#but there was no floor pan when I bought the ticket | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lillchris · 4 months

Text

You with the dark curls; You with the water colored eyes (Two Shot)

Chapter One: A Sour Apple Can Spoil The Whole Bunch

Responding to @my-favorite-sign-blog Word Count: 1.7k

a/n: The book title is inspo from the song "Dear Arkansas Daughter" Anyway seeing that this is my first fanfic in a while, I thought it was no better time to start than the present. Most of the plotlines in this book will be ideas from my delusional brain. In this fanfic, Jalen and Paige actually dated so just keep that in the back of your minds ;) I hope you all like this first chapter! <3 TW: Angst, Jalen Suggs, Mentions of cheating and divorce, Swearing, Homophobia

It was Christmas morning in the Fudd household, and with that came Christmas breakfast, it was a tradition the family had yet to break.

It was precisely 8:30am when Azzi looked at the alarm clock beside her bed, and heard the sound of her father's voice ring down the hall as he banged pots and pans that woke up all those who were sleeping.

"Come on everybody up! Rise and shine it's Christmas morning and you know what that means!"

Tim Fudd's morning enthusiasm was not reciprocated as Azzi rolled back over, and pulled the comforter back over her head, in hopes of blocking out the loud ruckus outside her room.

"I'll rise but I sure won't shine." Azzi mumbled groggily.

Just then the door burst open, and she soon felt a dip in the mattress as she groaned from the sudden disturbance.

"AZZI! AZZI! AZZI! Wake up! Come on get up!" The sound of Drew Bueckers voice blared in her ear as she rolled over once again.

"Wow I guess that didn't work, maybe you should try since your besties." Drew shrugged before getting off the bed and walking out of the room.

"Come on you big head, get up. It's rude not to greet your best friend after it took three-plus hours to get here." Paige said in a teasing tone as she attempted to pull the comforter off of Azzi.

"Just five more minutes Paige, pleaseee. You know I'm not a morning person."

"Okay fine, but I'm sitting on the edge of your bed waiting here until you decide to get off your ass and wake up." Paige teased as she picked up a mini basketball that was lying on the floor.

The constant sound of the ball hitting the door and bouncing back, over and over was enough to drive Azzi nuts, she sighed before pulling off the covers.

"When, and how did you even get here? I thought you were going back home to celebrate Christmas with your mom's side of the family in Montana?" Azzi asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.

"Well, it took me a minute to realize after I said goodbye to you at the airport a month ago, that I wanted to spend Christmas with you instead. So I bought tickets for the next flight out to Virginia, and viola here I am."

"Paige do you need me for anything else, me and Jose want to play Fortnite," Drew said with a sigh as he trudged back into the room with a PS5 controller in hand.

When Paige didn't respond, Drew took it as a sign, rolling his eyes before leaving once again.

"Come on Azzi I want some of your mom's famous maple apple pancakes fresh off the griddle before your brothers eat them all". Paige says with a long pleading, drawn-out sigh.

"Don't make me force you out of bed".

"Noo Paige Please. Just let me wake up naturally. Jose forced me to watch some stupid ass Christmas comedy movie, and I am so tired." Azzi says with her eyes closed still as an annoyed groan falls from her lips.

"You're getting up whether you like it or not, come on," Paige says mischievously as she swats at Azzi's knee lightly as an incentive.

"Alright guess I'm going to have to carry you out like the princess you are." Paige says before picking up Azzi and slumping her over her shoulder carrying her out.

" Think you might want to carry Azzi more gently, she is Sleeping Beauty." Tim Fudd laughs upon seeing his daughter carried out Fireman's lift-style.

"Well, she is a princess after all," Paige says with a smirk before carrying Azzi bridal style in her arms.

"Wait before you put her down," Jose says laughing, before taking a picture of a sleepy Azzi, as Tim and Katie just laugh.

"Alright, Paige wake up Azzi it's almost time to eat." Katie says with a smile as she sets the last of the pancake on a plate.

"Wakey, Wakey princess, it's time to wake up for real this time." Paige says with a smirk as she bops her best friend on the nose, as she puts Azzi down forcing her to stand up despite how groggy she is.

"I'm up, I'm up! " Azzi says yawning as she puts on one of Paige's hoodies that she's currently "borrowing"

"Hey, that's my hoodie! Haven't you had it for over six months now?" Paige says jokingly with an eyebrow raised and a smirk plastered on her face.

"Whatever Paige. I like it, it's so comfy and it smells like you. I've worn it for the past month since I missed you." Azzi says as she leans against Paige's shoulder, and everyone sits at the table.

"She has hardly taken it off since we picked her up at the airport a month ago." Katie states as she passes the syrup bottle.

"Yeah, she practically lives in it." Tim chimes in, as Drew and Jose give each other knowing looks, as they look across the table at the two girls, who seem utterly comfortable and relaxed in each other's presence.

"Oh? So you actually missed me?" Paige says teasingly to Azzi as she eats her scrambled eggs.

"Of course I missed you! Is that even a question!" Azzi says with her mouth half full of food as she half-jokingly rolls her eyes. She glances over at Paige, before nudging her in the side playfully.

In Azzi's mind, she wanted to say: of course I missed you I always miss you. But she refrained, something in her mind stopped her.

Just as everyone was finishing eating, the sound of the doorbell ringing shifted their attention.

"I'll get it" Tim said as he rose from the table, before heading to the door.

"Is Paige Bueckers here by chance?" A young man says as he stands on the snowy outside steps.

"And who are you?" Tim asks curiously.

"I'm Jalen Suggs, Paige's- friend. I would like to talk to her for a second.

"Oh, so you're- never mind, sure come in," Tim says clearing his throat, letting the young man inside.

"Paige, someone's here to see you."

"Here to see me? On Christmas? I don't know who could possibly want to see m-." Paige's words stopped just as quickly as they had been spoken. Her mouth suddenly goes dry, upon seeing him standing there.

"I need to talk to you, please." Jalen says with a insistent look as she approaches him, firmly grabbing his forearm, and leading him into the living room.

"What the hell are you doing here Jalen on all of the days Christmas! I thought I made myself clear-"

"You did, baby, but I-I want to apologize, for everything." Jalen pleads as Paige's blood almost boils upon hearing him call her baby.

Paige sighs, looking down and shaking her head, before glancing over at Drew who is watching them talk. He quickly snaps his head toward the TV acting like he isn't staring.

"Look, can we just- talk about this outside. The at least decent thing you can do is not have this conversation in front of my little brother." Paige sighs in frustration as she and Jalen walk out onto the small front porch.

-----------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Azzi is helping her mom and dad clean up the kitchen.

"Whoa, what did that plate ever do to you?" Tim jokes as Katie shoots her husband a not the right-time look.

In Azzi's mind, the thought, the sight, the mention of that person, that man- Jalen Suggs, makes her blood boil to no avail. He was a dick, an asshole, hell, every insulting name in the damn book of insults, for what he put Paige through the last year and a half.

She despised him, how could he do that to Paige, Her Paige. She dismissed that thought quickly, as her mind trailed back to Jalen the more she thought about him the more her mind reeled and turned at just how much she disliked him.

"Azzi." The sound of someone's voice and the feeling of her mother's hand brought her back to reality, and it was only then did Azzi realize that she had been washing the same damn pan for over five minutes. She released the death grip she had on the pan before taking a deep breath.

"Azzi, are you alright?" Her mother's eyes met hers as she looked up from her feet.

"Yeah, I'm fine. its-just why the hell did he have to show up, right here, right now, on Christmas of all days- I just." Azzi sighed and threw her hands up in the air.

"I'm walking out there, I know it's not my place but I'm giving Jalen a piece of my mind."

Azzi says determined, walking out of the house before Katie can tell her not to.

"ooooh weeeh, man! Watch out! Here comes Azzi. That boy is gonna see some Fudd fury from her! That's my girl!" Tim says proudly as Katie shoots him another unamused look.

"One! You are not calling me baby, and two! Don't you dare bring my parent's divorce into this! I might have been only three but that does not make it irrelevant. " Paige says beyond angry.

Azzi stomped out onto the snowy driveway about to give Jalen a piece of her mind, but she stopped beside the two, seeing that she had come at a bad time.

"And don't bring Azzi into this either leave her out of this!" Paige says before realizing Azzi is standing right there.

"Oh I'm sorry did I hurt your "girlfriend's" feelings." Jalen shoots back.

"Don't talk to her like that don't you dare!" Azzi says stepping in front of Paige protectively.

"Oh does Paige need her best friend- or shall I say girlfriend to fight her battles for her? Is that why you broke up with me just so you could fuck your best friend instead?"

That was it Paige had officially snapped.

"I'm not the one who cheated, with my used-to-be friend Hayley Van Leith! And no that's not why I was going to break up with you! I broke up with you because you kept fucking continuously lying to me!" Paige says with venom in her voice.

"You need to leave now." Azzi says firmly as she once again steps between Paige.

"Yeah alright, whatever Paige, at least I tried apologizing. Yeah, you just have fun with your girlfriend here. She'll never be able to give you what I could." Jalen says mockingly.

Before leaving Azzi and Paige in the snowy driveway.

a/n: lmk what y’all think :)

#pazzi #pazzi fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #uconn wbb #uconn huskies #uconn women’s basketball #paige x azzi #paige bueckers #azzi fudd #wlw #angst #paige buckets

178 notes · View notes

roosterforme · 2 years

Text

Sounds Ideal | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Having you in his living space makes everything seem better and brighter to Bradley.

Warnings: Fluff and smut, lots of sex and sweet lovin'

Length: 1400 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You?

Check my masterlist.

Bradley noticed how much the house had changed over the weekend, and it thrilled him. Friday morning he looked around at his sparse belongings; his whole one drawer of clothing in the massive dresser, his row of Hawaiian shirts in the closet.

Then you came in and filled the space. He reassembled your bed frame in the master bedroom while you hung dress after dress next to his shirts. His shoes even looked better with your much smaller ones next to them. The room finally felt like somewhere he wanted to spend some time. Mostly because you were there, with your voice and your smile and your laugh.

The kitchen drawer of takeout menus and the freezer full of microwave dinners were unrecognizable by Friday evening. You had unpacked real pots and pans into the space, and you had all these cool kitchen gadgets that he didn't know the purpose of. But he loved them all.

Even the bathroom had taken on a new life with your fluffy yellow towels hanging along the wall next to the shower. When you asked him on Friday night which side of the bathroom sink he wanted, he almost laughed. He didn't need a side, he only needed about six square inches for his toothbrush and toothpaste.

"Sweetheart, you can take up as much space in this house as you want to. Go wild. Make a mess."

"But Bradley, it's your house-"

"Y/N, please stop saying that. It's your house too. I invited you to be here with me. I want you here. I want all your stuff everywhere. Everything is already better with you around, and you've only been living here for three hours."

You licked your lips and climbed into his arms. And that's how you ended up having sex for the first time on Friday night on the bathroom floor. It was really kind of sweet too, the way you straddled his lap while he sat with his back against the sink vanity, whispering how much you loved him while you rode him. And that was the thing that always tugged at Bradley's mind and heart; even when the sex was dirty or you were arguing with each other or you made each other mad, there was always a fundamental undercurrent of sweetness in everything. And he needed that forever.

----------------------------------------

Bradley woke up to an empty bed on Saturday morning, but he could smell something delicious cooking.

He hopped out of bed and made his way into the main living area, past what was left of your unpacked boxes and bins. He found you cooking an omelet in one of his oversized tees while you talked on the phone. A little trail of hot sauce bottles was lined up along the counter, and he smiled fondly at them.

He stood still in the doorway, your back turned to him as you said, "I probably sound happy, because I am happy, mom..... Yeah, all my stuff is moved in, I just need to unpack today and tomorrow..... Maria's new roommate is moving in today, so Bradley and I had to move fast last night..... Yeah, he's great, mom. The house is so tidy, I feel bad messing it up!... Mmhmm, we're still coming for Christmas. I just bought the tickets. I'll email you the info so dad can pick us up from the airport..... I don't know what to tell you to get him for Christmas. I don't even know what I should get him!"

You turned and jumped a bit when you saw him standing there before you shuffled over and leaned against his chest. "Yeah, mom, sounds good. I'll call back tomorrow when dad's home, okay? Love you."

"Morning, Sweetheart."

"Were you eavesdropping, Roo? Trying to figure out what I'm getting you for Christmas?"

Bradley pulled you into his arms. "While I must admit I am curious about that, I woke up and you weren't in bed and I missed you."

You smiled brightly up at him. "I'm making you breakfast. You need to stop eating those frozen meals and picking up takeout all the time."

He leaned down and kissed you softly. "If you cook me something, I will eat it, no questions asked. I love everything you make. And I will clean up the kitchen every time."

"Jesus, Roo, that's some panty dropping shit right there," you groaned. "I love watching you clean the kitchen, it's so fucking sexy, I could get off to it."

Bradley's head tipped back and he laughed, holding you against him.

"I'm not even kidding, because half the time you do it in just your underwear. It's hot as hell."

He looked down at you and smiled. "Let's eat, Sweetheart. Then you can watch me clean up, and then we can see how sturdy the new table is."

Turns out, the table was very sturdy. Bradley picked it out, in part, because it looked like it could take a bit of a beating. He had you splayed out naked on your back, with your ankles on his shoulders. You were shaking your head back and forth, moaning his name over and over as he stroked your clit with his thumb. He hadn't even entered you yet, and you were soaking wet and ready to come for him. God, you looked so fucking pretty as he slipped his fingers inside you and bent them at just the right angle before fucking you with them.

Your hands went to your breasts, and he was mesmerized as you squeezed and fondled yourself, your pussy clenching around his fingers as you arched your back. "Bradley," you whined. "Fuck me."

This couldn't really be his life. There was no way. Homemade breakfast? Cooked by a sinfully hot woman wearing just his shirt? And then sex on the dining room table? He loved this, loved you.

"Bradley! Please! I want you to fuck me," you literally begged as you looked up at him and bit your lip.

"I'll never get tired of hearing you say that, Baby Girl," he whispered, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on your lips before he fucked you until you screamed.

------------------------------------------

You had him completely sidetracked again. He was supposed to be putting a coffee table together, but you had lured him into the shower with you. He was helpless to turn you down, especially when you offered to wash his hair for him.

"We should make a grocery list. And later, after we finish shopping, I'm going to let you help me cook Marry Me Rooster for dinner."

"Sounds ideal, Sweetheart" he agreed, practically panting as you ran your shampoo covered fingers slowly through his hair and pressed little kisses to his collarbone.

"It will be. And don't forget, you agreed to let me pay for all of our groceries while I'm living here."

Bradley's brow scrunched up. "I don't remember agreeing to that."

"Well you sure did, Roo. You agreed with me when I mentioned it directly after I gave you a blowjob last weekend."

Bradley met your smirking gaze and gulped as he thought back to that particular encounter. "Are you referring to the blowjob you gave me where I titty fucked you halfway through before you finished me off with your mouth?"

"Mmhmm," you hummed, rinsing the shampoo from his hair and trailing your fingers down the back of his neck. "Pretty sure I could have made you agree to anything in that moment, so be thankful it's just the groceries, yeah?"

"Yeah," he agreed, knowing he'd been beaten on this particular topic.

-------------------------------------

On Sunday night, when you had finished reheating the leftover Marry Me Rooster for dinner, Bradley was standing behind you kissing your exposed neck.

"I'm so happy you're here, Sweetheart."

"Me too, Roo," you told him, taking his hand in yours and leading him toward the table that he would always associate with making love to you.

"I'm gonna love you forever. You know that, right?" he whispered, pulling you into his arms.

You snuggled against his chest and smiled up at him. "Yeah, I know."

-------------------------------------

Thanks for reading along! Several more one-shots of these two beauties, and then another series filled with smut, fluff and angst.

@hotch-meeeeeuppppp

@swthxrry

@yaboid19

@mak-32

@miles-rooster

@solacestyles

@avoirlecoupdefoudre

@daisyhollyxox

@grxnde-dwt

@callsigndiamond

@harper1666

@throwinsauce

@beebslebobs

@awesomebooklover17

@wintercap89

@whosyourgnomie4

@rosesinmars

@blog-name6996

@bcon24

@wishfulwithwine

@backinwonderl4nd

@babybloomer

@monte-carlando

@tetragonia

@gingerbreadandpaper

@emptyloverofmine

@apparently-sunshine

@chaoticassidy

@missmirandafe

@thedroneranger

@changlingkhat

@callsign-echo

@sugarcoated-lame

@callsign-jupiter

@avada-kedavra-bitch-187

@marantha

@averyhotchner

@katiebby04

@andycanbeemotional

@abaker74

@heli991113

@k-k0129

@eunoia-sys

@noz4a2

@tallyovie

@shanimallina87

@teddyluvs2sing

@cherrycola27

#bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #rooster fanfic #rooster x reader #top gun fanfiction #bradley rooster x reader #rooster #bradley bradshaw imagine #rooster x you

1K notes · View notes

subliminalbo · 11 months

Text

Hypnovember Day 5: Self-Care Saturday

It was supposed to be Andrea’s Self-Care Saturday. She’d bought a ticket to see Vertigo early at the Hedron Theater, then planned to spend the rest of the evening locked up in her apartment in sweatpants, eating freezer pizza and watching TV until she passed out. Then, as she was getting ready for the movie, she got the call from Dr. Fielding.

That’s how their relationship worked. Andrea was paid by the job and she only worked when needed, but she was on call 24/7 and powerless to deny a work request. Even though she wanted to protest, she couldn’t even offer a “But…” As soon as she heard Dr. Fielding’s voice, her will simply melted away.

“We have a job for you tonight, Andrea,” Dr. Fielding said

“Yes, Dr. Fielding,” Andrea replied in that dreamy sort of monotone that signaled the total power Carpenter State’s psychology professor held over her.

Sometimes the work could be exciting. The last time Dr. Fielding had given Andrea a call, it was to retrieve a coed who had torn off her clothes and climbed onto a table at Argento’s moaning, “More!” as she shoveled fistfulls of spaghetti into her mouth. Andrea and Tyler had succeeded in both removing the woman from the business and controlling the narrative—protecting a Romero institution like Argento’s by blaming the incident on a mysterious new drug. That’s why Andrea and Tyler worked so well together. They weren’t just good at cleaning up Romero’s messes, but covering them up too.

This call was not the weird horny spaghetti demon lady. This call was, “Attend this scholarship dinner and watch for anything weird.”

“Anything weird?” Tyler had repeated when Andrea climbed into his car with a huff.

“That’s all she said!” Andrea shot back. “What the fuck does that even mean?”

Tyler had lost track of the conversation. He was busy ogling Andrea’s low plunging dress.

“Oh, fuck off,” Andrea snapped. “We got like thirty minutes notice, this is the best I could do.”

“Well you look great,” he smiled.

Tyler speculated that whatever they were supposed to look out for must be so obvious that they couldn’t miss it if they saw it. And, of course, if they never saw anything, Dr. Fielding wouldn’t have to worry about exposing them to too much information. One of those “need to know” type things.

Of course he’d take Dr. Fielding’s side on this, Andrea thought. The scholarship dinner was a great opportunity for Tyler to yuck it up with some big name Carpenter State donors. He absolutely lived for that shit. Andrea had trusted Tyler a lot less since he admitted to her that he’d accept pay in exposure. “Fuck that,” she’d said. “I’m trying to eat.”

The dinner was predictably boring. Tyler had abandoned Andrea almost immediately to introduce himself to Pageant Crowe, the longtime editor of the Romero Scribe. She hung back against the wall trying to make herself as small as possible. After forty-five minutes of listening to old white men speak about the value of a Carpenter education, she tapped Tyler on the shoulder and whisper-shouted, “I gotta piss,” turning more than a few heads at the English majors table.

The bathroom was outside of the dining hall, near the back of the building just by the kitchens. The sound of the muffled speeches bounced off of the cement walls. As she exited the bathroom, she gave herself a moment to sigh, but before she could head back in there she heard a bump from the kitchen. It was probably nothing, she thought, but enough to pick up her terminally bored interest.

“Hello?” Andrea called, stepping toward the dark hallway that led into the kitchen. Next she heard a metallic clang, and a moan floated down the corridor. Andrea followed the noise, gasping when she entered the kitchen to find a woman on the floor surrounded by pots and pans. She was dressed in a red ball gown, an absolutely stunning body with long, black hair and full lips that curled into a perfect crimson O as she moaned. Andrea figured she must have been a donor, because her look wasn’t “fresh off the rack at Target” enough to be a scholarship student.

it wasn’t the woman’s looks that took Andrea’s breath away, though. It was what she was doing on the floor, her legs spread as she fingered herself, cupping at one tit hanging loose from the dress. The woman’s eyes rolled back in her head, delirious as the pleasure drove her forward.

“Good…” the woman moaned. “So fucking gooood…” the woman moaned.

“Jesus,” Andrea laughed. “I’m sorry, I’ll just…leave you to that.”

Andrea went back through the kitchen entrance, closing the big double doors as she exited to give the donor some privacy. But as she made her way back to the hall, she froze as Dr. Fielding’s words flashed like a sign on the highway: something weird, something weird.

“Goddammit,” Andrea groaned when she realized that she had to go back. The woman was gone when she returned to the kitchen, though. “Hello?” Andrea called in her signature whisper-shout. “Horny lady?”

As she crept through the dark kitchen, she pulled her phone out of her small clutch and texted Tyler, then decided that a call would be more urgent. He didn’t answer on the first try. Fuck. A sound somewhere in the kitchen made Andrea jump, but doing a quick scan of her surroundings she didn’t find anything.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” she said. “I’m going to get you help.”

No response, but she thought she heard the sound of something large scurrying across the floor. Fuck, fuck.

She dialed Tyler again, finally getting him as she reached the opposite exit of the kitchen. She turned around at the doors to face the direction she’d just come from, expecting to find a pair of glowing eyes facing her, but instead she saw nothing but the dim glow of the kitchen lights.

“I think I found the something weird,” Andrea said into the phone. “Yes, I know who Pageant Crowe is! Come to the kitchens, you dork, I could be in trouble.”

She turned around again, reaching out to pull the double doors open. As they swung toward her, the woman in red slipped through, pressing her hand to Andrea’s chest.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Andrea whimpered, her phone shattering on the floor. When the woman’s fingers made contact with her skin, it felt as if they continued moving, pushing through into her body. Andrea could feel long, invisible tendrils extending from the woman and spreading out into her body.

Something weird, something weird, something fucking weird!

The woman in red licked her lips as if she were savioring a delicious meal. But Andrea didn’t feel like she was being consumed. The woman was transferring something to her, something that only got stronger as it inhabited more and more bodies.

“Accept me as a gift,” the woman said. “Accept all of me, and I’ll make you feel so good.”

Something…good…so fucking gooooood…

Andrea’s lips curled into a smile as she slowly accepted her body’s new inhabitant. Whatever it was that took hold of the woman in red’s body, it was inside Andrea now. And as its lifeforce seeped into every corner of Andrea’s body, it transformed her into the same drooling, mindless slut as the donor. That was the gift that she was given: the thing inside would have total control of her body, while the Andrea inside was subdued by endless orgasm. She began to moan, feeling that aching desire to be filled in every hole. The thing inside seemed to be feeding off of her sexual hunger. That’s what lust demons do.

The woman in red dropped to her knees, tearing down Andrea’s black panties and plunging face between her soaking folds. Andrea had never been so horny, so eager to cum. And she knew that once she did, she would never stop. She would cum again and again and again until there was nothing left of her mind and the thing could move on to its next host.

“Moooore!” Andrea cried, pulling the woman into her. “It needs more! It’s so hungry and it needs to feed! I need…I need to cummm!”

Andrea left the kitchen with the same disheveled look as the woman in red. Her hair was a mess, her tits loose from her dress, her smile was wide and her eyes were empty. She hastily cleaned up, then returned to the hall eager to share the thing inside of her with Tyler. Maybe this would finally convince him to give it to her the way she’d always wanted it. And hey, even if he didn’t want to, it wasn’t like he had a choice.

Andrea laughed in a voice that was not her own. After such a long, boring night, this scholarship dinner was finally starting to turn around.

#hypnokink #mind control #demon possession #brainwashed #serial recruitment #hypno story #hypnovember

42 notes · View notes

thesolarangel · 1 year

Text

Movie date: part 2

Pairing: Steddie · Rating: G · No warnings, pure fluff! · 1106 words

Read part 1 here! Read the whole thing on AO3 here.

Eddie had been hanging out at the family video store a lot lately, Steve noticed. Always prepared with a cheeky joke, a stunning grin on his face and wearing these tight faded jeans that Steve had to pry his eyes off of.

At the counter, where Steve was sorting through returned VHS tapes, Eddie was currently checking out the new releases with a slightly snobbish look of a self pronounced film critic. Robin was working next to Steve at the register. It was a slow day for a Friday afternoon and Steve welcomed distraction. Preferably in the form of his longtime crush.

“Any plans for the weekend yet?” Eddie asked curiously.

“No, not yet.” Steve mumbled, setting down the pile of tapes next to the computer.

“You know, I would take you to the movies'', said Eddie with one elbow on the counter and leaning into Steve’s space, “but they don't allow snacks.” He raised his brows at him, eyes sparkling with mischief.

A loud noise of something clattering to the ground. Robin had knocked over the carefully organized stack of video tapes that Steve had set on the counter.

Steve stared at Eddie dumbfoundedly. “You’re an idiot, Munson”, he blushed and shook his head.

“So, pick you up at seven?” Eddie grinned.

Steve looked up at him. That self confident grin on his face, accompanied by his cute dimples. “Sure…” he answered before he even knew what he was getting himself into.

“Alright then, see you later, Harrington!” Eddie winked at him and turned around to leave the store. Steve’s view panned downwards until Robin’s voice ripped him from his trance of ogling Eddie’s cute jean clad butt.

“That’s a date, oh my God, Eddie just asked you out!” she shrieked.

“What? Nooo…” Steve pondered, a small crease appearing between his eyebrows, “You think so?”

“Woah, don’t hurt yourself, Stevie boy”, Robin chuckled, picking up the tapes she had dropped. ”He’s finally making a move. I thought that’s what you’ve been hoping for.”

“I mean, yeah, I’m just not sure this is actually meant to be a date. What if it’s just two friends hanging out? How do you know, when it’s two guys? Or two girls?” Steve was now full on spiraling, breathing erratically and waving his arms around.

Robin took hold of Steve’s arms and pinned them to his sides. “Breathe… And you’re asking the wrong queer here. I still haven’t figured out if Nancy is genuinely laughing at my flirty jokes because she likes me, too or if she’s just being polite.” She pressed her lips together, forming a thin line of discontent. She let go of Steve’s arms. “Just wait and see, okay? Don’t freak out, my guess is that he likes you as more than a friend.”

…

At the theater, Eddie bought two tickets for A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge. They got in line to order some popcorn and soft drinks. Sweet and salty mixed popcorn in one big bucket. “It’s great, trust me!” Eddie tried to persuade him when Steve gave him a slightly disgusted look.

They made their way to the theater. “Sequels are not very good most of the time though…” Steve commented.

“There’s other stuff we could do if the movie is boring…” Eddie joked, but Steve just shoved him playfully, making Eddie spill popcorn all over the floor.

As they walked up to their seats at the very back, Steve didn’t fail to notice that Eddie must’ve chosen them on purpose. The kind of seats where someone would take a date to make out with while completely ignoring the movie. Several seats around them were free. Steve felt a little nervous all of a sudden and something was stirring in his chest with excitement. He dug into the popcorn that was sitting between them.

“Huh, this is actually pretty good…” Steve admitted.

“I have excellent taste. I’m here with you after all.” Eddie deadpanned and took a large handful himself, stuffing his face with it.

Steve almost choked on his popcorn and had to take a big gulp of his drink to wash it down. He was about to retaliate, but got cut off by the loud commercials that started playing.

The movie appeared to be a bit lame at first and they laughed at the exaggerated writing. But the tension began to grow as the film progressed and Freddy Krueger popped up more frequently. With his disfigured face, his evil grin bearing rotten teeth and the gloved hand equipped with sharp razors he used to kill his prey, he looked truly gruesome, Steve thought.

When another teenager fell victim to Freddy with a horrible scream, Steve jumped in his seat and grabbed Eddie’s thigh. “Sorry!” He apologized when Eddie hissed in pain.

“You’re really not used to horror movies, are you?” Eddie snickered under his breath. “Want me to hold your hand, Stevie?”

He held out his hand towards Steve, who simply ignored it. “I‘m fine. I hate jumpscares, that’s all.” Steve grunted and sunk deeper into his seat cushion.

A while later in the film the tension was building up towards the finale and the suspenseful soundtrack filled the theater. Steve could feel that creeping anticipation of another jumpscare, his heart was racing and his breathing quickened. Without thinking about it, he took hold of Eddie’s hand and squeezed it. He didn’t look over to Eddie when he did it. When he felt Eddie squeezing it back, the hopeful stirring in Steve’s chest was back.

The expected jumpscare passed and Steve could finally relax again. His breathing went back to normal as they watched the story conclude with a happy ending and the terror of Freddy Krueger terminated.

The credits began to roll and Eddie hadn’t pulled his hand away.

They had been holding hands throughout the last half hour of the movie. Upon this realization Steve’s cheeks turned pink: “I hate –”

“Jumpscares, I know.” Eddie whispered in a soft voice, now turning to Steve and giving him a gentle smile. This time, he wasn't teasing and Steve blushed even harder.

Eddie was so close, Steve could almost count the freckles on his nose. He smelled really nice, too, like popcorn and a hint of cinnamon. His beautiful doe eyes were locked with his own and Eddie’s face was flushed as well. He was still holding Steve’s hand while absentmindedly stroking over it with his thumb.

Steve’s eyes darted to Eddie’s mouth and he wondered if he would taste the sweet and salty mixture on his lips… His heart was pounding against his chest, when he shifted closer…

________

Read part 3 here!

fanfiction tag list (if you're not into this ship, just ignore it, it's fine!):

@fenharel-enaste @queenmeriadoc @starlady66 @elronds-pointy-ears @bananaphanta @runawaymun @thetempleofthemasaigoddess @lady-of-imladris @mistergandalf @corrodedbisexual @useless-nb-bisexual

#steddie fanfiction #steddie #fluff #movie date

21 notes · View notes

mattzerella-sticks · 2 years

Text

the gossip column (ao3)

Batman/Flash, 2k words, GA

Breaking News! Bruce Wayne has been spotted cavorting across Paris with an unknown man. Could Gotham's playboy prince be finally settling down?

If only they knew the truth...

Living rich was something Barry could become accustomed to quite easily.

Though not wealthy as he had been, Bruce’s lifestyle was still way above Barry’s means, especially since Barry had fallen from a two-income household to a no-income temporary apartment above an old corner store in Central. When Bruce sent out the alert asking for an assist on an undercover mission, Barry accepted without hesitation. Any destination would be better than where he was then. Barry lucked out when Bruce explained they were heading across the Atlantic to crash an underground auction of the Parisian elite instead of something worse, like sneaking into Darkseid’s inner sanctum on Apokolips. Even better that they’d be conducting this operation from an upscale hotel along the Seine. Bruce only had enough in his budget to afford one room, but Barry didn’t mind. It made sense with their cover as newlyweds on honeymoon.

“You don’t mind?” Bruce had asked him this after running through the plans. He’d handed over his ticket, the fake driver’s license and passport for his new identity, except he hadn’t let go yet. “Being married to me?”

Barry scoffed. “I could do much worse, Bruce.”

That was a week ago. They flew back into Gotham late last night. Barry could have run to Central from the airport then, or as they left the hotel. There wasn’t anything stopping him from leaving once Bruce turned to him and said, “Mission accomplished,” either. He chose not to. Barry told Bruce that, since he already bought the ticket, and because it wasn’t often he flew first class, Barry wanted to milk the benefits of being married to him for all that it was worth. Bruce seemed to accept his answer, and his excuse about being too tired from jetlag to make the second-long run. Bruce offered Barry his guest room, too.

“I hope I’m not putting you out.”

“You’re not,” Bruce said, “Besides, I owe you for helping me with this.”

Despite being a guest room the bed was king-sized, and its sheets were silk. Barry melted into it after his long, pressurized, warm shower in the ensuite and flew, rather than drifted, into sleep. He woke hours later. Barry hadn’t set an alarm. He rose when his consciousness was able to dig itself free from the expensive sand trap it had sunken into. It was the best he’d ever slept since he could remember, definitely before the accident that gave him his powers. Having the room to himself was a definite plus, too. Bruce and he hadn’t shared the bed during their stay, but sleep was fitful given how obnoxiously Bruce’s snoring was as it floated up from Bruce’s encampment on the floor. Barry used to be better dealing with nightly disturbances. Iris kicked in her sleep, back when they shared a bed.

He dragged his hand across the empty space of the bed. It was soft and cold underneath his palm.

Suddenly, the rich lifestyle had lost its appeal. Any desire to spend further time in bed had disappeared.

He rose. Barry dressed in the outfit he wore yesterday, then made sure his bags were packed and in order for his return to Central. There wasn’t much waiting for him at his apartment, but he’d rather wallow there than in Bruce’s townhouse. Besides, he played out the fantasy longer than he should have. The honeymoon was over. He had to go.

But it’d be rude if he vanished without thanking Bruce for his hospitality.

Barry sighed. First, he’d find Bruce, say goodbye, and then leave. He dropped his bags and headed out of the room.

There was no mistaking the smell of bacon as he entered the hallway, nor the snap and crackle of it sizzling on the frying pan, so Barry headed for the kitchen. Bruce was there, standing in front of the stove. He was behind the bacon, and the eggs that were cooling in a porcelain bowl to the right and the coffee percolating in the nearby coffee machine. Bruce glanced at Barry and gestured to the island with a quick nod. “Why don’t you take a seat, breakfast is almost ready.”

Barry shifted on his feet. “You didn’t have to –“

“Nonsense.” Bruce clicked the oven off, lifting the pan onto a different, inactive burner. “I don’t often have anyone to cook for other than myself these days. Consider it doing me another favor.”

He carried on with preparing breakfast and, since Barry really hadn’t anywhere to be in a hurry, he sat where Bruce directed him to.

Barry watched him work from his perch. This Bruce was unfamiliar to him. Firstly, he hadn’t have guessed Bruce would take to domesticity in such strides. Without Alfred, Barry knew Bruce was forced to adapt and adjust. He just assumed Bruce’s culinary skills were limited to sandwiches. From the smell of it all, Barry was glad to be wrong.

Bruce also looked softer, too. Though this was less surprising to him. They were in each other’s company at all hours in the past few days, and Barry saw him in all sorts of dress, especially this. Tee shirt and sweats, bare feet and flat, dark hair fresh after a shower. It was different now that they were in Bruce’s home. None of it seemed like part of the story they were acting in and had Barry considering some of those quiet moments in a new light. Like how, when it was the two of them and Barry noticed how there were less shadows hiding in Bruce’s eyes, Barry figured Bruce had hidden them for his, and the mission’s, sake.

How could you pretend to be the happy husband when your eyes were mired in such darkness? It was a question Barry had been thinking about recently, once he spotted a similar fog rolling into his gaze.

Except Barry was wrong about Bruce. Again. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

His reflection was broken, mercifully so, as Bruce slid a plate and mug in front of him with a soft order to eat.

As he already noted, it smelt delicious. “It looks delicious,” he said, too. Barry speared an egg bite, a piece of bacon, and brought both to his mouth. The flavor set off a series of explosions across his tongue that caught him off guard and made him his head dizzy.

It really was delicious.

He stuffed his face with more, and then more, and suddenly he was asking for seconds all while Bruce hadn’t even started on his.

That didn’t matter to him. Bruce pushed his plate towards Barry with a small chuckle. “No,” Barry tried returning it. Bruce prevented him from doing so. “I can grab my own –“

“You’re my guest.” Bruce told him. Then, glancing elsewhere, he murmured. “Alfred would’ve done the same, then make me get my own plate anyway.”

There wasn’t any arguing with Bruce after that. Barry accepted the plate and let Bruce assemble a new plate for himself. He ate slower, now. He focused more on drinking the coffee than eating. It was easy to. Barry hadn’t realized Bruce knew how Barry liked his coffee.

He wanted to ask him when he’d pieced it together, but before he could – and before Bruce finished plating his breakfast – Bruce’s phone rang. Bruce answered it without bothering to look at who it might be. “Barbara,” he said, “what’s the problem?” Barry couldn’t hear her respond. He wished he did as the relaxed expression on Bruce’s face slipped away and was replaced with a tenser set of features Barry was familiar with. Bruce set his half-full plate on the counter and walked out of the room.

Barry stayed in the kitchen. He considered following Bruce, to see how he could help or even learn what was the matter.

He didn’t have to move, though. Bruce returned soon after he left, his phone gone and a tablet in his hands, apologizing and saying, “You have to see this.”

“What is…” Barry trailed off as his eyes latched onto the image of him on the tablet’s screen. Him and Bruce. Together, in Paris. Underneath the headline ‘FORMER WAYNE ENTERPRISES CEO BRUCE WAYNE, LOST THE ‘LLION’ BUT KEPT THE ‘BI’?’ It was the leading news story on the Gotham Gazette’s website. They were also featured on the Daily Planet, the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle and many, many other new sites. Central City’s Picture News also covered it, the only publication able to correctly identify him other than “unknown man”. He searched the byline. Iris hadn’t written the story. At least there was some silver lining.

“What? Was it a slow news day or something…” His joke didn’t land. Barry hadn’t expected it to. Still, he figured he needed to respond.

“It’s… worse.” Bruce slid his phone over now and tapped on its screen. When it lit up, Barry saw the hundreds of notifications that had been blowing up his phone. Dick. Jason. All his children. Clark and Diana had reached out, too, and lots of their other friends amongst the many reporters and columnists.

And if they were reaching out to Bruce…

Barry zipped out of the room and returned between one second and the next with his own, active phone. Like Bruce, his friends and family were all reaching out with questions about what they’ve seen. If what they read was true. If Barry truly was in a relationship with Bruce Wayne. He quickly scanned through his messages. Iris wasn’t one of them.

Silver linings.

Bruce cleared his throat. Barry set his phone face down on the island beside his cooling seconds. Neither said anything as the situation settled in their minds. The tablet hadn’t been turned off yet. A picture of them laughing from last week stared back, almost mocking.

It’d be easy to flip it over, or power it down. Barry did neither.

It was Bruce who acted first. “I’m so sorry,” he said again.

Barry sighed. “It’s not like you could’ve predicted this would happen.”

“Shouldn’t I have?”

“As much as we tease you about it,” Barry told him, “you don’t have to have a plan for… everything.”

Bruce nodded and sipped at his coffee. His gaze was downcast, and he couldn’t meet Barry’s eyes. “So,” he said, “how do you want to handle this?”

“There’s a way to handle this?”

“Well…” Bruce’s shoulders rose and pinched his head as he explained the lengths they could go to in covering up. Barbara had the hardest and most important part to play, scanning the whole of Paris for any evidence of their stay and deleting it. What Bruce and Barry would do was simpler. Statements from the both of them denying any hint of a relationship being between them. “We were strangers who happened to share a table as we were both eating alone,” Bruce said, “not lovers. Not newlyweds. That’s all.”

“That’s all…”

Finally Bruce looked at him. “Is there something wrong with it?”

“No, no. It’s good. But…”

“But?”

Heat crept up Barry’s neck. Suddenly, what he had thought during Bruce’s containment strategy seemed stupid, a response spurred by an improbable fantasy because he couldn’t help himself imagine what it might be like. Or, possibly, because the loneliness had gotten to him after months of it. The reason why didn’t matter. It wouldn’t work either way. Yet Barry already tipped the domino over. He must continue. “What if…” Barry now avoided Bruce’s gaze, watching the coffee rippling in his mug because his hands couldn’t stop shaking. “What if he we let it ride?”

“Come again?”

“I’m just saying is… is this really a bad thing?” His mouth kept going though he begged for it to stop. “It’s gossip. Nothing more. I’m sure this can blow over after a week or so, and then we can quietly break up or something and that’ll be the end of that.”

“Really?” Bruce’s voice dripped with sarcasm that Barry was splashed with it. He was forced to acknowledge his own inanity and glanced at the other man’s face for confirmation. However there wasn’t any derision there. Bruce was bashful and, somehow, disbelieving. “You think you could stand being married to me for a few months more?”

It was a bad idea. Barry didn’t have any others, though.

He clinked their mugs together. “I could do worse.”

#batman #flash #bruce wayne #barry allen #brubarry #bruce x barry #batflash #batflash fanfiction #dcu

43 notes · View notes

realitysperception · 1 year

Text

A'ight

Me and Spector_Author went to go see Rise of the Beasts and ho boy do we have words on it. Spoilers under the cut below (fair warning it's long).

First off, instead of the regular seats we accidentally bought the 4D tickets. 4D differs from 3d that on top of the glasses and pop-out effects you get smell-o-vision and your chair moves.

So I gotta say, because I have the body mass of a single dried out skeleton, seeing Optimus Primal and Optimus Prime fighting with explosions is a lot more visceral white knuckled gripping the seat handles trying not get launched forward and smash your face on the floor. I was legit bracing myself for every action scene.

But good times were had.

Alright, Spoilers. Spector_Authors writing this one. Fair warning point form because we both had ADHD and pinball from subject to subject.

This is long.

We both liked the pacing of the movie, both Prime and Primal had their character arcs balanced with each other we though, while Mirage and Noah were the backbone arcs.

Mirage was totally meant to be Jazz and we are okay with this.

Little disappointed Nightbird talked, however briefly, but all in she was pretty neat. The glowing double katanas are perfect.

More weapons should glow.

Spent all of the movie not knowing Battletraps name, but love the way he used the tow lines of his alt mode.

We need more alt-mode chases and alt-mode battles like that.

Wheeljack. Look what they did to my mans, they gave him sUsPeNdErS. There was no need for him to have such a drastic redesign, it added nothing to the plot, and in fact took away from continuity with the Bumblebee movie because he had a full fledged good design in that. But maybe they wanted to show new planet, new look, then just augment the old one. He can still have the colour change of white to brown, still have a pair of suspenders and glasses slapped on, a face too? Sure, just have retract his battle mask when he meets up with Prime. The helms fins? They were there, but only for a microsecond or a few frames in the battle scene. The battle scene, why would you bring in the gadget and explosive character if he doesn't use explosions or gadgets??

The battle scene was also pretty amazing. I got chills at "Maximize!" never have I wanted to hear that yelled so badly before. Like damn.

I would have loved a tiny bit more interaction between the Maximals and Autobots, I don't recall hearing Cheetor or Rhinox talk other than the big meet up scene. Even just a passing word in the background, maybe a supporting word on the plan to take down the warp gate, heck even small talk with Stratosphere (I think he's great too)

(Spector_Author) I refuse to gush/rant on the subspace and mass shifting needed for the Mirage suit.

The Gi Joe thing, the Gi Joe thing. Whhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyy. When the scene started I thought it was a dumb attempt to tie it to the Bayverse, but then he flipped the car and it was shoved in your face GI JOE. And I get why they did it, relaunch it and see if it works better than the last one, but why did they do it like that. Subtly is the best ways to build hype, when its panning over the laboratory floor with the technicians and mechanics, just have the Joe logo on the wall or something. Let the fans work it out for themselves.

That aside, this means that they have to bring Starscream and Cobra Commander together in a live action film.

More on the pacing of film, we both think they did pretty well at putting quips in the script without it feeling forced. humor wasn't used to break tension every single time, the chosen times used often balanced out with action scenes (Like the underground city part) A lot of the scenes and tropes/themes (Wrong words but idk what else) you could see coming and yes they were a bit corny and campy but in the best way possible. You could see them coming and you were excited for it and cheered when it actually happened.

This visuals were great too, from the settings to the CGI to the costumes with the extras. Just Mmm. The hologram ability was great and very near to my (Spector's) heart, the car chase with it was amazing. And the little scuttle creatures the Scourge releases give the heebie jebbies. The fur effects on the Maximals. Ahhhhhh! And the tumble down the hills in peru? Using the setting for plot devices?

I really like Noah/Mirage dynamic, very Tracks/Raoul and close to my heart, I think it could have been balanced more with showing Elena's talking with either Aziazor or Arcee, I felt like she got shoved to side quite a bit. (I really did like her character and motivation tho)

We had such a good time.

#tldr: we have very strong feelings about this but mostly good #transformers #rise of the beasts #hnnnggg and other nonsense noise #just.... aaaaaaahh #small rant

9 notes · View notes

pepperbox · 1 year

Note

"#vet tech (employed by an archfey possibly)" PLEASE elaborate

i kinda accidentally stumbled into working at a vet clinic for a man who

people come from out of state to bring their pets to him

like i mean HOURS of driving

he has, on top of cats and dogs, three pet raccoons and a skunk

(he regularly brings the skunk around and she is the sweetest baby in the world)

(this isn't him but another vet in the office regularly sees opossums, and she has her own instagram famous opossums)

he started his own pet cremation business that he runs out of his basement

he skateboards around the clinic while talking to clients on the phone

he skateboards away from us when we try to make him do paperwork

he once jumped into the baltimore inner harbor

(do not do this)

(we're honestly surprised he didn't end up with an infection)

he is currently considering diving into the blue hole in oregon despite literally everyone telling him HE WILL DIE

he bought everyone in the office two day renfest tickets as a business expense

we went on the last day as peter pan (him) and the lost boys (the rest of us)

the plan for this year is alice in wonderland

he's going to go box someone for $10k?? i don't know why, i've just accepted that this is a thing that is going to happen now

he decided we're all gonna play kickball together so we've been doing that for the past month (we're bad at it and have lost every game so far but we make up for it in sheer rowdiness)

has actually offered to buy a house for an employee

(me)

(i was the employee)

(i cannot stress enough that i have not worked there for even a year yet)

i'm unclear on if this is true or not but he might not be allowed into ireland????

he does all his paperwork on a typewriter

he designed the vet office to look like the black lodge

no i'm not kidding

i made a comment once about how the floor reminded me of the room from twin peaks and he just clapped me on the shoulder and said YES EXACTLY, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED

"i got a lecture from a soundwave in mexico" -actual thing he has said

#i know i am forgetting things but i have covid brain atm and everything is mush #the tl;dr is that my life is a sitcom now

1 note · View note

thevoidfishsminstrel · 4 years

Text

“Hey!” Kara frowned, picking up the pillow that had just hit her in the head and hugging it to her chest.

Alex flopped down on the other end of the couch with a bottle of beer. “Stop staring at the door like a puppy then. Your gay is showing.”

Kara sputtered. “Wha- I’m not-”

Alex just raised an eyebrow and Kara sunk down further into the couch.

She pouted. “I’m not gay anyway.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Alright, sorry but ‘your pan is showing’ just sounds like I’m talking about the mess in your kitchen.”

“Well you try scrubbing it! I told you - it didn’t even come off with superspeed!”

Alex laughed and shook her head. “Well that’s your own fault for trying to make pancakes with laservision.”

Kara grumbled and pushed at Alex’s thighs with her toes. Alex slapped at them and when that didn’t stop her, tickled the soles of her feet. Kara shrieked and fell off the couch with a thud, pouting down into the floor as Alex laughed. At least the pillow still clutched to her chest had somewhat softened the blow to her floorboards.

Alex rested her feet on Kara’s back in retribution. “Anyway, stop trying to change the subject.”

Kara sighed and turned her face to the side so she could talk without inhaling dust. She really needed to vacuum. “What subject? You threw a pillow at me and then made fun of my cooking skills.”

“More like lack thereof. But that’s not what I’m talking about - I’m talking about you being all dumb and in love with Lena.”

Kara’s sputtering turned into a coughing fit as it unsettled some dust. Alex was no help. “I don’t- I’m not in love with Lena!”

She could feel Alex rolling her eyes from the floor. “Kara, your crush can be seen from space. I bet everyone on Mars knows about it.”

“Not fair - they can mindread.”

Alex prodded her heels into Kara’s back. “Not the point. Why don’t you just ask her out?”

Kara sighed. “She doesn’t like me like that.”

Alex’s tone softened a little. “What makes you say that?”

She sighed and rolled over, staring up at the ceiling and hugging the pillow to her chest. Alex replaced her feet on Kara’s stomach. “She gives the best cuddles when we have movie nights, and we hug and stuff when I go to her office for lunch, and one time I accidentally kissed her on the cheek as I was leaving but she seemed happy so I do that sometimes now. But she never kisses me, and whenever we’re at game night or around other people she’s not quite as cuddly and our hugs don’t last as long.”

“Your hugs are shorter around us?”

Kara ignored her. “And sometimes I say ‘I love you’ - ‘cause friends say that to each other too, right?” She glanced at Alex but didn’t wait for a reply. “And she’ll say it back, but she never just says it to me first. And I always tell her how good and smart and amazing she is - ‘cause she is and she gets all cute and blushy and she does that scrunchy smile when I do. Anyway… I know she cares about me too and we’re best friends and she does say nice things too, but not like I do.”

Alex was uncharacteristically quiet for a moment. “Well maybe she just communicates differently.”

Before Kara had too long to ponder that, her front door opened and she sat up excitedly, dislodging Alex’s feet and almost making her slide off the couch too in the process. “Lena!”

Lena smiled at her over the couch and closed the front door. “Sorry I’m late - we had an issue down in one of the labs.”

Kara sprang up, stepping over a grumbling Alex, and rushed over to where Lena was hanging up her coat beside the door. “No, no it’s fine. Alex and I were just talking.”

“Oh yeah?” Lena unwrapped the scarf from around her neck with a smile. “What about?”

“Hm? Oh. Um…” She adjusted her glasses nervously. “Just this cute puppy I saw earlier.”

“Oh! That reminds me.” Lena reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, swiping through it before turning it to show Kara the screen with a grin. “He was sitting outside L-corp when I left.”

It was a picture of an extremely fluffy white puppy, panting happily up at the camera, wearing a supergirl bandana.

Kara gasped, taking the phone from Lena to look more closely at the adorable ball of fluff. “He’s so cute! I can’t believe CEO Lena Luthor stopped to take a picture of a cute dog. Everyone’s going to think you’ve gone soft.”

She laughed, shrugging. “If it makes Kara Danvers smile I think it’s worth it.”

Kara beamed at her and pulled her into a hug. Lena melted into it and Kara couldn’t help but hold on a little tighter at the feel of Lena in her arms.

Alex wandered up to them and cleared her throat, breaking them out of their little bubble. She smiled warmly and hugged Lena but Kara would have called it more of a quick squeeze than a proper hug. Clearly Kara’s hugs were superior.

“Good to see you, Lena.”

“You too, Alex.” She held up a plastic bag and wiggled her eyebrows at Kara. “Now who wants potstickers while we watch?”

“You brought me potstickers?!” Kara lit up like the puppy in the photo. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Alex scoffed, taking the bag into the kitchen to unload them and divide them into bowls. (They’d learnt long ago that if they didn’t Kara would eat them all and leave none for the others. A few of Lena’s always seemed to somehow make their way into Kara’s bowl though.) “Oh please - she bought you an office full of flowers and an entire media company. Just accept it.”

They both blushed as Alex ignored them and took her bowl into the living room, flopping down on the couch and turning on the TV.

Their monthly movie night would normally have included Kelly but she was visiting James and so it was just the three of them.

Lena picked up the remaining two bowls, sneakily redistributing them and handing Kara the one with extra.

Kara smiled dopily at her. “I missed you.”

She laughed. “We had lunch together.” But she brushed their fingers together, squeezing Kara’s pinky affectionately before they moved to join Alex.

———

It had been Kara’s turn to choose the movie and so they watched Lilo and Stitch, much to Lena’s amusement and Alex’s chagrin. But the whole time, Kara couldn’t help but think about what Alex had said.

Lena stayed cuddled up beside her, not quite like when they were alone, but always close. At the moments she knew made Kara laugh, she’d grin and bump their shoulders together. When a bit where Kara would cry was coming up, she’d lean a little closer, tangling their fingers and giving three little squeezes.

And then Kara began to think about all the other little gestures. Fingers brushing as they walked side by side, intertwining on top of a table, running through her hair after a hard fight. Hands running down her arms as they part from a hug, over her shoulders as she passes behind her chair, flexing at her side as they stand too close but not close enough. A thumb brushing over her knuckles with understanding, over her forearm with empathy, over her cheek with affection.

When they first met, Lena would give a polite handshake at most. Lena may not initiate hugs very often but she always melted into them. She may not be entirely comfortable around other people but she always gravitated towards Kara in a room and let down her walls when they were alone. Lena may not say ‘I love you’ but she showed it in a thousand little gestures. In flowers, and a media company, and tickets to shows Kara rambled to her about. In her favourite foods, her favourite places, pictures of her favourite animals, just to make her smile. In the way she clears time in her CEO’s schedule to have lunch or watch movies or just listen, like even the small things are important. Like Kara’s important.

Alex left soon after the end of the movie, claiming she had promised to video call with Kelly. Lena cleared away their bowls and drinks while Kara sat, lost in thought.

“Kara?”

She blinked herself out of the daze, looking up at Lena who came to sit beside her, immediately tangling their hands together.

“Is everything alright?”

She smiled and squeezed Lena’s hand in reassurance. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

Lena tilted her head, a strand of hair falling from behind her ear, eyes filled with patient curiosity and care. “About what?”

Kara reached out and gently tucked the hair back behind her ear, trailing her hand softly across Lena’s jaw. “About how I’m in love with you. And that I’m hoping you might just be too.”

Lena’s fingers twitched in her hand, heart thumping in her chest and breath hitching in her throat.

Kara brushed her thumb over Lena’s cheek, waiting for Lena to make the next move, to show her how she wanted to be loved.

Lena ducked her head, bringing her other hand to play with Kara’s fingers as a blush rose on her cheeks and a shy smile spread across her face. “Do you want to know what I’m thinking?”

Kara smiled. “Always.”

She looked up and bit her lip. “I think that I love you too. And that I’d really like to kiss you now if that’s alright.”

Kara brought her hand up to cup Lena’s other cheek as Lena’s hands slid around her waist. “I think that would be more than alright.”

Butterflies exploded in her chest at the feel of Lena’s lips against her own and warmth ran through her, down to her fingertips. Their kiss was broken by the joy bubbling up inside them, smiles too wide to continue.

They rested their foreheads together and Kara hoped more than anything that this would be her last first kiss. Because she wanted to spend the rest of her life learning how to love and be loved by Lena Luthor.

#supercorp #a ‘lotl writing

292 notes · View notes

emilycollins00 · 3 years

Note

*slides in* can i have some fluff about tsuzuru and reader meeting the entire minagis _(:3」∠) (p/s love you emily~ hope you have a nice day)

My face when I read this request? I am FLOORED Miru. Big brain time. Love you too 💕

Thanks to @androidjasmine here is a photo of the young ones and their names to keep you all on your toes! It’s all fun and games until you remember everyone is called almost the same. Enjoy! 💕

Meeting at the Minagi's (TsuzuruxReader)

Kaoru stopped in his tracks and squinted his eyes, holding onto the heavy basket full of clothes. “Are you two really going to stay there until they come?”

“Of course we are!”

“We are!”

None of his two youngest brothers even bothered to turn around, eyes fixed on the door’s entrance, hands on their hips.

The seventh Minagi adjusted his glasses from inside the living room at the responses. He then licked his finger to pass another page of his book. “Don’t waste your time Kaoru-niisan. I’ve already tried to talk to them. It’s a lost cause.”

“Hey, I heard that!” this time Takeru’s head moved slightly, though his body and eyes remained facing the door. “And we are not a lost cause! We will make sure this Y/N person is good or bad before they set a foot inside!”

“Inside!” the youngest Minagi happily yelped.

Kaoru rolled his eyes, leaving the basket on the floor of the living room. As long as they were occupied for now it was fine, he imagined. He had been all over the place since he came back from school so any peace he could get was appreciated. “Can you fold these Tooru? I need to check on the vegetables cooking for dinner. Don’t want to ruin them.”

“What are we having?”

“Stir-fried crispy noodles.” Kaoru looked at the clock. “Some side dishes too If I manage.”

The young boy left the book on the side and stretched. “Sounds good. Want to help me Mitsuru? I know you can fold socks now.”

The soft boy who had until then been engrossed watching tv turned around quickly. “Yeah! Can I show them to Tsuzu-nii when he comes? He doesn’t know I learned yet!”

“Sure. You better fold them the best you can then, okay?”

“Okay!”

Kaoru smiled at the exchange. He was about to head back to the kitchen when the front door opened. “Ah, those must be-”

“Get away from Tsuzu-nii!”

There was a sound of something heavy falling and hitting the ground.

“Ow! Takeru what the-That hurt!”

“Tsu-nii comes home!”

Laughing, Yuzuru ran past the first twin and jumped on top of the second one -still untouched- who took him in his arms.

“You don’t have to follow everything Takeru does Yuzuru.”

“Come on now, I already told you before they are not coming for another two hours!” Kaoru walked in and bent over to help them stand. “Sorry Suberu. They have been all over the place about Tsuzuru’s and Y/N-san’s visit.”

“I can see that… why though? You didn’t act like this with Meguru-nissan.” he caressed his pained back. Takeru huffed, crossing his arms and turning his back on them.

“Meguru-nii stinks! He hasn’t come back to visit ever since he got married!”

Noboru chuckled, leaving Yuzuru once again down. “I see some pieces coming together.”

“Me too. Anyway, you two can stay here but only as long as there’s no more headbutting. You hear me Takeru? You promised you would behave today.” after he received a pouty nod from him, Kaoru decided to leave it be and turned his attention to the middle schoolers. “Welcome back you two. How was school? Think you two can help me prep the table and take away the toys?”

“Are mom and dad not home yet?”

“They both texted they might be a bit late, hopefully still on time.” The oldest finally managed to enter the kitchen, lowering the heat of the big pan. He should start prepping the rice and the noodles.

“Then we’ll shower and come back down.”

“Hey Mitsuru, are you and Tooru folding socks?”

“Yeah! I’m going to show them to Tsu-nii!”

“Tsuzuru’s partner uh.” Suberu muttered as both climbed the stairs. “I'm kinda excited too, not going to lie- who knew this day would actually come.”

Noboru laughed softly, following his twin inside their shared bedroom. “I know. Whoever was able to crack the head of that brother of ours, as much as I love him, deserves a raise.” .

A sneeze came out of you stronger than you had anticipated, making you stop in the middle of the road.

“You okay there? Here.” Tsuzuru looked inside his pocket, pulling out a small box of tissues and handing it to you.

“Ah- Thanks.” You cleaned your nose while looking at him ask for two train tickets on the station. He then gave you one and kept one for himself.

“It’s weird for you to sneeze, do you think you are getting sick? It’s gotten pretty chilly at night lately.”

“I’m good. You on the other hand are the one who looks constipated.”

“Ah…” He sighed, shaking his head. “Well, you can say that again, sorry. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

You nudged him on the way to the platform. “You worry too much. It’s just your parents and brothers right? Anytime you mention them it even makes me jealous of how much you all care for each other.”

“They are great. For the most part at least. It’s just… I guess I’m like this because I’ve never brought home someone. So, yeah. Don’t pay much attention to it.”

And while he tried to shrug it off, you couldn’t help but feel a little happy. You both had been dancing around the idea for a while, and after arranging times, although the two oldest Minagi brothers had had some difficulties to come at the last moment, you both decided to keep the day and meet the rest of the family.

“You know, I would lie If I said I’m not nervous, but I also can’t say I’m not excited. Hey,” tapping Tsuzuru’s knee he spun to face you. “We got this. Mankai was already covered right? I doubt I’ll have a bigger interview than that one.”

The sound of the train made its way into the station at the same time Tsuzuru groaned.

“Please don’t bring that up. I’m still trying to forget it.”

You laughed at the face he started to make. “See? This will be a walk around the park. Plus I believe bought sweets for everyone,” you lifted the token bags you had been carrying since you two had met and nodded proudly. “I count on convincing at least four to my side.”

Your joke finally made him grow a tiny smile. As the train stopped in front of you two he reached out to take your hand into his, your touch seeming to calm him down. You gave his hand a light squeeze.

Later on

“Okay, here we are.”

You rolled your eyes at your boyfriend’s dramatic remark when he stopped at the sight of -what you guessed was- his household roof.

“Tsuzuru.” cupping his face you pulled him close, his nose against yours. “I love you and I’m going to love your family too.”

His cheeks grew warm at your loud statement. “Just… if my little brothers are too much, let me know. Everyone kind of… tends to get overexcited.” he confessed. You both walked up to the front door, Tsuzuru knocking a few times before he stepped back to stand next to you.

Immediately a few voices came from inside the house, followed by the sound of closing steps. A woman opened the door, beaming at the sight of you two. “There you are, welcome!”

“Hi mom.”

“Hello dear.” she hugged him tightly as you followed them inside, setting down the bags and enjoying the scene. She gave off the same natural warmth and comfort Tsuzuru gave off, along with the distinctive turquoise vibrant eyes both wore. "I'm glad to see you are doing good," she then turned to you with a gentle smile. “And you must be Y/N, it’s so nice to formally meet you in person.”

You smiled back as you bowed. “I feel the same. You have a very lovely home by the way,” Tsuzuru and you started to step out of your shoes, tucking them up against where the others lay when the voices you had heard with the door closed -and a good sound of running steps- became louder and louder.

“Oh, I guess the twins weren’t able to stop them.”

“Tsuzuru-nii!!”

Tsuzuru's mother moved you both discreetly to the side as three balls of energy of different heights passed in front of you and tackled your boyfriend, making him almost fell to the ground. "H-hey, careful!" All of them wore brown hair and turquoise eyes just like in all the photos you had seen of them, and talked at such speed it was difficult for you to understand what one said over the others.

"We missed you!"

"Missed you lots!"

“Yeah it’s been ages, what took you so long?!”

Your heart grew warm when you noticed Tsuzuru’s eyes softening, even though he was slightly scolding them at the same time -trying to calm them down. You turned to her mother, who was watching the scene with the exact same expression. “Is there anything I can help you with meanwhile? I guess preparing food for this many people is no small feat.”

“Oh don’t worry Y/N, you are our guest today. I imagine you are tired too.”

“Tsuzu-nii you have to see my socks, look!"

"Leave the socks alone, come upstairs to see what game mom bought us last week!"

“Well aren’t you mister popular around here.”

His mother chuckled, embracing herself. “They get really attached to him whenever he comes back.”

“I imagine.”

"Are you Y/N?" one of them glanced your way, hiding behind Tsuzuru but without fully letting him go.

"I am. It's nice to finally see you all instead of just your pictures."

“Woah! Are these presents?”

“Yuzuru?” his mother called out “What did we talk about looking inside other people's bags?”

“Oi, Yuzuru!” Turning away from praising Mitzuru’s folded socks and Takeru’s hold, Tsuzuru tried to take him away from your bags too. You smiled, waving silently as to tell them it was okay. You crouched down to his height.

“Yup! Some sweets I brought for everyone later. I hope you like mochi.”

“I do! Take-nii too!”

“Is that so?” You turned to said boy, making him flinch and blush, still trying to hide between Tsuzuru’s legs. He glanced your way frowning shyly.

“I only like it with cream...”

“I-I like it with chocolate and strawberries!” Mitzuru called getting close to you now, socks now long forgotten. You smiled, mentally thanking asking Tsuzuru for advice.

“Good thing we have both and some more then.”

As if that changed everything, the three youngest Minagis started jumping and celebrating enthusiastically around you. Tsuzuru’s mother smiled while Tsuzuru himself tried to calm them down again.

“Thank you Y/N. I will take them to the fridge. For now let’s try to enter the living room and get you two seated. Kaoru has been all afternoon in the kitchen and your father and I are trying to help him finish making dinner, I’ll go get them.” .

With the youngest right on his toes, Tsuzuru guided you to the living room, finding the twins and the one you guessed was Tooru -mainly because of the glasses- waiting patiently for their turn.

“Hey guys. Y/N, these are Noboru and Suberu, the twins and Tooru.”

“Hi there!” you waved brightly, receiving a few quiet smiles. They seemed warier to approach you than the young ones, so you had waited for Tsuzuru to present you. "Oh. Tsuzuru was right, I can differentiate you better than I expected."

"Ah- yeah, when we were younger we used to look a lot more similar."

"I see... Are you two really middle schoolers? I'm really jealous of this house's general height."

The spring member laughed while turning to the one who had been quieter, kneeling next to him. “Hey buddy."

"...Hi"

"I see you are already on the second volume of that series, uh” Tsuzuru placed a hand on top of his head patting it. “I loved when I was younger a lot too.”

Tooru looked up at him surprised. When he noticed his behaviour he blushed, adjusting his glasses and quickly lowering his head smiling. He hugged the book against his chest tighter and nodded. "I missed you around, Tsuzuru-nissan."

"Me too." Tsuzuru patted his head once more as he stood up. "Y/N's right, I can’t believe you two are this tall already.”

“Well- It’d be nice to beat you nissan.”

At that moment another figure entered the living room, older than all the others you had seen so far. “I hope we don’t scare Y/N with all this chaos guys, we can hear you from all over the kitchen.”

You walked up to him and bowed with a smile. “Everyone has been great so far. It’s nice to finally meet you, Minagi-san.”

He nodded with a friendly smile, the wrinkles around his eyes making his face calming and comforting to look at. “The sentiment is mutual. You know, Tsuzuru's never brought anyone home before. He must be serious about you.”

You grinned, noticing the spring member's face gain color. “I’ve been somewhat informed.”

“Yeah! How did you convince him to go out with you?”

“I know! Is it because he tells amazing stories?”

"He also plays football super good."

"But not as good Meguru-nissan!"

"But still-!"

“Guys I appreciate the effort but can you not.”

The man gave a relaxed chuckle, ruffling his playwright son’s hair affectionately. “We are just glad to see you are doing good Tsuzuru, we’ve missed you.”

“You all have a weird way to show it.” Tsuzuru sighed embarrassed.

“Mhm? We haven’t taken out the albums yet.”

“And it will stay like that over the whole dinner.”

“Coming through!”

Making way for them, Tsuzuru’s mother and Kaoru arrived with a few more plates to share with everyone in the middle of the table. After they were placed, the high schooler turned to you. He gave away a similar vibe as the spring member, looking a bit all over the place, although that could also have been because of all the cooking and prepping you imagined it took. “Nice to meet you. Kaoru, right?”

“Yeah,” he smiled back. “Nice to meet you too, Y/N-san. The house is a bit of a mess but I hope you enjoy dinner at least.”

Oh, he definitely is a clone of Tsuzuru. “Are you kidding?” you shook your head at the number of plates with the biggest smile. “It smelled amazing even from the entrance! I can’t believe you cooked all this.”

The boy flushed at the sudden compliments. His parents shared a smile behind you as they made everyone get to their seats. “Ah- well, kinda. We use to have food prepared each day so it wasn’t that difficult.”

“Styr-fry crispy noodles, uh?” Tsuzuru looked around as you all placed your hands together and gave your thanks. “Mhm, this is good.” He nodded contentedly. “I can't believe how much I missed this flavor. Thanks Kaoru.”

Kaoru instantly lighted up at the statement, making you understand just how much Tsuzuru’s opinion and figure were valued around. All the young ones had fought in order to sit next to him, so you decided to give away your seat and instead eat next to one of the twins and his mother.

“So Y/N, are you studying too?”

“Yeah.” You explained your major and engaged in conversation with Kaoru and the twins, talking about selecting careers and future schools.

“How’s Tadoru-nissan? I’ve talked to Meguru-nissan lately but he’s unavailable whenever I call.”

At Tsuzuru’s questions, his mother placed a hand on her cheek pensively. "I wonder too. The last thing I know was him staying in an old village, where was it...?" her husband shook his head when she glanced at him. "But well- you know how he is. One day on one place yet tomorrow he could be perfectly knocking on this door."

"I hate how right you are..."

“Hey, Y/N! What do you think of his stories?” Takeru looked at you, eyes bright with expectantly. "Aren't they just so awesome?"

Having your mouth full too, you could only give him a thumbs up while nodding. You swallowed and chuckled. "They are. Your brother is pretty awesome in general."

You noticed Tsuzuru rolling his eyes, hiding his probably flushed face by drinking water.

“Right? He works so hard too!”

“Maybe too hard though.”

“I agree.”

“We used to do plays written by him when everyone was younger.”

His father leaned on the table entertained. "Right. You all loved to be selected for different roles."

“Oh, I didn’t know that! I’d love to see a full Minagi play at some point.”

Tsuzuru's eyes opened in shock. You could perfectly read the word traitor coming from his lips before gasps and general chaos erupted.

"We could?! I want to!!"

“Man they were a mess but it was fun. Tooru always wanted to be the hero, remember?”

"Me? No way!"

“Play, play!”

“I-I too wanna do a play written by Tsuzu-nii!”

His mother cleaned the corner of her third-youngest and smiled. “Maybe Tsuzuru could write something the next time he comes. Now it’s dinner time okay?”

Takeru gasped with excitement and stood up, looking at the playwright. “That would be so cool! You have to promise you will make one for us!”

“Promise!”

Tsuzuru scratched the back of his head. He looked in your direction but you shrugged, enjoying the situation too much to intervene. In the end he sighed and smiled defeated. He could never win against such excited faces. “Sure, I’ll try to come up with something next time.”

"Yay!!" .

“Are you sure you two don’t want to sleep here tonight? It’s gotten really late.”

“It’s fine mom. We both have University tomorrow so we should try to head back”

After having dinner and enjoying the sweets you had brought, midnight almost reached the Minagi household, so you two decided it was about time to head home. You were now at the entrance, having already said goodbye to the rest of the siblings and now being just both parents and Kaoru left.

“Alright, just be careful okay? And Y/N, come back whenever you want. We loved having you today.” Tsuzuru’s mother gave you a hug while his father smiled agreeing, nodding as he rocked an already sleep Yuzuru in his arms.

“It was a pleasure.”

“I’ll go with them,” Kaoru suddenly decided, stepping in to grab his own shoes. “I want to buy some ice cream from the convenience store anyway.”

And so, you three kept talking until the station came to view. Tsuzuru took a deep breath. It had been quite a while since he had walked around like that, a nostalgic feeling emerging as he remembered old times by looking at the streets. Time really flies.

“You didn’t have to walk us back, it’s late.”

“I know. Still wanted to.” his younger brother shrugged and placed his hands inside his pockets. The evening air was fresh. “I like them.”

“Uh?”

“Y/N-san, I mean.” looking behind Tsuzuru, he saw you humming while waiting for the train tickets back to Veludo to come out from the machine. “They must be special if you’re willing to bring them home to meet us.”

Tsuzuru copied him, watching your back and your little dance in the distance. He unconsciously felt the corners of his mouth rising up. “…Yeah. They are.” It was embarrassing to say it out loud in the silence of the night, but it was true.

“Meguru-nissan and Tadoru-nissan told me they would both try to come for dad’s birthday. You should bring them too.”

Tsuzuru snorted. His older brothers were on a whole new level. He ruffled Kaoru’s head. “Thanks. For everything.”

“You know you don’t have to thank us."

“Still-"

“Done!” You waved the tickets as you made your way back to the two brothers. “We are all set to go.” Kaoru nodded in understanding.

“Then I’ll go too. It was nice getting to know you, Y/N-san. We leave our big brother in your care. He’s a worrywart… so please don’t be afraid of taking his coffee and make him take a break.”

“Oh, that’s some hard quest right there.”

“I’m still here, you two are aware of this right?”

You both laughed at the spring member. “I will do my best to take care of your big brother, I promise." you turned to him.

Kaoru's eyes softened at your response. "Thanks." .

. .

“I think they liked you.” The playwright suddenly commented once inside the train, some time after you parted from Kaoru. You yawned and looked up smiling. “I got that feeling too, although I didn’t wanna jinx it. Were you expecting something different?”

He shrugged. “Not really. Just glad it ended well.” Tsuzuru took your hand, caressing it with his thumb.

“I liked them too, you nailed every single one of them.” You yawned again. “I’m also deadly tired though.”

“Welcome to my life.”

You giggled, allowing your head to rest on his shoulder. You could feel how happy and fortunate he had felt tonight, being able to enjoy some quality family time even though he used to complain here and there. Soon enough your breathing fell into a steady rhythm at the soothing sound of the rails. Along with the empty wagon, you closed your eyes enjoying Tsuzuru’s warmth.

It had been a nice day.

_____________________________________________________ The Minagi household literally has my heart.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! 💕

#a3 act addict actors #a3 #a3! act! addict! actors!#a3 actor training game #a3!#a3 tsuzuru #a3! tsuzuru #tsuzuru #tsuzuru minagi #tsuzuru x reader #a3! tsuzuru x reader

72 notes · View notes

creativeashproductions · 4 years

Text

Suddenly Stuck With You // Charlie Gillespie

Summary: Twenty-one years ago Owen Patrick Joyner was born into a life with a bright future and career bringing him two best friends. His best friends Charlie and Jeremy drag the blonde actor to Vegas to celebrate his first legal drink in America. What was supposed to be a weekend for the boys quickly changed all because a certain Canadian met a girl and drank a ton. Now they have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

Warnings: Swearing, alcohol, allusion to sex, heartbreak, angst and fluff

Words: 7.1k

A/N: Originally this was going to be a mini series but I can’t be bothered to stretch out this idea. I’m sorry, I just feel like this is shit already and I haven’t felt that happy with my writing lately.

TO BE TAGGED SEND AN INBOX/ASK PLEASE!

Masterlist

Fox and Hound Pub, Las Vegas July 2021

“Happy birthday man!” The voice of his castmate, work roommate and best friend announced.

Owen’s eyes found Charlie’s glittering viridescent eyes meeting Owen’s bright blue.

“Why did we have to celebrate my twenty-first in Las Vegas, Charlie?” Owen questioned with one hand, cupped around his first legal drink in America.

Owen had had his fair share of beers in his life both in America and his visits in Germany after he turned sixteen. Charlie and Jeremy had been the ones to drag the actor to Vegas to celebrate. Owen didn’t see the significance of celebrating in a different state than Los Angeles.

“C’mon! You’re twenty-one!” Charlie exclaimed pushing a beer across the table in the bar they had found. Relatively lowkey the boys hadn’t been stopped for pictures by JATP fans thankfully.

Owen nabbed the mug from Charlie’s calloused hand to take a swig of the drink to Charlie’s delight with a sigh. The tall actor scanning the moderately filled bar, the world was coming back to terms after the pandemic officially ended.

“There you go!” The Canadian adventurer spoke nodding his head to the live music a local band was playing.

Owen’s eyes found someone he recognized from a show on the History Channel his dad was incredibly into for several years. Two men sat in a booth next to the bar with food in front of them with the dark-haired one wearing a shirt with a logo. It was hard to make out, but he believed it was for a famous pawn shop in Vegas.

“Drink up. I got the tab tonight.” Charlie informed his distracted best friend, “This is gonna be an incredible year. Shooting for season two with the gang back together.”

“Hey, sorry about that. Care and I had a scheduled live on Insta to do. Happy birthday, man.” Jeremy sat in the booth next to Charlie, still living on the high of seeing his wife.

“This is gonna be a trip to remember,” Charlie announced tapping mugs with his two fellow castmates and best friends.

Oh, how right Charlie was.

Your best friend lifted the wineglass to her red lips with a mischievous look in her eye that concerned you as usual. Cherry, nicknamed for her fierce love of cherries, had a wild streak that had mellowed after graduating college last year. Cherry had invited you to stay with her for a month to recover from a devastating loss. The offer hadn’t entirely left her lips before you bought a plane ticket from Heathrow Airport in England to Las Vegas.

You had met Cherry in your teens through an exchange program set up between your schools a few years back. Even since you two met at sixteen, you had been best friends and unable to get rid of the other.

“Why are we here?” You asked, tapping a manicured nail freshly done at a spa courtesy of Cherry. Of course Cherry chose a shade of red as per usual while you had chosen a traditional white tip French Manicure.

“I know the breakup was tough, but you need to let loose.” Cherry’s hand reached over to squeeze yours. The sympathetic smile irritating you for god knows what number of time it was.

Averting your eyes, you found yourself scanning the pub with barely any attention but you wanted to escape the warm amber brown of your friend. You loved Cherry, but you wanted to mourn the loss of your relationship within your own time and way.

“I need another drink!” You called over the loud music before pushing away from the table to head to the bar.

Ordering your favourite drink, you leaned against the dark wood with your arms crossed and a faraway gaze. Unaware of the man waiting next to you for his own drink.

“Hey!” The male spoke, bringing your attention to his soft hazel gaze.

Your e/c eyes finding the man speaking with a kind and absolutely breathtaking smile framed by the scruff his face sported. Facial hair sometimes turned you off if it wasn’t worn styled for the individual. This guy, however, pulled it off with the brunette moustache matching the medium-length head of hair.

“Hi.” You softly replied gracefully grabbing the drink when the barkeep set it down before hustling down the counter to another customer, “Am I in your way?”

“No. I already got my drink. You looked lost, and I saw the bartender coming. I didn’t want anyone slipping you something.”

“Thank you…”

“Charlie.” The man spoke, holding out his hand to you with his smile still on his cheerful expression. Your hand slid into his warm grip.

“Y/N.”

You and Charlie retreated to an empty table deep in conversation with such ease it felt like you had known each other for years. You learnt he was living in LA, but originally from Canada, a province called New Brunswick.

Charlie was enthralled as you told him how you had been born and raised in America for the first ten years of your life. After age ten, you moved to England for your mom’s job offer and settled in your father’s childhood hometown; he was originally from England but met your mother on vacation in California.

While you conversed, Cherry found you entirely focused on the male with an expression she hadn’t seen in ages. Her eyes floated by to you periodically for your safety until you sent her a text.

You: Sorry, I ditched you. I got caught up talking with Charlie.

Cherry sent a response back before paying your tabs and heading to her apartment a few blocks away from Fox and Hound Pub. Her heart was excited for how the night would pan out because the sexual tension could be felt across the duo’s room. She was confident you wouldn’t make any stupid decisions.

Oh, how wrong she was.

A hiss preceded the deep groan as a group of construction workers pounded away in your skull painfully. The back of your eyelids painted red from the sunlight pouring into the room from the open blinds.

Scrubbing one hand over your eyes, you slowly sat up with a satisfying stretch after a well-rested sleep. The cool air from the air conditioner raising goosebumps on your bare skin…wait a minute bare skin? The slightest sound of the sheet rustling together, freezing you in place. Firstly, you glanced down at your bare chest before sliding your eyes over to the left of the bed.

Eyes equally large the man from last night, Charlie, cried out when he sat up too quickly. The sheets pooled around his bare waist.

“Okay. Definitely didn’t wake up in my own bed.” You muttered leaning over to find your abandoned shirt on the floor.

Pulling it on despite the stare from Charlie’s hazel eyes, you scoured the room for the rest of your clothes. The room was silent as Charlie slid on his clothing like you did before you stood covered up in the hotel room.

“So, obviously, we slept together. Do you remember if we used-“Charlie started to ask. Your mouth opening to end his sentence.

“I’m on the pill. We used a condom.” You informed him equally as relieved you hadn’t made a stupid decision, “Thankfully even fully sloshed we used protection. We didn’t make a stupid decision.”

At least you hooked up with a really nice guy instead of a scummy guy only in it for his own pleasure and disregarding yours. Vague memories from the night in the sheets swayed you into believing the charming man was more of a giver than a receiver.

Charlie’s mouth opened he felt a new weight barely discernable, but he felt it, “Uh…guess again.”

Eyes furrowing you found the ring on his finger with shame, “Oh my god, you’re married?!”

Holy shit, you slept with a married man. You’re a homewrecker you thought to yourself getting further worked up. What if this guy had kids. Not noticing your feet had started pacing the room.

“I wasn’t yesterday morning.” Charlie faltered keeping his eyes on the cheap ring he definitely hadn’t been wearing yesterday. His eyes moving to look at the matching wedding band on your left hand, bringing you attention to it as well.

“Well, fuck.” The deep sigh guiding awareness from the male to the weary posture that came with the heartbreak.

When Cherry invited you to visit and take solace in your best friend, you never expected to wake up from a one night stand turned more. Tears built with the embarrassment of crying in front of his stranger that hadn’t asked for a morning with a hangover and a new wife.

“Whoa! Hey, we can get it annulled.” Charlie stuttered rushing over to draw you into his strong arms with such gentle care it melted your heart. The leftovers that hadn’t shattered to your toes from the failed relationship you escaped the UK for.

“This is a mess.” You sighed birthing an unintentional word vomit, “I left the UK to visit my best friend, Cherry. She brought me to the bar to cheer me up and instead of attempting the ‘to get over someone you have to get under someone’ I fuck that up as well. I get married.”

Charlie’s hazel gaze widened at the revelation, “You broke up with someone?”

“More cliché. He’s a rich frat boy in his fifth year of college, he’s brilliant but chose to stay for the frat house. He got a girl pregnant, and now he’s in a forced engagement.” The smile you hoped was strong came out wobbling, “Then he asked me to be his ‘official’ real relationship. An embellished way of being the secret girlfriend/mistress.”

Charlie winced, leaning back to stare down, “How long ago was this?”

“Around seven months? I kept it quiet for a while. No one knew until last month. I’ve gotten a lot of pity even if I’m over him but not the betrayal.” Charlie whistled lowly with a nod and a particular look in his eyes.

“This is gonna come out of the left-field entirely, but what if we check out the laws on Vegas weddings? See if we fit the annulment or if we need a divorce? If we need a divorce, we can play it out to make his regret his decision and get everyone off your back?”

The refusal just about dropped from your tongue before something changed, “Let’s do it.”

As Charlie quickly get ready, he nabbed his phone from the charger by the bed before he slipped his hand in yours. He answered your confusion with the excuse of getting used to each other. Instead of fighting the blatant denial, you followed him to his rented car for the week to give him directions to Cherry’s apartment.

“So, what’s our story?” You asked the man, “We don’t know each other that well.”

“My full name is Charlie Jeffrey Gillespie. I’m Canadian but living in Los Angeles for work, I’m here for my best friend Owen’s twenty-first birthday with our other best friend, Jeremy. I’m twenty-two turning twenty-three in August.” Charlie spitfire navigating the streets of Vegas with practised ease.

“You already know my full name. I’m twenty-three as of a few months prior. You already know I moved from America to England over a decade ago.” The hesitation came from telling Charlie the career you had had since you turned twenty.

The topic of jobs was evaded as you learnt about each other’s likes and dislikes in a crash course to convince Cherry. Just as Charlie started to list his siblings, his phone rang through the car’s Bluetooth.

“I’m guessing that’s the Owen you came to Vegas with?” You questioned flicking your gaze between the Caller ID and your husband. God even thinking of having a husband was incredibly odd.

“Yeah. I have to answer.” Charlie’s exuded nerves with his fingers tapping the steering wheel, “Can you play along?”

He didn’t wait for an answer before clicking the accept.

“Dude, where are you? We were supposed to get food together? I have a wicked hangover.” The voice of this Owen spoke with a tinge of annoyance you only caught with your training.

“I met Y/N.” Charlie infused his voice with the nerves and a slight change to his voice that impressed you as he stepped into a set of shoes in his chest of roles.

“Who? Is that the girl from last night? The one you had that drinking challenge with?” Owen questioned from his side of the phone settled at a table with Jeremy nursing a coffee for his hangover.

“I haven’t told anyone, but after Jeremy’s wedding, it made me feel like I was missing something? I signed up for a dating app, and with filming, I forgot about it. About six months ago, I met someone, and we’ve constantly been talking.”

“That’s why you refused the blind dates from Sav and me? Not that you wanted to focus on work.” Jeremy interjected, “You should have told us, man. We wouldn’t judge you.”

“I know that, but we all blew up after the show. I just wanted to keep this between us until we knew for sure but guys…this girl is the One.” Charlie chuckled, shaking his head at the irony of already being married to you.

“We’re happy. So, did you want to take me to Vegas so you could meet her?” Owen questioned with a pit in his stomach of Charlie’s motives not being only for him.

“I’m in the car with her. She’s sending a few emails for work and blasting music. I can hear it from the driver’s seat.” Charlie joked to the boys with the lie slipping quickly, “Hey! Y/N, sweetheart.”

“Hm?” You interject with such ease, Charlie wondered if you were an actor as well. The practised and on beat performance, “Oh! Hi, sorry. I’m Y/n, you must be Owen and Jeremy? Charlie’s talked about you guys. Congratulations on your wedding Jeremy.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Jeremy lightly laughed, shaking his head at the voice coming from Owen’s phone on speaker.

“Happy birthday Owen. I wish I could have met you in person to wish you a happy birthday, but Charlie and I tend to forget to tell each other where our trips happen! It was such a shock to see him last night.” Just as Charlie had used affected nerves, you played up the loved up role, “My best friend and I almost chose a different pub than Fox and Hound.”

Owen and Jeremy’s grins grew at the genuine care in your voice as you continued speaking before Charlie interrupted you.

“Sweetheart I think they get it!” Charlie laughed with a glittering of stars in his eyes, “It was shocking to see Y/n in Las Vegas of all the 50 states. This week has been the best. Getting to bring my best friend to Vegas for his big twenty-one and meeting the love of my life in person?”

“Charlie’s dropping me off at my best friends. You’ll have him again in an hour. I hope you have a wonderful weekend Owen.” You finished unknowingly winning them over at the care in your voice and the happiness you brought out in Charlie.

Owen ended the call with a quick goodbye, leaving the rented car quiet between the new husband and wife.

“That went better than I expected.” Charlie admitted with a soft smile on his lips only to drop at your expression, “What?”

“Our next obstacle in convincing my best friend this relationship is real.”

“I’m sure it will go-“

“She’s an extremely successful criminal prosecutor who graduated high school a year early and fast-tracked through college.”

“Well, shit,” Charlie stated, leaning back in his seat as the entire situation hit him that he had married a stranger.

Charlie may be able to fool his friends but his family? His mother to be specific would immediately know what was up. The young Canadian had always been open on one day getting married surrounded by his family and have his parents there. Dropping this bomb on his family could only go one way: terrible.

“I’m a good actor. I’m sure we can convince her. We’ll get together with her tomor-“

“Unfortunately, I’m meeting with her in a few hours.” You revealed with a sheepish smile on your pretty features. Charlie could feel his heart drop in dread and fear at how the hand given wasn’t in his favour.

The drive was quiet as dread filled the two individuals as the distance was eaten up between the car and the apartment that housed an intelligent woman. Cherry Parker had only been working at the firm for a year with a clear future as a partner within ten years. Cherry with perfect grades in high school and high percentages in college and a perfect smile. A natural at finding people’s ticks she would be near impossible to deceive.

“We could turn around. Make an excuse to be introduced through the phone.” Charlie supplied, biting his lip, “Oh my god. She’s not gonna kill me, is she?”

“No.” You swiftly told the spiralling man, “She’d kill me and frame you.”

Maybe that wasn’t the best to calm the man down as he freaked out more, “Oh my god. What are we gonna do!?”

The apartment loomed as the car came to a stop outside just as the individual wearing seafoam green peacoat stepped to the entrance. Her blunt bob of caramel brown hair and unique earrings screaming that it was Cherry.

“That’s her.” You breathed as Charlie parallel parked in between a compact car and an SUV in front. Jerry, the doorman, waved with his beaming smile that reminded you of a jolly man just as he had since you had first visited Cherry in her apartment.

Jerry mumbled towards Cherry before she turned swiftly on her black pumps notorious to her work attire. Since her first year of law school, she had gone through two pairs and adored them with her new income.

The woman rushed over as your door opened with the help of Charlie, how you didn’t notice he had turned the car off and walked to your side, appalled you. The 5’8 male was shoved to the side as Cherry tugged you into her arms with a scathing glare at Charlie.

“I don’t know who you are or how much you rocked her world, but it’s been hours. I thought you kidnapped her.” Cherry hissed at the male with her brown eyes flaring with anger that made both you and Charlie flinch.

“Whoa! We got stuck in traffic, and Charlie’s friend called.” Your hands raised in defence at the pointed glare now directed at you. The amber-brown eyes scanned your form and other than the apparent walk of shame appearance, you looked fine.

Cherry’s red lips parted for the usual questions she gave to all her friends after one-night stands. With a subtle shake of your head, Cherry tabled the questions for later before locking her eyes on the newcomer.

“Cherry Parker. And what’s the name of the guy that plastered a smile on her face?” Cherry questioned, holding out her hand to him.

“Charlie Gillespie. It’s nice to meet you.” Charlie replied with that charming smile that melted your heart. It didn’t appear to melt Cherry with the thick skin she developed first in her family and then as a lawyer.

“Likewise. Well, thank you for delivering her safe.” Cherry spoke hand, reaching for your own impatient for all the details she would demand. Her words failed when her amber gaze peered at the near-identical faces, “What did you do?”

The demand startled the two individuals before the attorney began ushering the duo in the building you had been staying at. Her red nail stabbing the golden-hued elevator surrounded by emerald green displaying a vintage colour scheme.

“Please tell me it’s not as bad as senior year?” Cherry pleaded massaging the bridge of her nose with her free hand. The other clenching her briefcase so tight the knuckles had turned bleach bone white.

“What happened senior year?” Charlie asked following the two best friends into a spacious apartment that could fit two of his in it. His hazel eyes catching the unspoken conversation between the two best friends.

“Not important.” Cherry sighed eyes, lowering to your fingers, “Of course. Vegas. You eloped. Jesus Y/N, you know how your family is.”

Catching the confusion from Charlie, you elaborated for Cherry, “My family is incredibly strict and old fashioned. Divorce isn’t accepted in my family for anything less than the most serious scenarios.”

“Drunk eloping in Vegas? Practically get prepared for silent judgemental stares from Nana and drowning disappointment.” Cherry sighed, pushing a strand of her caramel brown locks behind her ear.

“I have a plan for that. We can pretend to be married before amicably divorcing later. We can figure out the details for a reason later in future. We already started the ruse.” Charlie admitted seating himself at the island in the spacious kitchen his mother would dream of cooking in.

Charlie could already tell just how successful Cherry was with her apartment and her outfit that dripped money. Her kindness, however, set her on a different level to the people Charlie had encountered with the same dollar signs.

“Of course,” Cherry grumbled digging around for drinks. Charlie fully anticipated it to be some kind of fancy wine, but he was proven wrong.

Cherry had taken out two different kinds of beer from the fridge, along with cold mugs straight from the freezer.

“What just because I’m dolled up you think I drink strictly wine? I have that for my mother and sister when they visit.” Charlie barely caught the eyeroll at Cherry’s mention of her family as she turned to you.

“Besides, I’m my father’s daughter.” You cheered cracking open your choice into the mug with skilled ease. The foam perfectly dealt with it brought a smile to Charlie’s face.

“Okay, so this ruse. What did you do so far?”

“My friends think she and I met on a dating app seven months ago and coincidently ran into each other last night at the bar. We’ve kept it private because of my job-“

“-along with Y/N’s job.” Cherry simply spoke raising the rim of her mug to her lips, “Okay, there’s no way you’d sign up on an app after Harvey. So, I went behind your back and made one for you.”

“Then Charlie messaged me after I found out. It started off as apologizing that he chose my profile. It started a friendship that turned into a relationship.”

“We did Facetime dates before becoming exclusive, and you wanted to ensure it was something that would last longer than a fling.” Charlie inserted with a beaming grin as he felt into ease with the two girls before him.

“I think we got a story for you two. Just two rules: One, don’t go falling in love with each other and two, don’t get pregnant.” Cherry joked sitting in the barstool across from you and Charlie. Her red lips revealing white teeth, one tooth with a tiny chip out of it from high school.

The rest of the days’ Charlie was in Las Vegas he alternated between his friends and you with the odd time he invited you to dinner with them. There was such ease between Charlie and you that hadn’t be there even with your ex Harvey. Unfortunately, the time in Las Vegas dwindled down until you were dropping the boys off at the airport.

“I’ll call you when I get home.” Charlie mumbled in the earshot of his friends, “Whirlwind wedding-“

“Married.” Owen scoffed in disbelief once more having found out at dinner last night that included colourful words. Jeremy had been placed in silent shock seeing the real matching wedding bands.

“In a month, you’ll fly out to England to help me pack up the flat and then we’ll fly to see your family for your cousin’s wedding.” You finished for the man with a beaming grin that had steadily lost its fake appeal. It quite literally felt like you had known Charlie for longer than a few days.

“It was really nice meeting you. I hope Charlie can convince you to come visit my wife and me. You and Carolynn would hit it off.”

“Could I bring Bindi?” Owen joked as he tugged you into a hug as soon as Jeremy had released you. Charlie was quick to drag you back into his embrace, even adding a kiss to your forehead.

The airport speakers announced the second warning of their flight number boarding rather suddenly in which the trio frantically rushed. The feeling of your stomach dropped took you by surprise just as much as the manicured hand of Cherry.

“You okay?” Cherry asked softly sliding her hand down your arm to clutch yours in hers. It was an act of comfort you both had done throughout your friendship, whether it be uncomfortable situations or heartbreak.

“I feel like I’ve known him years instead of days. Cherry, I think I’m in danger of falling for him.” You fully admitted turning your head to meet her concerned brown orbs.

“Sweetheart, you’ve never been good at doing no feelings.” Cherry replied with a squeeze of your hand, “He feels the same. Now we need you to get to your gate since you’re ditching me.”

“As much as I would adore staying here. I need to get back to England to finish packing my flat.” You informed Cherry with a small grin as her red lips parted in a gasp at your announcement.

You had temporarily relocated back to the US at eighteen when you were recruited into the CIA, and then you were sent to England for work. It was very under the cover, and Cherry knew the basics but not the entirety of your career.

“You’re coming back!” Cherry cheered grinning at what could be the best news of the week for the lawyer. No more fumbling of time zones and long distances between phone calls leading to relying on messaging.

“I am!” You beamed right back, “I’ll move to Washington for a year and then hopefully I can be transferred to Los Angeles. As much as I love Las Vegas, it isn’t the place I want to live.”

“It would make sense to move to LA since Charlie is there. You could even use the marriage being the reason you’re moving instead.” Cherry offered with her lips turned up, yet her brown eyes didn’t glitter.

Cherry missed having you around like back in high school. Living apart sucked for the two best friends but at least you would be in the same country.

“This is insane. I still can’t believe I’m married.” You whispered, staring up at the high ceiling of the airport. You relied on your instincts to walk in the busy airport to your gate.

“I wasn’t even there.” Cherry snorted walking in complete sync until you both came to a stop at your gate. Her eyes saddened further after so many days spent together when she wasn’t working, “I’m gonna miss you.”

“Knowing my mother. She’ll be planning, and as she’ll say it, a real wedding for Charlie and I.”

Another lingering hug with the caramel brunette was the last for a while as more and more distance came between you. Metres changed to different continents within hours, and suddenly you felt more alone than ever.

The rain was drizzling in London, a welcome change to the blistering heat Vegas had given you in the days you had been there. However, the most welcome sight was the six-foot-one lean frame of your father leaning against his pride and joy. The bright metallic blue with two very wide vertical stripes up the hood of it had been a staple in your family since you were twenty.

The blue Shelby Cobra had been challenging to find, but it was worth the massive grin on Theodore Y/L/N’s face. You and your mother had joined forces with your uncles to get it for your Dad, and one of them was a mechanic that did most of the work.

“Dad!” You yelled, jumping into his arms. Dad’s grip tightened around your shoulders with his face smushed into your neck.

“Darling!” He exclaimed just as he did no matter how long it had been since you saw each other. You were closest with him from father-daughter days watching football (the European version of soccer).

“Mum at home?” You questioned as he placed the small amount of luggage in the tiny boot of the car. His e/c eyes, the ones you inherited from him, twinkled with mischief and a wink.

“You didn’t hear it from me, but there’s a surprise.” He spoke ushering you into the passenger seat on the left side of the car. It was still jarring driving on the opposite side of the road in America.

“Another one to sway me from moving to Washington?” You retorted to the tall male in the driver’s seat. At the mention of moving his smile dimmed like it did when you flew to see Cherry for a while.

As he drove down the streets, your eyes scoured his features as if it had been years instead of mere weeks. He had been in Germany for business for a week when you flew out to Las Vegas. His hair still had the dark locks with grey mixed throughout as if had been since he was in his late twenties. The laugh lines still the same as they had been previously, but the most important thing was that he was still healthy.

Ted Y/L/N had beaten a severe bout of sickness a few years ago that had taken months of recovery. It was just second nature to check him before anything else.

“How’s Cherry.”

“Living happily with her success story.” You piped up, finding it would be the perfect place to start planting Charlie’s existence. Your father glanced over slightly confused as you continued, “After Harvey, Cherry signed me up for a dating app. I hit it off with someone, and I’ve been dating them ever since.”

“A dating app.” He questioned glancing over, “Aren’t those what people use to sleep around? Nothing wrong with having sex but isn’t that what the apps are predominantly used for?”

Your lip was taken between your teeth, “Some of them are. The one that Cherry did was surprisingly more about human connection. He’s originally from Canada but moved to Los Angeles for work.”

“Hm.” Ted hummed keeping his entire focus on the road, “And are you okay with this so soon after-“

“I never acknowledged this, but I waited a few months before I told you that Harvey and I broke up. I hit it off with Charlie, and well I’ve never been so in love before.”

“I sense there’s a chapter in this new love that I’m not going to be thrilled about. Out with it.” He ordered momentarily glancing over to see you sheepishly grinning, “Are you preg-“

“I married Charlie-“

To both your father’s and your horror the sound of the Shelby’s tires screeching reached your ears. The car skidded to a stop in the middle of the street with yelps coming straight from your surprised mouth. Dad’s eyes blinking owlishly at the road.

“You’re married? To someone, I’ve never even met?” The question was croaked from the middle-aged man staring straight ahead. The car slowly moved down the road as Dad applied less pressure to the pedal.

“It was so fast, but I swear you’ll meet him. He’s flying out to help me pack, and we’ll fly out to Washington. You’ll love him.” You gushed ignoring the smart of guilt at lying to the first man that had ever truly loved you.

The father that had learnt how to do your hair and supported you in everything you did; for the first few years, he had been a stay at home dad. Your mother was the one that worked and then when you got to the right age, your father returned to work. He had taught you how to ride a bike and drive, the police didn’t need to know you were driving years before you legally could.

“Your Nan is going to be pissed.” He snorted, shaking his head, “You’ll be throwing him to the wolves at the reunion.”

The reunion you had completely forgotten about. Shit.

A month later brought Charlie to your small half-packed flat in London and then straight to your parents’ house in the country. The country home had been in your family for years before your parents moved out of the city full time.

“Okay. So, your five-year-old cousin is adamant he be called Agent Jack because he works for James Bond. Don’t mention football, which is soccer in the US, or else World War III between your Nan and great-aunt Dottie will happen.”

“Oh! My mom loves ice hockey! She grew up playing until she was in high school!” You gasped glancing over at Charlie in the passenger seat of the car. He’d arrived two days ago ahead of schedule to get rested for the reunion.

This morning he had spent longer getting ready with his hair meticulously styled and his clothes chosen to fit the weather and the event. No matter how much you had soothed him, the nerves still flared. This wasn’t meeting your SO’s parents, this meeting his wife’s family who had no clue about him.

“Do I call your Dad, Mr. Y/L/N or Sir?” Charlie questioned as the country zipped by in the clear window of the car. His fingers tapped the beat to the JATP song ‘Now or Never’ on the black denim of his jeans.

“Go with Sir.” You replied, reaching one hand over to grasp his in your hand, “My Nan will interrogate you about where we would have kids. Aunt Dottie will ask if you got me pregnant and that’s I’ve never said anything about us.”

“I…really? They’ll ask that?” Charlie choked turning to face you entirely with a face pale as bleached bone. The wince you offered was enough for him to relax into the leather of the car.

“Their old ladies that live on gossip and personal questions. But don’t underestimate Nan if she gets plastered and demands an arm wrestle. You won’t win.”

The car rolled to a stop on the rocky drive filled with other vehicles of all colours and types. The house was the background feature of the menagerie of cars. It was a gorgeous colour your mom had spent weeks trying to find in countless shops before she saw it three hours away. Flowers were strategically placed for viewing pleasure.

“Your house is beautiful.” Charlie breathed circling the car to open your door without prompt just it had become second nature to him. His hazel eyes moved across the parcel of land your parents owned.

Before your lips could even part to respond, you were attacked in a hug by two little pairs of arms. The sandy coloured hair, one set of curls hitting past their shoulders and the other a mop on his head. You knew immediately it was your little cousin Jack and his twin JJ from the strength of the hug.

“Y/N!” The twins squealed jumping in their spots as their father, your uncle Seth, corralled them. His eyes crinkled with the grin that matched your father and other uncles. It was the signature L/N smile your family carried.

“Hey! It’s Agent Jack and-“

“Doctor JJ! I’m Jack’s doctor!” JJ clapped her small hands together, displaying her cute little dimples. Charlie’s quiet awe melted your traitor heart entirely, “Is he your boyfriend?”

The three adults’ all had a deep chuckle at her cute little scrunched nose as she saw Charlie’s hand grasp yours.

“Not exactly. You know how Dad and I are married?” Seth asked, crouching in front of his little girl. Her eyes blinked in confusion, “Y/N and Charlie are married. Y/N is his wife, and he’s Y/N’s husband.”

In his usual tornado-esque style, Jack had already taken off around the side of the house to the family gathered. JJ’s hand had slid into her father’s familiar grip.

“But Daddy you and Dad are husbands? How can they be married if she’s a girl?” JJ pouted with her green eyes twinkling in suspicion.

“Well, JJ. When two boys get married, they are husbands, if two girls get married, they are wives, but if a boy and girl get married, they become husband and wife. Or maybe depending on the genders they prefer to be called partners.” Seth told his little girl as his husband Fred rested his hand on his shoulder. While Seth was fair-haired and blue eyes, his husband Fred was the example of tall, dark and handsome with green eyes.

“Okay.” JJ simply spoke, skipping over to grab Charlie’s hand in her left and yours in her right. The little girl dragging you two in the direction her brother had disappeared around where the noise grew louder.

“Relax.” You whispered to the wide-eyed Canadian steadily becoming quieter and more nervous. As soon as you rounded the corner of the house, JJ released your hands to chase after Jack and your other cousins.

“You have a big family,” Charlie mumbled, looking over the adults and the young children set away. His eyes found your parents wrapped in each other’s arms talking with a woman confidently wearing the marks of time and wisdom, “You have your father’s smile.”

“I know.” You spoke tugging him to your parents, “Dad! Mum!”

The couple glanced over to see the man that had snuck into their family without a hint. Your father was quick to tug you in a bear hug with a resounding kiss on your forehead. Mum had yanked Charlie into a hug as well that relaxed him with the words she whispered in his ear.

“This is Charlie Gillespie. Charlie this is my mum and dad Theodore and Amelia.” You swiftly introduced the three people in your life.

It was tense for a moment before it melted away, “He’s a lot better than Harvey.”

“Ted!” Mum spoke slapping his arm, “It’s not his fault he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth-“

“-and a boob in his hand.” Dad chortled, dodging the slap from your mortified Mum. Her dark eyes wide open in shock, she really shouldn’t be surprised with your father, at how he had spoken.

Charlie’s lips parted in a strong of impish laughter bringing a grin to your little party’s faces. All the nerves from before melted from the Canadian as he found he fit in perfectly with your parents. His hand never felt yours the rest of the night, and with it, you wished you didn’t have to live with the ruse. You had fallen swiftly for the Canadian and wished this was marriage was real.

It wouldn’t be until Charlie, and you had devoured the food and two mugs of beer that the truth comes out in the upstairs bathroom. You couldn’t be sure who made the first move, but two hours upon arriving at the reunion Charlie had you pinned against the bathroom door. Lips moving against each other like you’d been made for each other.

“Mhm.” Charlie moaned, gripping your hips hard enough to leave bruises. The vision of seeing your bruises hips had a flutter in your stomach.

Heat rose from your stomach to your chest as your fingers slid into his once perfectly groomed hair. His lips parting yours with a warmth that washed over your entire body like the sun brushing skin after peeking behind a fluffy cloud. If Heaven was a feeling, this would be it.

Charlie’s hands slid under your shirt to rest on the warmth of your hips, a fire flared at his mere touch. He only parted from your lips at the sound of the floorboards outside the bathroom.

“Call me crazy, or the beer is making me say this. I’ve never felt this way for someone like I do for you,” Charlie whispered brushing your temple with his lips. The words created a shiver down your spine, “We have this connection and ease between us. I see you in the sunlight when I first wake up, and all I ever want to do is cuddle you close.”

“Char-“

“I know we’ve gone about this out of order, but I’d really like to be more than what we are. I want to be more than a guy making your ex regret hurting you. I want to be more than just your accidental husband. I want to do this the right way.”

“Me too.” You fully admitted, “Watching you geek out over my dad’s car with me. I want to keep seeing that. There’s something I’ve been keeping from you that I need to say before this goes further.”

“What’s wrong?” Charlie murmured cupping your cheeks in his warm hands. His hazel eyes lingered on your swollen lips that no doubt matched his own.

Your bright e/c eyes flickered between his hazel orbs with something he couldn’t quite decipher.

“If we do this, there are things I won’t be able to talk to you about when it comes to my job. It’s sensitive information, and no matter how much I trust you, I won’t be able to say anything. Charlie, the reason I’m moving to Washington is because I finished my tasks.”

Your hands moved around as you spoke to the silent Canadian just staring at you, “So what kept you in England for so long?”

“I work for the CIA. I have since I was recruited on a college campus a few years ago.” You revealed to the flabbergasted actor blinking rapidly. His mouth hung open, and his eyes widened more than you thought possible.

“So, we’re both in the business of deceit and pretending.” He grumbled, wrapping his arms around your shoulders, “I’m an actor by the way. It doesn’t matter what your job is, all I care about is trying to make this work.”

That was the moment that turned your relationship around, a year later, you had traditionally renewed your vows. Your wedding in the backyard of your parents’ house with friends and family watching as you walked down the aisle in your white wedding dress. Charlie waiting with the officiant unaware of the tiny gift of a little bean inside your belly growing.

Tag List (PLEASE SEND AN INBOX TO BE ADDED! I CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE ON THE LIST VIA POST COMMENTS!)

@safehavenmuse @siennanoelle01 @whiterose291 @mell-bell @blackhood5sos @ficrecsideblog @ifilwtmfc @deadpoolgirl23 @crappy-unicorn @sunsetcurve-h @elioelioeli0 @lovesanimals @popcrone818 @lolychu @deepsleepnat @tenaciousperfectionunknown @aunicornmademedoit @just-a-writer-here @simp4reggie @merceret @faithiebrock01 @overlyhypedup @differentsoulrascalsalad @aesthetic-lyss @versaceapa @carleywhittaker @lostgirl219 @itsalexx21 @elllaoo4 @merxxleighann @mediocremunge @fantomlovesjuke4ever @dpaccione @oswin05 @kaylinfayezink @aberette13 @faithie-brock-gillespie01 @eharvey0218 @overlyhypedup @benstormy @auriandthepussicats @sarcasticsagittarius1998 @whothefuckstolemykeds @siriuswvrld @princessvader15 @xoxbloodreinaxox @heimdoodle @joshy-obx @lovesanimals @oopsiedoopsie23 @am3l1a-24 @flying-solo-without-you @jaskiers-sweetkiss @lostrandomfangirln @must-be-a-weasley-92 @jatp-holland @ilikealotofpeople-younotsomuch @dxlanhxlland @dasexydevitt13 @ifilwtmfc @arianagrandes-things @kinda-really-lost @marinettepotterandplagg @ssprayberrythings @morgandamrose @thedarkqueenofavalon @zukoshonourr @crybabyddl @spooky-season-bitch @kcd15 @morganayennefertyrell @magnet-girl @all-in-fangirl @kinda-really-lost @tenaciousperfectionunknown @badwolf00593 @blowakissbabe @talksoprettyjjx @thesweetestsinner @kaitieskidmore1 @writerinlearning @aiofheavenandhell @sageellsworth05 @link-102 @thesweetestsinner

#charlie gillespie imagines #charlie gillespie fanfiction #charlie gillespie x reader #luke patterson imagines #jatp fanfic #charlie gillespie #charlie gillespie imagine #caitsy and ash productions

260 notes · View notes

cheri-translates · 3 years

Text

[CN] Gavin’s Sky Date - Prologue

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date prologue, 云霄之约, which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

Do note that you have to read this before embarking on the actual date, because it contains background information and sweet domestic bliss you wouldn't want to miss :>

[ This date was released on 14 April 2021 ]

[ Part One: A Dream About to Take Flight ]

MC: Ahhh! My life is up to me. Not. Up. To. Fate!

The small dice in my furled hand is tossed around several times. When I loosen my grip, it rolls quickly on the map -- ‘2′.

Gavin: Hahaha--

Gavin laughs, but hurriedly retracts his smile when he senses my murderous gaze.

Gavin: It’s okay, things will definitely take a favourable turn in the next round.

Sulky, I let out of a huff. I watch as he picks up the dice, casually rolling a '5′. Then, he cheerfully shifts his own plane on the map by six spaces.

[Note] In the game of Aeroplane Chess, your plane can only leave the starting point if you roll a ‘5′ of ‘6′!

MC: ...

It’s a Saturday afternoon. Gavin and I had nothing to do after eating, so we randomly grabbed a set of Aeroplane Chess from the supermarket to play. But I didn’t expect to have such a terrible gaming experience!

Although it’s been the sixth or seventh round, I just can’t the ‘6′ I need to get my plane out of the hangar. On the other hand, Gavin has always been able to get it to take flight smoothly, and very quickly reaches the goal.

MC: Gavin, with your kind of luck, there’s no need to waste it on playing games with me.

After pondering for a long while, I offer him a serious suggestion.

MC: Let’s head out to buy a lottery ticket?

Gavin: Why don’t we play something else? The paper model from last time was only half done. Since we have time today, we could get it done at one go.

At this moment, the phone on the floor beside me rings. Seeing the familiar number, I tap on the hands-free function.

Nurse: Miss MC, the physical report done at our hospital is ready. Please bring your receipt and collect it within fifteen working days.

MC: Mm, got it, thank you.

Gavin is currently storing the Aeroplane Chess pieces into the box. Hearing this conversation, he gives me a puzzled look.

Gavin: Haven’t you already gone for a physical examination this year? Are you feeling unwell?

MC: No, no. I’m using the report for the registration.

I deliberately pretend to be secretive, leaning towards him. Then, I show him the registration form that I had submitted online beforehand.

MC: I’m going to get a Private Pilot License.

[ Part Two: First Day of School ]

On the first day of aviation training, I set the alarm to wake me up at 6.30am. Even Gavin is stunned at the level of enthusiasm I have for learning.

Gavin: The courses for the aviation license can get pretty dry. You have to be mentally prepared.

MC: Are you referring to things like meteorology, aircraft structure, air traffic regulations?

Gavin: Mm. Aside from the exams, such knowledge is necessary for aircraft pilots.

While he speaks, he lifts his head to give me a smile.

Gavin: But they definitely won’t stump you.

After packing my things, I grab a random jacket and prepare to leave.

The classes take place in the suburbs, and it takes an hour to get there. Despite waking up early, I’d be late if I don’t hurry up.

But Gavin is clearly not too worried about this matter. He holds a slice of bread in his mouth while looking at his phone.

Gavin: Since I’m sending you there, you won’t be late. Before your first official lesson, I’ll give you a flight class.

I walk over to him, pulling up the zipper of his uniform, and also picking up the motorcycle helmet from the table.

MC: To prevent this from being a mere flash in the pan, I want to leave the joy of flight to the end of the course. But if going by land would make me late...

Gavin rolls the bread into his mouth, taking the helmet from my hand.

Gavin: No matter the route, you won’t be late. Oh yes, what class are you taking today?

[ Part Two, Option 1: Principles of Meteorology ]

Instructor: I’ll ask some small questions to test your foundation and see if you take note of knowledge in this area.

He opens the PowerPoint presentation, then uses a laser pointer to point at the image on the first page - it's a cumulus cloud with a flat bottom layer and a high, upward curve at the top.

Instructor: Does anyone know what this cloud is called?

MC: Cumulus congestus cloud.

Instructor: Correct. The next question - when the International Civil Aviation Organisation observes cloud volume, how many segments do they divide the sky into?

MC: It should be eight segments.

I recall that Gavin brought this up before.

Instructor: Not bad, miss. You did preparatory work beforehand, didn’t you?

MC: No no, I have a friend who has a better understanding in this area, so I was just influenced.

After saying this, chuckles drift from the surroundings. The instructor nods in understanding.

Instructor: In that case, you won’t have a problem during the exams.

MC: ...I’ll do my best.

After all, my confidence is limited when it comes to exams.

Just as I’m thinking about this, I receive a notification on my phone. Gavin has sent me an incredibly large document file.

Gavin: I don’t know how to teach, so I compiled some materials you might need for the exam.

I grip my phone, suddenly feeling like the weather is so good that it makes one carefree and relaxed.

It’s just an exam. I’ll definitely be fine.

[ Part Two, Option 2: Aviation Regulations Class ]

At 2pm in the afternoon, the sun shines from above. I had a full meal, so fighting against the sleeping bug is a difficult challenge.

Instructor: Before the flight, the captain has to carry out the necessary inspections of the aircraft. Until the inspections are complete, you can’t take off. This regulation is easy to understand. In fact...

When the dullness of the course matches how fine the weather is, the entire classroom gets immersed in a drowsy atmosphere.

I take a few deep breaths and pat my face... but I still feel like sleeping.

Instructor: Okay, we’ll take a 10 minute break. You students look sleepy, so go wash your faces to freshen up.

The moment he finishes speaking, the sound of heads plopping down on the tables can be heard all around.

Just as I prepare to stand up and stretch, my phone suddenly vibrates.

Delivery boy: Hello, I’ve placed your take-out at the main counter.

MC: Take-out?

But I didn’t order take-out...

While I’m puzzled, the young lady from the main counter very politely brings the item to the classroom - it’s a cup of coffee.

There’s only one simple line on the note of the take-out: Persevere for a little longer. Gavin.

I retrieve the coffee from the bag, taking a tiny slip. The instructor walks past, giving me a glance from the side.

Instructor: Are you drinking coffee or milk tea? You’re smiling so happily.

MC: Being able to swim in the ocean of knowledge is always meant to be a happy thing.

The instructor gives me an expression which says, “like I’d actually believe you”.

MC: Instructor, let’s continue with the lesson. I’m not drowsy anymore. Learning for another four hours is no problem at all!

[ Part Three: Being Your Co-pilot ]

Gavin: Do you want to head out for a stroll after dinner? It seems to be really cooling outside.

I’m currently taking out plates from the kitchen drawer, subconsciously craning my head to glance outside.

MC: It’s going to rain, isn’t it...

Gavin: Really? I’ll check the weather forecast. Earlier in the afternoon, Eli mentioned taking out some time to wash his car at night. I even thought today would be a good day.

I step into the living room, setting down plates on the dining table.

MC: There are just some cumulonimbus clouds in the sky. It might not really rain.

Gavin scrolls through the real-time weather, then gives me a smile.

Gavin: It’s really going to rain.

He gets up, opening the rice cooker and scooping a full bowl of rice for me.

Gavin: At first, I even thought you’d find such theoretical knowledge boring. I didn’t think you’d learn them so earnestly. Looks like you really want to get the license.

MC: Of course. I want to be your co-pilot.

Although Gavin hasn’t even scooped rice for himself, he’s already served me a huge pile of vegetables.

Gavin: Sure. I’ll wait for the day you get your license.

Just as I’m about to talk about how assured I am about getting the license, I realise that the plate on my hand is becoming fuller and fuller.

Before I can even voice my question, Gavin responds.

Gavin: Learning is tough. You need to eat a little more. I also bought you ice-cream. It’s in the second compartment of the freezer. I remember you mentioning that as long as you eat something delicious during difficult times, you can press on easily.

MC: ...hahaha! Mm! After having this meal, I’ll complete all my post-class homework!

[ Aviation Terminology Class ]

MC: Calling for the control tower. Number N8596 has arrived, and is requesting for a landing gate.

Gavin (through the phone): Number N8596, you may use aircraft Gate Number One.

Gavin’s light-hearted laughter drifts from the phone.

Gavin: Shouldn’t your class end at 7pm? It’s only 6pm.

MC: The plan was to be dismissed at 7pm, but... for some reason, those in my class were really interested in the Aviation Terminology class, so they did their preparatory work in advance. The three hour class was over in one and a half hours. The instructor said that we already grasped all the key points, so we were dismissed early. What about you? How much longer till you’re off work?

Gavin: For me... less than half an hour. You could think about what to do with this unexpectedly free hour. I remember that there’s a new dessert shop opposite the cinema.

MC: You remembered? I never even told you about it. How could you remember? Officer Gavin, you better tell me the truth. You didn’t remember it - you specially searched it up.

Gavin: Mm, I specially searched it up. I even found that there are claw machines along the shopping street on the ground level of the cinema.

MC: Looks like what I’m going to do in the next hour has already been scheduled.

Gavin: Wait for me at the office first. I’ll look for you once I’m done with the work on hand.

[ Part Four: Flight Practice ]

Today’s the first flight practice class. The instructor is sitting in the co-pilot seat, watching my every move throughout the entire journey.

I wasn't nervous at first, but each time he glances at me, I involuntary wonder if I’ve done something wrong.

In an instant, I recall the fear of taking the aviation exam...

Until the plane successfully takes flight, I keep feeling as though the thing suspending in the air isn’t the plane, but my heart.

Instructor: It’s rare for you to make a trip up here. What’s there to be nervous about? Come, lift your head and look at the sky.

At this moment, countless gripes flash across my mind: What’s so nice about the sky? I’ve seen all kinds of skies. Right now, all I want is to fly the plane...

But the moment I lift my head, I’m rendered speechless.

Instructor: How is it? The first time I saw it, I was so stunned that I couldn't speak either.

MC: It’s really beautiful.

Sunlight casts a layer of golden hue on the soft and white clouds, blending the colours of gold and crimson.

I’m unable to describe how the scenery before me makes me feel.

It’s a feeling which... makes one feel that life has meaning.

All of a sudden, another thought surfaces in my mind: I wonder what went through Gavin’s mind when he saw such a sight for the first time.

The instructor sitting next to me glances at me from the side.

Instructor: Thinking about your boyfriend again?

MC: [blushing] ...no!

Instructor: It’s normal. Each time I’m flying, I can’t help but think of my wife. There isn’t a reason to it. It’s just a sudden thought, an involuntary reaction.

The instructor laughs as he gives me advice with a contagious smile.

Instructor: If you’re thinking about him, just do it. It’s fine. It’s a normal thing. When you see certain things, your natural reaction is to think of someone.

MC: ...Instructor, I usually can’t tell, but you’re actually quite philosophical.

I grab the joystick of the plane, watching as countless clouds drift past leisurely.

All I want to do is take a photograph of this moment for Gavin.

Date: here

Gavin watching as I drool over the thought of Eli scrubbing his car in the rain while wearing a singlet:

#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc gavin #summary of the prologue: gavin is the perfect boyfriend

109 notes · View notes

platypanthewriter · 3 years

Text

The Devil Looks After His Own Ch.4

Chapters One | Two | Three

Little Steve Harrington is so lonely he tries summoning a demon with a ritual advertised on TV–but luckily, it doesn’t work, and a buff, non-human nanny hired by his mom shows up minutes later. Years later, they’re best friends, and Steve still doesn’t know the truth. For @magniloquent-raven!

Since Steve’s mom and dad had basically stopped doing anything around the house, Steve helped Billy with things like scrubbing the bathroom, and doing laundry, and vacuuming. They listened to music very loud if Steve’s dad wasn’t working, and if he was, they played charades with each other as they worked. That meant Steve sometimes got the parmesan cheese when he wanted the Ajax cleanser, and Billy got Steve yelling and climbing up the furniture, looking for a huge cockroach rat hybrid, when all he wanted Steve to do was move so he could pick up the rug, but it was pretty funny.

“They are paying you, right,” Steve asked one day, as he and Billy laid on the floor of his room, exhausted from scrubbing the entire kitchen after Billy accidentally boiled a pan of chili over the whole stove and proceeded to drop it on the kitchen floor. Steve’s stomach growled—it’d actually smelled pretty good, for something Billy cooked, and he rolled to bury his face in Billy’s shoulder, groaning.

“...I don’t have a lot of use for money,” Billy said thoughtfully. “They’re giving me some, though, yeah.”

“Let’s order pizza,” Steve moaned, stretching. “I mean, if—can you get the money? Do you know how?”

“I have a bank account,” Billy muttered, but from the red his ears had turned, Steve suspected it hadn’t been that easy, at first.

“...do you have a card?” Steve asked, holding his fingers up in a rectangle, and Billy rolled onto his side to tickle him.

“Yes, you little jerk, I have a debit card, and I can get us pizza,” he told Steve, as he giggled and kicked the air.

“You should use it to do things you want,” Steve told him, relaxing into the hug, once he smacked Billy enough times that the tickling stopped. “Buy—things. Things you want. Or—or go somewhere.”

“Where would I wanna go without you?” Billy asked him, laughing, and Steve’s face heated.

He snaked his arms around more of Billy, and squeezed him, sighing contentedly. “...we could go together,” he mumbled. “To—to the, um, like, the water park. Or somewhere. They have slides.”

“Oooo,” Billy said, but it felt like he was laughing.

“They’re really cool,” Steve huffed, and Billy noogied his head.

“What about, like...Disneyland,” he whispered, and Steve’s heart thudded in his chest. “Or like...Hawaii? Is that a thing kids like? Go snorkeling?”

“Holy shit,” Steve muttered, because it seemed like the situation deserved a swear. “C-can you pay for that?! That’s—that’s a plane ticket, Billy—”

“Two of them,” Billy said, and Steve nodded, his heart pounding with excitement, because vacations would be completely different with Billy—Billy wouldn’t leave Steve in the hotel room all day, or expect him to just sit on a bench for hours at the mall.

“I-if you, um, if you want,” he squeaked, and Billy rolled on top of him, squishing him, and being annoying, and saying things like ‘Oh no, gross, did I roll onto a bug?’ “Get off!” Steve yelled, kicking and laughing.

“Too tired,” Billy groaned. “I’m just gonna lay here on this gross bug.”

“I’m not a bug!” Steve yelled back, cackling helplessly, until Billy finally took mercy, scooped him up, and let Steve order pizza with anything he wanted.

It turned out kinda gross, actually, because Steve had ordered everything he hadn’t tried before, but they picked off the fruit and the weird fish. The fried eggs and sunflower seeds were actually pretty good.

“I didn’t know you were such a good cook,” Billy told him, and Steve kicked his leg, snorting a laugh, as Billy flipped through channels.

He paused on a news show, the news person holding the microphone out to a being that was mostly fire and horns. “What do you think of this talk of requiring a license from both sides to summon demons?”

“It’s ridiculous,” said the guttural voice in flames, and Billy shivered, his face weirdly blank, like he got at the beginning, when Steve ordered him around. “Expecting my people to agree not to tear anyone’s face off, or steal their soul, when they’ve been summoned and enslaved for millenia? Don’t make me laugh.”

Steve slid his hand into Billy’s as the news person interrupted. “Well, it’s supposed to end that—”

“My own son has been missing for nearly a year,” said the harsh voice, and Billy trembled again, lowering his slice of pizza to the plate. “Are you suggesting I report the summoner to the authorities, instead of punishing them for my son’s captivity myself? How would a slap on the wrist help us more?”

“...fuck,” Billy whispered, rubbing his face, and Steve squeezed his hand.

“It stands to reason that if there was oversight on who could summon demons—” the news person persisted, but the fire demon slammed a flaming appendage against the table, and ey jerked back.

“I will burn them from the bones out until their skin cracks off in lumps of char,” said the demon, “—and then I will reclaim my son,” and then the TV clicked off, and Billy was sweating and shaking, tears welling up in his eyes.

Steve dropped his pizza on his plate, sat it aside, and stood up to hug Billy, petting his hair like he was the neighbor’s cat as Billy laughed and shuddered against him. “Billy,” Steve whispered. “Are you a demon?”

“You think I’m like him?” Billy gasped out, his fists tight in Steve’s shirt. “You see him and you—you’re like—that’s Billy,” he choked off, crying, and Steve petted his hair some more, biting his lips, and trying to figure it out.

Before Billy, he’d never thought of teenagers as being just another kind of kid—they’d always seemed basically like grownups—but he was wondering more and more whether teenagers were just children who could drive. Steve wasn’t sure how he felt about that idea, it sounded kind of...bad.

“Do—did you used to summon demons,” he asked, cautiously. “Is—is that why you—is that why you’re magic—is—is—do you know a demon,” he tried, wondering what could have made Billy cry.

“Doesn’t matter,” Billy mumbled, and Steve raised his eyebrows.

“It matters,” he said, but then he felt Billy start to pull away, and hugged him tighter. “But, um. You—you don’t have to...tell me. Okay?”

“...are you serious,” Billy whispered, and Steve nodded, running his fingers through Billy’s curls. Billy sighed, squeezing him back.

“If, um, if you don’t...want to talk about it,” Steve told him, “—um, you—you don’t have to...tell me.”

“...sorry,” Billy sighed. He sounded exhausted. “I just...it’s, um. It’s sort of...safer. If you don’t know.”

“Okay,” Steve told him, wondering. Billy was right, he thought—even if he did have horns, the Billy that swung him around in the air, played LEGO, and bought him weird pizza was nothing like the fire demon that had threatened the news person, which he thought he should probably tell Billy. “You’re not like that,” he said quickly. “He was scary. He wanted to be scary. He wanted to hurt somebody. He...I know you’re not like that. I didn’t—I didn’t mean you were like that.”

Billy nodded, sighing. “I don’t want to be like that.”

“Who would,” Steve wondered, making a face. “What a jerk.”

“...yeah,” Billy said, laughing softly.

“Do you...know him...somehow?” Steve couldn’t help asking. “Is—is that why you yelled at me about demons? When you first came?”

“Demons are dangerous,” Billy bit out, “—and they will kill you. Don’t you fucking dare try that summoning shit again—”

“I wasn’t going to,” Steve said, shaking his head, and trying not to smile, because Billy’d turned to glower at him, wiping his eyes. “I mean it, I won’t—”

“You better not,” Billy growled, his mouth quirking as he slid his hand along the back of the couch to tickle Steve’s side, and Steve yelped.

“I won’t! I won’t, I promise, I won’t!” he yelled, squawking and giggling, and Billy yanked him in close for a hug.

“You’ll get eaten,” Billy said quietly, frowning like he was still worried, and Steve flicked his earring.

“I won’t do it,” he said again. “I won’t. I promise.”

“...okay,” Billy sighed, resting his face against Steve’s hair.

It started to get hot and uncomfortable in Billy’s arms—he was squeezing really tight, and they were both sweaty from cleaning, and Steve was hungry— but he waited, petting Billy’s hair until he let go on his own.

“I promise not to kidnap anyone and get eaten,” Steve muttered into Billy’s curls, sighing, and Billy started snickering, and blew a raspberry on his neck with a loud farty noise. Steve’s dad stomped out of his office and yelled at them to be quiet, and they snuck the pizza into Steve’s room, and had a picnic on the floor.

A couple weeks later, Steve and Billy were leaving the LEGO store at the mall—Steve with his head stuffed with ideas and his hands on the Jungle Raider vehicle he’d finally picked up for his Ninjago set, Billy with the new bonsai tree set, because he and Steve had decided to add it to his house—when they heard screams. Steve was still looking at the cover of the box when he registered Billy shoving him behind Billy’s back, and a woman ran by yelling “Run, get out of here, there’s a man with a gun!”

Steve froze, clutching his Ninjago set, and Billy scooped him up, and frowned back atinto the LEGO store, and then down the corridor of the mall. More people were running by, and some of them were making phone calls, which was good, Steve thought dazedly. He should have thought of that, calling 911, like in a movie.

“Kiddo,” Billy said softly, “—those sets you gave me. They really mine?”

“There’s a man with a gun,” Steve said shakily. “Billy.”

“Yeah,” Billy said, sitting him back down. “And I don’t know where he is, or what’s going on, but if you—” he bit his lip, thinking.

“Billy, can you help?” Steve hissed, wide-eyed. “Don’t get hurt—”

“Pick a set to really never play with again,” Billy said, glancing back into the mall. “You have to—to throw it away, or break it, so nobody can use it again. Can you do that?”

“I can’t break it from here,” Steve whimpered, starting to panic. “I can’t—this one’s too small and dumb, isn’t it, it was only ten dollars—” he held up the Jungle Raider vehicle, his eyes blurring with tears.

“That would work,” Billy said. “You’ve never even gotten to play with it. You can’t just buy it again, though.”

“O-okay,” Steve said, nodding. He lowered it slowly towards the ground, and then jumped and dropped it as they heard a gunshot. He stomped on it a few times. There was a crunch, he flinched, and Billy yanked him into a quick hug, kissing his cheek, and then went all... pretty.

He grew, it seemed like, even from the tall horned man he’d been when he’d come to work naked that first day, and he had muscles everywhere, and Steve tried not to giggle nervously, because Billy was naked again, and Steve could see everything.

“Go hide behind the counter, or in the back, as far back and low as you can get,” Billy told him, and Steve nodded, grabbing Billy’s hands.

“Don’t get hurt, Billy,” he whispered, trying to let go, but he’d started to cry, and he couldn’t make his fingers let go of Billy’s.

Billy yanked free to squeeze him close, but they heard another scream, and Steve pushed him away and ran into the store, trying to cry quietly. He found the nice counter person hiding behind the counter, and yanked them into the back like Billy had said, then crouched with his arms over his head like in an earthquake because he didn’t know what else to do.

The counter person had a glittery they/them pin that caught the light from the front of the store as they panted, staring over his shoulder, and Steve watched it, remembering how genius he’d thought it was back when they first started working. One of the centaur twins in his class used ey/em like their art teacher did, but the other one used fae/faer, and they were identical palominos—and Steve had been so grateful when one of them started painting faer hooves and he could get it right.

He hoped he got to see them again. He hoped Billy got to see them again, and started to cry harder, thinking about Billy dead somewhere, full of bullets. The counter person yelped as Steve started to crawl away, asking him where he was going, but Steve couldn’t help it, he scrambled out of the store, and hid under a bench in the corridor, listening.

There were a bunch of gunshots, at least five, and Steve shuddered, covering his mouth so he didn’t make a noise, but then everything went quiet. He waited, tears dripping down his cheeks, until Billy stumbled back around the corner of the corridor, leaning heavily against the wall.

There was blood, smoking as it dripped over his jewelry. Steve scrambled out with a yell and ran to him, gathering him into a hug as Billy slid down the wall to curl up with his head in Steve’s lap. “I-I’ll call 911,” Steve sobbed, wiping his tears away to try and see, and Billy shushed him.

“S’fine,” he mumbled. “S’okay, mmm...m’fixin’ it. Need...need you…”

“What,” Steve asked him, petting his flamey hair, and patting his horns nervously.

“Talk to me,” Billy breathed, with a noise like he had snot or tears in his throat, and Steve realized it was probably blood, the blood soaking into his jeans from Billy’s chest.

Steve bit his lips together to keep from making a noise as his lungs jerked with sobs. “Y-you’re gonna be okay,” he whined unconvincingly, then yelped as he realized Billy was smoking a little all over, and he felt a little smoky, too soft under Steve’s fingers on his shoulder, and not nearly heavy enough leaning against him.

“Tell me about the picture, that first night,” Billy whispered. “How’d it go. Dis-distract me.” He reached out and ran his finger through his blood on the floor, drawing some of a circle, and Steve pulled Billy’s hand back.

“Don’t move,” Billy growled, pretty certain that made things worse. He drew what he could remember—the castle, and the horse—trying not to think about the sticky chill of Billy’s blood on his fingers. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and kept drawing, as Billy asked questions like ‘Wasn’t it in a circle?’ and ‘I thought there were symbols or something.’ Steve would have stopped, but it sounded like it was helping, as Billy got heavier.

His voice sounded stronger. “...what are you drawing?” he asked, sounding like he wanted to laugh, and Steve felt a strong temptation to do something annoying, like lick his ear.

“I don’t remember the symbols!” Steve hissed, guiltily, trying not to sob. “Hearts are good,” he sniffled. “I-it’s the Eu-Eurovision logo! And I love you.”

“...yeah,” Billy whispered, staring at the picture, as Steve added some clouds, trying not to think about how much of Billy’s blood there was on the ground to draw with. “...save me with the Eurovision logo, kiddo.”

Steve sniffled hard, wiping his nose again, and used his clean hand to stroke Billy’s hair at the base of his horns.

“Tell me why you drew that,” Billy whispered, and Steve hugged him, trying not to get snot in his pretty hair. “The—the first time. That first night.”

Steve could hear sirens. “W-wanted a friend,” he whispered, his lungs juddering so he kind of gasped it.

“Wanted me?” Billy asked, whispering, and Steve nodded, hugging him tighter, and drew another circle around the one Billy had started, and wrote some stuff in there, ‘I’ and a heart and ‘Billy’, and Billy snorted a laugh, relaxing into him. He felt more solid, less like Steve’s fingers were going to press through him, and Steve dropped a kiss on his shoulder, his tears coming even faster in relief. Billy’s wound was smoking still, but he pushed himself upright—as Steve waved his hands in panic—and took a deep, slow breath, and shrank a little back into grown-up nanny Billy, in a t-shirt and jeans, still clutching at his stomach. The blood on the ground was smoking away. Billy took another slow breath, closing his eyes, and the blood on his shirt smoked away too.

Steve reached over—gently—and tugged Billy’s shirt up to see smooth unbroken skin, and wondered whether it was real. “Is—is it gone? Or are you hiding it?” he asked, around the lump in his throat, and Billy leaned in to kiss his head.

“I’m okay,” he whispered, as the sounds of shouting got closer.

“How did you get hurt,” Steve asked, rubbing his eyes again as they spilled over. “You’re magic, how—how did you get hurt, Billy, you—you promised—”

“I didn’t promise I’d never get hurt,” Billy laughed, and Steve punched his shoulder, and Billy grunted, wincing.

Steve scrambled closer, patting at him more gently. “It’s still there,” he realized, crying harder. “You’re still hurt, Billy, you’re hurt— we have to go to the hospital—”

“No, no, kiddo,” Billy laughed, gritting his teeth. “I’ll be okay. I’m just...hungry.”

“How did you get hurt,” Steve breathed again, his brain stuck on the memory of blood on the floor, and on his fingers. He clenched them, clean now, but he could still feel the stickiness.

“Well, he was human,” Billy said slowly, trying to push himself to his feet, “—and I’m not, so I was trying not to hurt him.”

“He had a gun,” Steve squeaked, stumbling to his feet to try and help Billy heave himself to his feet. “He had a gun, Billy—”

“But he’s human,” Billy said softly, glancing up with the smile he put on when he didn’t want to smile. “Like you. I can’t go around hurting humans.”

“You can if they have a gun,” Steve growled, steadying Billy as he stood, finally, staggering.

“Naaah,” Billy said, hugging his head. “You might stop and think twice about being my friend, seeing me do something like that.”

“I would not,” Steve insisted, huffing. “Not if they’re shooting at you—”

As they walked out, around the EMTs and a man in cuffs, screaming about demons, Billy flinched. Steve turned on his heel to go yell, because Billy was nice, and pretty, and he’d gotten shot, but Billy grabbed him up around the waist and kept walking, telling everyone that stopped him that they hadn’t seen anything, and they were fine.

“I hope they put him in jail forever,” Steve muttered, squirming to get down, because he was starting to get why parents got mad when they were worried. He wanted to shake Billy for not understanding he was important. Steve couldn’t stop snapping at him, either, even when he tried to be nice, stopping for a milkshake on the way home—Billy asked what kind Steve wanted, and tried to suggest vanilla when Steve paused, and then Steve went and said strawberry, just to prove him wrong, and he didn’t even like strawberry. Billy’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he drove, and Steve tried not to cry over his gross strawberry milkshake, and the remembered feeling of Billy’s blood dripping between his fingers and soaking into his jeans.

“Okay, I’m gonna need you to keep quiet about this, okay?” Billy told him, and Steve laughed, wetly, because it wasn’t like he could tell anyone anyway. Steve’s parents would have questions if Steve told them Billy had been naked.

“I won’t tell,” Steve said thickly, and Billy grinned at him, like everything was fine.

It was weird, being really, really mad at Billy. Steve wasn’t used to being so angry at somebody he loved, and it spilled out, everywhere, at his parents, his teacher, at his friends—and particularly at Billy, who glared in confusion as Steve stomped past when he offered a hug, or ignored Billy saving him a seat in the cafeteria, or refused to eat the awful food Billy cooked for dinner.

It was worse that he couldn’t even tell anyone—there was nobody he trusted enough, except Billy. It seemed so obvious, now, that Billy could be hurt— everyone could, Steve told himself, and it had been stupid to think Billy couldn’t be hurt just because he could do magic.

He wanted to scream because Billy would hurt himself to save Steve, or that he almost died, and acted like that was normal, and he yelled into his pillow until he cried.

“Don’t be pissed,” Billy hissed, yanking Steve around the back of the gym during recess, after Steve had picked Tommy first for his soccer team. “You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” Steve muttered, his eyes stinging, because being angry all the time made him want to cry all the time, which made him angrier.

“You are fine,” Billy whispered, sighing, like Steve was being a brat.

Steve figured he probably was being a brat, if Billy thought so, and kind of wished he could just say thank you, but it stuck in his throat, and he shoved Billy away.

“I protected you, you’re fine, I’ll always protect you,” Billy groaned, like Steve was stupid, and Steve pushed him again.

“What about you,” he yelled back, too loud, and started to cry again. The shouting of three classes at recess pretty much drowned him out, but it was still embarrassing. “Y-you keep saying I’m fine, what about you?!”

“I’m fine too,” Billy told him, rolling his eyes. “I healed, I’m okay, Stevie.”

“Don’t call me Stevie,” Steve said, and Billy blinked, probably because Steve had always kind of liked having nicknames, just like normal kids.

“...Steve,” Billy corrected, watching his face, and Steve realized he’d given Billy an order, and felt worse.

“Y-you keep saying it’s fine and it’s not fine,” Steve shouted at him, and Billy frowned harder. “It’s not fine if you get hurt,” Steve tried to yell, but his throat closed, and he kind of choked it out.

“It’s okay if I’m helping you,” Billy said, smiling like Steve was being funny, and Steve wanted to hit him.

“No,” he rasped out, and Billy cocked his head. “If,” Steve started, not sure how he was going to finish, “—i-if—if you keep saying—if you keep saying you don’t matter,” he forced out, swallowing hard, “—I—I’ll—”

“You’ll what,” Billy laughed, raising his eyebrows, and Steve set his jaw.

“I’ll believe you,” he threatened, lying, and Billy went still. “I—I’ll believe you. That you don’t matter. L-losing you doesn’t matter. M-my best friend doesn’t matter. If I—” he sniffled hard, wiping his face, “—if I don’t like you anymore, it won’t be so scary—”

“No,” Billy interrupted, wide-eyed, grabbing Steve’s arm. “No, no, no— Steve —”

“It’s fine if s-some—if something...happens to you! R-right?!” Steve insisted, crying too hard to pretend he wasn’t, and pushing Billy, who staggered back. “If you’re just gonna die I—” he cut off as his lungs seized at the idea of Billy dead, Billy in a pool of blood, still on the floor, Billy gone. “I-if you’re gonna die,” he started again, miserably, “I don’t wanna be your friend, I—I can’t—”

“Fucking hell,” Billy muttered, his hands twitching towards Steve, and then flinching back. “I’m sorry, okay, I’m sorry, please—please don’t—”

“Wh-what if you die and it’s my fault,” Steve moaned, hiccuping sobs, and trying to wipe his face, and Billy stepped in close again, grimacing uncertainly, wiping Steve’s face with his sleeves. He smelled like smoke, a little, like he did when something scary was happening, and the laundry detergent from when Steve helped him out at the laundromat, and Billy had chased him around and tickled him on one of the dryers. “What if you’re gone,” Steve wailed.

“No, no, no, c’mon, no, no—” Billy muttered, pulling him into a hug. Steve tried to pull away again, but Billy held on, warm and strong, and Steve finally just bawled into his shoulder, sobbing so loud everybody came to look, two different teachers, and all three of the classes at recess. Steve buried his face in Billy’s shoulder, and Billy hugged his whole head as Steve’s new favorite teacher squeezed both their shoulders, and whispered that she was glad they’d made up, and then ushered everyone away, even Tommy, who looked torn between triumph and worry.

“I’m s-still mad at y-you,” Steve told Billy, gulping for air. “I-I’m so mad at you—I—I’m so mad—” he wheezed out, his breath gone from crying, and Billy squeezed him tighter.

“Sssh, ssh, ssh, I’m sorry, I was wrong, I was wrong,” he whispered, and Steve relaxed, a tiny bit, wondering if Billy got it, finally.

“You c-can’t do that again,” Steve told him, feeling a sick guilt for ordering Billy around, but pushing on, because it had to be okay to not let Billy get shot.

“I don’t think there’s probably gonna be that many shooters at the mall, kiddo,” Billy whispered back, laughing, and Steve stomped on his foot.

“You have to promise,” he hissed, and Billy laughed again, but when Steve shoved away to glare at him, Billy was crying too, his eyes red and wet. “...you promise?” Steve asked, softening a little, and reaching up to wipe Billy’s tears off his round, freckled cheeks. Billy nodded, smirking a little, and Steve frowned. “You can’t just—get hurt. Not for me.”

“Because I’m so important,” Billy said, his smile widening a little as his eyes spilled over again. “And you’d be super sad.”

“Yeah,” Steve told him, narrowing his eyes, because he wasn’t sure Billy was really getting it, yet. “I’d probably cry for— forever.”

Billy made a weird noise in his throat as he laughed, leaning in and kissing Steve on his cheek, and his ear, clumsily, and squeezing him tight again until his fingers hurt against Steve’s arms and sides, but Steve didn’t care, because he was hugging back just as hard. “I—I’ll be more...careful,” Billy mumbled, sniffling. “Since I’m...important. So you don’t have to get so scared.” He took a shaky breath, burying his face in Steve’s shoulder. “...just...because of me.”

“You’re the most important person I know,” Steve told him, his breath going shaky again. “Just—just you, you have to—you have to be okay—”

“I gotta make sure I’m okay so you’re okay,” Billy whispered, nodding a little, and Steve groaned, but it was close enough, he figured, so he sighed a ‘yeah’. “Because I’m important,” Billy said, laughing a little, like he didn’t believe it, and Steve growled into his neck.

“I’m not lying,” Steve growled.

“No, no, yeah, I know,” Billy told him, giggling, and Steve pulled back to stare at him. He was laughing and crying, pink-cheeked. “I-I know. I’m—I’m important.”

#harringrove #eventually #Steve accidentally summons a demon #Billy was horrified to be summoned by an unattended child #they're BFFs now #Sorry if anything's weird formatting-wise #kitten kept walking across the keyboard trying to keep an eye on the roomba

25 notes · View notes

internalsealpanic · 4 years

Text

Dick Grayson x Mercenary Reader HCs Part 1

a/n: This is basically a Dick Grayson/ Reader thingy that has been stuck in my head for months but I haven’t plotted out an actual fic for. Basically, I have the relationship mapped out in my head but I have no scenarios. I was hoping someone could suggest a plot I can play with. This part is mostly platonic with hints of a future relationship. This is pretty much in a weird version of canon running around in my head.

masterlist

You’re Deathstroke’s apprentice. (This version is the version from the Knights and Dragons movie so he isn't a complete and utter asshole. Look, I just really like that version.) Let's just say you had more moxie than self preservation. It also helps that you’re a meta with a pretty unique power. Anything drawn on your skin turns into a physical object. (You basically have a bunch of permanent markers on you in addition to your usual equipment.)

Dick doesn't like you because of your profession but has a grudging respect for your skill. You think Dick is annoying for getting in the way but you understand that he's just trying to do his best to help the city in his own useless way.

YOU LORDING YOUR HEIGHT OVER DICK WHEN YOU'RE KIDS AND YOU QUIETLY CURSING WHEN YOU STOP GROWING.

You and Dick never set out to be friends. You honestly had no clue when this even started. Maybe it was because you keep accidentally saving each other or maybe because you two have a lot to bond over such as murdered parents and emotionally inept mentors.

When it actually started: You, in full costume, recognize your least favourite bird and see that he's crying and that he not only has an ugly bruise in his face but also a bunch of other injuries. you simply sit with him and throw your arms around him letting your muscles relax as if to tell him ‘it's ok and that you’ve got him’. You let him cry into your shoulder. You understand that you have a little more in common than he's willing to admit. You use one of your motion tattoo wings as a cover from the rain and the other to keep Dick warm. When Dick finally calms down enough to think, he's jarred by how nice you are acting. your general demeanor loosened at this point you let your offense show and the very petulant look on your face draws a tired laugh out of Dick. your angry look melts to give way to something resembling relief. You stay there for a while not speaking before Dick decides he needs to leave. Without a fuss you let him go.

After that, instead of fighting each other during encounters, you two kind of just sit together and start talking about what happened since your last encounter. Or you two play rock, paper, scissors to see who ‘won’.

Dick realizes that your personality is hilariously incompatible with your chosen profession. You rant about how Slade lectures you about learning how to lie better and when they tested how bad you were at it Dick was sure Alfred would politely word it as wooden. you had good control over your body language but you had a look caught between pain and annoyance etched on your face.

Mini scenario:

Dick is really stressed out with school and vigilanteing and with Bruce that he just starts wandering around Gotham.

It was a bad idea. Wandering around Gotham is generally a bad idea especially if your head isn't on straight but there is something relaxing about just wandering around.

Dick ends up at one of Gotham's old movie theatres. One of those businesses that you're pretty sure is a front for something because you can't wrap your head around how they could possibly still be in business.

Then there you were a foot from the ticketing windows. His mind instantly recognizes you. You, in turn, recognize him instantly.

When neither of you launch into an attack, you decide to watch a movie together. After bickering for 15 minutes about what movie you should watch, you decide on a coin toss. Because you won, Dick was subjected to your love of terrible movies.

You go out for burgers afterwards and joke about the movie. You complain about the bad acting and the ridiculous story line. You even come up with how they should have done it.

Your lunch was spent outside in the parking lot of the burger joint.

You walk around some more after you explain that you haven't been to this part of Gotham and Dick gives you a mini tour.

You talk about a mix of mundane teenager things and some complaints about their occupations.

You check your watch and explain that you need to go to the grocery store for ingredients.

Dick goes with you just because. He won't admit that he's having a lot of fun.

Being teenagers they fuck around. Being exceptionally athletic and intelligent teenagers you fuck around entertainingly.

At first, you play 'the price is right' because Dick wants to prove he isn't a spoiled rich kid. He doesn't prove jack. You don't do much better but it's on the opposite end.

You get bored and frustrated so you start a scavenger hunt much to the terror of the other customers. How would you feel about 2 terrors zooming around screaming about butter and backflipping over you?

Dick is busy gloating about his victory when the store gets robbed. Dick can't do anything because right now he is a rich boy extraordinaire and should not be capable of fighting. you on the other hand is sore from losing and just yeets a can into one of the robbers faces.

Everyone's attention pans to your as you ready to lob another can at them. The robbers run leaving their unconscious friend on the floor bleeding.

You still pay for the can but ask Dick to get another one.

Walking down the street, Dick notices how many take out places are on the way and asks why you don't just eat from there. you simply tell him you like home cooking more. He notes that for next time.

You exchange phone numbers so you can plan a next time.

The next time they hang out you both bring homemade snacks to sneak into the theater.

They start hanging out in civvies and do really mundane civilian stuff you want to try and that Dick doesn't get to do enough.

You become a sort of hub of normality for Dick. He can talk to you about all the weird stuff without worrying about your not getting it or your judging him while also doing the most mind numbingly human things.

What do they usually talk about:

Casual nerdy stuff

Weird history shit you reads about

Vigilante stuff

Funny henchman stories from the perspective of a vigilante and a higher level henchman

Sometimes they talk about trauma but they only vaguely mention it

They debate over dumb things like whether there's too much variety in cereal. Guess who's on which side.

Sometimes they discuss fighting techniques.

Dick teaches you Romani and about the Romani culture

You sometimes explains various myths and superstitions from your own culture

Dick sometimes talks about school and galas and you end up making fun of weird rich people. They also end up making fun of the various rich people who hire you.

You'll talk about almost everything with each other

You bring him to one of your safe houses for a home cooked meal after he tells you how he lives off of cereal. You were horrified.

The Titans, Batman, and Alfred get really suspicious about Dick's new civilian friend.

Slade gets suspicious of you frequently visiting certain cities.

Somehow they figure out that you are the wraith.

They all lecture Dick about it.

Slade just finds the whole thing amusing and debates on whether he can actually convince you to give up some of Grayson's secrets.

I just love the image of them casually hanging out in civvies with Batman questioning Dick's life decisions and what your has been influenced by his relationship with Catwoman while Deathstroke and Wintergreen are just quietly amused by the situation at some point they were worried about you discussing merc stuff but neither talk about current business unless it's safe to.

Wintergreen isn't particularly worried since Grayson is a good kid. Wintergreen once joked that you should convince him to join their side. You said that Dick didn't have the right personality to be a merc. The irony of this was completely lost on your.

You spending a ton of your hard earned mercenary money to win a stuffed toy that you think little Rose would want. Dick making fun of you for not getting it then he ends up spending too much money but he eventually gets it. You and Dick pass by a shop and you see the exact same stuffed toy in the shop window for a sixteenth of the fortune you spent at the arcade. Good news though, Rose still has the stuffed toy.

Both of you being petty at dance dance revolution.

When you rant to each other in less than private areas, you rapidly switch languages.

Unbeknownst to Slade, Dick actually knows a bunch of his safe houses and unbeknownst to Dick, those are Deathstroke's safe houses. You are technically not lying when you say it's yours.

You have a silent pact not to blow each other's covers unless they deem it completely necessary (when people's lives are at stake). The only person who knows this pact is Jason and they have bought his silence.

You will both go out of their way to help each other out of a bind.

Sometimes when Bruce and Alfred are out of town and the stars align to have you visiting for a job, you end up helping Dick babysit. Jason gets confused and defensive at first. You have dealt with distrustful youngins. Neither Rose nor Joey wanted anything to do with you at first. You, however, grew up wanting siblings so you tried your darndest to look after them and it is really fucking hard to not let this munchkin grown on you.

When you're old enough to hit the club they often go drinking together. You once tried to have you wingman for Dick. Using the ‘fantastic’ negotiating skills you got from mercenary work, you ended up getting the number for yourself. You once told Rose and Joey about it and both of them made lighthearted jokes about it.

Dick gets confronted by Slade at sword point and asks what his intentions are with his kid (He honestly isn't at all serious but he likes how scared Dick got because the man is terrifying.)

Dick also gets interrogated by Joey and Rose because, you know, this is their big sister.

You often insist on family dinners at least once every 2 weeks with your siblings, sometimes with their mom (Adeline is kind of not ok with you and Rose being present but is trying her best for Joey's sake), sometimes with their dad, occasionally with their uncle Wintergreen.

You usually just casually call Slade 'pops' and you drawls 'dad' when you’re pissed and 'papa' when you’re emotional. You try your damndest to only call him Slade or Deathstroke on the field but sometimes you slip up and calls him pops in the field

You have batnapped each batkid at least once. Batnapping meaning seeing a baby bat and throwing them over your shoulder when you’re pretty sure they’re going to get killed. This isn’t limited to kids. You still do this when they’re adults. The image of you throwing Dick over your shoulder when you two were tiny gives me life but you throwing Dick and/or Jason over your shoulder when they’re huge has me cackling.

You basically accidentally become a de facto big sister/ mom friend to the batkids purely through your friendship with Dick.

Images from this scenario I can’t get out of my head:

Stargazing

Teaching Dick how to cook. He just ends up going to your place for a meal though.

Running around during a rain storm huddled under a jacket with Dick because neither of you checked the weather

Casual affection you two share because you’re both tactile people. Casual affection as in just sitting on the couch in each other’s space, bumping shoulders to communicate, leaning on each other, hugging each other when greeting each other, and all that good stuff.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading! I’m really sorry for the grammar and disorganization.

If you guys are interested in the more bickering dialogue heavy part 2 either comment here or send an ask or pm me. *shrugs* This is just really self indulgent on my part.

taglist:

@idkmanicantenglish

@birdy-bat-writes (I will stop tagging you when you run out of good ideas for me.)

#dick grayson x reader #dick grayson x you #dick grayson imagine #dick grayson #Deathstroke #parental #Slade Wilson #BatFam #batfamily headcanon #rant #my writing #merc!reader #batboys #batkids

192 notes · View notes

purple-phantoms · 4 years

Text

Happiest Place on Earth

Modern!Reggie Peters x Gender-Neutral!Reader, Luke Patterson x Alex Mercer

Based off of: #95 from my bucket list, Spend the whole day at Magic Kingdom

A/N: This was requested by @i-should-be-writing-my-own-fic ! This is mostly going to be based off of research and memory. I’ve been to Magic Kingdom before, but only when I was 7 so I barely remember anything. In school a couple years ago I used to plan out which hotel I was going to stay in and which rides I wanted to go on lol. It’s such a shame that the pandemic had to hit. Also I’m basing this off of Disney World in Florida because I’m more familiar with that one. This is super long and not great, but hope you like it!

Summary: Y/n, Alex, Luke, and Reggie spend the day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Y/n and Reggie stay together while Luke and Alex pair up. Both groups try to hide their relationships from the other, until everything magically unfolds.

Masterlist

For reference, if you’ve never been to Disney World and have no idea what the rides are, I’m including links to pictures I used to write this.

For “Peter Pan’s Flight”: Youtube video, Google Images link

For “Be Our Guest”: Disney World website, Pinterest image

For “Pirates of the Caribbean”: Youtube video

For “Splash Mountain”: TikTok from Pinterest, Youtube video

The warm sun rose on the concrete. Thousands of people lined up outside the gates to purchase their tickets for the giant themepark. Them and the boys waited anxiously. They were just about to get to buy their tickets but there was a giant family of 7 in front of them. It felt like years before they called the next people. It felt like centuries before they were allowed to enter the paradise. The four of them split up into pairs; Alex and Luke, and Y/n and Reggie. They wanted to go their separate ways and go on all the rides possible and occasionally meet up to get food and relax.

The first stop for y/n and Reggie was to Cinderella’s castle for pictures. Reggie dragged them by the hand to get as close to the castle, pushing past a lot of people in the process. In their bag was a polaroid camera. It probably wasn’t the best idea to bring something like that to a theme park where it could easily be misplaced or stolen, but memories, right? Y/n took pictures of Reggie first. He did some poses both facing away from the castle and facing the castle. Next was y/n’s turn. Now, y/n was smart. They bought some Disney related things way before the trip. They bought Mickey Mouse earrings and ears for their outfit. Y/n did the same as Reggie and took pictures facing away and towards the castle.

Next stop was to It’s a Small World in Fantasyland. Y/n and Reggie sat in the boat together and swayed to the music as they started moving in the ride. The animatronics were cool but really creepy at the same time. “What if one of those just exploded like in a sci-fi movie,” y/n laughed. Most times y/n was capable of correctly anticipating what would come next in a ride. They could tell that this was just a chill ride, but it’s always fun to imagine the unlikely.

“If that happens, you should just snatch one of them up, and then we just have to run,” Reggie smiled as they laughed. Y/n and Reggie were always the ones in the group who thought that way. Obviously, they wouldn’t actually do that, but that doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t be cool if they did.

Next they went to Peter Pan’s flight. Peter Pan had always been one of Reggie’s favorite characters because of his youth. Obviously before getting in line y/n had to take a picture of Reggie. God, he was gorgeous.

The wait was longer than what they had expected but it was worth it. The scenery was a beautiful sight. When they finally got to the end of the line, they gingerly entered their cart. The ride was chill like the one they had been on before. Reggie kissed y/n on the cheek before laying his head on y/n’s shoulder as they travelled through Neverland. All the animatronics looked so life-like and accurate to the movie. It would be crazy not to take just a few pictures.

The pair got off the ride and went on to the next one, then the next one, until they got hungry. Reggie texted Luke and Alex to find a place to meet up. They decided on the Be Our Guest restaurant. Once they all arrived, they felt underdressed. The restaurant looked exactly how you’d expect it to if you were living in the castle. The walls and tiles were yellow and blue, and the ceiling was painted with a renaissance-like picture.

“You guys seriously couldn’t have picked a more low-key place to eat?” Luke grumbled. This kind of thing had never been his style. He “hated” talking about the Disney princesses, he said they were too “feminine” for him.

“We came for the vibe, not the reality, loser,” Alex said. Reggie and y/n shook their heads. Sitting down for a little bit was quite refreshing. All 4 of them ate all the food they ordered, and it was a lot. But hey, they need their energy!

They sat in a little silence as they waited for their bill to arrive. They were all ready to go on more rides, but also ready for a nap. It’s too bad they were only spending the day there. A kick to the foot knocked y/n out of their daydream. “Ow,” they shouted.

“Oh sorry,” Alex said. “Me and Luke are going to be right back.” Y/n and Reggie looked at each other and laughed.

“Reggie, get your friends,” y/n laughed. Alex and Luke had been like this for a while now, and it was a little weird.

“I think they just went to take pictures,” Reggie shrugged. Y/n laughed.

“Yeah, of each other’s lips,” y/n said. Alex and Luke being a couple was always a theory that y/n and Reggie would talk about. After all, most times movie nights are with a group of people, not just with one person. Well it’s not like y/n and Reggie could speak on that either. They didn’t want Alex and Reggie to know about their relationship because they just wanted to keep it to themselves.

Then the couple pair came back. Alex looked completely normal while Luke’s shirt was super wrinkled.... like as if someone was grabbing at it.

“So where did you two go,” y/n asked with a smirk. Bothering Alex when he’s flustered was always a funny sight. He would never be able to say a single thing without chuckling or running his fingers through his hair.

“We uh-” Luke had to pause to think. “We went to go find a map.” Then he pulled one out of his back pocket, which he totally had way before. Le-let’s go on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride,” He stuttered.

“Thought you don’t like that stuff,” Reggie smiled.

“Well now I do,” Luke said as he grabbed his stuff.

The walk to Adventureland was long, but funny. Reggie couldn’t stop talking about that one time he dressed up as Jack Sparrow for y/n’s costume party last year. The same costume party where y/n and Reggie expressed their feelings for each other. The same costume party where they purposely hid in the closet so that nobody would know that they were officially together. The same costume party that nobody knew the full story about. “Guys, it literally was like 7 minutes in heaven,” Reggie beamed. “I felt like I could’ve gotten married right there.”

“Hey Reggie, do you remember how we agreed to not talk about that party,” y/n lied. They never had an actual agreement. Y/n just thought that neither of them would get close to exposing the truth.

“No, y/n,” Alex put his hand up. “I want to hear this one.” Y/n gave Reggie the look, hoping he’d understand and stop talking. He didn’t.

“Are you and this person still together,” Luke asked. Stop egging him on!!

“Obviously,” Reggie smirked as he put his arm around them.

“WHAT!” Alex and Luke yelled at the same time.

“I knew it, I knew it!” Alex cheered.

“Can you guys shut up?” Y/n grumbled.

“Yeah, are you guys going to get on the ride,” the operator asked. Woops.

“My bad, y/n,” Reggie whispered.

“It’s fine,” y/n said.

“It’s not fine,” Luke yelled. “This is huge, why didn’t you tell us?”

“You know what, Luke,” y/n turned around to face him. “In this ride there are probably real skeletons being used as props. If you don’t leave me alone I will donate yours to this ride when you die.” Luke sat back in his seat and fell silent. Saying things like that always worked with the guys.

When they got to the battle part, Reggie reached to hold y/n’s hand in his. Y/n squeezed his. They weren’t mad at him, they already knew Reggie was an airhead. This would have happened one way or another.

The four of them decided to go on Splash Mountain next. Y/n did this on purpose. They knew none of the boys knew that they’d get splashed on the ride. Perfect payback.

“Luke and Alex, I think you guys should sit in the front for this one,” y/n smiled.

“Why,” Alex asked.

“What, you don’t want to be the first ones to see everything,” y/n said sarcastically. The two boys shrugged in response.

They got into the raft with Luke and Alex sitting in the front and Reggie and y/n sitting right behind them. “So why are they sitting in the front,” Reggie whispered to them.

“It’s so that they’ll get splashed the most,” y/n laughed. And they did. On the first drop, they were moving their soaking wet hair out of the way of their eyes and screaming profanities. It didn’t help that there were little kids on the raft with parents yelling back at them to stop cursing. Y/n and Reggie sat back and laughed as their friends got soaked.

Luke and Alex were mad when they got off the ride and saw that y/n and Reggie were completely dry. “Y/n you did this on purpose,” Alex shouted.

“Yeah, I did,” y/n laughed. “So when were you guys going to tell us that you were dating?”

Alex and Luke’s jaws looked like they were going to hit the floor. “How did you know?” Alex asked

“You guys literally left us to go make out,” Reggie pointed out.

“Riiiiight,” Luke blushed.

“Yeah, so Reggie and I are going to go do ‘official couple’ things like go find Mickey and Minnie,” y/n smiled. “Let’s go, Reg.”

Taglist:

@flashoe @carnationcreation @camihoran00 @joyjoyner @prongsy-parker

Add yourself to my taglist!

#reggie jatp x reader #reggie imagine #reggie x reader #reggie nolastname #reggie peters x reader #luke patterson x alex #luke x alex #luke patterson x alex mercer #reggie julie and the phantoms #reggie peters #luke patterson #alex nolastname #alex jatp #alex mercer #gender neutral insert #julie and the phantoms #disney world #purple-phantoms

71 notes · View notes