#every chapter on wattpad was ‘she’s the last thing i see before i fall asleep. she’s the first thing i see when i wake again’

[sloanesallow]

The Call of the Void | Chapter 6

Shy girl meets distracted boy. Chaos ensues. This is my "canon" retelling of Siobhan Sloane and Sebastian Sallow's story. (full synopsis here. Chapter summary: Restricted section you say? 4k words Chapter warnings: Peak Sebastian energy. Sloane says more than 5 words, and freaking Peeves. [Ao3] | [Wattpad] [PREVIOUS] | [NEXT]

VI: R E S T R I C T E D

Siobhan doesn’t attend any of her classes on Thursday.

Instead of greeting the sunrise from the courtyard, she makes her way to the infirmary while the rest of her housemates are still asleep. Her hands haven’t stopped shaking since the troll attack in Hogsmeade, the ancient magic threatening to break free with every beat of her heart. The new wand only intensifies the burning sensation, and she’s terrified of losing control, again.

Siobhan has enough to worry about as a new student—an outsider—struggling to catch up with her peers. She isn’t naive to the rumors about herself, the whispers that have already labeled her as ‘awkward’ and ‘undeserving’ of her acceptance to Hogwarts. She’s too quiet, too inexperienced, and perhaps worst of all, not from wizarding society. If they learn she is a ticking time bomb, she can kiss any hope of being considered normal goodbye.

Nurse Blainey takes pity on Siobhan after assuring her there is nothing wrong, offering a calming draught and a cot by the window. That is where she spends the day, watching the clouds and owls and the tiny specks of students below as they traverse the courtyards walking from class to class. Guilt gnaws at her stomach for behaving so cowardly—her father would be disappointed if he knew she was hiding away—but she allows herself the reprieve, given the circumstances.

The only other person who knows anything about ancient magic is Professor Fig, but he is still in London, and she is alone. At least that is something she’s used to. It isn’t until sunset that she returns to the Hufflepuff common room, timing it so that her housemates are in the great hall for supper. She crawls beneath the covers of her small bed with the hopeless wish that she’ll wake up in Nottingham and find this was all just a bad dream.

She doesn’t.

Siobhan remains there on Friday morning, feigning sleep when Poppy attempts to rouse her for breakfast. When it’s quiet she slowly sits up, tucking her knees to her chest as she contemplates where else she can take refuge today. She doubts Nurse Blainey will allow her to loiter in the hospital wing again, not unless she develops a real illness. Professor Weasley will only encourage her to attend Flying class, and that is the last place she wants to be.

Eventually, she finds the strength to slowly get out of bed and dress for the day, wondering if she’d be sent home if she were to fall off her broom. The only thing that shakes the thought from her head is remembering a student from the day before, languishing over something called Skele-Gro. She takes her time walking through the castle, pretending she is simply lost (she is) when a Prefect asks why she isn’t in class.

When she finds herself in the Defense Against the Dark Arts tower, she realizes there is another place she can avoid her responsibilities, if only for one more day. Except, when she enters Professor Fig’s classroom, she’s surprised to see him pacing back and forth beyond his open office door.   

“Professor?” she calls out to him as she steps inside the cluttered space.

He barely acknowledges her presence with a hum before glancing at her with a raised eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be on the flying lawn, Miss Sloane?”

Siobhan falters and flashes a guilty smile. “No?”

Fig sighs but doesn’t probe any further. “Your father did say you were a terrible liar,” he quietly laughs and winks. “Your secret is safe with me. Broomsticks aren’t for everyone.” 

She sighs, thankful he is back. “I’m glad to see you.”

“And I you,” he replies, his expression shifting into one of worry. “I heard about the attack in Hogsmeade. A troll? Thank Merlin you are in one piece.”

Barely, Siobhan thinks to herself, shaking her head. “It was wearing armor and was…glowing, like the dragon’s collar. Like the armbands the goblins wore in Gringots.”

“Goblin silver,” Professor Fig says, looking even more troubled than before. “Ranrok must be using it to control the beasts. But how? And why Hogsmeade, of all places?”

“Because of…me,” Siobhan’s voice wavers as she speaks, a terrifying reality that unsettles her every nerve. Her skin crawls with the memory. “Ranrok was there, with a man named Victor Rookwood. They want the ancient magic. They want me.”

“Without a care for innocent bystanders, it seems,” Professor Fig murmurs, brows furrowed. “I wager Ranrok did not expect a student to be capable of defeating a troll.”

If it is an attempt to make her feel better, it fails. Siobhan wrings her fingers together to stop them from trembling, swallowing thickly to steady herself.

“I—it happened again,” she starts to explain. “I lost control.”

“What do you remember?” Professor Fig calmly asks.

Siobhan remembers very little, only that one moment she was watching in horror as a troll lumbered toward her, and the next it was in a crumpled heap on the cobblestone, its flesh marked by ancient magic. Her silence is answer enough.  

“Were there any witnesses?”

“Y—yes,” she answers, her pulse quickening. “Sebastian Sallow.”

What she does remember is his reaction, wide brown eyes staring at her in disbelief. She does not like to think about how he’d gone from smiling at her to watching her like an unstable kettle, ready to explode.

“He saw everything.”

“Mr. Sallow is one of the more…curious students at Hogwarts,” he says with a slight frown. “He’ll have questions if he hasn’t pried them out of you already.”

“He didn’t,” Siobhan shakes her head again. “He…he was nice to me.”

Professor Fig’s eyebrow twitches up but says nothing for a long moment and he ponders their discussion. 

“It appears Ranrok wants what we found in that vault—the locket.” He pulls said locket from his pocket and places it on top of the parchment spread across the desk. “There was an inscription. When spoken, this map appeared. Though, I’m not sure where we are meant to be led.”

Siobhan immediately focuses on a specific area of the map. “Here,” she points. “There are traces of magic.”

“I suspected as such,” Professor Fig nods. “That is the library, the restricted section, to be exact. Students typically need special permission to enter, but if you are with me—”

“Fig! I have work for you,” Headmaster Black interrupts, striding into the room without regard to the ongoing conversation. His sudden appearance causes Siobhan to flinch. “Come.”

“I am with a student!” Professor Fig counters in annoyance. “And my schedule is—”

“Your schedule will wait, indefinitely, as will your student,” the Headmaster briefly glances at Siobhan but it is clear he does not care for her presence. “I would think that after all the trouble you caused bringing her here, you would be eager to make amends.”

He leaves no room for further arguments. “My office. Five minutes.”

Siobhan remains silent as Professor Fig scowls.

“I’ve never known a more infuriating person,” he lets out a deep sigh. “I must apologize, Miss Sloane. Our trip to the library will have to wait. I shall find you after I’ve satisfied whatever inane tasks Phineas has for me.”

 She wants to protest, but Professor Fig is already rushing after the Headmaster. Alone, she inspects the map again and frowns. There is so little they know about ancient magic, and yet it seems like all she’s done is wait, instead of learning more. What if it takes over again and she hurts herself—or worse—someone else? She’s fearful, yes, but with a possible answer staring her in the face, she feels compelled to act.

Restricted section…

Siobhan straightens in recognition, recalling something Mr. Sallow mentioned on the way to Hogsmeade. She glances at the clock in Professor Fig’s office before leaving, wondering where Sebastian might be on a Friday morning. The possibilities might as well be endless, so it’s kismet when she quickly spots him loitering in a nearby alcove. He notices her approach, and for a moment she thinks he might run off, given what happened the other day. Instead, he looks…relieved.

“There you are,” he says, eyes darting over her form in a way that makes her skin prickle. “Where have you been? You didn’t attend any of our classes yesterday! I was worried something dreadful had happened.”  

Worried? Why is he worried about her? Siobhan is about to comment that something dreadful did happen when he continues. 

“Shouldn’t you be in Flying class?”

“Y—no,” she furrows her brows in confusion. “How do you know that?”

“Never mind,” Sebastian waves his hand in dismissal and that’s when she notices the white bandage wrapped around his palm. Before she can express her worry, he swiftly hides the injury behind his back. “Never mind,” he repeats with a sheepish grin.

Siobhan doesn’t know Sebastian very well, but from the limited amount of time they’ve spent together, she’s picked up on his overzealous demeanor. It’s intense, and certainly not a personality type she’s encountered before, especially from the opposite sex. Back home, the boys her age are aloof and think of her as the wallflower she is, if they think about her at all. Other than Poppy—and now him—nobody at Hogwarts has shown much interest in her.

“What happened to your hand?” she hesitantly asks.

“Potions accident. Weasley’s fault, really,” Sebastian softly chuckles as he shrugs. “Not to worry, Nurse Blainey assured me yesterday that I’ll make a full recovery.”

She blinks. “Yesterday?”

“Mhmm.”

“But I didn’t see you—”

“So that’s where you were hiding!” he exclaims, cutting her off. “I had a hunch you were up there, but Ominis said to leave you be. Are you alright?”

Siobhan hesitates, skeptical of his interest in her well-being. It isn’t like they are friends—are they? She nods, though she knows it isn’t convincing. She gestures to his bent arm, diverting the attention from her discomfort. “It wasn’t a potion accident, was it?”

He lifts and stares at his hand as if he’s forgotten it’s attached to his body. “It’s nothing.”

“It was me,” she says after a moment, even if the gaps in her memory make it difficult to be sure.

Sebastian’s smile fades and he relents, carefully removing the bandage for her to see. There’s remnants of a burn on his palm, red and splotchy skin that reminds her of when she accidentally spilt hot water on herself as a child. Guilt makes her chest feel heavy.

“I did this?” she asks in a whisper, stopping herself from reaching out.

“I’ve been hurt worse,” he assures, flexing his fingers. “It looks worse than it is, and since injury caused by magic can’t be healed by magic, I’ll just have to suffer.”

Siobhan frowns.

“Kidding,” Sebastian smirks, and with a flourish, he brandishes his wand in his right hand. With one quick movement and a murmured charm, the bandages wrap themselves back around his marred skin. “Good thing I’m ambidextrous.”

“It’s my fault, anyway, touching you without thinking,” he continues, a little more seriously as he repockets his wand. “You’d just blown up a troll with glowing blue magic! I’m surprised I didn’t melt.”

Siobhan shakes her head in frustration. “I don’t know how that happened.”

“That makes two of us,” Sebastian quips, even as his concerned expression returns. “Are you going to tell me about what we saw in Hogsmeade? Why does Victor Rookwood, of all people, seem so interested in you?”

It is easy for Siobhan to assume that Rookwood and Ranrok are after the same secrets she and Professor Fig are attempting to unearth. She doesn’t know what ancient magic’s role is—yet—but understands quite well that she is in danger. If the magic doesn’t kill her first, they certainly will. 

“I—I’ve never met him before,” she replies. “I think he’s working with Ranrock.”

He scrutinizes her—she isn’t lying, but she isn’t ready to tell him the entire story yet, either. She has a promise to keep to Professor Fig, and she isn’t sure whom else she can trust.

When Sebastian realizes she isn’t elaborating, he sighs. “You don’t have to tell me, but it’ll be hard to help you when I don’t know what’s going on.”   

“Help me?” Siobhan repeats, back to being confused about his enthusiasm.

“Of course!” he beams. “If you can defeat a troll, then I’m sure you can defeat an opponent in a duel, with proper guidance that is. I’ll tutor you.”

It’s a statement, not a question. 

“Oh,” she responds, momentarily stunned. “T—thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he smirks and she feels her face go hot. Sebastian turns to grab a notebook from a not-so-neat pile on the nearby chair. “Speaking of, here. Yesterday’s notes for Transfiguration, Arithmancy, and Herbology. The last bit might be a little sparse…Professor Garlick says I haven’t the greenest thumb, but I’m still better at tending to plants than Hobhouse.”

Siobhan looks down at the notebook and flashes a tiny smile. She wasn’t expecting such a nice gesture and is grateful for the surprise, as overwhelmed as it makes her feel. Maybe Sebastian is a friend, after all.    

“I—” she pauses, hugging the notes to her chest as she contemplates just what to say. The wizarding world is still so new and fantastical to her that it’s difficult for her to make sense of the situation. Sebastian waits patiently for her to keep speaking. “I need to find something for Professor Fig, but it’s in the restricted section of the library.”

“Restricted section, you say?” he questions, delighted at the mention. “Is that why you were looking for me?”

“I wasn’t—”

“You’re a bad liar, Sloane.”

She’s too flustered to respond—is she really that transparent? Sebastian Sallow is one of the strangest people she’s met at Hogwarts by far, but something tells her he wouldn’t take that as an insult.

“I suppose I could wait to get a note from him, but—”

“Oh no,” Sebastian interjects, amused. “You can’t lure me in like that and expect me not to be interested. If you’re serious about sneaking into the restricted section, I’m your guy.”

Siobhan doesn’t think her cheeks can get any warmer. 

“Meet me outside the library tonight,” he instructs in a more serious tone as he gathers his belongings. “And tell no one.”

That evening, after dinner and a long bath, she sits on the edge of her bed in the Hufflepuff dormitory, watching as her roommates get ready for sleep. Poppy eyes her with suspicion, but Siobhan doesn’t say anything until Lenora and Adelaide are tucked away and snoring.

“Poppy?” she quietly captures her friend’s attention, hesitating before she asks. “If I wanted to sneak out after curfew—”

Poppy raises her hand and grins. “Say less.”

For the second time that week, Sebastian finds himself pacing, anxious as he counts his steps, waiting. Last time, he’d all but been forced into the situation by Professor Weasley, but tonight’s rendezvous is one he volunteered for. His thoughts are scattered—why did he agree to help Sloane? Sure, he’s curious, but he’s also sleep-deprived, overloaded with assignments, and should be using his free time to help Anne.

Considering everything that happened to them in Hogsmeade, he should be wary, if not downright terrified to be associated with Sloane. Barely two weeks and she has the attention of not only the leader of a goblin rebellion, but a gang of dark wizards. Either she has incredibly bad luck, or there’s something more serious going on. If Sebastian had the gold, he’d bet on the latter. But he’s always been fond of puzzles, and the mystery surrounding the new girl is too tantalizing to ignore.

He flexes his fingers when his wrapped palm begins to itch.

Curiosity kills the cat, or maybe it just burns.

Unlike Wednesday, Sebastian doesn’t let Sloane sneak up on him. He senses her arrival in the central hall and watches as she slowly makes her way to where he is waiting on the staircase landing. She’s dressed as if she’s heading to class, blazer and all, and he wonders what it would take to see her not so put together.

“You’re late,” he teases.

“I got lost,” she nervously explains, fidgeting with her sleeves. “I’ve never broken curfew before.”

“First time for everything.” 

When he crouches down, she follows suit, the two shuffling toward the nearby banister that overlooks the library entrance. It’s quiet, save for the prefect’s footsteps as they patrol the area. Unsurprisingly, Sloane looks worried.

“How do we get inside?”

“Sneakily,” Sebastian offers in a hushed tone. “Has Fig taught you the Disillusionment Charm?”

She shakes her head.

“Could’ve fooled me,” he continues. “What, with all the secrets you two are keeping.”

He means it as a joke—mostly—but if there’s anything he’s learned by now, it’s that Sloane might as well be impervious to his charms. Infuriating, but compelling—it won’t stop him from trying again. He pulls out his wand and she does the same, staring at him expectantly.

“It’s deception, rather than true invisibility, but as long as you keep your distance and stay quiet, it’s the perfect spell for getting into places you’re not supposed to be,” he explains before demonstrating the wand movement. “Like this.”

It takes Sloane a few tries, but Sebastian swears he spots the faintest smile just as she becomes shrowded, a translucent form he can barely make out in the dim light. He casts his own charm and the two start their careful descent down the stairs, pausing occasionally when a prefect passes by. She stops just as they enter the library proper and he is about to question her when he spots Scribner, doing whatever it is a librarian does after dark.

“Damn,” he curses under his breath, blindly reaching out to tug on Sloane’s arm. “Quick, behind the bookcase.”

In the nearby alcove, Sebastian removes the cloaking charm and takes a moment to think through their options. Scribner is usually gone by now, but of course she’s decided to stay late on the one evening he’s chosen to help Sloane. So much for making up for Hogsmeade.

“What do we do?” she whispers, visible again. Realizing he is still holding onto her arm, he lets go.

“Don’t worry,” he assures in an equally hushed tone, pulling a small key from his shirt pocket. “I lifted the key this afternoon, after our little chat. Figured it was best to come prepared.”

He hands it to her and then gestures to the other side of the room where a selection of bookcases are locked behind iron bars. “I’ll create a distraction so you can sneak over and unlock the gate. I’ll be right behind you. Trust me.”

Sloane hesitates, glancing from him to Scribner and the restricted section to him again. She nods, charming herself once more. Sebastian takes the cue, shrowding himself again before finding a perfect spot for a distraction—or destruction—they sound the same in his head.

One swift cast of incendio later, and Scribner is scrambling to investigate, leaving the path to the restricted section clear. He moves swiftly, grinning to himself when he sees the lock click open and the gate door open just enough to slip inside. Sloane keeps her disillusionment charm active until they are well out of Scribner’s sight.

“See?” he can’t help but chuckle. “Was that so difficult?”

Despite her earlier urgency, Sloane takes her time browsing the dusty bookshelves once they enter the lower levels. Sebastian idles along, taking advantage of the leisurely stroll to see if there is anything he missed during his last illicit visit. She focuses on an elaborate tome, but he stops her before she can pick it up.

“Don’t let it fool you,” he comments. “It’s charmed to look more useful than it is. Just gibberish.”

Sloane nods in understanding and he can sense her eyeing him as he traces the spines on a row of old books. “What are you looking for?” she asks.

“I’m looking for a cure for my twin sister, Anne,” he replies, before remembering that he hasn’t told Sloane about her quite yet. “She’s…sick. Has been for some time now, and wasn’t able to return to Hogwarts this year. It’s strange, not having her with me. She’s a Slytherin too, so the common room is less quiet than what I’m used to.”

“Everyone else has given up, but I haven’t,” he continues, a flare of anger makes his face feel hot. “I won’t let her down.”

“Why here?” Sloane asks after a few moments, still watching him as he flips through a book that has more to do with ancient wizard mating rituals—in Latin, of all languages—than cures for unknown curses. “Why the restricted section? Can Nurse Blainey not help?” 

“No!” Sebastian snaps, sighing when she flinches just enough for him to feel awful about his reaction. “We’ve tried everything. Not even St. Mungos was able to do anything,” he says in a softer tone. “That’s why I’ve been researching on my own. If I can’t rely on others, at least I can rely on myself.”

Sloane says nothing, but he appreciates her silence. Sebastian doesn’t like to talk about Anne’s situation, simply because there is nothing he finds more irritating than people’s hollow sympathies. Especially when they act as if Anne is already dead. She isn’t, and won’t die. Not if he has anything to do about it.

“What are you looking for?” he asks, changing the subject.

“A book,” she answers, without much more elaboration. “I’ll know it when I see it.”

“Cryptic,” he replies, smirking. “I like cryptic.”

They eventually move on from the area, down into a storage area that even Sebastian hasn’t explored. There are very few books, and when they reach a dead end, he’s about to suggest they double back when—

“Who have we here? Sebastian Sallow and the little lost lass, out exploring where they shouldn’t be!”

Peeves.

“Naughty, naughty! You’ll get caughty!”

Fucking Peeves.

Sloane bumps back into Sebastian, startled, as he glares at the poltergeist. “Peeves,” he warns through clenched teeth. “Don’t—”

“I’m going to tell!” the poltergeist cheerfully sing-songs, repeating the phrase over and over as he floats away.

“The hell you will!” Sebastian shouts after him, only pausing to reassure a panicked Sloane. “I’ll stop him, or at least come up with a convincing story for Scribner. I happen to be an excellent liar.”

She shakes her head, ignoring his comment. “I don’t want you getting into trouble for me.”

“A little too late for that, Sloane,” he remarks with a lopsided grin. “I’ll be fine. You’ll just owe me.”

Sebastian rushes away, glancing over his shoulder one last time to see Sloane’s concerned expression. “Thank you.”

Much like a game of cat and mouse, Peeves is waiting for him, laughing as he leads the way back to the main floor of the library.

“Sebastian Sallow, alone with a girl,” he taunts, flipping upside-down. “And here I thought they made you hurl.”

“You are the most insufferable spirit to inhabit Hogwarts!” Sebastian hisses, to which Peeves blows a raspberry at. “Ugh!”

As soon as they are back in the main library, Sebastian isn’t surprised to see Scribner but still freezes when she shouts at him in her shrill voice.

“Sneaking?” For a librarian, she is loud. “Again, Mr. Sallow? I had thought we were through with this mischief, but it’s clear that detentions are insufficient.” She clicks her tongue in disappointment as Peeves mockingly swirls around him. “I’m afraid I’ll need to report this to Headmaster Black.”

Oh, goodie. 

For once, Sebastian decides to keep his mouth shut, but that only seems to irritate Scribner further. She narrows her eyes at him and glances around the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a flash of Hufflepuff yellow before it disappears like a flickering candle. Somehow, he knows she is still there, listening.

“Peeves informs me that you didn’t come alone tonight,” Scribner accuses, waiting for his confession. It would be very easy to throw Sloane to the proverbial wolves, especially when he has no reason to protect her from trouble. Professor Weasley’s words echo in his mind and he briefly recalls the way Sloane smiled inside Tomes & Scrolls.

He’d like to see it again.

Merlin, he hopes tonight wasn’t for nothing, and that Sloane will finally tell him what the hell is going on.

He gulps, then straightens, meeting Scribner’s gaze full on.

“There was nobody else,” he says, confidently. “I came alone.”

Thank you for reading! Reblogs, likes, comments and kudos are appreciated!

[startrekfangirl2233-writes]

Next Thing You Know

Part 12 of Sometimes All You Need (A Getaway Car)

Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x Reader

Description: Jake's not having fun in Maine, at least not fun like he'd been expecting. Gorgeous' dad is a Naval legend, and well, he's not all that pleased by Jake. So he's been doing what he can. Now what does the retired Rear Admiral need him on a boat for? Waking up to Jake, all of him, is something that you relish in, no matter where you are or who you're with. His wake-up calls make you smile through the day when you can get them. Of course, the fact that he gave you one of his special wake-up calls in your childhood bedroom where your dad could have heard you is far from ideal. What you're not expecting is your dad to take Jake on the boat. Is this it? Is this the moment where Jake is either going to get your dad's approval or will you be forced to have Mav walk you down the aisle? Disclaimers: Smut Warnings: Female Reader Word Count: 3550 Author Note: Chapter 12 is yet another chapter in Jake's perspective (partially this time), and well, I couldn't help myself in writing another spicy scene for Jake and his Gorgeous Girl! Sending all of the summer vibes to all of the places where it get cold and dark at 4 P.M! AO3: Cross-posted Here! Wattpad: Cross-posted Here! My Masterlist Previous Part | Series Masterlist | Next Part

Jake wakes up to a beam of light hitting his face through the open curtains. Gorgeous is curled up in his arms, her face relaxed, brow furrowing just a little at whatever she's seeing in her dreams. Now to see if he can act on everything he promised himself he would do before he fell asleep last night.

First order of business? Get his mouth on his gorgeous fiancée. Not that he remembers it, but Jake's grateful that she'd only put on one of his t-shirts for bed. It makes things easier as he slowly inches his way down her body until he's level with her stomach. He's never going to get tired of her. His gorgeous girl with her soft, supple skin and her pretty smile and even prettier mind. He starts gently, laying soft kisses across her stomach and over her thighs. Her limbs are sleep-heavy as he carefully parts her thighs, pausing every time he hears a hitch in her breathing or the rustle of the sheets as she moves in her sleep.

When he slides his fingers through the velvet folds, they come away coated in the clear sheen of her arousal. A soft moan slips out of her mouth, and all of a sudden, Jake can't wait anymore. Nobody can blame him, he's sure. His fiancée is lying there, after all, practically naked, wet, and aching for his touch. His tongue is flat as he laves it over her folds, each pass gathering more of the sweet earthiness of her on his tongue as it goes. 

Jake is sure there isn't a better taste or feeling in the world. Then the first sweet, breathy, mumbling moan drifts past Gorgeous' parted lips. He's captivated then. He's transfixed watching the rise and fall of her chest as sleeping fingers ruck the t-shirt up. Unconsciously they work the peaks of her nipples to stiffness and cradle the heavy curves of her breasts in her palms. Jake continues his slow devouring of his fiancée, each slow swipe of his tongue meant to tantalize her, and ignores the insistent arousal making his hips grind ever so slightly into the mattress below them.

When she comes, it's like a work of art. Her muscles tense around his shoulders, strong thighs baring down around his head like they want to keep him captive. As the wave crashes over her, each muscle relaxes, like there's a rolling wave of contentment coursing over her system. But as much as he'd like to stay there, and frankly he could for the rest of his life, he's got a fiancée to wake up. His hands are gentle as they trail up over her soft skin. Jake’s careful to not put too much of his weight on her as he slides his way back up her body. Her eyes are open and she’s smiling blearily at the sight of his face. He dips his mouth down to give her a gentle kiss, smirking at the soft sigh that pours out of her mouth.

“G’morning, Jay.” Her voice is sleepy and groggy, her fingers gentle as they trail through his sleep-mussed hair. Jake nearly purrs from the pleasure of it as they scratch with the perfect force over his scalp. “What was that for, handsome?”

He shrugs, peppering kisses across the sides of her neck. He’s practically melting into her soft skin. Jake’s not sure why she always smells so good. Why it always feels so right to be with her. For that alone, he can’t resist kissing her again, morning breath and the tang of her release on his tongue be damned, drinking in her groans as her legs slip around his waist. The kisses are tender and sweet, and god he hopes his Gorgeous Girl knows exactly how much he loves her from his kisses alone.

“God, baby doll.” His voice is a groan, tender and half muffled by more kisses as her hands slide under the waistband of his boxers and squeeze his ass. “Fuck, I love you, beautiful girl.”

“Are you going to show me how much you love me then, Jay?” He doesn’t quite get to respond, instead choosing to show he. He wraps his lips around one of her pert nipples and wrestles the t-shirt off instead. Finally, Gorgeous seems to be on the same page as he is, though he has to moan at the feeling of her hand wrapping around his length. It’s hurried and quick, a rough passionate fuck, as he shoves his boxers down just far enough that his aching length is free and presses into her waiting warmth. Each slow, languid thrust has sweat dripping down his spine and Gorgeous's eyes rolling back. Her breath catches deep in her throat, and he has to kiss her to quiet the moans. The last thing he needs is Slider, Admiral Ron Freaking Kerner, walking into his daughter’s bedroom when the schlub she wants to marry is balls deep in her.

When his hand slips over her mouth, and her walls flutter along his length, he knows he’s found something that will be the center of every fantasy he’s going to be having for years. If his hand clasps around her throat moments later and her eyes widen as her pussy gushes, then that’s a particularly spectacular kink he is going to enjoy for many days and nights to come. Her eyes are glassy, tears collecting in her lash lines, mouth parted in an oh as he fucks into her. He can tell she's close by the sting in his shoulders from her nails digging in even as she's a ragdoll limp in his arms. He cums with a roar, digging his teeth into the meat of her shoulder to stifle the noise as she quivers around him. Now that's exactly what he's been missing - a fucked out drop-dead gorgeous girl lying in the sheets. That it’s his gorgeous girl makes the sight all the sweeter. All in all, he’s in a pretty good mood over breakfast with the Admiral, especially when Gorgeous blushes whenever he smirks at her. 

He doesn't feel the same way two hours later standing on the dock and looking up at the boat Admiral Kerner is standing on. He'd left Gorgeous behind at the house, walking like she couldn't feel a thing below her waist. Of all of the things Jake has been expecting the Admiral to have him do, boats weren't on the list. Not at all. A part of him would rather be whitewashing houses and fixing fences for another day in a row than having to get onto a boat. Being up on an aircraft carrier is different - no matter what Gorgeous has tried to tell him. An itty bitty twelve-foot sloop isn't the same. So, he is wholly uncomfortable stepping onto the boat. It sways more than expected, feeling like he's balanced on a wood plank in the middle of an avalanche. But more than the little sailboat he's getting on, he's worried about the man he's getting on board with.

Admiral Kerner has a reputation, even nearly a decade after he retired from the Navy. Scuttlebutt always had the most interesting things to say when the Admiral was running the base in Corpus Christie. But the general consensus seemed to be that he was a hardass. As well as to say that you should never get on his daughter’s bad side - or make any moves on her. Jake’s screwed in so many ways now. Especially since over the past year and a half, he's managed to do both. So it truly feels like he's got the hangman's noose wrapped around his throat. Normally, he's the Hangman, the Executioner. Now there's somebody far scarier that he's facing down.

"C'mere, son." Jake’s uncharacteristically cowed as he steps forward. He can read it in the Admiral’s face just as easily as he can sense it in his own body language. “I don’t let just anyone on this boat, son. Do you know why I invited you to this boat?”

Jake’s truly not sure. After over a decade of building his confidence, he feels like he’s backsliding, right back to that kid who joined the Naval Academy at eighteen beaten down and tired.

“Your reputation precedes you, son. I know you’re just as aware of that as my daughter is. The day you walked in my front door, I asked you why you wanted to marry my daughter - why I should approve of you marrying her despite your reputation. You told me you don’t know why she gave you a chance. You told me to ask her why.”

“And frankly, son. That’s not enough of an answer for me. I’m not her biological father. I’m her godfather, the man her parents trusted with her life if they couldn’t be there to love her the way she deserved to be. Due to a series of truly unfortunate events, her parents were stolen from her, stolen from the world. I had to step up and take on the responsibility I promised to take on. Every moment of my life since that night has been centered on that little girl. Every tear, every bruise, every laugh that left that sweet little face, I witnessed. My hands picked her up when she fell and held her when she cried from nightmares. A part of me wished she would never grow up. But even a highly decorated Rear-Admiral can’t freeze time in its tracks.”

Jake’s surprised by the changes in the older man. In one conversation he seems to have softened, and when he hands Jake a beer, Jake’s too happy to take it. If only so, he has something to do with his hands as the boat bobs against the dock.

“It feels like I blinked and she was dating, graduating, moving to college and finally moving away. It felt like the center of my world had left. Before you, she hasn’t returned home in nearly five years.”

Now this, Jake can’t believe. Gorgeous talks about her dad all the time. Sure, she never mentioned he was a retired Rear Admiral in the Navy, but she always talks about her dad. It’s not a stretch for someone to realize how much she loves her dad. One conversation about him was enough to show Jake how close the father and daughter pair are.

“You might be wondering why I’m telling you this. It definitely wasn’t what I intended to say when I got you on board this boat.” He snorts, swigging the beer in a gulp. “I fully intended on a speech where I told you never to hurt my daughter or the Navy would never help investigate your disappearance.”

Jake feels himself blanche at those words. A quiet confidence exudes from the Admiral’s menacing tone. It sounds like he’s sure he could uphold that promise.

“But instead, that conversation turned into this one. It’s for one very specific reason. I know she’s dated before you. But she’s never once brought another one of her guys home. You’ve found your way into her heart. She looks at you, and you look at her the same way her parents used to look at each other.”

Jake takes a sip of the already warming beer just because the Admiral is looking at him with all-seeing eyes. He’s not sure what to say. How could he say something that would match the gravitas of the information that the Slider Kerner is giving him without settling back into the dick Hangman has made him? It’s something he’s been working on since he met Gorgeous, and that persona still finds its way out at the least provocation.

“Fuck, kid, you yourself are so worried about what I think that you’re sweating through your shirt and barely drinking a drop. I have it under the highest authority that it’s your favorite beer and you’re just now taking a sip!” Ron Kerner laughing was not on Jake’s Meet the Parent bingo card, but it makes him hope that he’s finally getting the older man’s approval. “So take this as my approval, kid. You’ve got my daughter, won her like she’s the rarest of treasures. So take care of her, love her. And maybe get her to come home sooner than once every five years, huh?”

Jake’s left dumbstruck as Admiral Kerner walks away whistling like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Now what the hell is he supposed to do on this fucking boat?

Your dad’s whistling and smiling as he walks down the gangplank. You thought that he was taking Jake on a tour of the bay. You’re huffing and puffing having lugged the heavy picnic basket down the hill because the men forgot it. Now, will you need it at all?

“Dad?” He walks right up to you and crushes you in a bear hug. “What’s going on, Daddy?”

“You’ve got a good one, kiddo.” If you didn’t have whiplash earlier, well you have it now. “He has my approval. Now, why don’t you show him around the bay? I’m sure he’d have more fun with you than your old man. I’m pretty sure Mrs. Petersen promised me a pie anyway!” With that jaunty parting, a wave, and a kiss on your forehead, you’re left with the key in your hand and the colossal picnic basket. You lug it up the steps, because you haven’t seen Jake yet, and find him staring out at the bay with a beer bottle dangling from two fingers.

He doesn’t notice even when you clatter down to the hold and stash the picnic basket in the small galley or when you start up the engine. It’s the cool breeze which finally gets his attention as the sloop picks up speed.

“Gorgeous? What’re you doing on the boat? Where’d your dad go? Why are we heading out onto the bay?” He sounds adorably confused at the change in scenery.

“It’s a beautiful day for a sail, Jake!” You smile, relishing in the salty breeze that is surely whipping your hair into a frenzy..

“It really is beautiful.” He sighs the words out and his tone is different enough that you look over at him. He’s looking right at you, sunglasses not hiding a single bit of his sparkling green eyes. “But you still haven’t answered why I’m on this boat, baby doll.”

You smile and cut the engines. Walking around him you start unfurling the main sail. “You’re in the Navy, Jake! You spend so much time around far bigger ships. Don’t tell me this little twelve-foot sloop has you quaking in your boots!”

“Well, sweetheart, I’m not wearing boots. Also, I’m in the Navy. As a Naval Aviator. I fly planes, honey. I don’t sail boats, baby, I land on them.” You can sense a wry amusement in his words, and though you’re not facing him, you can practically see him fold his arms across his chest.

You’re giggling as you turn around and sure enough, he’s standing exactly as you expected him to be. “Well, then, I guess there isn’t a better time for you to learn how to sail, then, flyboy. C’mon over here, the wind’s perfect for a sail. It also means I can show you all of my favorite parts of the Bay!”

He's quiet, standing like a sentinel at your back, not a quip or smart comment in sight. Jake only hops to attention to help where needed as you put up the sail and the boat starts picking up speed - all without a single word. It feels a lot like the night when you first met the Daggers, the night he told you about his first air-to-air kill. He has to be thinking about something, something which is robbing his ability of being present in the moment with you. You don’t feel like you have to fill the silence either. It’s relaxing, with the warm sun on your face and the salty spray tangling through your hair and collecting on the thin sweater you’d thrown over top of your sundress.

You brake the boat by maneuvering the mainsail to be head-to-wind when you reach one of your favorite waterfalls and head down into the galley.

“Why’d you stop the boat, baby doll?” He sounds so confused and a little taken aback.

“It’s nearly one o’clock, Jay! I figured you must be hungry. I know I am!” He takes the picnic basket from you with a small smile, watching eagle eyed as you lay the blanket out and set out everything you’ve brought.

“God, Gorgeous. When did you have the time to do this?” He sounds awed as he sits on the opposite end of the blanket from where you're setting the food and drinks out.

“I figured I ought to return the favor. The picnic we had on New Years was amazing, after all.” When Jake smiles, he finally looks like the man you fell in love with and less like Atlas holding the weight of the world on his shoulders. “And, well, I truly adore coming out here. So I kinda combined trips and brought a picnic that we could eat on the boat.”

“You and Dad were supposed to bring it down to the docks together. That's why I was down there, in fact. I brought it down when the two of you forgot it. But then he gave me the keys and told me to take you on a tour of the bay.”

“You weren't exactly going to argue that, huh, Gorgeous?” Your cheeks flush a little, heat rising to your face as you busy yourself inside the hamper, praying the sturdy wicker will hide your facial expressions.

It takes you a few minutes to compose yourself again as you pull out the two plastic champagne flutes and the bottle of sparkling juice that you were searching for - not that they were easy to miss in the mostly empty basket. “I missed you, Jay. It feels like we've barely seen each other this week. So yeah, I wasn't going to argue with my dad.”

“C'mere, Gorgeous.” He holds one hand out for you and you're only too eager to skirt the edge of the blanket to take it securely. You kick off your sandals and curl into his side, pecking his cheek as he deftly wrangles the bottle of juice open and pours out healthy portions. It's sticky and sweet, the bubbles exploding across your tongue in a way that makes your nose wrinkle as it itches from the fizzy onslaught of your palate.

“That is…. Unpleasantly sweet baby doll. Any reason why we're not grabbing beers from the cooler?” You can see the disgust on his face as he pops a couple of chips into his mouth to chase the taste of artificial flavoring out of his mouth.

“It was in the fridge and it seemed like a shame to waste it.” Jake just screws the cap back onto the bottle and shoves it back into the basket. 

“That's going to stay there until we get back to the docks and then we'll dump it in the nearest trash can. That pretty little mouth is too good for the likes of that to be on your tongue.” Jake looks so genuinely offended on behalf of your tongue that you can't restrain the laughter which spills out of you.

“It’s just some grape juice, Jay! There’s nothing inherently offensive about it!” He’s snickering too as he tugs you in and pecks your lips. It starts off as a clumsy kiss, considering how you’re both laughing, your teeth colliding in the moments before you melt into each other and the kiss.

“Mmm, maybe so…” He looks like the cat that’s got the cream as he looks over your face though. “But you taste better like this than that juice ever could. And well, there was something absolutely delicious which I sipped on this morning which was even better.”

God, you love this man. You love his mouth, his face, his demeanor, you love everything about him. You even love how he takes your breath away just by being himself. You still flush at his comment, of course you do. It’s not every day after all, that you bring a man home and he wakes you up with multiple orgasms - orgasms which you have to muffle into the flesh of your arm so your dad doesn’t hear. You hadn’t been able to meet his gaze all morning, feeling the sting of his stubble on your thighs and how sore he’d made you. 

“That was a dirty move, Seresin.” You busy yourself making up plates of food so you don’t start giggling at the face he makes when you call him by his last name instead of his first. Of course you also have to contend with his arms wrapping securely around you and how you end up on his lap. But that’s okay too, sharing a plate with your fiancé in the spring sunshine. It’s an idyllic afternoon, and somehow you can tell, the rest of your life is going to be just like this, full of love and laughter as long as Jake and you face it together. 

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[modern-day-bard]

Other Duties As Assigned: A Joel Miller AU Fanfiction

Content Warning: 18+ This story includes mature themes such as drinking, stalking, violence, and explicit smut. Minors, do not interact.

Chapter 26: Point Guard

ao3 | wattpad

word count: 3.7k

Joel

How blissfully peculiar it is to wake up in complete silence. Last night, I can’t remember having one nightmare, or even a dream. I was just…rested. For the second night in a row, and for the first time in several years, I felt rested.

I wasn’t convinced that the dreams had spared me when I woke up to a pile of hair that looked like honey and smelled just as sweet. But I was really there, with Gwen, even if I had spent it on top of the covers again. She may have rolled her eyes at me, but we had other business to attend to without complicating things further. For now.

The news broke shortly after we arrived back at Gwen's temporary apartment two nights ago. Beyond the knowledge that it was out in the world, Gwen hadn’t checked on anything as far as I know. We received the notice from Janet, and got back to our routine. It must have bothered her a little, because she asked me to give her more self-defense lessons the night when we got back from Harper’s. I was happy to oblige, though we didn’t get through much before she was yawning non stop. She insisted she could keep going, but by the fifth time I mentioned sleep, she finally agreed.

Gwen also received the email with a detailed report of all of her staff’s updated background checks, which I now have reminded her to look at twice. The second time she said it was going to be her reading material on the way to Paris. The idea of being stuck on a plane with her reading through all of my search history was a little less than comfortable, but I can’t say that’s the most intimate thing we’ve done anymore.

We’ve both been more careful these last two nights, probably because of the news. Even still, there is an energy between us like we are at a constant battle of wills to see how long we can make it before we look at each other again. And when we do, a new battle begins of who will be able to break away first. In sleep, she’s always reaching for me. Her leg wrapping around mine, or her hand stretching out until she can find gentle purchase on my arm. A small, content smile forms on her lips every time she finds me, and it’s always a struggle to fall asleep after the high of seeing her like that.

I feel for her walking through the building these past two days. Everyone always watches her. Well, how could you not? But this time is different. There’s pity there, which I hope Gwen doesn’t notice. It would disgust her. She keeps her head held high, even if there is pity, concern, or curiosity. Only Julian has had the balls to actually ask her about it, but I’ve heard the whispers in the hallway once Gwen’s door is closed. They probably think their secrets are safe with me, as I’m also on staff. But I’d share anything I hear whenever she asks, just as happily as I’d continue to share her bed for as long as she’ll let me.

I wasn’t that happy, however, to be in the car now, on the way to a Knicks game, with Gwen and Paul chatting in the backseat.

Paul seemed alright enough. He had a slightly nervous energy every time we were around him, but for all I knew, he was like that with everyone. Whatever his nerves may be, he must do a good job at quelling them to have landed such a high position at Russell Corp.

Gwen mentioned this morning that she was hoping to switch departments, and Paul was the best person to talk to. It didn’t make sense to me why she wouldn’t just speak directly with her father when she has the same name as the company itself, but I went along with it. As we’re leaving for Paris tomorrow, this was the soonest available time for them to get together. And, as it seems, Gwen was trying to butter him up before asking the question outright.

As soon as we arrive at Madison Square Garden, I’m wishing that they had chosen just to get dinner.

Carlos and Jace were almost a package deal with me at this point, and they arrived before we did to give us extra cover as Paul and Gwen exit the car. Even still, this place is packed. Packed and very, very loud. Road noise aside, there were hundreds of fans around every corner that seemed to already be incredibly drunk, some shouting across the large hallways of the arena. I felt a little relief when Gwen had donned a Knicks baseball cap as we left the office, providing her a bit more camouflage. That relief fades away as many people in similar gear still turn to see who the woman in heels is, and why she would be surrounded by bodyguards.

It doesn’t seem to phase Gwen as she laughs with Paul, lightly touching his arm. She seems to know exactly where she is going through the crowds, even though myself, Jace, and Carlos are technically the one’s leading her to her father’s suite. I stand just a hair closer to her than necessary, keeping my hand hovering behind her back. The way several of the men passing by have eyed her makes my jaw lock into place. It was unlikely the stalker would be here tonight, but that didn’t make Gwen immune to unwanted attention.

I’m grateful to see that there is a glass barrier between us and the rest of the fans once we are in the suite.

I stand by the door, folding my arms, expecting to stay here for the duration of the game, but after Gwen shows Paul over to the food, she comes up to me, smiling sweetly.

“Mr. Miller, won’t you join us for the game?” She bats her eyelashes, extending her arm toward the seats. She’s still playing with me, even with our one sided feud now dead and buried. After a quick glance to confirm Paul was too engrossed in the catering to notice, I gave her a wink. And just as I thought, her smile turned mischievous.

As I join her at our seats, she asks, “Are you a basketball fan?”

I shake my head, “No ma’am. Football, sometimes.”

“Have you ever been to a game?”

“A few. Never in a suite like this,” I glance behind us at the spacious room with leather couches, standing tables, and a kitchenette complete with drinks and catered food.

Gwen thinks for a moment. “Would Carlos and Jace like a seat as well?” They had remained outside as instructed.

“Unfortunately, they need to be outside to guard the door.” I normally would offer to switch, but I didn’t trust anyone but myself to look after her. Even my confidence that my own abilities dwindled sometimes.

Gwen looks a little disappointed, but she nods as Paul takes a seat on her right with a plate full of food.

The first half of the game is exciting, with both teams trading off the lead. I learn that the Knicks are playing the Bucks, and it’s tight right up until the buzzer. It’s impressive, watching it all unfold from what are probably the best seats in the house. I’m even more impressed that Gwen waits until halftime to lay into Paul.

“So, Paul, I’m really hoping to talk to you about transitions.”

“Oh?” Paul is fixated on the dancers making their way to the mid court line.

“Yes. Specifically, a transition for me from radio to the Isla Foundation.”

This quickly gets his attention. “Oh,” He glances at me for a moment, but I pretend I’m watching the first few rows in front of us. “I’m not sure that’s possible.”

“Really?” Gwen’s voice is innocent, and just the right amount of shocked. “Why? I thought I was supposed to gain some understanding of the entire company. Not just our least profitable sector.”

Paul clears his throat. “You are—that’s true. Why don’t we move you to theme parks? Maybe that would be a good move before changing to entertainment?”

There’s a beat where Gwen purses her lips, pretending to think. I know she’s thought the entire conversation through numerous times. She just needs Paul to believe that she is actually considering his unacceptable offer, even if for a moment.

“So, if that were the goal, would I move to the Isla Foundation after entertainment?”

“Um…” Paul glances at the door absentmindedly. “I’m not sure.”

“What’s a ballpark timeline?” It’s the most calm voice I’ve ever heard for an interrogation.

“Guinevere…” Paul starts, looking at her, looking away, shifting in his seat. “I can’t say for sure.”

“Can you tell me why I’m not allowed on the philanthropy board at least?”

“I never said you weren’t allowed.”

“And yet you won’t allow it.” There’s just a hint of sharpness to her now, even as she lounges back in her chair, her arm slung over the side of Paul’s. She watches him like a lynx. Completely relaxed, even right before she goes in for the kill.

After Paul’s prolonged silence, she sighs, leaning forward to grab her drink off the small table in front of us. “Paul, you won’t be in trouble for telling me something that I, most likely, already know. Why won’t you let me join that side of the company?”

“It’s not me!” Paul’s hands go up, and then dread and realization cascade over him. He runs a hand through his partially graying hair, exasperated. “It’s not me. I was just given instruction that you were too…risqué to be part of either charity.”

Paul may be the messenger here, but I’d still like to punch him across the face for that one.

“Risqué?” Gwen asks carefully.

“Yes. With your social media accounts, bikini photos, the rumors of your dating history…” Paul trails off, clocking the stare I’m giving him now. “It’s not what I believe, Gwen. Really, it isn’t. But I was told that you weren’t to go near the Isla Foundation for PR purposes.”

Gwen nods slowly, absorbing the insult as Paul watches her nervously and music blasts throughout the arena around us.

“What about the other PR stunts? What about the rumors of some of the men on the board? Murphy is doing photo ops for the foundation, for Christ’s sake.”

Paul’s voice softens. “It’s not my choice, Gwen. I agree with you.”

“What about the Russell Foundation? Why can’t I get started there?”

Paul contemplates this momentarily. “That one is…possible. I’m not sure if it’s off limits or not but we could try.”

To me, that sounds pretty promising. To Gwen, knowing far more than me, it’s not enough. “What does trying look like?”

Paul runs a hand down his face, and the crowd cheers as the teams reenter the court. Only a few moments left to seal the deal. “You mentioned you were leaving tomorrow? By the time you get back, I will have placed you somewhere else. I will try to see what I can do about the Russell Foundation.”

Gwen purses her lips. “Do you think you could do more if this suite was available to you for the rest of the season?”

Paul smiles now, “It couldn’t hurt.”

Gwen’s returning smile is warm, all signs of the lynx vanishing. “That sounds like a good start.” She clinks her glass against his just as the buzzer sounds.

- - -

I feel some of the tension ease from my jaw and shoulders when we get back into the car, and even more so when we are finally dropping Paul off at his building. Rodney pulls over to the curb, and I pretend not to be eavesdropping.

“Thank you, Guinevere. You know how to show a guy a good time.”

I clench my fists in the front seat. His tone doesn’t exactly read as innocuous.

“Of course. I hope you’ll keep what we discussed in mind and I’ll speak to you as soon as I get back.”

“Right. See you then,” Paul leaves the car, and Gwen slumps back in her seat. I wish I was the one driving so I could see her face in the rearview mirror. That way I could at least try to determine how she thought it went.

Back at her new building, we follow our routine. Gwen says goodnight to all three of us, and I enter my room long enough to hear their door close. Usually I would shower before going to her room, but I want to see if we can squeeze in some more self-defense training before she gets too tired this time. Five minutes later, and I’m lightly knocking on a door that is opened before I can finish.

“He’s such a liar, isn’t he?” Gwen scoffs after the door closes behind me.

“About…which part?” I take a seat on the couch, even though my sheet and pillows have been moved to her bed several nights ago.

“All of it. And saying that it’s because I’m too ‘risqué,’ meanwhile they’ve paid thousands in hush money over the years even before they came to work for my father. Ridiculous.”

She’s pacing back and forth, still in her heels. I imagine she’s been pacing since we got home.

“He seemed like he was telling the truth to me. He’s just so nervous that—”

“No, no. My father is the liar. Poor Paul is just the messenger. Who else would tell him that he shouldn’t add me to my own mother’s foundation? Only other board members would even have the authority to do that. You’d think my seat would count for something, but apparently I'm not allowed to sit in it all the time.”

She stops, taking a deep inhale.

“You mentioned Murphy again.” I couldn’t help but say it. None of it is my business, and it hasn’t been my business since I arrived. But that didn't stop me from wondering. Didn’t stop the anger rising in my body when she mentioned him or Ralph and whatever happened between them.

“The groom, yes.” Her mind is somewhere else, her eyes scanning across the floor.

“What I mean is, what happened with him? And Ralph?”

This gets her attention, or at least part of it. “What do you mean?”

“You mentioned him again tonight, and I know their presence is one of the worst parts of Wednesday dinners. What did they do?”

“Oh. They’ve just made weird comments over the years.”

I give her a minute, both of us knowing I won’t be satisfied with that answer. But being who she is, she doesn’t give in to me right away.

“What sorts of comments, Gwen?” I ask softly.

“Ugh, I don’t know. Comparing me to my mom to start. Saying that they were lucky to have me since she was already taken.”

My fists clench at my sides for the second time tonight. “Which one said that?”

“Ralph. Murphy agreed. I was sixteen at the time—it was a family birthday party. Murphy also commented on my bathing suit that day.”

An extra deep cut with Paul’s comment tonight, I imagine.

“Anyway,” Gwen sighs, as if we were discussing the weather, “Murphy ramped it up when I was eighteen. I remember one truly egregious comment about the size of my chest,” she laughs without humor, “But thankfully I was off to college by then. When I interned, he backed off quite a bit. My guess is it was due to seeing me in the boardroom, reminding him that I’d be his boss one day. But that’s just a guess.”

“Gwen…” I say even softer than before, “That’s sexual harassment.”

And to add to my frustration, she rolls her eyes. “You think I don’t know that? I have my own plans for them once I do take over, but unfortunately, like most things in this world, I’m playing the long game. It’s not a simple task to cut out a board member. Most of the time you have to wait and hope they step down.”

“I know you know. I just meant…I’m shocked that they feel comfortable doing so.”

She smiles at me in a sardonic way that makes my stomach churn. “Money makes everyone comfortable with doing bad things.”

Finally, with another sigh, she perches on the edge of one of the dining room chairs, settling somewhat. “It seems to be common with them. Even Cryus. I like him enough, but his wife just divorced him not too long ago. Rumor has it that it was for cheating with multiple women. The Russell Corp epidemic, I suppose.”

I want to know if she ever told her father. And if she did, what did he do? Not enough, if these men were still working for him, earning millions each year under his name. It made me want to go back to the night where Cyrus joined Gwen in the hot tub so I could walk in and rip him out of the water. Maybe he hadn’t been one of the men to say disgusting things to a teenager, but they were all complicit in it.

“Joel?” Gwen’s quiet voice anchors me. “You look like you…have a headache or something.” Her eyes dart down to my still-clenched fists, and I release them quickly.

I shake my head in hopes of clearing it. “Sorry. It’s…unsettling, hearing those things even secondhand. And I’m sorry you had to hear them from men like that.”

“You’re angry,” she whispers. I guess I hadn’t thought to filter my tone.

“Yes. That shouldn’t have happened to you. I wish I had been there…”

“You didn’t even know me then.”

“They don’t even know you now.”

This makes Gwen’s gaze soften further, and she looks almost concerned watching me. After a few moments of us measuring each other’s expressions, she kicks off her shoes.

“Are we doing more self-defense tonight?”

I shouldn’t be surprised that she’d still be game even after all that.

“You’re the boss, Miss Russell. You tell me.”

“Unfortunately, I think it would be a good idea.” She hops up from her chair, shrugging off her blazer. “That is, unless you’re too tired.”

I can tell she’s sincere in the way she says it, but I still see it as a challenge. “Not at all.” I stand from my place on the couch, meeting her in the middle of the kitchen.

“Let’s start with what you remember.” I try not to read into the way she scans me head to toe as I approach her. “Can we try a wrist grab?”

Gwen nods. “Go on.”

I grab her wrist, gently at first, before bringing it up and attempting to yank it behind her back. Gwen quickly turns her hand and twists away from me, breaking the hold.

“Good. Now, both hands.”

I grab both of her wrists, holding them tightly in front of her. She yanks them toward her sides, but doesn’t break free.

“Harder,” I tell her.

She yanks them sharply, all the way to her sides this time, making sure to step back as strong as possible.

“Perfect.”

She smiles. “Now if only my attacker will tell me what he’s going to do before he does it.”

I grab her wrist quickly, softly, but still catching her off guard. I pull her closer to me so I can whisper, “If you ever have an attacker make it this far, then I’ve failed you. And I expect you to take out all that anger on him.”

She narrows her gaze at me. “It doesn't necessarily mean you’ve failed. What if someone broke in here while you were in your room?”

I drop my voice an octave lower. “We both know I won’t be in my room.”

Her face flushes, and I know I won this round.

“I’ll show you how to break out of a hold from behind, and then you can take a shower.”

“Is that your polite way of telling me I smell?”

I dip my head lower so that my nose nudges her neck. “You smell amazing. But again, I know you always shower before bed.”

She sighs a little before answering, “Right.”

We play out a few of the maneuvers, and I explain to her how to break out of a hold around her waist and her neck. Just like the other night, she is far more focused than a few months ago. She nods intently, listening to every word, and mimicking my motions before she tries them herself.

“Okay, this time is full force. And then we can call it quits. Ready?” I tap her shoulders gently before letting go, and she nods her head in the affirmative.

I lunge forward, wrapping my arm around the sides of her shoulders so she can’t lift her arms. Immediately, she shifts one of her hands through our center, grabbing onto my opposite arm. Pushing against, she breaks apart, pretending to elbow me in the gut before turning and kicking out with her foot.

“Good girl. Well done.” I smile at her, impressed, but her eyes flare with something else. “I think I preferred dancing, though. Your elbow had a little punch to it.”

“Maybe you just have to be a bit quicker,” she tosses a lock of hair behind her, straightening her top.

“Or you’re just a quick learner. It wasn’t like that the first time.”

“Oh?” Gwen starts finger-combing her hair, sounding mildly interested.

“Yeah, you ran out on me pretty quick. Why’d you start paying attention?”

She shrugs, “The threat feels a little different now...and there’s people I care about at stake,” Then, on a dime, her voice turns playful. “Plus last time, I was too turned on to think,” She smiles at me as if she just told me to have a good night, and struts off toward the bathroom.

Wait.

“What?” I call after her, a stunned laugh escaping my lips.

I follow her, determined to hear the explanation, but she’s already closed the bathroom door. Lust and curiosity encourage me to knock, and I listen to them.

“Yes?” Gwen calls innocently through the barrier.

“Care to explain?” I ask just as sweetly.

The shower turns on, and it’s even harder to hear her reply. “Go shower so we can get some sleep, Joel. We have an early flight tomorrow!”

I sigh, leaning my forehead against the cool wood. “You’re going to be the death of me,” I whisper, knowing my center of gravity can’t hear me through the door.

Previous Chapter

Masterlist

[miyaniacs]

Corrupted by Darkness

- Chapter 7 -

Chapter 6 ; Wattpad ; AO3

A/N: Hey.. sorry for not updating... Uni got in the way ... I hope you like the chapter tho :) And thank you all so much for reading and the feedback <3 

"She bonded you way before I did." 

The words keep on repeating in my head. 

Sanguis bonded me... A big white dragon with dead black eyes. Noctis wasn't even surprised I knew how she looked like. He knew I saw her in my head... that I saw her in my head on the worst day of my life. 

It was dark outside as I looked through the widow in my room. Something seemed off, it was way too quiet, no animal was seen outside and when I somehow managed to saw one, it looked like it was running away from something. Resting my head on the window, I scratch the cat on my lap and close my eyes. Just when I'm about to fall asleep, my cat gets up and hisses at something outside of my window. "Huh? What's there?" I ask her and press my face against the window trying to figure out what she's hissing at. 

Suddenly two dark eyes appear right in front of my face. 

My cat screams and tries to attack whatever there is. 

Then I feel it. 

Every cell in my body starts to burn and something's pushing... against me from within. 

"No!" I scream out as I fight against it, throwing everything my soul has to offer against the intruder. I scream and scream and scream, but the burning sensation is too much. 

From somewhere I hear my parents voice and I feel their hands on my body. I try to answer, tell them to go away and leave me alone, but I can't form words, I just keep on screaming. 

Tears run down my face as I feel my parents hugging me, shaking me, screaming at each other in panic. I need to warn them. Need to tell them to run, run from what I'm loosing control over. It's pushing against me, trying to take control over my body, I feel it's power, it's soul, it's thought and everything screams death. 

"I'm sorry." I whisper as my mind goes black and I it taking control over my body. The last thing I see are the faces of my parents crying red tears. 

"Hey little one... hey... heyyy... you're awake." A soft deep voice echos in my head. As I open my eyes I stare at the night sky ... within someone's eyes. 

"What...who are you? Where are my parents?" I panic and look around. I'm in an unfamiliar room, its rather small yet cozy, the windows allow a look at a beautiful small garden, the sun is out and shines in the room, showing small particles in the air. 

"You're save here. I'm Rhysand and you're in my home in Velaris." 

I open my eyes and close my mouth. I really need to stop screaming in my sleep. 

"Nea? Are you alright?" Liam calls out from the other side of the wall. 

"Yes." I yell back. 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Liam, go back to sleep." 

Rolling my eyes I get up in my bed, put on my small light. The light illuminates my the skin on my wirkst, making the small mark on the inside glow. A smile spreads across my face as my fingers trace the form of the small dragon. Taking a deep breath I get up and start searching for my coat.

The wind blows around me and I pull my coat closer to my shivering body. As if being in a trance something inside of me pulls me towards the flying field. I need to see him, I need to feel save, need to put off the mask I wore for way too long. 

Taking a few more steps I stop.

"Noctis." I whisper and his glowing eyes appear in the dark of the night. 

"Let go of her." His deep voice echos through my body. 

"No." I reply and smile. 

"Why her?" He asks. 

"Don't know... she looked happy."

"And you needed to destroy that?" 

"No I wanted it... but she didn't want me..." I sigh and fake pout. 

"That's why you killed them?" He snarls. 

"Yup." An evil smile spreads across my face, "That little bitch closed me off, hid me in the darkest parts of her soul. But I manage to sneak out. Not often but I did... "

"You sneaked out on that night with Rhys."

"Yes. I was bored, her life was too boring, I needed to spice things up."

"Spice things up?!" Noctis hisses.

"Yeah. She was about to discover her bond with Azriel ... and since his already snapped..." I shrug. 

"It's been years... you're strong enough now to materialize your own body now." Noctis breathing gets heavier and heavier, he tries his best to control himself but its too late. The anger inside of him is too much. The flames shoot out of him. Light blue flames cover the body of his rider and a sinister voice laughs inside to them. 

"Feeling better now my love?" Sanguis smiles and looks up at Noctis. 

[skzhocomments]

Mafia Book #2 - PART I - The Black Iris - Chapter 6 - Revenge

Story masterlist - please consult it for the summary of the story, trigger warnings etc.

General masterlist

Wattpad | AO3

Chapter 5 | Chapter 7

---

PART I - THE BLACK IRIS

Chapter 6 - Revenge

chapter word count: 3.5k words

~Minho's POV~

Finding those three scums was easy.

Kidnapping them and confining them in one of our abandoned buildings was easy, too.

What was difficult, though, was to not knock the teeth out of their mouths myself. I wanted to be the one to put a bullet through their heads for hurting Iris. I respected her too much, though, and knew she had her own plans with them, even if she wouldn't vocalise them.

It's been shy of six months since we spoke about it, and I regretted moving so slowly with her revenge, but as they say, good things come to those who wait, and patience is a virtue. I needed to plan everything carefully before kidnapping them, since they were influential people and we didn't want anyone actually finding them, or even worse, us.

Anyways, the only thing that matters was that now we're there, with these bastards tied against some chairs, their hands cuffed, and their eyes and mouths covered.

I was reluctant to bring Iris here at first, would it just trigger her bad memories? Would it actually do her any good?

But still, it was not my call to make. I just did what she asked, and brought them here, and seeing the way her eyes sparkled when she poured boiling hot water on their genitals made me realise I made the right decision in suggesting she gets revenge.

She first started with hurting them. She cut them up, pushed them, punched them, then she took care of them and nursed them back to health, just so she could do it again. She kept that up for weeks, making sure to feed them and give them water once every few days; not too much, for she didn't want them to become spoiled, God forbid, but just enough to survive.

She would sometimes only watch them and listen to their conversations without them knowing she was there, her eyes blank, devoid of any sympathy.

After a few weeks, her approach became more extreme. She started doing all sorts of CIA level torture tactics on them. She would watch them obsessively and even asked Seungmin to make a device for her that would pour water droplets on their foreheads every few seconds, just so that they can never fall asleep; she would take their blindfolds off after turning on a bright lamp, which was a shock to their eyes that have been deprived of light for weeks.

I started worrying she could be more of a psychopath than I was, which would definitely be another first, but Iris never failed to surprise me. It was clear she grew up watching true crime.

"Who are you?" One of the men cried.

"Hmm," Iris started. It was the first time she was speaking to them ever since we took them. The idiots realised all three of them are together but couldn't connect the dots to figure out why they were there in the first place, not when Iris let them speak for only short periods of time.

Just how many vile things did they do in this formation, for them to not realise it was Iris?

"Just tell us what you want! If it's money... just tell us how much!" Another man shouted. The fact that she took the covers off their mouths at the same time meant she actually wanted to listen to what they were saying and talk to them.

"Did you press on record?" She chuckled.

"Record? What do you mean? Record what?! You fucking bitch, just so you know, after I get out of here-"

"She looks like such a slut like this." She interrupted the guy and sent a powerful slap his way, making his head turn. The sound of the impact resonated in the whole room, making the other two guys squirm in their chairs.

"I'd enjoy it more if she stopped crying." She continued, slapping another guy – probably the one who said it so many years ago.

"Look, I don't know what you-"

"Should we write something on her and take a picture?" She slapped the last dude just as hard. "Do you want to know who I am?" She chuckled again. "Fine."

Iris made her way behind the guys and undid their blindfolds, and I just watched the show with my arms crossed in one of the corners of the room.

"Ahh, three pairs of beautiful eyes!" She laughed and put her hands on her hips.

"It's you..." one of the men spat at Iris, but she just laughed harder.

"Missed me?"

"She's fucking crazy..."

"How dare you do this to us?! Don't you know who we are?! Once we get out-"

She went behind them and put a cloth in his mouth, tying it at the back of his head. Then, she did the same to the other two, just to make sure they're quiet.

"Minho." Iris turned to me, her mouth in a slight pout. She was so damn cute. "They think they're gonna get out of here."

I laughed. She was simply the devil reincarnated, and I remembered when my eyes first locked with hers all those months ago. Fuck, she's even more beautiful now than she was then.

"Poor them." I replied, watching her sway her hips in my direction, completely enchanted.

"But you won't." She turned to them just as she reached me in the corner of the room, and they looked at her, their eyes hopeless. I knew that expression all too well. "You won't get out of here, because I can't forgive you, and I'm bored of you. Since you all loved watching me so much, to the point of filming me, I'm gonna give you one less show. You can thank me in hell. Now, stop squirming around and watch."

Iris grabbed my collar and pulled me in for a kiss, her tongue playfully licking my lips as her fingers worked on the buttons of my shirt.

"Is this why you asked for a bed in here last week?" I chuckled.

"Mhm. You're quick." She continued kissing me, and I broke the kiss and moved down to her jaw.

"I thought you wanted to let these guys have a good night's sleep for once."

"As if." She chuckled.

"You're insane. Remind me to never get on your bad side." I whispered in her neck just as I started kissing and biting it.

"I'm insane? Minho, baby, you haven't touched me ever since that night six months ago. I craved for you every single day, but I was too scared... Hand holding, kissing and dates aren't enough for me. I want all of you. I'm greedy." She moaned as I bit her neck.

"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but trust me, there's nothing more I want to do than fuck you, Iris." I took off her blouse and she folded in my arms. Fuck, her skin was so soft, her hair smelled so good, and she was just as sick in the head as I was.

"I love you so much." She confessed.

"Fuck, love, me too, I am obsessed with you. How did I find someone so perfect for me?" It was true. I was utterly consumed by Iris, and I wanted her so badly, it burned.

She grabbed the gun from my leg holster and put it in my hand, her fingers then working on opening my zipper.

"Hold onto that, baby, I'm gonna need you to use it later."

She took off my pants and took my dick in her mouth, licking from top to bottom skilfully, her tongue swirling around my tip. I was already rock hard, and couldn't help but roll my head back when she deepthroated me. She was way too hot like that, on her knees in front of me, wearing just her bra and a skirt that should've come off ages ago.

Blowjobs became a common occurrence after my last mission four months ago, but in this scenario, it was giving me the thrill, and I felt myself wanting to burst immediately. It was hard to control myself.

The three guys were helplessly watching the gun in my hand, their faces stained with tears and some dried blood from Iris' previous shows. They were watching me, their gaze all too familiar, beginning me with their eyes to stop this madness and save them.

They didn't seem to realise that it was futile, I was as fucked in the head as Iris, if not more, as I've been doing this for so many more years compared to her, and if they wouldn't have made any sounds, I would've probably completely forgotten they were there.

The only thing I cared about right now was the way her lips felt around my cock and the vibrations from her muffled moans when I bottomed down deep in her neck.

I've always been sort of a closeted exhibitionist, so this scene was simply exciting, unlocking a fantasy I didn't even know I had.

I grabbed Iris' chin and made her look at me as I pulled out my cock from her mouth, then I helped her stand up and get on the bed, and the fire in her eyes let me know these guys held no power over her anymore.

I took off her pants and returned the favour, eating her out as her moans filled the room. I finally got to taste her, and oh, fuck, how sweet she was.

Unexpectedly, she raised her hand in the air and pointed to the dude in the middle.

"That one." She whispered, rolling her head back, and I understood what she meant immediately. I continued kissing her thighs while I looked back to aim properly, and without missing a beat, I painted the room red.

Entering two fingers inside, I curved them upward and focused on Iris' moans, which was not an easy task with the other two pigs squealing for their life as they watched their friend's life slip away from him due to the bullet hole in his forehead.

Iris grabbed a fistful of my hair and kept my head in place. I was sure she was close, so I continued licking her clit as my fingers worked tirelessly in her, and she let go.

"You're so pretty cumming on my fingers like this, doll." I praised her, watching the hearts in her eyes as she looked at me.

"Doll again?" She chuckled. "Fuck, that was so good. Please fuck me. I need you so badly."

I complied, putting my body on top of hers and entering her quickly. I've been patient enough.

She put her hands around my neck and pulled me closer, kissing my mouth and tasting herself on my tongue. We kissed for a while, when she pulled back and pointed to another dude, the one closest to us.

"You're taking advantage of me." I chuckled.

"Of course. Aren't you mine to take advantage of?"

I changed our positions and put her on top, thrusting into her while pointing the gun at the poor guy and shooting. The last guy that was left was now crying harder than ever, realising he has no way out of his fate. If Iris played with them until now, giving them false hope that they might get out of this, it was now certain for him that there was no hope left. He was a dead man.

This must've been the guy that hurt her the most, considering she kept him alive the longest and let him live his last moments in distress, knowing what's sure to come.

Iris fucked herself with my dick and bounced up and down as she pleased, coming for a second time. I loved seeing her use me like this, I loved her body, the expressions she made, and her beautiful, fucked up mind. I loved everything about her.

I loved her.

"I'm so close, doll." I told her, beginning to thrust myself into her again and keeping her body pressed against mine.

"Fuck, Minho, fill me up baby."

Music to my ears. She must've not been aware of the effect she had on me. How could I not listen to her every command, when they sounded so appealing?

In just a few thrusts more, I released myself inside of her, feeling the way her walls squeezed me tighter and listening to her breathe in my ear.

"I love you." I kissed her for a long time, just enjoying her presence. "Do you want to kill the last one?"

"I'd like to, but I don't know how to work a gun, and I don't feel like hurting my hands anymore. My palms still hurt from slapping them earlier." She said, so I took her palms in mine and kissed them ten times, making her chuckle.

"I'll teach you. Come." I stood up and helped her up as well, and we got dressed. I then put the gun in her hand. "You have to hold it tightly with your right hand, and secure it with your left-"

"You didn't secure it though, did you? You held it with only one hand."

"That's because I'm a pro, love. You'll learn." I kissed the side of her head.

"Will you teach me this as well?" She looked at me hopeful, and I nodded. She was already so good at close body combat, why not teach her this as well?

"Of course. I will do anything you want, my love. But until then, safety first, hm?"

"Okay." She nodded happily. "Now what?"

"Your legs, move them like this." I showed her the way you properly assume the Weaver stance, as it was the most stable one, also providing a slightly better accuracy, even if you needed to have some aim to use it properly. Oh, well, it's not like it mattered if she missed his head once or twice.

"Like this?" She turned to me, her eyes glowing.

Fucking hell, I am obsessed with this girl.

If this is what Chris felt for Emilia, no wonder he's so devastated even two years later.

But if it ever came to it, would I kill Iris if she betrayed me? Would I just cast her away? Would I still love her?

Fucking hell. My feelings are too much.

"Yes, doll, exactly like that. Where do you wanna hit him first?"

She smirked and pointed the gun down, towards that man's groin. I chuckled.

"Wasn't the hot water enough?"

The poor man started shaking his head vigorously, as if begging Iris to reconsider, but she was dead set on taking this dude's manhood before taking his life.

"What, dude? You made her the sociopath she is today!" I went over him and kicked his leg, as he hopelessly watched me, still pathetically pleading with his eyes. "The audacity some men have!" I spat, then went once more behind Iris and hugged her from the back, my hands guiding the gun in the right position.

"What, do you think I'm a sociopath?" Iris asked, as If offended.

"No, love, I don't think so. I'm sure of it."

"Mean." She scoffed, then chuckled slightly. "Now what?"

"Now, pull the trigger." I whispered in her ear, and she did with no hesitation, the bullet hitting the guy straight in the manhood.

"Okay, that was quite fun!" She spoke triumphantly as the dude cried out in pain. His companions sure had it easier.

"Yea? Do you like shooting guns?" I kissed her neck.

"I'm not sure. I like shooting this trash."

"Should we kill him now? I'm quite hungry. Let's go on a date and celebrate. Eat something good, drink some champagne..."

"Sure." She moved away from my grasp and turned around, giving me the gun. Her hand was slightly shaking. I gladly took it from her, not wanting her to rush into doing something she was not ready for or that she could regret. For me, it was another story. I could've killed 1000 of these dudes with no remorse, especially for her.

I would've done any crime for her, and she seemed so aware of it, it was dangerous.

I hugged her again and grabbed the back of her head with my hand, guiding her to my shoulder. She snuggled against me, and I didn't let her watch as I pulled the trigger and killed the last guy.

~

After seeing her shenanigans, it became crystal clear to Chris and to everyone else in Stray Kids that Iris would be the best person to gather intel on others through physical or psychological torture. Her knowledge on psychology was extremely valuable, and on one hand, I was glad the team finally started acknowledging her more, but on the other, I worried.

I.

I.

I worried about her well-being. How fucked up was that?

I was so afraid of her being uncomfortable and feeling guilty for torturing people, especially since it was different from the three guys. She had a personal vendetta against them, but other people she didn't care for or know were a different story.

I voiced my concerns to Chris, and the only thing he did was laugh in my face.

"Wow, you really care about her." He said, his eyes cold. "But you know better than anyone that no one stays here unless they are valuable in some way."

"Do you really want me to leave?" I asked him, my eyes even colder.

"Leave?" He raised a brow. "You? Would you ever leave this life – everything you've ever known – for a mere woman?"

"Be serious. You know she's not a mere woman to me. I love her."

"It hasn't been that long, how can you love her?"

"Don't be a dick. You and Emilia started dating after way less time." I was never one to bite my tongue.

"Don't you dare-"

"All I'm saying is, don't be a hypocrite. If she were alive, wouldn't you have left this life behind if she asked you to?"

"But she's not." He replied bluntly.

"But you would. So, either you finally accept Iris as my partner and let her stay here without her needing to do anything about it, or I'm fucking gone, man." I turned around to leave, but his next words stopped me dead in the tracks.

"What if she's the one who came to me and asked to let her take on this role?" He chuckled slightly.

"... what?"

"I already accepted her as part of our team, man. She wants to be useful to us, to you, but I appreciate your love outburst. I'm glad you found someone."

This fucker.

I left without saying another word.

~

I knew Iris wanted to join me on missions, but how could I possibly be okay with that, when I cared so much about her? Last month I accidentally hit her too hard when teaching her a move and she fell, taking a vase down with her, which broke and cut her left wrist. She bled for a long while, and I almost cried, for fuck's sake.

Needless to say, she had to get stitches, and we never trained inside the house again.

I made my way to the gardens and saw Hyunjin reading something on a bench.

"Hey man, what's up?" I asked, watching him flip the pages quickly.

"Not much, waiting for your girlfriend to finish up."

"Finish up what?"

"She's in the greenhouse."

I nodded and left in a rush, wanting to see her and ask her about her conversation with Chris. She was indeed in the greenhouse, painting a field of flowers – black irises.

"Hello, doll." I said, kissing her right temple.

"Minho. I'm almost done here. Wanna go on a date?" She smiled.

"Of course. Should we go see a movie?"

"Sounds good."

"Iris, can I talk to you about something, though?"

She put the brush down and looked at me.

"Did you talk to Chris?"

"You figure me out too easily." I chuckled. "Why do you want to put yourself in danger so much?"

"I just want to... be part of your universe, you know?" She smiled.

"But coming with me anywhere is way too much." I frowned. "It's dangerous, and-"

"Chris said the same thing actually." She chuckled.

He did?

"So we reached a compromise. I'm just going to do what I'm good at – I'm gonna work with Han and find out everything we can about our targets, and I can come with you if you're going on gun trades."

"Gun trades? Hmm... I see."

True, those were not as dangerous, especially ever since we started selling them throughout Europe. Whenever we had to seal a big deal, it felt just like travelling for a business meeting.

"What do you think?" She asked, and I initially thought she was talking about the compromise she made with Chris, but after watching what her gaze pointed to, I realised she meant the painting.

"It looks beautiful, Iris. But why black?"

"I figured black suits me the most. Doesn't it?"

"Isn't black associated with depression and pessimism?" I frowned, and she started laughing.

"It is, but it's also associated with power, strength, and authority. That's what I want to be..."

"Then yes, it fits you well." I kissed her cheek, and we both stood up.

"Also – don't you always wear black? What is this double standard?!"

"Yea, but it's different when I do it." I protested. "Although I can't lie – you're hot as fuck in black."

"Hmmmmmmmm." She frowned and then chuckled slightly. "So, to the movies?" She grabbed my hand and looked at me, and watching her beautiful eyes, I just knew that the word 'love' was too simple to describe how much I cared for this girl.

"Yes. Let's go." I nodded lazily, focusing on the way her hand felt in mine. My thumb brushed over her knuckles and my grip was tight, for I never wanted to let go.

"Damn, I crave some nachos and popcorn... and even that washed out drink..." She mumbled, and so we went to our date night.

---

Chapter 5 | Chapter 7

[holdmeclosertinytaron]

RHW: Chapter Eight

Story Page / Playlist / Wattpad / AO3

A/N: I can't believe that we're nearing the end of Liliana and Taron's story (for now), but I'm also so excited to share the last four chapters with you. @brayndilyn and I both love how this chapter turned out, and I hope you feel the same.

Word Count: 7.1k

Warnings: Explicit language, mentions of childhood trauma, mentions of smut...

March 20th, 2022

Liliana woke up to the smell of toast wafting from the kitchen, and as she peeled her eyes open in the bright space of Taron’s bedroom, she could just about make out his figure stepping through the door, a tray balanced in his hands and a smile plastered on his face. 

It wasn’t the first time she had woken up in his bed, but each time he walked into the room and saw her wrapped up in his sheets, he could barely contain the excitement bubbling in his belly. He knew that under the covers, she was still naked from the night before when they had made love over and over, only falling asleep when dawn had started to break. 

He himself had only pulled his boxers over his legs so that he could go make breakfast without anybody in the flats across the street seeing his naked form. Lazy Sunday mornings in bed were quickly becoming a ritual that Liliana treasured. 

Liliana reciprocated his smile, and slowly sat herself up in bed. A yawn escaped her but she only let one eye fall closed again. She wanted to watch Taron as he made his way to the bed and expertly pulled the legs of the tray down so that he could set it on the bed in front of her. 

The tray was full. Taron had stacked six slices of toast on one plate for them to share. There were two mugs of tea filled to the brim, a smaller one for Taron and a larger one for Liliana. Her eyes widened in excitement at the sight. 

On the smaller plates he’d put on the tray too was a pile of packets of butter, jam, nutella, honey and marmalade that Taron had taken from the last hotel he’d stayed at. He always insisted that he could need one at any given time, and they were helpful to have in the campervan. 

‘Easier than taking big packs with me every time I want to go somewhere,’ he’d insisted whenever anybody asked him why he had so many. 

‘This is a new tray,’ Liliana said as she ran her finger over the light wood finish. The old one had polystyrene balls at the base and wobbled everytime they moved an inch. The new one sat more sturdy and she didn’t have to hold onto it whenever she needed to shift herself to get comfortable. 

Taron nodded as he climbed back into the bed beside her. ‘I bought a new one to make it easier for things like this. That other one was bothering me. I couldn’t so much as turn to kiss you without food going everywhere.’ 

‘You bought a new tray just so you could have breakfast in bed?’ Liliana asked as she reached forward for her mug of tea. Since she’d started to stay the night at Taron’s a couple of weeks before, she’d gravitated to one mug in the cupboard, and he’d quickly donned it hers. 

‘No, I bought a new tray so that I could make you breakfast in bed whenever you stay here overnight,’ he corrected her with a smile. 

Liliana shuffled over so that she could rest her head in the crook of his armpit, and Taron leaned forward to kiss the top of her head. They fell into a short silence as Taron shifted the tray so that he could let it go and it wouldn’t topple over while pulling the duvet over his legs, covering his bed and the toast he’d made with tea. 

‘It’s not much today,’ Taron said apologetically as he plated three slices of toast for Liliana, offering her the butter, ‘I need to go food shopping. I’ve barely got time with being at the theatre as much as I am. And when I’m not at the theatre, I’m with you.’ 

‘I’m sorry,’ Liliana mumbled as she grabbed a couple of Nutella packets and the one random Biscoff packet he’d brought out. ‘I take up all of your free time.’ 

Taron dropped the slice of toast he was about to butter and twisted his body so he could cup Liliana’s cheeks in his hands. Her cheeks were warm against his hands, and her eyes fell closed for a millisecond. 

‘I want to spend every waking minute with you,’ he told her when her eyes fluttered open again. ‘I was in no way trying to insinuate that spending time with you means I don’t have time. That’s not at all what I meant. If I could be with you every hour of every day, both awake and asleep, I would. I hate that being at the theatre pulls me away from you.’ 

Liliana shook her head at him. ‘No, I’m so proud of you and everything that you’re putting into this show. How about this? You make me a list of things you need from the shop and I’ll get them when I’ve finished my work for today. I can drop them off, put them away and then head back to mine.’ 

‘You won’t be here tonight?’ Taron asked. His eyes dropped and his shoulder slumped, and Liliana used her thumb to unfurrow his brows. 

‘I didn’t want to assume that you wanted me here again.’ 

‘I always want you here.’ 

His voice was steady and Liliana knew that he was being sincere. She’d loved spending time in Taron’s flat and having more space to move around. Though she didn’t want to be a burden by overstaying her welcome. Not that Taron ever thought she was. He meant it when he told her that he wanted to spend every second with her. 

‘I also only have one pair of clean underwear left so I need to go back and get some washing done.’ 

‘You don’t need underwear when you’re with me,’ Taron teased, nuzzling his nose against Liliana’s. ‘Now I’ve seen you naked, I would much rather you be naked around me all the time. I’ll return the favour, obviously. Who needs clothes?’ 

A blush rose to Liliana’s cheeks. The night before, Taron had taken his time undressing her, and loved on every part of her body. He’d kissed from her lips all the way down to her legs where he situated himself between them and kissed her in the place she felt it the most. Liliana had come undone with her hands tangled in his hair and her legs tightening around his head. 

The thought alone was enough for her to shift to try and get some friction. Taron noticed and chuckled to himself, running his hand up her arm before going back to his toast. 

‘As much as you would love that, I’m sure everyone at work would prefer it if I didn’t turn up tomorrow in three day old sweats and a t-shirt that I spilled curry on the other day.’ 

‘Everyone at work loves you so much that they wouldn’t bat an eyelid. You’re their shiny new money maker.’ Liliana groaned with a chuckle. ‘But I get it. If you want to go back to yours tonight and get yourself together for work, that’s fine. I’m sure I can handle one night away from you.’ 

‘I can’t,’ Liliana laughed, kissing his lips softly at first until he parted them with his own. ‘I want to come back, I just need to go and do my washing and grab some fresh work attire.’ 

She kissed him again and Taron leaned her back slightly before he pulled away just as quickly, leaving Liliana with puckered lips and closed eyes. 

‘I do own a washing machine, you know? You are free to use it whenever you’d like. All it will cost you is-’ 

‘I swear if you say what I think you’re going to say,’ Liliana laughed, her finger in the air to stop whatever Taron was going to say. He laughed at her and wiggled his eyebrows playfully. ‘You are insatiable. 

‘Only for you, Lil.’ 

***

When the toast was gone and Taron had moved the tray to sit on the floor next to the bed, Liliana buried herself back in the covers, pulling them up to her neck and breathing in the smell of Taron. 

‘I don’t want to leave this bed,’ she moaned as she got herself comfortable again. ‘This moment is so perfect, I want to live in it forever.’ 

‘Then don’t. Come here, Love Bug.’ 

Taron’s new pet name made her insides turn to mush. She’d always loved to call Matilda Little Bug and Taron thought it would be fitting if Liliana became Love Bug. Liliana curled into his side happily, and started to stroke the hairs on his chest as he held her against him. 

Her lips found his neck and as she pressed a series of kisses to his warm skin, the growing stubble tickling her chin and her hands wandering further south until she could feel how hard Taron was for her.  Taron ran his hand down her back until he could grab her bum, pulling her in even closer and tangling their legs together. 

She laughed into him as her kisses became more needy and Taron rolled them over so that he hovered over her. It took no time for him to enter her, and they fell into a rhythm, perfectly in sync with one another, until their moans filled the room and sweat beaded on their skin. 

They came undone together and lay wrapped up in one another for a few moments in complete bliss, enamoured with one another and so content. Taron held Liliana against his body as they caught their breaths and he pressed delicate kisses to the top of her head while she lay curled up into him. 

‘I don’t have to be at the theatre until later this afternoon,’ Taron said softly as Liliana pulled the covers back over her body to shield herself from the cool air of the bedroom. 

“What did you have planned for the day, aside from that entirely unnecessary washing?”

“Nothing in particular, once I was done at my flat, I figured I could drop everything off here, and then I planned on getting coffee in Covent Garden or something and writing a bit because I want to get a head start on the second book before I come to see you tonight at the theatre. Why, what were you thinking?’  

‘I thought maybe we could go out for a few hours? Maybe we could get lunch somewhere nice before I go to the theatre.’ 

‘There’s a burger place I wouldn’t mind trying in Leicester Square if you’re up for it?’ Liliana asked excitedly. 

The thought of spending the rest of the morning and the first part of the afternoon with Taron was enough to make her want to jump out of bed and get ready. 

Since getting back from New York, Liliana and Taron had spent pretty much all of their free time together. If Liliana had early morning meetings, she would stay the night with Taron so she was already closer to Central London, allowing her a coveted lay in and cuddles before heading off to work. 

Taron had cleared out a drawer for her to store some spare clothes the first night she stayed over, and she’d done the same for him, deciding that she really didn’t need ten different workout sets when she barely worked out anymore. 

If Liliana texted Taron late at night and told him that she was struggling to sleep, he would pick her up and take her back to his place where he knew she’d sleep comfortably, or if he was too tired, he’d crash at her place with her. Either way, she slept better with him by her side. 

Taron always put one of his hoodies on in the morning if he knew that Liliana was going to be there, and sprayed his cologne on it before folding it neatly on the edge of the bed for when she got there. Without fail, Liliana would walk through the door, head to his bedroom for the hoodie and change into it before getting herself a cup of tea and curling up with a book until he got home. 

Whenever Taron was at the theatre on days where he had two shows, he would send Liliana funny selfies of him falling asleep in his dressing room on his break, or photos of him and Jonathan pranking everyone else there. 

If Liliana wasn’t in the office at any point, she would run to the theatre to take Taron a coffee and snacks, and to give him a quick kiss. On days where they were alone in the dressing room, and if Taron wasn’t too tired from rehearsing or performing, other shenanigans would occur. 

They had so quickly fallen into a routine. Everyday they allowed themselves to grow more in love than the last. They were constantly learning new things about each other, and doing everything they could to show one another just how happy they were that they were finally together. 

  ‘Burgers sound really good right now,’ Taron nodded happily, peeling the covers away from his body so that he could jump in the shower. ‘What’s it called?’ 

‘Honest Burger, I believe. It’s less than a two minute walk from the theatre, and there’s quite a few coffee shops nearby that I can go to and work before I get to the theatre.’ 

‘That sounds good.’ Taron leaned over the bed to kiss Liliana before he ran into the bathroom and turned the shower on. ‘Fancy saving water?’ 

***

‘Hey, Love Bug,’ Taron called sweetly as Liliana rounded the corner to the theatre. He waited at the stage door for her, and pulled her into a large hug when she got close enough. ‘Did you manage to get much work done?’ 

‘Enough,’ Liliana replied softly before she pressed her lips to Taron’s in a soft, chaste kiss. Despite feeling at first that it would be strange to kiss Taron whenever they saw one another, it felt natural to her. To them both. ‘I have what I think should be a pretty good plot down at least. I’ll see what Bea thinks tomorrow before I send it up to Martin.’ 

Taron nodded as he held the door open for Liliana to walk through. As she passed him, he tapped her bum and stifled a laugh when she guffawed at him. 

‘You-’ 

‘Come on,’ he laughed as the door banged closed behind them, ‘let’s get upstairs where it’s a bit warmer. I’m glad you managed to get some work done though. Are you staying for the show still or do you need to get off?’ 

‘I’m staying.’ 

Liliana turned to Taron, standing at eye level thanks to the step she’d climbed onto. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for another kiss. Taron wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close, parting her lips and tasting the coffee she’d had while working. 

‘You two need to get a room,’ a voice echoed down the stairs. Liliana pulled away quickly, already out of breath, and turned to the top of the stairs to see Jonathan Bailey fake gagging at them both. ‘Like seriously, can you keep your hands off each other for longer than two minutes at a time?’ 

‘You’re so funny,’ Taron deadpanned, resting his hand on the bottom of Liliana’s back so he could guide her up the stairs. ‘Come on, Lil, let’s go upstairs. We can chill in my dressing room for a bit before the show starts.’ 

‘Jonathan, do you want to join us? You can tell me all of those stories you said you had about Taron.’ 

Liliana stepped onto the landing and Jonathan immediately wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. 

‘I have new ones to tell you.’ The glint in Jonathan’s eye made Liliana beam and Taron stop in his tracks. 

‘I’m not sure how I feel about the two of you being in cahoots,’ Taron said softly before he walked to Liliana and kissed her cheek. ‘He’s going to steal you away from me.’ 

Jonathan chuckled and kissed Liliana’s other cheek. ‘Don’t listen to him, darling. He’s just jealous of our ever-lasting love.’ 

‘You two are as bad as one another,’ Liliana laughed. She walked into the dressing room and immediately flopped onto the sofa near the window. ‘Now, whoever gets here first gets my undying attention for the next hour.’ 

***

Liliana looked around her in awe. Every seat in the theatre had been filled with people who were going to see Taron perform. She could tell that some of them were fans of his because they got giddy when he walked on stage, and Liliana smiled to herself, flashes of that morning playing around her head. 

Unlike the first two times she’d gone to see the show, Liliana had booked her own ticket, and had chosen to sit in the very middle of the front row in the Circle. She wanted an unobstructed view for the first time she would be able to see the show from start to finish, and from where she was she could see Taron perfectly. 

Whenever Taron averted his eyes up to where Liliana sat, she would wink at him softly, aching to see the ever so tiny upturn of his lips when she did. To everyone in the room, who was laughing when something funny happened and gasping when the lights suddenly went out, it looked as though Taron was finding a spot in the room to keep his attention. 

Liliana watched the show and her heart ached. As she watched Taron and Jonathan fighting their emotions, and the struggle Jonathan’s character had over the desire to have children and start a family, Liliana felt the familiar pang of regret for not thinking about Matilda every waking hour. 

Life after Christmas had been amazing for Liliana, and she’d been distracted by Taron and their budding relationship more than she would have thought. It wasn’t that she didn’t think about Matilda. It was more that Matilda wasn’t her first and last thought every day like she was before. 

Liliana hadn’t seen Matilda since Boxing Day when she left Aberystwyth last, and as much as she really didn’t want to have to see her mum ever again, Liliana had to see Matilda. As the show came to an end and everybody stood up to give a standing ovation, which was entirely deserved, Liliana booked herself a train ticket home for two weeks later. 

She knew that Taron would understand her need to go to Wales. If anything, she could see him offering to take her back in the car so she didn’t have to get the train. 

But she needed to do it on her own. Matilda deserved to know why her big sister, who she loved more than anything else, wasn’t around much. Liliana wanted to explain everything to Matilda. Why she left Aberystwyth, why she left at Christmas, why she wrote the book. Matilda needed to know that it wasn’t her fault that Liliana didn’t go to Wales often. 

Liliana stayed in her seat until most of the theatre was empty before she made her way down the stairs and towards the stage. Taron opened the hidden doorway and ushered Liliana in quickly. 

She wrapped her arms around his body tightly the second she could and held him against her happily, breathing him in and kissing the spot of his neck she could reach without going onto her tiptoes. 

‘I’m so proud of you,’ she mumbled into his skin as he pushed the door closed again. ‘So incredibly proud.’ 

‘I did alright then? I was weirdly nervous with you being in the audience. I wanted to be perfect for you.’ 

Liliana pushed Taron away enough to look at him fully. ‘You did amazing, baby. So amazing. I find the fact that you got nervous very sweet though. I have a gift for you as a congratulations on a great show, but it’s at home…in your bed…naked.’ 

Taron’s eyes lit up as he leaned down to kiss Liliana, his hands finding purchase on her rear. ‘That sounds fun.’ 

‘I’m going to Aber in a couple of weeks,’ Liliana said quickly. ‘I need to go and see Matilda. I’m sorry it’s last minute, and I hope you hadn’t made any plans but I need to-’ 

‘Lil, it’s okay. Do you need me to drive you there? I’m more than happy to. I’ll even come with you in general so that you’re not on your own in the house with Eliza.’ 

Taron knew how hard it was for Liliana to go back to Aberystwyth in general, but he knew with the way she’d told him she needed to see Matilda, her eyes not quite as sparkly as they normally were when her sister was mentioned, that she was going to talk about important things with her, and he knew how difficult that conversation would be for Liliana. 

Liliana smiled at him softly and leaned herself against him, her hands gripping the hem of his t-shirt tightly. ‘I’ll be okay,’ she mumbled against him. ‘I need it to just be Matilda and I when I talk to her. And I need to go back and spend the time with Matilda without being distracted by you and your body, and your lips.’ 

Taron leaned down to kiss her softly before he nodded in understanding. 

‘I also couldn’t possibly pull you away from work. Not after I saw you perform tonight.’ 

It was then that Taron realised just how much Liliana would always put everybody else first, and he decided that he would always put her first. He wouldn’t allow her to become an afterthought any longer. She deserved to be put first and to be somebody’s priority, and Taron was going to make her his. 

‘You should have heard the group of girls in the row behind me. They kept giggling and ogling you the entire time. And when you looked at me, they thought you were looking at them and would fangirl so hard.’ 

‘I spent my entire performance ogling you, Love Bug. They weren’t even on my radar. But I’m glad they got a kick out of my love for you. If you don’t need me there with you, do you want me to drive you?’ 

Liliana shook her head. ‘I’ve booked a train. Thank you though. I leave on the 8th and come back on the 15th.’ 

‘You’re going for a week?’ Liliana nodded. ‘Are you sure that you’re going to be okay for that long on your own? I’m only asking because I don’t want you to have to go through what you went through at Christmas again.’ 

‘I need to go for the week. I have too much to talk to Matilda about, and I’ve not seen her since Christmas which was a shit show anyway so I need to make it up to her. Eliza is working while I’m there anyway so she’ll see it as free childcare for Matilda with it being the school holidays, and I can make it so I have to see her as little as possible.’ 

Taron looked at Liliana sadly, kissing the top of her head as he linked their fingers together to walk up to the dressing rooms where they could get ready to go back to his flat. To go home. 

‘I don’t like the sound of you being used as free childcare, Lil.’ 

‘That’s the thing,’ Liliana said with a soft smile, trying her best to show Taron that she was okay. ‘Eliza, which is now what I’m referring to her as, will see it that way. I see it as uninterrupted time with Matilda where I’m free to do whatever I want with her without having to ask permission. I’ve already got a list of things I want to do with her, including a girly shopping day and a cinema trip.

‘It’s going to be a week of Matilda being my only priority. I’ve emailed Martin and booked in a last minute week off work for ‘writing purposes’ so I have no work to do while I’m there. I will obviously call and text you all the time too but I want to spend as much time just Matilda and I as I can. It’s what she deserves.’ 

They rounded the corner into Taron’s dressing room and Liliana sat on the sofa near the window while Taron turned on the tiny shower in the corner of the room. 

Liliana’s head fell to her shoulder as she looked at Taron in awe. Her breath caught in her throat when he pulled his t-shirt away from his upper half and pushed his trousers down his legs. He turned to her and smirked when he saw her gawping at him. 

‘Like what you see?’ 

‘Yeah, I do,’ Liliana smiled happily.

Taron climbed into the shower after he’d taken his underwear off, but Liliana could still see him through the frosted glass door. She watched as he cleaned his body, her mind running to multiple different places, and her body aching to be closer to him. 

April 8th, 2022

Taron reached behind his head awkwardly to shut off the alarm he’d set the night before. He wanted to take Liliana to the train station seeing as though she wouldn’t let him drive her back to Aberystwyth. Liliana had insisted that he didn’t need to because it would mean he was going out of his way before work and she was a grown woman who could get to a train station on her own, but Taron insisted that he wanted to take her. 

In the end, he had persuaded her over to his side in a way that only he could, and she agreed to let him drive her to the station while she was putty in his hands. They hadn’t fallen asleep until it was past midnight, so Taron made sure to set an alarm himself so that they wouldn’t sleep in. 

He turned back around and snuggled into Liliana who was curled up in his arms. Smiling down at her, Taron tried to burn the moment to his memory. In the four weeks since they finally got together, there hadn’t been a single night where they hadn’t slept in the same bed. Going a week without feeling the warmth of Liliana pressed against him, of him pulling her closer to him when he woke up in the middle of the night, of waking up to her snuggled into him happily sleeping, was going to be hard for him. 

Not wanting to wake her up abruptly, Taron pressed his lips to Liliana’s to rouse her from her sleep. He continued to press kisses to her until he could feel her kiss him back, a soft moan of happiness vibrating through her, and even then he continued to kiss her until his second alarm went off five minutes after. 

‘Come on, Love Bug, I think we should get up now if you want to make your train.’ 

‘But your bed is comfortable, and you’re here. If it weren’t for Matilda I would not be going today,’ Liliana mumbled against Taron as she pushed herself against him more. His skin was warm against her front and she wanted to run her hands down his chest and continue with the previous night’s activities, but Taron pulled himself away before she could. ‘What are you doing?’ 

‘I love you, and as much as I would love to start something fun right now, you really do have to get up and get ready to leave. Do you want something to eat before you go? In fact, ignore that, I’m going to go and make you some breakfast and a cuppa tea. What do you fancy?’ 

Liliana was groggy as she slowly began to sit up in the bed, pulling the covers over her chest to stop from being exposed to the cool air of the room. ‘Hmm, can I just have toast and a banana please? Oh and a coffee. A big coffee. I didn’t sleep much last night.’ 

‘And whose fault is that?’ Taron asked teasingly. 

‘Oh absolutely yours.’ 

‘Whatever helps you sleep at night, Love Bug.’ Taron smiled as he leaned down to kiss her once more before he headed out to the kitchen to make breakfast. 

They had just over an hour before they had to leave and Liliana’s suitcase was packed near the front door already, so all she had to do was get ready and then put her toiletries in the suitcase before she left. 

She decided to take it steady getting ready so she grabbed one of Taron’s hoodies from his drawer and pulled it over her body, holding the sleeves like little paws in her hands. Walking into the kitchen, she smiled at Taron. 

He smiled back at her when he saw her walk through and he motioned for her to sit at one of the barstools at the kitchen island just as he finished her cup of coffee. 

Liliana took the mug from him when she had sat down and thanked him quietly before she took her first sip. Her eyes fell closed at the first drop of warmth hitting her tongue and she sighed in delight. 

‘How are you feeling about the trip?’ Taron asked when he’d finished buttering toast and joined her at the island. ‘Are you ready?’ 

‘I’m excited to see Matilda, obviously. I love spending time with her and getting to see her, but I’m also so nervous. I’ve hidden this part of me from Matilda for so long and I’m so scared that she’s going to see me differently once she knows the truth.’ 

‘Being nervous is normal,’ Taron assured her as he kissed the back of her hand delicately, ‘but I’m sure it’ll all be okay. She won’t see you as anything other than her big sister who she loves. I saw the way she looked at you at Christmas, Lil. The love and pride she has over you won’t disappear just because you share your truth with her. If anything, it’ll grow.’ 

Liliana smiled sadly. ‘I hope so. I’m also nervous about seeing mum again. I haven’t seen her since Christmas when…well, you know.’ 

Taron’s hand lifted to rub Liliana’s back as she took a bite of toast. He could feel her leg shaking underneath the table and he wanted to wrap her up in bubble wrap and protect her from ever feeling that way again. He had promised to protect her and he worried that he wouldn’t be able to protect her when he was in London and she was in Aberystwyth. 

‘I know, baby. I know. You know my mum’s door is always open. She’d be happy to see you while you’re there, if you have any free time. You could even take Matilda around and introduce her to the girls, I’m sure they’d get on like a house on fire.’ 

Liliana looked at Taron and gulped before she took a deep breath to try and calm herself. When she’d first woken up, all her nerves had been at the back of her mind, but the closer it got to leaving, the more her back heated up and her skin crawled with anxiety. 

‘That would be nice. I was hoping to maybe take an hour to see her. I meant it when I promised that I wouldn’t be a stranger anymore.’ 

‘How can you be a stranger when you’re sleeping with her son every night?’ Taron asked playfully, leaning forward to catch Liliana’s lips with his own. ‘She’ll love to see you.’ 

‘She’s going to know,’ Liliana said when she pulled away from Taron’s lips to eat more. ‘She’s going to take one look at me and know that we’re together. I don’t have a poker face when it comes to Tina. You know that. She took one look at me at Christmas and I broke. Oh god.’ 

‘Relax,’ Taron laughed. ‘Everything is going to be okay. What time do you get back next week?’ 

Liliana was thankful for the change of subject, and immediately grabbed her phone to check her train times to get home. 

‘My train gets into Euston at seven thirty. Am I coming back here or am I going back to mine?’ 

Taron swallowed his last piece of toast before replying. ‘I’ll pick you up and you can come back here. We’ll have a chilled night and you can tell me all about what you did with Matilda. How does that sound?’ 

‘It sounds as perfect as you.’ 

***

Liliana could see just how busy the train station was even from outside, and the nerves that Taron had worked so hard to ease for her came barreling to the surface again. Taron noticed immediately and unbuckled his seatbelt so he could lean over and pull her into his body. 

‘You can do this,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘You are stronger than you think. You show me a power that is strong enough to bring sun to the darkest days. I love you so much, Lil.’ 

‘I love you too, T. I’ll see you next week.’ 

Liliana kissed Taron three times on the lips before she opened her door and stepped out. Taron followed her and got her suitcase from the boot for her. He held her to him in a long hug before letting her go. 

‘You’ve got this. I’ll see you next week. If you need me, call me. I’ll be there faster than you can say my name. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of a performance. You are my priority.’ 

Liliana smiled at him as she pecked his cheek and stepped towards the station. When she got to the door she turned around and saw Taron standing by his car still, his hand in the air waving to her. She blew him a kiss before walking through the doors and into the station where she found her platform and put her earphones in. 

She spent the entire train ride listening to Harry Styles on repeat, thankful that his music helped subside the nerves, if only for a little while. When Sign of The Times came on, she smiled to herself as memories of her day in New York with Taron played on repeat in her mind. 

As her mind wandered back to the best parts of the day in New York, she couldn’t stop her mind from also wandering back to the awful part of that day. With her anxiety already through the roof because of going home and having to be around Eliza, it was all too easy for the intrusive thoughts to creep in about Taron as well. 

The past month with Taron had easily been the best of Liliana’s life. She had finally run into love rather than away from it, and Taron made her feel safer and more comfortable than anybody ever had before. But she was also acutely aware that the other shoe could still drop–and most probably would, given her track record–given the amount of baggage that she took into the relationship. 

Taron was comforting and understood her life and how hard she had it now, but how would that change in a year? Or in five years? Or if they ever got married and had children? How long could he continue to be there for her before he began to resent her and the emotional damage she carried with her everyday? 

Liliana was already so deeply and emotionally attached to Taron that she knew if, and when, he decided he’d had enough of her, that it would break her completely. That thought scared her more than anything else. She’d lost him before and it had broken her. To lose him again would shatter every piece of her. 

Tears threatened to spill over as she let the intrusive thoughts ruin her mood even more than it was already, and it was only when the train jolted roughly around a bend that she snapped out of it and wiped the tears away. Harry was still playing through her earphones and she had to pause the music to come around. 

She hadn’t realised that she had spent most of the train ride distracted by her thoughts, and that she was only thirty minutes away from Aberystwyth. She resolved herself to get her emotions under control so that she could be strong for Matilda, no matter the daggers that Eliza would throw her way throughout the week. 

When the nerves come back and music does nothing to help, she opens her messages with Taron and scrolls back to find all of the photos and videos that Taron had sent to her over the weeks since they’d been together, including one that he sent her of Jonathan running around the theatre demanding to be called Viscount.

Liliana recalled each adorable text and all of the selfies Taorn had sent soothed her mind and put a big smile on her face. They had such a way of reassuring her that Taron cared for her deeply. 

Wiping under her eyes, Liliana could only imagine how crazy she must have looked to everyone else on the train carriage with her, with her smudged mascara and smile. She chuckled to herself softly. 

Just as she went to watch another video, a text from Taron came through and her heart fluttered at his name. 

I love you. How are you feeling? Xx

Liliana took a deep breath before typing her reply to Taron, checking the carriage to make sure that the ticket conductor wasn’t on their way over. 

I love you too. I won’t lie, I am shitting myself. But I don’t think I’m telling her today which is helping. I don’t want to put a damper on the entire trip. Might leave it until the night before I come home. Is that a bad idea? Xx 

Liliana watched as the three dots appeared almost instantly underneath her message. 

If you feel like that is going to help then do that, Love Bug. If you do decide that you need me there just text me okay? I meant it when I said I’ll be there faster than you can say my name. I promise you. You don’t have to be on your own for this. Or ever xx

That’s one of many reasons why I love you. I promise I’ll let you know if I need you. I’m almost in Aber now so I’ll message you later when I’m settled xx

Don’t forget my mum’s door is always open if you need it xx

***

April 13th, 2022 

The first few days of Liliana’s trip back to Aberystwyth were filled with activities with Matilda, as she had promised herself to do. 

She had bought train tickets to Birmingham so that they could have a girly shopping day in all of the big stores they didn’t have in Aber, and Liliana introduced Matilda to frappuccinos from Starbucks. 

Taron sent Liliana money so that they could go for a meal while they were there, much to Liliana’s protests. They wound up eating in a fancy restaurant and Matilda couldn’t stop gushing about how much fun she was having, which Liliana was thankful for.

Liliana took Matilda to the cinema where they ate their weight in pick and mix, and drank more Tango Ice Blasts than they could count. On the way home they had to stop multiple times to use the toilet, and when they got back and had to eat the casserole that Eliza had made for them, they both looked at each other in regret before laughing and forcing the food down. 

Matilda had crawled into Liliana’s bed most nights and slept curled up beside her, which Liliana loved. She’d never gotten to have sleepovers with Matilda and she’d hated it. Each time she felt the bed dip, she would scoot over enough for Matilda to climb in before wrapping her in her arms and holding her tightly. 

They spent an unseasonably warm day at the beach where they built sandcastles and buried one another’s feet in the sand. They ate ice cream and fish and chips–which they had to shield from seagulls–and ran into the water and stayed until their feet went numb from the cold. 

Matilda told Liliana all about school and her best friends, and the one boy she thought was cute. Liliana told Matilda about her time in school, and how she and Taron used to go to Constitution Hill all of the time to sit and watch the sea and talk about things they’d kept secret. 

When Matilda asked Liliana if she could show her the hill, Liliana didn’t hesitate, though she did make sure that they went up in the funicular because she was too tired to walk all the way up. They sat in the same spot that Liliana and Taron used to sit in, and Liliana was tempted to tell Matilda about everything while they were there. 

The hill had always been the place where she could reveal her secrets without feeling like they would get anywhere else. Everything she said was washed away with the sea, floating away so that she felt light. But as she looked at Matilda, who looked at the sea with the same awe that Liliana did, she knew she couldn’t ruin the moment. 

On days where it was raining, they spent the day at home watching films and baking. One day they made pizzas for everyone and despite the tension between Liliana and Eliza, they all sat and ate together in the living room while watching The Princess Diaries, Matilda’s new favourite film.

Liliana had told herself to be strong for Matilda throughout the week and she had stayed true to her promise, even on the days when Eliza wasn’t working and would drop in her usual passive-aggressive comments at every opportunity. Liliana took each comment on the chin for Matilda’s sake, despite her instinct being to run out of the house and straight to Tina’s where she could wait for Taron to get to her and hold her close. 

Between shows in a two show day, Taron Facetimed Liliana so that he could catch up with her but also so that he could talk to Matilda. She was just as enamoured by him as she was at Christmas, and she talked his ear off about school and the things she had done with Liliana. 

The entire time, Taron listened intently and Liliana just watched the two from the side, smiling to herself. Matilda wouldn’t stop talking about Taron when they got off the phone, and had asked if they could talk to him again the next day. 

Liliana had explained that he was busy with work but that she would ask when he was free next so that they could chat to him again. 

Most nights before she fell asleep, and before Matilda joined her in her bedroom, Liliana would cry to Taron on the phone. She felt as though she had missed out on so much of Matilda’s life, and missed seeing her grow up from the tiny baby she first met to an almost teenager who had crushes. Taron could tell that Liliana struggled during their calls, and it broke his heart that he wasn’t there for her where he could hold her in his arms and soothe her. 

‘I couldn’t ever live near Eliza again, but I wish I lived closer to Matilda,’ she told Taron one evening when he called her. ‘Does that even make any sense?’ 

‘It does, Lil,’ Taron replied softly. He’d just climbed into bed after work and rolled over to face Liliana’s side. He missed her more than he thought he would. ‘Do you want to go to my mums? I can text her now and tell her that you’re staying. My bedroom is probably all set up.’ 

‘I’ll be okay. I’ve promised Matilda that we’ll go out for breakfast tomorrow and I still have to tell her everything. Thank you though, honey.’ 

Liliana could hear Taron’s smile through the phone. And she could feel his anxiety and worry for her too. 

‘You are an incredible big sister. You know that, right? The best big sister ever.’

‘You’re just saying that to make me feel better,’ Liliana pouted even though Taron wouldn’t be able to see. She’d hardly been there for Matilda and the guilt ate at her daily. 

‘No I’m not. I’m not just saying that. Look at everything you’d done with her these past few days. You’ve travelled to Birmingham, you’ve spent time at the beach and gone to the cinema. You took her up the hill and made forts and homemade pizzas. You’ve watched all of the films she’s wanted to see and you’ve made sure that she knows you’re there.

‘You’ve done more with Matilda in these past few days than I can guarantee anybody has done with her in a long while. And she’s going to remember this time for the rest of her life, I know it. You didn’t see the way she looked at you when we Facetimed. She looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars specifically for her.’ 

‘If I could have, I would.’ 

‘I know you would have. Which is why you’re the best big sister.’ 

‘She turns eleven this year and I bought her a build-a-bear in Birmingham. I recorded a voice message telling her how much I love her so that she can squeeze it and hear my voice whenever she wants to. How sad is that?’ Liliana let out a breathy laugh as she snuggled further into the covers. 

Time was ticking on and she knew that it wouldn’t be long before Matilda came crawling into bed with her. As much as she was excited to get back home and be with Taron, she would miss having her little sister go to her for comfort on a night. 

‘That’s not sad,’ Taron said sincerely, and Liliana could hear the crack in his voice. ‘That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. And I’m getting choked up thinking about it.’ 

‘Aw, T, you’re adorable. Like a little teddy bear. I am also so sorry that I’m burdening you with all of this. You’re probably exhausted from work and now you’re on the phone with me and I’m foisting all this on you. Get some sleep. I love you.’

Liliana choked back her own tears because she wanted to be able to compose herself before Matilda came into her room. 

‘You are never a burden, Liliana. Please don’t think that. And it isn’t a burden to share how you feel at all. You can always talk to me about anything. I’m always going to be in your corner, Lil. I hope you know that.’ Taron had hoped she could hear the sincerity in his voice. 

After they said their goodbyes and shared how much they loved one another again, Taron knew that he had to do something special for Liliana when she got back to London. He began thinking of a way to surprise her and let her know how special she was not only to him, but to everyone important in her life.

[sirsell]

I'm here

Quick authors note: This is the sixth chapter of my story I'm here. You can find the first chapter here.

I'm more active on Wattpad so feel free to come check out my page over there

English is not my first language so please correct me if you find any mistakes.

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

Chapter 6

Three weeks had gone by since then and now I was sitting on the couch in Scarlett's New York Apartment. Our flight had arrived around 5pm and now it was 7pm and I was sitting on the couch, after I was told to sit and wait while she made dinner. "Baby. Dinners ready, if you want you can come into the kitchen." I turned my head and saw Scarlett standing in the kitchen, her back to me. Her hair was pulled up in a bun and she was wearing a big, white sweater. I got up and walked towards the kitchen. "You need help?" I asked, looking around, trying to find something to do. "No, it's all good. Go sit down and wait. I thought maybe we could go shopping tomorrow. To get some stuff for your room and for the school." Scarlett suggested and I nodded. "Okay, but you really don't need to pay for me. I've got everything I have." I quickly said, giving her a short smile.

"Lottie. Your shoes are like two numbers to small, you don't have anything for your new school and almost new clothes. We need to get you some stuff." She answered quickly and I just shrugged, but she just smiled and put the pot with noodles onto the table, before she set the table with two plates and cutlery.

"What do you want to drink? We've got water or apple juice." "Uhm water please." She nodded and poured water into my glass. "I hope you like it." She smiled and we started to eat. Even though it was a simple dish it was nice and better than anything I would've had at home right now. "I was thinking we could watch a movie after dinner." I nodded a little, but didn't give her a specific answer. So she just sighed but nodded. "If you'd like, we could watch one of your old movies. You know one of those you played in as a kid." She asked and gave me a big smile. "Sure. If you'd like." She laughed out loud. "Most actors don't want to see their old movies." "Well I've never seen them apart from the premiere."  She looked surprised. "Really? We gotta see them. Which movie was it again. The last Mimzy and The legend of Longwood. Right?"  I nodded and continued to eat. Scarlett was dine and waited for me to finish. But I was slowly getting full. "I'm done." I mumbled and she nodded but I could see that she wasn't satisfied and wanted me to eat more. "Alright. I'll clean up. You go sit down and see if you find the movies on Netflix or something. " "Kay." I got up and sat back down on the couch, turning the TV on and scrolling through the Pay TV options till I found The Last Mimzy. 

"Look what I found." Scarlett took a seat next to me and put down two small bowls with sweets. "Let's start." I leaned back as I watched the movie. Every now and then I started to laugh at the memories of filming the movie coming back. "Thanks for watching this movie with me." 

"Come on let's get you to bed." She gave me a little smile while turning the TV off. I nodded and followed her up the stairs. "This is your room. Tomorrow we'll pick up some stuff you like, but if you need something tonight. Just tell me okay?" I nodded and gave her a short smile. "Thanks."She nodded and gave me a short hug, before she left the room. I opened my bag and pulled out my Pj's. The lamp in the bathroom flickered when I turned it but it illuminated the small room. I slipped on my Pjs and brushed my teeth before turning the light off and curling up under the blanket. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep, since I was absolutely exhausted. 

The next thing I knew was Scarlett gently shaking me awake. "Good morning." I looked up at her before lifting my arm and putting my hand over my eyes, in hopes to block out the light. "Morning." I mumbled back. "Get up Lottie. We have a lot to do today." I sighed but sat up and started getting ready for the day. Scarlett was already waiting in the kitchen, fully dressed, wearing makeup, completely awake and most importantly she had finished preparing breakfast. "After we finished breakfast we'll go shopping. You need new clothes and some stuff for school and if you want things for your room." I just nodded while drinking the hot chocolate she had put down in front of me. She handed me a bowl of oatmeal and fruits.

"I think we should go there first."  She said about forty minutes later in the middle of a shopping center. I followed her gaze to the H&M and just nodded, not caring as long as we'd be home soon. "Do you like this?" She held up a dark blue sweater and I nodded, thankfully she wasn't showing me a dress. "Yeah that's nice." She sighed, but nodded. "Why don't you take a look for  yourself and pick some stuff you like? When you come back I'd like to see five things that you'd like to wear, okay?" "Okay." I started to walk around the store and look at the clothes just to come back with three sweaters, two black with a white print and one dark blue, and a checkered shirt. She nodded and started to pull out stuff in exactly my style, almost every thing she showed me I liked. 

"Okay now shoes and school things." The blonde said as she pulled me to the register and paid, making me feel bad. "I'll pay you back." I promised but she just shook her head. "You're officially my daughter, stop thinking about it." I nodded, but was still biting on my lip. "Now let's go there." I followed her into a stationary store, where apart from dozens of pencils I also had to choose notepads. "You'll need them once you go back to school." Because apparently I'd start a new school here in New York in a few days. A new school with new teachers and new students. I had tried to persuade Scarlett to teach me at home but she was against it. 'You need friends your age'. Was her argument and afterwards she ended the discussion.

By now we were back in the apartment, where I was laying on my bed trying to sleep. Tomorrow we'd decorate my room and since we had been out for most of the day Scarlett had sent me to bed early, but I couldn't sleep. Restless I turned from side to side, trying to relax, counting sheep, but nothing helped. After a whole while of restless moving I got up to get me something to drink. "Lottie why are you still awake?" Apparently Scarlett was also awake, since she was sitting at the table, looking through some files. "Can't sleep." I mumbled, pouring myself a glass of water. "Why not?" She had closed the files and gave me her whole attention. I started to drink my water to get a second to gather my thoughts, but in the end I just shrugged and put the glass into the sink. "Come I'll get you back to bed." She gently pulled me with my hand back into my room, where she got into bed next to me and started to stroke through my hair. "Close your eyes baby." She whispered and her fingers were lightly scratching over my scalp, my head was laying close to her chest, so I could hear her heart beat slow and calm. Lulling me to sleep. "Good night." I heard and felt her lips onto my forehead and fell asleep.

*Scarletts P.o.V.* 

I watched the sleeping child in my arms. Her hair was open and framed her calm face. Her breath was calm and I felt her whole body relax. While watching her I remembered the file I had read just before. It was a recommendation from her social worker to take her to a psychologist, before the trial would start, because she had to give her statement and we were worried she wouldn't be able to give it, without breaking down. I already knew she'd hate it, but it would probably help her. Maybe she'd sleep better and feel less scared to do something wrong.

[helloalycia]

The Wrong Lifetime — Epilogue // Wanda Maximoff

chapter fourteen | story masterlist | main masterlist | wattpad

author’s note: the final part is here! thanks again to everyone who stuck around with this fic, i really appreciate it 😊💗 now enjoy!!

The sound of a rooster crowing pulled me from my slumber and I groaned when I realised I definitely wasn't getting back to bed anytime soon.

Quiet laughter came from beside me and I didn't have to open my eyes to know that Wanda was finding my disgruntled self entertaining.

"I said yes to the chickens," I mumbled tiredly, not opening my eyes as I stupidly thought it would let me contain my sleep for a little bit longer, "but I should have drawn the line at the rooster."

Her fingers grasped my shoulder as she rolled over to hover above me. I squinted through my tired eyes, seeing the amused smile on her lips as she looked down at me. Despite how much of a morning person I wasn't, I appreciated how beautiful she looked with bed hair and a nightie.

"Shut up," she said jokingly, and I closed my eyes again. "You love them."

I rolled my eyes beneath closed lids. "I'd love to cook them, sure."

She slapped my shoulder gently. "Don't talk about Nikolai, Vanya and Sonia like that!"

A smile ghosted my lips. The first thing she'd done when getting the damn chickens was name them the most Sokovian names she could think of – I shouldn't have expected anything less. Though, now it meant she was extremely attached to them.

"My apologies, love," I mumbled.

She hummed disapprovingly before putting her whole body weight on top of me and hugging me. I sighed contently, resting an arm around her waist and appreciating the feeling of her so close to me. I could have fallen back asleep in this position if it wasn't for Wanda's wide-awake, curious self. Why did she have to be such a morning person?

"So, what are your plans for today?" she asked, fingers scratching against my shoulder blade tenderly.

I exhaled calmly. "I'm going to attempt to fall back asleep right now... then I'll let you know afterwards when I wake up."

She didn't say anything after that, and I was stupid to believe I'd gotten away with it because she suddenly got up and straddled me, jumping up slightly and startling me awake.

"Wake up!" she ordered, too hyper for my sleepy self.

I groaned, rubbing my eyes and finally opening them to see her looking down at me with a grin, hair falling around her face. There was a hint of annoyance in my expression as I narrowed my eyes, but she ignored it as she rested her hands on my chest.

"I hate you," I muttered.

"You're up now, so let's do something," she insisted, making me roll my eyes. "We should go on a walk. It's pretty outside. The sun's rising and it'll be fun!"

The sun's rising because its bloody dawn and that damn rooster crows at the same time every day, leaving me disgruntled and annoyed.

But of course, I didn't have the energy to explain that to Wanda, so I simply shook my head and closed my eyes. "Maybe tomorrow, Wanda."

She suddenly leaned down, jolting me slightly and making me open my eyes. She was inches away from my face as she pouted.

"Not tomorrow, now!" she exclaimed loudly, before leaning forward and peppering kisses all over my face.

I sighed, keeping her stable by resting a hand on her waist, but not appreciating the fact that falling asleep would definitely be a challenge now.

"I love you, Wanda, but please keep it down," I said quietly, still not used to her energy so early in the morning.

"Tell me what I can do to wake you up," she said sternly, stopping kissing me and sitting upright again.

"Absolutely nothing, love."

"Oh? Nothing?"

I hummed and closed my eyes again, getting used to her weight on top of me and deciding I could probably fall back asleep if she was quiet long enough. Wishful thinking, of course.

Her fingers found mine and she slowly lifted my hand, putting it underneath her dress and on her thigh. I knew what she was doing – it was cute – but it wouldn't work.

Not even bothering to open my eyes, I said, "Wanda, darling, we've been together for three years. I am able to resist your charm, believe it or not."

"Really?" she asked challengingly, letting go of my hand and resting hers on my shoulders. "I don't believe you."

Before I could counter her with a response, she leaned down and began nibbling on my ear softly. It was a sensation I was familiar with, but I refused to let her get her way, so I ignored her stubbornly. She knew me too well though, as she let go of my ear and trailed kisses down my neck before sucking on the skin sensually. Admittedly, I was a lot more awake then I was thirty seconds ago, definitely aroused by the gorgeous woman on top of me, but she couldn't win this. Not when she was playing very unfairly.

"Wanda," I said with a warning tone, squeezing her thigh and signalling for her to stop.

I should have figured that would provoke her even more, as she manoeuvred herself so her knee was now pressing between my legs. I'm ashamed to admit that I gasped into her shoulder at the sudden pressure, and judging from the quiet laugh she let out, she was very much aware of the effect she had on me.

"I told you you couldn't resist," she said knowingly, raising her head from my neck so she could meet my eyes.

Hers were darkened with pleasure and mischievousness, darting to my lips. I glared at her.

"I really hate you."

She shook her head, tongue wetting her lips, as a playful smirk stared down at me. "No you don't. Now lose the nightdress, moya lyubov' (my love)."

I tried to retort, but she closed the gap between us, lips capturing mine in a heated kiss. I definitely didn't mind being woken up like this...

—

After actually getting out of bed, I reluctantly agreed to go on a walk with Wanda, strolling around our premises and making the most of the countryside we lived in. As much as I didn't want to admit, I was glad she'd dragged me outside, since the morning stroll only made me appreciate our home more.

When we returned, Wanda went to her studio whilst I made us some tea in the kitchen, hoping to warm us up after the slight chill in the Autumn air. I joined her soon enough, smiling when I saw how involved she was with her work in no time. The studio was big enough for her to make a mess and it not seem so messy since it was spacious enough. I shouldn't have expected any different – Wanda couldn't tidy up to save her life.

"One day I'm going trip over your things," I announced as I stepped over some loose materials by the door, teacup and saucer in hand.

She chuckled, though her attention was still on her painting. "When that day finally comes, I'll clean up. Promise."

"Of course," I muttered sarcastically.

I stopped behind her and studied the painting she was working on. It was a close-up of a flower bed, with intricate details being put in the flowers themselves and ladybirds flying around. Wanda sensed my presence and accepted the tea from my hand, smiling at me gratefully before blowing on it to cool it down.

"Is this that commission you got last week?" I asked curiously.

She nodded, unaware of the paint streaks on her face. I rested a hand on her shoulder and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, smiling at how adorable she was.

"The guy is paying double for me to put twelve ladybirds in the painting," she explained with amusement. "He wants to be able to count every single one."

I snorted with laughter. "Wow. That's very strange."

She shrugged, though I knew she was thinking the same. "A commission's a commission... is it evil if I only put eleven in?"

I laughed, nodding. She glanced up at me with a bright smile on her lips.

"It's very evil," I told her, before squeezing her shoulder.

She grabbed my hand on her shoulder, holding it comfortingly. "D'you want to do some gardening later?"

"Sure. I've just gotta do some work on my manuscript first. The writer's block is real."

"Of course," she said, giving me a knowing look. "Best-selling authors don't just become best-selling authors without putting in the work."

I rolled my eyes at her comment, but a smile played on my lips. "I'm leaving now."

She chuckled and I pressed a kiss to her cheek, trying not to get paint on my lips.

"Good luck with the writing," she said as I began to leave.

"And you with the painting," I called back.

Today was nothing special – probably a regular day when it came to Wanda and I's lives – but it made me smile. If the past three years had taught me anything, it was to be grateful for the mundane.

After Wanda broke things off with Y/B/N, it took a while for both of our families to recuperate. In their eyes, Y/B/N had broken things off because he wasn't interested in Wanda anymore, hence our parents' reaction. And Wanda's parents were upset because they believed it was her fault that Y/B/N wasn't interested, hence their reaction.

Our relationship with the Maximoffs was inescapable though, since Y/B/N and I were authors of theirs, so we had to mend what was broken. The only person who knew the truth about Wanda breaking it off with Y/B/N, apart from me and him, was Pietro. He didn't know why, but he knew that it was Wanda's choice.

After things calmed down between our families and everybody's anger had faded, around about the time that my second book was released, I'd saved enough money from the sales to buy a place of my own. With my father's help, I was able to buy a cottage in the countryside – the perfect place for privacy and to do my writing.

It was surprising that I got help from my dad, since I half expected him to be against the idea. But he was so proud of me for achieving all I had that he was happy to help. So, I got my own place and the first thing I did was invite Wanda to live with me. Nobody really saw it as more than two friends living together, especially since Wanda had started selling her paintings under a male pseudonym. Her parents were only reluctant because they wanted her to get married, but after she told them that she didn't want to and stood her ground, they left her alone.

I think they realised that they couldn't exactly stop her, and if they tried to, they'd lose their daughter in the process. So, to Wanda and I's excitement, we were moving in together...

"Are we there yet?" Wanda asked for the millionth time.

"Terpeniye (patience)," I told her, and felt her smile beneath my hands that were covering her eyes.

"Nice pronunciation," she commented, and I couldn't tell if she was teasing or not.

We finally stopped before the cottage and I was buzzing with excitement. I'd chosen it with Wanda in mind, a surprise for her, since I knew she'd only ever wanted to live in a place like this. What better way to give her that then now with me?

"Okay, this is it," I announced, removing my hands from her face.

I stepped beside her, leaning forward to see her reaction. She was raising her eyebrows with surprise, taking in the appearance of the front of the cottage. It was in a lovely field with tall trees and colourful flowers surrounding it. Vines had overgrown the bricks, but it looked stunning and I hoped Wanda would think the same.

Her lips curved upwards into a grin of disbelief. "This is it? This is ours?"

I pulled the key from my pocket and held it out towards her. "It is. All ours."

She laughed wholeheartedly, jumping up with excitement before grabbing the key and pulling me into a hug. I laughed alongside her, returning the hug, before pressing a kiss to her cheek and motioning to the door.

"Do the honours and I'll show you around," I told her with a smile.

She was practically beaming as she moved to the door, opening it. Her excitement only intensified when she saw the living-room it extended into, a large fireplace in the centre of the back wall and the furniture already in place.

"We can change the décor," I told her as I showed her around. "This came with the place, but we can change it up to however we want."

"I love it."

I intertwined our fingers, admiring the sparkle of delight in her blue eyes as she looked around the place eagerly. That was the look that made this whole thing worth it.

"You've not even see the best bit," I said, before tugging her into the hallway. "There's a kitchen and our bedroom and of course, a study for me, but this is the bit I know you'll love."

She watched with curiosity but allowed me to skip the other rooms and show her the room that I envisioned as her art studio. It was a spacious room, filled with random, old furniture from the previous owners, but I ignored it and stepped further inside, facing Wanda.

"This can be your studio!" I exclaimed, motioning around me. "Look, here can be where your desk can be." I pointed to the left wall, the space in front of it. "You can get some shelves put here for your supplies. And here–" I pointed to the space before the window at the back, "–is where you can paint on your easels. The natural light will be perfect!"

She followed my every move, hanging onto my every word, and nodded along with a joyful expression.

"I can't believe you've already thought about it," she admitted.

"Come here," I said, waving my hand for her to join me. She did and I wrapped an arm around her waist, stopping before the window. "You see that?"

"The perfect view," she realised, eyes wide as they took in the view of the garden, which I planned to show her next. "It's beautiful."

"You can paint everything there," I said with a nod. "The trees. The flowers. And this place isn't far from the train station, so we can take some day trips, too."

She leaned into my side gratefully. "Y/N, I love it. All of it."

My heart fluttered as she said that, it being all I wanted to hear.

"We can also get the coop for the chickens you wanted," I reminded her, before pointing out the window. "Right there. We'll get fresh eggs and they're cute – what's not to love?"

She pulled apart, arms still laced around me, and I waited to see what she thought. Her eyes twinkled in the sunlight coming from the window, matching the smile on her lips. Then she moved forward quickly, kissing me hard and leaving me no chance to react before she pulled away.

"I have no words," she said softly, caressing my cheek. "I'm so grateful."

My face was warm as I smiled shyly. "I'm glad. You know I'd do anything for you."

Her smile widened as she leaned in again. "Thank you."

Moving in with her was the best thing to happen to me, and my dream of being published had come true, so that was saying a lot. We both knew we could never get married and be together in public, but this was the next best thing. We had our own little slice of heaven to merely be, and it was perfect. She could paint as much as she liked and I could write as much as I liked, the two of us making a living and not having to rely on husbands we didn't love.

The only people who knew about the truth of our relationship was Steve. I knew I could never trust my family with the truth, knowing liking women was very different to becoming a writer. So, I was content with them living in denial about why Wanda and I lived together. Wanda was the same with her parents, but it was a few months into moving in when she decided she wanted to tell Pietro.

I was obviously hesitant, since Pietro was a standup guy, the reason I was even as successful as I was, but I wasn't sure if he'd be okay with discovering his sister liked women and I was the one she was with. Wanda was certain he'd understand though, since he was her twin and would only want the best for her. Plus, according to her, he loved me, so he wouldn't have a problem with it.

He was her twin at the end of the day, and nobody knew him better than her, so I trusted her to tell him and decided we could do it at dinner, inviting both him, Steve and Peggy over. Peggy didn't know about Wanda and I either, but I wanted to tell her, so we decided to do it together...

"We've been here three times and it still makes me jealous how peaceful it is," Peggy complimented as the five of us sat around the kitchen table. "No annoying neighbours. No nosy townspeople. It's perfect."

"Thank you," Wanda said with a friendly smile. "That's why we love it, too."

"Are you all finished?" I asked, standing up to grab mine and Wanda's plates.

"Oh, please, let me help," Pietro offered, about to stand up, but I shook my head.

"It's okay, I've got it," I politely declined, before stacking the plates together to take to the sink.

I glanced at Wanda and she gave me a knowing look before clearing her throat and looking to her brother.

"Piet, can you help me with something in my studio?" she asked him casually. "There's a lightbulb I can't quite reach."

He nodded and wiped his face with his napkin. "Er, sure." He looked to everyone else. "If you'll excuse me."

The two of them left the kitchen, leaving me with Steve and Peggy. I distracted myself with putting the plates in the sink before popping the kettle on, knowing they'd want tea.

"Dinner was lovely, Y/N, thank you for tonight," Steve started, easing the tension he knew I was feeling. I'd told him my intentions before inviting them and he was completely okay with the idea. "You and Wanda seem to be more and more comfortable every time we come here."

I leaned against the counter as I smiled gratefully at him, knowing he was giving me an opening to tell Peggy the truth.

"Yeah, we are," I said, eyes flickering to Peggy's as she watched on with interest. "We, er..."

My mouth went dry as the words I'd practiced in the mirror this morning escaped me. I'd only ever told Steve about Wanda and I, and that was by accident. I knew Peggy wouldn't judge me, but it was still terrifying to admit.

"Y/N, sweetie, are you okay?" Peggy asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

I nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, sorry..." I just had to say it. No more overthinking. "Wanda and I are together. As more than more friends. I'm in love with her."

Peggy raised her brows with surprise, barely believing it, but then she glanced at Steve and knew I was being serious. I let out a breath of relief, glad that I'd finally said it.

She stood up from her seat and I was half-afraid she'd leave altogether, but she didn't. She walked to me and pulled me in for a hug, squeezing me gently.

"Thank you for trusting me with such an important thing," she said, pulling away and smiling at me gently. "I guess it makes sense. You both compliment each other well and make each other happy. It's beautiful to see."

"Thank you," I said, returning her smile. "That means a lot coming from you."

She nodded and glanced at her husband. "I take it Steve already knew."

He raised his hands in defence. "Hey, I basically figured it out myself!"

She rolled her eyes playfully and I couldn't help but laugh.

"He did," I backed him up. "And he was the only person to know, so I owe him a lot. He gave me the support I wanted when I had nobody else."

Peggy smiled endearingly at Steve before looking to me with kind eyes. "Well, now you're not alone. You have me, too."

"I know. I'm glad."

"Does anybody else know? Or is it just Steve and I?" she asked hesitantly.

"Just you two," I explained. "My family would never understand. Especially with Wanda and her history with my brother. Same with her family. But she's actually telling Pietro about us now. I can only hope he'll take it well."

Peggy was certain as she said, "I'm sure he will."

I made tea for all of us and joined Peggy and Steve at the table as we waited for the Maximoff twins' return. Eventually, Wanda returned with her brother in tow and judging by the smile on her face, I could only hope it went well. Though I noticed the tear streaks on her cheeks and joined her side with mild concern.

"Are you okay?" I asked, grabbing her hand, but I didn't get chance to hear a response as I felt myself being lifted off the ground.

"Y/N!" Pietro exclaimed in my ear, hugging me from behind. "Welcome to the family, sestra (sister)!"

He set me down and stepped beside his sister, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and tugging her close. A grin was directed my way as Wanda's cheeks dusted pink. She was glowing with happiness, her brother's opinion mattering the most, and it warmed my heart to witness.

"I see things went well," I noticed, before smiling at Pietro. "Thank you, Pietro. It means a lot to have your support. Though you know this doesn't make me your sister, right?"

"Yet," he pointed out, making me sigh. "You know, I always suspected you had the hots for my sister, but I could never be sure."

Now it was my turn to flush with embarrassment, especially when Steve and Peggy laughed from the sidelines.

"Wanda's happiness is all that matters to me," he continued, looking to his sister with a genuine smile. "I'm glad she picked the right Y/L/N."

I chuckled awkwardly, eyes falling to a nervous Wanda. "Me and you both, mate." He laughed, patting me on the back, and I gave him an appreciative nod. "Seriously, though, thank you, Pietro. Your approval means a lot."

"No problem," he said with a shrug. "I'm always here if you need me."

"As are we," Peggy added, before looking to Wanda. "Both of you. Anything you need, ever, just let us know. It's what we're here for."

"Thank you," Wanda said for both of us, and when she looked my way, I knew she was thinking the same thing I was.

We were lucky that the most important people in our lives knew the truth about us and were supportive. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

—

As promised, after spending the morning on my manuscript and Wanda with her commission, we went into the garden to do some gardening. And by we, I meant I was doing it as she attempted to help out beside me.

"Hey, I think there's something stuck here," Wanda said, fingers stuck in a pot of soil.

"Then pull it out," I said like it was obvious, trying not to laugh.

I continued to rake the plant beds before me so I could eventually plant some vegetable seeds when Wanda's adamant voice spoke up again.

"I think you should check it out, Y/N, I can't seem to get it."

"Wanda..."

"Come on!" she insisted, and I sighed dramatically before dropping my rake and heading towards her.

Kneeling down beside her, I took a peek in the plant pot and put my hand in, rooting around until my fingers found something metal.

"It seems to be a ring," I realised, pulling it out and dusting the soil off it. "Maybe the suppliers of the soil dropped it in accidentally. Or maybe a bird dropped it in the pot without you realising..." I chewed on my lip with thought. "Huh. Well, here you go."

I gave it back to Wanda and prepared myself to stand back up, but Wanda groaned and facepalmed.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" I asked with an amused smile.

She looked up at me through parted fingers. "It's my ring."

"How many times have I told you to stop wearing rings when we're gardening?!" I said questioningly, shaking my head. "Stuff like this always happens!"

She rolled her eyes and looked up to the sky. "Why am I in love with an idiot?"

"Wanda–"

"It's for you," she said, holding out the ring.

I furrowed my brows. "Well, why didn't you just– wait." My eyes widened as I realised what she was implying, feeling stupid for not realising sooner. "Is this– are you– huh?"

Wanda swallowed nervously before clutching the ring tightly and meeting my gaze. "I've been in love with you for a long time, you know that," she said softly, her accent thick with emotion. "The time we've spent here in our little safe haven has been the best of my life. And I... I know we live in a world that won't let us be together. But that hasn't stopped us."

My heart was hammering in my chest as Wanda offered me a small, nervous smile. We'd never talked about marriage since we were so content in our little bubble, but clearly she'd thought about it without me knowing. I guess I had, too. But I never expected either of us to do anything about it.

"I know we can never really be married, but what is marriage if not a union between two people who are in love anyway? I mean, we basically already have that." She snickered to ease her nerves, then licked her lips shakily, eyes tearing up. "I'm asking you to marry me and if you say yes, I'll know you're my wife and that's all that'll matter... so Y/N Y/L/N. Will you marry me?"

I didn't even need to think about it. Wanda was the love of my life and just like she'd said, the past three years had been the best. We could never truly be married in the eyes of the world, but she'd be my wife and that would be enough. She'd always be enough.

"Of course I will, Wanda," I answered, tears of happiness slipping from my eyes.

She raised her eyebrows. "Yes? You said yes?"

I laughed, nodding, and leaned forward to kiss her. She returned the favour, salty tears mingling between our lips, but it didn't matter because she was going to be my wife and that's all I could think about.

Our smiles broke the kiss and I wiped her tears away with my thumb before pressing another kiss to her lips.

"Here, let me put this on you," she said between laughter, hands fumbling as she tried to find mine.

I put out my hand and let her slide the ring on my finger. It was a simple silver band with a small, elegant gemstone sat on top, perfect for someone like me who didn't like anything too flashy.

"It's beautiful, Wanda, thank you," I said, smiling through my tears.

"I've been wanting to ask you for a while, but I wasn't sure you'd say yes," she admitted.

"Are you joking? Why wouldn't I?" I asked with an exploding happiness in my chest. "I'm so bloody in love with you, Wanda Maximoff."

She laced our fingers together as she nodded in agreement. "That's good. Because I'm in love with you, too."

And when she said that, it wasn't unlike anything she'd told me before. If she wasn't telling me she loved me, she was showing me in all sorts of ways. But this was different... this was the first time she'd told me as my fiancé. And then she'd soon be my wife. And it made me realise.

I'd spent so long thinking that if we were in a different life, we could have had it all. But we were getting it all now, so maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the wrong lifetime after all.

FIN.

[calenheniel]

In Fantasy, a frozen fanfic | Epilogue

Frozen | Alternate Universe | Hans x Elsa | Romance, Drama | G+

In a desperate bid to save their country from political and financial ruin, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna of Arendelle strike a deal with a former foe, King Albert of the Southern Isles. His price? That their firstborn daughter marry his thirteenth son.

Follow updates: #InFantasyFrozen

Find the full chapter on AO3, Wattpad, and FF.Net. Links on my profile and the full chapter below the line!

Author's Note: This is the actual ending. For now! Look out for the sequel in the not-too-distant future... Awakenings.

»»————-　❈　————-««

Epilogue

He awakens in darkness, startled by the shrill cries of barn-owls.

“Where am I?”

His head pulses with a sudden, strange pain, and he groans, his eyes closing again. Every blade of grass beneath his neck feels like a tiny pinprick against his skin, and he shudders.

A cool sensation drifts across his face, followed by a small, soft hand upon his cheek, which falls away as his features relax.

He squints as his vision adjusts, and he sees a young woman sitting beside him in a dress that shimmers like fresh snow under the moonlight. Her impossibly large blue eyes stare at him with a mixture of relief and concern.

“In… Ingrid?”

She stifles a sob as tears trickle down her face, a disbelieving smile on her lips. 

“Yes, it’s me,” she says, and grasps one of his hands in hers. “How are you feeling?”

“How long have I been asleep?” he asks, trying to raise himself up; she helps him, though he still slumps forward even while sitting. “And why are you crying?”

“Just a few hours,” she tells him as she wipes away her tears with one hand, and strokes his back with the other. “And don’t mind me. I’m just⁠—happy, that’s all.”

He nods without understanding, and then exhales, taking in their surroundings. They are at the edge of a forest, it seems, and beyond it there is a small lake where a group of waterfowl are settling down for the night, their beaks tucking away into their wings.

“Where are we? The last thing I remember, I was…” he trails off, frowning. “Actually, I’m not sure.”

He looks down at himself, surprised – though he is not sure why he is surprised, exactly – to find himself dressed in the simple clothes of a summer laborer, with a linen shirt, dark vest, and loose, long dark trousers.

The young woman bites her lip. “…do you remember anything at all?”

He pauses. “I remember my name,” he replies after a time, his gaze drifting up to her face. “And you.”

She blushes as he continues: “I think something important was supposed to happen today, or yesterday.” He stares at her, trying to focus. “Is that right?”

“I shouldn’t have asked anything of you while you’re in this state,” she murmurs, squeezing his hand even as her face pales. “You need rest.”

He nods, too tired to question her further. “I think you’re right,” he agrees, “but first, some water.”

She helps him to stand and walk the short distance to the lake, then kneels with him by its edge as he weakly dips his hand into it, bringing a palmful of water to his lips.

He sighs. “That’s better. Now, back to…”

He leans over the water, his hands gripping the tufts of grass at the edge so tightly that they begin to tear between his fingers.

She looks at him in alarm. “Hans, what is it?”

He touches a tuft of his hair at the front, examining it in his reflection with a furrowed brow.

“I don’t remember my hair being this color before,” he says, and plucks out a single strand of pure white, holding it up to her. “Has it always looked like this?”

She swallows. “As far back as I can remember,” she replies, and her face darkens.

He looks at his reflection one more time before shrugging, and lets the plucked strand fall to the earth. “I’ll have to take your word for it,” he concludes with a yawn, laying down on the grass. “I must be delirious from exhaustion.”

He brushes aside some hair from her face, stroking her cheek; she presses her hand against his, leaning closer.

“Come here,” he murmurs, sleepily drawing her into the crook of his arm.

She lays with him until she can hear his heart slow to a gentle thump, his breathing soft in slumber, and then reluctantly draws herself up, pausing only to kiss his forehead.

Just above her lips, she catches sight of the white hair again—and its color is stark and strange against his auburn mane, marking him a victim to some great terror.

She looks away from it, pressing a hand to her heart, and shivers in the shadow of the forest.

“I’m sorry, Hans,” she whispers, her voice shaking. “I’m sorry.”

[pixie88]

G'day!!

I'm in a prompt-y mood!

We all know Nina loves the good stuff 🍺, but what if Ellie was the one who gets wasted? Maybe she tries to give Adam a show? 😜😈🥳

Nellie

Chapter 6 - Yours Truly.

A/N | Hey @aussieez so you asked for it and here it is (FINALLY)! When I got this ask I thought yay! Nina, then I thought "oooh I could bring Nina into YT!" Hence why this ask has turned into a chapter rather than just an ask. Please don't hate me for this! I have kept away from the plot of the story for those who aren't up to date.

A/N 2 | This also includes @aussieez other ask “Nina, pissed as a fart and tries to say "she sells seashells by the sea shore" because, well ... why TF not? 🤣”

Comments & reblogs welcome! Let me know what you loved and hated about this chapter!

I understand if you don’t want to be tagged so just pop me a message to be removed, but also let me know if you would like to be tagged!

Summary | Nina and Ellie have a drunk night on the town.

Check out previous chapters here  - HERE.

Wattpad | Here.

Word count | 1.9k

Warnings | 18 + Only! Angst, Fluff & NSFW.

Pairings | Adam x Ellie.

Enjoy!

With all the stress of the last few weeks Nina had arranged a night out for her and Ellie, getting into the full swing of things she's had a few glasses of wine making her a little tipsy. She's looking through her wardrobe for something to wear when Adam walks into their bedroom, she looks over her shoulder at him. His eyes roam over l her body, black stockings and lacy lingerie "see something you like?" he smirks before wandering over to her.

He wraps his arms around her, his chest presses into her back. His lips pepper along her pulse line sending every nerve ending on edge, "Ah, ah, ah!" she dances out of his grasp "I need to get ready!" she pulls out a dusty pink dress from the hanger, placing it on the bed before checking over her makeup in the dresser mirror.

Bending over so her arse is in his direction as she straightens up again her fingers slip under the lace against her cheeks stretching fabric before it pings back against her skin. She heard him groan, smiling mischievously, she turns towards him "something wrong?" she bit her bottom lip, "I'm just admiring my beautiful wife!" he takes a seat on the edge of the bed.

"Admiring? Is all you want to do?" she teases him, grabbing a pair of heels from the wardrobe she steps between his legs, he looks up at her "I think you already know the answer to that!" she turns and sits on his lap bending to pull on her shoes making her cheeks rub against his crotch.

A growl catches in his throat, she leans back onto him, "Fuck, Ellie!" he whispers against the shell of her ear. She takes his hand and glides it along the inside of her thigh as he reaches her apex, his fingers slip under the lace, she stops him and replaces his finger with hers. "Ell?"

"If you touch me, I'll never leave this room on time!" she turns to straddle him, looking into his eyes as works her fingers against her core, he captures her lips. She can barely catch her breath, pulling away, she smirks "I want you to watch me!" he looks down, he can feel his own arousal begging to be released. She moans as she gets closer to her high, "scream my name, beautiful!"

She falls "God, Adam! Yes!" she pants as she comes down from her high. She smiles seeing him all flustered, climbing off his lap, he takes a deep breath. Leaning down, she presses her lips to his before pulling away, "I better get dressed!" she winks.

Pulling on the blush pink dress "Do you think this will be ok?" she looks herself over in the mirror one last time. He appears behind her "Stunning as always!" he wraps his arms around her and rests his head on her shoulder "Kids asleep?" she asks resting her hand over his.

"Yep, they went straight off. I think Mum and Dad shattered them!" He places a kiss against her neck "I hope you have fun tonight!" he reaches his back pocket, pulls out his wallet before pulling out a note and placing into her bra, "Adam are you tipping me?" she jokes.

"I just want to make sure you have a good time tonight!" he winks at her in the mirror.

An hour later...

"I can't believe that guy thought we were sisters!" Nina is giddy after the strangers comment, "you have aged well! Even Nan doesn't look like she's seventy odd!" Nina smile is beaming.

"Ok, stop!! I won't fit my head through the door if you continue! Subject change please tell me, you and Adam will have another baby soon?!" Ellie smugly smirked at Nina's question, "wait...are you?" she narrowed her eyes at Ellie. "No! I wouldn't be drinking if I was! We have talked about it, but we decided with everything going on at the moment, maybe now isn't the best time!" Nina sighs, "but you kids are having fun practicing!" she winks, Ellie almost chokes on her drink.

Nina turns towards the barmaid, "Give us three each of your best shots!" Ellie looks at her in horror "Come on, it's your night off! Blow off some steam!" Ellie doesn't argue instead she knocks them back with her.

After four more rounds of shots they are giggling like two school girls, "y-you gotta do it one more t-time!!" Nina begs her "F-fine, okaaay!" Ellie's words are slurred, but she clears her throat "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?!" Nina howls again, "A-Adam t-tinks he c-cany thell h-how drunk I's am b-by getting moi to say that, but..." she points her finger "t-the j-jokes on h-him I's cany s-says zits d-drunk twos!"

"Als gets m-me t-to says seashell sells, she's by the sea door!" Nina looks confused "Waait t-that's n-not hows i-it hoes!" the pair laugh realizing what she said. "Ah Ellie, y-you knows I-I like y-you the bestest g-girlfriend..no w-wife Adams e-ever had! I-I thought I ad saw h-him in loves before b-b-butts...he worships y-you hands y-you d-does him!" Ellie blushes, "T-thank y-yous! N-now more shits...I's mean shots!" the pair cheer before ordering a few more rounds.

A few hours later...

Their bedroom was empty, she heard that the shower in the ensuite was on, biting her lip an idea pops into her head, and she stripes down until she's naked. The steam from the shower filled the bathroom. She reached for the curtain and jumps in behind him, he's washing his hair and hasn't noticed her jump in.

She notices the muscles on his back twitch at the realization that she's back from her night out. "Hey beautiful, did you have a good time?" he says washing the shampoo out, she presses her lips against his board shoulders. "Ah uh! You?" she asks, watching his body cover in goosebumps as she peppers kisses against his skin, he stops the shower.

"Yeah, we had a good night!" he says, running his fingers through hair, she grips his butt and squeezes his cheeks "What you doing, beautiful?" she moves closer and reaches to grasp his shaft "I'm just feeling up my husband." She works against his length, feeling it stiffen with each stroke, she hears him groan as he drops his head forward.

She continues to pepper kisses over his back, he can't bare it anymore spinning himself around he claims her lips. He pushes her against the tile wall, lifting her up wrapping her legs around him he smirks against her lips. "Is this what you wanted, Beautiful?" she gasped his lip between her teeth, "I think you already know the answer to that!" she mocks him.

The pads of his digits move over her already wet core making her moan, he pushes his fingers into her "Shit!" she hisses against his lips. She grasps at the nape of his neck, "let me take you to bed!" he groans against her lips.

Holding her close, he steps out of the shower with her still wrapped around him, he moves into the bedroom, and he pins her against the wall. She giggles, "all I've thought about all evening is your little performance! I'm going to make you scream so loud they will hear you from the house!" his lips move to her neck "I think we can be as loud as we like!" she baits him bucking her hips against his hard shaft "Ellie! Keep doing that, and I'll bend you over that bed!" she giggles "Is that a promise?" she asks.

He nips her earlobe on the way down to her collarbone, "what was that, Beautiful?" he smirks against her, "I said is that a promise?" he shushed her quickly pressing his lips to hers. She moans a little too loud against his lips, "don't hold back!" he smirks, "only if you don't?"

He answers her question by putting her down and pushing her towards the bed, laying her hand flat against it, he runs his cock over her throbbing heat before he pushes into her deep, his hands grasp her hips. He draws all the way out just leaving in the tip before he pistons his hips forward into her again, "Ohh!" she moans.

She clenches around him, his pace speeds up and she begins to move her hips to match his. He groans, "Ellie! Fuck! Keep doing that..." she continues her movements, which pushes him deeper with each thrust. He pushes her barriers, he's hitting the walls of her cervix, "that feels so good, Ellie! Fuck! I love you!!"

He leans over as he keeps moving, his finger's moves between her legs and works against her clit "Oh god!" she moans, he loves having her like this. "Adam...harder!" he flips her onto her back, pinning her to the mattress. He thrusts into her again making her arch off the bed, she pulls his lips to her "Ellie, I'm not going to last much longer!" she smirks against his lips "c'mon then handsome, give me everything you got!" he pistons his hips into hers as her own climax is building.

She gets closer to the edge until she falls over it "ADAM!! YES! YES! YES!" she moans. Not letting up each thrust is more powerful than the last, he slams into her over and over again, he quickly pushes her towards the edge again, "Come again, baby!" he says as he kisses her neck, "let me ride you!"

He pulls out of her before his back presses against the mattress and pulls her onto of him, parting her folds entering her again. She moves slowly making him groan, "baby, you got to move faster!" he grasps her hips as he bucks his. She grabs his wrist and pins them above his head, "you taking charge, beautiful?" he smirks up at her.

"Maybe!" she plunges down onto him, letting go of his arms, he groans, "Do you know how hot you looked on top?!" he grins running his forefinger down her body to her apex. He works against her clit, he captures her lips as she moves making her body tingle, he pumps into her fast and heavy, his nails dig into her skin at her hips.

She presses her hands against his chest and moves to meet his pace, her walls clenches round him, "Come on baby! Come for me!" he whispers against her lips. She hits her high "Ohhh!" she cries out. "Fuck!! Ellie!" he falls after her.

Panting trying to catch their breath, he claims her lips again, still in her state of euphoria she looks down at him smiling. She collapses on the bed next to him, "I love you, Adam!" he rolls onto his side "I love you more, Ellie!" his fingers trace the inside of her thigh before gliding over her slick slits, "Adam..whatcha doing?" his fingers push into her once more making her arch into his touch.

The next morning...

Tears roll down her face, her heart breaks "Adam...I love you more than I have ever loved anyone, but these last few weeks our lives have been flipped upside fucking down...and it's starting to make me wonder will our marriage survive this? Because if I'm completely honest?! I'm not sure it will!"

The blood drains from his face...is this the end of us?

Chapter 7

@aussieez @secretaryunpaid @lem-20 @irisofpurple @rookiemartin @gloriousalmondvoiddreamer @palmaviolet @wombatsxkookaburras @pixie-b

[buckysglow]

Captive

Chapter 12 - “Deserving”

SUMMARY: You were held captive by Hydra for years and had only just escaped when the Avengers find you. You’re beyond terrified of everyone and everything around you, but the thing the terrifies you the most is yourself. The things you can do with your abilities&#157; are beyond what anyone could possibly imagine.

Chapters: 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 ~ 5 ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8 ~ 9a ~ 9b ~ 10 ~ 11 

AN: Christmas in May, anyone? Sorry this took so long, I just graduated from college! Also, I posted before and asked if you guys prefer to read fics on Wattpad or AO3, and I would love to have your input on that! I am trying to figure out which one I should post my fics on! 

Word Count: Around 5000 

Warnings: Mention of abuse and fluffy fluff 

You tugged Bucky’s large shirt farther down your legs, tip-toeing down the hall before dawn. It would be Christmas in just a few hours and you had to make sure everything was perfect for the team. You had gotten a little creative with your presents, seeing as you didn’t have money of your own and didn’t know much about earning it. You were thankful that most of the team had hobbies of their own and made it much easier for you to find the supplies you needed to make homemade gifts. You worked very hard on their gifts. 

Being what Bucky called “gifted,” you could feel the change in energy in each and every one of your friends. They rarely slept, but when they did, they were so exhausted that their eyes felt heavier than any weights they had lifted that day. And usually their nights were filled with restlessness, tossing and turning, and fighting the covers that were hands in their dreams. Their energy took on a light glow while they slept, one that pulsed with every beat of their heart. Their dreams sometimes became more and more unbearable, as those imaginary hands became their own and they were grasping the neck of another person. Uncontainable, unmanageable guilt became the burden of the night. And you only knew that because that’s what kept you awake; it’s also what kept Bucky awake.

“Everyone has their own shit.” He told you after waking up with a start one night, drenched in sweat. It was usually him comforting you, but this time it was the other way around. He was embarrassed; his dreams made him feel weak and powerless. That’s why you had chosen a dream catcher for him; it would catch those dreams and spirits that kept him awake. 

You had been preparing for this for quite some time now, hiding the supplies you needed in your room, under your bed. You glanced at the newly decorated Christmas tree and smiled. When you were younger, your mom would decorate the whole house with you, and it was one of your favorite things in the world. She could be so kind and loving when she wanted. You smiled at one of the few good memories you had, especially ones with her. While she may have been cruel to you at times, she also had her fun moments. That’s what made hating her or resenting her so difficult. 

While you were being held by Hydra, those were the moments that you thought about most. They are the things you dreamed of experiencing again. This just added even more complicated thoughts to your already spinning mind while you were with those evil men… to leave one abusive home for another. 

You shook your head to rid yourself of those thoughts. You had work to do. The team was in for a treat. You had been preparing and practicing, not only for the decorations, but for another special surprise. You wouldn’t be able to do it for long, so the timing had to be perfect. 

“Friday,” you whispered, “what time does everyone typically wake up?” 

She ran through everyone’s schedules quickly and you nodded. 

“How many of them use alarm clocks?” You asked, praying that she would say all of them. 

“Sam.” 

You cringed at that answer. “Alright, I’ll think of something…” You made quick work of the decorations, running as quietly as you could from one room to another. When you finished, you stepped back to admire your work. 

Paper snowflakes hung from all over the ceiling, the tree was packed with colorful or shiny items, a copious amount of cotton balls had been stretched and torn to look like snow in various places around the tower, Christmas lights hung, and paper trees placed on shelves and tables. You grinned. It was so pretty. You began to jump on your heels slightly, excited for everyone to be awake. You had about two hours to finish up before they all started stirring. All you had to do was put the finishing touches on their gifts and place them under the tree. 

You sprinted to your room, sweating from the amount of effort this was taking. You froze when you felt Natasha stir in her bed. She was the one you were most worried about waking. If she even felt a slight disturbance, she would immediately be out of bed to find out what was happening. You squeezed your eyes shut, focusing on her energy. You willed her to stay asleep, praying that she hadn’t heard you. You felt her relax, and your heart eased its rapid beating. 

You gathered as many of their gifts as you could in your hands and brought them out by the tree. You rushed to place them under the tree nicely. You had begun to feel some of them awaken and you rushed to turn the Christmas lights on. You added last minute touches to the decorations, and finally you asked Friday to play Christmas music. 

You felt Bucky begin to stir then. Your heart began to beat a little faster in your chest with nervous excitement. You couldn’t wait to see their reactions, but you were nervous that they wouldn’t like it. You hoped this would be enough. You wanted to make your first Christmas with them special. You wanted them to know that you were beginning to feel comfortable and loved when you were with them. 

“Friday, can you turn the volume up please?” You asked quietly, toes wiggling in your worn slippers. Natasha was the first one out of bed, followed by Steve and Bucky. You could feel them move from their beds and see their energy begin to pulse a little brighter. You were grinning as you felt Tony begin to stir. 

When you felt them all leave their rooms, you were nearly exploding with excitement. They were making their way toward the common area, most likely heading for the kitchen for breakfast and coffee. Bucky was falling a little behind the rest, and you were quick to send more energy toward him. 

When they had all finally made their way down the hall and into the common area, you were quick to grin at them, “Merry Christmas!” 

Their eyes were wide with shock as they took in the decorations and lights. Steve’s smile was growing and Natasha was leaning against the door frame with a small smirk on her lips. Bucky was staring at the ceiling, a look of amazement on his face. 

“When did you do all of this?” Steve asked, hand running over the snow you had made from cotton balls. 

“Last night! Do you like it?” You asked, feeling breathless. 

“This is so pretty, (Y/N)!” Wanda exclaimed, pulling you in for a hug. 

“Just promise me you’re gonna clean all this up when Christmas is over,” Tony stated dramatically. He suddenly seemed to notice the tree, “Gifts, huh?”

Sam elbowed him hard, silently telling him to shut up. He gestured in your direction. You were grinning so wide your cheeks hurt. You pulled away from Wanda, hopping on the balls of your feet a bit. You threw yourself into Bucky’s arms and hugged him tightly, barely able to contain your excitement. “Yes, um- I have gifts for you all, but do you want to eat first?” You clasped your hands in front of you and hopped in front of the kitchen, knowing that they would all want their morning coffee. 

“I could use some coffee,” Natasha smiled. She wrapped her arm around your shoulders, “Merry Christmas. You did an amazing job.” 

“Did you happen to make breakfast? That would have been nice instead of you making a mess,” Tony asked in his typical tone, sauntering into the kitchen. You just rolled your eyes, sticking your tongue out at him. The rest of the team followed, leaving you and Bucky behind.

You turned to look at Bucky, meeting his unwavering gaze. “Merry Christmas,” you breathed, you tucked your hair behind your ear. “Do you like it?” 

He made his way toward you slowly, tilting your head with his finger, his lips lingered against your forehead, “You are amazing…” 

Once everyone had eaten, you were all gathered in the common area. Christmas movies were playing on the large screen, but the volume was low as you all talked happily with one another. You were seated on the floor between Wanda and Bucky’s legs. Natasha sat on the floor across from you. Steve was laughing about something Sam had said, fingers playing with one of the toy motorcycles hanging on the tree. Sam was seated on the arm of the loveseat that Tony had sprawled out in. You looked at each of them, a content smile on your face. 

This was the first time since you were young that you had felt accepted. There would always be worms of doubt in your head, but for now, they were under control. They were not slinking their way into the moment. Your fingers brushed against Bucky’s calf and he looked down at you, only to find you grinning up at him. He leaned down to kiss your forehead. 

There was wrapping paper and bows sprawled across the floor from their gifts. You had loved watching their eyes light up with warmth and happiness, and you felt a little bit of the weight you carried on your shoulders fall away. Natasha was wiggling her fingers in the mittens you made her, which made you smile and giggle. 

“When I go to visit Clint, I’ll bring them the gifts,” she had told you when you pointed out that you made him and his family gifts as well. 

“He said he wants to FaceTime later, so he can see them then.” Wanda interjected, smiling mischievously. They all had their own plans and gifts for you as well, but you had no idea. 

You didn’t seem to care about receiving anything at all. “I made Thor something as well, but he will have to wait,” you giggled, thinking about how excited he would be to get the tiny hammer you had painted to look like mjolnir. 

“So what you’re saying is that you stole from me.” Tony said sarcastically.

“Didn’t steal, I just borrowed... in a sense.” You giggled. 

The team revealed that they hadn’t received a handmade gift in years and that they loved them. Each of them was playing with their gifts or wearing them. A moment of silence wrapped around everyone as they peered down at their gifts. 

“I know it’s not much, and you’re all probably used to nicer things, but I hope you like them.” You said, sheepishly peering at your acquired family. 

“We love them!” Wanda assured you. 

“These are so much better than any gifts you could have bought us, (Y/N).” Natasha nodded. 

“Even though you stole most of the stuff that you used,” Tony said, pulling his glasses down slightly, “you did good, kid.” 

“Good,” you breathed a sigh of relief. You stood up slowly, pulling the ends of your shirt nervously, “I have one more surprise for you all.” 

You carefully made your way to the doorway, standing behind the couch that Bucky and Wanda were sitting on. Everyone was watching you with questioning eyes, wondering what else you could have possibly made for them. “It might take a try or two, but I have been practicing this since my little incident a few weeks ago.” You admitted timidly. 

Your heart was thudding hard in your chest, nerves making their way up your throat. You took a deep breath to steady yourself, and closed your eyes. You pictured gold, soft and twinkling, dancing in the sky. You imagined a gentle, gold glow and shimmers of it. You slowly opened your eyes. The team was staring upward, mouths agape and eyes awed. Tony pulled his glasses from his face, mouth open in amazement.

A golden, glowing river flowed above them. Shimmers and flecks of gold rained down slowly, twinkling brightly. Your typical ribbons were moving slowly, wrapping themselves into loose coils. You pushed yourself a little harder, motivated by the childlike wonder on your family’s faces. You conjured up tiny horses and faceless people, some ice skating, others dancing or playing in the golden snow in the space above your heads. 

“Wow,” you heard Steve whisper in amazement. You smiled, watching the team closely with their soft and content faces. You loved making others happy. Your eyes flickered over to Bucky, and one of the ice skaters made their way to him. They spun gracefully in front of his nose. His smile was unforgettable. 

But soon, you could feel your energy dimming, so you gave one last push. The gold above burst silently into thousands of golden flecks, hanging in the air for a second, and then lazily falling down onto the team. Sweat had collected on your upper lip from the amount of effort it took, and finally, you felt your energy give way. 

The gold came flying back into your chest. You blew out a breath, hands shaking with exhaustion. The team looked over at you, smiles still on their faces. Subconsciously, you were aware that they didn’t look scared of your white eyes. You were smiling at them, proud of yourself for succeeding. You accomplished more than you thought you would have. Even if it was only for a minute or two, you had held it longer and made more images at one time than you ever had before. 

“That was the coolest thing I have ever seen,” Sam muttered, mostly to himself, but the team was nodding in agreement. 

“The little snowballs?” Steve asked, leaning over to him. 

“The coolest!” Sam exclaimed. 

You gave an airy laugh, feeling a little lightheaded. Bucky was at your side immediately, leading you to the couch. 

“That was pretty badass, goldy locks! I thought you could only do that when you were scared!” Tony declared, looking a little stunned. 

“I’ve been practicing in my room… far away from people, so…” you laughed lightly. Natasha was still looking upward, a dreamy look in her eyes. Her face was relaxed, in a faraway place. Wanda grasped your arm with excitement, 

“Can you show me how to do that? I’ve never made images with mine!”

You giggled weakly, “I can try. I’m not quite sure how I do it, I just picture it in my head.”

“That was amazing, Doll,” Bucky whispered, lips grazing your ear. 

“Thank you,” you sighed, snuggling deeper into the couch next to him. 

“You’re amazing, you know that?” He said quietly, wrapping his arm around your shoulders. You hummed happily in response, a tired smile on your lips. “That didn’t hurt you?” He asked quietly. The others were still talking about their favorite parts of your show. 

You shook your head, taking a deep breath and continuing, “It did in the beginning, but after a while the pain just… went away.” 

He nodded, kissing your temple, “Take a nap. We will be here when you wake up.” And as you started to doze off, you heard Bucky laugh and say, “But did you see the ice skater in front of my face?” 

~

“Wake her up; I can’t wait any longer to give her our gifts!” You heard Wanda exclaim.

You suddenly felt cold, metallic fingers glide over your cheek, and your eyes fluttered. “Good morning, sleepyhead!” Sam exclaimed, sitting opposite of you behind the coffee table. The coffee table had gifts strewn all over it and your eyes widened slightly. 

You looked around the room in question, “Those… are those for me?” 

Steve tilted his head, while Natasha nodded at you, a soft smile gracing her face. Bucky was grinning widely beside you. 

“You didn’t have to do this,” you whispered, shaking your head in disbelief, nervously tucking your hair behind your ear. 

“Open mine first; you’re going to like it more than the others!” Tony teased, throwing a wink your way. 

Natasha rolled her eyes at Tony, “We wanted to do this, trust me.” 

“The bigger one is mine,” Tony pushed, ignoring the sappy moment you were having. You laughed and proceeded to open the array of gifts around you. You were surprised with each one, not expecting such generosity from them. Tony had gotten you a laptop and a phone because you “were behind the times.” Wanda had given you a gift card to a clothing boutique downtown, saying that she was going to take you shopping before the New Years party; this excited and terrified you at the same time. Natasha bought you adorable cow slippers after finding out that your favorite animals were cows. You immediately put them on and were repeatedly wiggling your toes in them. Steve and Sam gave you yellow boxing gloves and said that the matching punching bag was in the training room—it was even bedazzled at the bottom. 

You couldn’t stop smiling. In fact, your face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. 

“Clint’s calling!” Wanda exclaimed, placing her phone on the coffee table. She pressed the green button and up popped his face. 

“That is so cool,” you whispered to Bucky, amazed at how quickly technology has changed. 

“Gets me everytime,” he whispered back, planting a kiss on your cheek. 

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Clint exclaimed, his wife and children popping up to say hi. You grinned and waved back. “Hope I didn’t miss anything,” Clint said. 

“Just in time,” Wanda assured him. 

“Clint,” you started softly, “I made you and your family gifts; they’re not much, but—“

“They’re amazing, look!” Natasha interrupted you, turning the phone to show him the gifts you had made them. 

“They’re gonna love the bears!” You heard Clint’s wife exclaim. “Thank you, (Y/N), we love them!” 

“My turn to give you something though.” Clint said, and Natasha placed the phone back to face you. Everyone began to smile softly, knowing that Clint had worked hard to pull this one off. “After hearing about your grades and that you didn’t get to go to graduation, I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” he explained, fiddling with his phone. Tony was quick to pull out his own and began swiping. You chewed the inside of your cheek, nerves growing as he continued to talk, “You worked so hard to fit in and I know that’s not easy, so I wanted to do this for you.” Tony swiped one last time, and an image of a high school diploma popped up above your head. 

Your eyebrows drew together as you read the name of your school and a loud gasp burst through your lips. “That says my name!” You exclaimed, standing up to read it closely. 

“I talked to your school and the school board, and had some people pull some strings,” Clint explained.

“It’s me. I’m some people,” Tony smiled cockily.

You covered your mouth in shock as you read your name over and over again. “You deserved this and so much more, kid,” Clint said softly. When he had heard what your mother did and that your chance to graduate was ripped from you as a teenager, he knew he had to do this for you. He pictured his own kids, and how proud he would be if they had achieved what you had. He had to do this for you. 

Your bottom lip began to wobble, and you took a deep breath to keep them from falling.“I can’t begin to explain how much this means to me,” you whispered, voice cracking, “thank you so much.” 

Clint smiled at you and his wife hugged him closer. She knew how much this meant to him and had helped him talk to your school board. 

“I wish you were here so that I could hug you,” you laughed lightly, wiping away the stray tears that fell. 

“You’ll see me soon, kid!” He laughed, loving that you were looking so happy.

 “We have one more gift for you,” Steve said softly, “We’ve all talked it over, and decided that we think you’re ready.” Wanda grabbed your hand and smiled brightly at you, pulling you to sit back down next to her. You really couldn’t think of anything better than the gifts you had received so far. 

“We are going to wait until after Tony’s New Years Eve party, but we think we should take you back to your hometown for a weekend.” The tears were immediate and fast paced. You buried your face in the sleeves of Bucky’s sweatshirt in an attempt to hide them. 

“It’s up to you if you want to go, but we think you should visit,” Natasha whispered, pressing a comforting hand to your knee. 

“I-I’m a li-little overwhelmed,” you blubbered, with a loud laugh. The team was quick to respond with their own quiet laughter. “I w-wanna show you guys my favorite book store!” You giggled, and this made them all laugh a little louder, “thank you all so much, I wish I could repay you for everything, for saving me… I just- I promise I will!” 

“Aw, goldy locks!” Tony exclaimed, “I’ll take you up on that one day! For now, just try not to stab any of us with those gold things!”

 You ripped your hands from your face to see that your fingertips were glowing brightly. Your eyes widened at the realization that your chest didn’t hurt. You held your hand out, watching as it shook with your emotions, but not with pain or agony. “It doesn’t hurt,” you whispered, sounding amazed. 

“What?” Bucky asked you, leaning closer to hear what you had said. 

“It doesn’t hurt… I didn’t know I was doing it and it didn’t hurt,” you stated, looking at him with wide eyes. You looked back at your hands, holding both of them out in front of you, pressing your energy forward slightly, testing the waters. Ribbons wrapped themselves around your fingers, moving slowly, looking like snakes as they made their way to the ground. You were so overwhelmed with emotions—joy, relief, happiness, disbelief— were you finally free from the agony? What had changed? Was it that you finally felt loved? Your lips twitched with a shaky smile. Bucky made eye contact with Steve, and the two of them were so proud of how far you had come in the short, few months you had been with them. 

Careful, that evil voice spoke in the back of your head, don’t get too cocky now. You don’t want to lose control.

You gasped, letting out a quiet yelp. Your energy shot violently back into your body and you wheezed at the suddenness of it all. 

“Whoa,” Bucky cooed, grasping your shoulders to steady you, “you’re alright, you’re fine.” 

“S-sorry,” you stuttered breathlessly, “I got nervous.” 

“You’ve pushed yourself quite a bit today,” Wanda assured you softly, after peeking inside your thoughts for a split second. 

You sat back into Bucky’s chest, nodding absentmindedly. 

“Yeah, I think that’s enough of the golden light show,” Tony stated, grasping Wanda’s phone, “not that we don’t love to see what you can do because what you did earlier was amazing, and Barton missed it all!” He pointed and laughed sarcastically. 

“It was pretty cool, Barton!” Natasha agreed, smirking at the phone. 

“What? What did I miss?” He cried, making you giggle and shake your head at their teasing. 

~

After the team had opened all their gifts and dispersed to relax or prepare for the night ahead, you were left alone with Bucky. 

“Hey, Doll,” he cooed against your forehead, loving the sleepy look on your face. You hummed a response. Your head was buried in his chest, breathing in his comforting smell. His body was humming with soft energy, causing you to relax even deeper into his side. “I got you a gift,” he whispered.

You looked up at him, secretly reveling in the fact that he remembered to get you something. You were a little disappointed earlier when you hadn’t received anything from him, of all people. Not that it was about the gift, but the thought behind it. You had believed, for just a moment, that he had forgotten to get you something. 

“Oh, yeah?” You grinned, inching closer to his face. He grinned right back before reaching behind the couch and pulling out a small box. “Oh, Bucky, no…” you pouted, knowing full well that it was jewelry, based on the box alone. 

“Just open it,” he chuckled, pushing it into your hands. 

“I can’t accept this,” you objected weakly, smiling at him as you pushed it back at him. 

“You haven’t even opened it yet!” He laughed, removing his hands completely from the box to force you to catch it.

 You bit the inside of your cheek nervously as you lifted the lid of the box to reveal a garnet ring. It was encased in a gold cage and placed nicely on top of a golden band. You looked up at him with pure bliss. “It’s a garnet,” you whispered happily, fingers running over the gem. 

“It is,” he nodded, moving your hair away from your neck, “I- um- I did a lot of research and garnets are known as the stone of courage, and they are worn to guard against danger… and they are also supposed to help with the - um- heart and blood and stuff… Plus, I wanted to get you your own ring, so that you wouldn’t have to keep borrowing Wanda’s.” He was mumbling nervously now, unsure about his gift now that it was being opened. 

You grinned up at him, “I love it, Bucky, thank you. This is too much.”

A sigh of relief whooshed past his lips, but he was quick to replace it with his mock confidence. You adored that he had put so much thought into it for you, knowing that it was no coincidence that it was this particular stone. “I hope you don’t think it’s weird that I got you something so…” he mumbled again, watching as you removed Wanda’s ring from your small finger, and replaced it with his.

 “No,” you shook your head, “I don’t think it’s weird. I actually think it’s very sweet.” 

The two of you fell into a tense silence, and you both found that nerves had settled in your stomachs. You bit your lip and glanced at Bucky quickly. His eyebrows were scrunched together in concentration. His eyes looked far away. You tilted your head to the side, looking at him curiously.

“You okay?” You asked quietly, unsure what was happening. 

“Yeah...yes, I just have to do something,” he rushed out, startling you. 

His hands were quick to encase your face. 

He pulled you forward in one motion, and his lips found yours. You jumped instinctively, but as soon as your brain caught up with your body, your lips were moving in perfect sync with his. His hands found their way to the back of your head, tangling his fingers at your roots. Your shaky hands were taking their time to find his bearded face, and you sighed into his mouth. 

You couldn’t even bring yourself to remember how many times you had imagined this moment with him, but every time you had, you pictured yourself being a nervous mess. This time, though, you found yourself more comforted by his lips than anything. You hadn’t realized how badly you needed this from him. He pulled away slowly, resting his forehead against yours as you both caught your breath.

“I have been wanting to do that for so long,” He whispered, lips grazing your nose. You hummed, eyes still closed. There was a sense of comfort that you had never experienced before, and while your heart raced in your ears, it wasn’t from fear, but from excitement. “I hope that was okay,” He whispered, his metal hand moving the strand of hair that fell in your face. 

You nodded, eyes fluttering open to look at him, “It was more than okay.” 

This was a first for you. A first of feeling this heart wrenching excitement, and your first kiss. You didn’t know if you should tell him, but before you could stop yourself, you pressed another kiss to his lips. “That was my, um— that was my first...“

Bucky’s eyebrows scrunched together in confusion as he looked over your features. His eyes suddenly went wide, “That was your first kiss?” He grabbed your tiny hands in his. 

The side of your mouth quirked, and you shyly looked down at your joined hands, nodding. 

“Oh, baby,” He murmured, pulling you closer to him. You couldn’t tell if there was pity or admiration in his eyes, but you couldn’t get yourself to feel anything other than overwhelming elation. “I can’t wait to show you how much more there is to life than the inside of a cell… if you let me…” 

You smiled up at him, big and wide. You couldn’t wait either. 

@jamesfrickingbuchananbarnes @multi-fan @krugeforeveryone @meshlababy @larry-pringles @witchymarvelspacecase @melconnor2007 @ohnosiren​ 

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[coldbrewandfangirling]

Betrayal – A Bucky Barnes Fanfic Chapter 52

AU / BuckyxOC

Summary:

Ava is an aspiring journalist, working on her first big story. Her life gets confusing when she meets James Buchanan Barnes, a charming, good-looking man, that she can hardly stay away from. She finds herself falling for him, hard, all while being haunted from ghosts of her past. But she can’t shake the feeling that he is hiding something from her.

chapter 52, in which Ava and James are running out of time.

CW: describtion of violence, stalking

On Wattpad || On ao3 || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || Masterlist || Playlist

word count: 3652

Chapter 52

08:20 am

James's POV

James had been restless all night. Natasha might have wanted to jump down his throat a couple of times when he only half-heartedly participated in her briefing on the case. Natasha had brought James up to speed on what IT had been able to find out – which wasn't much. They knew Loki was behind the art forgeries. But their captain insisted that the why should be found out first before they were to arrest Loki. For James, that meant continuing to work undercover for Loki.

He hated it. Every time he looked at Loki, he had to think about what that bastard had done to Ava. All the time he was working, his thoughts circled around Ava – around her safety, around her stubbornness. He was worried.

Last night, too, he had had to think about Ava again and again. It had been indescribable to be physically and emotionally connected to her again. It still took his breath away what just the smallest of Ava's touches triggered in him. Natasha showed no understanding of him, nor did she inquire further about what had happened between him and Ava that night. She would certainly prefer to hear it from Ava. And what would Ava tell Natasha?

James couldn't take it any longer. He had to talk to Ava again, hear her voice, talk about last night. It was unbearable not to fall asleep every night with Ava in his arms. She was everything to him and returning to his empty flat every night brought him physical pain. Nervously, he dialled her number, fervently hoping she would give him a chance to explain himself.

Ava's POV

Ava was about to slip into her Doc Martens when her phone started vibrating. Annoyed, she hobbled back to her kitchen table with half a foot in her boot to look at her phone screen. James was calling her. Exasperated, she rolled her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked in what she hoped was an indifferent voice. Her rapid heartbeat betrayed her, though, and her gaze inevitably wandered to James' shirt on her bed, the one she'd left his flat in last night.

"Are you free right now? I wanted to talk to you about last night," James asked in a soft voice.

Ava's heartbeat picked up pace once more. Last night had been so confusing – first she had had incredible sex with James and then she had found out that Loki was the criminal she was investigating for her research. And James shutting her out of the case didn't help bury the hatchet. It was one thing that Natasha didn't want Ava involved in the case – she was her best friend and more like a big sister whose rules you had to abide by from time to time. But James? James was ... he was ... exactly, what was he anyway? Would he want to talk about their incredible and at least for a few hours carefree night together? Or the thing with Loki?

"I'm on my way to work, we can meet in front of the editorial building in 20 minutes," Ava replied. It was no use worrying about James' intentions – only he could provide clarity.

"Alright, see you then," was all James said before hanging up again.

Ava's thoughts were racing. All of a sudden she was incredibly nervous. He probably just wants to talk about Loki, her subconscious reminded her. Still, Ava couldn't shake the feeling of hope that was spreading through her heart. Did she even want to talk to James about anything other than Loki? Was she ready to forgive James for his betrayal? Her heart answered the question for her.

James's POV

James exhaled. He hadn't even realised he'd been holding his breath. Just hearing Ava's voice through the phone made his heart race. He could literally see her rolling her eyes as she answered the phone. His heart was still pounding wildly in his chest. Hastily he reached for his wallet and his keys. He had to get to the New York Times editorial building as quickly as possible. Just the prospect of seeing Ava caused a comforting feeling in his chest.

The ringing of his phone made him pause in his movements. Who was bothering him now when he was on his way to see Ava? Angrily, he clenched his jaw and fished his phone out of his pocket. Loki's assistant was calling him – a woman not to be underestimated, with a remarkably long list of criminal records.

"Yes?" he grumbled into the phone. He had no time for petty phone calls when Ava was waiting for him.

"If I were you, I wouldn't do that," the assistant purred into the phone in her deep voice. Any other man would have found that smoky voice incredibly sexy – for James, it made him want to throw up. His features stiffened. An icy shiver ran down his spine.

"What are you talking about?" He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer to the question.

"Loki knows about your double-cross. If you go to Ava now, you'll never see her again." And with that she hung up.

Cunt, James thought with fury. His cover as an undercover cop had been blown and if the assistant already knew James was on his way to see Ava, it could only mean they were tapping his phone. Furious, he ripped the battery out of his phone, fished out the SIM card and flushed it down the kitchen sink. Next, he grabbed a meat tenderiser from the drawer in his kitchen, put his phone on the counter and started hammering it harder than necessary. What the hell was he going to do now? He had to risk it. Ava was in danger.

James walked past his car, which he had parked on the side of the road, and towards the underground. He was sure he would be followed, so the subway was the safer choice. Again and again he looked around but could not make out any suspicious people. He was running out of time.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally got off at his destination stop. Just across the street he could see the large New York Times editorial building. He looked around again, but still couldn't make out anyone who seemed to be following him. Nevertheless, James decided to wait in an alley near the subway station until he saw Ava get out of the station.

08:46 am

Ava's POV

Ava stepped out onto the crowded pavement. Her gaze fell on the cloud-covered sky. It looked like it was going to rain; dark, thick clouds covered the sun and a light breeze blew. Ava hugged her leather jacket tighter to her body and crossed the street with several other New Yorkers. On the other side, she came to a stop in front of the New York Times editorial building. She was almost exactly on time – it had taken her just over 20 minutes to get to work because the subway had made an unscheduled stop.

Tensely, she kept looking in both directions of the street, but there was no sign of James far and wide. Had he changed his mind? Something didn't feel right. Ava fished her phone out of her pocket, but the screen showed no new messages.

James's POV

James recognised Ava immediately as she stepped out onto the crowded pavement between the mass of people. Immediately his heart started beating faster again – partly because she was well and partly because she looked stunning even from a distance. Her chocolate brown hair moved in time with her body. As if magically drawn, he stepped out of the alley and followed Ava. He was about to cross the street to the editorial building when an uneasy feeling spread through his stomach. He glanced around once and knew immediately that he was being followed. By two men, he guessed. Now he couldn't go straight to the editorial building – that would only put Ava in unnecessary danger.

Instead, James continued walking down the street. He had to get rid of his pursuers before he could finally get to Ava. His whole body longed for her closeness, for her smell, for her sweet voice. He continued to walk down the street for quite a while, but there were too many people here, he couldn't confront his pursuers here. Too many witnesses.

Ava's POV

Ava had been waiting for James for fifteen minutes. If she waited any longer, she would be late for work. At that moment, Ava wished very much that she smoked. At least that would calm her nerves and she would have something to do and not just wait stupidly outside the editorial building.

"Good morning, Ava." Peter beamed at Ava and stopped in front of her. His hair was shaggy, but otherwise he was well dressed, as he was every morning. Slung around his shoulder he carried a large black leather bag, in which Ava assumed was his camera.

"Hey, Peter," Ava replied, letting her eyes wander back to the street.

"Are you waiting for someone?" Peter was still standing in front of her. Ava thought for a moment. She must have been waiting for James for 20 minutes now and it didn't look like he was coming anymore.

"No," Ava finally replied and followed Peter into the editorial building. In the lift he told her about his weekend, but Ava didn't listen to him at all. She was busy thinking about James. Had something come up so he didn't make it to the editorial building on time? Or had he simply changed his mind? Did he not want to see her anymore? The soft ping of the lift interrupted Ava's spiral of thoughts.

James's POV

James turned into the first alley he passed – he had already lost too much time. Immediately he pressed himself tightly against the wall and peered cautiously around the corner. He was right – there were two men following him. One was tall and lanky, the other a little shorter and rounder. He was seeing both of them for the first time – they had to be part of Loki's goon squad, with whom James had had no previous contact.

As soon as the taller of the two had taken the first step into the alley, James unerringly grabbed the collar of his shirt and punched him with full force. He let go of the collar again and the man stumbled back a few steps, holding his hand protectively in front of his nose. The tall man groaned in pain and already the rotund man was going for James. James was not impressed, dodged the round man's punch and gave him a side blow instead. By now, however, the tall man had recovered from his pain and gave James a left hook. James stumbled a few steps to the side, shook his head once briefly and then looked the tall man menacingly in the eye.

He had better not have done that. All self-control drained from James. He wiped the blood from his split lip with his thumb and then took two decisive steps towards the tall man. He seemed to be scared shitless and tried to back away from James. But James immediately grabbed him by the neck and pushed him against the wall with a firm grip. Even though the man was comparatively tall, his size was nothing against James'. Without any problems, James looked down at the tall man while he squeezed his breath out of his lungs. The tall man began to turn red and gasp desperately for air. Only when he passed out, held upright only by James' firm grip, did James finally let go of his neck and let the body fall to the ground. He would regain consciousness in a few minutes.

Determined and still full of rage, James turned around. The rotund man was sitting on the floor, his hand placed protectively over his rib. James had caught him good and had probably broken a rib or two.

"Please," the man pleaded, backing away from James.

"Ridiculous," James retorted. He walked towards the man, whose eyes widened in fear. James knelt down to him.

"You're lucky I'm a cop." His cover was blown anyway. At least then he could still maintain decorum. James straightened up and stepped out of the alley. Half-heartedly, he patted his hands on his trousers. He had expected more from Loki's people – that had simply been ridiculous, he hadn't even had to use his knife. He was almost disappointed about that, if a voice in the back of his head didn't remind him that Loki's best people were probably busy with more pressing matters right now. With Ava, for example.

09:10 am

Ava's POV

"Ava! Good to see you!" April came rushing towards her with a bright smile. Peter said goodbye quietly as April came to a stop in front of Ava.

"What's the matter?" asked Ava, irritated. What could be so important so early in the morning?

"This was dropped off anonymously for you. It looks important. Maybe it's about the warehouses? About your research?" April thrust a blank envelope into her hand.

"How do you know the warehouses are part of my research?" asked Ava, confused, averting her eyes from the envelope in her hands. It seemed strangely heavy.

"Oh," April looked at Ava in surprise and began to play nervously with her hands. "Peter told me about it," she then blurted out.

Ava rolled her eyes. So much for keeping her research secret.

"I'm sorry, wasn't I supposed to know?" asked April with a sheepish laugh.

"It's all right," Ava said, turning to go, "Just don't tell anyone else."

Ava hurried towards the desk. The envelope had piqued her interest and she was simultaneously excited and anxious about opening it.

James's POV

James was sure Ava was no longer waiting outside the editorial building. Uncertainty spread through him. Had he lost her for good with this? But he couldn't worry about that now. He had to make sure she was safe first. James looked around the crowded street. There was a phone box just a few steps from him and a newsstand right next to it.

First James walked towards the newsstand where he bought the latest edition of the New York Times. Then he made his way to the phone box, desperately hoping that it was still in use.

Hastily, he closed the door of the phone box behind him. The tiny room reeked of piss and sweat, but James ignored it. Instead, he hurriedly flipped through the New York Times until he found what he was looking for. In small print he recognised the number of the editorial secretariat, which he hastily dialled. Maybe that way he would be able to make sure Ava was safe.

"New York Times editorial secretary, this is April," a friendly, unusually high-pitched voice answered the phone.

"This is Buc- James, a friend of Ava's. I need to talk to her right away."

"I'm sorry, that's not possible."

"What?" James was about to object loudly, to demand for Ava with full vehemence, but only dial tones greeted him, letting him know he'd been hung up on. Angrily, he rammed the receiver onto the telephone hook. It took everything in him not to go berserk and dismantle the phone box into its component parts. He took a deep breath and looked at the silver watch on his wrist. 09:56 am. Something was wrong. Something had to have happened.

Ava's POV

"Miss Summers." Ranner appeared in front of Ava's desk, even though she had only just put her bag down. "I'd like to go over the assignments for today with you. So if you would follow me into the office." Ranner turned to leave just as April appeared beside him.

"Ranner! Now let the girl arrive first," she scolded the boss. Ava was completely perplexed – she had never heard April speak to Ranner before and she was amazed at the effect April seemed to have on Ranner.

"April. What can I do for you?" asked Ranner, somewhat unnerved.

"I wanted to talk to you about an urgent matter. Afterwards, Ava can still come to your office."

Ava was pretty sure she had never seen April in Ranner's office either. Normally, Ranner was in contact with the editorial secretariat via phone or email. It was a strange sight to see April marching purposefully into Ranner's office. Ranner also looked a little perplexed, but followed April.

Ava turned back to her desk. She took off her jacket, sat down in her office chair and turned on her computer. While she waited for her computer to boot up, she picked up the unlabelled envelope. How had April known the letter was meant for her? Had the letter been delivered personally? Ava would have to check with April later.

She took a letter opener from her top desk drawer and carefully opened the letter. Then she slowly poured out the contents onto her desk. The first thing to emerge was a note, written in careful handwriting it said:

Is he worth saving? 10am. Warehouses.

Ava's heart began to beat faster. Something was wrong. She dared to look at the time display on her computer. It was already 9:33 a.m. An uneasy feeling spread through her stomach as she dumped the remaining contents of the letter on her desk. Several photos appeared. However, they weren't just any photos – They were photos of her and James. Photos of him dropping her off outside the editorial building, of them arguing outside Jim's, of them kissing in the rain outside her flat.

All of a sudden, Ava felt sick. Someone had been watching her. Her and James. It could only be Loki. Who else would be following and stalking Ava? Who else would send her such creepy pictures? Goosebumps spread over her body.

Ava looked at the handwritten note again and her heart skipped a beat. Now it made sense why James hadn't shown up this morning – something must have happened to him. What else could the note and the photos mean? Loki wanted her. And through James, he would get her.

Adrenalin spread through her body. James is in danger. Every fibre of her body seemed to be screaming that and Ava struggled to think straight anymore. She could hear her heart pulsing loudly in her throat. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What am I going to do now? Her brain started panicking.

Call Natasha, a voice inside her head announced. That sounded reasonable, Ava thought. She rummaged in her bag looking for her phone. The clock hanging on the opposite wall seemed to tick louder and louder, as if trying to rub it in Ava's face that she was running out of time. Finally she got hold of her phone and hurriedly pressed Natasha's number. It rang endlessly and with each new connection tone Ava lost her nerve a little more. Then she was greeted by the voicemail.

"Hi, Nat, it's Ava. I just got a strange anonymous letter. There were pictures in it. Of me and James. Something's wrong, I'm really worried. And I know I promised you I'd stay off the case, but it's James. I'm sorry."

There was no point, she would have to deal with this on her own. At least Natasha would now know where to find Ava. Ava couldn't risk anything happening to James because of her. Loki wanted her. Not James. But Ava didn't know what Loki was capable of. After all, he had followed her all the way to New York, he had broken into her flat – who knows what he had been doing for the past two years.

Hastily, Ava packed her things back up and got up from her desk. As she walked away towards the lift, she ventured a glance over to Ranner's office. She could see April through the glass window – she was looking right in her direction and gave Ava a wry smile. It gave Ava goosebumps and she averted her gaze.

09:56 am

The subway ride had never seemed slower to Ava. She felt like it was taking her half an eternity to finally arrive at her stop. She could literally feel time running out. The sky was still covered in dark clouds as Ava hurried out of the subway station. She hadn't told anyone in the office that she had to leave. Perhaps she should have done so?

Ava turned into a side street and immediately it became quieter around her. There were far fewer people on the street here and the atmosphere was otherwise dooming. Ava had a queasy feeling in her stomach. She looked at her phone again – it was almost 10am – then she crossed the street and walked straight towards the warehouses. There were no cars around and she couldn't see anyone else working here either. A lingering silence fell over the long strip of warehouses. In the distance, Ava could hear the first roll of thunder.

Tense, she looked around, but there was still no one to be seen. Had it really said 10am on the note? What if no one showed up after all? Maybe she should have called James first before driving head over heels to the warehouses. A drop of rain made Ava blink. She looked up at the sky. More and more raindrops were pelting down on her in shorter and shorter sections. Ava fumbled her bag for her phone. She should just call James, she should have done that right away.

She had finally got hold of her phone and was about to pull it out. Suddenly, an excruciating pain spread across the back of her head. Ava squinted her eyes hard once to refocus her vision. Everything was blurred. She could still feel the rain on her skin, but the loud splashing of rain did not reach her ears. The ground came towards her in slow motion and before her face finally hit the hard asphalt, everything went black.

A/N: this might be one of my fav chapters, it was so fun to write a dual pov! feel free to let me know what you think about james's pov :)

***

taglist: @allidoiswritewritewrite do you also want to be added to the tag list for this fic? dm me!

[johnnmurphy]

To Be Human [5]

Pairing: Stiles Stilinski x Female!OC

Words: 6,578

Warnings: Swearing, death, angst, fluff

Summary: The inevitable has finally come

A/N: I know I said Saturday and today is Friday, but in my defense, I thought yesterday was Friday 😅 Please lemme know what y’all think!! If you want to be tagged, send me an ask. I only ask that you reblog every chapter, please!! You can also read on my Wattpad, AO3, and FFN all @/starksparker !!

 ch. 4 || ch. 5 || ch. 6

series masterlist // masterlist

Cam was able to fall asleep after her talk with Stiles. It was difficult that she did keep having flashes of the gruesome scene from the night before but it was sleep nonetheless. And she was filled with immense relief from hearing Stiles's voice. She's never felt anything like she did when she had that dream, the pull in her stomach like she could just tell something was wrong but she has to chalk it up to current events. So, she sleeps. And sleeps ad sleeps until she just can't sleep anymore. When she does wake up, the room is dark, Shep no longer in her bed and it's with groggy realization with lack of light coming through her curtains that she figures out she's slept through the entire day.

Cam stretches and reaches for her phone where she sees a few texts from Stiles and Scott, both just checking on her. The last one being from Stiles saying he was starting to get a little worried. It prompted a quick rush of guilt as Cam knows Stiles just spent the past two days worried about Lydia and now he's got her to worry about after last night.

Cam: I'm fine, just slept through the day ig thanks for checking though

A knock sounds on Cam's door as her dad creaks the door open, finally seeing she's awake after checking on her every hour to make sure she's still breathing.

"You awake, finally?" Cam's dad smiles at her while Cam switches on her lamp on her nightstand.

"Yeah, guess I just needed to sleep." Cam crosses her legs while Shep jumps on the bed to her.

"Probably for the best after last night. How are you feeling?"

Cam shrugs. "Groggy." She lets out a sigh as her phone vibrates with a text, allowing her to actually look at the time. "It's after eight." She chews her lips before looking back to her dad. "It's time, isn't it?"

"Not quite." Keith lets out a sigh, with sunken eyes. "You have time to eat and get dressed. I wanted you to wake up more before I told you."

"Right." Cam nods and looks to the closed window.

With everything going on, Cam managed to push her mom completely from her head until now. It's like she had already faded away even though she's still here. Cam can't tell if that's just sick and twisted or if it's a good thing or if it's coping, maybe it's normal. She doesn't know. She doesn't know what's normal anymore and she doesn't even know how she should feel. She feels too much. And maybe that's the problem.

"I'll meet you downstairs." Keith says as Cam nods in response, hugging Shep's head lightly.

Cam gets up and showers quickly, not bothering doing anything with her hair or makeup. She doesn't even bother with actual clothes. She just throws on a pair of Beacon Hills sweat pants and a Mets shirt. They don't match for shit but she'll be at a hospital so she really doesn't think it matters much. She also doesn't even bother making food. The whole pulling the plug on her mom thing has put a damper on her appetite so she grabs a pop tart and tells her dad she's ready.

As they walk through the white hallways to Cam's mom's room, she can almost feel the Grim Reaper watching them, waiting for the time to hit so he can take her mom. And she just wants to scream and kick and fight him, almost beg him to take her first because it's just not fair. This is her mom and everything in her is just begging to explode and spew everywhere but she says and does nothing. She walks beside her dad in complete and total silence. She feels like all of the nurses, patients' families, and doctors are watching them, knowing that they're going to be killing someone because at the end of the day, that's what this is, right? Killing someone because once the machines are turned off her mom dies so it's killing someone, not murder but as far as Cam's concerned, it feels like it.

She wishes more than anything they had just let her go instead of this. It's harder on them than had she just died. Had her mom just died, that'd be it. No questions, just gone but now they have to kill her. They have to do this. This is now at the hands of her dad and he has to live with doing this in front her, his decision to kill his wife and mother of his only child. Not to mention, the doctor and nurse, they have to live with the fact they are the ones actually pulling life support. They're the ones finally pulling the last hope away. Life support gives hope for a miracle but there was never any miracle in sight for her mom. This was always going to end like this.

"Did you answer your friends?" Keith asks as they take seats on either side of her mom.

Cam raises a brow, putting her backpack on the floo. "Yeah? Why?" She moves her eyes to the side, wondering where that came from and why he's asking. Does she look like she's in a talking mood?

"It's been going off most of the day." He says. "I just wanted to make sure you were talking to them." Cam shrugs in response. "You should talk to them, Cambridge."

"It was just Stiles, Scott, and Allison." Allison was a bit of a surprise considering Cam didn't have her phone number and has spoken to her like twice, Allison said in her first text it was her. Scott told her what happened and Stiles told Scott. It was nice, actually.

"What'd they have to say?" Now Cam knows he's just trying to conversate and ignore the elephant in the room.

"Uh, Allison wanted to know if I was okay. Scott told her what happened. Scott wanted to know if I was okay because Stiles told him. There are a few more from Scott, all asking if I'm okay and to text him when I can and there's a missed call from him. And Stiles texted me fifteen times." Cam shakes her head with a small laugh as she reads the most recent text since she texted Stiles an hour ago. "He said he was about to send a search party for me."

"You have some people who are pretty concerned." Cam's dad gives her a soft smile. "Fifteen times seems a bit excessive." He laughs a little.

"You know Stiles, go big or go home." Cam says before going back to her phone to reply to Stiles.

Cam: Second search party in a week would be a little weird lol

Stiles: Lots of animal attacks, can't be too safe

Cam: If a mountain lion comes into my second floor room without Shep alerting me first and kidnapping me I think we'd have bigger problems

Stiles: A ZOMBIE mountain lion

Cam: Would zombie mountain lions still be attacking people or would they just want to attack other mountain lions?

"Something important?" Cam's dad pulls her from her phone.

"Zombie mountain lions"

Keith furrows his bows before putting his hands up. "I don't wanna know."

"We're ready for the human zombie apocalypse but we are not ready for the mountain lions." Cam scrunches her face with a nod, Keith shaking his head, really not understanding what Cam and Stiles's deal with zombies is and not wanting to know.

Stiles: Did the Walking Dead have zombie animals?

Cam: Idk lol not yet I don't think

Stiles: Think they'd still eat people

Cam: But not kidnap

Stiles: You never know

Talking about zombies while waiting for her mom to die might seem a little calloused but there's something about the joke that always makes her feel better. It's all the late nights of watching zombie movies and her own late-night lights of watching The Walking Dead alone. Zombies are interesting. Some people are interested in unicorns, Cam and Stiles have a thing with zombies. So it's nice and by the way Stiles is texting, no longer asking if she's okay, she only has to assume he knows it helps her, too.

"Cambridge?" Keith says, grabbing something from his pocket as Cam looks to him.

"Hm?" She raises her brows and her dad leans over and hands her a white envelope, 'Cambridge' written in calligraphy across the center.

"She wrote this for you a few weeks ago when she was lucid. She made me promise her not to give it to you until she was gone."

Cam taps the envelope on her hand before sliding it in her bag and sitting back. It's not that she doesn't want to read it, she does but her mom isn't quite gone yet and if she reads it now, it all becomes real. It's been real but not really real. Cam knows this is going to be a goodbye note, probably saying everything Cam's mom never got a chance to say and never will. How to live her life. The kind of stuff that's seen in movies kind of thing and Cam doesn't want to read it. She'd rather keepit  intact, the writing on the front reminding her of her packed lunches when her mom would write her name in the same calligraphy even though Cam couldn't read it until she was like eight. It's the little things that suddenly seem as big as Mount Everest.

"Not gonna read it?" Keith looks at her, his eyes a little hurt that she puts it away.

"Not dead yet." She mumbles the words and bites her lip as her eyes go to the floor.

"You can read it, Cam."

"How many good days did she have after writing this?" Cam looks up to him with a straight face.

"One." His eyes fall back to her mom.

"Exactly."

The room falls silent with her final word. She doesn't want to read her mom's last lucid words because as far she's concerned right now, it might as well have been her last lucid day. It was her second to last and she felt she needed to write this out for her. Cam doesn't want to read it in front of her dad. He'll want to know what she said and it'll make him more upset and she doesn't want to deal with it. She doesn't, she doesn't really want to read it. If she reads it, it's like, that's it. No more. No more new things from her. Just gone. Like dust in the wind.

The hours continue and Cam ignores every text that comes her way. Instead, she edits her photos and watermarks them. Maybe that's a little weird? Is it? What else is there to do? She could talk but that sounds like the worst idea in the world right now. Turning on a movie seems a bit too nonchalant. What do people do in these situations? There's no rule book to this but Cam so wishes there was. She's just a kid.

"Mr. O'Riley, Cam." Dr. Comit comes in with a soft voice, snapping her dad and Cam from their thoughts. "It's time, if you're ready." He nods as he stands at the end of Cam's mom's bed.

Keith looks to Cam and nods just once as his eyes glaze over. "Ready?"

Cam nods and closes her laptop. Nurse Beylile comes in and Dr. Comit nods to her. They check Cam's mom's pupils and some other reflex tests that Cam's not really paying attention to. All she hears is that there's no change and there was no change in the scan they did a little bit ago.

"Okay, we're going to turn off the machines and it might take a few minutes, but her heart will stop beating and she'll be gone." Dr. Comit says and Cam's dad gives him the okay.

Buttons are pressed and soon enough the sound of the breathing machine comes to a stop and Cam's mom's chest slows down. The heart monitor becomes duller as she watches the beats become fewer and fewer a part. There is the smallest part of her, hoping that there will be a spike and it'll change but that's not what happens. In maybe two minutes, the line turns flat which is accompanied with an annoying beeping noise.

"Time of death one thirty am." Dr. Comit says as the noise is turned off.

She's gone. It's official. Cam's mom has just died in front of her dad and her. Cam doesn't have a mom. Cam stares at her lifeless body as all eyes seem to fall on her. It's like they're waiting for some hysterical reaction. But truthfully, Cam doesn't think she has that in her right now. It's like that calm before the storm. Everything just stops moving. Stops making noise. Everything, for just a few minutes settles and you think it's all over. It's just done and everything's gonna be okay but then the worst of the storm hits worse than you'd ever imagine. Ripping trees, striking houses, lifting cars. Everything just explodes. Cam doesn't have the ability to lose it for minutes, just minutes and in those minutes, she just falls back on the one thing she knows what to do when something bad happens.

Run.

"Cambridge." Keith says as she grabs her bag and shoves her laptop inside as she just starts running away. "Cam." Cam's dad's voice echoes the nearly vacant hallways as her feet keep moving, tears swelling behind her eyes.

Cam can't be around him and she can't be in this hospital as he fills out paperwork about what he's doing with her mom's body. It's just not happening. She's angry and she's sad and she wants to rip her hair out by the roots and scream as she literally cries a fucking river. The storm is hitting and she has no fucking idea what to do.

Besides one thing.

Cam fumbles with her phone as she exits the building into the crisp California air. "Can you pick me up?" Cam asks into the phone as her voice starts cracking.

"Where are you?"

"Hospital." Cam barely chokes out the word as her eyes start dripping.

"I'm leaving now." Stiles's voice is rushed before the line goes dead.

Cam stands on the sidewalk by the entrance and waits. The air is cold but she barely notices thanks to the tears that are coming from her eyes like waterfalls and the small gasps that leave her mouth every few seconds. She needs to keep moving but the fear of last night is still with her and her heart aches more than it ever has before. And it's just a giant dam of emotions being hit over and over and over again causing cracks in the foundation and it just needs to give way.

Cam lets out a heart-wrenching scream, eyes slamming shut as she collapses on the sidewalk, tears just flooding her face. The scream echoes through the parking lot just as Stiles pulls up and everything in him feels like it's just been crushed by a skyscraper. It's the sight of Cam, Cam who is strong and fearless and headstrong. Who does not break and it was her scream, the scream of someone so broken they might not be able to be put back together and might as well be made of glass. And it's the sight and wails coming from Cam and Stiles knows.

Stiles jumps from the jeep as soon as it's in park and immediately runs to Cam, falling to the ground with her and wrapping his arms around her. The force of him colliding into her nearly knocks her over but Stiles has her. He has her in his arms and she just cries and sobs and screams. Cam's firsts graps his hoodie as if it is the only thing keeping her alive right now while her entire world collapses around her.

"She died." Cam screams a sob into Stiles.

"I'm so sorry, Cam." Stiles says, putting his hand on the back of her head, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Sure, he loved Cam's mom like another mother to him but that's not it. He never thought, ever, that'd he see Cam like this. She's not emotionless, she's cried over plenty of movies and shows but this is, real. This is different and he just... never thought he'd see her break like this and it's breaking him.

"It's not fair." Cam continues to scream.

"I know." Stiles says, trying to keep himself together for her. "I know it's not." Stiles takes in a deep breath before moving his hands to Cam's shoulders and pulling away a little to look at her. "Why don't we go back to my house? We can watch Star Wars or Finding Nemo?" Stiles offers, trying to give her a safe and reassuring smile.

Cam nods softly, her body starting to shake both from sobbing and the cold of the air while Stiles helps her stand up.

"Here." Stiles takes his hoodie off, wrapping it around her shoulders. "You look cold." He offers another smile while he walks Cam to his jeep, opening the passenger door for her.

Nothing can erase the pain that Cam feels through her body but Stiles is helping. The hug about killed her both from the impact of Stiles colliding with her but also because it was so comforting and not a hug of pity but one of undestanding and it just made her want to cry more. And it's him knowing that Finding Nemo is the go-to Disney movie for her. Knowing that she does not want to talk, she just wants someone to sit and watch a movie with her. It's the thought that she didn't have a hoodie and she'd be cold. Stiles is there at two in the morning on a school night. Because Cam needed him.

"Did I wake you up?" Cam stops crying long enough to ask as Stiles gets in the driver's side.

"Oh, no." He shakes his head and starts the jeep. "I was up." He says nonchalant but Cam can see the sleep in his eyes and he's in his pajamas.

"You're in your pajamas and it's almost two in the morning." Cam's voice is froggy as she talks.

"Right." Stiles's lips curl as he looks down and back up as he backs out. "I actually was out most of the night." His words are slow as if he were hiding something but also kind of wanted to talk about it.

"Why were you out?" Cam's voice cracks again despite her trying to keep her mind on Stiles.

He looks over with a soft sigh. "Okay, I'm only going to tell you so you don't start crying again, okay?"

"You're gonna actually let me in on something?" Cam mocks him as a few more tears fall down her cheeks.

"I helped set an innocent kid free tonight." His head is held high which makes her give out a cracked laugh.

"How's your dad feeling about that? And what kid?"

"Oh, he's pissed. But he'll get over it." Stiles waves his hand, Cam gaining just the smallest hint of a smile at Stiles's complete disregard for the law. "And Isaac."

"Like, Lahey?" Cam's eyebrows knit together as she watches Stiles's grip tighten on his steering wheel.

"You seriously need to not sleep all day." He retorts with a quick glance to her. "That body you found, Isaac's dad."

"First of all, you're trying not to get me to cry and that body is not a way of doing so but wait, Isaac's dad? So, what? They think Isaac did it?"

Sure, talking about the dead body is traumatizing but this is getting interesting. First, Cam is always right about animals and she knew it wasn't some mountain lion so that's just an ego boost but also, the fact they think somehow Isaac Lahey really killed his father. This is just interesting. Mystery in town. Innocent kid being possibly framed for the killing of his father. Of course, Cam still feeling bad for whatever did actually happen and for Isaac but her interest is piqued.

"Yep." Stiles nods his head just once with pursed lips. "Arrested him during practice and they were holding him but I helped get him out."

Cam shakes her head and starts laughing. "I'm sorry but Isaac looks like an adorable little puppy half the time and you didn't see that body. No way in Hell Isaac is some Jack The fucking Ripper. And how ironic is it that the sheriff's son set a murder suspect free." Cam pauses for a moment though, as she has to wonder how the hell does Stiles knows he didn't do it. Ted Bundy wasn't exactly the first suspect either. "How do you know he didn't do it though? Like, for sure?"

Stiles keeps his eyes on the road, wondering how he can possibly explain the whole Isaac is werewolf thing and there was a full moon and they know Isaac hasn't been the one killing people so it's not him and it was better to set him free than let a new werewolf be in a place with a bunch of people who don't even know werewolves exist. This is should be so easy to explain.

He shrugs. "The other animal attacks. We, uh, think with this murder they aren't animal attacks so the same person--"

"Killed Isaac's dad and Isaac isn't a serial killer?"

"You get it."

"Yeah..." Cam shakes her head. "Does he have an alibi?"

"Lacrosse for one of them." Stiles says quickly, not actually knowing if that's true but knowing the murders were taking place pre-werewolf Isaac.

"Oh, well. Fair enough I guess." Cam shrugs.

Stiles sucks in a breath, glancing to Cam who looks like she's about to ask more questions so he beats her to it. "You...you think Isaac's adorable?" He resituates himself in attempt to look cool, calm, and collected which are three things he is never.

Isaac? Adorable? What? Does she actually think that?

"Out of all of that, you're focused on Isaac being adorable?" Cam shakes her head, furrowing her brows as she stares at Stiles.

"Well, I mean, like what makes him so adorable? Like a puppy and not a kitten or a rabbit?" His sarcasm comes right back and Cam can't tell if he's still trying to keep her from crying or if he's seriously confused by her words.

Stiles really shouldn't care what Cam thinks of Isaac, with his whole infatuation with Lydia and all but, he does. Cam's never called him adorable so why is Isaac adorable and Stiles isn't?

"Cats look like they want to kill you. Rabbits kind of look like they just wanna eat and be left alone. Puppies always look really cute and innocent. Like Isaac. I mean, he's adorable. His eyes are so blue and his hair is blond. Awww, come on. You can't really see Isaac killing even a fly." Cam manages to tease, this conversation seeming to keep her mind off of her mom just a little.

Cam smiles at the thought of Isaac Lahey. He really is really cute. She's not super picky on who she finds attractive but he's kind of up there with Stiles, still falling short, however. Of course, she doesn't need to fill Stiles's ego so he doesn't need to know that small little detail.

"So, you're like into him?" His voice sounds a little defeated and if Cam didn't know better, she'd say he'd be disappointed if she did like Isaac.

"Nah, not my type." Cam smirks and looks to the window.

"Really?" His voice becomes perky and loud as she looks back to him. "I mean, why not?"

Cam chuckles a little as she bites the inside of her cheek. "I don't exactly know him but he's too puppy dog-like. Kind of seems like he wouldn't be into anything I would be into, ya know, Star Wars, photography, Spider-man."

"That's great." He says with a sly grin which only makes her roll her eyes.

"Yeah, not as superficial as your type. Strawberry blonde, five foot three, green eyes." Cam rolls her eyes once more.

"Hey, there's more to her. She's smart and funny." He defends, the grin not even budging.

"Real convincing. But, Stiles, there are other girls other than Lydia Martin. Girls who will actually give you the time of day."

"She might now. Remember, got that ten-year plan. I helped find her." His voice isn't defensive, rather it's optimistic.

"You know, in the years I've known you and Scott, you have only ever talked about Lydia where Scott has mentioned a fair number of girls." Cam lets out a soft sigh as her mind falls from the upbeat conversation, looking back to the window.

It's fun messing with Stiles. His face turns a light shade of red and he messes up words and makes the weirdest noises but never holds it against Cam anyway. Stiles is just a fun person to poke fun at and he'll do it right back and it's never malicious. It's always sarcastic and light-hearted but today, no matter where the joking would go, it's going to bring her heart back to the pit of her stomach.

Stiles glances to her and the street lights just hit her at all the places and her cheeks are still pink, hair in a messy side braid. His hoodie is far too big for her and her pink-painted fingernails just peak out of the sleeves.

"I think you're beautiful." Stiles says, the words flow with ease as if he's said it a thousand times and he has, never out loud but he's said it in his head more times than he can count.

Cam's head snaps to look at him with wide eyes and his eyes are on the road but are slowly glancing to her. "What?"

"You have light brown hair, hazel eyes. You're five foot four and you're really smart and funny and you're beautiful."

He thinks I'm beautiful.

Cam shakes her head as a few more tears fall, but an uncontrollable smile is glued to her face. "Thanks, Stiles even though I look like a mess." Cam wipes the tears and stares at the boy with a buzzcut and way too big of a heart.

The rest of the drive consisted of the radio at a low volume and Stiles explaining what's happened while Cam's been MIA. Considering she only slept through one day, she sure did miss a lot. But, she's not even upset about it. Cam's actually content, just sitting here and listening to Stiles go and on. That's always when she's been the most content though...just listening to Stiles talk. There's something in the excitement and dramatic expressions of his face that just distract her from anything and everything she has going on. He's captivating in the most innocent way. It's like he doesn't even realize he's captivating which part of why it's so innocent but that's just Stiles. Effortlessly captivating.

"Okay, shh. We can't wake my dad." Stiles puts his finger to his mouth as he creaks the door to his house open, Cam right behind him.

A light turns on just as the teens walk inside. "What're doing?" Sheriff Stilinski asks as he stands, leaned against a wall facing them.

"Uh, well," Stiles starts as Cam comes from behind him and stands next to him, giving the sheriff a shy, closed smile.

"Oh. Right, okay." Sheriff lets out a breath and his look of suspicion disappears with a nod. He can see the redness surrounding Cam's eyes and the rose tint to her cheeks. Keith told the sheriff what would be happening tonight, so seeing Cam makes the sheriff feel assured that Stiles was only gone to pick her up. And he can't be mad about that. "You okay, Cam?" His voice is soft and sincere.

"I'm fine." Cam shakes her head and forces a smile despite her tear-stained cheeks.

He sucks in his cheeks as if not to believe her. "Okay, well, I'll be down the hall." He nods his head and turns around. "I'll let your dad know you're here." He looks over his shoulder, choosing to let them be alone figuring it's for the best on the first night that Cam just spends this time with the person she chose to contact.

Cam nods while her and Stiles follow his lead and head to Stiles's bedroom. The walls are blue, just as Cam remembers them. His bed is still in the corner of his room and there's a few pieces of sports memorabilia as well as superhero merchandise, an All Time Low poster hanging by his bedside. None of which has changed since the last time she was in his room. Same interests, just more organized.

"Uh, you can take the bed." Stiles moves in front of Cam after shutting the door.

"Um," Cam watches him move one of his pillows to the floor. And she feels bad. She doesn't want him to give up the bed and she also doesn't really want to, at least, sit alone. "Can, you, uh, lay...with me for a bit?" Cam asks, scrunching her face, feeling weird about even asking. Is it weird to ask? After everything and them just now trying to sort out this renewal of their friendship? Is it weird? Or is it totally normal under the circumstances?

His eyes widen as he stares at Cam and fumbles for words. "Y-yeah." He gains a goofy grin and moves the pillow back to the bed.

When they were kids, they would share a couch but not usually the bed. They just liked camping out in the living room so this is new and also a little weird for Stiles but, there's something that almost boosts his ego a little. Cam wants him to lay with her. It's him she feels comfortable with after all this time.

Cam sets her bag next to the bed before climbing in, closest to the wall. Stiles climbs in right after, the grin not even moving. Cam shakes her head and rolls her eyes, knowing her asking him to lay with her made him feel good. But, as Stiles slides in next to her, she can feel his warmth through her clothing and it's like being connected as one. It's nice and it's comforting but at the same time, nerve-wracking.

"So," Cam clears her throat, trying to break the silence and ease the nerves. "My mom wrote me a letter on one of her last lucid days." Cam chews her lip, looking to her hands and actively avoiding eye contact as Stiles stares at her.

What he would do to have a letter from his mom.

"Oh, wow." His face fills with forms of sorrow and pain. "What, uh, what did she say?"

"I didn't read it." Cam admits and looks to his plain white ceiling, Stiles shaking his head in bits of confusion.

"Why not?"

"Why bother? It's just her last words. People say a lot of things on their deathbeds." Cam lets out a sigh, finally glancing at Stiles.

If she reads it, her mom is officially gone, like it's real. She doesn't want to read it because it hurts. Reading a letter while her mom was herself is basically torture. Cam has accepted a long time ago that her mom was 'gone' but this letter makes it feel like she wasn't gone as long as Cam feels she has been. It's too close, too soon. Too real.

"Cam, read the letter." Stiles's voice is actually serious which makes Cam actually turn and face him, more than just a glance. "I wish I had a letter from my mom." His voice is sad and almost pleading with her. She hadn't thought about Stiles with his mom.

Cam rolls her eyes before shaking her head. "Can't...can't I just wait...until I really miss her?" Cam scrunches her face, really not wanting to read it now and just save it.

"As long as you're actually gonna read it and not stuff it away somewhere." Stiles says, knowing Cam's way of dealing with pain, running and stuffing it into a box, pretending it doesn't exist. "Trust me," He sucks in a breath, looking away from her. "You're gonna be real happy you have it."

"I know." Cam nods. "I'm glad I have it now, ya know? But..." She matches Stiles's stare at the wall while he looks back to her. "I really wanna wait until..."

"The urge to, uh, see her...goes away?"

"Yeah." Cam says slowing, a lump growing once again in her throat.

Stiles hesitates but just for a moment before he puts his hand on hers, Cam immediately looking back to him. "Um..." He shakes his head and a huff leaves his lips but with sadness, not spite. "It doesn't go away, Cam."

Cam looks to their hands, turning her hand over to interlock her fingers with his. "I know but..." She shrugs one shoulder. "I guess...what's it's not so....second-nature, I guess?" She squints her eye. "Like..to go see her."

"Yeah, yeah I get it." Stiles nods. "Um, well, just when you read the letter, I'll, uh I'll be here if you need someone." Stiles pauses for just a second. "You don't have to tell me or anything. Just I'll be there if you need someone." Stiles rushes his words out quickly, not wanting to overstep what Cam would probably want to be something kept to herself.

"Thanks, Stiles."

The room goes silent and it's like this two-ton weight starts to ease onto Cam's shoulder. Talking to Stiles helps, it always helps because it makes her not feel so alone. It keeps her mind off things. It's a way of running without her having to physically run away. It's her mind's way of running away but now it's silent and the absolute agony of losing her mind creeps in like a black silhouetted figure in the back of her mind.

It's just there easing into the forefront of her mind and it's yanking her heart out of her chest, kicking her tear ducts and whispering all the memories she had with her mom right into her ear. Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, everything in between. First heartbreak when her first goal in soccer, her mom screaming from the sidelines, getting it all on tape. The day she got her first camera and her mom asked for a full photoshoot. And then it's everything that her mom will miss. Graduation, prom, first real love, her wedding, kids. Everything. It's just the start of Cam's life and her mom is missing so many big moments and it all just caves in and a whimper leaves Cam's lips.

"Hey." Stiles lets go of her hand as he turns to face her. "It's okay." Stiles says, it's not okay and he knows damn well it isn't but he says it anyway because it's better than saying absolutely nothing. He scoots impossibly closer to her and pulls Cam into his chest, hand on the back of her head and he just lets her cry.

And it helps so much. The crying does nothing but make Cam want to scream louder and run further away from the world, but Stiles helps. Just him being there, trying his absolute best to just be there in any way he can, even though he knows nothing ever really stops the pain. It just helps the lump in her throat evaporate and the tears slowly come to a stop. And maybe it is a little bit because Cam hates crying in general, especially around Stiles because she always feels like it's pity even though it's not. And Cam hates being pitied. But, maybe it's just because he's Stiles, and Stiles has also been a sort of hero to her.

"Wait." Stiles says quickly as Cam calms down and he pulls away.

He lets go of Cam and gets up and goes to his desk where his backpack is seated on the floor. He opens one of the pockets and pulls out a yellow rectangle box and barely looks at Cam as he throws it over, Cam fumbling with the box before it falls on the bed. A laugh escapes her lips as she wipes her eyes reading the Milk Dud box.

"Thanks, Stiles." Cam says, picking up the box and opening it

"Normally I'd make you share buuuutt, I think you need it a little more than usual." He says as he climbs back into bed.

When Cam texted Stiles about the dead body, something almost seemed to click with him and it wasn't just the absolute and undying terror of Cam being the one attacked next. It was that...Cam texted him. Of all people. Cam chose Stiles. She chose him, after everything and she needed him so he went and it wasn't even because it was the right thing to do. It was because he needed to because she needed him. And maybe, after all this time away from her, he's figured out that a part of him needs her, too. Ad because of that, because of everything, he stopped at a gas station and picked up her favorite candy because he knew that when her mom goes, Cam will text him. And it's not something big but it's something and Cam got him his favorite candy when his mom died. He's repaying the kindness because he cares.

"It's not mint chocolate chip ice cream but-" Stiles starts before leaning over the bed and grabbing Cam's backpack, placing it on his lap.

He remembers my favorite ice cream and candy...?

"It is chocolate and I'm sure you still have every Disney movie on your laptop." He smirks as he pushes the laptop towards Cam for her to be able to take her laptop out.

"How did you know I had my laptop?" Cam asks, giving him a half-smirk as she opens her bag. "And why do you remember my favorite foods?"

Stiles's eyes widen a bit, caught a bit off guard and the answer is so obvious. "Because I care about you." He states, the words flowing like a gentle current of a creek.

Cam's cheeks turn red as she shakes her head. "Thank you." She pulls her laptop out, her heart about getting whiplash from the heartache and butterflies mixing together. "We don't have to watch--"

"Just tun on Finding Nemo." Stiles rolls his eyes before placing Cam's bag on the floor.

Cam grins, clicking the movie and handing Stiles the laptop for him to put it towards the end of the bed so both of them could see it. And just like that, it's like they're back to where they left off. Stiles puts his arm around her, a little awkward and nearly hitting her in the head but around her, nonetheless and Cam sinks down a little, getting comfortable with the box of candy and offering some to Stiles. It's just easy for Cam and easy for Stiles to just be. No judgment, no cares with the movie playing, just be and exist, together.

Tag list: @lauras-collection // @lenonizi // @favoriteff-allcelebs // @teen--marvel // @littlemaatta // @marvel-lover-bucky-protector // @hypothetical-cynicism // @peter-parkers-passport // @bibliophile-grasshopp // @writeseasonally //  @kahnacademyforfun // @justafangirlduh // @ocfairygodmother // @jewelswrites-ish​ 

[onceuponastory]

Coming Back Home: Chapter Seven - Whistle For the Choir

“Is it out of line if I was to be bold and say "Would you be mine"? Because I may be a beggar and you may be the queen I know I may be on a downer, I'm still ready to dream” - whistle for the choir: the fratellis

Plot: Based on a prompt by @orphicodysseywrites​

Tag List: @shinydixon​, @baker151910​, @silverwings1999 and @thesundrop​. Let me know if you want to be added!

Warnings: Some mentions of alcohol and anxiety. Also a few tiny sex mentions/references but nothing smutty. Notes: Wow. So it’s been a while since I’ve posted for this fic, hasn’t it? I’m sorry about that. BUT I love this story, and I intend to finish it. This chapter is more of a filler one before the wedding in the next chapter or two, so Y/N and Nick’s relationship isn’t a huge focus, but I hope you all enjoy it regardless!

Read the other parts / Read this story on Wattpad!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Nick or his character! I just used Nick bc he’s the only character of Dacre’s that fits this prompt. Aside from Nick being in this, this fic has NOTHING to do with The Broken Hearts Gallery. But you should all see the movie if you can, because it’s adorable!

Softly groaning, I wake up. For a moment, I feel something on my waist, and almost scream, until I realise I'm still in Nick's arms. He's still fast asleep, his chest slowly rising and falling with every breath. I smile, watching him sleep for a while. He looks so content...so peaceful. Is this what it's like to get a proper nights sleep? But as soon as that thought crosses my mind, another replaces it. I didn't have a nightmare last night...did I? I had a proper nights sleep too. Frowning, I wiggle out of Nick's arms, trying not to wake him. Once I've done that, I roll over to where the clock beside my bed reads 7:47am. Oh my god. I slept FULLY through the night for one of the first and only times in my life. I sit for a few moments, trying to decipher what it was that helped me sleep so well. Is it because I’ve been drinking less wine? Or is it because I’ve been eating healthier recently? 

“You idiot.” I tell myself. “You know why you slept well, and he’s sleeping right beside you.” Nick grunts, and shifts a little in his sleep. Looking back down at him. I smile again. He's beautiful. And he likes me. Me. Despite my anxieties, my awkwardness and well...everything else, Nick likes me just for myself. Kissing him again wouldn't be so bad. Maybe just a small cheek peck? But Nick soon starts mumbling to himself as he wakes up. As he looks around the room, his blue eyes focus on me looking down at him, and a soft chuckle escapes his lips. 

"Were you watching me sleep?" He asks, his voice husky. It takes all my willpower to not kiss him right there and then.

"...Maybe. But you looked so peaceful. Who could blame me?" Instead of replying with words, Nick leans up and kisses me again. God, if this is still a dream, I don't ever want to wake up from it. Nick sits up, and his arms go around my back as the kiss deepens.

"Good morning." He whispers once we pull apart. The look he gives me sends my heart into backflips again.

"Morning." I smile. But before we can say anything else, a knock sounds on the door.

"Y/N, are you there? I'm coming in! Just checking if you're okay after yesterday. Nick's not here, so I don't know if he-" The two of us spring apart just as Katie walks into the room. Her eyes go wide as she takes in the sight in front of her...her big sister in bed with the best man.

"Um....morning sis." I smile awkwardly, and Nick gives a small wave from beside me, trying to cover some of his body with the quilt.

"Oh. My. God."

~~~ "I need details immediately. What happened?" Katie asks, eyeing us both as she takes a bite from her toast.

"Katie, I swear we didn't...do it-" Nick begins, but she cuts him off.

"Not you, I mean Y/N." She states. My cheeks flash red.

"Well, uh...Nick came to see I was okay, as you know. And well..." I don't know why I'm so nervous. After all, Katie had said she was okay with me acting on my feelings for Nick, which I had done. And yet, I didn't want to tell her what happened. Maybe because she walked in on us, rather than us telling her ourselves. "We kissed. That's all." She raises an eyebrow.

"That's all? I found you both in bed together at 8am. I mean, you were both fully clothed, but still."

"We just shared a bed, we didn't do anything else." I tell her. I'm not sure if she believes me, but she nods anyway, before going back to munching on her toast. "Anyway. How are you feeling after yesterday? Is everything okay?" I ask. She reaches over the table and takes my hand.

"I'm feeling much better. Thank you for being there for me Y/N. And you Nick. Adam helped too of course. I think I'm starting to put it out of my mind." She smiles. "What, with the wedding and all." Suddenly, her eyes go wide, and she drops the toast onto her plate. "Oh my god. I'M GETTING MARRIED THIS WEEK!" She squeals. I can immediately sense her anxiety levels rising. "I'm...what if...we-" She begins to panic. "And there's the rehearsals and the dinner, and omg I still have to do this and-"

"Hey, hey, hey. It's okay. We're here to help. And besides, everything's ready to go, we just need to take everything over to the hotel and to the venue before the big day."

"You sure?" She asks, and I nod. Katie takes a deep breath. "You're right. I'm calm. Everything will be fine. We'll show our Dad. We'll make it a party he'll regret missing! I mean, can you believe he wanted to miss it? Idiot." A smile grows on her face, and Nick and I give each other a look, both sensing something is off.

"Uh Katie, are you sure you're okay? We can talk about it if you want." She shakes her head.

"I'm fine. Water under the bridge."

"Katie seriously, if you're still upset, we-"

"NOPE. I'm fine. How could I still be upset when I have THIS!" She waves her arms at us. "Two of my favourite people have found each other and are finally happy! Man, I love love! I love weddings!!! Best time ever. Now come on you two. We have work to do!" She announces, getting up and leaving the room, taking her plate with her.

"Uh...Is she okay?" Nick asks as we watch her go.

"I have no idea. I better keep an eye on her. I'll see you later, okay?" I ask, and he squeezes my hand for reassurance. It's going to be a long day.

~~~

"Seriously sis. I'M FINE." Katie tells me again as we load the garment bags containing our gowns into our bags. "But enough about me. What's Nick like? You know..." I gasp. "Not like that! I mean kissing wise. Was it nice?"

"Yeah, it was really nice." I answer, feeling my cheeks flushing slightly. Katie smiles.

"Maybe we'll be planning your wedding next. Will it be as awesome as mine though? We'll have to see." She winks, organising the bags. Frowning, I open my mouth to say something, but she cuts me off again. "Right, time to load these into the car. Come on sis, let's go!" She calls, picking up a load of bags and walking out of the room with them. I watch her go again. For a moment there, it almost looked like Katie's smile dropped, but she replaced it before I could say anything.

Something definitely isn't right with her.

~~~

As the day continues, and Katie and I finalise final bridal preparations, I can still sense something isn't right. But I don't want to prod her too much, so I let her go on and on about how great the wedding is going to be, and how it's going to be the best party anyone has ever been to. If she's ready to talk to me, she will.

And soon, she does. As we’re carrying boxes to the car, a centerpiece slips out of the box she is carrying, and it lands on the driveway. "I'll get it!" I call, bending down to pick it up. Before I even get back up however, I hear a sniffle from beside me.

"Just leave it. It's stupid anyway. This whole thing is stupid." I snap my head up.

"What do you mean?" I ask, rushing over to her.

"Look. There must be a reason why Dad doesn't want to come to the wedding. Even if I make it a great party, he still won't come. Maybe it's stupid." She sighs, wiping her eyes. Anger rises within me. Our Dad already made me hate myself for twenty one years, and I won't let him do the same to Katie.

"No. It's not stupid. The only reason why Dad doesn't want to come is because he expected us to welcome him back with open arms after what he did, and make him part of our family. And we didn't! He's just too proud to admit that his daughters don't care about him or what he thinks anymore."

"But...I do." She sniffs, and I pull her into a hug. "Even if he doesn't care about me."

"I'm sorry sis. But trust me. He is not worth it. He is not worth ANY of our tears. Years of therapy and trying to learn how to love myself taught me that. And look at us now! We're both happy with people we love and care about around us, and yet he can't even get his two daughters back because we know what a piece of garbage he is. He means nothing to us. If he cared a single iota about us, he would've shown up long before this. And he would have stayed for your wedding. But he didn't." Katie looks up at me, her eyes glistening.

"Maybe you're right about that..." She trails off.

"I am right. Trust me. He is not worth any of your pain. And no. Your wedding isn't stupid. Who was the one who specifically wanted a vintage shabby chic theme for your wedding, even when your planner said it is one of the most basic and popular choices?"

"Me."

"And who has constantly picked things she wanted without letting anyone else change her mind...even Caroline and the bachelorette venue? Or me and this town?" Katie sniffles, and giggles.

"Me!"

"And who's going to have a PERFECT wedding, all by herself, not giving a single fuck about whether or not her Dad is there?"

"...Me?"

"That's right! Because you and Adam picked out everything to please yourselves. Nobody else. So you don't need to worry about pleasing our Dad or making him jealous, because pleasing others is never what you wanted to do. All you ever wanted to do was celebrate your love to Adam. And you'll do exactly that. Dad or no Dad." I tell her. "And besides. I think these centerpieces are beautiful. After all. I helped make them, so I might be biased." Katie laughs again at that, this time a proper, happy laugh. It makes me smile.

"Yeah...yeah you're right. I'm sorry about that. I was probably letting what happened yesterday and my nerves get the best of me."

"It's okay. Hey. How about when we get back home, I give you the number of my therapist? You don't have to go...but maybe it'll do us both good to talk about it with a professional. It’s been really helpful for me so far."

"I'd like that."

"And until then, you know I'm always here for you right?" Katie nods, and we hug again. We both load the box into the car, and head back towards the house. I slip my arm around her waist and pull her in close. Another crisis averted. For now anyway.

"Wait, did you just say that you're in love with Nick?" Katie asks, her eyes wide.

"I said nothing of the sort." I mean, I didn't...it just slipped out. I don't even know how I feel about him. I mean, I like him, of course I do, and I want to see him again after the wedding is over. It's just...I don't know if he wants to see me again. And love is a strong word to use when we only kissed yesterday. And this morning. Still though. It's too soon. "You idiot." A little voice in my head says. "Of course he wants to see you again. He wouldn't have kissed you otherwise. He's not the kind of person to kiss someone and then just ditch them....at least I hope not."

"Look at you blush! You totally did say that!" Katie grins, pointing at my face. "Are you going to tell him?"

"No! Katie I don't even know how I feel yet, or how he feels. And besides, it's not like I have time to think about it, because we're literally leaving the day after tomorrow to go to the wedding rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner, and then we're staying in the hotel with the rest of the bridal party the night before, remember?"

"Yeah, you're right. But you should give it a think." She says, and I nod. She was right, of course. But I didn't want to think about it. I wasn't ready to consider the possibility that Nick was going to leave me, and that I'd be alone again. I already have to deal with what feels like losing my younger sister to her new family, I can't handle losing Nick too. I mean, I was happy for Katie, of course I was. What kind of monster would I be if I wasn't happy for my little sister getting married after the shit childhood we had? But it had just been the two of us for so long. We lived together for so long, spoke everyday on the phone when we were at university, and we even live about an hour away from each other by train. But now I have to come to terms with the realisation that she might not be living so close to me after she gets married. I know I can't protect her for the rest of her life, and I don't want to smother her...but actually coming to terms with that was hard. God, is this what parents feel like when their kids finally leave the nest? Cause it's shit.

~~~

That night, as I finish packing up my things to take to the hotel before the wedding, I spot a picture of Katie and I the night of her senior prom. Smiling fondly, I pick it up and sit down on my bed, looking down at the picture. There's a knock on the door.

"Come in." I call. Nick opens the door and sits beside me.

"Hey. What'cha looking at?" He asks.

"This is Katie and I the night of her senior prom." I let him look at the picture.

"Oh my god, her dress looks like a marshmallow."

"Hey! I helped her pick that out! It's a very pretty marshmallow. Even if it's bright pink and sparkly."

"Is her dress like this?" He asks.

"No! You'll see it on Friday." I sigh, looking down at the picture. "God, this feels like it was just yesterday, and now she's getting married..." I trail off as tears start to fill in my eyes. Fuck. I can't cry in front of Nick.

"Hey, are you alright?" Nick asks. He gently presses a soft kiss to the side of my head. And that is what sets my tears off. Shit. I mean, Nick has seen me at some of the worst points of my life, and still stayed beside me, but it doesn't mean that I like being so vulnerable in front of him.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I sniff, wiping my eyes. "It's just been tough, realising that she's growing up and won't be my little sister who's just across the hall from me or an hour away from me anymore. It's dumb, I know. This was always going to happen, I just never thought about it until now." Nick smiles softly.

"I understand. It's not dumb." He gently takes my hand, and I look over at him. God, how is he always SO nice? I swear it's not normal. As I look into his blue eyes, I realise that I’m not ready to say goodbye to Katie...and I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye to Nick either. I’m not ready for this change. "Maybe you should talk to her about it though. I mean, she is your sister, I'm just a friend of hers.” 

“Easier said than done." I sigh. “She’s focused on only the wedding right now, and then she’ll be away on her honeymoon early the next morning, so I don’t think I’ll have any time to.” Nick gives me a small smile, and gently rubs my arm.

"Well I hope you do get to speak to her. It sounds important.” His face lights up with remembrance. “Oh! By the way, when you get a chance, can we talk? About...this? About us?" He asks. My heart sinks. This is what I've been worrying about. I can feel my separation anxiety is about to rear its ugly head again. Maybe Nick does want to leave me after this wedding. And then Katie will be gone too, and I’ll be all alone again.

"I mean, we can try, but given that the wedding is literally in four days, it might be too hard to do that." I laugh awkwardly, hoping that he doesn’t pick up on my nervousness. Thankfully Nick chuckles. “We could, uh, talk about it now if you want?” I offer. Nick shakes his head.

“Sorry, but I can’t now. Adam needs me to help sort some stuff in like ten minutes, and then I’m booked and busy for the rest of the week.”

“Same here. But we’ll talk. I promise. You better go help Adam.” I reassure him. Smiling, Nick pecks my lips, and leaves the room. As the door closes behind him, I sigh, trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me. Nick likes me. He keeps kissing me, after all. He must like me. Right? He obviously wants to tell me he wants to see me again. At least, that’s what I hope for. Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted someone to love and to love me back. Someone who wasn’t my family. Someone who wouldn’t leave me...and even though it might be too soon, I think Nick might be that person for me.

I just hope he feels the same.

~~~

Three Days Later: The Night of the Wedding Rehearsal and the Rehearsal Dinner. One Day til the Wedding.

“THAT’S Nick?!” Brooke gasps, pointing over at where Nick is standing, talking to some other groomsmen. “He’s even more attractive in real life.”

“Yup. Isn’t he dreamy?” Katie sighs fondly. We all look over at her. “What, just cause I’m getting married tomorrow doesn’t mean I can’t have one last look. He is nice, isn’t he Y/N?” She asks, wiggling her brows which almost makes me choke on my champagne. All of the bridesmaid’s faces turn to me, some frowning at me. “Oh, didn’t she tell you that she and Nick are totally a thing now?” My mouth drops open, along with the rest of the girls. 

“That’s not true, we haven’t even spoken about-” But before I can finish, the officiant clears their throat, encouraging us to take our places for the wedding rehearsal. As Katie and I walk to the beginning of the makeshift aisle, we pass Nick on the way. 

“Hey.” He smiles, and my heart almost stops. God he’s gorgeous. He’s wearing a suit, just minus a tie. I can see part of his chest poking through his shirt. If this is how I feel seeing him now, how will I manage to see him in his full suit tomorrow? And the fact we haven’t even managed to speak about our feelings for each other yet wasn’t helping either.

“Hi.” I whisper. 

“Good luck with uh...you know. This.” He says. I raise an eyebrow. 

“With...walking?” Nick’s face flushes pink, and I hear Katie snigger from beside me.

“Y..Yeah! With walking. And heels and stuff. Don’t want you to break your ankle before tomorrow or anything.” I start giggling, and even Nick lets out a small smile. Even if it’s a bit awkward, it’s still cute, and I appreciate the sentiment.

“I’ll try. Thanks Nick. See you soon.” We both nod, and Katie and I take our positions. Katie is still giving me a look, and I frown. “What?”

“You and Nick! Look at you. It’s so obvious that you two have the hots for each other. Anyone in this room can see it. Even Adam’s parents.” Now I start blushing, and I hiss:

“Okay, we are not talking about this right now, especially not at your wedding rehearsal dinner of all places.” Katie just gives me a wink, and the two of us don’t say anything else as the bridesmaids and groomsmen start to walk down the aisle together. Soon, it’s our turn to go. As we walk down the aisle together, my eyes wander towards Nick. He’s staring at me. Why is he staring at me? God what if I do fall? Shit. Okay Y/N, think of anything BUT Nick.

Nick’s POV

“Why are you staring at her like that?” Adam whispers.

“What? I’m not staring at anyone.” I lie. Adam rolls his eyes. 

“Come on man, it’s pretty obvious.” He retorts, before turning back and walking up to receive Katie from Y/N so they can be married. Y/N smiles widely as she mimes handing her sister over to be married, and her smile makes me feel all warm inside. It’s a beautiful smile. It fits her perfectly. Y/N takes her place beside the other bridesmaids, and her gaze catches my eye again. She gives me a small smile, and I smile back. She looks stunning. She’s in a navy lace dress that hugs her figure perfectly. And I just want to rip it off of her. God, I hope she likes me back too. Even though we’ve kissed each other, I still can’t be sure. Y/N’s such a great person, and she deserves someone who can tell her that everyday. And I want to be that person for her. But before I can think of anything else, Adam and Katie suddenly cut into my thoughts:

“And then this is when we get the rings from Nick and do our vows.” Katie explains, and I nod. God, my best friend is getting married to the love of his life tomorrow and all I’m thinking about is how I want to make out with the maid of honour. I need to talk to her about my true feelings as soon as possible. The wedding rehearsal finishes up pretty quickly, but before I can talk to Y/N, she’s swept up by Katie and the rest of her bridal party who leave the room, clearly ready to go to dinner together. I sigh as Adam walks up behind me. 

“Come on loverboy. You can talk to her later.” He says. I frown, about to ask him how he knows what I’m thinking about, but he doesn’t respond, and instead gives me a knowing look. “Come on lover boy, we better go.” He orders, walking away with the rest of the groomsmen. I sigh. Hopefully he’s right, and that I can talk to Y/N soon.

~~~

A few hours later

Y/N’s POV

“So.” Vanessa begins, sipping on her wine. We have finished our dinner, and Vanessa, Sam and I are hanging out with each other. “You and Nick, huh?” She raises an eyebrow. My heart rate speeds up, and I gulp down the rest of my wine, already feeling the familiar buzz of becoming tipsy. God, I wish I brought more.

“Uh, what about us?” I frown, trying to feign innocence. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t work. She and Sam scoff.

“He’s been staring at you for the whole night. Actually, babe, is he still looking at her?” She asks Sam. Sam’s head whips around, not subtly at all, and my cheeks flush red.

“Yup, he’s still looking.” She confirms, and goes back to sipping her beer like nothing major was going on. My cheeks now feel like they’re on fire. “Awww, young love.” She smiles. “I remember that feeling, don’t you babe?” Vanessa nods.

“Why don’t you talk to him? He obviously wants to talk to you. Either that, or he’s trying to win a staring contest.” I splutter.

“I can’t talk to him! For one, my sister is getting married tomorrow, so that takes priority, and I don’t even know if he likes me in that way, despite our kiss.” Sam and Vanessa’s eyes go wide. Now I remember why I don’t drink wine. Because I can’t shut up when I do.

“YOU KISSED?!” They gasp in unison. I quickly shush them, but they continue. “Okay, you definitely need to talk to him. Now.”

“But-”

“But nothing. Katie will understand. And don’t be silly, of course he likes you in that way.” They reassure me, gently pushing me in Nick’s direction. “And if he breaks your heart, we’ll deal with it.” They wink, giving me one last push. Why does it feel like I’m being thrown to the wolves? Nick sees me, and he smiles, relief flooding his features. My heart rate speeds up even more. He’s so beautiful. I can do this, right? I just have to go up to him and say:

“Hey, I think you’re extremely attractive, and I want to know how you feel about me, even though we’ve kissed a lot these past few days, and I was wondering if you wanted to be my boyfriend?” ....Okay no. No wonder I’ve been single this long if this is what I think classifies asking someone out. Maybe I should just talk to him? Even though it’s easier said than done. I take a deep breath, steeling myself, and start the walk over to him. It might be easier said than done, but I have to do it. 

But just as I’m about to reach him, a voice from beside me calls:

“Oh Y/N, dear!” Adam’s mother walks up to me. Oh great. Just what I need. I’ve only spent time with Adam’s mother a few times, probably less than ten times, and she was lovely all those times, but I have more important things to do. 

“Hi, it’s nice to see you again, but I actually-” I begin, before she links her arm with mine, and pulls me in the direction of some more aunts and uncles. Oh, this is not good. “Actually, I have to do some-” I start, but she cuts me off.

“I wanted to introduce you to some people. Adam’s great aunt Agnes actually has a question about tomorrow, and I thought you’d be able to help, because you and Katie have done such a wonderful job so far.” That’s nice, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to be able to fix before tomorrow. And I have more important things to do. I look back over at Nick, mouthing the word sorry to him, and he nods, but still looks disappointed. I sigh. There goes that chance to clear things up. Meanwhile, Adam’s mother is still chattering away, and hasn’t even noticed me looking at Nick, or my half assed replies or nods. Thankfully, Katie soon appears in front of us both, announcing that she needs me for important maid of honour duties. I sigh happily. Thank god. “Wait!” Adam’s mother calls before we leave. “I just wanted to say...I know you girls haven’t had a mother figure in your lives for a while, and I just wanted to say that you both have one in me. Even you Y/N. Your sister may be marrying my son, but I love you both as if you were my own. And besides, after tomorrow, we’re family!” She smiles, pulling us both into a tight hug. As she squeezes me tightly, I feel tears stinging at my eyes. Now I feel bad for trying to escape...even though it was so I could confess my love for the best man. “If either of you need anything, I’m here for you okay?” She asks, and we nod. “See you tomorrow.” Katie and I wave, and she leads me away. 

“Thanks for saving me.” I whisper. “Now, where did Nick get to?” Katie frowns.

“Nick? He and the rest of the groomsmen left to go back to the house a while ago.” My heart sinks. Dammit. “I was actually coming to get you. It’s time for us to head over to the hotel, and I gotta give you girls your presents!” She squeals excitedly. She leads me outside to a limo, and we get inside, being greeted by the others. Sam and Vanessa look at me expectantly, but I shake my head. They look disappointed, but say nothing. As the car sets off towards the hotel, everyone starts to chatter excitedly and pass around glasses of champagne, while I just stare out of the window. I know my mind should be focused on my sister, and I am excited for her, of course I am...but I just want to see Nick.

~~~ In the Hotel

“Okay, so these are your robes to wear while we’re getting ready tomorrow.” Katie explains, passing them around. “Aaaaand, there’s these too. There’s a little note in each.” She hands each of us a little gift bag. Soon, the room fills with a chorus of ‘awww’ and ‘thank you’. I reach into my bag and pull out a bracelet with a little heart charm. My initials are engraved into the charm. “Read the note.” Katie tells me, and I open it.

“Dear Y/N, aka the best big sister in the world. I just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve ever done, and continue to do for me. I know I say this to you a lot, but it’s true. I hope to one day repay the kindness you’ve shown me over the years. You’ve been the only person who has supported and loved me throughout our lives. Even though I may not be able to see you as often as usual, I’ll always be there for you. You’ve been the one constant in my life, and our bond is unbreakable. I’m not going anywhere any time soon, and I’m not letting you go either!

Lots and lots of love,

Katie xxx

P.S. Ask Nick out. Please. He won’t shut up about you and to be honest it’s getting annoying.”

With tears stinging my eyes, I immediately pull Katie into a huge hug, which she returns, squeezing me tightly. “I love you so much.” She whispers, as we both start crying in each others arms, and the other girls comfort us as best they can. I was worrying for nothing. Katie was right: our bond is unbreakable, regardless of where we live, and who we’re with. 

Whatever happens, she’ll always be my sister, and my best friend.

~~~

The Next Day: Wedding Day.

Small lines of sunlight come through the windows and into the room. The room is silent, aside from a few snores and the occasional mumbling as the girls turn in their sleep. Soon however, the peace is shattered with an excited squeal.

“I’M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!”

[writingformymentalhealth]

Chapter 7

Josephine Fawley or as her brother liked to call her the tomboy Princess had a striking romance with Hogwarts very own Pureblood rebel Sirius Black.

Sadly her parents deemed his Brother the so called Slytherin Prince as a better fit and arranged a marriage with the younger Black.

Tw: Arranged marriage, possible smut, swear words, lots of fluff, angst,

Part 1

Part 8

Masterlist

Wattpad

The next morning, Joey woke up to an empty bed. Everything was folded neatly, and it looked like the bed had been untouched for the night and even though she felt hostile towards the Slytherin, she would have preferred to wake up next to a familiar face instead of a cold and empty room.

Sighing, she put on a dress, guessing that Orion and Walburga probably weren’t the breakfast in Pyjama kind of people.

In the dining room she only found Regulus eating his breakfast while reading the newspaper thoroughly.

She cleared her throat. “Morning.”

“Good Morning, Kreacher will bring you breakfast in a minute.”

She nodded, sitting down next to him, nervously playing with her hair till the house-elf brought her breakfast.

“My Parents aren’t going to be home till the evening and I have no idea where Sirius went.” Regulus informed her, not looking up from his newspaper.

She let her mind wander to Sirius; he was drunk yesterday and although she wished it was different; she doubted that Sirius Black would want to be the dirty little secret of somebody - yet alone herself. She looked at her fiancée who didn’t even spare her a look and had to blink back tears - she was in for a lonely summer and probably an even lonelier life.

She shuddered thinking about her married life with Regulus, her only source of affection being cold gazes and snippy comments.

After both teens finished their breakfast, Regulus got up, making his way to the door.

“Can we explore the house today?” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

“I live here there is nothing to explore.”

“I don’t live here.” She said, fully aware of how pleading her voice sounded.

“There is nothing interesting here, besides maybe Sirius room - if you are into half naked woman on motorcycles, but I guess you already explored that thoroughly.”

“Reggie-” the nickname slipped from her lips so easily that it surprised even herself. She expected Regulus to be angry, but he just nodded curtly.

“Alright I’ll give you a tour.”

He walked her through the hallways showing her some of the guest rooms that all had a similar eerie decor that made Joey’s hair stand up.

“Told you.” He muttered after guest room number three, but Joey was adamant about seeing every room in the enormous mansion.

The last door of the hallway looked different, less dusty, and Regulus hesitated before opening it.

The room was beautiful. Huge bookshelves decorated the walls, a comfortable-looking sofa next to a fireplace, and a huge piano in the middle of the room.

“I like this room,” Regulus informed her, his eyes slipping over the furniture as if he wanted to make sure that nothing was missing

“It’s beautiful.” she walked to the piano, gently caressing the expensive wood. “Can you play?”

“A little.”

“Play for me.”

“Is this an order?” Regulus asked and Joey felt her body tense up, although the boy didn’t seem angry, just curious.

“Just hoping you will consider my request.”

He made a smacking sound with his mouth before his long, slender fingers found their way to the piano keys. He started playing a melody that Joey didn’t know, but she liked it, and most importantly she liked how regulus looked when playing the piano. So peaceful, so emotional, so young, so very human. Joey found herself fascinated by the boy she saw, and she clapped excitedly after he finished his play and for a short second she thought she almost saw him smile a little.

But his face soon became cold again as he informed her he had some work for his parents to do and she was welcome to look around on her own.

Shocked by his sudden change in demeanor, Joey just nodded, making her way back to Regulus room, plopping herself on the bed trying to read a book.

The next few days went by in a blur, the Black parents being occupied by something they called ‘important business’, Regulus practically ignoring her and Sirius still not coming back.

It was Monday evening during dinner that Sirius decided to rejoin the Black household.

“Late as always,” Walburga sneered as the boy sat down opposite of Joey.

Sirius stayed silent, shoving food inside his mouth while Walburga went on about what a disappointment Sirius was. Joey opened her mouth to say something, but Regulus shook his head, giving her a warning glare.

“And now to you,” Walburga said, looking at Joey and regulus, “you seem so distant with each other, why don’t you hold hands or something?”

Orion snorted dismissively. “They sleep in the same room I’m sure they are far past hand holding.”Joey felt her cheeks heat up as the two adults talked about her sex life so nonchalantly and her eyes automatically looked to Sirius, her subconscious still holding on to all the years that he has been her comfort but Sirius eyes were filled with something that could only be described as pure rage as he glared at his brother who didn’t even flinch under the older Black boy’s gaze instead he swiftly slipped his hand into her’s.

Sirius looked ready to burst and Joey felt comfort in Regulus casually holding her hand as Sirius stood up abruptly, walking up the wooden stairs in his room.

Joey’s heart sank. She hated it when Sirius got angry, especially when it was because of her, but there was nothing she could do for this situation - at least till the adults were asleep.

-

It was past midnight as Joey slipped into Sirius’ room, half expecting him to be fast asleep but instead finding his head in his hands sitting on the floor next to a fist shaped hole in the wall.

“Sirius.”

She didn’t get an answer she slowly made her way towards him as if he was a wild animal. Joey lowered herself next to the trembling boy’s body, reaching out a hand to comfort him but stopping a few inches before his skin.

Was it okay for him if she comforted him? After all, he wasn’t hers anymore.

Did he even want to see her?

Was he sad or mad?

“I’m sorry,” she stated, not sure for what exactly she was apologizing for.

The drunk make-out session? The break up? The hand holding?

“It’s just so unfair.” he breathed. “You’re the girl who called me an asshole the first time we spoke. The girl who tried to pay for our sweets even after she learned I am a Black and have more than enough money. You’re the girl who risked falling out of the window to feed the orphaned birds, who makes my breath hitch whether you’re wearing a tight dress or oversized sweatpants. You’re- “ he paused, his grey eyes locking with her green ones “You are my girl.”

She swallowed thickly. “I’m sorry. For what it’s worth heart still belongs to you.”

“But everything else belongs to my brother, doesn’t it?” Joey shuffled away at the sudden harshness of his voice.

“He didn’t touch me, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Some emotion swirled in his grey eyes, making her bite her lip.

“Do you love him?”

“No. You’re the only one for me, you’ll always be.”

Tears started pooling in her eyes as she faced the bitter truth her words held.

“You feel nothing for him?” Sirius clarified, shifting closer to her.

“Nothing, he is just the guy I am forced to marry.”

And then Sirius’ lips crashed against hers, holding her body close as if he was scared she might disappear. She buried her head in his neck, pressing kisses there too, inhaling his familiar scent of expensive cologne and smoke.

-

“It’s only for our parents? You don’t like being close to him?” Sirius asked for the hundredth time, searching her eyes for any sign of a lie.

“Yes Sirius. You are the only one I want to be close to.” He nodded, letting his head fall back down on her chest. “I still need to sleep in his room though.” She said, playing with Sirius’ soft locks.

He gripped the sheet tightly, trying to control the boiling anger that came with the image of his girl sleeping next to his baby brother. “I Hate him”

“He did nothing wrong, Siri.”

He gave her a dirty look. “He touched you.”

“For your parents. Now c’mon let me leave before we both fall asleep.”

Sirius grumbled as he pushed his body off of her so she could get up.

“Wait,” he said as she went to the door. She turned around, seeing a grinning Sirius handing her one of his shirts. “wear this.”

“Sirius-“

“It’s one of the shirts my mother purchased, she could never make out which shirt belonged to Regulus and which one was mine.” He grinned mischievously, “but Regulus can.

She rolled her eyes although taking the shirt out of his hand. “You’re such a child, Black.”

With one swift motion, she pulled her shirt over her head, practically feeling Sirius’ dark eyes boring into her body before she pulled over his oversized shirt.

Sirius smirked darkly, “Perfect.”

She rolled her eyes again before sneaking out of the door into Regulus room, only stopping in her treks as she found Regulus wide awake writing something on his desk instead of finding him fast asleep as she expected.

“I thought you were asleep.” She stammered awkwardly as his gaze met hers.

“I don’t usually sleep early.”

“But you are always awake before me?”

“I don’t sleep much.”

“We always went to bed together,” she exclaimed, puzzled by the boy’s behavior.

“Figured I’d be less awkward like that.”

Joey blinked slowly. Her brain couldn’t fathom Regulus black sitting somewhere thinking how he could make things less awkward for the girl he was forced to marry.

“That’s” she paused, clearing her throat, “very kind of you.”

He didn’t answer, turning around and packing away his things. And Joey had the feeling that she was supposed to say something, but she didn’t know what.

“I suppose you made up.” He said turning around gesturing to her shirt, “assuming that’s his shirt.”

“Uh yeah.” He nodded, pulling his shirt over his head before slipping under the covers. “So you always go to sleep when I go to sleep?” She asked awkwardly.

“No. I am going to bed, sometimes I fall asleep eventually sometimes I wait till you sleep to get up and read something downstairs.” He said, turning to the side, clearly signaling that the conversation is over.

Even though Joey thought she would have a good night’s sleep, being in the clear with Sirius and all, she couldn’t help but toss and turn in bed, Regulus confession stirring up a weird feeling in her stomach. Only an arm's length away from her Regulus too couldn’t sleep. Seeing Joey in his brother’s shirt, her legs covered in dark hickeys for some reason rubbed him the wrong way.

-

Next part

Hope you liked it :)

What do you think about reg and Joey ?

[beast-feast]

Chapter 1 rewrite done! It'll be posted here and on Wattpad whenever I finish a chapter :)

With a final stirring of consciousness, the dust in the deepest reaches of the now-desecrated facility settled. One of the pods that had survived the explosion hitched open, bolts locking the door shut finally falling off from the damage they had faced. A sort of steam billowed out as the girl inside was freed from the stasis she’d been locked in. Her mind was still groggy, her memories floating about freely in her head while she still wasn’t fully awake. When the new air struck her face — cool, and not stale — she jolted herself at the feeling.

    What happened here? She wondered silently to herself, looking around the room from within the confines of her pod. Everything was so dark and dusty-looking. It looked more like ash, the longer she stared at her surroundings. Slowly, she reached forward and grasped the edges of where the door would sit, pulling herself out to get a better look.

    Beneath her, her legs bowed beneath her weight, nearly making her stumble until she gripped the door harder to keep herself upright. She stayed still for a moment, waiting until she was confident that she wouldn’t fall. Then she set foot onto the floor outside, a shiver sending itself up her spine as the cold tile made contact with her skin. Patches of the floor had miraculously remained clean, though the more she looked at them, the more it appeared that the ash had simply been swept away. So there were others…

    How long have I been asleep? Where’s everyone else at?

    Making herself familiar with the room she’d woken up in, every other pod in there was either still closed or broken open. Several were dented, with debris laying on the floor close by. And still yet a few more had the smell of something rotting coming from inside them — these were the ones still shut. The stench was pungent, and the girl quickly carried on from those pods, worried that the lurching in her stomach would make her vomit if she remained for too long.

    “This place is a shithole…” She muttered to herself, taking herself out of the room to try and find a way to leave the building. But first she needed to figure out where in the building she was. The halls connecting the rooms looked just a little too samey, and the dust around didn’t help in the slightest. Of the windows she found scattered about in the halls, she tried to peer out of them with no effect. They were shrouded, as if a cover was over each one and stopping her from seeing anything outside. Just a dismal grey spanning over where she should see something like trees or the outlines of buildings.

    A quiet huff escaped her as she carried on. It felt like she was getting nowhere. And the dust beneath her feet had given way to barren floor, stripped of tiles and insulation. She walked further through the halls, searching for anything that might provide a clue. Something, anything that could let her know where she is and more importantly, why she was here. Of all places… some lab was not it. The last thing she remembered before falling asleep was her mother, she thought. Was it her mother? Or was she in the background? Whoever it was, she was saying something about “not being scared” and “this will only last a second for you”. That she’d ��wake up perfectly fine”. Some needle jabbed and injected her with something and then… well, that was it before she woke back up.

    In an especially decrepit hallway, beside a window there were shards of glass scattered along the floor. This caught the girl’s attention and she looked up, hoping to finally catch a glimpse of the outside world.

    But no — it was still the same odd nothing; the same bland grey with nothing discernible through it, the same foggy color that permeated the other windows. The girl — frustrated that it was still the same — leaned up and held her face close to the open air. To catch a slight breeze or just to poke her head outside. Still nothing. Just dead air and the feeling of some sort of buzzing energy.

    “Well that’s something, at least.” She muttered to herself, the hair on the back of her neck sticking up from the feeling. This was the farthest she could lean into the window without either getting herself stuck or cutting her feet on the glass under her. So marked the end of her exploration of this broken window. Retreating back from the open space, she looked around to make sure nothing had crept up behind her. Still nothing — which was good. 

    I might as well head back for now. Figure something out. If I can’t leave her now, then maybe… maybe I need to do something else.

   

    Back in the room she woke up in, she scoured the rest of it to get as many details as she could. If it could help her, she’d investigate it.

    On the sides of the pods there were black and lifeless screens, some cracked, others destroyed. All of them appearing to be powered off. With a few taps and a bit of patience, the girl jolted when the screen on her pod flickered to life. It was one of the more legible ones; on the screen letters scrawled themselves in weak green LED lights. The dust on top of the screen blocked out most of the words, but what she could make out her sex and age were listed down, along with some other things she couldn’t quite read. Her hand brushed the dust away from the surrounding area, so that this whole side of the pod was no longer covered in the ash and debris from the rest of the room. Without even looking back at the screen, she stood there motionless and in shock.

    Her reflection stared back at her, looking just as grey and lifeless as the air outside. Face featureless, hair so pale it was almost white — she barely looked human. It was as if someone had turned her face into a blank canvas covered in a grey film, painting her skin all that same color and trying to turn her into something more closely resembling a dog. Something had sculpted parts of her hair into lupine ears. Whatever had happened to her, be it the divine fate or a person, had even given her a tail, of all things. She felt like she couldn’t make out what she was looking at — this was her? She didn’t look like this before; she was sure of this. What happened? Was it something that was done to her after she’d fallen asleep?

    What the hell is going on… Why is this happening?

    Upon further inspection, her body was thinly furred all over. Although her joint — her elbows and knees especially — were a little thicker. This was… this was wrong. She wasn’t supposed to look like this. Slowly she held herself, the only one to cradle her in the moment. A surge of odd feelings had overcome her, aside from the feeling of wrongness from herself. Her body looked dangerously malnourished and sharp, her hips visible. Despite her fur she shivered, even though she wasn’t cold.

    After several long seconds of just staring at herself, she finally noticed the state of her clothing. Rather, the lack of. 

    “Ah, god dammit.” Her mood changed as she groaned, looking herself over with something close to dismay. The fabric covered her most personal places, black against her grey body — at least there was technically some decency about it. But she still didn’t want to feel like she was walking around naked, even if she hadn’t seen anything else there in these broken labs. Anything alive, at least. She scrambled around, fishing in rusted and burned lockers by the wall for anything clean and intact enough to cover her up. Maybe a labcoat or something; she wasn’t about to be picky. Mostly nothing that was salvageable, just burned scraps of fabric of what could’ve been an otherwise nice pair of pants or a shirt.

    Deep inside one of these lockers, she finally found a set of clothing that looked nicer than anything she’d seen so far. And luckily for her, they even looked untouched by flame or grime. Without a second thought she threw them on, relishing in the feeling of something covering her body again. When she looked down to see what she got, she was pleased to find that it was something she might find herself wearing outside. An olive hoodie, and dark grey sweatpants. She wasn’t sure if her tail could wag — a part of her wished it couldn’t — but she thought it would be kind of neat in the moment.

    While she was still looking herself over, making sure she was comfortable in these clothes, her ears perked up slightly at a buzzing sound coming across from the other side of the room. Her pod. As she edged closer, she could see the text on the screen from before altering itself, the text getting smaller to display bright red text on the bottom. Some of it was unintelligible, but most of it she could read.

    — 001 relea— without authori—tion. 

    It was dehumanizing. Knowing she was just a number to this place. She was about to pull away from the screen when it changed again, flickering a name for just a moment. “Callie Woods,” it read. If she’d spent just a moment away from it she’d have missed it. If she’d blinked she’d have missed it. Good thing she couldn’t, she supposed.

    But it was enough to give her a spark of hope. She wasn’t just a number — she had a name; she still had that, even if she had nothing else.

    She was Callie Woods.