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alyrasturnz · 5 months ago

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‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎TOLERATE IT

❐ summary » matt and y/n find themselves in a heated argument due to matt's frequent absences. feeling neglected and overwhelmed, y/n confronts him about his perpetual absence. matt, realizing the depth of her loneliness and frustration, makes a heartfelt attempt to reconcile and mend their strained relationship.

❐ pairings » dad!matt x fem!reader

❐ warnings » lowkey toxic!matt, argument (resolved)

❐ a/n && w/c » i didnt realize i hit 300 😭 thank u guys smmm • 3.20k

you sit at the dining table, the remnants of dinner barely touched, each morsel a testament to the lingering void. the weight of motherhood envelops you like an oppressive cloak, suffocating and unrelenting in matt's absence. the silence in the room is a deafening symphony, punctuated only by the sporadic clink of cutlery against porcelain, each sound a stark reminder of the solitude that has become your unwelcome companion.

you drop your utensils onto your plate with a jarring clatter, the sound echoing through the silence like a cry for attention. your gaze, heavy with unspoken words, shifts away from matt, who remains ensconced in his own world, seemingly unperturbed by the storm brewing within you.

he sat at the table, the soft glow of his phone casting shadows on his face. his fingers moved methodically over the screen, eyes fixed with a steely detachment. each swipe seemed to deepen the chasm between you, a silent testament to the growing distance.

as he mechanically brought the fork to his lips, his expression remained cold and unyielding, the warmth of shared moments now a distant memory.

“matt, we need to talk," you begin, your voice quivering like a fragile leaf caught in a tempest, each word a struggle against the torrent of emotions threatening to break free.

matt looks up from his phone, a flicker of irritation dancing in his eyes. "what is it now, y/n? i've had a long day."

"every day is a long day for me too," you reply, your voice gaining strength as you rise from your seat, hands trembling with pent-up frustration. "but unlike you, i don't have the luxury of escaping to an office. i'm here, day in and day out, dealing with everything alone." your eyes bore into his, a mixture of pain and determination, as you take a step closer, your breath uneven with the weight of unspoken words.

"you're exaggerating," matt says, dismissively, his tone laced with condescension. "i work hard to provide for this family. you should be grateful for that." his words hang in the air, a cold barrier that refuses to acknowledge the depth of your struggles.

"grateful?" you echo, incredulity coloring your tone as you take a step back, your hands balling into fists. "grateful for what? for feeling like a single parent while you're off at work? for the endless nights spent alone, wondering if you even care about us anymore?" your voice cracks, the raw emotion spilling over as your eyes glisten with unshed tears, each word a dagger aimed at the heart of the chasm between you.

matt's face hardens, the lines around his eyes deepening with a mix of frustration and hurt. "that's not fair, y/n. you know my job is demanding. i'm doing this for us, for our future." his voice carries a steely edge, each word a plea for understanding masked by the armor of duty and sacrifice.

"and what about our present, matt?" you counter, tears threatening to spill over as your voice trembles. "what about the here and now? i feel so isolated, so overwhelmed. i need you, not just as a provider, but as a partner. i need your support, your presence." your words hang heavy in the air, each one a desperate plea for the connection that seems to be slipping through your fingers.

matt sighs, rubbing his temples as if trying to massage away the weight of the world. "i don't know what you want from me. i'm doing the best i can." his voice is weary, a fragile thread of exasperation and helplessness woven through his words, as if he's grappling with an invisible burden that words alone cannot lift.

"i want you to see me," you say, your voice breaking as the dam of your emotions begins to crack. "to understand that i'm struggling. i can't do this alone. i need you to be here, to help shoulder the responsibilities of our family. we need to find a balance, matt, or we're going to lose each other." your plea hangs in the air, a poignant reminder of the fragile threads that bind your lives together, threatening to unravel if not carefully tended.

matt's eyes narrow, frustration bubbling to the surface like a volcano on the brink of eruption. "maybe if you appreciated what i do, you wouldn't feel so alone." his words are sharp, tinged with a bitterness that cuts through the air, revealing the deep chasm of misunderstanding and unmet expectations that lies between you.

your heart sinks at his words, the final blow to an already battered spirit. tears well up in your eyes, blurring the sight of matt as he turns away, his attention already drifting back to his phone. your chest tightens, the weight of his indifference pressing down on you, each tear a silent testament to the growing distance between you.

the room falls into a heavy silence, the chasm between you widening with each passing second. the air grows thick with unspoken words and unresolved pain, each heartbeat echoing the vast emptiness that now separates your souls.

"i remember when we used to dream together," you whisper, more to yourself than to him. "we promised each other a life of shared joys and burdens. but now, it feels like i'm the only one carrying the weight." your words hang in the air, a poignant echo of a past filled with hope and unity, now overshadowed by the solitary struggle that defines your present.

matt's shoulders tense, but he doesn't respond. the silence grows heavier, pressing down on you like an oppressive fog. the weight of his unspoken thoughts and the invisible wall between you becomes almost tangible, each second stretching into an eternity.

"i miss you," you continue, your voice barely audible. "i miss the man who used to hold my hand and tell me everything would be okay. i miss the laughter and the love we shared. where did it all go, matt?" your words tremble, laden with the weight of lost moments and fading memories, each syllable a desperate plea to reclaim what once was.

he finally looks up, his expression unreadable. "i don't know," he admits quietly. "maybe we just grew apart." his words, though simple, carry the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions, each one a fragment of the distance that has slowly and silently crept between you.

"or maybe you stopped trying," you reply, the bitterness in your voice undeniable. "maybe you decided that your career was more important than your family. i can't do this anymore, matt. i can't keep pretending that everything is fine when it's not." your voice quivers, each word a sharp blade cutting through the fragile remnants of your shared life, exposing the raw truth that has been festering beneath the surface.

matt stands up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "i need some air," he mutters, walking towards the door. his movements are sudden, almost violent, as if trying to escape the suffocating tension that has filled the room, leaving behind a trail of unresolved anguish.

as he leaves, you feel the tears spill over, hot and unrelenting. the weight of your loneliness crashes down on you, leaving you gasping for breath. you sit there, tears welling in your eyes, the realization sinking in that the man you once loved is now a stranger.

the future you dreamed of feels like a distant memory, replaced by a stark and painful reality. your heart aches with the profound sense of loss, each tear a testament to the love that once was, now shattered and scattered like fragments of a forgotten dream.

you feel the tears spill over as you stand up, the legs of the chair scraping against the hardwood floor. each tear is a silent scream, echoing the pain that words cannot capture, while the sound of the chair's movement seems to underscore the finality of the moment, a harsh reminder of the emotional chasm that now separates you.

you quickly run to your shared bedroom, collapsing onto the bed as you desperately cry into your pillow, mascara staining your cheeks. the sobs wrack your body, each one a visceral manifestation of the heartache that grips you, while the dark streaks of mascara on your cheeks serve as a poignant reminder of the facade you've been forced to maintain, now crumbling under the weight of your sorrow.

»--•--«

you wake up, your eyes swollen and feeling horrible. the remnants of last night's tears leave your face tender, and an overwhelming sense of desolation weighs heavily on your spirit. each breath feels labored, as if the very air around you has thickened with the residue of your sorrow, making every moment a struggle to endure.

you turn your head to matt’s side of the bed, only to find it empty, as always. the absence is like a gaping void, a stark reminder of the growing chasm between you. the cold, untouched sheets seem to mock your yearning for connection, amplifying the loneliness that has taken root in your heart.

you roll your eyes, sitting up as you rub your eyes. the gesture is both reflexive and laden with fatigue, a silent testament to the weariness that has settled into your bones. each movement feels heavy, as if the weight of your emotions has seeped into your very muscles, making even the simplest actions a laborious endeavor.

you turn to the clock on the bedside table. the soft glow of its digits pierces the dimness of the room, marking the passage of time that feels both swift and interminable.

7:38 AM

matt should be at work by now. the thought crosses your mind, a stark reminder of the routine that has become your reality. his absence is predictable, yet it deepens the void within you, emphasizing the growing distance that time and obligations have carved between you.

your feet touch the cold hardwood floor, sending chills through your body as you stand up. you grab your blanket and wrap it around you, crossing your arms in front of your chest. the chill seeps into your bones, a physical manifestation of the emotional coldness that has settled into your life. the blanket offers scant comfort, a fragile barrier against the pervasive sense of isolation that clings to you like a shadow.

you walk outside of your bedroom and towards your daughter’s room to wake her up for school. each step echoes softly in the quiet hallway, a prelude to the day’s responsibilities. the door to her room stands as a threshold between the innocence of her dreams and the reality awaiting outside, and as you reach for the handle, the weight of your own burdens seems to momentarily lift, replaced by the tender duty of rousing her from slumber.

you open the door and stop in your tracks. her bed is made and empty, a stark contrast to the usual disarray of her morning routine. the room feels eerily still, the absence of her presence amplifying the silence. she is nowhere to be found, and a sense of unease begins to coil around your heart, tightening with each passing second.

"aniella?" you call out, your voice still raspy from sleep as you step into her room. the name hangs in the air, unanswered, and the silence that follows feels heavy, laden with an unspoken tension. each step forward is tentative, as if you are wading through the thick fog of uncertainty, seeking the warmth of her presence in the cold, empty space.

your eyebrows furrow, a deep line forming between them as the realization dawns that she wasn't there. the room, usually brimming with her energy, now feels like a hollow shell, echoing the absence that gnaws at your consciousness. you stand there, grappling with the unsettling quiet, your mind racing to piece together the fragments of the morning's mystery.

your mind races with thousands of thoughts, each one more frantic than the last, as you quickly rush out of her room and into the living room. the urgency in your steps mirrors the chaos in your mind, a whirlwind of worry and confusion. the living room, usually a sanctuary of familial warmth, now feels like an arena of unanswered questions, each corner holding the potential for discovery or despair.

you stop in your tracks, your brows furrowing as your gaze locks onto the figure seated on the couch. matt. the sight of him there, in the midst of your turmoil, adds another layer to the tangled web of emotions. his presence, usually a source of comfort, now feels like an enigma, stirring a storm of questions and unresolved tensions within you.

his face was buried in his hands, his hair disheveled, a testament to the inner turmoil he was experiencing. you hear him muttering some inaudible things, the words slipping through his fingers like sand, lost to the vast ocean of his despair. each whispered syllable seems to carry the weight of a thousand unsaid apologies, adding to the heavy atmosphere that envelops the room.

you rub your eyes, the disbelief palpable as you try to reconcile the sight before you with reality. was he actually there? your gaze returns to him, the figure on the couch, as if the act of looking again might somehow make the surreal scene vanish. yet, he remains, a living contradiction to your expectations, and the room seems to hold its breath, waiting for the next beat in this unfolding drama.

“matt?” you say softly, your voice barely a whisper, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile reality before you. in response, matt quickly removes his head from his hands, the sudden motion revealing a face etched with lines of worry and exhaustion. the air between you feels charged, every second stretching into an eternity as the weight of unspoken words hangs heavily in the silence.

his eyes met yours, and in that fleeting connection, you saw the depth of his anguish. they were puffy, dark, and red, like the storm-tossed sea after a relentless tempest. each glance was a silent testament to sleepless nights and unspoken sorrows, a mirror reflecting the turmoil that lay just beneath the surface.

“have you seen aniella?” you inquire softly, your voice a delicate whisper that barely disturbs the heavy silence. the name hangs in the air, laden with unspoken worry and the weight of countless memories. each syllable seems to tremble with the fragility of hope, as if the very act of asking might unravel the tenuous threads of your composure.

“i, uh,” he began, his voice faltering as he stood up, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. “i drove her to school,” he continued, his gaze dropping to the couch where his hands fumbled to pick up a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. each movement seemed laden with unspoken apologies and the remnants of a love that had been left unattended for too long.

you furrowed your eyebrows, a storm of confusion and apprehension brewing in your expression, as he approached you. each step he took seemed to magnify the tension in the air, the distance between you shrinking yet feeling more immense with every passing second.

“um—you didn’t have to do that,” you whisper, your voice barely audible as you instinctively step back, creating a gulf between you. the words, though simple, carry the weight of unspoken emotions, and you can almost see the pang of sadness slash through his heart, leaving an invisible wound that deepens the chasm of misunderstanding.

"y/n," he begins, his voice trembling slightly, each word a fragile confession. "i know i’ve messed up. last night made me realize just how much i’ve been neglecting you and our relationship. you mean everything to me, and i'm ready to show it. i want to make things right." his eyes, filled with a desperate sincerity, search yours, hoping to bridge the chasm that has grown between you.

tears well up in your eyes as his heartfelt words wash over you, each syllable a poignant reminder of the pain you've endured. you take a deep breath, trying to steady the tumultuous storm of emotions within. "matt, i’ve felt so alone and unappreciated. i need you to understand how much that hurt," you say, your voice trembling with the weight of unspoken sorrow and longing.

matt steps closer, his eyes brimming with regret, each step a silent plea for forgiveness. "i do understand now. i’m so sorry for making you feel that way. i’ve been so caught up in everything else that i forgot to cherish what’s most important – you. i promise to be better, to be the partner you deserve. i love you, y/n, and i don’t want to lose you," he says, his voice laden with a profound sincerity that reverberates through the air, seeking to mend the fractures in your heart.

you look at the flowers and chocolates, then back at matt, your gaze unwavering. "i need to see that you mean it, matt. actions speak louder than words," you say, your voice steady yet tinged with the echoes of past disappointments, a silent challenge for him to prove his sincerity through deeds, not just declarations.

he nods earnestly, the weight of his resolve evident in his eyes. "i’ll prove it to you, every day. just give me the chance. i’ve already started making changes. i’ve rearranged my work schedule so i can spend more time with you and our daughter. i want to be there for you, to support you, and to show you how much i care," he says, each word a solemn vow, a promise etched in the air between you, seeking to mend the fractures with tangible efforts and unwavering commitment.

your tears spill over, but you nod, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the storm of emotions. "okay, matt. let’s try to fix this together," you whisper, your voice a fragile thread of optimism, weaving through the tapestry of your shared pain and longing for a renewed connection.

matt reaches out and gently takes your hand, his touch a tentative bridge to your heart. "thank you for giving me another chance. i promise i won’t let you down. i’ve also planned a special date for us tonight. just you and me, so we can reconnect and start rebuilding what we’ve lost," he says, his voice a solemn pledge, each word a step toward mending the fragile bonds of your relationship.

you squeeze his hand, your heart softening under the weight of his sincerity. "i’d like that, matt. i want to believe in us again," you murmur, your voice a quiet testament to the flickering hope that still resides within, yearning to see the dawn after the darkest of nights.

you share a tender embrace, both feeling the weight of your words and the promise of a better future. the road ahead might be long, but with love and determination, you are ready to face it together. in that moment, the world seems to hold its breath, granting you a fragile, yet profound, sense of unity and purpose, as if the universe itself conspires to give your love a second chance.

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rejectedbytheempty · 7 months ago

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Hey could you write something about older Ghost with a younger curvy wife, and potentially having sons together (only if you’re comfortable with that). Rn I’m obsessed with dilf Simon living his domestic best life lol

okay, so i have no clue why this took me so long. anyways, forgive me, i’ve never written for ghost before so most definitely will be ooc. also kind of a newer writing style for me, let me know if it sucks balls or not !!

When you first met Simon, it was at a bar. Your eye had been drawn to the big, hulking man with a skull mask nursing a glass of whiskey. It surprised you that when you went up to talk to him, he was a blushing and stuttering mess. He stumbled over his words, accidentally spilling his drink all over you when he went to shake your hand. He apologized profusely and immediately went to take off his shirt so you didn’t have to wear a bourbon stained top. It was only after you blushed and turned away that he realized just what he did. He looks back on that memory with a grimace but you love telling it because you knew you found the man you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.

After a few weeks of dating you, his team had noticed a difference in his demeanor, he was.. happy? It took constant jabs from Johnny and Gaz’s puppy dog eyes for him to finally come clean. Pulling out a picture of you made all of their jaws drop. Johnny immediately asked “What’s that bonnie little thing doing with you?” But after a slap to the head by Price, Soap shut up. Simon pretended like it didn’t bother him, like he hadn’t already thought that himself. A couple of days later, he tried to break up with you. For your own good, he had too much baggage, and he was older than you. He would ruin your life, he decided. Too bad you didn’t agree, practically slapping him upside the head like Price did to Soap. That was when Ghost well and truly fell in love with you.

A year later, he proposed. You had said yes, of course. The hardest part had been pretending to be surprised. It wasn’t hard to figure it out when he was shaking like a leaf all throughout your fancy dinner. Then, on your wedding day, he was the same nervous ball of energy. It took a talk from Price to get him to calm down. It was a small ceremony, but you both preferred it that way, it was more intimate. By the time you both got to your vows, both of you were crying, choking on your words to the point where you just moved on to the kiss. After the ceremony, Simon swept you up into a bridal carry. He was able to pick you up with ease, which you never got over, even after all this time. As he carried you down the aisle, he was only looking at you, his brown eyes glinting with tears through his balaclava.

Simon was gone for long periods of time on deployment, but when he came back to you, he was all over you. Constantly at your back, grabbing at your curves and burying his face into your neck. He loved spoiling you, constantly buying you things, whether you liked it or not. Even if you mention something in passing, it’ll be on the dining table with breakfast the next morning. When Simon is away for his missions, you guys send letters back and forth. Sometimes you include little pictures of yourself, some more raunchy than others. One time while Gaz was looking for Ghost, he found those letters sitting out on a desk, including the pictures. Gaz turned beet red when Simon walked in, muttering apologies in a squeaky voice before running out of the room.

It had been about six months since your wedding when you found yourself bent over the toilet. One positive pregnancy test later and Simon was pacing around the room. He hadn’t expected it to happen this quick, he wasn’t sure if he was ready. Panic seized him, images of his father flashed in his mind. It took you coaxing him to the bed and rubbing soothing circles on his back for him to calm down. You had reassured him that he wasn’t his father, that he was an amazing husband and would be an amazing father. Simon sat there for a moment and then put his hand to your stomach, leaning down to touch his forehead to yours. You were right, as always, and he would be there every step of the way, for you, and for your child.

#older bf simon riley #simon riley x y/n #simon riley x you #simon ghost riley x reader #ghost x you #ghost x reader #plus size!reader #ghost x plus size!reader #ps!reader

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ferigrieving · 5 months ago

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born a weapon.

⊹ ࣪ i know there’s better brothers / but you’re the only one thats mine.

a.n sorry it’s short i wrote this on my phone 😓

⤷ masterlist ; requests open ; i. goodnight moon ; iii. orpheus and eurydice ; 1.8k words

shadows flickered and danced, casting eerie shapes across the faded wallpaper. thunder rumbled like a beast awakened, shaking the walls of their dingy old apartment. a storm was brewing outside, one dark and angry, threatening to consume anything in its path.

shouto huddled in the corner of the bed, clutching his blanket to his chest. his wide eyes mirrored the lightning outside, every crash of thunder eliciting a whimper. the windows were rattling, and shouto felt like the walls were caving in, threatening to eat him alive.

sitting at the kitchen table, you couldn't help but flinch as a crack of thunder tore through the skies, lighting up the dreary apartment for a second too long. your fingers shook as you wrote a grocery list, kanji blending into each other and forming an unreadable conglomeration.

touya was across from you, fidgeting with a pocket knife he had stolen from the lawson’s down the street. he had picked up where you left off last night in cleaning the kitchen, and was now lounging on the rackety old dining chair you had picked up on the side of the road. if he noticed your hands shaking, he didn't say anything.

like a gust of wind, you heard shouto cry out, voice a small, terrified echo in the vast expanse of the night, and in an instant, he was across the room, appearing at the foot of the bed like an apparition.

shouto’s eyes darted to touya’s, searching for something, anything. another boom, and he flinched, tears spilling over. you crawled onto the bed, arms wrapping around shouto, pulling him into a protective embrace.

the storm raged on outside, a relentless force of nature against the fragile apartment. the windows rattled, a sharp, rhythmic clatter against the backdrop of thunder's roar. shouto's trembling form was pressed against yours, seeking solace in your presence. touya stood silently, a figure in black, a contrast to the terror etched on his younger brother's face. he was never the best at comforting, more of a practical person than an emotional person.

"it's just a storm, shou’," touya muttered, voice steady despite the chaotic atmosphere. his fingers danced over the edge of his pocket knife out of habit. "just the weather bein’ dramatic."

shouto didn't respond, just burrowed deeper into your embrace, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps. the room was a tableau of shadows and light, every flicker of lightning casting an eerie glow over the scene. touya's eyes were fixated on the window, watching the dance of the rain against the glass, an ever-present rhythm of drops hitting the cracked pane.

shouto's eyes widened, the lightning illuminating his tear-stained face as he looked up at touya. the thunder roared again, making him flinch. he buried his face into your shoulder, his body shaking.

"its… loud," he whimpered, voice wavering. touya's lips twitched in a brief smirk.

"yeah, storms are like that," he shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "just noise and bluster. a whole lot of nothing."

shouto peeked out from your embrace, his small frame trembling like a leaf in a hurricane.

"but what if… storm is angry?" he asked, voice trembling. "what if it wanna hurt us?"

touya chuckled softly, but it was a humourless sound. "storms don't have feelings, kiddo," he replied, a dismissive tone in his voice. “it’ll pass.”

and as if god himself was watching, all the lights in the apartment went out in an instant.

the sudden loss of light sent a wave of panic through shouto. his scream pierced the air, echoing through the apartment. you tightened your grip around him, while touya froze in place for a brief moment.

"it's just a power outage." touya said, his voice surprisingly steady despite the darkness. he glanced around, eyes adjusting to the dim moonlight filtering through the curtains. you internally cursed him for his inability to empathise with people, but you couldn't blame him for the way he was raised.

the sudden, brief illumination of the lightning made it seem as if the shadows themselves were dancing, a grotesque puppet show against the walls. shouto shuddered in your arms, eyes wide with fear as he watched the shadows move.

and the silence was deafening, a sharp contrast to the earlier commotion. shouto's breathing was ragged, his small frame trembling against you.

touya pushed off the wall, his silhouette cutting through the darkness. he moved with a deliberate precision, making his way towards the table where the grocery list lay.

without warning, another clap of thunder struck, causing shouto to jump. his grip on you tightened until you could feel his nails digging into your skin.

touya reached the table and began feeling around in the darkness, his hands brushing against stray objects. reaching into the junk drawer, his fingers closed around the dented matchbox, and with a small flick of the wrist, the dining room was illuminated in an instant. from where you and shouto sat in the bedroom, touya looked like he was bathing in the flames, and you couldnt help but feel a pang of fear.

the small flame cast long shadows across the walls, giving the room an eerie, almost otherworldly ambiance. despite the situation, touya seemed unfazed, his voice steady and detached.

"we’re almost out of rice," he said, his voice low, as he grabbed the grocery list from the table. “and eggs.”

“touya, not now.” you hissed, rocking shouto back and forth in attempt to soothe him. you could feel his tears seeping through your thin shirt, dousing the whole thing in liquid fear.

touya raised an eyebrow, the flicker of the lighter's flame casting harsh shadows on his face.

"what? it's true," he retorted, setting the list back on the table. the light flickered out, plunging the room back into darkness.

shouto clung to you, eyes wide and glossy with tears. another bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, accompanied by an earth-shattering crash of thunder. shouto cried out, his small frame shaking violently. you held him tightly, your own heart pounding in your chest. you weren’t the best with loud noises, especially that of thunder, but you couldn’t let shoto know that. not now, and maybe not ever.

touya paused, the lighter flickering in his fingers. he looked at shouto, his expression unreadable. touya's gaze softened for a moment, but it was gone so quickly that you almost didn't catch it.

he made his way to the window, the dancing shadows on the wall seeming more sinister with the flicker of light. putting down the list on the bed, he pulled back the curtains, revealing the storm outside. touya muttered a curse under his breath as he spotted the water seeping in through the edges of the window.

shouto flinched at the sounds, burying his face even deeper into your chest. his hands came up to clutch at your shirt, almost desperate.

lightning flashed again, bathing the room in a brief moment of illumination. through the window, touya could see the storm in all its feral glory. rain lashed against the window, water trickling in through the edges.

he crouched down closer to the window, his gaze fixed on the tempest outside, the roar of the storm a sharp contrast to shouto's soft sobs against your chest.

shouto's little hands clenched onto your shirt, his grip desperate, seeking comfort in the midst of his fear.

you stroked his hair gently, trying to offer as much reassurance as you could. the storm outside seemed relentless, the rain a constant drumming against the window, and the thunder like an angry god's wrath against the earth.

touya turned away from the window, the lighter's flame flickering in the darkness. he sat back on the edge of the bed, the grocery list now forgotten. "it's just a storm, shouto," he echoed, his voice softer now.

lightning flashed again, this time followed by a particularly loud thunderclap, and shouto cried out in fright, burying his face against your chest.

as the room was bathed in the harsh flash of light, you could see touya's expression soften just a bit more. he looked at shouto's trembling form, his lips pursed in a slight frown.

"it won't hurt you," he reassured, his voice less sarcastic than usual. "it's just noise. don't let it scare you. you’re big and strong like your brother."

touya perched himself beside you on the bed, his form silhouetted by the pale light filtering through the windows. he was unnaturally still, watching shouto's tear-stained face with an almost tender expression.

it was rare to see touya like this, soft around the edges, devoid of his usual snark and sarcasm. he gently reached out, his long fingers hovering over shouto's trembling hand.

shoto flinched slightly when touya's hand found his, but he didn't pull away. his teary eyes peeked out from behind your shoulder, looking up at touya with a mixture of fear and surprise.

"it's just a storm," touya repeated, his touch gentle as he rubbed small, comforting circles on shoto's hand. "nothing to be scared of. it won't hurt you."

shifting slightly, you beckoned him into bed with you two, opening the blanket for just one more.

touya hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable as his eyes flicked between you and shoto. blowing out the match and placing it on top of the window sill, he reluctantly climbed into bed, the old mattress creaking under his weight.

he arranged himself on the edge, keeping a small buffer between himself and the two of you. shoto, perhaps feeling a bit safer with his brother nearby, inched closer to touya, seeking the extra layer of comfort.

the storm continued outside, rain and thunder creating a symphony of natural chaos. inside the small apartment, you, touya and shouto huddled together in the dim light, seeking refuge from the storm.

shouto’s trembles had lessened, although he was still pressed firmly against you. touya sat silently, his gaze fixed on the rain-streaked window. his fingers were twitching, itching his pocket knife or a cigarette or anything to keep his hands busy.

another crash of thunder split the air, making shoto flinch. touya's hand twitched, as if he was about to reach out and comfort his brother, but he quickly restrained himself.

there was a moment of tense silence before touya cleared his throat. "hey, shouto," he said softly. shoto looked up at him, eyes still watery but now filled with curiosity. “do you want to count?”

he sniffled, peering up at touya with wide, hopeful eyes. "count…what?" he asked, his voice still shaky.

touya gave a dry chuckle, his fingers continuing to make small, circular motions on shoto's hand. "the seconds between thunder and lightning," he hummed. "it gives you something to focus on instead of the noise. and it tells ya’ how far away the lighting is."

shouto’s eyes widened at that, his fear momentarily replaced by curiosity. he looked up at touya, a hint of excitement on his face.

"really?" he asked, his voice slightly tinged with wonder. touya chuckled softly. "yeah, kid," he confirmed. "count the seconds, and you can tell how far away the storm is. the longer the time, the further away it is from hurting us."

as if on cue, another bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a boom of thunder a few seconds later. shoto glanced at the window, then back at touya.

"one, two, three..." he whispered, as if he was afraid the storm would hear him . touya smiled, his fingers still tracing gentle circles on shouto's hand. you shifted so you could rest your free hand on touya, thumbing the smooth, cold metal of his hip piercings.

as they continued to count, shoto slowly calmed down. the storm no longer seemed as ominous, replaced instead with an odd sense of curiosity.

the rain continued to pour outside, a steady rhythm against the window sill. shoto's counting was becoming slower, his eyes growing heavy with fatigue and the late hour. touya glanced at him, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

“how far away is the storm, shouto?” you murmured into his hair, inhaling the sweet smell of his shampoo.

shoto's eyes fluttered open, trying to focus on the window. he struggled for a moment, still half asleep.

"four… four aways," he mumbled, his words slurring with exhaustion. touya chuckled again, his hand still gently rubbing shoutos.

"far enough that it won't hurt us," he reassured. "let's get some more counting in before you go night-night, yeah?"

shoto nodded sleepily, his eyes half-lidded. he counted slowly, but each number was a little more lucid than the last.

after a few more seconds, shoto's counting trailed off, replaced by a soft, steady breathing. it seemed the storm and the counting had done their job - shoto had finally drifted off to sleep in the safety of your and touya's arms.

as shoto slept, touya's gaze softened. he looked down at the younger boy, a mixture of protectiveness and something else flickering in his eyes.

your head rested gently on his shoulder, exhaustion weighing down on both of you. the apartment was quiet now, save for the steady rhythm of rain against the window.

"he’s out," touya murmured, breaking the silence. "guess that was enough counting for one night."

he shifted slightly, wrapping his arms around you, pulling you even closer.

touya's eyes flicked from the sleeping child to the storm outside, the harsh and chaotic flashes of lightning cutting across his face like sharpened knives. the rain slapped against the window in a relentless rhythm, beating like the wings of a desperate bird trying to gain entrance into the house.

he released a heavy sigh, his breath hitching in his throat as he tried to suppress the lump that was slowly forming in his chest. gently, his fingers continued to ghost along shouto's skin, tracing patterns only he could understand. you could see the conflict in his eyes, a battle between responsibility and emotion.

the storm seemed to amplify the silence inside the apartment. the only sounds were the steady rise and fall of shoto's breathing, the tapping of rain on glass, and the occasional creak of the building.

touya's hands lingered on shoto's skin, his touch almost reverent. he seemed torn, his eyes darting between the storm outside and the child sleeping peacefully in his lap.

you watched him closely, noticing the slight tremor in his fingers, the furrow in his brow. it was clear he was struggling to contain something, some deep and complex emotion that threatened to spill over.

“let’s count.”

touya's eyes narrowed as he looked at you, skepticism written all over his face. but you could see the slightest flicker of resignation in his gaze as well.

he knew you weren't going to let him go until he at least tried to sleep. “count what?” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest in a defensive gesture.

“‘the seconds between thunder and lightning’” you echoed his previous words, leaning on him slightly as shouto was nestled in your arms.

touya's arms fell to his sides, and he rolled his eyes, though the gesture was half-hearted.

“seriously? that’s kid stuff,” he muttered, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

he looked down at shouto, his expression softening slightly. then he sighed, resigning himself to the task.

"fine, fine. let's count, then," he said, his voice resigned yet tinged with a hint of amusement.

as you began to count together, the room seemed to shrink around you. the rain and thunder were distant now, almost insignificant in the face of this small, intimate act.

touya, despite his protests, was getting drowsy. his eyelids drooped as he counted, the numbers spilling from his lips like a prayer.

he stole glances at you, each time his gaze a little softer than before. the tension in his shoulders slowly melted away, replaced with a weary kind of peace.

“one, two, three.”

the counting continued, the numbers blending into a soft, soothing cadence. every time a flash of lightning illuminated the room, touya would glance at the window, as if to make sure the storm was still as safe a distance away as it ever was.

but his eyes always returned to you, lingering a little longer each time.

“five, six, seven,” he murmured, his voice low and gravelly. the exhaustion was beginning to catch up with him, each word a little slower than the last.

touya's voice was getting slower, the words slurring together in a way that showed just how tired he really was.

he tried to stay awake, to keep his eyes open, but it was a losing battle. his head would droop, his chin almost touching his chest, and then suddenly he'd jerk back up as if jolted awake by a sudden burst of energy.

the rain continued to beat against the window, its steady rhythm now a strange kind of lullaby.

“eight, nine…”

despite his best efforts to stay awake, touya's body began to betray him. fatigue tugged at his eyelids, weighing down his limbs and making even the simple act of speaking feel like a herculean task.

the numbers he was whispering grew softer and more difficult to decipher, his voice heavy with sleep. his eyes would flutter shut for a few seconds before he'd jerk awake, blinking rapidly as if trying to dispel the exhaustion.

touya's voice faded off, replaced by a heavy sigh as his head lolled backwards. he was fighting a losing battle against sleep, his body no longer able to keep up the act.

he blinked owlishly at the ceiling, his eyes drifting shut again almost immediately. the only sounds in the room were the soft, even breaths from both you and shouto, the steady drumming of the rain, and…

the soft, nearly inaudible sound of a snore escaping touya's parted lips.

“ten.”

#⊹ ࣪ ˖ greywrites #⊹ ࣪ ˖ born a weapon #bnha #boku no hero academia #mha #my hero academia #dabi #dabi mha #dabi x reader #bnha x reader #mha x reader #mha dabi #bnha dabi #shoto todoroki #shoto torodoki

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hometoursandotherstuff · 1 year ago

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This is a bargain. I have never seen even a 1 bd. 1ba. home in New Orleans, Louisiana this cheap. It's $290K and comes with most of the furnishings! (But, there's a $441mo. HOA)

The description says that you can sit on the porch and watch the Mardi Gras parade.

The large living room has a beautiful fireplace and they have a dining table in here, too, b/c there isn't an eat-in kitchen.

There's a small counter and some kitchen cabinets in the hall. I would put 2 stools by the counter and a drop leaf table in the corner on the left.

Down further is the kitchen.

Kitchen's small, but at least they painted over the dated cabinets and the counters look like granite.

Cute window over the sink.

The bedroom's a nice size, has an original fireplace and a large closet.

And, there's a small 3pc. bath.

In the back hall is a closet with a washer/dryer.

If there's a yard, they don't show it, but there is assigned parking, which is good.

#NOLA home #old house dreams #houses #house tours #home tour

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thinkingaboutbetterdays · 1 month ago

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tick boy. ( freddie benson x reader )

gif belongs to me

Sam was well known for her temper, and after years of trying to break through to her, you were pleasantly surprised when she decided to turn over a new leaf one day. You had no idea why, nor did you push for answers, because it had been proven never to work, and you were too thrilled at the prospect of her getting into fewer fights.

You were a year older than Sam and Melanie and due to an absent mother, you adapted at a young age to look after the twins who couldn't be more different. You dropped out of high school and worked two jobs to pay off the credit cards Pam had taken out and to take care of your younger sisters. Despite your efforts to keep her on the straight and narrow, Sam frequently got into fights, and when you tried to break through with her, she only became resentful and you took the brunt of her anger.

You knew Sam viewed Spencer and Carly's apartment as a sanctuary, and rarely let the worlds cross, granting her that space she craved. When you took an extra shift at one of your jobs, you agreed to let Melanie go to a sleepover and stopped by Spencer's apartment to speak to Sam who hadn't answered your texts or when you tried to call.

You knocked on the door, sending Spencer a smile when he opened the door.

"Oh, look, it's the one person who actually knocks instead of just walking in." He looked at Freddie and Sam who were sitting at the dining table with Carly. "Unlike some people."

You thanked him when he gestured for you to enter and you sighed when Sam stood up from the table.

"What are you doing here?"

"You didn't answer my texts, or when I called you. So you left me no alternative."

"Did you ever think that I didn't care?"

You took a deep breath, licking your lips as you reached into your bag and took cash out of your purse, holding it out to the blonde. "For dinner. Try to order something filling like pizza." You tucked your purse back into your bag. "And Melanie's at a sleepover."

"Didn't I just say I didn't care?"

Used to her jabs, you didn't react, only raising an eyebrow. "Got your keys?"

Sam took her keys out of her pocket, dangling them in front of you. "Happy now?"

You nodded, looking at Carly and Freddie, "Bye, guys." You sent the two a smile which they returned, and you called goodbye to Spencer as you left the apartment.

"I don't understand why you're so mean to her all the time," Freddie spoke up as Sam pushed the money into her pocket and re-joined the table.

"She acts like she's my mom. I don't need someone watching over me."

"Yeah, 'cause you do fine on your own." He scoffed, shaking his head when Sam glared at him as he left the table. "I'm going to start setting up."

Despite her attempts to keep her anger in check, you always received the brunt of it even when you were trying to be supportive. Sam didn't want to be babied, so you gave her as much space as you could, but when you tried to treat her as if she was responsible she came close to biting your head off. There was so many things you kept your sisters sheltered from, wanting them to be normal teenagers without the worries you had, but the weight of it all was starting to become too much.

A week later, Sam returned back to her old ways, and you stopped by the apartment after the trio had returned home from school and were upstairs getting ready to begin their show. After Spencer let you in, you went upstairs to find Freddie at his computer, while Sam and Carly took a drink of water, getting ready to begin.

You knocked on the door and Freddie opened it, sending you a smile. "You don't have to knock." He stepped aside to let you in and you thanked him, looking at Sam when she approached.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you these." You took out keys from your jacket pocket. "The door was repaired. New locks."

"Great. Now go." Sam took the keys and you shook your head when she turned away.

"I'm working late tonight." You took out some cash from the pocket of your jeans, holding it out to her. She took it and walked away.

"Thank you. Now bye!"

You sighed, sending Carly and Freddie a small smile, "Good luck tonight."

As you turned to leave, Freddie saw the weight on your shoulders, only made worse by Sam's attitude. A frown formed on his lips when the door closed and pursed his lips when Sam clicked her fingers, yelling to get his attention.

He looked at the blonde, shaking his head as he walked to his computer.

"What's the matter with you?"

Freddie didn't speak as he ran a few checks to make sure everything was ready and Sam waved a hand in front of his face to gain his attention.

"I don't understand why you're always so mean to her."

Sam rolled her eyes, "Urgh, this again."

"You were pretty cold." Carly chimed in. "All she is trying to do is look out for you."

"Well, I don't need her to," Sam replied. "Now are we gonna do the show or not?"

Several hours later you returned to the apartment, covered in chilli, and wishing you could lie down and wake up believing the day had been a bad dream. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. After knocking your bag into the fryer, your phone was broken and the keys didn't work on the lock.

You walked upstairs where the trio was relaxing after filming their show. Freddie looked up when you opened the door without knocking and heard Sam grumbling under her breath. His eyebrows raised when he saw the chilli sauce on your hat and shirt.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just give me your keys."

Sam raised an eyebrow at your tone, "What? No please?"

"Sam..." Carly quietly scolded.

You put a hand on your hip, sighing as you looked at Sam. "I've had a really crappy day, and I just need your keys to get into the house then I'll be out of your hair."

"What happened to your keys?" She took her keys out of her pocket and held them out to you.

"I dropped them in the fryer at work along with everything else that I own." You sighed, not wanting to take out your rough day on her, "I'll see you at home."

When you walked out, Sam followed and Freddie quickly chased after her, sharing a glance with Carly as they followed you both to the living room.

"Does this mean you can't check in on me every ten minutes?"

You paused with your hand on the door handle and heard Carly mutter, "Oh, no."

You turned to your sister who was grinning and shook your head. "You want me to leave you alone?"

"Yes! I'm not twelve years old."

Sam almost missed catching the keys you tossed her way.

"Fine." You walked out of the apartment, closing the door a little harsher than normal. Sam's eyebrows rose at your outburst, while small it was bigger than anything you had ever shown before.

"Why do you always push her away?" Freddie walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Sam asked.

"I'm going after her."

You were leaving the building when he caught up to you and when you heard him call your name, you ducked your head to wipe a tear from your cheek before turning to him.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course." You sent him a smile that was not as believable as you hoped it would be. "Great show tonight."

"You watch it?" He asked with a smile.

"I can't always watch it live, but I've seen every episode." You sent him a genuine smile, "You're great at what you do." You took out your cell phone and held it up, "Since you're great at tech stuff, what do you recommend?"

"Whoa." He took your phone, examining it. "What happened to it?"

"I knocked it into the fryer. I had it propped up on my bag so I could watch the show, and when I turned, I hit the bag with the handle of the mop and, well," You took your phone when he held it out to you, "You get the picture."

"I'm sorry." He frowned.

"Why?" You tilted your head, "You weren't twirling like an idiot, were you?"

Freddie smiled softly, shaking his head. "No, but," He sighed heavily, "you had to grow up fast. And I know how hard you work to keep the three of you together."

You looked away, sitting on the wall and he took a seat beside you.

"She does care, you know. Even if she behaves differently - why do you have beans in your hair?" His chuckle elicited a smile from you.

"The guy I was working with tried to carry a pot and tripped over his shoelaces and next thing I knew I was drowning in chilli. Where is it?" You reached behind your ponytail trying to find it.

"Here I'll get it."

You turned your head, and Freddie removed the bean from your hair carefully and you turned around when he declared that he had found it.

"Thank you." You sent him a small smile. "For the bean, and trying to make me feel better."

"Did it work?"

"A little." You rose from the wall and met his gaze when he stood up. "Thanks, Freddie."

"You know, we're filming some scenes for the next episode tomorrow. You can stop by and watch if you want?" He put his hands in his pockets to hide that he was crossing his fingers, wishing you would agree.

"I don't know..."

"The world won't crumble if you let go once in a while."

"Sam doesn't like me in her space. Or anywhere." Seeing his features falter, you sent him a small smile, saying, "I'll think about it. Night."

"Goodnight." He sent you a smile and a wave which you returned when you glanced back over your shoulder as you walked away.

When you walked around the building out of view, Freddie grinned, walking into the building. "She'll think about it. Yes!"

When Sam returned home an hour later, you washed the sauce out of your hair and scrubbed your uniform while Melanie did her homework in her bedroom. You lifted your head when the door opened and Sam entered.

"Hey," You greeted softly.

"Hey," She replied.

You placed your shirt into the sink filled with warm water, "I'm sorry about earlier. I had a bad day and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry."

Sam put her hands in her pockets as she approached the kitchen. "Actually I want to apologise too. I have been giving you a hard time - more than usual - since you got this new job and I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to look out for me like you always do."

"What?" You asked, sensing her hesitation and leaned against the sink, crossing your arms.

"It feels like you don't trust me not to make a mess of things. Like I'm a screw-up, or you want me to be more like Melanie." She gestured to the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

You lowered your arms, frowning as you approached her. "What I want is for you to go to school and enjoy being a teenager. I don't think you are a screw-up. Look at you, you've got a web show with your friends that's really successful and, okay, you still get into trouble at school, but your grades are better. And that's all I want. For you to have options."

"Does it suck?" She asked. "Getting As and working in a place that sells chilli in little hats?"

You nodded slowly, "A little." You sighed, "But I get to be with you guys." You sent her a small smile, "And I'm really proud of you."

Sam looked away, trying to recall the conversations she had with Carly and Spencer. Carly encouraged her to try harder to get along with you, while Spencer helped her see things from your point of view because he understood it the most. He knew how hard you were working and keeping a clean house while raising twin teenagers seemed impossible, but he admired how you did it all without complaint but silently harboured resentment for your absent mother.

"Do we have any ice cream?" She asked.

You nodded, "Got some yesterday." You turned to continue scrubbing your shirt while she got the ice cream out of the freezer.

"Want to watch a movie?"

You looked at her for a moment, wondering where her new attitude had come from. Deciding to enjoy it while it lasted, you agreed and she handed you a spoon before heading to the sofa. You shared the ice cream as you watched a movie and for the first time when you showed interest in her life, she didn't shut you down. You felt the strain of the week fade away as you laughed together.

The next day you were more energetic as you walked into the studio quietly, sending Freddie a small smile when he looked at you while keeping the camera focused on Sam and Carly. You walked closer when they stopped filming and Sam grinned eagerly as she approached you.

"Did you bring it? Did you?"

You revealed the sandwich in your bag and the blonde took it, moving away to eat it. "Four ham sandwich." She cooed. "I've missed you."

"Do you need to be alone?" Carly asked.

"Yes."

The brunette shook her head, smiling as she looked at you. "You don't happen to have more of those, do you?"

You took out two more and she grinned as she took one, thanking you before sitting next to Sam. You smiled at Freddie when he thanked you, accepting the sandwich.

"You didn't have to."

"I know. But I wanted to thank you." You glanced at Carly who was engrossed in conversation with Sam, before meeting his gaze again. "I had an interesting conversation with Sam last night and I had a feeling it had something to do with the people in this apartment."

"You worked everything out?" Freddie walked away to place his camera down and you followed, nodding.

"I realized that I've never actually told her I was proud of her before." You sighed, "I was too busy running around trying to keep everything together and it never occurred to me that she didn't know." Shaking your head, you took a step back, "Anyway, you probably don't want to know all the details. I just wanted to thank you for yesterday."

"You're always looking after everyone else, I wanted to remind you that you need to look after yourself too." You smiled softly when he cleared his throat, "D-Do you want to stay and watch for a while?"

"I have work later, but I can stay for a while."

"Cool. You'll get to see me do my thing."

"You don't have a thing!" Sam called out.

Freddie glared at the grinning blonde and you suppressed a smile. You approach the bean bags and when you were about to sit on the floor so he could take the bean bag, Freddie told you to sit on the bean bag.

You shook your head, telling him to sit down and go back and forth until your sister yelled, "Will someone sit down?"

"We'll both sit." You shared the bean bag with Freddie and despite your efforts, the bean bag made you both lean into each other. You were soon distracted by your sister proclaiming her love for the sandwich you made and shook your head, missing the way Freddie glanced at you. But Carly didn't.

After luring him downstairs under the pretense of getting drinks for everyone, the brunette confronted him about his crush on you. While Melanie was known for being girly, and Sam was known for being the exact opposite, you were known for being responsible due to the years spent looking after them in your mother's absence. And for the past few months, Freddie had become more and more intrigued by you.

"Sam will freak out when she finds out!" Carly whispered.

"You can't tell her!" Freddie argued. "She'd kill me! For real this time!"

You looked at the two when they returned, seeing the strained smile on Carly's lips and the way they kept glancing at each other. Shrugging off their weird behavior, you thanked Freddie with a smile when he handed you a drink.

When the trio returned to filming for their show you occupied a barstool next to Freddie's computer and smiled when Carly and Sam put on their hats, getting into character. Your gaze drifted to Freddie as he fired up the camera, pressing his lips together as he pushed a button on both sides of the contraption he had built around it. Carly tried not to roll her eyes at the extra flair he put into it but quickly fell into her role for the sketch. Your eyes drifted to Freddie more than once as the two teenagers tried multiple times to make it seem more natural.

There was something different about him when he was working behind the scenes and a smile tugged at your lips, paying more attention to him than the sketch being acted out.

After thirty minutes Freddie switched off the camera and you clapped your hands, whistling as the girls removed their hats.

"If you're going to sit there could you act less like a soccer mom?"

You jokingly rolled your eyes at your sister as you stood up, "Just for that, I'm not going to tell you how great it was."

"Really? You think so?" Carly asked.

You nodded, "Definitely. I loved the little jig at the end."

"It's given me a craving for barbeque." Sam said.

"Really? I was getting salsa."

"How could you possibly crave salsa?"

Freddie glanced between you and Sam as you bickered back and forth and a smile tugged at his lips when she flicked your forehead and you retaliated.

"You know I miss the days when we didn't talk."

"You love me." You grinned, picking up the stool and pressing the button for the elevator with your elbow.

"It's hard not to." Freddie halted like a deer in headlights when all eyes turned to him, not realizing he said it out loud. "Because you're so much nicer than she is." He gestured to Sam who glared at him and he took the barstool from you, using it to keep distance between them.

You caught your sister before she could snatch the barstool and hurt Freddie, nodding for Carly and Freddie to take the elevator down. "We'll take the stairs."

After that day, you stopped by the apartment every week to watch them film the web show or give keys to Sam until you got a replacement set, and give her money for dinner when you wouldn't be home. When you missed a recording session due to work, Freddie knew he wouldn't survive until next week and suggested going for lunch at the sandwich shop where you worked during the hours they spent at high school.

"Finally a good idea comes from you. Free food!" Sam punched his shoulder and Freddie rolled it, wincing from the force.

Carly wanted to point out that he wanted to go there just to see you but kept it to herself knowing Sam wouldn't react well to finding out her friend was in love with her older sister.

Sam texted their orders and when they arrived you placed their drinks on the table before returning to the kitchen to get their food. You were arranging the tray when a waiter rushed into the kitchen and informed you that teenagers were arguing outside. You knew Sam was involved and walked out of the kitchen.

You recognized the older girl glaring down at Sam. She was two years older than you and you recognized her from high school. You stormed over when she knocked over their table and their drinks. Sam shot to her feet, demanding that she pick them up.

You stood next to your sister, crossing your arms. "You heard her. Pick them up."

"Y/N L/N?" She cackled. "What are you gonna do? Dance with little pompoms?"

You hit her hand away when she tried to grab your shirt, and pulled Sam aside when she swung her arm, causing her to miss. You felt someone grab your arms and glared as another held back Sam as the older girl stole someone's smoothie and approached you, ripping off the lid.

You kicked it out of her hand before she could pour it over you and elbowed the member of her crew holding you in the ribs, breaking free from their hold. You turned to your sister who was trying to stomp on the girl's foot but she didn't let her go and you grabbed her hair, and the back of her shirt, pulling her away from Sam.

"Leave her alone!" You pushed her towards the door and she stumbled, hitting the window and falling to the floor. You ducked when Sam shouted, and the blonde grabbed a tray, using it to knock another girl from the bully's crew to the floor.

You were lifted off the ground and squirmed to break free, groaning when the leader of the crew squeezed tightly, hurting your arms and ribs.

"Hey!" Sam jumped on her back and you broke free, helping Sam push her towards the door. She slid on the smoothie and fell on a member of her crew who was trying to stand.

"This isn't over Puckett!" She barked, before leaving the sandwich shop.

"You know, it's moments like this when I'm proud to say we're related." Sam put her arm around your shoulders as you watched the retreating bullies.

You looked at the smirking blonde, "It did feel good."

"Are you okay?" Freddie asked as he walked over with Carly.

Before you could answer, your boss called out your name and you sighed, leaving to speak with him in his office. When you walked out. you went to the kitchen to retrieve the sandwiches you had made for them and hid them under your jacket as you left the sandwich shop.

"There will be other jobs." You glanced at the three who were having different reactions. Freddie was concerned and Carly looked guilty that intervening had cost you your job while Sam looked thrilled.

"Hey, they had it comin'." She rubbed her hands together, "You brought the food, right?"

You rolled your eyes, revealing the sandwiches hidden under your jacket. "What is this my first day?"

"I knew there was something buried in you that proved we're related." Sam took her sandwich and you handed Freddie and Carly theirs, falling into step with Freddie who was less eager to tear open the packaging.

"Don't worry," You sent him a smile, "I left cash in the kitchen." You looked at Sam when he turned his head, "Don't tell her."

Freddie chuckled softly, nodding. "Deal."

"Hey, we're going to Carly's, want to come?" Sam asked, looking over her shoulder.

"I'm good." You smiled softly. "I'm a little tired."

The blonde nodded, accepting your answer, and continued walking with Carly. Freddie turned to you when you carried your jacket draped over your crossed arms. "What are you going to do now?"

You shrugged, "Find another job. There's always something."

You sent the trio a small smile, "I'll see you guys later."

Freddie frowned when you walked away. Carly stood next to him, "Does she seem okay to you?"

"She's fine. She released her inner Puckett." Sam mumbled between bites of food.

Freddie took out his cellphone and while he typed away, Sam noticed that he hadn't eaten his sandwich. Feeling her gaze, he gave it to her before walking away.

"Where are you going?" Sam called, shrugging when he didn't reply before walking with Carly to her apartment building.

You were nearly home when Freddie jogged, catching up with you. The door was jammed, and you tried kicking it, turning when he cleared his throat. An amused smile was on his lips at some of the similarities between you and Sam.

"Need some help?"

You stepped aside, eyebrows furrowing, "What are you doing here?"

"I felt bad about your job, so I thought I could help you find another. I-If you want?"

You covered your mouth with your hands when he tried to use his shoulder to bash the door open and rushed to his side when he groaned. You stifled a giggle when he clutched his shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"What is that door made out of?"

"You're not supposed to do it like that." You took his hand, "Come on." You led him around the house and explained that Sam never closes the window when you ask and Freddie gave you a boost, watching as you climbed in, unlocking the back door. "Ta da!"

He chuckled as he entered the kitchen, closing the door.

"Here, this should help." You walked to the freezer, took out an ice pack, and held it against his shoulder.

"T-Thanks."

You sent him a smile as he held the ice pack, turning to take drinks out of the fridge, walking to the living room. "You really don't need to stay and help. I'm sure there's much more exciting things to do."

"Nope."

You looked at him, sitting on the sofa, placing the bottles on the coffee table. You shook your head when he smiled, unable to suppress a smile as he sat next to you.

"Okay, so, first, we need to find something that matches your skills." He said, taking out a notebook a pen from his backpack, opening to an empty page.

You thought for a moment, "I once hung someone by their shirt at the market when they tried to steal my ham."

Freddie raised an eyebrow, and you glanced at him as you took a sip from your soda, seeing the slight tilt of his head. "What?"

"I sometimes forget that you're related to Sam."

"In my defense, I'd already lost vegetables to a grandma, so I was pretty steamed."

Freddie shook his head, "Okay, so strong. That's an advantage. What else? You're kind, patient, and you're smart. Hard working. Good at solving problems."

You were surprised by how many good qualities he could list so easily and quickly. Freddie noticed the way you picked the label on the soda and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just...do you really think that?"

"Of course. I mean, taking into consideration everything you have accomplished over the years, growing up faster than you should have, you are all those things."

You smiled softly, thanking him. You looked at the growing list he was writing down.

"Is flexible a strength?"

"Uh,"

"I was a cheerleader in high school for a year. And I did gymnastics."

Freddie scrambled to say something when his mind could do nothing, but provide images of you practicing in a cheer uniform. "Flexible is good." He cleared his throat, taking a long sip of his soda, the pain in his shoulder long forgotten.

"Hey, thanks for doing this. I want you to know that I do appreciate it."

Freddie sent you a smile, "Anytime. You are always helping everyone else. I want to do something that helps you."

You mirrored his smile, "Did Sam ever tell you about the butter sock?"

He nodded slowly, "She said you came up with the idea."

"Pam was gone for a week. Sam and Melanie were five at the time. We were behind on rent. So the landlord came around. He tried to put his hand through the letterbox to reach a latch on the door. I took one of the socks out of the dryer, and when I was looking for something to put in it, I saw Sam licking the butter." Freddie shook his head, and you smiled at the memory. "I put the stick of butter in the sock and used it to hit the landlords hand when it got stuck in the letter box. He broke free and said he'd be back the next day. By that time, we were already gone. And the butter sock was born."

A frown formed on his lips when he realized how young you were and already looking after your siblings. "Were you scared?"

"If I was, I don't remember. I remember the way they hugged me afterward. I stayed with them all night when they were asleep to make sure the landlord didn't return." You looked away, shrugging softly, "I did what I had to do to protect them."

His cell phone rang and he groaned when he saw it was his mother. Freddie glanced around, worried she was watching as he reluctantly answered, grimacing when she shrieked in his ear.

"I expected you home over an hour ago! Where are you, Freddie?"

"Uh," He knew he couldn't tell her the truth. His mother didn't like the Puckett family as a whole thanks to Sam. "Out."

Deciding to give him privacy, you took the ice pack to the kitchen, returning it to the freezer. When you entered the living room, Freddie was arguing with his mother, gesturing with his hand. You bit the inside of your cheek when your eyes met, and he sighed as he ended the call.

"I better go before she sends the military to find me." He said, sliding his notebook and pen into his backpack, zipping it as he approached you.

"I get it." You smiled softly, "Thank you for helping me today." You walked to the front door and opened it.

"Sure, now it opens." He grumbled.

You shook your head, giggling, "Remember, don't talk to strangers, and if you get lost, use the maps on your phone."

Freddie laughed sarcastically, and you smiled as you leaned against the doorway. You bit your tongue to suppress the smile on your lips as you said goodbye and watched him walk away before closing the door.

A few hours later, while walking to clear your head, you saw Spencer in the street, and sensing you could use a break, he invited you to his apartment. As he let you inside, Spencer invited you to stay for dinner. You thanked him and offered to help, catching up with the eldest Shay. You found common ground with him easily as he had taken care of his sister for many years due to their mother leaving and their father's job that kept him away from home.

You looked over your shoulder when the trio came downstairs for a drink after their web show ended and greeted them with a smile. When Sam asked why you didn't go upstairs, you explained that you stopped by after spending an hour looking for a shirt Melanie wanted you to buy for her and met Spencer who invited you to dinner.

"Wait, you're having dinner here?" Freddie looked at Spencer when you nodded, "Can I have dinner here?"

"If your mom says it's okay, I don't see why not -" Freddie was running across the room by the word 'if' and out the door before he finished.

You looked at Sam when she spoke, "What are you doing to that boy?" You tilted your head in confusion, shaking it as you continued setting the table for dinner.

Freddie returned with a grin, announcing that he could stay for dinner as Spencer plated the spaghetti, and you turned to place the plates on the table.

"Uh-Uh, I am not sitting next to you. You will steal my food." You pulled Freddie into the chair beside you before Sam could sit down.

"You have more than me."

"No, I don't."

Freddie looked between you both as you bickered back and forth, mimicking each other. Sam took your plate, and you rolled your eyes as you took her plate that she argued had less spaghetti.

"Happy now?"

"Very."

"We're all relieved." You muttered under your breath, and Freddie coughed, covering his mouth with his arm as he tried not to laugh.

Sam glared at him. "What?"

"Nothing." He replied quickly.

You glanced at Freddie, a smile on your lips, and he mirrored it as he gathered spaghetti on his fork.

After dinner, you insisted on washing up, which led to Sam complaining that you were making her look bad as she never offered to help.

"I would help, but I'm so full." She slouched on the sofa, and you shook your head.

You gathered the plates, and Freddie stepped over to help. You cleaned the dishes while he dried, and you had a feeling he only did it to be next to you, not that you minded.

"Did you see the show today?" He spoke up.

"No, I was looking for a shirt for Melanie. Apparently, not having it would end the world as we know it." You smiled softly, "I spent an hour getting tips from a stylist about how to change my wardrobe. She even told me to cut my hair. Can you believe it?"

"Clearly, she can't be trusted because your hair is, well, it's..." Freddie trailed off when you turned your head to meet his gaze. "I like your hair."

"Thank you."

You wiped down the table as he put the plates away, and you smiled when he said you made a good team. "I can show you the episode if you want?"

You nodded, following him to the computer. He put on the show recorded earlier. Halfway through, he turned the camera after Sam interacted with him, and seeing his smile made you smile.

"The camera loves you." You bumped your shoulder with his and Freddie chuckled.

As the episode ended, the door opened and Mrs Benson entered. "Freddie!"

"Hello, Mrs Benson." You greeted politely.

"Y/N. You're here a lot lately." She commented before looking at her son. "It's time for your tick bath."

You raised an eyebrow, looking at Freddie when he stammered. "I-I don't need a tick bath." He met your gaze, "I don't."

"Come on, let's go." Mrs Benson walked away, pulling him out of the apartment.

For a few moments, the room was silent until you spoke, "She really is like that. I thought my memory was exaggerated."

"I know." Sam snorted, a grin on her lips, "She makes me glad that I've got you."

From Sam, it was the grandest declaration of love.

You smiled as you sipped your water. You moved to sit on the sofa as you caught up on the movie they were watching and halfway through, Freddie returned.

You suppressed a smile at his grouchy expression when Sam started teasing him. "I don't have ticks!"

You nudged your sister's shoulder gently as you stood up to put your glass in the sink. "I think he's suffered enough."

"Finally some compassion." Freddie typed on his phone, approaching the kitchen, standing next to you. "I think I found the perfect job for you." He glanced at you when you leaned in to look at his screen and realized it was similar to a dream he had. Except you were kissing. And in his bedroom. "It pays well. You won't need two jobs anymore."

"I don't know...I mean I didn't graduate."

"Doesn't matter. Training is provided. It's a great opportunity."

You bit your lip thoughtfully, not noticing the way it immediately captured his attention. "Okay.'

Freddie blinked out of his daze, "Good. Because I already sent in an application."

"You did what? When?"

"Yesterday." He smiled sheepishly. "But look, they want to interview you next week."

Your eyebrows raised when he showed you the confirmation message he received, and you threw your arms around his neck. Freddie placed his hands on your back, smiling when you thanked him, squeezing him tighter.

"You're welcome."

You pulled away, "I'll have to go shopping. Oh, what do I wear?" You mumbled as you walked to pick up your bag and jacket. You thanked Spencer for inviting you to dinner, saying goodnight before you left.

Sam stood up as Freddie tapped his phone against his hand, a smile on his lips that faltered when she approached him. "That was, uh, pretty nice of you. To help her out like that."

Freddie tried not to shrink back and kept his back straight. "She could use a little help."

Sam nodded in agreement. Freddie flinched when she patted his shoulder and the blonde left to catch up to you.

Later that night, she walked out of her bedroom, approaching your room when she saw the light was on, finding you were dumping clothes on the ground in pursuit of an outfit for your job interview.

"What are you doing?"

You turned, placing a hand on your chest when she spoke. You sighed as you gestured to the closet. "I have five outfits, and none of them are nice enough."

Sam looked around as she walked into the room. "There has to be something here."

You shook your head, "Maybe I should go back to the sandwich shop and ask for my job back."

"Those guys are jerks. Freddie said this job earned more than both of these jobs. Listen to the nerd."

You glanced at her with a smile, "Did you just compliment him?"

"Did I fall off a bull? Of course not."

Your smile grew when she approached the closet. Sam began to look through the clothes before deciding the answer was obvious. Melanie kept up to date with the latest fashion, and Sam recalled what Freddie told her earlier. It was time they stepped in to help more.

The twins returned, begrudgingly calling a truce for the night, and Melanie stepped forward with clothes she believed would work for your job interview.

You looked at the twins who had barely bickered all night and smiled softly, thankful that they were helping.

By the time the interview date rolled around, the group was more nervous than you were, and when you entered the Shays apartment, agreeing to meet Sam there afterward, you kept your smile small as you greeted them.

"What happened? Did you get it? Did you?" Sam was like a hurricane as she rushed over to you, and you glanced around before smiling brightly.

"I got it!"

You jumped up and down, smiling when she hugged you. When she stepped away, you looked at the group with a smile, "Dinner is on me tonight!"

You giggled when Spencer stepped forward to congratulate you, hugging you as he said, "I knew there was a reason you were my favourite."

Carly joined the hug, then Freddie and Sam. As you left the apartment, Sam looked at Freddie when he followed without going across the hall to speak to his mom. "Don't you need permission first?"

"Once we get there, I'll send her a text saying we're somewhere else."

"Livin' on the wild side." Carly teased.

You met Melanie at the restaurant and took a seat at the table, smiling softly as she congratulated you.

"Thanks. But I owe it all to Freddie, he got me the interview."

"All I did was tell them how great you are." He replied.

You sent him a smile across the table and picked up the menu. You bit the inside of your cheek, glancing at him as he looked at his menu. Sam looked between you both when you lowered your head, missing the way Freddie sneaked glances at you.

Later that night, you were approaching the point where you would go your separate ways with Spencer, Carly, and Freddie. Sam noticed the numerous glances you and Freddie stole at each other and brought Melanie into her conversation with Carly. You scooped your ice cream, looking at Freddie when he hung back slightly to walk beside you as Sam planned.

"They seem to be getting along," Freddie commented, nodding at the twins.

"For now, at least." You smiled, "Thank you again for getting me that interview. What did you tell them anyway?"

"I told them the truth." He shrugged, "I said you were hardworking, and you could do anything you set your mind to. I told them how kind, compassionate, and caring you are."

You smiled softly, placing a hand on his arm as you stopped walking. Freddie turned, and you kissed his cheek. "Thank you. It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"Anytime."

"Ew! Don't kiss him, he has ticks!"

Freddie glared at Sam. "No, I don't!"

The two quickly fell into an argument, and you walked alongside him as they went back and forth. He glanced down when you looped your arm with his, continuing to eat your ice cream.

"Then why do you need baths, tick boy?"

"Because my mother is crazy!"

You shook your head, giggles leaving your lips. A short walk later, while the Shays went one way, the Puckett twins went another, you turned to Freddie and bit the inside of your cheek.

"Goodnight, tick boy." You kissed him briefly, lingering over for a few seconds before stepped back.

You sent him a smile before walking to catch up with your sisters. Freddie grinned as he watched you walk away. Carly noticed he was frozen in place, a broad grin on his lips, and walked over to pull him away.

"Come on!"

"How is she related to Sam?"

Spencer shook his head at the dazed smile he wore. "How many times has your mother called?"

Freddie quickly took out his phone and groaned when he saw the texts and calls. "Oh, man!"

"Welcome back, tick boy." Spencer patted his shoulder with a smirk as they approached their apartment building but the siblings noticed that the smile on Freddie's lips hadn't faltered since your kiss.

#freddie benson #freddie benson x reader #icarly

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