fic, it's been in my head forever! I'd love it if you checked out my other fics too :)

Master list –> AO3 | ff.net | Tumblr

——————

If You Don’t Love Me, Lie To My Face - Part III

By: sushigirlali

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Kennington, London

——————

Cracking her door open, Rey was glad to see Ben sitting up in her double bed. "Feeling better?" she said hopefully.

"Yeah, except for the massive headache," he winced.

"Maybe this will help?" She crossed to her window and closed the curtains, making the room darker. "Would you like a cold rag for your head?"

"That would be great," he said thankfully.

Going into her small attached bathroom, she grabbed a cotton washcloth from below the sink and ran it under the cold faucet for a few seconds. Squeezing out the excess, she returned to Ben's side and sat next to him on the flowery comforter. Brushing his hair back, she gently placed the cloth over his wide forehead.

"That's nice," he sighed, leaning into her touch. "Where are we?"

"Finn's and my place. We're actually only a couple blocks from The Black Prince."

He looked around her sparsely furnished room. "Nice but functional," he said. The walls were sand colored and held several pieces of fine art, but the only personal touches were the collection of photos of Rey and her brother scattered atop a large oak dresser in the corner. "Not exactly the Batcave I had pictured, though."

"Batcave?" she snorted. "We traffic in stolen goods, Ben. We're not heroes."

"Still my hero," he murmured, taking her free hand.

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Just stay with me."

"Alright," she whispered, wondering if he remembered all the pronouncements he'd made on the way into the building. "Can I lay next to you?"

"Please," he nodded, scooting over a bit. "Did you remove my shoes?"

"Yeah, when we brought you in," she said, making sure the washcloth wouldn't slip before curling into his side. "Are you comfortable?"

"As comfortable as I can be lying in bed with you while not being able to do anything about it," he said with a strained laugh.

"Well, there's always tomorrow," she smiled.

"I certainly hope so," he said idly, pulling their linked hands onto his chest. "I meant what I said, you know."

She turned her cheek to look up at him. "What do you mean?"

"I think I'm in love with you."

"Oh, you do remember," she said blankly, unsure how to react. It was one thing to hear the words in apparent jest, but… Ben sounded perfectly coherent now.

"It's okay if you don't feel the same way, I know it's too fast," he continued bravely. "I just wanted you to know. I'm not sure what's going to happen and I may need to leave London for a while."

"Leave?" she said numbly, half sitting up to stare down at him. "Why would you leave?"

"Well, my mother may need me back in the States. This business with the First Order probably can't be resolved here."

"Why not?" she demanded. "We can fight them! I can train you!"

"Rey," he said helplessly, "we don't even know exactly why they're after me. It has to do with my mother's campaign, I'm sure, but the particulars are still unknown. And I appreciate the offer, but a physical confrontation won't solve anything."

She fell silent, knowing he was right but hating it just the same. It was the first time in a long time that she felt truly helpless. “I only know how to fight with my fists, but that won't work this time. Still, the thought of losing him when they'd only just found each other was unbearable.”

"Listen," he murmured, tugging her down on top of him, "I don't want to go. I don't want to leave you. I want to see where this thing between us goes."

"So, don't," she begged, leaning down to kiss his soft lips. "Be with me."

"Rey," he breathed, deepening the kiss. "Rey, I—"

"Ben!" They shot apart as Poe burst into the room, Finn at his heels. "Are you alright?"

Covering his eyes with the damp cloth, Ben guiltily sank back onto the bed like his mother had caught him necking. "Oh, what'd you have to call him for."

"Shut up," Poe said, flinging a huge medical kit onto the edge of the mattress. He opened the case and retrieved a small flashlight and a stethoscope.

"How many jobs do you have?" Rey said incredulously. "I hope he's paying you enough, geesh."

"A lot, I was an army medic before this," he said shortly. "And no, he doesn't. At least, not enough to put up with being his friend."

"I'm still here, you know," Ben mumbled, tugging the compress off his face to frown at them.

Poe indicated for Rey to move so that he could get to Ben's right side. She obligingly rolled over into sitting position as he shined the penlight in Ben's face.

"Follow the light with your left eye. Okay, now with your right. And again." When he was satisfied, Poe dropped the light and used the stethoscope to listen to Ben's heart. Murmuring a pleased sound, he moved to inspect the bump on Ben's head. "Alright," he said, not seeming too bothered by it, which was heartening, "let me check your blood pressure just in case, but I don't think you have a concussion."

"So, I'm not dying?" Ben said drolly.

"Not today, buddy."

"Thanks, Poe, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Me either," he said pointedly. "Now, if you feel like you can stand, maybe we can all go out to the living room and talk things over. I've already called Leia—don't look at me like that, she needed to know—so, I have a lot to tell you."

"Is it bad?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, Snoke wants her to drop out of the senatorial race and endorse him instead," Poe said darkly.

"Or else?"

"Or else he'll kill you."

——————

"So, Poe, what kind of Chinese food do you like?" Finn queried, flipping through a stack of menus in the kitchen.

"Again?" Poe looked at Rey and Ben.

"Well, we never actually got around to eating dinner last night," Ben said sheepishly.

Rey hid a smirk, remembering why. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've eaten anything since yesterday afternoon."

"What?" Ben and Finn rounded on her.

"Peanut, you can't just starve yourself!" Finn said.

"Why didn't you tell me, sweetheart?" Ben asked. "I would've grabbed you a roll off the table at lunch!"

"Hey!" Rey blustered, putting one hand on her hip. "You," she pointed at Ben, "kicked me out after he," she pointed at Finn, "sent a bunch of incriminating text messages! I didn't really have time to eat between then and now!"

"I said I was sorry!" Finn defended.

"Well, I'm sorry!" Ben said at the same time.

"Sweet and sour."

"Huh?" the trio said, turning to Poe.

"My favorite Chinese dish is sweet and sour pork with white rice," he stated clearly. "Can we move this circus along? It's starting to get dark."

"Sure, I'll add it to the order!" Finn said congenially. "But just so you know, you're welcome to stay the night if we go too late."

"And sleep where?" Poe scoffed. "That dingy sofa?"

Finn smiled broadly. "I'm sure we could find you a bed."

"Oh," Poe flushed, seeming to catch his meaning. "Well… maybe, I guess. If it gets too late."

Exchanging a speculative glance, Rey and Ben strategically moved into the living room. "Order us whatever, we're just gonna watch the telly."

"Yeah, fine," Finn said carelessly, still looking at Poe.

"So, what do you like?" Poe casually inquired.

"Oh, you know, a little bit of everything."

——————

An eternity later, or forty minutes, she wasn't sure, a delivery man dropped off a mountain of delicious takeaway.

"Am I in heaven?" Rey purred, opening box after box of food.

"Definitely," Ben chuckled, passing out plates and chopsticks.

Finn sat down next to Poe and across from Rey at their small rectangular dinner table. "So, why's old man Snoke after you, anyway?"

Ben's movements became a little clumsy, but he managed to sit down and start filling his plate without spilling anything. "I worked for him out of college. He was a political opponent of my mother's and I wanted to… break away for a while."

Rey placed a comforting hand on his thigh under the table. "What happened?"

"It was fine for a little while," Ben explained, "I felt like my own man for the first time in my life…"

"But?"

"But then I caught him doing some pretty unsavory stuff, so I left," he finished. She could tell there was more to the story, but she didn't press. "My family tried to warn me about him, but I didn't listen. And now it seems he's trying to destroy us all."

"Well, we're not going to let him," Rey said fiercely.

"Thanks," Ben beamed, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

The four of them ate quickly, then retired to the living room to plot.

"I'm expecting a call from your mom soon," Poe informed them. "Leia said she was going to call Han and see what he could do to help."

"Han?" Rey said curiously.

"My father," Ben put in. "He's kind of a…"

"Criminal?" Poe finished.

Ben twisted his hand from side to side, "Kind of? It depends on the day and who owes him a favor."

"But isn't your mom a U.S. Senator?" Rey said, surprised. "How can your dad be involved in criminal activity and be married to her?"

"Honestly, in our country, it'd be weirder if he wasn't," Ben lamented.

"Huh."

"At any rate, what can he do to help?" Finn piped up.

"Well, he has connections in—wait, this is her calling." Poe pushed the talk button and then put it on speaker. "Leia? You're on with Ben and me and some… friends. What's the latest?"

"Ben?!" she said at once. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

"I'm fine, mother, just a scratch," he assured her. "How are you?"

"At my wit's end!" she said honestly. "Han thinks he's found a legal solution to this debacle, shockingly, but I'm afraid I may have to drop out of the race before we're sure."

"You'd really do that?" Ben sounded dumbfounded.

"Of course, darling, I love you more than my career."

"Mom…"

"Now, I know this may be a lot to ask, but would you consider coming home for the time being?" Leia said solemnly. "Poe has told me about your young woman, but I'm worried about your safety in London."

Rey kept her eyes averted when Ben turned to look at her. Despite her initial resistance to the idea when they were alone, she didn't want him making decisions about his safety based on her feelings.

"I—yeah, I can do that," he conceded.

"Excellent, my assistant booked two tickets for you and Poe tomorrow morning at 9:00AM, a direct flight from Heathrow to Dulles," Leia said briskly.

"Thanks, mother," Ben said tightly. "Pretty sure of yourself, huh?"

"Just hopeful," she responded airily. "Poe, please bring him straight home once you arrive."

"Yes, ma'am," Poe said dutifully. "We'll see you soon."

"Good night, then, and stay out of trouble!"

Staring blindly at the phone as Ben's mother ended the call, Rey jumped when he put an arm around her.

"I know it's still early, but since we have to be on a flight first thing tomorrow, why don't we try to get some rest?" Ben proposed. "It's been a long day."

Rey nodded and let him help her up. She heard Finn and Poe talking, but was too distracted by her own troubles to really listen. Whatever they decided about Poe staying over, she hoped Finn's heart wasn't as in danger of being broken as hers.

——————

Following Ben into her room, she barely noticed when he sat her on the bed and went to turn on the shower. Though her life of crime was far from normal, everything that had happened in the last 24-hours seemed like something out of a pulpy romance novel. "How did I let this happen?" she mused. It was beyond ridiculous that she should be so downtrodden about a man she hadn't even known yesterday morning leaving her.

"Rey, can you come in here, please?" Ben called.

Rousing, she slipped off the bed and walked into the bathroom. He was already in the shower stall, clothing folded neatly on top of the toilet seat. "What is it?"

He pulled back the opaque white curtain and she caught her breath at the full force of his nudity. "Do you have anything I can wear tonight? I just realized that I don't have a change of clothes."

"No," she said absently, tracing his glistening muscles with hooded eyes.

"No?" he repeated.

"No," she affirmed, starting to strip. "You won't be needing clothes tonight, Ben."

"I won't?" he gulped.

Rey let her clothing fall into a heap at her feet, not bothering to pick them up. "No," she confirmed, placing a hand on his stomach and pushing him backward so that she could join him. Ben's muscles jumped under her touch, making her feel powerful.

"Rey," he said softly, gazing down at her like she was the beginning and end of his rainbow.

His expression made it all better, somehow. Like maybe this thing between them wouldn't end when he left.

Warm water splashing over them, Rey wasted no time in palming his rapidly hardening penis. "Are you still dizzy?" she asked, just holding him in her hand for a moment.

"No," he choked, leaning against the cool tiled wall so that she had more room.

"Do you have a headache?" she persisted, dragging her thumb over his weeping tip.

He shook his head. "The painkillers Poe gave me helped."

"That's good," she murmured, stroking him up and down a few times. "I can barely wrap my fingers around you. Do you see?"

"Yes," he groaned, fists clenching at his sides as he let her do what she wanted.

"You're so big I'm not sure if you'll fit inside my mouth," she added huskily. "Should I try? What do you think?"

"God, Rey! Please!"

"I love it when you say my name like that. Do it again and maybe I'll suck your cock," she taunted playfully.

"Fuck, Rey!" he shuddered, eyes going nearly black with lust. "I want it! I want your mouth on me, Rey! Baby, please!"

"Well," she said demurely, maneuvering so that she could kneel in front of him without getting sprayed in the face with water, "how can I say no when you ask me so nicely."

"Rey!" he gasped at the first press of her lips against his plump head.

"Mmm," she agreed, tonguing his salty skin. "Did you invite me in here because you wanted to get fucked?"

"Yes!" he admitted.

She ran her fingers along his shaft as her mouth continued to work on his crown. "So, anyone would do for you, then?"

"No!" Ben denied. "No, only you! I only want you! You're everything to me, Rey!"

"You don't even know me," she charged, driven by personal demons that she was only just realizing had prevented her from forming long term attachments to anyone but Finn.

"I do know you," he argued. "My heart knows you, my body knows you. I want you forever, Rey!"

"Then why are you leaving me?" she said almost involuntarily.

His eyes grew wide in sudden understanding. "I'm coming back," he promised, touching her sodden hair.

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

Rey bit her lip. "How can you be so sure? This could be anything."

"It's love," he insisted.

Feeling her walls starting to crack, Rey renewed her attentions, half swallowing his cock in one go, determined to make sure that he remembered her. Ben swore he was going to come back, and somewhere in the back of her mind she believed him, but better safe than sorry.

"I want him to wake up every day and wish he were here with me. I want him to come back. I want him more than anything!"

Hollowing her cheeks, she took him as best she could, bobbing her head up and down in time with the movement of her hands. Ben was gasping her name on every pull, tunneling his fingers into her hair in an attempt to hold on without overwhelming her.

She knew he could take control if he really wanted to, he was much bigger than her, but despite taking immense pleasure in what she was doing to him, he still cared about her and wanted to enjoy her efforts without hurting her. "Fuck, I think I love him too."

"Rey, I'm going to—can I—on your breasts?" he panted, knees starting to shake.

Releasing him from the moist cavern of her mouth with an audible pop, she gripped him tightly between her hands. "Are you going to paint my chest, Ben?" she said in a low voice. "Do you want to make a mess all over me?"

Flushed and overwhelmed, Ben's whole body vibrated as he came, spurting across her skin like a hot brand. It was the most erotic thing Rey had ever experienced, and she'd fucked Ben bareback in a public restroom. "Wow," she said, awed by the wild look on his face.

He pulled her up by the hair in response, crushing her in a tight hug and taking her lips in a bruising kiss. Rey revealed in the feel of his arms around her, in the sticky seed sliding between their bodies. He seemed as out of control as she felt and she loved it.

"Take me to bed!" she begged, throwing her arms around his neck. "I want you on top of me and inside me! Right now!"

"I will," he said thickly, "but let me tidy you up a bit first." Quickly grabbing a loofah, he scrubbed them clean, running the sponge across her chest and between her legs until she moaned. Closing the faucet, he whipped the curtain back and scooped her up, dutifully carrying her back into the other room without bothering to dry them off.

Squealing as he dumped her onto her back, Rey scarcely had time to recover as he blanketed her with his damp body. He was already hard again, pressing insistently against her flat stomach. "I thought it was supposed to take longer for older men to get it back up," she teased.

"With you in their bed? Not likely," he growled, attacking her neck.

"Mmm… good to know, Solo." She turned her head to the side, enjoying the rough pressure. "But since this is my bed, I think that means I get to call the shots."

Ben seemed to like that idea quite a bit. "You'll have to tell me what you want, then," he said gruffly, sucking on the skin beneath her ear.

She curled her legs around his waist and pulled him closer. "I think you know."

"Yeah? Something like this?" he said, nudging her entrance with a flex of his hips.

Rey rocked from side to side in response, not hard enough for him to slip into her, but enough to create a delicious friction. "Getting warm."

He reached between them, rubbing her hood while pressing just inside her wet pussy. "How about this?"

"Warmer," she sighed, lifting her hips to draw him in deeper.

Ben filled her slowly, so slowly she felt light headed by the time his possession was complete. "Now?"

"Hot," she muttered, "so hot."

They moved in concert, not hurried like every time before, but in long, languid strokes. Ben continued kissing her skin, dancing between her neck, breasts, shoulders, and face. Being with him like this was everything she had ever wanted… and the sweetest expression of love she'd ever experienced.

Suddenly, she had to tell him. She may never get another chance. "Ben?" she said urgently.

"What is it?"

"About what you said earlier? About loving me?"

"Yes?"

"I think I love you too," she confessed.

He pushed her hair back, fixing her with an intense stare. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"We just met yesterday," he reminded her, "and you're still young."

"I know," she smiled, "but I do."

"I—thank you," he said so gratefully that she felt like crying. "I love you, Rey. It's all going to work out, you'll see."

"I believe you," she said. And this time, she really did.

——————

They lay close afterward, Ben spooning Rey's back. "What will you and Finn do while we're gone?"

"Get into trouble, probably," she responded, just to see what'd he say.

"Why am I not surprised?" he laughed. "At least promise me you'll be careful?"

"You don't want me to quit?" she said curiously.

"Well, I'd obviously rather you engaged in a less dangerous occupation, but it's not contingent on us being together," he assured her. "I know you're not literally stealing from the rich to give to the poor, but I don't think you'd never actually hurt someone."

"Just the odd goon in dark alleyways," she joked.

"Just them," he agreed.

Rey gathered her courage, knowing that she could trust his opinion about her future. "I've actually been thinking about going to university," she said tentatively.

"Really?" he replied. "What would you like to study?"

"Mechanical engineering," she admitted. "Do you think that's crazy?"

"Not at all," he said sincerely. "My dad actually went to school for that. He ended up dropping out before I was born, but now he runs his own airplane maintenance business."

"Wow, that's great!"

"Yeah, I'm occasionally proud of him," he chuckled.

"Do you think you'd be more likely to come back if I went on the straight and narrow?"

"I told you, it doesn't—"

"Don't say it doesn't matter," she interrupted, glad he couldn't see her face. "I come from nothing, you must know that by now. Finn and I barely escaped the foster system and your mother is a huge political figure. What if I embarrass you?"

"You won't," he said soothingly, kissing the back of her neck. "My mother is passionate about public service, but she isn't a total snob. She did marry my father, after all."

"Ben, I'm not kidding," Rey pouted. "Listen, I.. I want you to come back, okay?"

"And you don't think I will unless you change everything about yourself?"

She turned in his arms, affronted. "Don't be so conceited, it would be for myself as well."

"Yeah?"

"Yes! I want to build stuff, to make something with my own hands. I worked for a mechanic once. It was fun, taking cars apart and trying to fit them back together."

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out," he said, brushing her lips with his.

"Well," she said, kissing him back, "better late than never."

——————

Finn drove them to Heathrow the next morning and the mood inside his dented car was tense. It was like the last day at summer camp, that dreadful feeling of leaving your new best friend and going back to real life. You both say you're going to write or call, but will you?

"I have a bad feeling about this…"

Parking in a satellite lot instead of going to the drop off, the four of them walked into the airport together. Ben and Poe stayed with Rey and Finn until their plane started boarding and they had to get in the security line, not really talking but simply existing in the same space for a while longer.

"Call me," Ben told her when their flight was announced a second time. "Whenever you want. You've got my new number, right?"

"Right," she said, eyes bright. "Don't do anything stupid or I'll kick your ass."

"I promise I'll be careful."

Rey hugged him tightly, gripping the back of his black pullover. "I'll see you, then."

Ben tilted her chin up and kissed her soundly. "Yeah, you will. Goodbye, sweetheart."

Rey let him go. "Goodbye."

Finn wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they watched them walk away. "It'll be okay, sis. They'll be back, you'll see."

——————

"So, how'd it go with Finn last night?" Ben asked as they neared the waiting area. "I meant to ask earlier."

"We talked for a long time and actually found that we have a lot in common."

"Only talked?" Ben said teasingly, knocking his shoulder into Poe's.

"We might have also kissed this morning," Poe shoved him back, "but that's it. Not everybody makes marriage proposals on the first day, Solo."

"Oh, god, he told you about that?" Ben groaned.

"As I said, we talked a lot," Poe snickered.

"So, do you intend to see him again?"

"Yeah, when we get back."

"That's great!" Ben congratulated. "Hopefully they both keep out of trouble while we're gone."

"Finn said he's getting tired of ripping off rich people and wants to do something else with his life," Poe enlightened him.

"Really?" Ben said thoughtfully. "He's a great driver, you know. I wonder if he'll pursue something along those lines."

"Hmm… I know some guys in the local racing circuit. I'll mention it the next time we talk." Poe retrieved their tickets as they neared the gate. "What about Rey? Is she planning to keep up with the Robin Hood act?"

"She mentioned going to school for mechanical engineering, but I'm not sure." Ben handed his passport to the flight attendant, then followed Poe down the jet bridge after their tickets were scanned. "I got the impression that they have a lot of connections in the city, but I don't think anyone will come after them if they change up their business model."

Poe chortled at his euphemism. "True, Finn basically told me they don't have a crew, that it's just the two of them, so hopefully if they decide to…" he lowered his voice as they boarded the plane, "go legit… they won't get any heat for it."

"That would definitely be ideal."

"Are we asking too much of them?" Poe questioned, turning left into the first class section.

"No more than they're willing to give, I hope," Ben said, helping Poe stow their bags in the overhead compartment once they found their seats.

"And if they decide not to stop ripping people off?"

Ben let Poe take the window seat before dropping into the plush lounger next to him. "Then, they don't," he shrugged. "After the last couple days, being a grifter is honestly not a deal breaker."

"I'll drink to that," Poe said, pressing the call button. "After all, nobody's perfect."

——————

A/N: And then they went their separate ways... LOL JK! I've got a little more for you! Epilogue coming soon!

#reylo #reylo fanfic #reylo fic #ben solo #kylo ren #rey #finn #poe dameron #minor finnpoe #i miss them #sigh #my fanfiction #sushigirlali

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continuitygains · 7 years ago

Text

Road Trip

Lovely art by the absolutely amazing @zacktopus93!!

Also beta’d by the beautiful Lucie, who is Cliophilyra on AO3 <3

(Written for the Spideypool Big Bang, organized by @spideypoolfanfic)

Summary: Peter goes on a cross-country road trip during the summer to scatter Uncle Ben’s ashes, and ends up being joined by Wade, a hitchhiker who is actually a mercenary on the run from a job gone bad.

Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers, Minor Violence, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Kidnapping (turned ok??)

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 14k (I know, it’s a monster)

Read on AO3

It wasn’t until after Peter’s sophomore year of college that he finally decided to do it.

The little box of ashes had been sitting on the mantle for over three years. Every time Aunt May walked past it, she would stare sadly at it, running her hand over its smooth, black surface and the small brass plate engraved with Uncle Ben’s name.

When his uncle had first died, Aunt May had told Peter numerous times that they would go and scatter the ashes.

“We’ll do it soon, I promise,” she would say. “When you graduate high school. We’ll do it then.”

The promises continued until Aunt May collapsed only a couple of weeks before his high school graduation, clutching her chest. The heart attack didn’t cause any lasting damage, but the doctor told her that she would have to keep an eye on her heart rate, and that any travel was not recommended for the near future.

“Maybe after you’re done with college, honey,” Aunt May had told Peter softly from the hospital bed. Peter squeezed her hand without replying.

He missed his high school graduation, and spent most of the summer with Aunt May at home, taking care of her and getting ready for college. Gwen was there when she could be, but she was busy in California with her own life and college work.

And then college was a whole other demon. The constant work left him ragged and barely eeking by with the grades he needed. After a grueling first year, he wasn’t able to slow down. He continued to care for Aunt May and along with his photography he took a job at Starbucks to help pay the bills.

The next year of college was when he felt himself nearing his breaking point. After he was put on academic probation in the fall semester, he tried to pull himself together, but everything continued to spiral, and just as the spring semester ended, he withdrew in a last ditch effort to not be expelled and save his own sanity.

“It’s alright, Peter,” Aunt May had said soothingly, running a hand through his hair as he sat next to her on the couch. “These things happen. Don’t worry about the money, we’ll figure something out.” She held his hand as he choked back sobs.

A couple of weeks after that incident, as he drank his morning cup of coffee and watched television, the epiphany hit him. Aunt May didn’t even get out a ‘good morning’ before he blurted out his idea.

“I’m gonna drive out to Utah and spread Uncle Ben’s ashes.”

***

And that’s how he ended up here--in a gas station attached to a diner, right off of the interstate, with no other signs of civilisation for miles.

“Yeah, I’m just taking a break right now,” he said, balancing his phone between his shoulder and his ear as he picked up a bag of chips. “I’m gonna have breakfast, and then I’m hoping to drive at least another five hours before calling it a day--no, I’m not speeding, Aunt May. Yes, I’m being careful.”

He continued to try to allay his aunt’s fears as he checked out with his snacks and made his way into the diner connected to the convenience store.

“It’ll still probably take about ten days to get all the way there,” Peter continued as he sat down. He mouthed a ‘thank you’ at the waitress as she poured him some coffee. “Yes, I’m still doing fine--Aunt May, I’m not sixteen. I know it’s dangerous, but--who was supposed to go with me? No one else could… No, Gwen’s still in UCLA, finishing up her research.”

“She would’ve come and driven with you,” Aunt May huffed down the phoneline.

“It’s kind of too late now, Aunt May,” Peter said, rolling his eyes. “Listen, I’m fine, I’ll get to California safe and sound, okay? I’m about to eat, can I call you back later?”

“You better. Stay safe, alright?”

“I will.”

“And don’t pick up any strangers.”

“I won’t, Aunt May.”

Peter shook his head with a fond smile as he slid his phone back into his pocket. He couldn’t stay mad at Aunt May for long; she was all he had left, and she just wanted what was best for him. This was the first time he’d been gone for a long period all by himself, it was understandable that she was concerned.

“Yo.”

The voice was way too close to his ear, and Peter startled, jerking around. The man in the booth behind him had turned around, giving him a friendly grin. The man was probably a couple of years older than Peter, and was wearing one of the most hideous shirts that he had ever had the misfortune of seeing. It was floral print, some horrible mockery of a Hawaiian shirt, with neon colors and dolphins printed on it. He was also wearing a cowboy hat, the brim lowered to cover the majority of his face.

Peter frowned. “Can I help you?” he asked slowly.

“Actually, I was hoping you could.”

Without waiting for an invitation, the stranger stood up from his table, picking up his plate of pancakes and orange juice and sliding them onto Peter’s table before plopping down onto the seat opposite.

“I’m Wade,” the man said, jutting his hand out. It was calloused and covered in dozens of scars. Peter shook it cautiously.

“Peter.”

“Well, Petey, I hate being one of those assholes who eavesdrop, but I really couldn’t help hearing that you’re heading to California, too.”

Wade grinned ruefully, and jerked a thumb out the window. Peter followed where he was pointing, and saw a man hooking a car to the back of a tow truck. It was dented and rusty, with little holes punched into the doors that Peter couldn’t identify but which likely came from the same accident that had crushed the side panels in.

“Some a-hole totaled my car, and now I’m kinda stuck in the middle of nowhere,” the man said ruefully, looking around the diner.

Peter quickly picked up on the unasked question, and he tensed in discomfort. “Oh,” he said awkwardly. “Uh, do you need to call someone? You can use my phone…”

“Nah, I already bothered the waitress until she let me use the phone in the back.” As if to prove his point, the nearby waitress sent an annoyed glare in Wade’s direction. “Look, I know this is sudden and seems really sketchy, but I was hoping I could hitch a ride with you to California.”

Peter’s chest clenched up. Everything about this situation was uncomfortable: it was obvious he had to say no, even if Wade was staring at him with big eyes and seemed to have good intentions. (If they’d met in any other situation, Peter wouldn’t have minded even taking him out for a coffee). He opened his mouth to respond, but only managed to croak out a barely human noise.

“L-look, I’m sorry, man, but I don’t think I should,” Peter said awkwardly, tripping over the words. “I just--yeah.” His brain couldn’t move fast enough to think of a good excuse, and he felt the tips of his ears turn red.

“Ah, that’s a bummer,” Wade said with a deep sigh. “I mean, like, I could try to chat you up more and use my manly wiles, but that might get the cops called on me.”

Peter couldn’t help but chuckle, even though there was a surprising amount of guilt growing inside of him. “I-I can call you a taxi or something, though,” he offered. “Or help you find a bus?”

“Hey, it’s all good, don’t worry about it, dude,” Wade said, holding up his hands and giving Peter a charming grin. “It was a total shot in the dark, and I get why you wouldn’t want a total weirdo in your car. Thanks for listening to me, though.”

As Wade got up to go back to his table Peter was gripped with the sudden urge to do something really, really stupid.

“Hey,” he called after him. Wade turned around, a questioning look on his face.

Peter stared at him for a second, and swallowed heavily. “Is there a specific day that you need to get to California? Because I’m going a really long and roundabout way there.”

A slow grin spread over Wade’s features. Peter could see that he was practically vibrating with excitement. “Nope,” he said, popping his lips. “I have a completely open schedule.”

Peter nodded. “You’re welcome to come with me,” he said. “I mean, as long as you pay for gas money and chip in for the hotel rooms and stuff.”

“Done and done,” Wade exclaimed. Peter grunted as he was pulled into a tight hug, Wade bending down awkwardly so Peter didn’t have to stand up. “Don’t even worry about the money--I’ll pay for everything. It’s the least I can do. You’re the man, Petey-boy.”

Peter stared after Wade as he grabbed the duffel bag that was sitting in his abandoned booth, whistling as he went, and felt a hysterical laugh bubble up in the back of his throat. Well, this trip was meant to be spontaneous and this definitely counted as spontaneous. He could already hear Gwen and Aunt May’s voices ringing in his ears, telling him how stupid he was.

It might be good though, he thought, trying to persuade himself that he wasn’t an idiot. It’d be nice not having to pay for the gas and everything else by himself. And technically, it would keep him more alert, right? He’d be less likely to nod off and crash into a ditch after hours and hours of driving. (At least, that’s what he told himself).

Wade chatted and drank coffee while Peter continued eating. Within minutes Peter was in complete awe of the way the man seemed to be able to talk constantly yet not say anything at all. He silently hoped that Wade wouldn’t be able to keep this up for the hours of driving they had ahead of them.

***

Back outside of the diner, Peter opened the car doors and popped the trunk. Wade dropped his heavy bag in before jumping into the passenger seat. Peter shook his head in bewilderment as he climbed in on the other side, fumbling for the keys in his pocket.

“If you’re planning on robbing me, I should probably tell you I’m actually really good at fighting,” Peter blurted out.

Wade heaved a heavy sigh, and went to unbuckle his seatbelt. “Guess I might as well leave, then,” he said casually. “You’ve figured out my plan. The cat’s out of the bag.”

Peter froze, the key poised over the ignition. He stared with wide eyes at Wade.

“Kidding, I’m kidding.”

Peter made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat, but couldn’t stop the grin that was spreading over his face. “I try to be a good samaritan, and this is where it gets me,” he complained. “Stuck in the car with a weirdo.”

“See? Be heartless. It’ll stop situations like this from happening.”

“Are you telling me to kick you out?”

“Nah, it’s too late now.”

Peter snorted, shaking his head fondly. He reversed the car smoothly out of the parking spot and was soon back onto the open road.

“So, where ya from?” Wade asked casually, watching the scenery zip by.

“Queens.”

“Ooo, you’re far from home!” Wade chirped. “What’s got you heading all the way to Cali?”

Peter hesitated, his gaze darting from the road to the rearview mirror, where he could see the box of ashes sitting on the backseat. He thought about just giving a vague answer, but he figured it’d be better to answer honestly before his passenger caught sight of the box and got freaked out.

“To spread my uncle’s ashes,” he said.

“Oh. Shit.” Wade was startled, looking like a deer in the headlights. “Fuck, I’m sorry. Were you close? Uh, don’t answer that. Obviously you were, or else you wouldn’t be driving out here. What happened?”

Peter’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, remaining silent.

Wade also didn’t speak for awhile, but he seemed completely unable to be quiet. “...Alright, uh, I see that was a bit of a shitty question, so don’t answer that either.”

Peter huffed angrily, and reached down for his phone, unlocking it. “Here, play some music,” he said tersely, tossing it into Wade’s lap. “Make a playlist or something.”

Wade hummed thoughtfully, and quickly started tapping away. Peter occasionally glanced over, making sure that he hadn’t opened a different app or something, but the man stuck resolutely to Spotify. After what felt like an eternity, music suddenly blared through the speakers, and Peter burst out laughing.

“Did you just un-ironically put on Steely Dan?”

“You bet your butt I did.”

“Oh my god, what is your problem? I’m leaving you at the next gas station if you don’t change it right now.”

***

“So when you say roundabout way, how roundabout are we talking?” Wade said as he put the finishing touches to the playlist.

Peter grimaced. “I was gonna swing by New Orleans to see a friend and then just straight shoot it from there,” he said. “Probably stop by a couple of other places that sound cool, too. And then I’m gonna spread the ashes at Zion National Park in Utah. After that, it’s off to LA.”

Wade gasped excited. “N’awlins?! I haven’t been there in so long. And lemme tell you, the last time I went there, it was wild.”

“Really? You don’t strike me as the partying type.”

Wade laughed. “Well, I mean, there was a party, but I didn’t have time to join in on the fun, since it ended real quick.”

Peter hummed, sitting up a little straighter when he felt a twinge of pain in his back. “What happened?”

“I was workin’ a job there,” Wade said flippantly. “The mood gets kinda soured when you’ve been paid to kill the dude hosting the party.”

Peter blinked a couple of times. “Can you repeat that last bit?” he asked, his attention completely focused on the man in his passenger’s seat.

“Yeah, it was meant to be just a clean one and done kinda thing, but it seems like Lady Luck stepped out on me. So rude. So the person who hired me apparently wanted to catch me as soon as the job was done and off me too so he’d look like the hero for taking me out. I had to go running around New Orleans like a nutso--okay, like more of a nutso than usual--before I managed to shake ‘em and head back up north.”

Peter didn’t respond for a second. “Oh my god, there’s a crazy person in my car,” he announced calmly. He could already sense a stern talk between him and Wade regarding cracking jokes about murder to people Wade barely knew. “You sound like the script of a bad action movie.”

“Now that you mention it, I did actually try to write a movie once.”

***

They fell into a rhythm with shocking ease. It didn’t take long before Peter was comfortable enough that he was actively engaged in the conversations, not just giving a few sarcastic words at what Wade was saying.

When they settled in for the first night, Wade’s snoring definitely kept him up for a while, but in the end Peter was able to drown it out. And when Peter woke up in the morning, it was to Wade reentering the room with two coffees and a bag full of donuts hanging out of his mouth.

(And on the one time that Wade got blueberry muffins and found out Peter was allergic, he was almost inconsolable. He interrogated Peter and wrote down a list of all of his allergies and then his favorite foods and made sure to only get things Peter actually liked).

“Listen, I don’t care what your taste in music is, you have to admit that Cascada created a legendary banger with Everytime We Touch.”

“That doesn’t mean we have to listen to it on repeat, Wade.”

Wade had taken the time to make a ridiculously long playlist that had music to suit everything from seventies disco to early-2000s teenage girl’s room. He would belt out the lyrics, and more often than not Peter found himself singing along.

The best part, though, was that Wade didn’t seem to mind the dozens of times Peter suddenly stopped the car or did a U-turn to get out and take pictures. It always happened without any warning, just a sudden exclamation from Peter followed by a quick swerve and a stop. Peter would hop out of the car with his camera and photograph whatever had caught his attention at that moment. Wade would leave the car as well, stretching and admiring the view.

“So you’re a photographer?” Wade asked, toying with a dried branch he’d picked up on their last stop.

“Yeah, kind of,” Peter said. “I’ve done pictures for the newspaper before.”

“Damn, I’m in the presence of a celebrity,” Wade exclaimed. “Gimme your autograph at the next stop. Do I get to see the pictures, or are they top secret?”

Peter shook his head fondly. “I’m really not that special,” he chuckled. “It was just pictures of local events and other little things. But yeah, you can look through them. Just press that button.”

Wade started flipping through the pictures on the little screen on the camera, gasping and cooing at every picture.

“I want this one printed out and hung on my wall. Wait, wait, no, this one. No, actually these four. All of them. Just give me all of them.”

***

The sun was barely starting to set, and the car was in a comfortable silence. The music was playing lowly, barely audible over the engine, and Wade was staring out the window at the sunset.

“Okay, here’s a question,” Peter said after taking a drink from his water bottle. “What’s something you like that no one else likes?”

“Is this from one of those ‘ice-breakers for first dates’ books?” Wade said, scrunching his nose.

“I mean, it is meant to be an ice-breaker. Just answer the question.”

Wade hummed thoughtfully, tapping his chin. “Well, you made it clear that liking Steely Dan is unpopular in this car.”

“You’re definitely right with that one.”

“Heathen. Alright, what about you? What do you like that society deems unacceptable?”

Peter thought for a few moments, biting his lip. “I really like that show Rock of Love,” he said with a barely suppressed laugh. “It’s stupid, I know. My Aunt May hates those kind of shows so much. If I told her that, I’d be shot.”

“What? That’s so poopy of her! I would take a bullet for your right to like Rock of Love, baby boy,” Wade said dramatically, throwing his head back and holding his arms out.

A bitter laugh bubbled out of Peter, his good mood abruptly vanishing. “Then you’ll end up in a little black box being driven to Arizona, too,” he said, more forcefully than he intended. But the floodgates had already opened, and Peter couldn’t stop himself. “That’s how my uncle died. We got into a fight over...something stupid. I don’t even remember it now. It wasn’t a big deal. Me, being the dumb teenager that I was, ran off, even though it was the middle of the night, and him, being the goddamn responsible adult, went after me.”

Wade stared at him with wide eyes, but didn’t make a move to interrupt as Peter charged forward.

“And because of that, he found me about to get mugged, and he got in the way and ended up shot. I had to sit there with him until the ambulance came, but it was already too late, and it was all my fault.”

Peter’s voice cracked, his throat too tight with emotion to continue. He gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles, taking deep breaths, willing himself to calm down.

“Uh, wow, dude,” Wade said, clearing his throat. “That’s some deep shit.”

Peter deflated, flopping back in his seat. “I’m sorry, that was...inappropriate,” he said haltingly. “I shouldn’t have gone off like that.”

“Nah, dude, it’s chill,” Wade said, reaching over and patting him on the shoulder. “It sounded like something ya needed to get off your chest.”

Peter didn’t comment, staring ahead at the road. “I don’t...really talk about it,” he confessed. “I feel like everyone around me wants to forget about how it happened. Aunt May always look sad, and none of my friends are helpful. I don’t have the time to see a therapist regularly.”

“So you decided to go on a getaway road trip,” Wade surmised. “Trying to find yourself? Or some clarity or acceptance in the great outdoors and the wide, open road?”

“I--yeah, I guess.” Peter gave him a strange look. “That was deep, dude.”

Wade snorted, leaning over and tapping his forehead. “I’m smarter than I look, baby boy,” he stage-whispered. “But don’t tell anyone, ‘kay? I like it being a secret.”

Peter nodded. “Only if you don’t bring up, uh, anything I just said.”

“My lips are sealed.” Wade made a great show of pretending to lock his lips and throwing away the key. “But, if you ever need someone to hunt down the dude who did the thing-that-shall-not-be-named, just drop me a note. No one will even know it was you.”

“You just had to make it creepy, didn’t you?”

***

“Want some cashews?”

“Sure.”

“So, uh...you enjoying my nuts?”

“Don't talk to me.”

***

“You never told me why you’re going out to Cali,” Peter said absently as he fussed with the exposure on his camera.

Wade hummed, not moving from where he was sprawled out on top of the car. He had on a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses and a baseball cap with a cartoon bear on the front of it. “I quit my job,” he said.

Peter turned around to try and say something witty, but the words died in his throat. He swallowed reflexively at the sight of Wade lounging on the car, looking so relaxed and perfectly poised. He brought his camera up and snapped a picture, but whipped around when Wade turned to face him.

“Ah, so you’re tryin’ to make it in the City of Angels?” Peter joked loudly, aiming his camera and taking a picture in an attempt to hide his flustered . “That’s a dangerous move.”

“Eh, I’m more retiring than looking for something new,” Wade said, sliding off of the car and landing silently on his feet. “The business of killing people and destroying lives gets to be not fun after a certain point. Surprisingly, no one wants to be friends with someone like that.”

“I don’t know. I mean, even lawyers have friends, so there’s gotta be some niche of people who’d be into it,” Peter said. Satisfied with the pictures he’d taken, he went back to the car.

“Yeah, like you,” Wade laughed, and got comfortable in the passenger’s seat again. Peter glanced over at him and gave him a small smile, a flush dusting his cheeks.

***

As they entered New Orleans, Wade seemed to get...antsy.

He was fiddling with the dog-tags that hung around his neck, and seemed uncharacteristically pensive, staring out the window. He’d adamantly refused to take off his hat and sunglasses, even though the light was fast fading.

“Okay, Wade, you’re starting to freak me out,” Peter finally burst out. “Are you feeling sick? What is it? I never thought I’d actually be wanting you to talk, but here we are.”

“I’m trying to make sure those people I told you about earlier don’t find out I’m here,” Wade said, not looking at Peter. “That clusterfuck should be avoided at all cost.”

“So is that, like, code for an ex or something?” Peter asked. “I know you like to talk in riddles and stuff, but I need a clue here.”

Wade was about to respond, but Peter interrupted him by quickly swerving into the exit they needed, followed by a cacophony of honks from the other cars and a stream of curses from Peter. He quickly lost track of their conversation as he focused on trying not to crash.

It was dark by the time that they finally pulled up to the apartment building.

“Uh, yeah, this is the place,” Peter said, hunching over the steering wheel and squinting up at the building. “I can see MJ’s stuff in the window.”

He parked the car out in front of the apartment building. The two of them moved slowly as they grabbed their things--Peter only grabbing a change of clothes, while Wade took his entire duffel bag--and blearily made their way into the building and up to MJ’s apartment, using the code and key she had given Peter.

MJ’s apartment was small but cozy, with a nice view of the city and tasteful decorations. Both she and her roommate were off visiting friends in another state. MJ had felt terrible about missing the one time Peter was in New Orleans, but he promised that he would come back through on his way back to New York.

“Oh thank god, cleanliness,” Peter moaned, pressing his forehead against the back of the couch. “I don’t feel like I need to keep my shoes on the entire time we’re here. This is luxury.”

Wade snorted with agreement, dropping his bag onto the island in the kitchen.

After taking a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the apartment, Wade’s hunger let itself be known, his stomach growling loudly, and Peter’s quickly followed. They snooped around the kitchen but it was relatively barren, since MJ and her roommate hadn’t been there for the past couple of days.

“We could go out for some burgers?” Wade offered. “I know a place that’s a couple blocks away from here. My treat. We’ll be like father and son.”

Peter glared at him. “I don’t even want to know why those words left your mouth, or how your thoughts got there.”

“Well, that’s no fun, baby boy.”

“Stop calling me that!”

***

Dinner was the most fun Peter had had in awhile. It was nice that they had time to actually sit down and relax; all of the places they had eaten for the past few days were generally just greasy fast food. They might still be eating burgers, but at least these didn’t make Peter feel like his heart was going to kill him.

It also helped that Wade had been laying on the flirting much heavier than usual. He was all goofy jokes and fumbling pick-up lines that had Peter almost snorting his drink out of his nose. Halfway through his burger, Peter had plucked up the confidence to flirt back, his heart hammering in his chest when he successfully got Wade to let out his raucous laughter.

It was late by the time they left the restaurant. They chatted as they walked, their hands occasionally brushing, but both refusing to acknowledge it or actually hold hands. It was shockingly peaceful, the same contentment washing over Peter that he felt during their drives. The streets were relatively quiet as they strolled down the sidewalk, getting closer to MJ’s apartment.

Wade whirled around abruptly, eyes shining in the streetlights.

“Let’s go dancing,” he said excitedly.

“What? How are you not exhausted?” Peter said, but his words lacked any real conviction. Excitement was already fluttering in his stomach at the idea of staying out with Wade and spending more time with him. “We’ve been driving for two straight days.”

“Exactly!” Wade stressed. “We’ve been cooped up in a tiny, crappy car.”

“Hey!”

“So we should go and stretch our legs, do something fun!” Wade continued, ignoring Peter’s interjection. “C’mon, just for a bit. Pleaaaase? Wait, are you even legal? Is that why you don’t wanna go, because you’ll get kicked out?”

“I’m twenty-one!” Peter said defensively, crossing his arms.

“Um, alright, Mr. Babyface. I’m sure that fake ID in your pocket says so too, right?”

Peter knew that Wade was trying to rib him into going, and damn him, if it wasn’t working. He hated that he was a sucker for Wade’s puppy eyes. He grumbled angrily as he started marching back the way they’d came, Wade cheering next to him.

***

Okay, dancing was more fun than Peter had been expecting. He’d been ready to stand in the corner, holding a beer while Wade danced like a maniac. He was right about the second part, but Wade was able to coax him into the floor after a few songs.

If Wade wasn’t such a horrible dancer, Peter would have felt even more self-conscious. But when the man was literally doing the sprinkler on dance floor, Peter didn’t feel as bad about his subpar moves. If it were any other person, Peter would’ve thought that he was playing it up, but Wade seemed so genuine in his flailing arms and legs.

And then Wade was twirling Peter closer, making him let out a startled yelp, but he was quick to catch himself. Wade was grinning widely, panting slightly from exertion and eyes alight with excitement. Peter’s heart fluttered, and he smiled back at him as they started dancing together, Wade’s goofy faces making it impossible for them to do any moves smoothly.

It ended with them being pressed against each other, giggling like mad as they swayed from side to side, not particularly caring about the tempo of the song or the other people around them.It ended when a drunk person ran into Wade, effectively ruining the mood.

The two blushed, but neither made a move to reinitiate the intimacy they had shared.

“I think we should head back,” Peter said, clearing his throat. Wade nodded.

They walked back together in relative silence, shoulders brushing against each other. Peter berated himself for not making a move like he wanted to, not reaching out and grabbing Wade’s hand or stealing a kiss like he so desperately wanted to do. And he couldn’t get a reading from Wade; his cheeks were flushed, but he wasn’t making any kind of move, either, so maybe it was some kind of fluke.

All of a sudden, Peter felt Wade’s arm wrap around his waist. His eyes widened and his cheeks reddened, but before he could process anything, Wade spoke.

“Don’t look behind you,” Wade said, his lips barely moving as he urged Peter to keep walking. “We’re being followed.”

“Wait, what?”

Peter immediately tried to turn around, but Wade gripped his hip warningly.

“We’ll lose ‘em down that alley,” Wade said, glancing ahead at the space between two buildings.

“Are you kidding me? That’s the dumbest idea--”

There were suddenly strong hands around Peter’s arm that yanked him into the alley. The air was forced out of him as he was harshly shoved into a wall. He stood dazed, his head spinning as he fought to catch his breath. He could hear the sounds of a scuffle, and when he looked up, Wade was surrounded, fighting off three men.

Watching Wade move would have been awe inspiring, if it wasn’t also so terrifying. Everything seemed perfectly calculated--every punch, every kick, every snapped bone. The three men didn’t stand a chance against him, especially not after he pulled out a knife from his pocket and threw that into the mix.

Within a span of barely a minute, all three of the men were down. Only one was alive, and he was gasping for breath and holding the bleeding knife wound in his side. Wade casually strolled to the survivor, glancing over to where Peter was standing, frozen to the spot.

“You good, honey?” Wade asked, looking him up and down.

Peter managed to croak out a yes, still staring wide eyed at the man cursing on the ground.

Wade nodded in satisfaction before crouching down next to the man. “Didja guys really have to come and interrupt my date?” he whined, poking the man in the shoulder.

“F-fuck off, Wilson,” the man spat, any venom in his voice drowned out by fear.

Wade hummed, leaning closer and peering at the man’s terrified face. “Hey, your face looks familiar,” Wade said. “How do I know you?”

“I-I--”

“Wait, wait! Don't tell me. I love this game. Hmm.” He scratched his chin with the barrel of the gun thoughtfully. “Oh, right! Montreal. Coupla years back. You begged me to let you live because you had kids. How’re they doing? Are they in school yet?”

“Y-yeah, one’s in high school,” the man gritted out, holding his side and glaring up at Wade.

“Aw, congrats, dude. Those are some shitty years, but hopefully it’ll be smooth sailing for them. Do they have any college--”

“Jesus, just get it over with!” the man shouted. “If you’re gonna kill me, just kill me!”

Wade heaved himself into a standing position, wiping his bloodied knuckles off on his T-shirt.

“No, I’m trying to turn over a new leaf here, ok?” he said, holding his hands out for emphasis. “And it seems like you airheads haven’t gotten that yet, so I’m gonna leave you to tell everyone, while we continue on our glorious road trip to LA. I’m excited to go stop in Vegas, too. That Beatles show is still going, right? I’ll drop you a postcard and tell you how it was.”

Wade strolled over to where Peter was still pressed against the brick wall, eyes wide and jaw slack. He gently took Peter’s hand and the man was too shocked to even think about fighting or asking what the hell had just happened.

“Listen,” Wade sighed as they reached the apartment building. “I know it’s kind of sudden, but I don’t think he’s gonna be nice enough to let us finish up our stop in N’awlins, baby boy. Let’s get our things and skedaddle. We’ll find a nice hotel outside of the city.”

***

Peter wasn’t able to break out of his daze until they had repacked the car and were driving again.

“You killed them,” he finally said.

Wade looked at him with a frown. “Well, yeah,” he said, as if he were stating the obvious. “Didn’t you see they attacked first? Oh wait.” He turned a bit more and gave Peter a sympathetic look. “That was your first dead body, wasn’t it? I’m sorry, I thought you were hardcore, since you lived in Queens and stuff. If I knew I’d taken your dead body virginity I would’ve...actually probably nothing would’ve changed.”

Peter didn’t say anything. His heart was pounding in his ears, and his knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. Wade didn’t seem to notice, too busy putting on music and observing his bruising knuckles. Peter tried to make sense of what he’d just seen, but his thoughts were sluggish.

Okay. He had to think facts. Wade had apparently been telling the truth when he’d been spouting all that stuff about being a killer, and not speaking in crazy metaphors or just using his overactive imagination.

He saw Wade move out of the corner of his eye, and bit back a high-pitched shriek when he saw Wade had unzipped his bag and was pulling out a knife and two handguns. Inside, he could see glimpses of other weapons of all types.

“I was hoping not to bring out these babies out this trip,” Wade grumbled, putting the knife in his pocket before struggling to put on the gun harness he had also pulled from the bag. “I was really hoping it was gonna be all nice and peaceful, but, well…”

That was when Peter finally snapped.

Without any warning, he swerved onto the exit ramp, ignoring Wade’s questions. His tires screeched as he turned into an abandoned lot and slammed on the brakes.

“Peter, what the hell?” Wade shouted as Peter got out and slammed the car door behind him.

“You’re asking me what the hell?” Peter yelled, whipping around. “You just killed a man--multiple men! And you didn’t even bat an eyelash! You’ve--you’ve had guns and a goddamn machete with you this entire time and you didn’t tell me!”

“What? C’mon, baby boy, you saw that they started it,” Wade said, sounding confused. He climbed out of the car too, stuffing one of the guns in his waistband. He moved toward Peter who dodged to the other side of the car, putting the vehicle between them.

“If I hadn’t killed them, they would’ve killed us!” Wade insisted, throwing his hands up in frustration.

“But--they knew you! The weren’t random thugs!”

“Because he part of a gang I was hired to kill. I told you this before.” Wade said slowly, as if explaining it to a toddler.

Peter screamed in frustration, clenching his hands in his hair. “I can’t take this right now, Wade, I really cannot. I thought you were joking when you were talking about all of that stuff! Oh my god, I’ve been driving around a goddamn murderer next to me.”

Wade pouted. “Petey, baby, I’ve been telling you the truth the entire time,” he whined. “You can’t be mad at me because of that.”

“Yeah, okay, I think it’s time for you to leave,” Peter said, attempting to make his voice hard but failing spectacularly. “I’m--no, I am not getting into this with you. Find another ride.”

He faltered slightly, but kept his head high as he turned away from Wade.

Wade heaved a sigh behind him, but Peter refused to turn around. He pulled out his car keys and opened the car door.

“I really hoped I wouldn’t have to do this, but…”

Suddenly there was a strong hand holding his upper arm in a vice-like grip, yanking him harshly backwards. He could feel the point of a knife digging dangerously into his side. Peter squawked in shock and flailed his arms. By pure luck, the back of his hand smacked Wade straight in the face. It wasn’t a particularly hard blow, but it was enough to make the man grunt in shock and loosen his grip.

Seeing his opportunity, Peter shoved Wade away and made a sprint for the road. If he could just get to the road, then he could flag someone down, and get away—

He let out a startled yell when Wade was suddenly behind him again. He wrapped an arm around Peter’s waist and lifted him bodily out of the car. Peter kicked at him in a futile attempt to dislodge the man, but Wade’s muscles were clearly not just for show.

“Jesus H tap-dancing Christ, would you calm down?” Wade hissed, dragging Peter away from his potential salvation. “I’m not trying to kill you, I’m just trying to get you to listen—“

“Oh, really? Are you seriously trying to tell me to shut up when you just had a goddamn knife against my back?” Peter shrieked, fighting against him.

“Okay, listen, I know that probably gave you some mixed signals, but—“

“Shut up! Let go of me, you asshole!”

Wade let out a frustrated grunt as Peter landed another hit with his wild flailing, and stopped trying to grab at his arms in order to pull out the handgun from his waistband.

“Alright, see now I’m holding a gun to your head,” he snapped as Peter immediately froze. “Is that better than the knife in the back?”

Peter didn’t move, eyes wide as he stared straight ahead. He held his hands up in surrender as Wade set him down on his feet, and released the grip he had on his waist. Peter slowly turned around, dropping his gaze to the gun nervously.

“Are we done fighting now?” Wade panted, lowering the gun.

“I mean, I can’t exactly tell you no, can I?” Peter said slowly, brow furrowed and heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears.

“Aw man, can we not—gah, can you stop making me feel like such an asshole?” Wade whined, face scrunching.

Peter made a disbelieving sound. “No, I won’t, because you are an asshole. Asshole.”

Wade let out an angry sigh, and when Peter glanced at him apprehensively, he saw that he looked genuinely upset. “I really didn’t want for this to happen,” Wade said earnestly. “I was just--I really was just looking for a ride to Cali. I wasn’t trying to get you involved in any of this.”

Peter gave him a look, responding only with a grunt. It didn’t matter how genuinely upset Wade seemed by this situation--he was keeping Peter prisoner. He refused to feel any sort of sympathy for the man.

“Just—get in,” Wade muttered, pushing Peter back towards the car, still with a steel grip on his arm.

Wade shoved Peter into the driver’s seat from the passenger side and got in after him. “Get back on the road, pretty please,” he instructed. “We’re gonna keep going on to LA.”

“I should’ve known not to give you a ride,” Peter seethed from behind gritted teeth. “My aunt had just told me not to trust people like you, and what do I do? Ignore her.”

“Yeah, you should really be careful about who you let into your car,” Wade nodded. “You’re lucky that, like, I don’t want to hurt you. I could actually be a jackass, y’know?”

“Yeah, wouldn’t want you looking like a jackass in this situation.”

Wade made an affronted noise, but didn’t say anything, and that just added to Peter’s frustration. He slammed his palm on the steering wheel, startling both of them, but didn’t say anything. He was afraid his voice would break if he spoke, and that would just be the icing on the cake.

And then another horrible realization struck him: was Peter even going to get the chance to spread Uncle Ben’s ashes? Was this entire trip going to end in him having to go home--that is, if Wade even let him go home--with his tail between his legs, a bruised ego, and a depressingly full box of ashes? For some reason, that thought was the one that hurt the most, not his possible execution at the hands of a hitchhiker. He’d be doing Uncle Ben yet another disservice, letting him down even when he was dead.

He couldn’t be quiet about it. Even if it annoyed Wade and put Peter’s personal safety in danger, he was going to fight so he could spread the ashes. He had to.

“Do I at least get to stop at Zion and spread Uncle Ben’s ashes?” he managed to grind out, biting back tears of anger.

“Of freaking course!” Wade exclaimed. “I’m not gonna stop a grieving man from spreading his uncle’s ashes over a glorious national park. That’s too much, even for me. Especially for me. I am actually trying to get better at this ‘not being a criminal’ thing, y’know.”

Peter’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. That...that was it? He’d been prepared to fight tooth and nail with Wade, but apparently he didn’t need to.

“A-alright.”

***

“Are you gonna keep pouting all night?” he asked.

Peter gave him a scathing glare that made Wade whine in protest.

“Look, can I at least explain my side?” Wade pressed. “I just...You can keep hating me, I just want you to know everything, okay?”

“Explain all you want, but you still kidnapped me. At fucking gunpoint.”

“Fair enough.”

Wade twisted his body so he was facing Peter, his head resting on the door, and started . He explained his service in the military, his honorable discharge due to the injury that had lead to the scars that crisscrossed his entire body, and the chronic pain that came with them.

He explained how, after sitting around for less than a month, he had been bored to death, and a friend had gotten him into the mercenary business. It had been easy for him, and it brought in good money. It had helped that he was his own boss, able to work when he wanted and only kill people he felt were deserving. Of course it also got him into a lot of trouble, but he finally had something to do, a purpose, an outlet.

But then someone--one of his clients--had attempted to stab him in the back. He had wanted Wade to kill his business partner but, unbeknownst to Wade, had also planned to immediately capture him and turn him over to the cops, making himself the hero. Wade had caught wind of it, and skipped town off before they could get him and promptly execute him.

“So that’s why I’m here,” Wade said, gesturing around the car. “Trying to get the hell away from everything, and hopefully disappear, get a new life on some tropical island.”

Peter hummed sympathetically. “Sad story, but you can’t Stockholm Syndrome me that easily.”

Wade groaned loudly, head banging against the window. “I wasn’t trying to make you fall for me!” he whined.

“Of course not.”

“Look, when we spread Uncle B’s ashes and I get everything cleared up, I swear you’ll never see me again,” Wade said earnestly. “But for now, since you’ve been seen with me, you’re in trouble, too. Seriously, you’re safer with me right now than on your own.”

“I’d be safer in a pool full of sharks,” Peter growled, hunching down in his seat.

“Hey, sharks are sort of friendly!”

***

“Wade, I have to take a break,” Peter said weakly, rubbing his hand over his eyes. His eyelids valiantly fought to stay closed, but he didn’t let them. “We’re gonna crash if I don’t get some sleep.”

Wade didn’t respond, and for a second, Peter thought he wasn’t going to answer at all.

“Yeah, we can take a break,” Wade finally agreed. “Stop at the next rest stop.”

By this point, the next rest area they came across was almost completely empty, save for a lone parked car that had been more than likely left by hikers. Peter immediately stepped out of the car, stretching his arms above his head.

“What’s the likelihood of me being able to run away?”

“Not great. Sorry, baby boy.”

Peter sighed and wandered over to a bench, the farthest that he dared to go without Wade getting on his case. He just needed some distance, even if he knew that the man was still watching over him like a hawk. He flopped down heavily on the bench, stretching his legs out in front of him.

God, this sucked.

He knew he had been stupid. He put himself in this entire situation, something that could have been very easily avoided. He was such an idiot. It was this kind of dumbness that had ended up with Uncle Ben getting shot. Peter knew that it was just his brain piling all of his mistakes on him at once, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t see the glimmers of truth in the insults.

Peter sat hunched over on the bench, his head in his hands. After a second, Wade came and sat next to him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Peter recoiled, his heart pounding as he tried not to look too scared. Wade quickly held up his hands in a gesture of peace, and moved so there was a bit more space between them.

“It’s gonna be alright, baby boy,” Wade told him, his voice soothing. “Just take some deep breaths.”

Peter grumbled angrily, but lapsed back into silence. He tried his best to ignore Wade, which was made easier when the man didn’t bother him again.

When he had finally pulled himself together, he looked up at Wade. The man was staring at the sunset, sad lines etched into his forehead, mouth drooping in a frown that was completely out of place on his normally goofy face.

“Do...do you wanna take some pictures?” Wade asked sheepishly, holding Peter’s camera out to him. Peter hadn’t even been aware that Wade had unpacked anything. “There are some of those weird prickly things you love over there…”

Peter stood up to tell him a curt ‘no’, but then he saw the plants growing in on the other side of the road.

Goddammit.

He grabbed the camera from Wade and stomped across the road to take some pictures.

After he was done, Wade motioned for him to get in the backseat.

“We’ll stay here for a bit longer,” he explained. “You look like you’re about to keel over at any second.”

Peter obligingly climbed into the backseat, lying down with a sweatshirt as a pillow. Wade climbed into the driver’s seat, pointedly putting the keys in his pocket and turning on the child lock. Fucker.

Peter fought valiantly to stay awake, glancing out the window for any signs of people, especially the drivers of the only other car at the rest stop. But the only other living thing he saw was a raccoon scurrying into the bushes, and the crooning oldies that Wade had put on was dragging him closer and closer to sleep.

Sighing heavily, he finally gave up and fell asleep.

***

It was inevitable that they had to stop again. The gas tank was dangerously close to empty, so they pulled into a gas station. It was late at night and the place was deserted, save for a bored looking cashier inside who didn’t spare either of them a second glance.

Wade paid for the gas while Peter stood on the other side of the car, eyes darting around, desperate for somewhere to go or someone to flag down. He knew there was no point in just blindly running. They were in the middle of nowhere, the cashier clearly didn’t care and even if he did Wade could take him out before he could do anything.

Just as he was trying to decide what to do, another car turned into the station and pulled up to the pumps. Peter’s heart pounded, and he tried to gesture at them subtly while Wade continued whistling through his teeth and looking at the pump.

Moments later, Peter nearly screamed with relief when a cop car slowly pulled in as well, rolling to a stop only a few yards away. Wade abruptly stopped whistling and turned to stare intently at the car, but Peter didn’t care. This was it. This was his chance!

“Petey, baby you need to get back in the car,” Wade said, voice calm but eyes hard.

Peter scoffed and gave him a disbelieving look. The cop was getting out of his car, a few more people were getting out of the car that had parked earlier. Some part of Peter was waving a red flag, but he ignored it.

Taking a deep breath, Peter shouted as loudly as he could. “Hey! Help me, this dude’s kidnapped me! Plea--”

He didn’t get his last word out before Wade grabbed his arm and yanked him behind the car as bullets started flying.

“Stay down!” Wade barked, pulling out his gun and firing off a few shots back. He was rewarded with a shout of pain and more bullets raining down on them.

While Wade was distracted, Peter looked wildly around and spotted his escape route: an alley next to the gas station that disappeared into darkness. With his arms thrown over his head, Peter awkwardly tried to scuttle away from the firefight on his knees from the firefight. Wade was a freaking magnet when it came to psychos who wanted to shoot them--

He almost couldn't believe it when he rounded the corner of the alley, away from Wade and the other guys. Suddenly all the fear caught up with him and his muscles locked before he was able to shake off his shock and bolt down the alley, away from fight.

He heard footsteps behind him and his blood ran cold for a moment, Seconds later relief washed over him as a figure emerged from the gloom of the alley. Another cop. Peter took a deep breath and forced himself to his feet. He raised his hands and stepped forward. “Officer! Please, you gotta help me--”

The words stuck in his throat when he saw the hard look on the officer’s face. Peter’s eyes widened as the officer drew his gun and aimed at him. He opened his mouth to shout, to point in the direction of Wade, but the man didn’t seem to care, eyes hard and locked on him. If it wasn’t for Wade literally jumping on top of the man with a knife, Peter knew he’d be already full of bullets.

It felt like a repeat of the last time as he watched Wade wrestle the gun away from the man before using it to shoot at the other men as they ran into the alley. Peter finally shook off his shock and managed to dive behind a trashcan, hiding from any errant bullets.

Or apparently not errant, because that cop had definitely looked Peter right in the face and definitely been ready to kill him. Apparently, Peter was now guilty by association.. The police saw him as enough of a threat that they wanted to shoot him on sight. Or were they even the police? Were they just more mobsters? His head was spinning.

Wade was still struggling against the cop, spitting out curses even as his face was turning purple. He scrabbled against the man’s hands around his throat, but the bloody

Peter glanced around desperately, searching for some sort of weapon in the trash around him. He grabbed a plank of splintered wood that had fallen out of one of the trash bags, and brandished it in front of him like a club. Peter hesitated for only a split second, before he gripped the piece of wood tight and whacked the cop on the side of the head.

The man let out a startled grunt before going limp and dropping to his knees, pulling Wade down with him. He was groaning and moving slightly, but was incapacitated for the moment.

Peter and Wade didn’t move for a bit, both of them panting and staring at the man. Finally, Wade wiped the blood off of his chin, and looked up at Peter with wonder in his eyes.

“You really can fight,” Wade huffed, giving him a half-smirk.

***

Once they’d gotten their breath back, Wade suggested they find somewhere to sleep and hope that things looked better in the morning. As freaked-out as he was, Peter was also seriously exhausted and Wade’s plan sounded suddenly appealing.

Fortunately for both of them, the room was cleaner than the outside. The carpet was slightly sticky and the thin walls offered only a modicum of privacy from their neighbors, but the sheets seemed clean and the bathroom lacked any obvious mold (even if there was a weird, stale smell that hung over the room).

“Alright, you take that bed,” Wade said, dropping his bag onto the bed that was nearest to the door and pointing to its twin at the back of the room. “You wanna shower first?”

Peter shrugged, sitting down on his designated bed and hearing the springs squeal in protest. “You’re, uh, bloodier than me. You go ahead.”

Wade didn’t fight him, instead going straight into the bathroom, leaving the door partially cracked. Peter could hear him humming and the sound of his clothes dropping onto to the tiled floor. The shower curtain slid open and shut and, as if a switch had been flipped, Wade started to sing, nonsensical and offkey lyrics that sounded vaguely like one of the songs that he had played in the car, but it was so distorted that Peter couldn’t quite tell.

He came back out with a towel wrapped around his waist and another one around his bald head. He whistled cheerfully between his teeth and pulled on his pajamas--for such a small bag, the man did seem to have quite a lot of pajamas. Wade had worn a different pair every single night they’d been together. These ones had cartoon monkeys and bananas on.

“You go on and sleep, Petey,” Wade said, settling down at the small table by the window and opening his bag.

“Do we need to, like, be on watch?” Peter asked. What was the protocol for these situations? Should one of them always be awake? Were they gonna switch off sometime in the middle of the night?

“I’ll take care of it,” Wade said, interrupting Peter’s thoughts. He didn’t look up as he started going through the bag and pulling out weapons. “I can sleep in the car, you can’t. Unless you want me to drive?”

“I think that’s a hard no,” Peter said immediately. He hesitated. “Why did the police shoot at us?”

Wade finished laying the guns out on the table, a sight that unnerved Peter. “They were either fake cops or were workin’ for someone,” he said casually, as if he was discussing the weather.

Peter nodded. “Huh. Okay.”

“Y’know, I gotta say you’re taking this all pretty well,” Wade commented as he started loading up magazines with bullets.

“Oh no. Inside, I’m screaming bloody murder and having a complete meltdown. I’m just good at hiding it at this point.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. I wouldn’t want to take you for some sort of emotionless psycho.”

Peter let out a laugh that was more than slightly hysterical. Wade stopped what he was doing and watched Peter warily, but didn’t move as Peter went and crawled under the covers, huddling into a tight ball.

“You wanna talk about it, baby boy?”

“No,” Peter’s voice filtered through the pillow. “I just wanna go to sleep and pretend it didn’t happen.”

“That’s not a healthy coping mechanism, Peter.”

“Good night.”

***

Peter woke up to the sounds of sirens with a start, jerking upwards and pushing the blankets off. He expected to see Wade asleep in the bed next to him, but the man was still sitting at the desk, the curtains pushed back a bit to let in a stream of neon light from the motel’s sign.

“What’s going on?” Peter said, urgency tinging his voice.

Wade turned to look at him, his face unnaturally solemn. He looked surreal and almost terrifying with the scars on his face and torso highlighted in fluorescent orange and green.

“It’s just passing by,” he rumbled, voice deep. “Go back to sleep.”

Peter swallowed and laid back down, but his eyes were still wide open. His heart was racing in his chest. He knew that the attackers hadn’t been actual police officers, but that didn’t mean the law wasn’t still after Wade and, by extension, Peter. And that they wouldn’t shoot at Peter, too.

God, the stress of the what-ifs were going to kill him before any bullet did. How did people do it? A few days of being on the run and he’s practically a nervous wreck. Wade had done this for years.

“What’s goin’ on in that big head of yours, Petey?”

Wade came and sat down on the edge of the bed, leaving a respectable amount of space between the two of them.

“It’s just...a lot,” Peter finally muttered, rolling over onto his side so he could face Wade. “I don’t know how you do it. Did it. I haven’t had half of the experiences you had, and all I wanna do is hunker down in some cabin in the woods where no one’ll find me.”

Wade gave him a sad half-smile, but didn’t respond. He shifted so he was sitting with his back resting against the headboard. His hand came and rested on Peter’s head, soothingly running through his unruly hair.

“Go back to sleep,” Wade repeated. “I won’t doze off anytime soon, you’re safe.”

Peter didn’t pull away or comment on the fact that Wade had ignored what Peter said. He forced his eyes to stay shut, and the rhythmic motion of the petting finally had him falling into a deep sleep.

***

“So, I guess people are actually after me now.”

“Yup.”

“And they want me dead.”

“They can't want you dead if they're already deader than dead.”

“You can't just kill all of your problems, Wade. Or mine.”

“Doesn't mean I'm not gonna try.”

***

“I’m gonna catch some z’s.”

Wade pushed the seat back after fiddling with it for a bit. He pulled his ballcap over his eyes to block out the desert sun and within seconds, he was snoring softly, barely audible over the music.

Peter sighed, leaning his arm against the open window and propping his head in his hand. The road was almost completely straight, and would be for a while yet, so he put on the cruise control and allowed himself to relax slightly. He tapped absently on the steering wheel along to the song, not paying too much attention to it.

His gaze drifted over to the passenger’s seat, and he felt his heart speed up. It was weird to see Wade without his wide, goofy grin, and his bright eyes. Peter would admit that Wade was cute--okay, very cute--but with his muscles and sharp jawline highlighted by the bright Arizona sunlight, he was...handsome, despite the scars. More handsome than Peter had noticed before. If it weren’t for the gun Peter could see bulging at his waistband, it would feel like a proper road trip, one he might have with a friend or a boyfriend.

The car shook as it drifted over the rumble strips on the side of the road. Peter quickly righted the car, face flushed as he ignored Wade’s angry grumble and curious gaze peeking from under the hat.

No, no, he couldn’t think like that, not at all. He couldn’t even think about daydreams involving Wade being his boyfriend, or about the way the light twinkled in his eyes, or of them spending lazy summer days together cuddled up--shit.

Peter made a pained noise, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. God, he had to get ahold of himself.

“You, uh, doin’ okay, bud?”

He shook off his thoughts and glanced over at Wade. His cap was raised and the sleep was gone from his eyes.

“I can drive, if you need me to,” Wade offered, straightening his seat.

Peter let out a tight breath. “No, I’m fine. I just got distracted for a second.”

Wade grunted in acknowledgement, his gaze lingering on Peter’s flushed face. “You’re lookin’ a bit peeky,” he pressed. “Sure you don’t wanna stop somewhere air-conditioned that has food?”

“Jesus, I’m fine,” Peter hissed. He slapped at the A/C, turning the fan up to its highest setting. This man was like a dog with a bone.

“I mean, obviously you’re not. You’re red as hell, and I know it’s not a sunburn, because you were fine just a couple minutes ago, and you slather on the sunscreen like a soccer mom. Good for you for fighting off skin cancer, but still. Are you getting that road hypnosis thing? Look! You’re getting redder--oh. Ohhh.”

Peter gritted his teeth. Indeed, he could feel his face getting hotter, despite the cool air blasting him. He stared stubbornly at the road, but Wade leaned forward so Peter could see his shit-eating grin in the corner of his vision.

“What’s got you all flustered?” Wade drawled, elongating the last word.

“None of your business.”

“Aww, don’t be like that! Let’s gossip!”

“I said drop it.”

“Were you thinking of a cute boy? A cute girl? Me shirtless?”

Peter rolled down all of the windows, and the whipping wind effectively drowned out Wade’s babble. He couldn’t escape the sly looks Wade gave him, though.

***

At this point, the universe apparently decided that things had been going too smoothly for them.

They had stopped in a town for gas and a late lunch at an old-fashioned diner (“Look at it, Petey! It’s got neon signs! We have to go!”) and were eating in relative silence when there was a sudden explosion outside.

They stared out of the window, wide eyed as a plume of smoke and flames rose from Peter’s car. People in the diner were yelling in shock, and someone was frantically calling the police.

“And that’s why we bring our bags with us wherever we go,” Wade said, taking a sip of his coffee. He threw down a fifty and started ushering Peter out of the diner, giving the car a wide berth.

***

“But who just blows up someone’s car?” Peter raged, throwing his hands up. “Like, we weren’t even in it! They didn’t stick around to try and kill us! They didn’t even leave us a note or anything!”

“They were probably just trying to piss us off,” Wade said, absently kicking an empty soda can on the ground. “Y’know, toy with us. Lower our morale.”

“Well they sure as hell were successful with that first part! Are you kidding me?!”

Peter let out a scream of frustration and sat down hard on the curb, letting out a quiet wheeze when he misjudged his speed and ended up hurting his ass.

“Look, I’ll figure something out, okay?” Wade said, scratching the back of his head. “There’s gotta be a used car place somewhere around here. Or someone selling an old truck. Just...you stay here, I’ll deal with it.” He slung his bag over his shoulder.

“No, I should go with you,” Peter huffed, making a move to stand up. He squawked in disbelief when Wade pushed him back down.

“It’ll be less suspicious if it’s just one of us,” Wade said, already strutting away.

“But you’ll just end up getting in more trouble!” Peter shouted after him. Wade cheerily waved back at him in response.

Peter let out an irritated growl before trying to get more comfortable on the ground. He had no clue how long it would take Wade to be back, and whether the man would come back with the police hot on his tail.

***

“Wade. What is this.”

Wade grinned widely and threw his arms open proudly. “Do you like it? It only cost me a single hundo. It’s amazing what a lil’ threatening can accomplish.”

Peter didn’t respond, staring in growing horror at the RV.

“Wade, I don’t know how to drive this thing,” he said tightly.

“C’mon, it can’t be that hard! It’ll be a new experience for both of us!”

Wade was already climbing inside. “And we’re turtles now!” he called out, his voice muffled. “We carry our home around with us. How awesome is that? And we don’t need to stop to go to the bathroom. It’s gonna be so much fun.”

Peter took a few deep breaths, closing his eyes. “When I crash and die, you’re paying for my funeral.”

***

Peter grimaced, deleting the last picture he’d taken before raising the camera up to his eye again. This time, the preview on the little screen was satisfactory, and he was quick to snap a few more before heading back to the RV.

Wade was hanging out of the window, wearing his sunglasses and a dopey smile.

“What?”

“Nothin’,” Wade said. “You’re just cute as a button.”

Peter attempted to splutter out a response but Wade was already back inside the RV with the window shut.

***

There was only one lofted bed in the RV plus a lumpy couch. Wade insisted that Peter have the bed, since he was the one that actually needed the sleep, but Wade barely fit on the sofa.

Peter had been listening to Wade toss and turn on the sofa for the past half hour. He stared at the ceiling, his irritation at the squeaking of springs and Wade’s frustrated noises growing more and more unbearable by the second. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Just--get up here,” Peter huffed. “This is stupid, it’s cold, and there’s no point for you to be stiff.”

Wade didn’t even argue.

He awkwardly clambered up the ladder, nearly elbowing Peter in the nose as he got situated on the bed. He eventually settled on his back, his arm pressed against Peter’s. Neither of them said anything, making an effort to get to sleep.

“I really appreciate how nice you’re being about this whole thing, baby boy,” Wade said softly. Peter glanced at him in the darkness, but the man had his eyes closed. “I know it’s...probably not what you were expecting and I just--thanks. You’re a good dude.”

Peter hummed. “Well, you’re not such a bad guy,” he relented. “I mean, you kinda are, but you did save me and it seems like you’re trying to move on from the mercenary stuff. Which is kinda great.”

“I don’t...I don’t like who I am. Was. Who I’m trying to not be,” Wade swallowed hard, stumbling over his words. “I was a major dickbag. I didn’t really think about it before but now I can’t stop thinking about it. I just...I wanna be better now, y’know? Not do any of this stuff anymore.”

Peter reached out and squeezed his hand. Wade stiffened but then relaxed, entwining their fingers.

“You’re still a dickbag,” Peter informed him with a teasing smile. “Last time I checked, kidnapping someone definitely falls under the ‘dickbag’ category.”

Wade started to protest but Peter hushed him with a laugh, unconsciously leaning further into Wade’s side.

***

They reached Zion National Park with no more troubles, paid the entrance fee, and were soon driving through the hills.

It hurt Peter to be there. The fun times they had had here on every summer break Peter had--there was a photo album in the attic somewhere that only had pictures from these trips.

All he could think of was driving here with Uncle Ben, how excited his uncle was to be taking Peter there. Aunt May had leaned against the car and laughed as Uncle Ben and Peter climbed up some of the rocks, the older man holding Peter’s hand the entire way so he wouldn’t fall. Aunt May and Peter poised with their arms thrown around each other as Uncle Ben tried to take a picture, fiddling with his camera and muttering about it not working the entire time.

“So, uh, where are we planning on doing this?” Wade asked, looking out the windows and inadvertently drawing Peter from his thoughts. “I’ve never done anything like this before. What’s the protocol? Can we just throw the ashes in the air, sing kumbaya, and be done?”

Peter snorted, shaking his head fondly. “We’ll park and walk to a cliff or something. Somewhere nice.”

It took awhile, but they finally found a pullover area that overlooked the beautiful scenery. They parked the car and finally got out, Peter carrying the box. With great care, he opened it and pulled out the sealed bag filled with ashes as he walked closer to the edge.

Peter paused, staring down at the bag. Then he started laughing.

Wade gave him a quizzical look, leaning in. “Uh, what is it?” he asked uncomfortably.

“I...I can’t open the bag,” he wheezed, almost in hysterics as he bent over, laughing until tears ran down his cheeks. The bag was sealed tightly, with no indication on where or how to open it. Wade stared at him in disbelief before he suddenly snorted and started chuckling as well, running a hand over his eyes.

“If you happen to have a machete on you, I won’t kill you if you let me use it,” Peter managed to gasp out, wiping away a tear from his eye. He wheezed when Wade’s whole face lit up and he did exactly that.

When he gathered himself, Peter held out the bag and Wade made a careful cut into it. Apparently he wasn’t careful enough, though, because the tear widened exponentially and soon the ashes were pouring out. They both screeched, jumping out of the way, and barely managing to escape a faceful of ashes.

Peter couldn’t help but smile as he caught Wade’s eye, and suddenly both of them dissolved into giggles, which quickly became full-bellied laughs, helpless at the ridiculousness of the situation as the wind whipped the ashes out into the canyon. Gradually, their laughter faded and Peter gave a small, bittersweet smile as he stared out into the canyon.

“Do you want some time alone?” Wade asked quietly, his voice shattering the sudden silence.

Peter hesitated a second and then nodded. Wade reached out and squeezed Peter’s hand. “Take all the time you need.”

Wade walked away. Peter didn’t look away from the view, even though all of the ash had long disappeared.

***

They finally reached Las Vegas, and spent almost half an hour driving in circles, trying to decide what hotel to go to. Wade was dead set on staying at the most expensive, over-the-top room they could get (“C’mon, Petey, it’s not everyday you get to be in Vegas!”), while Peter wanted something more inconspicuous and under the radar, like a crappy motel that wouldn’t ask for IDs and took straight cash.

In the end, they flipped a coin. Wade cheered in victory as Peter sourly drove into the valet area of his chosen hotel.

Peter wasn’t sure how he did it, but Wade managed to book them a suite in one of the fanciest hotels he’d ever stepped into. He felt completely out of place in his grimy clothes and scuffed shoes, but he was still ushered into the elevator and into the room, which wasn’t actually a room, but almost an entire floor of the building.

Peter spun around the room, jaw dropped. “Holy crap, Wade, this is amazing,” he said.

“And you wanted us to stay in a literal shithole,” Wade teased, draping himself over the back of the leather couch. “Isn’t this better? Look, there’s a hot tub right next to the living room--also, our fucking hotel room has a living room, baby boy. But if that hot tub isn’t some rich person swingers BS, then I don’t know what is.”

***

“I’m gonna go find some ice and scope the place out,” Wade called as he walked towards the door, carrying an empty bucket.

“You can probably have room service bring it to you,” Peter replied sleepily from the couch.

“Yeah, but then I wouldn’t get to snoop around, silly.”

Peter snorted, smiling fondly as he pushed his face further into the pillow. God, it was so comfortable.

Wade came back with a very different attitude, his whole body tense. “Go enjoy the hot tub, really quick,” he practically shouted, pulling off his clothing.

Peter looked up at him from the couch in alarm. “Wh--calm down, I don’t wanna get in right now,” he complained. “What’s wrong?”

“Bad people definitely know we’re here right now, but they won’t be able to get their people together for at least another hour,” Wade said. He was down to his boxers as he hopped into the hot tub. “And listen to me, I refuse to leave this place without getting the chance to chill out a little bit in this swinger’s sex tub, okay?”

“Wade, what the fuck.”

“When I went to find some ice, I ran into an old friend who was nice enough to help me out. Never let it be said that Neena doesn’t have your back when she owes you. People know we’re here, and we have about an hour before they come and try to shoot up the place. Now, will you let me have a few minutes of relaxation before we go find a new hotel that doesn’t have a private hot tub?”

***

The motel was dingy, the polar opposite of the hotel they had been staying at only an hour ago. The lady behind the desk didn’t even look at their faces as she took the cash and handed them a key. The couple in the room next door were arguing loudly, but they didn’t pay attention to them. Wade was busy lying out on the bed the most guns and knives than Peter had ever seen in his entire life.

“Are you gonna be alright?” Peter asked.

His cheeks flushed at how inadequate the sentence felt. He might as well should have come out and said, ‘hey, how do you feel about most likely dying tomorrow?’ Wade didn’t seem to particularly mind the clumsy word choice, though.

“I should be,” Wade said with a crooked smile as he kept flitting around the room, putting on a Kevlar vest he’d magically pulled from his bag. Jesus, how big was that thing? “I’m very hard to kill, y’know.”

“Yeah, well, there’s a difference between invincibility and being a cockroach,” Peter countered.

Wade gaped at him, putting a hand over his heart. “Did you just compare me to a cockroach?”

“Be offended later, Wade. I’m trying to be serious.”

“You’re the one that started it, not me.”

“Wade. Stop trying to distract me.”

Peter reached out and firmly grabbed Wade’s arm, stopping him from pacing. The man made a move to try to escape, but Peter held firm. Finally, Wade let out a heavy sigh, his head lolling to the side.

“I should be alright,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean, I’ve done this stuff hundreds of times before. It’ll be a helluva fight, knowing those bastards, but I’ll pull through it. I always do, y’know?”

Peter hesitated for only a second before he took a step closer and met Wade’s lips with his. It was only a few seconds, nothing more than soft skin on scarred tissue, but it made Peter lightheaded, his heart thumping in his chest madly.

When he pulled back, Wade’s eyes were shut, and he swayed slightly. He blinked dumbly, mouth agape. Peter’s face was bright red, but he refused to let his nerves get the best of him.

“You gotta promise me that that wasn’t a dramatic goodbye kiss,” Peter demanded, poking him roughly in the chest. “I’m not gonna be the love interest in some angsty romantic movie.”

“Does that mean that this was a romantic movie and not some buddy movie?” Wade asked with awe in his voice as he reached out and took Peter’s hand.

Peter chuckled fondly, resting his head on Wade’s shoulder and moving forward to hug him. “It can be both, you know. But I think any movie involving you is gonna be a rom-com, hands down.”

Wade didn’t respond right away, choosing instead to bury his face in Peter’s hair. Peter could feel the handle of a gun pressing into his side from where it was hidden in Wade’s jacket, but he was surprised to find it didn’t bother him as much as it should. They stayed like that for a while, neither of them saying anything, until Wade finally pulled away.

“If I’m not back by morning, take the van and leave,” he said, looking down, his grip tightening briefly on Peter’s hand. “You see that handgun on the table? That’s for you to use if anything somehow gets back to you. Do you need me to show you how to use it?”

Peter shook his head. Uncle Ben had taken him hunting a few times when he was kid, and he remembered some of the basics. It helped that ‘hunting’ had actually been their codeword for shooting at targets in the woods after Peter had cried for days when he got close to shooting a deer.

“Ya gotta promise me you won’t do anything dumb,” Wade continued. “Just go back to Queens and keep being a total badass, okay?”

Peter bit his lip hard and refused to respond as Wade put on his shoes and left the apartment.

Once he had left, Peter flopped onto of the bed, the springs screeching in protest. The neighbors were fighting again, and he wasn’t in the mood to put up with it. He opened his phone and pressed play, not knowing what song would come up.

He felt like crying and laughing at the same time when the first song that played was Steely Dan. He stared at the ceiling for a while before he felt tears welling up. He threw an arm over his eyes, and let himself choke out a sob. Wade had better make it back in one piece.

***

It was nearing morning when there was a feeble knock at the door, so quiet Peter, half-asleep, thought he had imagined it. But after a few moments, he heard the knock again.

He fumbled out of the bed and grabbed the handgun that Wade had left him. His heart thudded in his ears as he made his way to the door. There wasn’t a peephole that he could look out of, making him mutter a curse.

“Who is it?” he called, cursing the lack of a peep-hole as he desperately tried to keep his voice from wavering in fear.

“Your knight in not-so-shining armor.”

Peter fought with the lock and threw the door open, breath catching in his throat when he saw Wade.

Wade definitely looked like he’d been put through the ringer. His clothing was ripped and stained with blood and dirt. His skin was covered in scrapes and cuts from where he no doubt had wrestled with people. Half of his head, including one of his eyes, had been wrapped somewhat haphazardly in gauze and he was swaying dangerously, as if he might fall over at any second. Peter rushed to hold him up, keeping a careful arm around Wade’s waist while trying to avoid his injuries.

“Jesus, you look like hell,” Peter blurted out before he could stop himself.

“Yeah, well you should see the other guys,” Wade said, his laugh breathy and unconvincing.

Peter made to maneuver him to sit on the bed move towards the bed so Wade could lay down, but Wade pulled back a bit, shaking his head.

“We need to go,” he said. “I think I got them all, but better safe than sorry, I think. Don’t wanna have gone through all of that shit only to be killed by some little man with a vendetta.” He spat on the ground, and it was filled with blood.

Peter nodded quickly. “Okay. Okay. Do...do you need to go to a hospital?”

Wade hummed, leaning his head against the doorframe. “Probably,” he said. He shifted and winced in pain. “Alright, yes I do. But I took care of this”--he tried to gesture at his face and ended up almost losing his balance--”which...which was the worst of it. We can’t go to the hospital in Las Vegas. Too risky.”

Peter made sure that Wade was alright to stand on his own before rushing around the room, stuffing things back into his bag. He was done in record time and was back to supporting Wade.

“We’ll find a hospital on the way to my friend’s house,” Peter said, helping Wade towards the car. “She lives a couple of hours away. Do you think you can hold out for that long?”

“Yeah, I can make it,” Wade croaked out, wincing when he sat down on the seat. “Gwen?”

Peter raised an eyebrow. “Huh. You actually listened to me when I was babbling while driving,” he said teasingly, pushing the seatback down and helping Wade buckle in.

Wade let out a wet laugh. “I always listen to what you say, baby boy,” he said, head lolling to the side as he gave Peter a warm grin. “I know a guy near here that can patch me up, no questions.”

Peter swallowed as he started the car. “Just gimme the directions and I’ll get you there,” he said. “Consider me your personal chauffeur. And this time, you don’t even need to have a gun pointed at me.”

Wade snorted. “You’ve been my driver this entire time, you silly man. Didn’t you pick up on that?”

“Did you just call me a silly man? This from the man who wears pajamas meant for children and has a goldfish tattooed on his ass?”

“Listen, I thought we promised not to bring that up.”

Peter couldn’t help but let out a hysterical laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re the only person I know who could still be cracking jokes at a time like this,” he said.

Wade shrugged, his shoulder barely moving. When Peter glanced over at him, he saw that the bloodstain on the bandages was starting to spread. Peter swallowed, and forced himself to pay attention to the road, fighting to stay below the speed limit. The last thing they needed to do was get stopped by the police.

Wade touched the bandages on his face, moving slowly. “‘M not gonna be pretty anymore, baby boy,” he murmured. “Not that I was that pretty before. But it’s gonna be ten times worse. Infinity times worse. I’m gonna look like the hellspawn of Jason and Freddy Kreuger. Maybe I should just go ahead and find a group of teenagers to harass. Or just get a tacky mask to hide it all.”

They pulled up to a stoplight and Peter turned in his seat to face Wade. He gently pulled Wade’s bloodied hand away from the bandages. When Wade turned to him, Peter leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“You’ll still be cute to me,” Peter promised, stroking the back of Wade’s hand with his thumb.

Wade’s mouth dropped open in shock before he hissed and closed his jaw. “You can’t say cute shit like that to me when I’m hurt,” he complained loudly. “It hurts to move my face, damn it. How am I supposed to show my astonishment if I can barely talk?”

“Oh, I think you’re fine with talking,” Peter snickered, moving the car forward when the light turned green. “You could be half dead and still be jabbering away. Exhibit A: you right now.”

“Alright, smartass,” Wade grumbled, but there was a small, content smile on his lips. He interlaced his fingers with Peter’s free hand. “Let’s get going, baby boy.”

#spideypool #peter parker #wade wilson #spideypool big bang #my writing #zactopus93

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petalouda85 · 8 years ago

Text

All of Me, Chapter 11

I was hoping to have this finished and posted in the previous week but my teachers dumped three different assignment on me on the same day. So stress and a lack of time and sleep meant this had to wait. But I finally found some time to finish and post this. I hope you all enjoy it.

Warning: there is rape in this. It was originally going to be more graphic but I toned it down as much as I could. Another thing worth mentioning is some suicidal thoughts.

You can also read this on FF and AO3

Story summary: Ben's life is out of control and he is on a path towards destruction. After a traumatic experience involving people he trusted, it would seem his life could only continue down its dark path. But a short encounter with a stranger in a Starbucks and a new friendship with a newcomer at his church bolsters a much needed feeling of hope within him.

“My head…” Ben groaned when consciousness slowly began to return to him. The headache was pounding heavily against the front of his skull and his vision was extremely blurry so he opted to close his eyes for a little while longer. When the pain in his head had reduced to a level where he could somewhat ignore it, he opened his eyes.

It was near black, the only source of light peeking through the close blinds from the window to his left. It wasn’t much but it gave him some sense of the place he was in. The shapes of the black figures in front of him gave him the idea that he was in a forgotten storage room, imaging the figures to be boxes stacked on top of one another in a haphazard manner. There was other clutter too but they weren’t as easy to guess.

Wanting a better look, he tried to go to the window but was stopped by a harsh tug on his wrists. A small wriggle of his wrists informed him that his hands were bound together and that the remainder of the rope was tied to piece of furniture, keeping him in place as though he were an animal.

“What the hell?” He whispered. He attempted to loosen the rope by pulling at the knots with his teeth but whoever had done them had done them well as he couldn’t budge it the slightest. “Damn.” He looked back to the window, spotting the cord that could lift and drop the blinds. He couldn’t pull it with his hands. Maybe…

He got to work on undoing his shoes, a task made harder due to the headache ever present, it gradually worsening due to the after effects of the alcohol. Still, within a short period, he had his shoe and his sock off. Shuffling around and looking like an acrobat from an amateur circus act, he lifted his foot up, intertwined the cord in his toes and yanked. The blinds flew up and locked in place, filling the room with moonlight.

His assumption about the room had been partially correct. It was a storage room but it looked to have been an office once due to the clutter filled desks that occupied the space. Now certain of his surroundings, he turned to the next questions

How had he ended up here? And why the hell was he tied up?

He thought hard to remember his last memory but it didn’t provide him any clarity as to what happened. He remembered dancing with Jakara and Keira… Keira kissing him and him rejecting her. After that, he couldn’t remember anymore, which immediately meant that the second question couldn’t be answered either.

“Think, Ben, think.” He said as he wiggled around his wrists once more. “Why would someone tie you up for no apparent reason? Abdu-“ Immediately, he was slapped with fear and a million scenarios. He had been abducted. It seemed impossible but considering where he had been and what had happened in his previous memory, he imagined he must’ve run out of the club into some shady alley where he was overpowered, something that could’ve been easily done considering the amount of drinks he had had and the emotional state he had been in. “God, Ben. How could you have been that stupid? No, I can’t think like that. I have to get out of here.”

He immediately searched around him, hoping that maybe there was an old pair of scissors or something sharp that had been tossed to the side years ago that could aid him in freeing his wrists. Neither of those were to be seen but he found an old and metal letter opener which could be squeezed in between the knots and wiggle them loose.

“Well,” He muttered as he grabbed the metal object, “it’s better than nothing.” He was about to wiggle it into the rope when he heard the click of the door. He threw the letter opener into the shadows near him and looked towards the sudden brightness where his supposed kidnapper stood. “Snoke?”

The man smirked.

“About time you woke up.” He commented, pulling forth a cigarette, putting it in his mouth and lighting it. “You’ve been out for almost a day.”

“Snoke, what the hell happened? And what the hell is this for?” Ben asked, still harboring much shock at the thought that Snoke, his friend, abducted him.

“First things first, how’s your head? You were bleedin’ quite badly last night.”

The tied up teen felt around his head and felt a large bump on the side of his head and a quick glance to his shoulder found a small trail of dried, brown blood running into his clothing.

“You’re honestly lucky that you didn’t bleed out.”

“Snoke, what the hell happened!?” Ben almost shouted, hating how the other seemed to be dodging his questions. “Where the fuck am I!? And why the hell am I tied up!?”

“What is the last thing you remember?” Snoke inquired, taking a bored huff from his cigarette and blowing out the smoke in the same bored manner.

“I…” Ben paused, hesitant to announce his previous memory as he was fully aware as to how Snoke would react to news like that. But something like this, Ben felt strong about his friend knowing the truth. “Keira… She kissed me. I think she was trying to get me to have sex with her. I pushed her away though.” He added quickly before Snoke lobbed his head off. Oddly, Snoke was silent and seemed to care little about the fact that his girlfriend had tried to cheat on him with his friends.

“You remember anything else?”

“No.”

“Wow.” Snoke muttered, the response surprising Ben. “That ketamine really hit you hard. I thought you would have some idea of what happened but damn, it made you forget everything.” Each word that Snoke said just deepened Ben’s confusion more and more, fear setting in again when he spoke again. “Good.”

“Good? How the hell is that good!? You’re hiding something from me! I know it!” There was an ominous silence between the two, Snoke’s frown eventually turning into a smirk.

“And I used to think that you were an absolute idiot.”

“What did Keira do to me!?” Ben shouted, “Tell me, damn it!” He wanted to run towards Snoke, wanted to run to him and choke him until he gave him the answers he wanted, but another tug on his wrists reminded him that he couldn’t do that.

“Don’t worry, you big baby. She did nothing worth noting.” He blew out another puff of smoke and stepped out of the room. “But if I were you, which I’m glad I’m not, I would be more worried about what will happen.”

“No, wait!” Ben screamed before Snoke slammed the door shut and locked it, leaving him alone and in the dark.

The fear that he had somewhat suppressed since waking had now quadrupled, his breathing speeding up to an unhealthy rate and his mind racing with terrifying thoughts of what could happen. Anything could happen. He was completely at Snoke’s mercy.

“Calm down, calm down. Everything will be okay. You can get out of here. Just… think... think.” He didn’t need to brood long.

He couldn’t leave via the door that was obvious. Not only because he had no means of undoing the lock but he had no clue as to how many people were there besides Snoke and he had no idea what the layout of the building was either. These combined posed the highest risk of getting caught.

His way out was the window. It had no lock and the only other obstruction then was a mesh screen, which could easily be removed or cut through.

His biggest obstacles would be him getting his hands free and making certain he made no noise, none that would arouse suspicion anyway.

He waited in silence for an indefinite time, listening… Listening for voices, for movement, anything that would give him some clues as activity on the other side of the door. It was quiet, the only noise that he noticed coming from the heater coming to life. Snoke was likely sleeping.

Carefully, he began his attempts to undo the part of the rope that was attached to the dresser. The knots were unbelievably tight and trying to wriggle them loose caused his fingers a lot of pain but after an age, he got the first complicated knot done. From there, he easily managed to undo the other ones tying him down to the dresser.

He then retrieved the letter opener from the shadows and began to wriggle the object into one of the looser knots. He got it loose enough that he could undo the rest of it with his teeth. He repeated the same action again and again until finally the last knot was undone. A sigh of relief released from his mouth when the rough rope fell away from his reddened wrists, much needed blood flowing freely once again.

He immediately dashed for the window, carefully moving some extra clutter away to create more room. The teen was careful in where he placed the boxes and other junk in the way but he failed to notice another box, filled to the brim with useless junk that would’ve been more appropriate in a garage, slowly moving towards the edge of the desk it was on, pushed closer to it thanks to the items gradually being put onto the surface.

An ear-splitting racket ricocheted throughout the room and, no doubt, the entire building as the box slammed onto the floor and Ben found himself frozen from fear and shock, still unable to move when the racket had finally stopped.

“What the fuck?!” A voice hollered in the distance, a voice he knew wasn’t Snoke’s. It was…

The rattle of the lock snapped him out of his frozen state. He spun around, turning the lock on the window in a flash and removing the mesh just as quick.

“He’s trying to escape!” Was shouted as the door slammed open. In a panic, Ben kicked the window open. One foot was out the window and touched the free ground when he was grabbed by two sets of hands and dragged back into his prison.

“Let go of me!” Ben screamed, fighting as his mystery assailants dragged him out of the room. His screams continued and he struggled, his elbow eventually making contact with something (like a jaw or nose, considering the grunt of pain he heard) but they pulled him all the way to what appeared to be the living room and proceeded to drop him mercilessly to the floor.

More screams engulfed the room and rendered him near deaf, the rough hands turning him onto his back, where he faced his entire group of kidnappers.

Tarken, Kelan, Snoke, Keira; a feeling in his gut told him the other four were somewhere in the building.

“If this is some joke, it’s not funny.” Ben snapped.

"The only joke here is you."

"Kelan, shut up!" Snoke snapped and Kelan stepped back.

"What is going on?" Ben asked, hiding to hide his fear. "What are you all doing here? Why are you doing this?"

"As I said, I don't think you should be worried about what we've done." Snoke said menacingly, the others looking as though they were on the point a ramming a knife into his throat. "You need to be worried about what we're going to do."

Ben attempted to retort but movement from Keira stopped his words. She knelt down in front of him, giving him the same lewd smile as before.

"Now, be a good boy and lie still." She placed a hand on his chest, likely wanting to remove the shirt but Ben slapped her hand away, only to find a serrated hunting knife being pointed at him. "Don't make me use this." She hissed.

Ben stared at the blade for a moment, his breathe starting to shudder. It was probably a foolish mistake but his survival instinct kicked him and, using the skills learned from his mother years ago, he threw off the female and disarmed her, taking the knife and getting some distance between him and the others.

"What do you want from me!?" He shouted, keeping the knife out and ready for usage when Snoke stepped forward. "Answer me, damn it, or I'll run you through!" He couldn't believe he was saying such things but if it would get him answers...

“Calm down.” Snoke cooed, stepping forward with his hands up in surrender. “Let’s not act crazy.”

“Crazy!? The only thing crazy here is what the hell is happening! Which you still haven’t answered! Tell me!”

“Fine, I’ll tell you but, put the knife down first. I don’t think anyone is keen on asking questions while under the threat of being cut.”

“I’ll only lower it if Keira leaves.” The female appeared insulted but she left, not before rolling her eyes at Ben. Only when a nearby door clicked shut did he lower the knife, keeping a tight grip on it. “Talk. Now.”

Snoke took another step forward, holding out his hand.

“Maybe you should ditch the knife.”

“Like hell I’m giving this to you. Do you honestly think I still trust you enough to give you a knife?”

"I know you don't trust me. But it would still be in your better interest to give me that knife."

"How so? So you can attack me? I wasn't born yesterday, Snoke, so you are not getting this knife." His hands were shaking at this point.

“Hm…” Snoke hummed, closing the distance between him and Ben, “in that case.”

In an instant, Ben was on the floor as Snoke tackled him, the knife falling from his hand. He desperately grabbed for it but Snoke got it first, pointing it less than an inch away from his throat.

“Now, you will lie still.” He sneered, placing his free hand over Ben’s mouth and leaning onto his victim’s body to keep him from escaping, “And you will let us do our stuff. Whether you like it or not. Kelan, Keira! Get the stuff, will ya!?”

Ben struggled fiercely but Snoke kept him down. He heard some footsteps and doors opening and closing but he had no idea what was happening around him. He let out a cry of pain when someone grabbed him by his hair and pulled him towards the center of the room, putting him down on his chest. His arms were put behind his back and were ensnared once more with the rough rope, though this time, it was even tighter. Once the knots were finished, he was then turned onto his back.

Kelan approached him first, undoing his pants and proceeding to grope himself. Intense fear overwhelming him and survival instinct screaming at him to abandon rational thought, Ben used all the upper body strength he had to push himself off of the ground and kick up at his assailant. He kicked him square in the face. But as Kelan stumbled back, Keira took his place.

"Get away from me, you creep!" He hollered, kicking at her sloppily when as she came closer, it being enough to prevent her from initiating her plans for him. Maybe if he kicked enough, she would stop. However the kicks were only keeping her away; by no means did it seem to deter her motivation. "Stop it!" He screamed with another kick, it landing a blow on her leg. It caused her to stumble back but to Ben’s horror, she managed to catch his foot as well.

“Snoke! Give me a hand here!” Keira snapped, holding on to the foot tightly as Ben began resisting again. It soon became futile to fight as Snoke moved to take hold of both of Ben’s feet and pinned them down, his mobility further hindered when Keira straddled him and Tarken pushed down on his shoulders. “There’s two ways we can do this.” She said to Ben softly as she pulled a small packet from her pocket and removed a blue pill from it. “You either take this willingly or I’m stuffing it down your throat.”

Ben kept his mouth shut.

“Oh, not feeling very talkative now?” She said threateningly. She snatched his jaw roughly and forced his lips open, the opening just big enough to slip the pill in. “Swallow.” She ordered, slamming her hand over his mouth. Ben shook his head, “Do it!” When he declined once more, she clamped his nose shut. “SWALLOW!”

Eyes wide in panic, Ben wiggled madly but his oxygen remained cut off. In the haze of panic and the desperation for air, he reluctantly swallowed the tiny blue object. The instant it was down his throat, Keira removed her hand and the air quickly filled his lungs again; the sense of relief was short-lived.

“No!” Ben screamed when he spotted the woman opening his plaid shirt and promptly ripping the black tank top he had been wearing underneath it. “Please! Why are you doing this!?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Keira chuckled, moving her hand to grope his crotch, smirking when she noticed him wince, “I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’ll never think of fucking boys ever again.”

“I’m demisexual, bitch! Get it right!” Ben hollered, his anger momentarily outweighing all the fear he had within him.

“Shut up; you’re ruining my fun.”

“You’re sick.” He hissed.

“And you’re talking too much. Kelan! Give me the gag!” The fear came crashing back and Ben tried to scream, hoping to God that there was someone outside that could hear him but Keira slammed her hand over his mouth yet again, rendering him silent. Moments later, Kelan, blood dripping from his mouth and nose, appeared above him, holding something in his hand. When Ben had heard the word “gag”, he had anticipated a handkerchief of some kind. Whatever Kelan was holding didn’t even look like a gag to him, just a red ball with two leather straps attached to it.

“You know what this is?” Kelan asked with a smirk, holding the odd object up. Ben shook his head. “God you’re innocent.” He laughed, proceeding to kneel down and stuffing the red ball into Ben’s mouth.

The teen protested the invading object and tried to get rid of it but Kelan roughly pulled his head up by his hair, tying the two leather straps together so tightly that the leather cut into Ben’s skin. Any sounds of pain or discomfort were quickly drown out by Snoke, telling Keira to “get on with it”.

As he felt Keira pull down his pants, Ben tried to scream, to kick, to do anything that would get her away but it only took him moments to realize that nothing would work; they had the upper hand. Still, he didn’t stop wiggling until he felt the cooled air on his crotch.

It was here that he froze.

He knew what was happening but he couldn’t comprehend that it was happening to him. This only happened to girls and yet, here he was, being assaulted and lying still as if he had lost control of all his limbs. If people knew what was happening, they would probably be wondering why he was lying still and not attempting to fight, why he was letting them do this so easily to him when he was both taller and stronger than all four. Ben himself could hardly understand why he was lying so still.

“Please, stop. Please.” He begged, doubting that even God could hear his plea. Hot tears began running down his face as unpleasant and intense sensations he had never felt before began flowing through him, the feelings no doubt intensified due to the drugs.

“The little bitch is crying.” Kelan taunted above him, he, Tarken and Snoke laughing while Keira panted and moaned.

“Please.” Ben begged once more as an uncomfortable tightness developed in his abdomen. Someone or something must’ve heard him as less than a minute later, the tightness was gone and Keira, only moments later, let out a louder moan than before. Everything was silent expect for her panting.

“Move. It’s my turn.” Kelan said.

Ben felt Keira move off of his body and another of his assailants moved him onto his stomach. He began squirming but Kelan kept him down with a tight grip on his bound hands. He tried to scream and shout ‘no’, to do anything to stop him, but it became futile.

If he hadn’t been gagged, Ben’s screams could’ve been heard outside. He thought the pain and humiliation inflicted by Keira was already horrendous but this made that seems like the minutest thing in existence. He felt as though he was being ripped apart, physically and mentally, and his lower half was burning with pain, while his dignity and sense of humanity was destroyed with each subsequent rough thrust.

With Keira, he could close his eyes and somewhat pretend it wasn’t happening. But this… how could he ignore this?

“Stop, stop, stop…” He begged, it accompanied with the fleeting hope that his situation couldn’t get worse.

A pain worse than anything he had ever felt before ripped through him and the scream he let out was perhaps the loudest as well, loud enough that even the gag couldn’t mask it. He begged for Kelan to stop but any words he tried to formulate morphed into whimpers as the excruciating pain continued.

“Fuck…” Kelan panted, increasing his pace more, completely disregarding the whimpers of the man below him. “You’re so fucking tight… Fuck.” He came only seconds later, barely regarding the whimpers as he pulled out, tucking himself back in and redoing his pants.

“Holy shit, you did quite a number on him.” Snoke commented

“That’s quite a bit of blood. And that’s saying something.” Keira added.

The four continued talking behind him but Ben couldn’t bring himself to listen. He remained still on the floor, his face as blank and emotionless as the emptiness he felt inside while the warm tears kept rolling from his eyes with no indication of stopping anytime soon. He dragged his limbs close enough in a meager attempt to bring himself comfort and warmth but it brought him nothing. The vast cold only spiraled his thoughts down a darker path, so dark that death seemed like a welcome escape.

He wanted to die. Some rational side of him told him he shouldn’t think things like that but why should he care if he died here and now? Kelan and Keira had already stripped him of whatever dignity, self-esteem, and self-worth he had. He didn’t care if he died right now.

He didn’t want to live right now.

#kylux #huxlo #kylo ren #ben solo #snoke #knights of ren #oc #star wars #modern au #all of me #my writing #tw: rape #tw: suicidal thoughts

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