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ultraintrovertedgryffindor · 2 years ago

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𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 - Tom Bennett

Oh boy, this one's...a lot lmao. My first fic of the year and probably the only one for awhile. I was so stoked to write it so hopefully anyone who reads this is stoked about it too. This took so long, especially cause I have a super tedious boring class this semester, hence why I'm not writing as much as I used to. But here it is, primed and ready for ya. Enjoy!

Summary: You and Tom work at the same FBI agency, the both of you having a tense rivalry. Sprinkle a little friends-with-benefits relationship on top of that while going on an undercover mission where you must get along to get the job done, what could go wrong?

Warnings: modern!special agent!Tom Bennet, undercover mission (haha the title, get it, okay..), enemies (?) to lovers/rivals to lovers, more like FWB to lovers, Tom's kind of a dick (so is reader) but like to protect himself (and some misogyny, also to protect himself), smoking, tw guns (violence and injury), slight whump, oo boy this one's gotta lot of gratuitous SMUT (MINORS DNI), dubcon-ish, fingering, forced exhibitionism, public sex (kinda)...on a plane, oral (m and f!receiving), ANGST and feels, teasing, jealousy, possessiveness, kinda toxic relationship, confessions, eventual fluff, light dom/sub vibes, orgasm denial and control, slight praise kink and degradation, conveniences will convenience (all I know about undercover missions is what I watched on White Chicks okay, so don't expect some well thought out plans)

word count | 10.8k (oops)🤙🏻

You weren’t planning on signing up for a high risk mission when you went into your agency’s meeting this morning, but something overtook you when you learned Tom would be going on this mission as well.

You never planned to care about him ever since the two of you got involved. You were just coworkers with a little something on the side, nothing serious. In fact, the two of you hated each other ever since you started working with him. You both always took every chance to one up each other, trying to clamber over one another to get higher rankings in your profession, never hesitant to step on each other’s toes to succeed.

The two of you only started hooking up almost a year ago. You were both drunk, celebrating another hard won mission and it just happened. You both were lonely, your profession not always making it easy to trust someone who’s not yourself. It was purely transactional. But then Tom started being more vulnerable with you, making you laugh and happier than you had been before you met him. It made your head spin. You thought about calling it off immediately, but the sex was just so good, his company even more, and you did actually start to care for the man.

Though, it made your rivalry at work dial the intensity up to eleven, taking out your frustrations on each other when the sun went down. But the look Tom was giving you after you had volunteered to your director, you had a feeling your benefits relationship might end sooner than you’d like.

After the meeting ended, you walked out with the onslaught of other agents that were desperate to beat the five o'clock traffic to get home. But you were yanked back by Tom, him grabbing your arm and forcing you to trail behind your other coworkers. “Take it back.” He seethed.

“What?” You bit back, your brows furrowing and instinctively trying to pull back from him.

“What? You know what. Tell our director you changed your mind.”

You scoffed, ripping your arm out of his bruising grip. “No, fuck you.”

“You did this to annoy me, I get it. Good job, you fucking succeeded, now take it back. This is my mission. I don’t need you getting in my way.”

“I’m just as good of an agent as you, dickhead. If anything, you’d be in my way. Now stop complaining, cause I’m not gonna change my mind. So, are we done now? Or are you going to continue whining like a little pussy?”

Tom only growled in response as he stormed off, throwing a tantrum like he often did when he didn’t get his way. It didn’t deter you. This mission would do wonders for your career, it would surely boost your rank to a higher level. No amount of whining from anyone was going to make you miss that opportunity.

Suffice to say, Tom didn’t show up for his nightly visit at your apartment. It was probably for the best, he’d just spend the entire time trying to make you quit the mission. But you were too determined, and you weren’t one to chicken out. You needed to prove to yourself that you could take on a mission such as this.

When you came into work the next morning for the debriefing, Tom was standing up against his car smoking a cigarette, clearly waiting for you. You only scoffed and walked past him, but he didn’t take too kindly to that. “Have you changed your mind yet?” He asked as he stood in front of you to block your path, blowing smoke in your face because he knew how much that annoyed you.

“Like I said yesterday, Bennett: I’m not changing my fucking mind.”

This time when you tried to walk past him, he let you. You could hear him angrily stomping out his cigarette with the sole of his shoe before he sped up to walk beside you into the agency building.

You, Tom, and your handler all lined up in front of your director to go over what the mission would entail. It was intense, the most difficult mission you would probably ever have. You were tasked with helping catch a crime boss. The man would be at a hotel on an island resort in the middle of the Caribbean. Your agency’s sources say that he’s planning on making a big deal in order to gain a new ally. Guns, ammunition, drugs, so many things you both would need to be on the lookout for. It was intimidating to be sure, but not enough to scare you away like you knew Tom was hoping for. No, you wouldn’t give in that easily. You were up for the task. You wanted to do anything you could to put away such an evil man.

But clearly, Tom didn’t notice the pure determination on your face as you walked out of the debriefing. “How ‘bout now?”

“Nope. Stop asking. I’ll keep telling you the same thing again and again.”

“This isn’t some low risk mission, L/n. We’re not trying to catch a fuckin’ lowlife predator here. This is a crime boss. An extremely dangerous man that can have us killed with one word if he even suspects what we’re doing there. Don’t you get that?” Tom whisper shouted, trying not to draw attention to himself despite the outburst, poking into your collarbone roughly.

“Do you really think I’m that stupid?”

“Stupider.”

You rolled your eyes. “I know what I’m getting myself into, Bennett. I wouldn’t have signed up otherwise.” Honestly, it wasn’t the danger of getting killed that made you nervous about this mission, it was the fact that you and Tom would have to pretend to be newlyweds on your honeymoon. A perfect cover for where you two were going. It almost made you laugh.

All your time preparing to travel to this island, Tom would barely talk to you, only glaring at you and giving you one word responses or hums whenever you’d try to talk to him. If he wanted to be petty, fine. You could be petty too, not in front of your boss though, unfortunately. You were sure if your boss knew what you and Tom got up to outside of office hours, he would not be sending you on this mission with him. Although it was well known how you and Tom rivaled with each other throughout the workplace, you had to be somewhat professional, up until you were alone with him of course. You had no idea how you’d be able to share a bedroom with him without resorting to killing each other…or refrain from hate fucking each other. Even the morning plane ride over would be difficult, especially with the way Tom kept looking at you.

“Ya know, it wouldn’t be too late to back out. No one would judge you.” Tom spoke up as you both were waiting to board your flight.

You just kept your mouth shut tightly, just so not in the mood to argue with the man at such an early hour, especially since you weren’t able to have caffeine. You prayed you could just sleep all during the flight without arguing or crying babies. There weren’t babies on the plane, but Tom didn’t seem to notice your purposeful ��don’t talk to me’ bitch face. Either that, or he just didn’t care.

“I still don’t think you’re ready for this.”

“Did I ask for your opinion, Bennett? No, I didn’t, so shut the fuck up.”

Tom only smirked, smug that he managed to get under your skin once again. “You’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met.” He whispered, shaking his head and leaning back in his seat.

“Oh, the feeling is mutual.”

The animosity didn’t end there like you hoped it would, instead Tom took it upon himself to try to embarrass you as much as possible. You gave him a stern look as you started to feel his hand reach underneath your thin blanket to trail up your thigh. “Do not.” You scowled, trying to push his hand away but ultimately failing. He was too strong.

You inhaled sharply as he cupped your center roughly, wincing before glaring at him. Your glare faltered as he leaned in to whisper in your ear. “You think you can talk to me that way?” He teased gruffly, forcing his hand in your sweatpants and underwear, a surprisingly soft smile pulling at his lips as he felt the slick that was pooling at your entrance. “Whore.”

You gripped onto his forearm tightly as he toyed with your clit, purposely digging your nails into his skin to try to get him to stop, but all he did was wince and pinch you, causing you to gasp. You quickly put your hand over your mouth and subtly looked around to see if anyone noticed, but everyone seemed to be sleeping or occupied with something else. Truthfully, no one was even thinking of glancing in your direction, but you were so paranoid that you’d be caught. “I don’t want to get an indecent exposure fine, Bennett.” You snarled, trying to come off as angry as you were, but Tom’s fingers had already tamed you into a state of submission as they had done so many times before. It wasn’t any less irritating, but god, he was good with his hands.

You flinched in your seat as Tom pushed two of his fingers inside you right off the bat, your eyes briefly rolling to the back of your skull, trying not to moan by taking slow deep breaths. You were suddenly very thankful that you spent so many of your younger years trying to keep as quiet as possible while masturbating so as to not alert any potential family members in the same house of what you got up to in the privacy of your own room, but this felt way more difficult.

You whimpered into your palm as Tom’s dexterous fingers curled against that sensitive spot along the front of your walls, biting into your own skin to keep your whines in your throat, your brows furrowing obviously to anyone that might pay attention. “Fuck.” You cried softly, looking up at Tom with pleading eyes as your chest heaved against your now suffocating t-shirt. “I can’t.”

“You can, darling.”

To make matters worse, the seatbelt sign turned off.

People around you started to rise up out of their seats to get stuff out of their carry-ons or go to the bathroom, and the flight attendants started to make their rounds to give the passengers their stupid complimentary peanuts. And of course, a flight attendant peaked around your row with a smile right as you felt your climax grow rapidly. You bit the inside of your lip hard, feeling the metallic taste of blood coat your tongue.

“Hello there, we’re handing out some crisps, pretzels, and candy if you’d like any.” The lady asked you politely, hopefully completely unaware of what was going on beneath your blanket. You quickly shook your head, a pained hum escaping your lips as Tom focused his efforts on your clit. “Are you alright?”

“Oh, I’m okay. Just a stomachache.” You lied, the wavering timbre in your voice bringing a sympathetic frown to the flight attendant’s face.

“Oh, dear, I’m sorry. I can bring you a Sierra Mist, if you’d like?”

Jesus Christ, lady, just fucking go away. “No, thank you. Really, I’m fine.” You cleared your throat a bit too loudly to cover up an oncoming moan, your face flushing with heat as a couple people from other rows looked over at you curiously.

“Okay. And how about you?” The lady directed her attention to Tom, who did not even attempt to hide his smug smirk. “Would you like any snacks, sir?”

“No, thanks, miss. I brought my own.” Cheeky bastard.

“Okay, well, we’re almost to our destination. So, make sure all your belongings are overhead before we land.” And with that, the flight attendant finally left you to continue suffering.

“I’m going to kill you.” You hissed, slapping Tom’s shoulder as you allowed your head to lean back against the chair as you felt the first pangs of euphoria wash over you. You grit your teeth and leaned forward to cover your face with your hands, hiding your orgasm face from Tom and the rest of the plane. You took shuddering breaths as you rode out your high, tapping his arm aggressively when pleasure veered into oversensitivity.

You felt your ears pop as the plane lowered closer to the ground. You didn’t even realize the pilot had spoken before you felt the plane bank to the right, unintentionally forcing you to lean closer to Tom, whose face you couldn’t even stand to look at. He pulled his hand away from you, making you look at the mess you made on his fingers. You looked away in fury as he started to suck on his fingers, quietly moaning at the taste of you. You could hear his chuckles as you refused to watch him mock you.

“Hope you had a good flight!” The same flight attendant lady chirped as you and Tom exited the plane.

Fuck you, you so badly wanted to say, but Tom didn’t allow that. As if he could sense your hostility (that he caused) and unwillingness to imitate niceties, he quickly uttered out a polite thanks before guiding you off the plane like you were a child who couldn’t take care of themselves.

Man, this was going to be a long, miserable “vacation.”

You would be lying if you said you weren’t impressed with the honeymoon suite you’d be staying in. Though, checking in was a nightmare. You never thought pretending to be all coupley and in love was part of the job description. Alas, you walked into the lobby with Tom’s arm around your shoulder and the two of you wearing the most genuine fake smiles you could muster. One plus was you had already spotted one of the crime boss’ henchmen.

“Are you sure?” Tom had asked.

Of course you were sure. You had studied every picture of every face the agency presented you with, down to the freckles and moles they may have had. You weren’t going to fuck this up, you’d never live it down; Tom would make sure of it.

You both informed your handler that you made it safely to the resort, already finding evidence that the crime boss was indeed there too. You just had to lay low, look out, and not get caught. This is what you lived for, it was so exhilarating and you wouldn’t let Tom ruin this for you.

“We should head down to the pool, see if we can spot another guy.” You voiced, pulling out your bathing suit from your suitcase, but Tom stopped you by placing a hand on yours. “What, Bennett? We can’t waste time on this.”

“You still haven’t paid me back for what I did for you on the plane.” He spoke with a dark lust in his eyes, his pupils almost completely swallowing his bright blue iris’.

You rolled yours. “I didn’t ask for that, if you recall.” You said with a scoff and moved to get changed, but he didn’t let you go, instead forcing you to your knees where you found his already hardened cock trying to burst through his tight shorts. You silently cursed to yourself as you already found yourself throbbing at the sight of him looking down at you hungrily.

“Well? My cock ain’t gonna suck itself.”

You resisted the urge to smile, lifting your hand to gently palm his cock through his shorts before tugging them down, your mouth watering as it bobbed up at you. Tom hummed as you licked a stripe up the underside of his dick, even the slightest of approval making you whine as you squeezed your thighs together.

“Uh, uh.” Tom rebuked, lifting you up from the floor to make you sit at the edge of the king sized bed, forcing your legs apart and standing in between them. “None of that. No pleasure for you. Just be a good little whore and suck me off.” He threaded his fingers into your hair, curling his hand into a fist to tug at your roots, pushing you forward until your lips hit the tip of his cock. On instinct, you wrapped your lips around him and sucked hard, earning a guttural groan from him. “That’s it.” He didn’t hesitate to buck into you, hitting the back of your throat and making you gag just to tease you. He kept doing that until tears were streaming down your face, causing him to smirk. “So pretty.” He whispered, wiping a tear away with his thumb, but continuing to fuck your mouth with little care how you felt.

Meanwhile, you didn’t know if you were crying because his cock kept making you gag or because you had absolutely zero stimulation to your clit. It was throbbing painfully, and Tom still kept your legs apart. Was this still punishment for talking back to him on the plane? He was one of the most pettiest men you had ever known, so you wouldn’t put it past him. But not allowing you to pleasure yourself felt like a new low, even for him.

Your hands gripped onto his thighs, squeezing them whenever you needed a break, him pulling away briefly to let you breathe before slamming back into you again. But he was close, you could tell. The way his moans got louder and breathier, and his hold on you tightened to the point you were almost afraid he’d rip the hairs out of your head. “Oh fuck, I’m gonna come.” He announced with a groan, stilling in your mouth as his release shot down the back of your throat.

Tom slowly loosened his hold on you as he tried to catch his breath, petting and soothing the spot on your head where he gripped the hardest. “Okay…” He spoke with a stutter. “Yeah, let me clean up and I’ll meet you at the pool in a few minutes.” And with that, he left you sitting on the bed while he locked himself in the bathroom.

Well, that was a little odd, you thought. But you didn’t think about it any further. You quickly got changed and headed down to the pool, hoping a short dip would rid you of the overwhelming heat you felt in your body from not being able to do anything about your arousing situation. No matter, if Tom wasn’t going to help you out then you’d just get yourself off in the shower that night. You had bigger issues to deal with at the moment.

Scanning over the crowd at the extravagant looking pool, you couldn’t seem to spy any persons out of the ordinary. Just a bunch of families and couples and the occasional old rich woman. Feeling a bit disheartened, you sat down on a poolside chair with a quiet huff, throwing your towel over the backrest and laying out, the sun quickly warming your skin. It felt nice, but it would feel even nicer if you knew you weren’t on the clock.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Tom’s voice jolted you out of your sunbathing intermission, now sporting his own pair of swimming trunks and tank top, any sign of being flustered from your previous tryst was completely gone. Only now, you could tell he was flustered for a different reason.

It probably wasn’t necessary, but you had bought a bit of a slutty bathing suit for this occasion. You figured if on the off chance you had to seduce a criminal, it would be best to do it in an outfit that showed off all your…assets. It definitely seemed to be working on Tom. Maybe it could work on someone else. “My super special undercover swimsuit. What about you, Mr. Palm Trees?” You teased, eyeing his obnoxious colored print on his shorts.

“It’s called looking the part, wife. We’re on our honeymoon, not a dating show.” And with that, Tom lifted his tank up and off himself, the sight of his toned torso making heat flood to the apex of your thighs. He smirked when he caught you staring. “Think you’re drooling a bit, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me that.” You chided, but it only made Tom chuckle. You huffed in defeat, returning to your previous position of subtly checking out the tenants around the pool.

“We should go in.” Tom gestured to the pool, but before you could refuse, “We have to look believable, remember? Who goes to a pool and doesn’t get in the water?”

You couldn’t hide your clenched jaw as you rose from your seat, standing at the edge of the concrete ground and delicately dipping your toes in the chlorine loaded water to check the temperature. It wasn’t too cold, but you’d definitely wanted to slowly ease your way in. Unfortunately, Tom didn’t give you much of a choice, promptly pushing you off the edge. Your body tensed up as the cool water enveloped you, goosebumps rising all over your body as you quickly came up for air, gasping loudly. You wore a deep scowl on your face as Tom’s boisterous laughter polluted the area, able to hear it even when you were submerged. “Arsehole.” You spat, splashing water up at him aggressively.

“So, you wouldn’t have done the exact same thing to me if you had the chance?” He raised a brow, his crooked smile on display, the sight making unwanted flutters swirl in your stomach.

“Touché.” You grumbled. “Still a dick move.” Tom didn’t waste anymore time on land, crouching and leaping into the water, careful not to let the water go above his head. He swam over to you with a mischievous look on his face, and to you, that only meant one thing. “Don’t come anywhere near me.” You warned.

“Oh, come on, Mrs. Bennett. I don’t bite.” He teased, taking your unamused expression as a sign to grab your hips and pull you onto him, wrapping your legs around his waist and holding you up by your bottom effortlessly thanks to the water. You had no choice but to let him, not willing to risk your cover. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders reluctantly, trying your best to wear a loving smile on your face. But you soon faltered as Tom leaned in close, his lips right next to your ear. “I know this isn’t what you wanted when signing up for this mission, but you have to at least tolerate it. Behind closed doors when no one is around, you can bitch and whine all you like; but in public, you have to be in love with me.” He pulled away to look into your eyes seriously. “Understand, wife?”

You swallowed your pride and smirked seductively. “I understand, dear husband.” You took advantage of his slight surprise and captured his lips in a searing kiss, the cold feeling of the water not comparing to how heated this kiss felt. Tongue and teeth clashed with each other as you retaliated in the only way you could at that moment, biting his bottom lip hard before pulling away with a sickeningly sweet smile. Tom’s eyes darkened as he gripped your hips tighter, causing you to wince. He looked as though he was going to lean back in for another kiss, but you spotted someone, in the corner of your eye. You hugged Tom, using the position to whisper in his ear just as he’d done to you. “Another henchman.”

“Are you sure?”

“There’s a bulge at the base of his spine, covered by his shirt and jacket.”

“Who wears a jacket at a pool?”

“Exactly. 9 mm is my guess.”

“That’s a lazy guess. Wanna bet? .38.”

“Wow. Guess there’s only one way to find out.”

“Wait-”

You quickly interrupted him by pushing his head below the water’s surface, ruining his perfectly styled up hair. He came up with a scowl, ready to scold you, but before you could allow him to, you pushed him off and you got out of the pool. Drying yourself off and giving a wink to a now distressed Tom, you made your way to one of the bars that served the hotel guests.

You were a decent actor, but you had no idea if it would be convincing enough to fool the henchman of an intelligent criminal; you had to try, if you wanted to get information early on. The smallest piece of info may help.

With your margarita in hand, you played oblivious to the figure in your path, knocking into him and hearing the glass shatter on the pavement. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, sir!” You exclaimed, pulling an embarrassed face and getting on your knees to start cleaning up your mess. You hide your smirk as the man quickly stopped you, apologizing for being in your way. You could tell the way his eyes bulged and ran over your body that you made the right decision picking a skimpy bathing suit. Hook, line, and sinker.

“You should watch where you’re going.” The man, who introduced himself as James, said with a smirk, his tone holding no semblance of anger or irritation. “I’m sorry about your drink, maybe you’ll let me buy you another one?” Wow, bold. It made you feel like bile was going to come up your throat any moment, but you plastered on your best fake smile.

“I’d love that. You’re so sweet.” You giggled, “subtly” running your hand down his arm, his eyes piquing with interest.

“I’ve been told that before, yes.” He gently guided you over to the bar, lifting his arm so that it slightly touched your upper back, his jacket lifting just enough for you to be able to see the pistol sticking out of his pants.

.38. Damn.

Your little acting display got you this far, you supposed you might as well take it up a notch. This man didn’t know how many drinks you’ve already had. Maybe that ruined margarita was your fourth or fifth one of the day. Hell, you were on vacation. So, you decided to be a little drunk as you sipped on your new drink, graciously paid for by a dangerous criminal. “You don’t look like you’re here on vacation, no offense.” You slightly slurred. “I mean, who wears a business suit at a resort?”

James laughed, albeit a bit nervously, but answered you anyway. “I’m not here on vacation unfortunately. This is, ultimately, a bit of a business trip.”

“Meeting with some rich CEOs?”

“Something like that.”

You grinned. “Oh, a mysterious man. I like that.”

“And why are you here, hm?”

You wore a tired expression, lifting up your left hand to show off the fake wedding ring on your finger. “Honeymoon.”

“You don’t seem to be happy about that.”

You shrugged, taking more sips of your drink, the low levels of alcohol being barely enough to give you that liquid courage you could’ve probably used. “He’s a drag. Boring.”

“Let me guess…he has money.” You gave him a knowing smile.

“Don’t judge. A woman has needs.”

“Oh, I’m sure she does.” He inched closer to you. “But I’m sure he doesn’t satisfy all your needs.” The urge to throw up came back. The idea of being with someone other than Tom made you ill. But you had a job to do, no matter what it takes.

You took every opportunity you could to snoop around that man’s room. He must’ve been one of the dumb ones, you could spot his gun briefcase peeking out from underneath his bed. A rookie hiding spot. You got lucky, really lucky. So lucky that he fell asleep pretty quickly after the fact. Prime snooping time.

Every second that passed, the hammering in your heart grew faster. You rummaged through desk drawers, bags, cabinets, closets; the only thing you found as evidence was a post it note briefly detailing the time and place the meeting with the crime boss would take place. How amazing just a simple little note could have so much power.

You let yourself smile as you quietly escaped the James’ hotel room, making your way to the elevator and pushing the button to your floor. You could finally take a sigh of relief, the nerves slowly but surely exiting your body; that is, until the elevator doors opened to reveal Tom standing there waiting for you, his body leaned up against the wall opposite of the elevator.

“Had fun?” He snarled with contempt, his lips curled into a malicious sneer, his eyes dark. You rolled your eyes, way too exhausted to deal with his hot and cold nature. You walked out of the lift and tried to walk past him, but he quickly grabbed your upper arm tightly, forcing you to him. “Are you forgetting that we’re supposed to be a couple on their honeymoon?” Tom seethed, loosening his grip on you when he saw the slightly pained look on your face.

“No. I just saw an opportunity to get some intel, which we need if you’ve forgotten.” You snapped back, tugging back to get completely out of his grip.

“You could’ve done that without fucking the enemy. Jesus, I can smell it on you.” He frowned in disgust.

“It wasn’t even good, if it makes you feel any better. You jealous, Bennett?”

Tom surprised you when he said nothing. No reply, no witty comeback. His frown only deepened as he walked back to your hotel room, not looking back to see if you followed or not. You were almost afraid to, as if you hadn’t just risked your life mere minutes ago. You had nowhere else to go, so you followed, silently watching as he slid the key in and unlocking the door. You both still said nothing as you walked further into the room, taking off your shoes and sitting down on a chair adjacent to the bed.

“I found out where the meeting is going to be, and when.” You spoke up timidly, gaining Tom’s attention, his gaze on you heating up your face.

“You found that out back there?”

“Yep, so you can’t tell me it didn’t pay off.”

He nodded curtly. “Right. Well, I’ll contact our handler and we’ll pass on that information.”

It wasn’t like Tom to be so…compliant. He always had something to say, even when the situation didn’t call for it. You figured he just loved the sound of his own voice for a while. But now he was quiet, stoic, he barely even pitched in when you were talking to the handler about what you found. Was he really that upset that you got info before he did? How petty of him, at least that didn’t change.

“It was a .38, by the way.”

Tom furrowed his brows. “What?”

“That man’s gun. You were right.” He only let out a hum of acknowledgment. “What? You’re not gonna brag like you normally do when you win a bet?”

He shrugged. “We have a long weekend ahead of us. I’m not gonna waste my energy on stupid bets.” He snapped, walking out to the balcony to smoke a cigarette. You huffed in irritation, flopping down against the bed, watching the slow whirl of the ceiling fan.

Tom still was out smoking as you were getting ready for bed, showering and changing into your pajamas with a frown on your face. You quickly got tired of the silent treatment, joining him out on the balcony that seemed to look over the whole resort. “You chain smoke now?” You teased, earning a glare from the man. “Seriously, what’s up your ass, Bennett?” You snickered, stopping with a flinch as he turned to you suddenly.

“Do you realize how stupid that was?” Tom growled lowly, putting out his cigarette angrily and tossing it over the railing.

“You just littered.”

“Jesus Christ!” He grumbled, running his hands over his face in frustration, looking at you in exasperation. “You’re not even listening to me!” He shook you by your shoulders, making you finally start to take him seriously. “You shouldn’t have done that, Y/n.”

You scoffed, pushing him off you. “I got us valuable information. You should be happy, Bennett.”

“Well, sorry, I’m fuckin’ not.”

“Okay, well, there’s nothing I can do about that now. What’s done is done. I’m tired of you being pissed at me all the damn time for doing my job. Just keep being your indifferent self from now on, please.”

Tom growled, pushing you up against the railing of the balcony with a hand on your throat. “You weren’t supposed to be here! But of course you had to be here. Tagging along, like a tick on a fuckin’ dog. God, you’re insufferable.” He ranted, finally letting you go when you didn’t falter, but unaware how hurtful he was being with his words but you only chuckled bitterly.

“Oh, I’m aware. You’ve made that clear ever since we even started this mission. But trust me, I regret it now. If I could, I’d leave this island and never bother you again.” You huffed. “God, do you wanna outrank me so bad that you’d do this mission by yourself?”

Tom huffed. “It’s not that-! Ugh, you shouldn't be here because it’s dangerous! You could’ve died earlier! If that man wasn’t as dumb as you thought he was, he could’ve killed you! Then what would we do? What would happen to this mission, your friends and family, to me?” He snapped, taking you by surprise.

“To you?” You asked timidly, your heart pounding in your chest as Tom’s expression softened at the sight of your unshed tears.

“You think I’m indifferent? That I don’t care about you? I care about you so much it hurts! That’s why I’m livid you came here. If you die on this stupid mission, a part of me will die too. I…it wouldn’t be a life worth living without you in it. I fuckin’ love you, Y/n. Don’t you get that?” He spoke angrily, a deep contrast to the softness of his words.

Your breath caught in your throat, your mouth gaping open but no words seemed to come out, not until Tom looked down dejectedly. “This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, Tom. It was supposed to be just sex, that’s all.” Your voice betrayed you, wavering and on the verge of spilt tears.

Tom sighed shakily, taking out another cigarette and resting his arms on the railing. “I know…I’m sorry. I should’ve called us off as soon as I started catching feelings.”

You bit your lip, hesitantly taking a step closer to him, mirroring his stance and taking his cigarette from his fingers, bringing it to your own lips. You had stopped smoking a long time ago, but you felt you could have just this one, considering the circumstances. You coughed as the smoke filled your lungs, flinching when Tom gently patted your back, causing him to frown. You sighed, looking at him in pity. “Well…what happens now?”

“I know you hate me, so I understand if…if you wanna call us off.” Tom sulked, taking his cigarette back from you.

You shook your head, looking back over the railing, seeing the moon disappear behind the clouds that drifted by. “I don’t hate you, Tom. I never have.”

He chuckled. “Coulda fooled me.”

“I was an idiot and caught feelings for you too.” You confessed sullenly, hating the way your heart beat against your ribcage and the fire that was lit beneath the skin of your cheeks. You absolutely refused to look back at Tom, whose eyes you felt on you intensely. You couldn’t look into his eyes, you knew you’d break with just one glance, so you kept your gaze fixed on your fiddling hands.

You closed your eyes when Tom placed his hands on top of yours, squeezing them gently to encourage you to look at him. “Y/n…” But you couldn’t. You never opened your eyes, even when you felt his body up against yours, his constant warmth enveloping you and making your body relax despite yourself. His arms wrapping around your waist, his head dipping and his chin resting on your shoulder. “You don’t have to be scared, not with me.” You finally opened your eyes when he lifted your chin, your eyes instantly meeting his and you felt yourself melt against him. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop seeing you, but I couldn’t help it. I care about you too much to leave you alone.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.” You replied softly, causing Tom to look at you with those big blue puppy dog eyes that never failed to make your heart melt, even when they were filled with fury or irritation directed at you, even when you were often the cause.

Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t stop Tom from surging forward to capture your lips in a kiss. This one felt different than all the others. You didn’t kiss often, only spur of the moment and they were always rage and lust filled. But not this one. This one was soft and slow, Tom’s lips moving against yours languidly, making sure to take his time. You felt your knees threatened to buckle as his tongue moved against yours, and brought his hands up to cup your jaw lovingly. You weren’t the biggest fan of fairy tales, but this felt like a fairytale kiss you always imagined one to be.

It didn’t take long for Tom to push you back into the hotel room, holding onto your waist until the back of your legs touched the bed. He gently sat you down at the edge, removing his shirt before helping you remove your clothing. You watched with heavy lidded eyes as he got on his knees, running his large hands up and down your upper thighs until you could feel your arousal pooling in your underwear. “Tom…” You whispered as he placed feather light kisses down the sensitive flesh of your inner thighs.

“Shh.” He spoke before continuing down the path of your legs until he reached your ankles, looking up at you with a crooked smile before pulling your underwear off your body, biting his lip when he saw the state he was able to put your pussy in. “Always so ready and willing for me, huh?” He teased, running the tips of his fingers up and down your slit, causing you to whine quietly. “Don’t you fuckin’ dare try to be quiet. We’re not on that plane anymore. I want you to be loud for me.” He pinched your clit to elicit a cry from you, which made him hum in approval.

“Fuck.” You whimpered as he lapped at your clit, one of his hands holding your leg up and the other using a finger to gently tease your entrance. You moaned and tilted your head back as he wrapped his lips around your clit and sucked, pushing two fingers completely inside of you. You were already so embarrassingly close as you rutted against his face, the way his tongue swirled around you and his fingers curling against just the right spot making your head dizzy. A gasp got caught in your throat as Tom suddenly pulled away and slapped your pussy, the sound echoing loudly around the room.

“You don’t get to come, not yet.” He growled before diving back in, making you keen loudly. The pleasure was so intense you had no idea how you could obey his command. You curled your fingers through his hair tightly, trying to ground yourself and also trying so hard not to lose yourself and come accidentally. “Fuck, your cunt is squeezing my fingers so hard. You’re so close, aren’t you, love?”

“I’m right there.” You sobbed, tears streaming down your face as Tom fucked you hard with his fingers, the borderline pornagraphic sounds coming from your cunt making heat rise to your cheeks. But you were too out of it to care. “Please, Tom, please…”

“I bet that man a couple floors down couldn’t make you feel this way, hm? Was he even able to make you come?” He snarled, his fingers curling against you more aggressively.

“No…” You stuttered with a strangled moan. “It took him—fuck! Took him six thrusts to come.” You chuckled tremulously, unable to stop your moans even if you tried.

“You counted?” He grinned.

“It was hard not to.” You cried out as another pang of intense pleasure coursed through you. You were so fucking close it was painful not being allowed to, Tom completely neglecting your clit even though it felt just as good when he was fingering you. It was too much and not enough. You needed him. You needed his cock. You needed to come. “Please…” You whined loudly, obnoxiously so.

“You want me to fuck you, baby?” You nodded frantically. “Tell me who this pussy belongs to. Tell me, who’s the only one allowed to fuck you from now on? Who’s the only one who gets to taste this sweet cunt of yours?”

“You, Tom.” You howled, his words only adding to your pleasure to your surprise. “Oh fuck, I’m yours, only yours, Tom. I don’t want anyone else but you.”

“Good girl.” Tom growled as he grabbed you by the throat and pulled you into a passionate kiss, using the leverage from his fingers knuckle deep in your cunt and the grip on your neck to force you back towards the headboard on the bed, only pulling away from you to shed off his trousers and underwear. He was so rock hard the tip of his cock had turned into a lovely shade of pink, the sight making you drool as it came closer to your entrance as Tom crawled on top of you, resuming that passionate kiss. He pushed into you with no warning, splitting you open and causing you to gasp against his mouth, allowing him to bite your bottom lip before pulling away.

The pace he set was different too, just like that previous kiss on the balcony. It was slow, purposeful, and calculated; the thrusts were so powerful and deep that it made the top of your head hit the headboard and your tits bounce violently. His cock stretched your walls so perfectly as it always had, his thickness never the easiest to adjust to, but the slight sting of him made the pleasure all the more intense. You were still so close, but now with no stimulation to your clit, it was easier to hold back.

“You’re so beautiful.” Tom murmured, his eyebrows furrowed tightly in concentration. Even with him being balls deep inside of you, his intense gaze made you feel even more naked than you already were. He never used to look at you this way before, but it was a nice change. He didn’t even try to hold himself back as he picked up the pace, holding you in his arms and rocking you with his sped up thrusts.

“Oh, fuck, yes!” You cried, your moans becoming more breathless and high pitched. “I wanna come so bad.”

“Not yet, love. I want us to come together.” Tom lifted himself up on his knees, grabbing onto the fat of your hips roughly to have the purchase to pound into you relentlessly. He hit the ends of you over and over again, your stomach starting to ache deeply and the knot inside you was tightening more and more, one right move threatening to make it snap. “Fuck.” Tom moaned, his cock twitching inside of you, his body tensing as he got nearer to that edge.

“I want you to come inside me, Tom.” You whimpered, placing your hands on top of his, digging your nails into his skin as your grip tightened.

Tom reached down to rub your clit, the action practically making you scream. You moaned his name over and over again along with taking gasping breaths, your pleasure melting your brain and turning you into a babbling mess. “Yeah, yeah, that’s it, love. Come with me. Please, come with me. Come all over my cock.” You didn’t need any more encouragement for that band inside you to pull taunt until it snapped hard, that wave of ecstasy knocking the breath out of you and making your vision hazy. But not hazy enough to see Tom hit that climax along with you, each of you letting out strained moans as you released together, you soaking his cock and his cum painting your velvety walls. He stilled inside you as you rode out your highs, slumping over and placing delicate kisses all over your neck and collarbone. “Fuck…” He breathed out with a chuckle, pulling out and laying beside you.

“Fuck…” You agreed, trying to catch your breath.

Tom started to reach over to pull you against him, but hesitated when you flinched. It wasn’t like the two of you hadn’t cuddled after sex, but it was mostly after a particularly rough session as a part of aftercare. You rarely cuddled after a gentle night like this one, especially not after confessing feelings for one another. But your skin already thrummed for attention, for his skin to be on yours even after having sex. It was scary, to open yourself up to heartbreak. But looking at Tom’s painfully hopeful gaze, you suddenly realized you wouldn’t mind getting your heart broken by him.

You reached out to him with a shy smile, allowing him to pull you closer and rest your head on his chest, hearing the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He didn’t hide the large grin his mouth broke out into; it was way too endearing. But now, you supposed you’d be seeing those more often.

“We need to discuss our strategy for this meeting.” Tom spoke, breaking the comfortable silence.

You chuckled lightly, looking up at him. “Now?”

“At some point.”

“How does tomorrow morning sound?”

Tom smiled, leaning down to kiss you sweetly. “Sounds perfect.”

The next morning, you woke up in Tom’s embrace. You may have cuddled before, but you had never actually slept together like this all throughout the night, on purpose. You were surprised you had woken up first, considering how much you hated early mornings. Tom was always the early bird, but you had the chance to watch him while he was still asleep. You didn’t think it would affect you that much, but goddamn he was adorable when he slept. The permanent curve of his lips made it seem like he was smiling in his sleep and he looked…soft. Very soft. You always envied his perfect smooth skin, but this was ridiculous. No matter how hard you tried in the past, you could never find a single flaw on his body. It irked you, but you couldn’t stop staring at him, even when he started to stir awake.

His lips upturned in a sly smirk, already smug after a second of consciousness. “Like what you see?”

You rolled your eyes, trying to wiggle out of his grip but he was stronger and kept you in place. “We have a busy day, we can’t lie in bed all morning.” You lightly scolded, pride filling you as you felt his grip loosen, allowing you to rise from the bed. “We should stake out the room where the meeting’s gonna take place.” You spoke, cleaning up and getting dressed, while Tom just watched you as he cuddled a pillow. “Like what you see?” You mocked, smiling when he sneered.

After getting ready for the day, you and Tom followed the instructions that were hastily written on the post it note. The hotel was rather large, but you found the room somewhat easily. It was a conference room on the first floor, occupied with a long table with too many chairs to count. It was empty, or at least it seemed to be. Nor you or Tom saw anyone hanging out anywhere near the room. No guards or people preparing for this possible meeting, but you figured it was normal since the meeting wasn’t taking place that particular day.

“Alright,” Tom voiced, “you keep watch while I set up the bugs. Just signal if you see anyone coming, and don’t hesitate to get the fuck out if anything happens.”

You scoffed. “Like I’m gonna leave you to fend for yourself.” Tom’s gaze softened, causing your face to flush with heat. “Cause you definitely wouldn’t survive without me. You don’t have social skills to get yourself out of trouble.”

Tom rolled his eyes, but you could see a ghost of a smirk on his lips. “Right.”

You leaned against the wall opposite of the double doors to the conference room, keeping a sharp eye out from anyone who might’ve been walking your way. You hoped Tom could set up the bugs in time and get out before anyone notices. But it seems the luck you had last night in getting the information ran out as the same man you used started to come walking down the hall. You quickly pressed on your small hidden walkie, hearing the buzz in your ear piece. “Henchman, incoming. I’ll distract him.” You whispered into the mic.

“No, get out of there. Do not engage, you hear me?” You ignored Tom’s frantic orders as you plastered a fake smile on your face, greeting James warmly.

“Well, hi there, stranger.” You teased flirtatiously.

James’ eyes flashed with shock and confusion at first, looking around curiously. “Hi? What’re you doing here?” He asked in suspicion, making your heart hammer in your ribcage.

You sighed dramatically. “The husband isn’t too happy with my disappearance last night. Came here to get a break from his constant glares.”

His face flushed red, smiling nervously as if he just remembered what had taken place the night before. “Oh, right. You didn’t tell him, did you?”

You scoffed. “Of course not. I may be a stunner but I’m not dumb either.”

“I never implied you were.”

You giggled. “I did have fun last night though.” You lied, swallowing the bile that threatened to come up your throat.

He nodded. “Me too. Do you…think we can do it again?”

You smiled sadly. “I’m afraid not. Our vacation is almost over and I don’t want my husband getting too suspicious.” Just then, you faintly hear the creaking of a door opening. From behind the henchman, you spotted Tom’s concerned face. But before James in front of you could react to the noise, you pulled him to you. “But…how about a goodbye kiss? For the memories?” You grinned, capturing your lips with his, a surprised noise coming from his mouth. You opened your eyes and gestured for Tom to get out of there. He gave you one last angry reluctant look before obeying you, running off as silently as possible.

James pulled away with a breathless chuckle. “Man, I will miss these pretty lips of yours.” He wiped his thumb over your bottom lip, making you shiver uncomfortably, but he took it as a good thing. “I hope you’ll be thinking of me whenever you’re fucking your boring husband.”

Not likely, creep. “It’ll be hard not to. Well, enjoy the rest of your vacation.” You blew him a kiss before walking away, trying to calm your heart from beating out of your chest. That was the worst. You wanted to wash your mouth out with soap.

Right around the corner, Tom pulled you to him, making you almost let out a yelp of surprise. “Are you alright?” He grabbed your face gently, looking you over with an adorable concern.

You smiled. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. Told you I could get out of trouble better than you could.”

Tom’s eyes darkened. “Well, I’m sure it’s easier when you have these.” You gasped as Tom groped your breasts from over your shirt, making you lightly slap him, but he only giggled mischievously.

“So, did you plant all the bugs?”

“Yep, thanks to you. You gave me more time. I owe you one.”

“You sure do. I’ve had my fair share of that douchebag.” You cringed with a groan, the taste of that man’s mouth still sticking to your lips unbearably.

“Me too.”

You furrowed your brows. “What do you mean you too? You didn’t have to sleep with him.”

Tom frowned. “Yes. But I gotta tell ya, I was mad jealous. I felt like I was gonna punch a wall or something. I almost pulled him off you back there to do exactly that: punch the bastard.”

“Then our cover would’ve been blown.”

He shrugged. “Not if I played the husband role, angry that my wife was with another man. Which…isn’t that far off, if I’m being honest.”

You chuckled. “Well, when this mission is over and we’re back home, you have my permission to punch any guy that tries to hit on me.”

Tom stopped in his tracks, just steps away from your shared hotel room. “Wait…” He suddenly blushed bright red. “Does that mean…I’m your boyfriend?”

You couldn’t stop your own blush painting your face, looking down and smiling bashfully. “I mean, yeah. If you want to be?” Tom grinned widely, suddenly picking you up and spinning you around, burying his face in the crook of your neck. Your giggles bounced around the echoey hallway as he placed quick pecks all over your face and neck, tickling you until you gently pushed him off. “Happy, are you?” You laughed in amusement.

“You have no idea.” You may have had an idea…

For the rest of the day and every day after leading up to the actual meeting, all you and Tom did was listen in through the planted bugs. It was surprisingly super boring. Anything heard was very few and far between. Nothing of substance was ever said. All the noises that came from the bugs was the shuffling and creaking of people moving around and moving around furniture you assumed.

Your handler informed you and Tom that a team was being sent in, and your job was to make sure to tell that team when the meeting was well under way and to make sure every person of importance was there so they could be arrested. It didn’t sound like a difficult process, but you made sure to prepare for anything.

The day of, you were loading and prepping your weapons while Tom was listening to the live audio feed, his face in deep concentration. He looked cute and you wanted to say so, but you figured it would’ve been inappropriate at a time like this. An uncomfortable tension filled the air that forced your hands to shake, which couldn’t have come at a worse time. You tried taking deep breaths, but it didn’t work. You hid it as best you could. You and Tom already had gotten into an argument about who was going to be the one to direct the rest of the team where the meeting room was. He did not want you down there, at all. But your stubbornness got the better of you and you didn’t let him win. You’d be fine, you were sure of it. You were going to have to head down to the first floor of the hotel soon, staying with the team until Tom radioed that the meeting was almost over.

“Don’t try to be a hero.” Tom told you. “Self preservation before anything else, got it?”

You promised him, if only to ease his nerves. You weren’t going to make any dumb decisions, that wasn’t like you. But you couldn’t promise you wouldn’t get hurt even if you made the smartest choices, the job couldn’t guarantee it, you knew that. But you’d rather get hurt than Tom, that much you were sure of.

The shake of your hands stopped as you loaded your gun’s magazine, just as Tom turned his head to you and nodded. “Be safe.” He spoke, his brows furrowed in worry.

You gave him a reassuring smile. “I will. I’ll see you soon.”

“You better.”

You shook off your nerves and exited the hotel room without another word or glance back at Tom, leaving him and praying you’d see him again, maybe take him on a proper date after all this nonsense was over.

You met up with the team, and they gave you your own bulletproof vest in case things went sideways. You briefed them on where this meeting was and how to get there, pointing to the place on the map of the hotel layout. And after almost an hour of standing around and waiting for shit to hit the fan, your walkie finally sounded off and Tom’s voice spoke over the radio. “They’re starting to trade.”

That was the cue.

You and the team went out, speeding down the halls to the conference room. You could feel your heartbeat in your pulse as the doors were kicked open, threatening yells and weapons being pointed, but the crime boss ordered his henchman’s weapons be pointed back at them. That’s when shit finally hit the fan.

You ducked as bullets went flying across the room, at everyone on either side, the shots echoing loudly and making your eardrums ring. You didn’t let it bother you as you were preoccupied with finding cover, getting your own weapon out and finding a target. You never thought your life would come to this, taking another human being’s life. But it was either you or them. It was at this moment you wondered if you ever should’ve joined this field in the first place. A bullet flying way too close to you snapped you out of those thoughts, forcing you to shoot back. You locked eyes with a familiar face, one you hoped you’d never see again. But of course it was him, James. You watched as the man’s face furrowed in anger, clearly fooled and feeling stupid himself. He should’ve known something was off about you, but too little too late.

The shooting suddenly stopped as the crime boss yelled out in surrender, holding his hands up above the table he was hiding behind, telling his men to stop their own firing. Your team shouted at everyone to put their weapons down and put their hands up, and they all complied fearfully. Your team came out from their cover as the dust seemed to clear, moving to finally apprehend these people. You watched, trying to calm your heartbeat as you felt relief wash over you. You did it, you and Tom. You almost couldn’t believe it.

Just as you realized everything was going to be okay, three shots rang out.

Before you could comprehend what had happened, you were on the floor. Pain surged through your entire body, making it difficult to find the source of the pain. You groaned as a team member ran to you, getting on their knees and quickly putting pressure on what you figured was a bullet wound. You struggled to lift your head to figure out what exactly happened, and you managed to see James on the floor dead, bleeding a puddle of blood beneath him. Karma’s a bitch, you thought. You didn’t think fucking him for information would come back to bite you in the ass, but here you were, bullet not in your ass, but your shoulder. The two other shots thankfully hit your vest, but it still hurt like hell. The bruises you felt instantly forming from those other two shots made you wince, more pressure being added from your comrade making you cry out.

“Shh, don’t move.” The person above you spoke. “Medic!”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” You grunted.

From another room, you could hear angry shouts, immediately recognizing the voice as Tom’s. Man, he was going to be pissed at you. But you found it hard to care as you felt blood leaving your body in copious amounts, even with the multiple hands putting pressure on it and miles long amount of gaze being stuffed onto your shoulder. “We need to get her to a hospital now.” The medic spoke urgently. You felt like a loser as your vision started to dim, trying your best to keep yourself awake. But it was out of your control.

Everything after that was a blur. You could hear the sound of sirens, lights flashed above your fluttering eyelids, the smell of cleaning supplies and chemicals making its way into your nostrils, the feeling of a warm hand holding yours. You couldn’t make any sense of it, not until you finally regained full consciousness laying in a hospital bed.

Your eyes squinted as you tried to adjust to the light, even if they were dimmed for your sake. You moaned as you tried to sit up, but you were quickly held in place gently. “No, no, don’t try to move.” The anxious tension in your body alleviated slightly as your eyes landed on Tom’s face, a weak smile coming to your lips. “The doctors said you can’t move yet.”

You inhaled deeply, despite the awful smelling chemicals of the ER. Your mouth was horrifically dry, your lips chapped and tongue like sandpaper in your mouth. “Water.” You choked out, cringing at the hoarseness of your voice. Tom helped you take a few sips of water, which made you feel so much better but also embarrassed that you couldn't even help yourself at that moment. “What happened?”

Tom’s lips upturned in a wry, amused smile. “You were shot.”

You scoffed, chuckling lightly even though it hurt. “I know that. I mean, what happened after I blacked out. I don’t remember, obviously.”

Tom lost his weak smile, grabbing and holding your hand. “Doctor said the bullet hit your brachial plexus. You had to go into surgery to repair it.”

“Well shit, that doesn’t sound good. I’d be more upset if I knew exactly what a brachial plexus is.” You joked, which earned a reluctant chuckle from Tom.

“It’s nerves that allow your arm to move, basically.”

“Oh…” You frowned. “That is bad.”

“...yeah.”

“Well? Did the doctors fix it?”

Tom’s eyes briefly lightened up and he nodded slightly. “They did. They got you to the hospital fast, thankfully. But it looks like you’re gonna be out of commission for several months while you recover, lots of physical therapy and bedrest.”

You groaned. “Ugh, not bedrest.” Tom sighed in exasperation, putting his head in his hands. “Tom?” You tried to reach out for him as you started to hear soft sniffles, coming out muffled from behind his hands, but it sent a spark up pain through your body. “Tom, come on, look at me.”

Tom’s eyes were a bright blue from the tears that were flowing down his face. He looked exhausted, both physically and emotionally. “You lied to me. You told me you were gonna be safe.” He exhaled a shuddering breath.

“I was…until that asshole decided to get revenge on me.” You slightly chuckled, but Tom’s frown only deepened. “I’m sorry. I never wanted you to worry. It’s just…this is part of the job. There was always a chance I’d get hurt, any of us.”

“That’s exactly why I wanted to be down there and not you.”

You shook your head, well, tried to. “No. I’d have rather died than put your life in danger.”

Tom scoffed angrily. “Why? Why do that?”

“Because if you died…a part of me would’ve died too.” Your voice wavered, unwanted tears spilling over and falling down your cheeks. “I love you too, Tom.” You looked away from his intense and unwaveringly loving gaze, too overwhelming to handle. You sniffled. “I’m sorry if that’s selfish of me. But I simply care about your life more than mine…I’ve never felt this way before, about anyone. It’s terrifying.”

You looked back at him as he took your hand with his, running his thumb over your slightly bruised knuckles. “I guess I’m selfish too, because I feel the same way. Which is why I’m fuckin’ pissed at you.” He spoke, but his tone held no semblance of anger and his gaze was just as loving as before.

You couldn’t help but smile. “You can’t be mad when I’m injured.” You teased, causing him to roll his eyes and look down to hide a grin of his own. “Can’t complain when you’re taking care of me either. You have to listen to my every demand.” You giggled.

“Are you asking me to move in with you?” He raised a brow, making you blush furiously.

“Uh, I, um, only if you, uh-”

Tom interrupted you with a laugh, bringing your hand up to kiss your knuckles. “Of course. Besides, you couldn’t keep me away even if you tried.”

“That’s good to know.” Then you realized, “Hold on, wait. How’d you even get in here? Isn’t visiting for family only?”

Tom smirked as he held up his left hand, the fake wedding ring still on his finger. “Can’t keep a husband away from his wife, can they?”

uh...kinda overdid it, didn't I? oh well haha

#world on fire #world on fire bbc #tom bennett #tom bennett imagine #tom bennett x reader #tom bennett x fem!reader #tom bennett x f!reader #tom bennett smut #modern!tom bennett #special agent!tom bennett

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mysticalnightenthusiast · 3 years ago

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S.N.A.F.U- A Daniel Ricciardo FanFic CH10 “So are you going to tell us....”

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Daniel’s time in London quickly drew to a close and it was with some mild reluctance he left and flew to Italy three days after his ‘not a date, date’ with Eadaoin. He was met at Milan Airport by Pippa who immediately noticed a different in her charge.

“What’s up with you?” she asked in amusement once Daniel had made his way into the arrivals lounge.

“Absolutely nothing” he replied, flashing his trademark million dollar smile “just in a good mood is all, what wrong with that?”

Pippa rolled her eyes.

“Daniel Joseph Ricciardo don’t lie,” she said “no one is randomly in that sort of happy mood. Something or someone has put you in a good mood since I last saw you.”

“Has it? Have they?” Daniel said adjusting his McLaren team branded face mask “I don’t feel any different than when I last saw you.”

“Well you look different,” Pippa commented “you sound different.”

“I had a good mini break,” Daniel admitted “but I’m not saying why, what or even who was involved, but it wasn’t illegal or immoral or anything contradicting the terms of my contract.”

“Well keep that attitude going for the whole weekend and hopefully you might snag a podium,” Pippa responded “I have to say Andreas and Zak are quite buoyant about the team’s chances of collecting good points this weekend, they’ll be glad to know you’re feeling positive, though if you clam up on why like you have just now they might pester you with more questions more than I just did.”

“I’ll just tell them to fuck off then,” Daniel replied with a grin “all I’ll say is that the reason I’m feeling good is not because of work.”

“Glad to hear that hon.”

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As Pippa predicted Daniel’s brighter than usual manner immediately drew attention in the McLaren garage when he arrived on track later in the week. Lando was the first to say something after first practice.

“Did you get laid last week or something?” the young Englishman asked after they had debriefed with their respective engineers.

“W-what? No!” Daniel exclaimed, his cheeks reddening slightly “why would you even say that?”

“Because you’re happier than Tom is when we go to an all you can eat buffet,” Lando replied.

“Shut up Norris, I heard that, your voice carries!” Tom Stallard Daniel’s engineer called from the other side of the garage.

“No I did not get laid,” Daniel responded as a rumble of amusement swept through the garage “d’you think I would say I had been?”

“”You so got laid!” Lando exclaimed gleefully “was it that girl you’ve been turbo texting since the off season?”

“Turbo texting? What th-you know if you had a sex life you’d be less concerned about mine” Daniel informed his colleague “you’re seriously the nosiest person I’ve ever worked with and I was Verstappen’s team mate for five years.”

“He’s got a point ya know Lando,” Will Joseph Lando’s engineer commented in amusement as he walked by the two drivers “got a minute? I want to talk tactics for P2.”

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Later that night when he’d completed all his pre-qualifying commitments Daniel returned to his hotel for an early night and immediately rang Eadaoin.

“Hey handsome,” she said brightly “How did practice go? I had a gig and couldn’t watch.”

“Eeeeeh, room for improvement?” Daniel offered “I’m still not gelling with this car and I can’t quite put my finger on why. It feels good in free practice but when it comes down to tin tacks it’s just not performing.”

“Could it be that you’re just taking time to get used to it? Maybe longer than you expected?” Eadaoin asked “or you’re holding back because practice and testing hasn’t gone as you expected? Or that you’re expecting too much of yourself?”

“All of those factors I think,” Daniel confessed “it could be that it takes the majority of the season to get used to this car and next season is where it’ll shine.”

“I suspect that’ll be exactly what will happen,” Eadaoin replied “just let things unfold as they will and deal with them as they come along, there’s no point in forcing things to go in a direction they’re not meant to go.”

Daniel sighed dramatically.

“You’re entirely too sensible for me,” he said “I wish you were here, I think I would over think things less.”

“Nah you’d still over think,” Eadaoin said “but you’d also be distracted and you can’t be distracted, I wouldn’t want to be the source of that distraction.”

“You’d be an entirely pleasant one,” Daniel growled.

“Focus Dan you’ve got quallies tomorrow afternoon,” Eadaoin told him.

“Can you watch those?” Daniel asked hopefully.

“Yep, I plan on staying in and watching you haul ass around Imola,” Eadaoin said cheerfully “or jus watch your ass period.”

Daniel chuckled

“You’re obsessed with my backside,” he said cheerfully “should I get up now, go into the bathroom and take a full length arse selfie for you?”

“Would you?” Eadaoin said with a shrill giggle “or a full length selfie of something else that’d get me by for the three weeks til you come home.”

The purr in Eadaoin’s voice went straight to Daniel’s pelvis and he felt himself begin to harden.

“You’re a tease,” he said in a low voice “for once I’m going to be the one to say cool your jets. If we go down that path darling I want it to be for the right reasons and not for a dirty phone call okay?”

“Yeah you’re right,” Eadaoin replied after a moment of silence “it’s just this feels so right Dan. I’ve literally never felt like I do about you about anyone before....and....well-”

“Believe me I get it,” Daniel told her “there’s nothing I’d like more than to go down that path but I was hurt in the worst possible way, just like you were and I really want to make sure that’s the right thing to do. For me sex isn’t something you just throw away, it has to be the right time, the right person and the right reason.”

“You’re too sensible for me” Eadaoin informed him with a chuckle “so when can you come home next?”

“For a decent visit not until after Spain and before Monaco,” Daniel replied in annoyance “so, maybe four weeks? You could come over for Monaco! After Melbourne it’s pretty much my home town race and the last track I won a race at. I can show you around town and where I spend most of my time when I’m not racing.”

“Let’s see how things go,” Eadaoin replied “I have to say it’s a tempting offer.”

“If you’re ready then you could come to the garage and meet a few of my friends,” Daniel offered hesitatingly “they’re already asking what’s up with me. My parents are suss and Max suspects there’s a new woman on the scene, my best mates Blake and Michael keep asking ‘who is she?’ and all week Norris has been convinced I got laid because apparently I’m happier than when my race day engineer goes to dinner at an all you can eat buffet.”

Eadaoin laughed heartily

“So people are noticing a change in you too huh?” she said “same here though all my friends at Whelan’s knows its you but they’re not pestering me and Mum definitely knows someone’s on the scene even though I’ve not told her anything specific.”

“If you’re going to tell anyone make it your family, people you trust,” Daniel informed her “darling I have absolutely no problem with you telling your parents and brother.”

“Really?”

“Really, they’re the people closest to you,” Daniel replied “tell people whom you trust, I trust you to use your good judgment.”

“What am I going to say when they ask who you are and what you do though?” Eadaoin asked “I can’t just come out and say “Hey Mum and Dad I’m dating Daniel Ricciardo, we met when he wasn’t watching where he was going on a run and knocked me flat on my arse and is the reason I’m going to be limping for another two months.”

Daniel laughed.

“You don’t have to go into that much detail,” he said.

“They’re going to find out we’re dating eventually.” Eadaoin pointed out “”I’d rather they found out from me directly than seeing a paparazzi photo or video.”

“Believe it or not I don’t really get a lot of attention in that regard,” Daniel informed her “race week is a bit different with all the media I do but even then its pretty thin on the ground. Look if it would make you feel a bit more comfortable tell your family there’s someone on the scene but you both want to keep things a bit quiet for a while yet, then when Monaco race week comes around you can come over and we can zoom them or something.”

“I have to admit I’d feel a bit more comfortable doing that,” Eadaoin admitted “What are you going to tell your folks?”

“I was going to run that past you first,” Daniel replied “to see what you’d like me to say,”

“Oh you sweet darling man, use your best judgment, I trust you,” Eadaoin told him “as you said to me, they’re the people that know you best.”

“I’ll say something next time I ring them or they ring me,” Daniel told her “Mum usually touches base after every race. I talked to her and Dad in the car on the way home from the track after Bahrain.”

“D’you think they’ll be able to come to Europe and watch any of your races this year?” Eadaoin asked in interest “or has COVID nixed that idea?”

Daniel sighed.

“At this point COVID has nixed that idea,” he said “until Christmas last year I hadn’t seen them in twelve months “they can leave the country to come and see me but the problem is getting back into Australia. The government has slammed the borders shut and capped people coming in to under a thousand a month. They could be stuck in Europe for months and with the daily operations on the farm they can’t be away that long. It’s not even guaranteed I’ll be able to go home for Christmas. I could hire a private jet but I can’t go against the cap on people coming in to the country, that’s stuck in stone.”

“Well if you can’t go home you’re more than welcome to spend Christmas with me,” Eadaoin informed him “I do a pretty good roast and like Cahir says I can be quite nauseating about the whole festive season. From December 1st I start wearing Christmas earrings, Christmas jumpers, Santa hats and playing carols in the car and last year I wrapped my letterbox in glow I the dark tinsel.”

Daniel chuckled

“You’d get on with Michelle my sister,” he said “she has kids so she’s all about Christmas back home, I think she inherited the enthusiasm for the Christmas period from Mum, when we were small Mum would be all about immersing the family in the Christmas spirit.”

“Don’t bet against going home for Christmas just yet,” Eadaoin told him “if you can get home I wouldn’t want you to stay behind.”

“Let’s see how things go,” Daniel replied as a knock came at his room door “I better go, there was a knock at my room door, that’ll be Max we’re heading out for dinner “talk after the race on Sunday?”

“We will,” Eadaoin replied “hope you kick equal amounts of arse in quallies ad the race itself, drive safe.”

“Will do darling girl.”

*******************************************************************************************

It was a mildly more successful race for Daniel in Italy that weekend. He qualified sixth and finished the race in sixth still struggling to mesh with his new car, Lando managed to snag a third place on the podium and after all the post race commitments had been met he returned to his hotel where he cleaned up and went to the downstairs bar for drinks with Max, Kelly and Lando.

“Brilliant drive brother,” he said “First round’s on you, hey Kelly, been a while.”

“Hey I won the damn race, shouldn’t you be shouting the first round?” Max asked as Lando arrived.

Daniel laughed.

“Of course,” he said in amusement “what’s your poison?”

“Just a house red to start with.”

“Kelly?”

“Mimosa, thanks Danny.”

“Lando?”

“Vodka soda ta.”

Daniel went to the bar and ordered everyone’s drinks then returned to the table they were sat at.

“Soooooooooooo,” Max began with a widening grin on his face.

“Sooooooo what?” Daniel asked, his suspicions immediately raised.

“Max Emilian Verstappen don’t-you-dare!” Kelly exclaimed

“Are you going to tell us who left that enormous hickey on your neck?” Max asked with a snort of laughter.

Daniel’s mouth fell open in shock and his stomach fell through the floor.

“Wha-how WHAT?” he hissed his hands flying to his neck as both Max and Lando fell about laughing “shit!”

Kelly rolled her eyes, sighed and reached into her handbag as Daniel turned a magnificent shade of scarlet.

“You promised you wouldn’t tell him!” she shot at Max dryly “I can’t believe you.”

Max just snorted gleefully.

With a sympathetic look Kelly reached into her handbag and retrieved a compact, she flicked open the lid and gave it to Daniel.

“Here,” she said to the mortified Australian “this is concealer that should cover it up.”

Avoiding his friends knowing looks Daniel accepted the compact from Kelly and looked into the mirror, just under his left ear was a mandarin shaped hickey. Although clearly fading it was still obvious in its appearance.

“How did you not notice THAT?” Lando asked in amusement “Jesus Christ Dan it’s HUGE.”

“You would’ve seen it WHY didn’t you say anything?” Daniel hissed as he furiously covered the mark in Kelly’s concealer “why didn’t anyone say anything? Fucking hell!”

“To be honest we thought you did know about it and were proud of it,” Max confessed “bit like a new tattoo.”

Lando snorted.

“Here let me,” Kelly said to Daniel kindly taking the compact.

With a much more practiced hand it was under a minute later that Kelly applied the concealer on Danny’s neck to successfully cover up the hickey. A waiter brought their drinks and there was silence as they took their first sips.

“Did literally everyone see it?” he asked weakly.

“Yup.” Max and Lando chorused.

“For the most part when you were in your race suit or had your helmet on it was fairly innocuous,” Kelly informed her embarrassed friend “but when you were in team apparel it was out there for all to see.”

“Oh my god all the media I did!”

“It’s a sign of how much respect you have that no one mentioned it,” Kelly said “unlike these two morons I don’t think it’s a big deal, so you got a hickey, big freaking deal. Whoever gave it to you obviously makes you happy and we’re all happy for you. You just might want to carry some concealer around in your kit bag if she’s going to keep doing that to you.”

That comment set Max and Lando off again and they collapsed into a fresh round of giggles.

After the hilarity had died down Daniel spoke.

“Well hickeys don’t appear on their own,” he said retrieving his phone from his back pocket “d’you want to know about the person who gave it to me?”

“Oh you two are pair of old gossips,” Kelly commented as Max and Lando nodded eagerly.

Daniel brought up one of the selfies he and Eadaoin had taken on their ‘not a date, date’ night and placed his phone on the center of the table.

“Her name’s Eadaoin,” he revealed.

“Wow,” Lando exclaimed “she’s gorgeous man, how did our meet her?”

“Well you already know the story but I’ll tell it for Max’s benefit,” Daniel replied “early in January just after I had returned from Australia I decided to go for a run in London just to get out of my own head. I ended up in Twickenham in front of Whelan’s an Irish pub. I wasn’t watching where I was going and literally ran into Eadaoin. I fell over and head butted the tow bar of a Land Rover and tore my forehead open and she hit the ground and broke and dislocated her right ankle. I asked a nurse at the hospital we were taken to pass on my number because I felt really guilty about what happened and we’ve kinda kept in touch since.”

“Have you taken her on a date yet?” Kelly asked.

“Not a proper, proper date but she invited me to one of her band’s gigs last Friday. We shared a meal beforehand and went for coffee and cake at Canary Wharf afterwards.”

“I reckon that means it was a proper date mate,” Lando said pointing to Daniels neck.

“I agree wholeheartedly” Max agreed cheerfully.

“Yeah well Eadaoin and I kinda came to the same conclusion.”

“So what happens with you guys now?” Kelly asked kindly.

“No idea we really don’t,” Daniel admitted “we haven’t even told our families we’re seeing each other yet, we’re just taking things slowly. We’ve both been hurt badly in the past and we want to make sure we’re doing the right thing with each other first”

“So it’ll be a while before you introduce her to us then?”

“Yeaaaaah probably,” Daniel said with a sigh “or maybe not, I’m trying to convince her to come to Monaco for the GP there but its early days yet so I don’t want to push her.”

“You said she’s in a band,” Kelly continued “she sings?”

“Yeah and plays the violin,” Daniel replied “in an Irish Folk band, she’s really good, like I think she could do it professionally but she’s a lawyer by trade.”

“Where’s she from?” Max asked.

“She was born in Ireland but grew up in Australia, South Australia specifically,” Daniel replied relaxing as the conversation continued “she came to the UK two years ago after she caught her then fiancé cheating on her with her best friend on the morning of their wedding. We’ve kinda bonded over how shitty our past relationships were.”

“Oh the poor girl!” Kelly exclaimed “no wonder the both of you want to take it slowly.”

“Yeah so for the time being we’re jut letting things unfold naturally,” Daniel said “If I get the chance in the next couple of weeks I want to get back to London and spend some time with her, though that’s going to be difficult before Monaco.”

“Well if she needs a girlfriend to show her around town while you boys are off doing what you do tell her I’ll step up,” Kelly informed Daniel “it can be a bit of an intimidating place if you don’t know anyone local.”

*******************************************************************************************

“Thanks Kelly that means a lot,” Daniel said gratefully “I’m sure Eadaoin will be appreciative.”

Chapter 11 can be found here:

A/N: This was cathartic for me to post as today I was told my horse needs to be put down because of untreatable osteo-arthritis and a ruptured ligament. Pease show some love in the comments if you enjoyed this chapter :D

#F1 #daniel ricciardo #DanielRiccardoFanfiction #OhGodIHopeHeNeverReadsShitLikeThis

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uppastthejelliclemoon · 4 years ago

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Alonzo is the best, most underrated dad, and no one can tell me otherwise.

Here's Dad!Alonzo with his patched twins!

"I'm going out to look for them."

Alonzo was standing in front of Munkustrap, his paws behind his back to hide his nerves.

Munkustrap looked at his friend. "Are you sure you'll be able to find them?"

"I'm going to try, Munk." Alonzo replied firmly. "I have to. If there's even a chance that I can find them, bring them here where they'll be safe, I have to take that chance."

"Okay." Munkustrap said, nodding. "Just be safe, alright?"

Alonzo smiled briefly before leaving Munkustrap's den.

He spent hours after leaving the Junkyard just walking the streets, his ears flicking every which way, desperate to hear the cries of kittens, or tiny voices calling out.

He finally collapsed in an alley with a deep sigh, his head resting defeatedly on his paws. He had no idea where he could even find his younger brothers, if they had been taken by a human, or if...

No. He wouldn't allow himself to go there.

"Hey, that's our box!"

Alonzo's head snapped up at the small voice, seeing a young kitten glaring quite fiercely at him, his hackles raised.

The black and white tom immediately stood, shifting away from said box. "I'm sorry, kit. Didn't realize this box belonged to someone."

The little tom hissed, pushing Alonzo with his paw. "Get away! My brother's in there!"

"Alright, I'll move!" Alonzo exclaimed, slightly amused by the young patched tom's intensity. He took a closer look at the little one, and immediately noticed the unique, square-shaped patch on the kitten's eye, and he froze. "Wait... Tumblebrutus?"

The kitten's glare intensified even more, if possible. "How do you know my name?"

Alonzo stepped back, but looked at the kitten, recognizing all the patches, the eyes, the temper. He couldn't help the little smile on his face.

"Come on, kit, you know me." he insisted.

The kitten cocked his head, slowly straightening. "You look familiar."

Alonzo's smile slowly grew as he stepped closer carefully. "I'm your big brother, Tumble. I'm Alonzo."

"Lonzy?"

The whisper was so quiet, so hopefully, it made Alonzo's heart nearly burst.

"Yeah, little brother. It's me." He gave Tumblebrutus a wide, warm grin, sitting down.

Tumblebrutus beamed, jumping forward. "LONZY!"

Alonzo let out a whoosh of air as he was tackled by his younger brother, but he immediately teared up, holding in his cries as he nuzzled Tumblebrutus' head, wrapping his paw around the kitten to pull him closer.

"Brutus, look at you!" he exclaimed, and Tumblebrutus pressed into his chest fur, barely pulling away as he let out another shout.

"Pouncey, it's Lonzy!"

"Lonzy?"

Alonzo let out a small sob as his second younger brother poked his head out of the box, little eyes wide as he recognized the older tom.

"Hey, Pounce." he said softly, reaching out his paw.

Pouncival let out a mewl and darted towards his brothers, barreling into Alonzo's stomach and immediately winding around him, meowing and purring.

Alonzo felt happier than he had ever felt before, laughing as he brought his younger brothers close, furiously grooming them to rid them of some scent of the streets.

"You came back for us?" Pouncival asked, looking up at Alonzo with those big eyes that never ceased to shoot an arrow into the older tom's heart.

"Of course I did, Pouncey." Alonzo said softly. "You two did a good job hiding."

Tumblebrutus puffed up proudly. "I found the spot! Are you gonna stay with us, Lonzy?"

Alonzo chuckled, smoothing down the kitten's fur. "I'm taking you two somewhere safe, where you can have a real home, and food every single day."

"We'll get to stay with you, right?" Tumblebrutus asked, his voice quiet.

"Of course, Brutus." Alonzo replied, drawing his brothers closer once more. "You're not getting rid of me. I'm keeping you two close from now on."

#cats the musical #liv's writing corner #father's day #alonzo #pouncival #tumblebrutus #DAD LONZO DAD LONZO DAD LONZO #dad lonzo is the best lonzo #brutus and pouncey love their lonzy

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aestheticallyholland · 4 years ago

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NEVER NOT | DECISIONS . . .

❃ PAIRING tom holland x fem!reader

❃ DISCLAIMER i do not own the artists (and the reader) that are going to portray the characters, but i do own some of the their names. the plot of the story is inspired to the book and movie 'to all the boys i've loved before' but with changes. the gifs and photos used in this series are edited by me but i get credits to the originals. also, this series is first posted in wattpad by me. PLEASE DO NOT REPOST IT SOMEWHERE ELSE !

❃ WORD COUNT 1.7k words

WANNA BE ON THE TAGLIST? feel free to comment on this post if you wanna be added to this series' taglist to get notified for updates !

NEVER NOT MASTERPOST | LEI'S LIBRARY

"Wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll always be here to support you." - anonymous

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

[ january 05, 2016 . . . ]

Y/N WAS WAITING FOR TOM TO PICK HER UP FROM HER HOUSE. Tom had suddenly texted her to wait for him as he was going to pick her up. Of course, she agreed to him and told him not to be late.

Another week has passed since their real relationship started. They've celebrated Christmas and New Year together in each other's houses during the week. And also with their closest friends which were Erika and Harrison.

They finally opened up about their relationship with each other which made Erika and Harrison open up about theirs's too. Although it was already obvious for Tom and Y/N, they still wanted to hear from them.

When Y/N was lost in her thoughts, Tom's car suddenly arrived which surprised her.

"Tom!" She called out.

Tom happily got out of his car and walked towards Y/N.

"Where the hell are we going? It's like nine in the morning." Y/N complained which made Tom laugh a bit.

"Good morning to you, love." Tom greeted and gave a peck on her cheek.

She rolled her eyes playfully at him before answering back. "Morning, Thomas." She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled.

Tom's arm snaked around her shoulders as they walked towards his car.

"Seriously, where are we going?" Y/N asked Tom as she placed on her seatbelt.

"My house. My mom wanted to bake with you all of a sudden. She also wanted to make lunch for us." Tom said which made her eyes widen.

"How come you didn't tell me it was that? I could've prepared." She said.

"It's okay. I think my mom just prepared already." Tom said and started the engine and drove off.

Y/N sighed in relief and sat comfortably on the seat. She grabbed Tom's free hand and wrapped her fingers to his. Tom plastered a smile on his face while driving going to his house.

It has been a week since he got the news and he still hasn't told Y/N about it. He only told his family and Harrison first during the morning. He just didn't know how to tell Y/N about this.

This is why he planned to tell her today. And hopefully, he would tell her.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Y/N!"

Y/N heard that familiar voice that called her and it was Tom's mom.

"Nikki!" Y/N called back as she gave her a big hug.

Tom closed the door in his car and went beside his girlfriend.

"I missed you already, dear," Nikki said to Y/N which made her giggle and Tom rolled his eyes.

"Mum, you just saw her a few days ago," Tom said and his mom just ignores her son's response.

"You know, it's very hard to deal when all my children are boys," Nikki said that made Y/N laugh, and Tom groan. "But, I've gotten used to it eventually," Nikki added.

They continued to talk as they walked inside Tom's house. Y/N basically helped his mom prepare lunch while the boys just played video games.

From time to time, their mom would scold them and ask them to help in preparing or else they would have to do the chores themselves for a whole month.

Nikki would tell Y/N stories about Tom and his childhood and about photography too which inspired Y/N to want to try to go into the field of photography.

"Lunch is served!" Y/N exclaimed that alerted the boys and they ran towards the dining room.

"No running, boys!" Nikki scolded them and just sighed at her sons. "Until now, they still act like little kids," Nikki whispered to Y/N loud enough for them to hear.

All of them gathered together and ate lunch. Tom sat down beside Y/N. Before that, he and his youngest brother, Paddy, argued on who will sit beside her. But of course, Tom won since he would always say that Y/N is his girlfriend.

"How's your father doing, Y/N?" Tom's father, Dom, asked her across the table as they were eating.

"Same as always. He's just staying home right now since it is still the holidays." Y/N answered.

"Tom," Nikki called out her son who looked at her. "Did you...?" She trailed off since she wasn't sure and Tom already knew what she meant. He shook he said as a 'no' and Y/N noticed their conversation. They continued to talk silently that Y/N couldn't really understand what was going on until Ton spoke up.

"Y/N, there is something I need to tell you," Tom said and Y/N just looked at him, waiting for him to say what he wanted to tell her.

"You know that I act, right?" He asked her and she nodded. He has mentioned before to her that he actually acted since he was a kid.

"Well." He paused for a while and looked at his brothers and father who was encouraging him to tell her.

"I auditioned for this role a few months ago before we met and..." He took out the paper that he received a few weeks ago and gave it to Y/N.

Y/N took it opened to read it. As she read through the lines, her eyes suddenly widen.

"You're..." She paused, trying to sink in what she just read. She looked at him and suddenly wrapped her arms around him.

"You're the new Spider-Man!" She exclaimed while hugging him. Tom didn't expect this kind of reaction but he was glad it was. He hugged her back and kissed her head.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Y/N asked him and pouted.

Damn it. She's so cute. Tom thought in his head before answering her.

"I didn't how to tell you this, honestly. I have to make a decision, Y/N." Tom told her.

He grabbed her hand and suddenly stood up and pulled her with him. He wanted to tell her this privately so he excused himself first and went upstairs with Y/N.

"Does this mean that you're leaving?" Y/N suddenly asked as soon as they went to Tom's room. He looked at her with sad eyes and nodded.

"Come on. Don't be sad, Tom." Y/N said and caressed his cheek. "This has been your dream since you were little," Y/N said.

"But I don't want to leave you, Y/N," Tom said and held her hand that was on his cheek. She just gave him a small smile before saying something.

"I'll be happier when I get to see you on the big screen, Tom," Y/N said which made Tom's chest feel lighter. "I'm so proud of you. You deserve it so much." She pressed her lips to his and Tom responded to it.

"Let's go somewhere," Tom said and held her hand once more.

"But, what about your family?" Y/N asked.

"They'll understand, don't worry," Tom said and led Y/N down.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Is this another mysterious place again?" Y/N asked as Tom was covering her eyes. She could feel her feet being covered by something soft and sandy since Tom told her to take off her shoes.

"You'll love it," Tom said. After a few more walks. Tom asked her if she was ready and she nodded. He took his hands off her eyes and smiled.

"Woah," Y/N said as soon as her eyes were uncovered.

They were on a beach where there were fewer people. The sky was so clear that it reflects in the waters of the ocean. The sound of the waves satisfies her ears. Her feet were covered in sand.

"This is where I go when I feel stressed out or just want to relax alone," Tom said and stood beside her.

"You really discover so many beautiful places," Y/N said and wrapped her arms around him while looking at the waves.

Tom spun her around to face him while her arms are still wrapped around him. She gave him a questionable look first.

"I will never forget this beautiful face," Tom said that made Y/N blush.

"You really know how to make me blush," Y/N said and smiled. "And I will never ever forget this handsome face of yours." She said that and pinched his cheek with her other hand. "I still can't believe my boyfriend is the new Spider-Man."

"Me either. I'm so happy about it." Tom said and smiled widely. "I still can't believe that I have to be away from you for God knows how many years."

"I don't mind waiting for you, Tom," Y/N said. "As long as our love never fades, I'll wait for you."

"Man, I am so lucky," Tom said and sighed then smiled. "I have the best family then I just got the role that I've been dreaming to act." He looked at you. "And I have you."

Y/N felt herself blush again and slapped Tom playfully.

"Ow! What was that for?" He asked her and she giggled.

"For always making me blush." She answered and placed her head on his chest.

"I will go to you every day before I leave," Tom said. "I want to cherish these days with you."

Y/N continued to look at the scenery and smiled.

"Me too, Tom. Me too." Y/N said.

"You know what." Tom let go of her to properly face her. "Go here when you miss me the most. Go to this place when you won't be by yourself." Tom told her. He got something from his pocket and revealed it to her.

It was a bracelet with white marbles on it. In the center, there was a sun symbol that was surrounded by white marbles.

"Wear this to remember me." He added and placed the bracelet on her wrist.

She looked at the bracelet and smiled. She felt tears going to fall from her eyes and looked at him. She leaned herself to him and he hugged her.

"I'll always go here, Tom," Y/N whispered, softly.

They stayed there together with Tom's arms around her. He just wished that this could last forever.

❃ TAGLIST @allthisfortommy @kait4073 @lovebittenbyevans @l0ve-0f-my-life @spiitfiires @robertpattinson-th @jackiehollanderr @butterflies-glitter

#tom holland #tom holland x reader #tom holland x fem!reader #tom holland imagine #tom holland series

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hufflepuffhollander · 4 years ago

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apocalypse: tom holland series pt. 3 (finale)

a/n | this is the final part of the apocalypse series (sad face)! i felt it was a strong way to end the story without dragging it out. i definitely got a lil teary eyed writing this so brace urselves! (& thank you to all of the readers who stuck w me through this trilogy, u are greatly appreciated).🤍

summary | a toxic storm that has wiped out most of the world’s population has you taking shelter and fighting for survival with an unexpected ally.

cw | language, a tiny argument, lots of panic, fluff, and truly poetic smut. you’re welcome.

Read Part 2, join the taglist :)

The toxic fog enveloping your car seemed to have a personality; to be alive. It clawed its way up your windshield and clung to the side mirrors, threatening to seep in and join your quest for refuge. It whispered to you as you drove, Tom fast asleep in the seat next to you. Any time the fog started to get under your skin, you could just look over at your sleepy passenger and take a sigh of relief knowing that you weren’t alone; and you had a pretty good feeling that, no matter how much further the world sank into apocalyptic ruin, you would never have to face it alone again.

Driving far down a nameless road on your way to find Tom’s brothers, you heard a distinct grumble come from the sky, a noise you’d been able to go the last two days without hearing. Another low, loud clap of thunder made you yelp, waking Tom up. The sky started to look darker, more menacing...and your heart rate started to skyrocket.

Tom rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Hey, love, what is it?”

“Tom, I think the rain is coming again,” you said shakily, brain too focused on scoping out what neighborhoods were closest to find shelter in. There was no way in hell you would risk bracing the storm in a car.

“Are you sure?”

“Just look outside.”

That finally woke him up, as his eyes went a little wider looking at the state of the sky above you.

“We need to find somewhere to stop,” he murmured, taking the map off the dashboard and turning it every which way, trying to orient himself. “I think there’s a town a few miles north of here- take your next left and follow the road, and hopefully we’ll see some houses.”

The clouds grew larger and more threatening as the seconds passed, your speedometer not able to keep up with your pulse.

“How much further?”

“Just another mile or so,” Tom said, strangely calm.

As he spoke, it was as if someone had thrown a black curtain over the planet, and you had to turn your brights on just to see in front of you.

“Tom, we're running out of time,” you felt your whole body go cold, the warmth of his hand suddenly placed on your arm putting your body in a sort of shock.

“We’ll make it, y/n,” he said, his voice faltering. You saw houses start to appear behind the mist.

“I’m just going to pull into one of the closest ones,” you decided out loud. Tom grumbled in disagreement.

“I think we should drive a little further to the bigger houses up ahead, they’re more likely to have generators.”

You shot him a look of disapproval. “Why would we stay on the road any longer than we have to? I’m pulling over here-”

He spoke harshly. “y/n, do not stop driving.”

You started to panic more as you saw lightning not too far ahead. “Tom, this is absolutely idiotic.”

“We need to give ourselves the best chance of survival.”

“By driving right into the rain?!” Against your best wishes, you pressed the gas pedal into the floor and continued to move forward.

Once the larger houses started to come into focus, you heard light patters start to hit the metal roof of the van. Tom looked up at the car ceiling, a string of expletives leaving his lips.

“Fuck. Fuck. Tom, it’s raining!” you yelled, gripping the wheel tightly enough so that all of the blood had drained from your hands.

“Just keep driving!”

“We’re going to fucking die!” You made an executive decision to careen into the empty driveway of a nondescript house, but the garage door was closed. “How the hell do you expect us to make it inside now, genius?”

He swallowed hard and looked around frantically. “It hasn’t picked up yet. We can make a break for it...but it has to be now.”

You felt the fear palpably pinpricking your eyes. “Tom, what the hell were you thinking-”

He reached in the back and grabbed his coat, wrapping it around you in your seat, ignoring your comment. “I’m going first so I can knock down the door if it’s locked. Don’t waste any time and run the moment you see it open.”

You didn’t have time to reply before he tossed his hood up over his head, threw open the door, and jumped out of the car, running straight into the rain.

“Tom!”

You were scared out of your mind watching him sprint to the porch of the house. Right as he made it, he cried out in pain, clutching his arm close to his chest. But he kicked the door in and stumbled inside, falling over the threshold. You felt stiff, frozen, going insane with worry and fear- but if you waited any longer, you knew you wouldn’t make it. You flung open the door, running as fast as you ever had to the porch, Tom’s coat protecting you from the few drops that fell to the ground. Seemingly, right as you were under the cover of the roof, the sky opened up, and once again the world was engulfed in torrential tar.

You slammed the front door shut behind you and fell down to your knees when you saw Tom curled into a ball on the floor. You tried to turn him over as you let a panic attack get the better of you. “Oh my god, Tom, please be okay, are you with me? Tom?!” You could barely see him through the thick tears streaming down your face. After the longest minute of your life he slowly groaned and opened his eyes, seeing you but closing them again as he winced in pain. His arm was still tucked tight into his body.

“Love, I- I got...b-burned,” His face was scrunched and pale as he let his arm fall to the floor, and you saw the atrocity that was at least a two inch circle of burned flesh painted bright red on his forearm.

“Oh god, fuck, Tom, what do I do?” your voice cracked as you continued to cry, completely stuck in place.

His breathing became choppier and his eyes fluttered open and shut again. “I don’t- I don’t know...”

“Baby, don’t leave me,” you lowered your head to his and sobbed, holding onto his shoulders for dear life. “Please be okay. God, please don’t leave me.”

Truthfully, you had no idea if this was all it took to kill a person. You couldn’t think straight as you heard the love of your life whimpering, his body vibrating softly as he fell into some kind of paralyzed sleep.

You stood up as your body went into hyperdrive, running through the house and looking around for something, anything that might help. In the master bathroom you found alcohol, antibiotic ointment and bandages, and thanked whatever was up there beyond the rain as you rushed back to Tom, still lying on the foyer floor. He was unresponsive.

“Stay with me, Tommy, come on,” you untwisted the bottle of isopropyl. “This might hurt a bit, sweetheart,” you whispered as you poured it out over his wound.

That jolted his system awake and he cried out as it sloshed around the exposed burn. By some type of miracle, the acid clinging to his skin seemed to disperse as the alcohol flushed it out, washing into a sizzling pile on the floor. Tom’s entire body relaxed suddenly, and he took a long, jagged exhale. Careful not to touch the burn, you squeezed the ointment across his arm and wrapped it up in the long bandage you’d found. Tom opened his eyes again, found your worried stare, and his eyes filled with tears of relief.

“Thank-...thank you.” His eyes shut again.

“Tom...” you whispered, putting a hand up to cup his cheek, one of your tears falling onto his forehead, making him flinch. “Are you okay?”

His chest rose and fell a few times, bringing you some semblance of comfort. “I’ll be alright, darling,” he said quietly, resting his own hand over yours. He was eventually able to meet your gaze and sat up slowly, ignoring the pain and moving to cradle you with his good arm. Somehow, it was the tightest, most loving embrace he’d ever held you in.

You wept into his chest as he kissed your forehead. “Love, please don’t cry.”

You brought your face up to his and kissed him desperately, body still shaking. “Tom-”

“What, darling?”

“I- I love you s-so much.”

“I love you too, y/n. I love you too.” He nuzzled your nose up with his own so he could bring his lips to yours again, the taste of him mixing with the salty tears clinging to your face. “Thank you for saving my life.”

You spoke quietly as if the rain would hear you. “I was so scared...I thought you were- I thought you left me.”

“I could never, sweetheart.”

Tom tried to lift up his hurt arm and frowned. “I feel like my body is made of lead.”

“We should get you some rest,” you said, standing to help him up. “There’s a big, comfy looking bed in the master bedroom.” You shined your flashlight around the hallway until you found a candle, and took the matchbook from your pocket to light it. The house was only growing darker, and you knew that soon you wouldn’t be able to see. Supporting his weight as you walked to the bedroom, Tom finally collapsed into the blankets with a contented sigh.

“I’ll go look for some food-”

“Baby, don’t go anywhere.”

You looked at him quizzically, and he motioned for you to come lie with him. “I want to just stare at your beautiful face for a while, is that alright?”

You smiled and crawled in next to him, wrapping the thick comforter around you both and cozying up in his chest. You took a deep inhale to revel in his comforting smell, and he kissed your forehead over and over again, tickling your face. You giggled into him, and he let out a small, breathy laugh.

“That’s what I wanted to hear.”

You brought your face to his to kiss him tenderly, and you rested your hand in the crook of his neck as you fell into a slow rhythm. You didn’t think you could be any happier in that moment, just to have him back, completely tuning out the downpour coming from outside. You pulled back to look into his eyes backlit by the candle.

“How is your arm?”

“Feels much better now, thanks to you,” he said, moving it slowly back and forth, getting used to the discomfort. “But let’s not worry about me, darling. I want to focus on you.”

You raised an eyebrow at him as you heard his tone change. “What are you talking about?”

“I believe I owe you something,” he said, moving to place his mouth right under your jawbone, giving you chills. “You did save me, y’know. You deserve to be properly thanked.”

He moved to support himself with his good arm and lightly rested his bandaged one on your waist, continuing to leave a trail of kisses down your neck.

“Tom, what are you doing? You need to take it easy-”

He shut you up with a hard kiss to the lips, and started to tug down at the neckline of your t-shirt.

“No, love, what I need right now is you.”

He used his body weight to push you flat against the pillows, moving on top of you and pressing his lips further and deeper into your skin, now wriggling your shirt up and over your head. You started to giggle again, unsure of how to process it. Tom lifted his head up from kissing your belly button to look at you inquisitively. “What?”

“Aren’t you tired?” you whispered, fingers running through his curls.

“My veins are pumping with adrenaline right now, darling, and you have no idea how long I’ve wanted you.”

You tugged at the shoulder of his hoodie to bring him back up to your face, kissing him again and sucking his bottom lip lightly between your teeth, starting to feel the heat rush up through you too. He sat up on his knees and took off his sweatshirt and tee underneath in one fell swoop, his injured arm seeming to be the furthest thing from his mind right now. You couldn’t make out most details in the candlelight, but were able to see the love and lust swirling together in his eyes in some mesmerizing way. Placing your hands delicately on his lower back, you smoothed them over his skin all the way up to his shoulderblades and loved feeling him shiver underneath you. He pulled away from your liplock to stare into your eyes, and you pushed the pads of your fingers a little harder into his back, whispering. “Why did you wait so long, then?”

He rested his forehead on top of yours and smiled through his words. “I guess I was too busy falling in love with you in the dark.”

You had never seen Tom this way, hungrily nipping your skin and letting his hands explore your body as if they’d never experienced touch until this very moment. He left hot paths of kisses and bites across your neck and chest, all the while relentlessly grinding his hips into yours, which you encouraged with your own bucks upward. Eventually, you had your legs wrapped around his bare body, and he gave you the slowest, deepest kiss humanly possible as he eased himself inside of you, both of you shuddering at the feeling.

“Tom-” you inhaled sharply and would’ve done absolutely anything to have all of him just then, rolling your body upwards into his. His ragged breaths were drowned out by the sound of the violent rain falling above you, but you had become an expert at hearing his voice through the noise.

“I’m so...fucking...in love with you.”

He continued to slowly push into you, his body shaking underneath your grip more and more with every bit further he felt himself go, lapping at your mouth with his own. He refused to break eye contact, and his glossy stare sent you reeling, only able to breathlessly speak a few words back.

“Show me.”

Your toes curled, you aimlessly pawed at his back. He sent waves of ecstasy coursing through you, the shadows of your bodies intertwined flickering onto the walls. He fucked you slow and hard, with every thrust sputtering out sweet nothings into your ear. Every twitch and flex of muscle you felt through his skin just made you fall deeper into a state of bliss, and you swore you had never felt a love like this before.

Through lofted breaths, Tom moaned in time with you rhythmically gasping out his name. He was littering your neck with bruises, you were carving scratch marks into his back; and you pushed each other over the edge at the same time, sealing in your bond as apocalyptic soulmates.

He had collapsed next to you, his heart still in full sprint as he pulled your tired, loved-up body into his own, nudging his face into your hair and rubbing aimless circles on your arm with his thumb. The candle was dwindling and the storm raged on, providing an almost soothing white noise throughout the still room, only accompanied by the sound of you existing with one another. You fell into a deep sleep for countless hours, only waking up because Tom was standing over the bed, shaking you.

“Wh- what?”

“y/n, you have to come see this,” he said, hand still clasped around your wrist before you’d even wriggled out of the blankets.

He guided you by flashlight to what you assumed was an office, and you were shellshocked as you stood in front a computer screen, bright with power.

“I found a generator.” Tom smiled brightly, waiting for you to put the pieces together.

“So...there’s power?”

“Babe, there’s connection. My brothers have been sending me messages for weeks.”

Your jaw fell open as you looked at the monitor, sure enough alight with internet, a phenomenon of the past. “Your brothers, they’re... alive?!” You couldn’t find the words as you saw Tom shed a few joyful tears, the two of you hugging and jumping around like excited toddlers.

“We can talk to them, y/n. My family is still out there waiting for us, and in the next wave of light, we’ll be able to find them,” he said through cracks in his voice, happier than you could ever remember him being.

“I’m so happy for you, Tommy,” you kissed his cheek, but didn’t convince him as he could hear the sadness hiding in your voice. He knew you were thinking about your own family, and how you knew you’d never see them again.

“Love, listen to me,” he kneeled down in front of you and you followed suit so you were both sitting on the fluffy rug of the office. “I know you’ve lost so much. But you found me, we survived. And we’ll keep surviving—we don’t have another choice.” You sighed and nodded. “I know.”

“And it’s not the same, I know, but...you have a family now, with me, with us. We can rebuild together, darling. Fuck the storm. No matter what it throws at us, we have each other to help us through it.”

You reached for his soft hand, melting under his sweet ramblings. “...I know.”

“I never thought it would take the world ending to find you,” he said, lacing his fingers between yours. “but I did, and I’ll be forever thankful for that. We’ll be alright now, sweetheart. I’ll live the rest of my life to keep you safe.”

You gave him a knowing nod and sat in silence in the dark of a room that wasn’t yours, listening to the world unravel on the other side of the wall. Your chest flurrying with a mix of hope and heartache, you resolved yourself to understand that this was living now, that you would have to adapt to this new normal. You were petrified of what the future held, but seeing the boy sitting across from you, holding your hand and your heart in his steady gaze, helped you to breathe through the fear.

The rain had taken everything from you—but it had given you your everything, too.

#apocalypse #series finale #tom holland #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland imagine #tom holland smut #tom holland blurb #tom holland one shot #tom holland fanfic #tom holland imagines #tom holland x reader #tom holland x you

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secret-rendezvous1d · 4 years ago

Note

how about an alex first christmas home with his wife or gf? if your uncomfortable writing this prompt i completely understand

Hello, hi!

Welcome to Blogmas 2020. A couple of days later than I promised, and I apologise for that, but here we are.

Hopefully, the idea of how Blogmas 2020 is planned out will become a little clearer than how my very poor explanations explained it, haha.

Many more blurbs, many more chats and a lot more festivities to come; my inbox will be open all through December this year for blurb prompts for Blogmas so don’t feel afraid to pop in a prompt to get written for tis year; all I can say is that if you’re asking for a lengthy prompt, I’m not the right person right now, haha.

I’m welcoming absolutely anything for this year; any AU, any characters, any ideas.

Reblog, like, comment and share your thoughts with me. Please let me know what you think because feedback is always appreciated on here; much more appreciated now given that I’ve not written a lot in a long while. Please let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

A song to listen to throughout the second scene; Bing Crosby, I’ll Be Home For Christmas

“Look at the size of those toms,” Alex gushed in awe, rushing from his place at the kitchen cabinet, where the kettle was whistling on the stove, to grab the woven basket full of fresh garden vegetables from his wife’s arms, saving a couple of apples and pears from becoming bruised by the floor. “They’re massive.”

“There’s something in the soil, I think,” YN teased, wiping her soil-covered fingertips on the pink and white polka-dot apron tied around her waist. Traces of wet mud and dry soil clinging to the material, tiny specks falling to the floor but nothing bad enough that couldn’t be sweeped with the brush and pan. “You should see some of the runners growing in the corner. Nice and long, they are. Perfect for dinner tomorrow eve.”

“How are the potatoes coming along?”

“They’re good, I was going to dig them and the carrots up tonight before the nighttimes cold comes in,” she said softly, standing beside her husband as he unpacked the fruit and placed them in the empty fruit bowl. The kettle coming to a gentle boil, soon being warm enough for them to make a warm cup of tea to drink by the fire to warm themselves up.

The vegetables left in the basket - varying from cabbage and cauliflower to Brussels sprouts and onions - needed a good brush down and a wash under water but looked good enough to enjoy as part of their meal the next day. A meal that would be enjoyed by her parents, Alex’s parents and a couple of good friends who hadn’t had time to make it back home for Christmas, missing the last train out of London for a few days and unable to find a kind-hearted soul to take them two hours up north. It was also a meal that YN had been panicking over for almost the entire month of December… her first time cooking a Christmas dinner and she wanted it to be as perfect as possible to end a year that needed some cheer.

With the war coming to an end, for a second time, she felt safe and happy. Much safer and much happier than the last time a war was declared to have finished.

Maybe it was the fact that the four-year long terror of air raid sirens and bombings and unexpected blackouts had come to its end; maybe it was the fact that Britain had won the war and there was no more fear to live by; maybe it was the fact that her husband had been one of the lucky ones to come home safe and sound, able to celebrate Christmas as normal without worry that he was going to be called back to fight in the trenches and on the frontline; maybe it was the fact that everything was slowly going back to how it had been and life was on track to getting better.

“Dad’s always saying they taste and cook the best after a night in the cold,” Alex shrugged, taking a bite of an apple and feeling the juice trickle down his chin, something that YN’s thumb caught and wiped away, “I’ll go and dig them up tomorrow morning.”

“I wanted to start peeling and cutting them now,” she frowned, looking at him with furrowed brows, “go dig them up for now, please, darling?”

He mirrored her expression and folded his arms, half-bitten apple still in his hand, a smile toying his lips.

“Do I have to? It’s getting cold out there, I’ve got no jumper on and I’ve just put the kettle on,” he playfully whined, pouting his lips.

Her own eyebrows furrowed deeper on her browline, a silent plea for him to do what she said because she was stressing enough and didn’t want to be panicking so early tomorrow morning. All along he was going to do what she asked him to do, no word of a lie, but he found pure enjoyment in giving her the idea he had no intentions of helping. He placed his half-eaten apple on the kitchen counter and took a step towards her.

“Alright, as long as you do me the best cup of tea possible.”

“Of course, aren’t all my cups of tea the best?” To which he nodded and she grinned, squeezing his cheek and leaving a blush pink behind on his cheekbone, “I love you.”

“I love you the most,” he hummed, pressing a kiss to her cold forehead, reaching around her to grab the basket and tuck it under his arm, “I’ll have a look at these nice, long runners you’ve been speaking so highly about, too.”

“Mum called earlier. She’s grown some strawberries and rhubarb and said she was making a pie for our dessert tomorrow. I told her that with how hard you’ve been working with the garden, on all the veggies, we won’t need a pudding to eat because we’ll be so full of Christmas dinner,” Alex chuckled, peering over the newspaper in his hands to catch a glimpse of a smile on her lips, eyes still trained to the book she was reading in the gentle, almost, silence.

The radio crackled quietly in the background of the living room, playing a Christmas song that had a frequent place on the station they had programmed to work properly. Adding a sense of merriment to the room they were sat in; tinsel hanging on a scarce Christmas tree, with ornaments made from paper and cardboard, and Christmas cards on the windowsill from family and friends. There wasn’t much they could do but it was enough for them.

“Your mum makes a good pie though,” YN admitted, placing her finger between the pages she’d gotten to, “she didn’t have to do that though. She’s already done a lot for me this year and the last four so tomorrow is, kind of, all about giving back to her and your dad and my parents, too.”

Alex’s family had been a huge constant in her life during the wartime.

His mother had been non-stop on the phone with her about new gardening tips that her friends had told her about and seeds to share amongst themselves to grow a healthy batch of fruits to bake with - because they baked, a lot, and his mother had sent her back home with a brain full of new treats to bake and recipes to try out - and they took care of a flower patch in the front garden of Alex’s home, which seemed to pass the time. His father had been just as helpful to her, whenever he wasn’t in factories or working in machinery, coming by to put shelves up for her or to fix a hole in the roof that had begun to leak. Always popping by with a loaf of bread from the bakery and a tin of meat, that YN would put together as a sandwich and they’d eat until he knew his wife would be questioning his whereabouts. They allowed her to stay when she was feeling lonely, always looked out for her during the raids and insisted she stayed with them to wait it out, always insisting that she stayed with them until Alex was home so she wasn’t suffering with loneliness or panicking when blackouts occurred.

It had always been his mother cooking a Christmas dinner, promising she didn’t have to do anything but sit at the dining table and enjoy a healthy meal with family, with no worrying or getting upset that her own husband wasn’t there to enjoy the family festivities.

So it felt surreal when YN saw Alex dressed in his uniform, on the train station platform with a bag swung over his shoulder, in and amongst crowds of reunited families, knowing that they were about to have their life back on track. A Christmas together.

“My dad’s made a good sherry for us to have. Mum said he’s been working on it for almost a year now. Growing currants in the front garden and chasing kids away when he saw them picking at his bushes as they passed,” Yn giggled softly, because the image of her father chasing active youths down a street was rather amusing to her, reaching for her bookmark to keep her place in the book resting on her lap, “she says she’s barely seen him because he spends his time at the allotments, with his friends.”

Alex snuffled a laugh and folded his paper up, setting it on the floor beside the crackling fireplace.

“We should get an allotment. Could build a shed there to hide in when it rains, have you come and sit and watch me dig the veggies up, let you grow some flowers there. We’d be the best there,” he grinned, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, “what do you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea, baby.”

“Christmases only get better from here,” he stood to his feet and wiggled his fingers in her direction, “let’s have a dance.”

She smiled shyly and stood to her feet, toes all toasty and warm from the fire, reaching for his hands as he twirled her under his arm and let her dress, all dark green and red (which she insisted was her most Christmas-y dress in her wardrobe) billow out at the knees. With the occasional step on his bare toes, and a trip over his own feet, they managed to move themselves around the room with such an elegant sway to their hips as the gentle voice of Bing Crosby filled the room, with the ever so delightful song that YN imagined must have felt so personal to so many around Britain. And she couldn’t help but think of how many others were dancing, singing and crying as the tune filled merry homes, both happy and sad.

And she didn’t want to let her mind wander to the agonising pain of not having a loved one, let alone a husband, arrive home safe for Christmas… but it was planted there and she never ever wanted an experience so heartbreaking.

“You’ve gone quiet,” he hummed and it was in that moment that he felt a dribble of tears against his neck, his feet coming to a stop as the music carried on behind them, “hey now. No crying, we said. This is a happy end to the year, eh? A happy one.”

“I know but,” she choked on a tear and pulled away to look at him, “I’m so lucky you came home to me. To us. But, some women, they never got to say goodbye to their husbands, their brothers, their fathers and grandfathers. They never got to see them for Christmas this year, last year and the years before that. They never knew what was coming,” she whispered with a hushed voice that felt like if she spoke too loud, she’d have the entire country hearing her, as if the music was bad enough to bring out the emotions.

“I promised you, didn’t I, baby?”

She nodded softly and his thumbs wiped away her tears, collecting moisture on the tips of his pads, their eyes locking for a brief second.

“I promised you I’d make it back to you and I did, safe and sound,” he held her face in his hands and brushed the tip of his nose to hers, his warm breath flushing over her face as she sniffled and sobbed, “I’m never leaving you again. Never ever. I promise, no selfish bastard is going to keep us apart, not even for Christmas.”

#alex!au #harry styles imagines #harry styles blurbs #harry styles prompts

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words-for-holland · 5 years ago

Text

Happier (3) | T.H.

Summary: Harrison is looking for answers. More unknown text messages and blackmail. A phone conversation takes place. Wait...who’s the new guy?

A/N: Don’t be shy let me know all your theories! Again, thank you for the support on Happier! The story continues!

Puzzle

This whole thing was just a giant puzzle that needed to be solved, but the closer one got to solving it, another complication comes around. The story wasn’t clear for anyone, but for Harrison it was a mess. He had so many questions that needed to be answered, so many clues he wish could have been solved at the snap of a finger.

Tom was too lost in himself to even comprehend the puzzling reality, Y/N while also lost in heartbreak had been awefully quiet since she left London, Kate was lying to Harrison, and Natalie had been too friendly with Tom.

Harrison replayed the conversation with Kate over and over again in his mind, trying to remember every little thing she said that night. He knew Kate was aware of something. Her tone said it all.

“Listen I dont know who you are, but if its the same person that sent my best friend a threatening message that she’s better off breaking up with her boyfriend”

“She received a few messages...from Tom.”

“Oh my god.” Harrison said to himself in realization. How could he have been so dim to not recognize what Kate had said in the first place? He paced around as he continued to think it through. But a threat message? Who would send a threat to Y/N? And what did they threaten her with? Tom and Y/N’s relationship has been secretly hidden from the public for as long as they’d been together. No one knew she even existed...right?

For a moment, Harrison stopped in his tracks, thinking of Natalie. Though he quickly shook the idea off. Natalie may have wanted Tom, but she wouldnt go as far as threatening Y/N. He had been friends with her since they went to primary school, and knew she wouldn’t go that far. “Maybe a stalker fan?” He questioned himself. Though he also quickly ruled it out, but something about it just didnt feel right.

In the kitchen, Harrison took out his laptop and started googling Y/N’s name. If her name didn’t show on the News or one of those Tom Holland fan accounts, it would at least answer one theory. As he scrolled through pages and pages, nothing showed up until...he found on account. He logged into the site and browsed the history, realizing it was all about Y/N and Toms life. Not as a couple but seperately. It all seemed too strange. Only very few accounts followed it and yet no other accounts in the world had mentioned Y/N. Harrison quickly shut his laptop when he saw Natalie enter the room.

“Oh don’t mind me just...grabbing a water.” She giggled, making her way to the fridge.

“Hey mate...uh..I guess everyone got hungry at the same time?” Harry asked, a bit surprised to see Harrison and Natalie in the kitchen.

“Yeah. I guess.” Harrison muttered.

“Well aren’t you a ray of sunshine. If i didn’t know I’d say you were the one more affected by the break up then Tom and Y/N themselves.” Natalie commented.

“No. It’s just that I dont think Y/N broke up with Tom just because of some rumors about you and him.” He explained rubbing his face from exhaustion. Natalie’s smile dropped, when she heard Harrison mention his potential theory.

“Well...did you talk to Y/N about it?” Harry asked him, also intrigued by the theory. “Now that I think about it she —“

“Oh come on. Just leave the poor girl alone. Im sure she knew what was best for the both of them. You’ll only make it worse.” Natalie interrupted, taking a sip from her water. “Well since you boys are all talk, Im gonna go find something more worth my while.”

Out of sight and out of mind, Natalie made a quick call about what she heard. “Harrison’s getting suspicious, and so is Harry.”

“Time to clean up then.” The unknown number spoke out before hanging up on Natalie completely.

Meanwhile, Kate had managed to get Y/N out of the apartment and walk the streets of the city. Her heart and spirits were still low, but she appreciated the efforts. Kate and Y/N went around stuffing their faces with crepes and ice cream. It was the cure to any bad days, but it wouldnt have been a Kate and Y/N date if they didn’t hang around the New York Aquarium. It was also the perfect time to crack out what Y/N really knew about the unknown text message, and who was harrassing the both of them. “Look, I know I promised you a stress free outing, but I saw a text from your phone the night you came back home.” Kate confessed.

Y/N’s face became pale almost as if she’d seen a ghost. She knew, and now there was no point in going back. “So you know then.” She says quietly looking at the fishes.

“I only know they threatened you.” Kate states, leaving out that she, herself, was also threatened. Y/N had enough on her plate to worry about, and it wouldn’t be the best time to being up how her message also threatened their friendship. “How long?” She continues.

“Weeks maybe. They started around the time I was fighting with Tom.” Y/N vents, she takes a deep breath before she continues. “Each message was worse than the last. They threatened that if I didnt leave, Tom would lose career, and I...I couldnt do that to him.” Tears were falling slowly, but Y/N was quick to pick them.

“Why didnt you tell him?”

“Yeah, Kate let me just tell him the truth of why I left him because the messages weren’t offensive nor threatening enough. And let’s just assume that the person texting wouldn’t blackmail either of us if they knew I said something. Anyways, maybe it was for the best...I could never fit in his world and those past few months just proved that.” Y/N’s words continue to spill out every fear and thought she had bottled up within her. It felt good..for a moment, but nothing can really erase a heartbreak of losing the one you loved.

As the pair walked through the shark tunnel, Y/N bumped into a tall figure. “Oh my god, Im so sorry...Matt?” she asked in confusion. The moment Y/N looked up into those familiar brown eyes hidden behind the thin glasses, she knew. How could she forget?

“Y/N? Wow, it’s been so long how are you?” Matt greeted as he wrapped her into a hug. “Kate, it’s good to see you again too.”

“Yeah, we’re great, just you know...navigating life.” Kate responded to him. “We haven’t seen you since what? High school?”

Matt smiled and nodded at Kate’s response, his focus remaining on Y/N. He didn’t remember much with Kate back in high school, but Y/N was a different story. They were good friends at the time, always competing in classes, but as junior year rolled by things got awkward. Y/N was falling for Matt while he didn’t return the favor at the time. Though he’d be lying if he didn’t say he may have felt the same at one point, but just never committed. Now all grown up, he didn’t realize how pretty she turned out, but her personality wasn't there. He must have figured something was wrong. After all, a girl with that kind of spunk back in the day, didn't seem like the one to lose hers so easily. “Yeah, look. I know it’s kind of a spur in the moment, but maybe we can all hang out sometime? I’d love to catch up.”

Kate was all for it, but Y/N felt a tension she wasn’t sure if she wanted to act upon. After all, breaking up with your boyfriend after 2 weeks, because of threatening messages and still loving him deeply, it wasn’t an easy thing to move on from. Then again it’s not like Matt was asking for a date, it was just to catch up after not seeing each other for 6 years. “Uh, maybe. I have to check my schedule, and see when Im free, but I can let you know” Y/N answers him.

“Great, well..here’s my number, and hopefully I hear from you guys. I gotta get back to my brother, so hope to see you around.” he quickly says as he walks away.

“Wow. Matt Brynne, who would have guessed?” Kate says, breaking the silence.

“I know...Funny I used to be so head over heels with him at the time, and now I barely feel a thing.”

“Well yeah, cause you still love...you-know-who.” she teases, though it probably wasn't the best time to be making that type of joke with everything going on.

“And I don't think I’ll ever stop.” Y/N mutters to herself. As Y/N and Kate make their way forward, Kate’s phone began to vibrate.

Unknown

Set up a date and take a picture of Y/N and that boy you posted on your insta story. Or Y/N finds out the truth about what you did. XOXO

Kate looked up as she cursed herself, realizing she forgot to keep her story private. It was supposed to be a harmless post of old friends reuniting and now the unknown number has used it as blackmail. It would have been easy to find the culprit, but her view count was up in the thousands with unfamiliar faces. It’s what she gets after gaining a decent following on TikTok. Kate couldn’t let Y/N know what she did, and she’d make sure she would hide that truth from her for as long as she can. “Hey, Y/N...I think we should hit up Matt.” she says, running after her best friend.

At the same time, another texted popped from Y/N’s phone. She picked up thinking it might have been a group chat with her close friends, but it was from the only person who could make her heart flutter and break simultaneously.

Tom

I can’t stop thinking about you. About us. I still love you.

Y/N almost called him..almost, but she knew better. She couldn’t...not unless she wanted to continue to hurt each other.

Meanwhile, back in London, Harrison was ready to come clean to Tom about what he’d found out. He watched as Tom finished typing on his phone, and throwing it on the side of the bed, rubbing his face. This was the new normal. Tom being alone in the dark, reflecting on his sadness and exhaustion. Only stepping out when needed and keeping up smiles for appearances.

It was then Harrison was ready to knock on the door, when his phone received a notification.

Unknown

Don’t even think about it. Or I’ll make sure you and your lads careers are over for good.

Harrison sighed deeply, as he put his phone down, and walked away. Until he came to a most probable conclusion. “Natalie.” he says anger. “I should have fucking known.” At this point he no longer cared, about who she was before and how they were friends. The timing of it all seemed too perfect. Her arrival, the eavesdropping, the flirting. It had to be her but with what proof other than unknown numbers and good timing? Another part of him feared...what if it wasn't her?

Meanwhile, Tom was still unaware of what was really happening behind his door, but he did know, he had to take a chance now and try to contact her instead of sending these useless messages. In the moment, he showed no signs of regret, only praying Y/N would pick up so he could hear her voice.

“Tom?” Y/N answers hesitantly.

Tom closes his eyes, as he takes in her soft and gently voice. “Y/N.” he speaks softly into the phone.

Taglist:

@hollanddolanfangirl @ifilosemyselfagain @hevjadams @averyfosterthoughts @fangirl-with-a-mission @drishtisikarwar @eridanuswave @ifntelyinspirit @trumpettay @astridcommings

#tom holland #tom holland x reader #tom holland imagine #peter parker #peter parker x reader #peter parker imagine

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sirtommyholland · 5 years ago

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Van Life || Tom Holland x female!reader

Me: has like 5 unfinished works in drafts

Also me: lemme just write this brand new thing

A/N: DAD!TOM EVERYONE! This is inspired by a real life family! IG: MayaVanLife They are a Turkish family and they've now been on a world tour for a year to make their daughter’s dreams come true! The 3 van pictures above all belong to them. They have a youtube channel by the same name too!

Word Count: 1.5k

It all started with a 6 year old girl's dream.

When you and Tom met, 15 years ago, you immediately bonded over your shared love of travelling, and went all over the world together for years, even lived in different countries. When your daughter Siena was born, it was no shock to anyone that she inherited that love of yours. Obviously you were the ones that raised her that way- her first trip outside the country was when she was just 3 months old, to Netherlands. She loved going to new places, she loved falling asleep to the rumbling of your car, waking up in a different country. She was a dreamer. And her biggest dream yet came in a trip to Italy.

You were in a park, sitting on a picnic blanket together, enjoying the afternoon sun. Siena was quick to notice the camper vans parked around the place. Ever the social butterfly, she wanted to meet the people that lived in them. After seeing the vans-turned-homes and people travelling the world in them, she was quick to decide that “I want a van, too!”

For you and Tom, no dream was too unrealistic to accomplish. Your daughter was your everything, and your sole purpose in life was to make her happy. Of course you had long conversations about it, saying it wouldn’t be easy, explaining the difficulties like not having a bathroom and everything, but she was ready to accept all of it. Then it became the sole topic of your pillow talks with Tom. “Can we actually do it?” “Is it too crazy?” “What if we get stranded in a far away country?” “Her school?” “What if she gets sick?” “Can we live without a bathroom?” After lots of evaluations, and seeing this wasn’t a passing dream for her, you started researching. Because who were you to deny her this adventure when you were the ones who raised her that way? You bought a van- a bright orange one- and started the painful yet satisfying process of converting it into your new home. After getting lots of help from both of your friends, and his brothers, your home was ready to hit the road.

You started small, first travelling around the country to see how it would be, if you could do it or not. When it seemed that Siena was more than okay with living in this cramped space, you turned your route to Finland. It was Siena’s biggest dream to see the Aurora Borealis, and the look of awe on her face when she saw them for real for the first time, already made all of this worth it.

You went all over Europe, camping in different places for days, and Sienna loved every minute of it. She made friends everywhere she went, getting to know other travelers like you. She was home-schooled (van-schooled as she liked to call it) and loved studying on the mountains, or on the beach instead of her boring room back in your house. It was nearing a year on your world tour, and you couldn’t be happier.

------

You woke up with a small grunt, stretching your body as much as you could while being wrapped up in Tom’s arms. You yawned, and settled back into him as you opened your eyes, trying to get used to the brightness of the morning. You felt his arms tighten around you, a telltale sign that he was waking up as well. You smiled and turned around in his arms, facing him.

“Morning love,” he spoke against your hair, morning voice low and croaked.

“Morning,” you whispered against his chest, hands going around his back to hug him closer.

You laid there wrapped up in each other for a bit, enjoying the quiet morning and your daughters quiet breathing. Then you slowly sat up to rest your back against the wall, pulling him up with you. He leaned over the bed to wake Siena up, pressing kisses to her hair, making her groan.

“Let her sleep,” you laughed, as she rubbed her eyes, she was not a morning person at all. “Or she can sleep with me. Come here baby” you reached for her, she giggled as she sleepily climbed over to your bed, settling in your arms. You cuddled her to your chest, leaving big kisses on her hair.

“You can go now.” you said to Tom between kisses, settling back into the pillows with your daughter.

“Okay, thanks.” he laughed, getting up from the bed to wash his face and get changed. “I’m going for a run, then we can have breakfast when we get back?”

“Kay.” you smiled. He came over to give you a goodbye kiss, and Siena, and left with a slam of the sliding door.

You laid your daughter next to you, and started reading your book until Tom came back. Siena woke up again thirty minutes later, for good this time, smiling at you through half open eyes.

“Morning baby” you kiss her hair, marking your spot and closing the book.

“Morning mummy,” she practically laid on top of you, hugging you tightly.

“Wanna do some stretches with me?” you ask her, making her nod enthusiastically. She sat in front of you, crossing her legs like you, and you showed her some moves to do with you, going through your morning routine together.

After a while the door slid open and Tom’s head peaked in, looking to see what you’re up to.

“Tommy’s here!” you cheered with Siena, and he smiled as he saw you doing stretches.

“Here, let me open the back door for you,” he said, and walked over to the back of the van. As he opened the double doors in the back, the gorgeous view of green Montenegro mountains came into view, along with Tom, your personal favourite view.

“Hey.” you grinned, leaning in to steal a kiss.

“I want a kiss too!” Siena whined, leaning over to her dad.

“Oh, you’ll get more than a kiss!” Tom grabbed her from the bed before she could do anything, and threw her over his shoulder as he spun around making her shriek and kick her legs in joy.

You watched them with a smile, wondering how in the world your life was so perfect right now. Tom stopped spinning and brought her down to hold her normally. Siena thought he was going to put her down to the ground, and was quick to remind him that “Daddy, I don’t have shoes!”, pointing to her bare feet.

“Then you’ll have to hold tight, hm?” he kissed her shoulder, her arms and legs wrapping around him tightly.

“Okay, can you bring back my daughter so we can have breakfast, please?”

“Nope” he says, hugging her tighter as he swayed in place, “She’s mine now.”

“But I’m hungry!” she whined.

“Traitor” he pouted, but still walked around to the side door so to bring her inside.

As Tom made scrambled eggs and toast, you and Siena set up your folding table and chairs outside, taking advantage of the nice weather. You handed her the plates and glasses from the van and she carried them to the table. After a nice breakfast and cleaning up, you decided to pack up and hit the road, so you could arrive your destination earlier.

One of your favourite things about the van was that it had two passenger seats, so all three of you could sit in the front while you were driving. You drove for a few hours, playing your roadtrip playlist, then Tom took over after a quick lunch break. An hour after lunch, Siena was getting quite sleepy, so she went to the back to lay down, leaving you and Tom alone. You quickly scooted over to take Siena’s place, sitting close to him. He took your hand and raised it to his lips to leave a gentle kiss across your knuckles.

“We haven’t been alone for a while.”

“Yeah.” you sighed. “I miss sex.”

He snorted. While you loved living in your tiny home and travelling the world with your daughter, lack of a private space meant lack of a private time.

“It’s been a while since stayed at a motel. We can find one tonight?” he asked hopefully, biting his lip.

You leaned over the dashboard to plant a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll meet you there. I’ll be the one laying in bed naked.”

He laughed, the eye-crinkling one that you loved more than anything, and intertwined your fingers as he kept driving. You watched him, looking at the way his sunglasses were sitting on his nose, how the sun was painting his hair with gold, how his strong hand was gripping the steering wheel, and decided that your life couldn’t be better than it was right now.

-----

Ahh sorry for the lame ending😥 Please don't forget to comment/reblog/like if you enjoyed it, and check out @MayaVanLife on insta! Stay safe everyone!💕

MASTERLIST

#tom holland x reader #tom holland one shot #tom holland imagine #tom holland blurb #fluff #camper van #van life #dad!tom holland #tom holland daughter

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potatocrab · 5 years ago

Text

Salvation is a Last Minute Business (12/18)

Chapter 12: A Man of Integrity

Nick and Madelyn start their investigation on one of his oldest unsolved cases, reestablishing their bond as partners in the process. In Concord, they meet with Preston Garvey, who proves to be more help than they initially realized. After weeks of separation, Madelyn reunites with the Railroad, and with Deacon. A public demonstration at MIT sheds light on a new danger lurking in the shadows.

“It’s quite alright, Mrs. Brent. I am a man of integrity, but I'm always willing to listen to an interesting offer.” - Albert Arnett as played by Walter Slezak (Born to Kill, 1947)

[read on Ao3] x [chapter masterpost]

May 11th, 1958

What felt like an eternity had only been a few weeks for the Valentine Detective Agency. Nick and Madelyn hadn’t been doing a lot of field work, despite the reemergence of one of his oldest cases. They’d hunkered down in the agency, pouring over cold-case files and following up on decade-old leads while he recovered from the lingering injuries sustained at the hands of Eddie Winter. Even after being discharged from the hospital, Nick had a lot of healing to do. With time, the physical scars had begun to fade, but the mental trauma would last a lifetime.

Nick insisted the best thing for him to do was to stay busy, burying himself in what he knew best, lest he succumb to the darkness. Eddie Winter—his greatest and longest adversary was dead—but so was the love of his life. Jenny. Neither was something one got over so quickly, and Madelyn had first-hand experience in at least one aspect. She was determined to provide all the distractions he needed, even if it meant shirking her would-be responsibilities with the Railroad. Deacon covered for her as any great partner would, taking their separation in stride. He understood the relationship between Nick and herself was still rocky and required all the extra attention she could afford. Whatever spark they’d recently discovered would have to wait to be ignited.

Tinker Tom delivered more decoded transcripts as the weeks passed, either by dead-drop or handing them off to Drummer Boy for personal delivery at Madelyn’s apartment. The intel did little to fill in the blanks, and after weeks of digging and struggling to answer decade old questions, Nick and Madelyn were still at square one. A missing baby boy, and one name—Preston Garvey.

“Time to hit the pavement,” Nick declared that Sunday morning, with a certain kind of gumption Madelyn hadn’t heard since they went after Eddie Winter nearly a month ago. Even though there was so little to their casefile, they had to start somewhere, and the detective was rearing to go.

With Piper’s help, they would divide and conquer—while Nick and Madelyn went to speak with the parents of the missing child, the reporter would use her resources to track down Preston Garvey, and hopefully confirm how he was tied to the case. The three of them working together again—just like old times—even if everything about their dynamic had changed.

Madelyn felt like a stranger sitting in the passenger seat of Nick’s Cadillac. Although they had made their amends after Jenny’s death and begun to settle back into their relationship as detective and lawyer—partners—there was still an obvious strain that she couldn’t ignore. It was all business, devoid of all levity and humor. Understandable, considering he was still in mourning. Nick was hesitant to speak about his grief and put on a brave face for the sake of appearances, brushing off Madelyn’s emotional counsel. She hadn’t expected him to be just as stubborn as she was when it came to dealing with heartache. All she wanted was to support him in the same way he was there for her when she lost Nate all those years ago. If what he needed was time, then she could accommodate, even if it hurt her to see him in so much pain.

She busied herself by reviewing the tiny stack of paperwork in her lap, sifting through the dossier on the missing baby boy, Shaun. Madelyn had typed out the facts, pulling out bits of information from the various Railroad reports and news articles to establish a solid timeline of events, as well as name all involved parties. On October 23rd, 1947, just a month shy of his first birthday, he was kidnapped from his parents—a one Mr. and Mrs. Perlman. All the newspapers, media reports, and archived police casefiles indicated there were no witnesses. However, Tinker Tom’s transcripts suggested otherwise. The amount of times Preston Garvey was named and redacted certainly gave them a clue.

When Madelyn opened her steno notepad, a postcard slipped out. On the front was a scenic photograph of Hershey Park, a familiar tiny paper ribbon taped to the back with a short, scribbled note:

A chocolate would’ve melted –D

“I wanted to apologize.”

Nick’s comment caught her off guard, and she quickly glanced over to study his profile. She was as startled as she was confused, unsure of what he had to be sorry for. He cleared his throat, green eyes dancing over to her for a moment before focusing on the road again.

“If it seems like I’ve been keeping you at a distance lately, it hasn’t been intentional,” he said carefully. “I’m not entirely sure what is normal anymore. How to act. How to have a civilized conversation or be alive in a world without—” he broke off, hands gripping the steering wheel tight. “But I know you’ve been trying. Stuck around despite the doom and gloom. Don’t think it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

At a red light, Nick turned his full attention towards her, offering a tiny smile. “You’re a real gem, you know that, doll? One in a million.”

“I know,” Madelyn grinned, unable to resist the urge to lightly tease him in return. It was a gamble, but thankfully, he softly chuckled. She shrugged. “What are friends for?”

Nick side-eyed the documents in her lap. “Is that a message from…”

“Deacon?” she hesitated, knowing the two still had their differences. Just another reason why she’d asked the Railroad spy to keep his distance from the agency for a while. Since then, he’d been out of state on classified business, sending correspondence through dead-drops whenever possible. When she didn’t answer right away, Nick let out a deep sigh.

“I’ve noticed that too—you’ve kept him away to avoid conflict,” he pulled a hand away from the steering wheel to rub at his jaw. “Old shame the way I’ve acted, and maybe it’s time to let bygones be bygones. Wouldn’t want to come between the two of you.”

Something about his tone made Madelyn realize he’d made some astute observations about the pair—but when? Deacon had only visited once since Eddie Winter’s demise, so unless Nick could suddenly read minds or had become an expert on body language, he must’ve been talking to the neighborhood gossip—Piper. She’d certainly seen a lot of their interactions in the last month, enough to write an expose, if she wanted to.

Madelyn tried to stay coy. Afterall, she still wasn’t sure what her relationship with Deacon was. As far as she knew, they were just partners. “It isn’t like that,” she denied, and the lie tasted foul on her tongue. “We’re…just friends.”

“What a shame,” Nick’s lips turned up into a sideways smile and she knew he’d read past her fib. He took a moment to study her hands, where she’d moved her wedding ring from her left finger to her right. He hadn’t mentioned it before, but she knew he’d noticed the moment she made the switch a few weeks ago. A monumental step, to declare herself a widow, indicating she might be ready to move on.

“I could use some of that Hardy brightness, now more than ever,” he explained. She’d been considerably happier in recent months, even through the danger and traumatic events. It didn’t take a genius or detective to say it was in no small part due to Deacon. “Don’t hold back on something good on account of me. Never hold back on happiness.”

When had Nick turned the tables on her? Wasn’t she supposed to be giving him heartfelt advice in his time of need? She allowed his words to sink in, reading over the handwriting on the postcard, tracing her fingers over the words. Regardless of how she truly felt, she wasn’t about to let herself get distracted when they had more important matters at hand. Still, it was comforting to know that Nick was on her side—another facet of their friendship and bond solidified.

She tucked the postcard safely away, and re-focused on her case notes. “You said you never worked with the parents directly in ’47?”

Nick shifted in the driver’s seat, thrown off by the change in subject. If he was offended, however, his expression didn’t show it. “No. I was a rookie P.I. back then, still wet behind the ears. Corruption aside, if you think Boston P.D. holds their cards close to the chest now, just think how paranoid they were ten years ago.”

“Worked as a consultant for just under a month,” he continued. “When the leads dried up, rather, when the police couldn’t provide me with any more valuable information, they cut me loose. Cut the parents loose too. Tried to reach out to them, but they’d disappeared after losing faith through a whirlwind media storm.”

“I don’t blame them,” Madelyn responded. She frowned at the date on the paper—1947. “Are you sure they’ll want to talk to us after all this time? We’re practically ambushing them.”

Nick slowed the speed of his Cadillac as he turned onto a private driveway, crossing over a wooden bridge, a large decorated sign in the nearby field indicating their arrival—Sanctuary Hills. Madelyn felt uneasy, and for good reason—she was familiar with the suburb, used to live down the street in a picturesque house in the middle of a cul-de-sac, and attended the Concord church in the town proper. Of course, that was when Nate was still alive, before she was forced to downsize and move to her tiny, Cambridge apartment.

“Are you alright?” Nick asked, reaching his hand over the center console to wrap around one of her own. While others would’ve flinched away, she took comfort in the cold touch of his prosthetic. Only then did she realize they were parked in front of a single-story home, painted a brilliant blue, with perfectly manicured lawns and a pearly white-picket fence.

She released a shaky breath. “I will be.”

Instead of waiting for Nick to round the car to open the passenger-side door for her, she exited the vehicle herself, gathering her purse and documents under her arm and stared at the residence ahead with a mix of insecurity and dread. Nick offered his arm, sensing her apprehension, and she gladly gripped his elbow as they followed the sidewalk path up to the front door. The detective did the honors in ringing the doorbell, and the pair waited, listening as a cheery female voice echoed out from within.

“I’ll be right there!”

Nick and Madelyn exchanged a quick glance before the door opened. With only an old, black and white newspaper clipping to go off of, Madelyn wasn’t sure what to expect when they arrived. But she was still surprised by the woman’s appearance, specifically, how young she looked. She couldn’t be any older than thirty, not a wrinkle in sight on her beautiful face, or a grey hair sprouting from her dark brunette waves.

The woman at the door flashed them a polite smile. “May I help you?”

Nick extended his good hand. “We don’t mean to intrude,” he started as she shook his hand, one eyebrow raised in mild suspicion. “I’m Nick Valentine, and this is my partner, Madelyn Hardy. We’re from the—”

“Detective agency?” she interrupted. To their surprise, her expression shifted, a smile pulling at her lips as she shook Nick’s hand in earnest.

“Uh—yes,” he answered, momentarily stunned. “Mrs. Perlman, I presume?”

The woman nodded. “Please, call me Nora,” she opened the door further and stepped aside. “Do come in. I thought—” she stopped herself short, sucking in a breath and snapping a hand to her mouth as if to hold back a flood of emotions. Her courteous smile returned as she gestured them inside. “Please. Make yourselves at home.”

Madelyn followed Nora through the foyer, pausing to watch as she collected Nick’s faded trench-coat and fedora to hang on the entrance-way rack. They continued through to the living room, and while Mrs. Perlman called for her husband, Madelyn took the time to scan the interior, taking in the furniture, decorations and personal memorabilia that made the place home. It was right out of the pages of Good Housekeeping—the envy of any would-be housewife. Madelyn mentally chastised herself, knowing whatever jealousy she felt was misguided and inappropriate. She knew more than anyone that appearances were not meant to be taken at face value. Nothing, or nobody was ever as perfect as they seemed.

“Detective Valentine?”

Madelyn turned away from staring at a faded family portrait hanging on the wall to see Nora’s husband already in the middle of firm handshake with Nick. The man was tall, broad-shouldered—built like a soldier. His dark hair had been slicked back, and more than a few faded scars adorned his face and arms. It was reminiscent of the same marks her husband would return home with—such was the life of a military man.

“Mr. Perlman—”

He cut Nick off with a shake of his head. “Nathan.”

Madelyn recoiled, but hid her reaction the best she could. It was only a name. Despite the first-glance similarities, this man was not her Nathaniel—not her Nate. Nick glanced at her, acknowledging the coincidence, before continuing. They were there for a reason, and it wasn’t best to dawdle.

“I apologize if this seems out of the blue, after all these years,” the detective began. “I worked in liaison with the Boston P.D. in 1947. Wasn’t sure if they told you about my investigation into your son’s disappearance or not.”

“We weren’t aware,” Nathan clarified. Nora shook her head, eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “Not specifically.”

“We know of your work,” his wife interjected. “The only people brave enough to go after Eddie Winter,” she gave Nick an empathetic look. “I’m sorry for the loss of your wife.”

He didn’t bother to correct her, jaw tightening as he nodded. Before the silence could stretch on for too long, Madelyn spoke up. “We’d like to reinvestigate your son’s disappearance—”

“Shaun,” Nora interrupted again in a firm tone, all the while maintaining her composure. “He didn’t just disappear. He was taken from us.”

Madelyn didn’t take offense to the correction, understanding her grief. “We want to start the investigation into Shaun’s kidnapping anew,” she explained. “If you’ll allow us.”

The husband and wife were silent, exchanging anxious glances that spoke volumes. After a moment, Nathan motioned for the group to move into the living room proper, the couple sitting on the larger couch while Nick and Madelyn perched themselves on the opposite loveseat.

“Has there been a development we should know about?” Nora asked nervously. No doubt she’d been down this road before, full of hope, only to be let down time and time again. “The police haven’t spoken to us in years.”

Nick was straightforward. “Just rumors. Nothing concrete. But worth opening the casefile for, worth starting all over again.”

Another stretch of silence as Mr. and Mrs. Perlman contemplated the offer. Reopening decade old wounds without the guarantee that anything would come of it wasn’t an easy ask, wasn’t the best gamble. It involved a certain level of trust to be placed in the Valentine Detective agency—in both Nick and Madelyn. Two strangers that appeared out of the blue with nothing but speculation and a paper-thin casefile.

“We’d be grateful for your help,” Nathan finally answered for the pair. “It’ll be eleven years this October. It’s about time somebody gave a damn about finding Shaun.”

Nora acknowledged her approval with a small nod. “Whatever you need from us.”

“Do you mind if we ask you some questions about the day Shaun was taken?” Nick carefully asked.

Madelyn didn’t dare to reveal her notepad until the couple nodded, signifying they were willing and able to provide answers. Despite the facts they had gleamed from news and police reports, it was best to hear it straight from the victim, even after the lapse of time.

“October 23rd, 1947,” Nick started, reminding them all of the specific date. “Where were you?”

“Concord. Near Main Street,” Nathan answered. “We’d walked with Shaun’s stroller into the nearby park to see the Halloween decorations and look at the changing colors of the trees. Shaun wasn’t walking yet, but we let him crawl through some leaf piles while we watched.”

“Did you go anywhere else?” Nick asked.

Nora nodded. “We got lunch at the corner-side café near the church. We were thinking about taking Shaun to the museum, but…we didn’t get that far.”

Her husband wrapped a comforting arm around her back, encouraging her to rest her head against his shoulder. “It was broad daylight,” Nathan explained. “We were just walking up the main road when a man with a gun came out from the alleyway behind us. He grabbed me at first, held the gun to my head—”

He broke off, taking a moment to console his wife who had begun to softly cry. Nick, ever the gentleman, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her with a solemn expression. “We can stop, if you’d like.”

“No,” Nathan insisted, with a sigh. “If I’d been alone, I’d like to think I would’ve reacted differently. Military training—but Nora and Shaun, I couldn’t risk the two of them being injured—maybe that’s why he attacked. Saw a couple and a baby and thought we were vulnerable.”

“Can you describe the gunman?” Nick asked next.

Both Nathan and Nora shook their heads. “He was wearing a mask. But I saw his eyes—dark brown, filled with nothing but evil.”

Madelyn wrote down everything. “Did he say anything?”

“He—” Nora hesitated, wringing her hands. “He wanted us to beg for mercy.”

The tip of her pencil nearly snapped from the pressure as a similar, horrific memory came rushing back. Her and Nate, begging for their lives in Boston Common—coincidence, or…? Madelyn shut her eyes tight, pushing the thought away—there was no chance the same person who kidnapped baby Shaun was the same man who killed her husband. The crimes were too different, separated by too much time, and—

“…it didn’t matter in the end,” Nathan had been talking the entire time, and she’d tuned him out. She scrambled to catch up, scribbling down his words as he spoke. Nick had noticed Madelyn’s unease, flashing her a silent, knowing look. “The man shot me in the arm, and wrestled Shaun out of Nora’s arms.”

“After that, it was all a blur,” the wife described in a shaky voice. “Police, reporters. We told them everything we knew. They did the best they could—”

Nathan didn’t seem to agree. “They kept us in the dark.”

“It’s no wonder you’ve shown up after all these years,” he continued. “Maybe you can succeed where others have failed, Mr. Valentine. Offer us something the Boston police have never been able to give us.”

Nora grasped her husband’s hand in a tight grip. “Our son.”

May 12th, 1958

Neither Madelyn or Nick expected the parents of the missing baby Shaun to be so forthcoming, especially after so many years. But Mr. and Mrs. Perlman—Nathan and Nora—had welcomed the detective into their home, thankful that the agency was finally looking into the case. They had realistic expectations, understanding the investigation could very well end up in a dead-end, just as it had before. Nick was determined, however, a newfound fire surging through his veins at the prospect of solving a seemingly impossible case. He’d proved he could do it before with Eddie Winter, he’d be damned if he couldn’t do it again.

“Are we sure this is the place?” Madelyn looked up and down the sidewalks outside the Concord café, dubious of the location they’d been given.

Nearby, Nick flicked his cigarette to the ground, snubbing it out with the toe of his loafer. He grumbled beneath his breath. “This is what happens when we leave things up to Piper.”

The reporter had come to them the previous evening, stating she’d gotten lucky in her search for their supposed missing witness. Preston Garvey—alive and well, and still living in Boston. Better yet, she’d tracked down his whereabouts and daily routine, giving them an exact location of where he could be expected to be found. It was only fitting that it was the same general location in which the crime occurred, though Madelyn was distracted by other memories. While Nick focused on studying the parameter, she stared at the church steeple—it was where she’d been married, and where she’d held Nate’s funeral services—the last time she’d stepped foot inside the sacred space.

“Hey doll,” Nick’s hand grasped her shoulder, pulling her back into the present. “You alright?”

She nodded, forcing a smile. “Right as rain.”

He didn’t believe her, she knew, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he silently led her through the café doors, the jingle of the bell signifying their entrance. The waitress behind the counter greeted them with a smile, but before she could move towards them with two menus, Nick raised his hand and gestured to the man sitting by himself in a back booth.

The man was dressed in a modern, relaxed suit—though, he wore a blue, woolen sweater instead of a jacket. On the table was a faded brown, trilby hat with an insignia that Madelyn didn’t recognize. He was engrossed with the newest edition of the Boston Bugle, and didn’t notice their approach. Nick politely removed his fedora and cleared his throat.

“Mr. Garvey?”

He didn’t seem surprised by their arrival, calmly raising his gaze to look at them both. “Mr. Valentine? Miss Hardy?”

“That reporter—she works for, or with you?” he asked next, before either could respond. Seems that killing Eddie Winter brought nothing but notoriety to the agency, and perhaps some unwanted fame to for the pair. Couldn’t go anywhere without being recognized from the papers as the ones who brought the crime syndicate down. “She was following me around all day yesterday, didn’t do well enough to hide that she was. Figured I’d see the two of you soon enough.”

Nick softly chuckled, despite himself. “You’re very perceptive.”

“Have to be, now more than ever,” was the man’s response. He finally reached out to shake their hands. “For whatever reason, I’m the man you’re looking for. Please, call me Preston.”

He gestured for the two to sit in the booth opposite of him, folding the paper so he could give them his full attention. Nick was never one to beat around the bush, so to speak, and got straight to the point.

“We’re looking into an old case, and your name came up as a potential witness,” he explained. “Shaun Perlman. Kidnapped in 1947, do you—”

“Yes,” Preston disrupted with a small frown. His eyes darted to stare out the picture window, out onto the calm town street. “Ten years, sure, but I remember. Was barely sixteen when it happened.”

Madelyn wasn’t surprised to hear he was that young, she hadn’t been any older when the abduction happened, a young newlywed trying to make her way while her husband was away at basic training. Preston looked at the two, obviously perplexed.

“Thought they’d found the kid,” he said, solemnly. “Didn’t realize that wasn’t the case.”

“Unfortunately not,” Nick answered with a sigh. “Seems like Boston P.D. couldn’t make heads or tails of the situation and ran out of leads.”

Preston shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Or maybe they’ve been corrupted longer than you realize.”

Nick had his own reasons for being wary of the Boston police system—hell, he was suspicious of the local government and had been for years. Still, he needed a little more than hearsay, especially from a stranger. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“I don’t know how you found my name,” Preston shook his head. “Back then, the police completely dismissed me as a witness. A young black kid? You really think they believed a word I had to say?”

Madelyn wasn’t surprised, but that didn’t stop her from feeling upset. She and Nick had seen this type of behavior from certain precincts and officers over the years in other cases—it was easy to blame on incompetence and corruption, but in reality it was outright bigotry. Preston didn’t give them a chance to respond as he continued to speak.

“They didn’t talk to anybody. There were other witnesses, but good luck finding them now. Best I know, they’re either dead, or long gone from the area. The police made a show of it for the parents, but in reality they fumbled the case from the start,” he explained. “On purpose, if you ask me.”

Nick rubbed at his jaw, mulling the theory over in his head. “What would they have to gain from covering up the kidnapping of a baby?”

“Maybe that’s the real mystery,” Preston answered. He looked outside again, focusing on the alleyway across the street. “Who would want to take a baby, anyways?”

Madelyn glanced over the notes she’d taken when speaking with the parents. “Can you tell us what you saw? What do you remember?”

“Everything,” he replied, quickly. He pointed to the sidewalk. “I was standing on the street corner when I heard the gunshot. There weren’t many people in the area, but they all scattered. When I turned around, a man cradling a crying baby was running towards me and I just knew there was something wrong about him by his expression—”

“He wasn’t wearing a mask?” Nick interrupted, alarmed.

Preston shook his head. “No. But what kind of parent is walking around Concord with a holstered pistol?”

“What did he look like?” Madelyn prompted, waiting to fill in the details in her notepad.

“Tall and bulky,” Preston shut his eyes, recalling the image. “He was wearing a black leather jacket and combat boots. Maybe he worked on the military base? Had a…shaved head and this jagged scar over his—”

“Left eye?” she interrupted, all the air sucked from her lungs. Even Nick looked shellshocked.

As soon as Preston nodded, she felt bile tickle at her throat and didn’t have time to excuse herself before she pushed herself out of the booth and ran out of the café and onto the sidewalk, heaving in the fresh air so she wouldn’t vomit into the street. This wasn’t a coincidence, and the thought she’d dismissed the previous day had suddenly been confirmed. The same man who’d kidnapped baby Shaun was the same man who’d murdered Nate. A million questions flooded her mind—was it a case of mistaken identity, separated by nearly a decade? Had he tracked Nate and her down thinking they were the parents?

Madelyn didn’t know how long she’d been outside, aimlessly pacing when two hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug. Nick hushed her as she initially tried to push him away—she wasn’t even crying, she hardly needed consoling—or maybe she did. Her heart was racing, hands trembling so fast she was sure she was going to collapse. Better that Nick keep her upright until she could stand on her own. He didn’t say anything—not that he needed to—he knew everything about Nate’s murder, and why she reacted the way she did. If anything, he was filtering through the thousands of theories in his mind, struggling to come up with a logical reason as to why the crimes were related.

Their witness, Preston, had followed them outside, and judging by his sympathetic expression, Nick had informed him of her connection to case. If it had been any other person, at any other time, she would’ve been upset—her folly for being unable to stay composed when in the field. And here she thought Nick would be the one struggling.

“Listen,” Preston interrupted the silence, anxiously shuffling his feet. “I want to help. With your case and…anything else you might need.”

Madelyn and Nick had shared a skeptical look. They’d been sold a similar story before, though that was from a very different kind of character—a young mercenary with more trouble than they could handle. The detective eyed him. “We already have informants.”

Preston smirked, shaking his head. “Do I look like a spy?”

“After the kidnapping, a local neighborhood watch started up. It was rough going, getting enough people to join, and over the years our numbers have dwindled thanks to the crime families taking over,” he told. “Hollis, our leader passed away in ’49 and I’ve been the de-facto leader ever since.”

“How can you help?” Madelyn asked, meaning well.

“We’re a network,” he replied. “Not just in Concord. Lexington, Charlestown…used to be in Quincy before the Gunners took over, but that’s another story. We see a lot, without being seen. There to help and protect the people at a minute’s notice.”

Sounded not unlike a spy network she was familiar with. Made her wonder if they were familiar with one another or had crossed paths. Instead of questioning it now, she silently deferred to Nick. His quiet amusement told her he was impressed.

“What do you call yourselves?” he asked.

Preston grinned. “The Minutemen.”

May 14th, 1958

Madelyn stared up at the lantern perched high upon the Old North Church steeple, the burning flame shining bright against the dark evening sky. She was still unsure if making the trip to North End was the wisest decision and had only made the late-night visit at Nick’s insistence. Ever since their meeting with the Perlman’s, followed by Preston in Concord, he’d noticed her melancholy and overall listlessness. Where he was gaining a fresh strength and passion in the reopened cold case, Madelyn was fading away. Present, but only in the physical sense. After a long day in the office, he sent her to the church with the hopes a break from her usual routine would return the pep to her step. Her partner’s advice was right—he usually was. Plus, it was time to pick up the latest intel report from Tinker Tom—why not do it in person?

Surprisingly, the Railroad headquarters was sparse of agents. Drummer Boy was absent from his usual spot by the entrance way, likely making the rounds through the city, collecting dead-drops. Doctor Carrington was also missing from his corner, but she could hardly guess what kind of mission he could be on. In the far corner, she noticed Tinker Tom was tapping away at a typewriter, a pile of yellow holotape cartridges on the desk next to him. Nearby, Glory was reading through a stack of intel, pausing every few lines to notate the papers with a fountain pen. One person’s absence was more obvious than the others, though Madelyn tried to keep her disappointment hidden as she walked by the repurposed catacombs, keeping her gaze focused forward.

Desdemona didn’t bother looking up from the spread of information on the circular dais when she approached. “Stranger.”

“A new codename?” Madelyn dared to joke. If Deacon were there, he’d laugh. She glanced over her shoulder just to double check one last time.

“Might as well be,” the Railroad leader answered with a heavy sigh. “I won’t lie to you. Your absence has been felt. We’re stretched thin as it is, and with Deacon no-contact while he’s out of state…”

Madelyn did her best to not let her expression betray the truth—that was news to her—she’d been receiving notes from the Railroad spy for weeks. He hadn’t been overly discreet about it either, using Drummer Boy as a go-between when other dead-drops were unavailable. Made her wonder if there was more truth to the story about who really ran the show, as the two liked to hint.

“Still,” Desdemona continued, waving her hand aside as she flicked her cigarette. “What you and Valentine have done for this city is remarkable.”

“Hopefully we managed to kill a few birds with one stone,” Madelyn replied. “It wasn’t just Eddie Winter. But maybe now, there will be less threats knocking at our door.”

“If only we could be so lucky,” was Desdemona’s response. She inhaled deeply on her smoke, turning away to exhale the white-grey plume. “Speak to Tom and Glory. They’ve found something that may be of interest. I’m curious to know if you’ve had similar discoveries in your investigation of Winter or the Boston P.D.”

With a nod, Madelyn stepped over to Tinker Tom’s workspace, curiously looking over the array of empty coffee cups and gizmos as he continued to type and mumble to himself. It took just over a minute for him to realize she was standing patiently at his side.

“Oh, oh!” he exclaimed, jolting up to stand before sitting down again. He flashed a bright smile at her as he dragged a nearby chair closer for her to sit. “Agent Charmer! For what do I have the pleasure?”

“I see you’ve been hard at work. Thank you again for all the intel you’ve provided to the agency,” Madelyn responded. “It’s been a tremendous help in developing leads for our case. I haven’t seen Nick so invested in…a long while.”

“Alright, alright!” Tom nodded along enthusiastically. “I’ve been hitting the numbers. Err—words. Intel. Lots of information to swim through, gotta pretend I’m a little fish. Swimmin’ along in a sea of—”

Glory loudly cleared her throat from her spot at the nearby desk, prompting Tom to falter but continue smiling. “Right—so, you know what keeps coming up in these data files? The college! MIT—Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Good thing I can read binary, like hello zero, one, zero, zero, one, one, zero, one—”

“Tom!” Glory cut him short, with a short laugh of disbelief.

Madelyn furrowed her brows together, not even trying to make sense of the scribbles of notes he handed over. It sounded like another one of Tom’s wild theories, or a red herring. The more she stared at his handwriting—MIT scrawled repeatedly over the various pages—something clicked in her mind.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve seen them mentioned in some kind of report,” she explained, catching Glory’s attention. “Donations to Mayor McDonough’s campaign, some of Winter’s men were graduates. A lot of the government officials have ties to the college.” Madelyn paused. “Didn’t you have a theory about them secretly terraforming the Commonwealth?”

Tom leaned forward, transfixed. “Did I? I did!”

“Aren’t you an intern?” Madelyn asked Glory, switching her attention to the Railroad heavy.

“Never officially was,” the other woman shrugged. “My position has changed after my cover was nearly blown. Wish I could say there was somebody on the inside, but right now, we’re walking blind.”

“Swimming,” Tom corrected, much to Glory’s chagrin.

Desdemona stepped over to where the group was congregated. “There’s going to be a public demonstration at the MIT campus tomorrow morning. Glory can’t risk being spotted again, and our other agents are in the field. You are the perfect fit to blend in with the crowd and media presence.”

Madelyn refrained from asking about her partner. If Desdemona said Deacon was unavailable, she would need to let it be. No need to sound desperate, or make their relationship appear more suspiciously close than it already was. She thought back to Nick’s original goal for her when he encouraged her to the Railroad headquarters that evening. If anything, accepting a new solo assignment was just the distraction she needed.

“I’ll be there.”

An hour later, and with a new stack of transcribed reports in hand, Madelyn slowly walked through the catacomb tunnels the same way she entered, listening to the sound of her heels as they echoed off the concrete floors. Her first few visits had left her unnerved by the entombed dead and darkened halls, but all these months later she found a serenity to it all, like there wasn’t a safer place in the world. Ironic, considering she’d once vowed to never step foot in a church again. She took her time walking up the basement steps, pausing in the small, ruined hallway that led towards the damaged pews. For a moment, she considered staying to pray.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

Whatever shock she felt quickly melted away into relief as she spun around to find Deacon leaning against a nearby pillar, arms crossed over his jacket as he flashed her a sideways smirk. For all the time apart he looked the same as always, sporting his signature black styled wig and reflective sunglasses. He wouldn’t be Deacon without them.

She stole Desdemona’s line. “Stranger.”

“Didn’t your parents ever warn you about stranger danger?” he joked in return, pushing himself upright.

“Who doesn’t like a little danger now and again?” Madelyn shrugged, unable to hide her amusement.

She’d missed their teasing—just on the verge of flirting—a banter they’d been proficient in since their first meeting. It was refreshing to know that even after all the trials they’d been through together, their relationship—whatever it was—had survived. If anything, it had flourished. He smiled at her, sharing in her quiet joy. God—she’s missed him.

“Good thing I’ve got enough to spread a lifetime,” he softly chuckled, finally moving over to where she stood. “Does that mean you like me more, or less?”

Madelyn laughed—not like he couldn’t know by now. “I’m not that easy.”

“Shucks.”

Despite her words, she couldn’t help herself from reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck and shoulders, pressing up on her toes to reach his height the best she could. Deacon leaned to reciprocate the hug, arms tight around her waist as he brought her close against his chest. She couldn’t put into words how wonderful it was to be reunited—to be held—so she remained silent, face buried in the curve of his shoulder. He rested his chin atop her head, nuzzling his cheek against her soft golden curls. It was rare to allow themselves a such a reprieve, to get caught up in a tender moment so much so that the rest of the world fell away. A moment of escapism was what they both needed—they needed each other—even if that had yet to be said.

“Come on,” Deacon pulled away first, lowering her so both heeled feet were level with the ground. She could tell he was studying her face, beyond the darkened frames, and wondered what he was thinking. His hand sought hers out, holding it in a loose grip as he motioned for her to follow. “Let’s get you home.”

“Inviting yourself over?” she teased as they walked through the church.

Deacon smirked, raising his eyebrows high. “Drummer Boy told me you’ve been having him over for dinner while I’ve been away,” he mocked offense, flashing an over dramatic pout. “Feeding him pot-roast and other All-American housewife recipes.”

She giggled at his theatrics as they stepped out into the crisp, evening night. “You only want me for my food!”

“You first,” Deacon replied, nonchalant in his confession—if it even were one. “Food later.”

Whatever snarky response she expected, it wasn’t that. Momentarily stunned, she felt the heat rising up her neck and cheeks. Instead of fumbling through a less-than cheeky reply, she flashed him a wink, earning her a low whistle. Madelyn was glad she’d gone to North End that evening, laughing as she squeezed his hand, thinking—she hoped he liked meatloaf.

May 15th, 1958

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology campuses were a short walk from Madelyn’s Cambridge apartments, making the trip to the Thursday morning press conference a breeze. As soon as Deacon caught wind of her assignment from Desdemona he decided to tag along, and she welcomed his company. Even though the job required little intrigue, it had everything to do with blending into a crowd unseen—something he was an expert at.

By the time they arrived at the waterfront campus, a large gathering of people were already seated in rows before a large, temporary stage. A podium had been set up, as well as curtains to disguise whatever the presentation was to be about. At the front of the crowd was a grouping of media and news reporters—at least one of them had a camera to record the event, likely for that evening’s broadcast.

Madelyn and Deacon remained on the outskirts, close enough that they could see the stage and hear the announcements, but far enough away that they could survey the attendees for anybody suspicious. She scanned the throng of people, but as far as she could tell, they all appeared to be the typical Bostonian resident.

“Look,” Deacon didn’t point, placing his hand on the low of her back to gently guide her body towards the promenade. “See anybody familiar?”

She leaned into his embrace for show, glancing over at the courtyard. It was hard to see through her sunglasses, making her wonder how the hell Deacon managed to get any espionage work done when wearing a pair all hours of the day. With a little squint, however, she realized—she’d seen the man before.

“The man in black,” Madelyn answered, thinking back to their first escapade in downtown Boston through the underground tunnels and the Switchboard. It was the same well-dressed man who’d nearly cornered them in the Slocum’s Joe, she was sure of it. So was Deacon, apparently. “Has he seen us?”

“Hard to say,” he mumbled in reply, scratching at his temple as if he was contemplating removing his pompadour wig. Maybe he’d be less likely to be recognized with ginger hair—or maybe he’d stick out like a sore thumb. Before either of them could say anything else, fanfare from the stage caught their attention and the audience stood in applause. Deacon took the opportunity to move them closer, out of view from where their former stalker was on watch.

“Good morning Boston!”

Madelyn shouldn’t have been surprised to see Mayor McDonough addressing the crowd, a jovial expression adorning his face as he waved to reporters and shook hands with the college delegates on stage.

“Thank you all so much for attending,” his voice echoed out as he stood at the podium, speaking into the array of microphones. “This is sure to be a momentous occasion for Boston’s most prestigious of universities. Without further ado, let me introduce to you the head of the Robotics division, Doctor Justin Ayo.”

Deacon and Madelyn politely added their applause to the cheers of the crowd as a new man approached the podium, thanking the mayor before addressing the audience.

“We’ve all heard of the technological marvels of General Atomics and RobCo Industries but even these corporate giants have their limitations,” the professor explained. “What if I told you it was possible to merge science and humanity together to create something the likes have never been seen before?”

Doctor Ayo paused, perhaps for dramatic effect. “Here at MIT, we’ve managed to combine the mechanical with the biological to create the first of its kind. I give you, the android.”

From behind the curtain, something moved—the metal frame of what looked like the hybrid of a skeleton and machine. It was walking, baby-steps across the stage, and something about the movements sent a shiver down Madelyn’s spine.

“Is that a robot?” Madelyn asked in a hushed whisper to Deacon.

He shook his head, lips pulled tight in a thin line. “Doesn’t look like any protectron I’ve ever seen.”

“These marvelous beings have been created with fully functional artificial intelligence,” Doctor Ayo continued, to the shock and whispered gasps of the crowd. “This is not your ordinary Mister Handy—each synthetic human—or synth—as we like to call them has a distinct personality.”

“Why, in a few years and with further research and development, they may not be able to be distinguishable from you or I.”

“That’s…” Deacon’s jaw clenched. “Fuck.”

A commotion erupted from the group of newshounds and Madelyn recognized the bright red press-cap, even from the distance she was standing. Of course Piper would be at the gathering, there to gather information for a scathing article for Public Occurrences. She raised her voice high above the other shouting reporters, clamoring for attention.

“What safeguards are in place to prevent the synths from malfunctioning? Do they have free will? What if they chose to attack? What are your plans exactly with these androids?”

Doctor Ayo was defiant in the face of her flurry of questioning. “I didn’t realize we’d started the Q and A session already.”

“Miss Wright!” Mayor McDonough came forth again, publicly reprimanding her. “That’s enough out of you!”

Another man stepped to the front of the stage, causing a hush to fall across the plaza. An older, studious looking man—silvery grey hair and groomed beard, in an expensive suit befitting of a college administrator. Whoever he was, his presence demanded silence and attention.

Madelyn shot a confused look at Deacon. “Who is that?”

“MIT’s Director,” he answered with a slow shake of his head. “Surprised he’s even here. Not known for public appearances.”

“Such paranoia,” the director spoke, in a calming voice. His hand landed on the mayor’s shoulder and quickly, McDonough’s expression seemed to calm. “Everything will be alright.”

Oddly, eerily, Mayor McDonough repeated the words into the microphones. “Everything will be alright.”

Even though the majority of the spectators were calmed by the Dean’s words, Madelyn wasn’t. Everything wasn’t okay. With the presence of their new invention, it was anything but.

#fallout 4 #noir au #deacon x f!solesurvivor #madelyn hardy #deacon #nick valentine #preston garvey #piper wright #desdemona #tinker tom #glory #the gang's all here #act II starts now!#god I hope I got preston right >__>#so many easter eggs in this one #IM BACK WHOO

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jess-the-vampire · 5 years ago

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The Demon Next Door, Chapter 6

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Marco woke to the sound of his alarm clock, initially panicking as he scrambled off the floor only to realize it was the weekend, placing himself on the bed and taking out his phone to text Tom. Maybe he could ask him for advice before the due date was up? Though before he could finish he heard laughter downstairs, laughter that didn't sound like anyone in his family. He shoved the phone into his pocket and forced himself to get up and check it out.

He shut his bedroom door behind him and wiped at his eyes to get the sleep out as he headed down the steps.

And there at the dining table, was not only tom, but tom's parents, eating a breakfast of cinnamon rolls with marco's parents and sister, his mother waving at his arrival. "Ah marco! You're finally up! The Lucitors brought us breakfast to celebrate tom being allowed into your class! Isn't that great! C'mon, come join us!". One look at tom's face was enough to tell marco this was as sudden for him as it was for marco, most likely brought about him that very morning.

Marco awkwardly headed over and filled up his plate, taking a seat as the parents seemed well to actually be getting alone better then he thought?

When his parents first met star's...it took a little time for them to get used to them, here...well thankfully it seemed tom's parents were a little more...normal. Though Tom's mother wasn't speaking, his father seemed to do better well on speaking for the two of them and upon seeing the couple holding hands he got a pretty good idea why they instantly connected. Nothing like being the most overally affectionate parents ever to bond over, hopefully tom's parents were a little less affectionate then his own.

Ms Lucitor happily waved to Marco who waved back awkwardly, taking a bite of his breakfest as their parents droned on, he tapped marco on the shoulder and pointed to his phone. "I've been looking up some of the moves you guys learn in karate to help me practice, I mean...like...I kinda don't want to make a fool of myself...if possible.". Marco looked down to see videos on queue of some old guys showing tutorials on karate moves and smiled, "You're getting really into this huh?".

"I need a hobby...otherwise i never know what to do with myself.".

"Hey, same thing, I was just really into kung fu movies when i was little so i decided i wanted to learn how to do martial arts. Plus my parents thought it would help me make a lot of new friends, though yeah i didn't have a lot of friends before star, but hey...it'll be good to have a friend in my class. Especially a friend who can take Jeremy down.". Tom elbowed him, "Yeah he's left you mainly alone since the day I showed up and exposed him huh?".

"The only reason sensei doesn't just kick him out is because he's rich, we need him to keep the place going..".

"Really?".

"Really, I guess the place just doesn't do too well...it's not exactly popular.", Tom suddenly looked to the table, a look or worry on his face. "Uh...if that's the case then you don't think...with what i did, I put the dojo in danger now do you?". Marco quickly patted his shoulder, "What? No no no, turns out, jeremy kinda is happy to stay if you're joining, i guess to get revenge on you for exposing him, who knows, maybe you could give this place more life and attention.".

"Really? You think so? I just think if I may of ruined your hobbies i'd feel well...bad...like at the time i was just trying to teach that kid a lesson for messing with you.", he scratched at his neck, his green eyes diverting from marco, "Like i'm still new here, if jeremy really keeps the place alive...then what's to say I improve anything? I might just make things worse, especially if i can't resist teaching him a lesson every time he messes with you in front of everyone...like your crush is coming and...".

"Tom, no, c'mon...I want you there, I mean with you taking down the rich kid, just imagine the attention that could bring. I've never been able to stop him so I can't do much, but people are already talking about the fact you called him out and got him exposed. No one's ever been able to really do it before...especially not to some rich kid like him.", the boy's face shifted, a smile creeping across it, "So...you think having me there against jeremy would actually help?".

"Kid's have been trying to take his snobby butt down for years, i think it's a good start to see someone finally get the drop on him and give the place more attention. Besides, it was really awesome seeing you expose him and do that for me...".

"You really mean it?".

"Yeah, i love star, but she's never stood up for me like that, i think it's cool you're willing to stand up for someone you haven't know for all that long. I don't know if i'd have the same courage as you there, half the time i was worried the dojo would kick me out...I mean like dude, how are you so good with this kinda stuff?". The taller boy simply blinked at marco, his mind warped into confusion, as if he had no idea what marco was talking about at all.

"I mean, you talk to your crushes well, you can take down bullies, you're easy to really talk to and get along with...I mean, you're...way cooler then me.", Marco's voice got soft and Tom grabbed marco's hand, motioning for them to talk in the kitchen alone. They quickly slipped out of the view of their parents and Marco felt the counter behind his back as Tom stood in front of him, hands on his shoulders, "Marco...Am I...do you feel like...i'm better then you?".

"Well...".

"Marco...look i'm...i'm not that cool dude, like...i'm not...ok...like I wasn't...always like this. I-I used to blow up at people dude...I...people didn't even want to be around me, I got jealous and I lashed out at people and...dude you're so easy to get along with and to make friends with, you don't lash out at people and make them hate you...marco i...I wasn't like this before. You...you're so good at karate and people don't look at you like you're weird...and you have friends and marco...you're way cooler then me...".

"Really?".

"Yeah, I wasn't lying about anything I said yesterday in the cafeteria to jackie about you being fun and charming and talented, marco, c'mon...honestly...look, you...don't wanna be like me...be yourself...I'd rather you were yourself.", Marco thought for a second briefly and nodded. "I'm sorry, Maybe everything going on has just made me feel like...i'm doing something wrong, I wanna be able to talk to jackie just like you did, I wanna feel more...confident...".

"Marco, you just have to ask, it's ok...I can help you...".

"Really?".

"Yeah, of course...you teach me karate, I'll teach you how to not be so awkward, sound good?".

"Think you can start now considering your parents are here?", Marco was half joking but after that nice visit the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass himself in front of them, and his parents were already making that hard by just being in the same room.". Tom smirked, "I'm not a professional by the way, I...uh...I kinda sorta do embarrassing stuff sometimes...it's um...well the best way to start is to not think too hard about the person you're talking to...or even picture them as someone else...".

"But what if I did that and said something stupid to someone I thought of as someone else?!".

"Well uh...hmm...I don't mean to THAT extent..."

Marco sighed, "I'm sorry Tom, look, i'm kinda used to not really being that great with people most of the time...", but Tom seemed more then sympathetic to marco's cause. "Hey it's...a learning process, you don't have to start off good at it right? You get better over time...and then you'll be just fine.". The boy nodded, "Yeah, yeah, you're right...though...just try and help me embarrass myself at least a little less if you can...ok? I don't wanna end up talking to your parents like i want to with jackie...".

"Uh yeah, let's skip out on that part...", Tom snickered, "Don't worry marco, we're both unsocial weirdos...probably why we're cool friends.". Marco smiled along with him, "Alright alright, enough teasing, our parents are probably wondering where we went...and i'm still hungry.". Tom agreed, "I dunno, it's kinda nice to not have my parents go on about my baby antics for hours...but i'm probably way too hungry anyway so..yeah, let's go before the rolls are all gone.".

Breakfast was quickly scarfed down and the adults moved into the living room, and marco was relieved to see they were getting along just fine.

No tension, thank god.

In fact tom's parents seemed oddly comfortable with the place...for the most part, Tom's mother was smiling but considering she apparently did not speak english, it was obvious she was upset not being able to talk to them and instead having to talk through dave. Though he seemed to notice that himself, holding her hand and trying to comfort her and reassure her. They seemed sweet together, and even Tom seemed to agree instead of feeling some embarrassment for his lovey parents.

That was what marco wanted, someone to comfort him like that and have his back, and made him feel heard and comfortable.

Looking at them in the kitchen as they laughed and talked in the living room, as mariposa chewed on her stuffed rabbit.

He must've been spacing out cause Tom tapped his shoulder and almost spooked him, marco getting into a karate pose in defense and making Tom laugh as he backed off. "Whoa whoa...sorry marco, didn't mean to kinda spook you...", marco sighed and caught his breath, "S-sorry, force of habit...". Tom looked between him and his parents, "You know...they had a hard time getting together, it's a miracle that I'm even here today when you really think about it...".

"Really?".

"Yeah, dad's parents were uncomfortable with her family, and dad basically abandoned them to be with her...learned to speak her language adapted to her culture. I mean i've had some people ask me if i thought that was a good idea but well...i wouldn't be here otherwise. I think he's much happier this way then he would've been otherwise...all because he did everything in his power to be with someone he really cared about. I hope my relationship is like that...".

"You seem to really love your parents despite the embarrassing stuff...", marco noted, tom shrugging. "I mean, they're embarrassing sometimes but they've been pretty supportive of me and everything and well...mom's good to talk to when i need to talk about things i can't with others...". He seemed to be thinking about something, perhaps his last relationship he had told marco about before? But Tom shook it off, nodding to upstairs, "Wanna...teach me some moves to prepare for our first class together? I'd like to go in with some knowledge if possible.".

"Oh, ok, probably a good idea...", Tom quickly headed up as marco followed after.

Tom excitement was admirable, heading inside marco's guest room where his family normally had exchange students stay whenever they hosted one. The place was empty enough that it was perfect for practice for the time being, tom taking off his boots and chilling on the bed. "So tom, how much have you picked up on in terms of watching me?", marco closed the door behind them as tom shrugged, wiggling his toes in his socks, "A little...seems like mostly kicking and robotic arm stuff kinda..".

"Robotic arm stuff?".

"Yeah like you move it like a robot does!", to demonstrate, tom put his arm in an L shape and pretended to do a chop. "Funny, but no...karate is not like a goofy imitation of a robot, it's a form of self defense and shows your strength and power and-". Marco showed off a few moves as tom stared at him blankly, "Well I guess we got a lot to go through since you're still pretty new to it, maybe we could start with your stance maybe? Your arm was all wrong there...".

"It was?"".

"Yes, of course it was! C'mon...let me show you how it's done..".

Tom got up and he quickly felt marco adjust his body behind him, grasping his arm and his waist gently before adjusting him to be in the right pose. Tom felt himself stiffened at marco's touch, especially as marco held his hand and fixed it to where he wanted it. "See, we're trying to get it like that...you're going to wanna hold that pose and...tom?", Marco quickly noticed tom wasn't entirely looking at him as he tapped his shoulder, "Hey C'mon, i thought you wanted to know how-".

"Yeah yeah...uh...sorry..", tom seemed red-faced in embarrassment as he got a hold of himself to listen to marco's instructions.

His eyes focused highly on marco's face, who went on and on about instructions that tom was only halfway paying attention to. To be fair, tom could've done way worse on his first attempt at a chop, at least according to marco, who seemed more then surprised at tom's strength when he asked tom to chop at him and marco blocked it. He thought tom's father seemed strong but yeesh, tom had a lot more power to him then the skinny boy he seemed to be.

At one point marco even fell to the floor from one of tom's hits on him, catching marco highly off guard compared to tom's other failed kicks and hits. Tom almost immediately worrying and rushing to marco's side to make sure he wasn't injured. But Marco not only was fine, but seemed actually impressed, tom was a fast learner it seemed. He was quick to get an understanding of the moves he was trying to learn and the stances he was going for...for the most part.

Tom also seemed to get a little...distracted, if only because tom was too busy looking at marco to focus on his own actions.

Marco had to snicker, tom was kinda a goofball.

Well, he did seem to get a little grumpy every time he screwed up but he shook it off and tried to almost make a joke out of it if he could, laughing it off as best he could.

God, tom was more of a dork then he was.

Tom took a break on the free bed soon after, catching his breath as marco approached, crossing his arms like a stern parent. "Jeez tom, you're like that one kid in class who who acts like they're gonna fail and then gets straight A's, though some of your posture could still use some work...". Tom snorted into the sheets, "It wasn't easy marco, trust me, it only worked out so well because you're such a great teacher and helped me have some idea about what i'm doing...".

"Really?".

"Yeah, duh!".

"Thanks tom...keep this up and you'll be a green belt like me in no time!", the taller boy smiled and gave marco a quick hug, "Thanks marco. i'll keep practicing this, I promise, just work on how to talk with jackie...maybe with a mirror is a good start...or you could even test it on me sometime if you want.". That was an good idea actually, if he tested it on tom it'd probably be 10x less awkward then if he were saying it to jackie herself for the first time.

"Yeah, thanks..".

"Thomas!", Dave suddenly headed up the stairs, catching tom off guard a little, and he looked...anxious?

"Dad? Is uh...everything ok down there?".

"The casserole is burning.", his eyes wandered downstairs and back to Tom, panicking but incredibly serious, he seemed as if he was incredibly used to dealing with bad situations. Marco however, seemed confused, it was breakfast time, why would they have ever made casserole? Not even here, at their own home? But Tom seemed to know exactly what his father was talking about, nodding and more serious then he was just a minute ago, "Sorry, marco, we gotta get going...i'll text you soon! Then we can prepare for our kinda date!".

He quickly started heading out and making sure he didn't leave anything behind as his father ran downstairs and marco called after him.

"Tom!"

'Huh?", tom stopped in his tracks, though his eyes told marco he needed to make it quick.

"Can...i come over again...sometime...to practice?".

a grin appeared on the boy's face, "Yeah, i'll see you then...bye marco!".

And quickly after tom and his family had left the building and to their own house across the street, marco heading down the stairs to find his confused parents scratching their heads at their guests's sudden leave. "Marco...did tom tell you why they were leaving, Mr Lucitor said something about a casserole? And we were just in the middle of talking about my new art too!". Marco shrugged at his dad, picking up his baby sister from the floor and taking out his phone, "You'll have to ask him next time...".

Meanwhile across the street Mr Lucitor was looking at his son who had been staring at the Diaz's house since they arrived.

"So what's this about a "Date with marco?".

leaving Tom to stiffen, before his face turned bright red, "Just a double date with star and marco's crush jackie...we hope...". The man looking over his face, smiling, "Alright, oh and...marco...his family's nice...you found yourself a pretty great friend it seems...".

Tom's eyes turned back to look at the diaz house and ponder, "Yeah...I did didn't i?".

"STAR!", marco was quickly tackled by the blonde's hug as he was shoved onto the ground. Star seemed to be feeling a whole lot better, which was a good thing, especially now. Marco needed some pep in his step if he was going to get through his first real kinda date with jackie, maybe double date. Though tonight was a bit of a homework session with star, and hopefully she would do her own work this time and not copy off his homework sheet.

"So? Tell me!".

"Tell you what?", marco pushed her off as he got to his feet, fixing his outfit.

"What did jackie say about you? You never told me!".

"Oh...", now that he thought about it, he never really did tell Star how the Jackie thing went, he kinda got distracted by her mood at the time and never got back to her on what had happened. "Well tom talked to her and well...I think he really got her kinda sorta interested...maybe?". He simply shrugged, blushing and laughing, "It's a lot better then the plans i came up with. i'll be honest...I'm not sure i could've done it without his help actually.".

"OOOOOOOOO MARCO YOU BABE MAGNET!", Star said, as she squeezed his face in excitement, "I KNEW SHE LIKED YOU! Aw heck yeah, this is going to be AWESOME! You and Jackie are finally going to hang out, you're gonna show her how hot you are, it's gonna be awesome~". She was practically bouncing around the room in excitement, same ole star. Honestly she had been getting so impatient with Marco's lack of progress with the girl this was like Christmas to her.

If Tom hadn't helped, Marco was sure Star would stomp over to Jackie and ask her out for him herself.

"Yeah and Tom will be there to help and make sure things go smoothly...hopefully...",Marco brushed himself off and fixed his hair, "I mean, she doesn't know i like her like that...but i can tell her later...when y'know...she and i are...getting sorta closer maybe...maybe...". But Star was too busy fantasizing and snapped out of it quickly as something came to mind, "Oh! Maybe you could ask to get food with her later, or a movie maybe? Movies are always fun!".

"Maybe...and tom could-".

Star stopped, "Wait Tom? Why do you want him there?".

"Well, Tom could surprise me, maybe sure i don't fail the date?".

Star looked baffled.

"Marco Diaz, you didn't go through all that hassle to be babysitted on your dates for the rest of your life did you?", Star looked mad and Marco didn't really know how to respond, yeah he didn't want to be babysitted, but it felt...comforting, having tom there to look over him and keep him in check so he didn't screw up. Without him there it was just going to be him and Jackie and what if he screwed up in front of jackie? What if she left him in the middle of the date? Alone?

Was it really that weird that Tom seemed like a comforting person to reassure him and make him feel less nervous around his crush?

"Well...star, it's just...".

"No protests Marco Diaz, you gotta march up and ask her out on a date, alone, just the two of you, no tom's creeping around...", she crossed her arms before wagging her finger playfully at Marco, in all fairness, it wasn't like star to really understand, she rarely felt that anxious talking to anyone. The only person she got nervous around was her parents and that was widely different then how Marco felt trying to talk to Jackie and trying to impress her.

It gave him butterflies.

"We'll see how the karate thing goes...you...excited? You rarely come to my lessons...", star giggled, "Well of course i'm excited! I'm gonna see you finally ask Jackie out on a proper date! Most of your lessons kinda go the same but THIS time, oh it's gonna get spicy!".Well, at least Star was excited, hopefully things actually went well and Jeremy didn't decide he wanted to make things any worse or anything, which was a viable option right now.

"Well, we'll see...oh! How have things been at home recently? Your mom off your case yet?", Star froze, stopping in her tracks before coughing into her fist, "Oh uh...yeah kinda sorta...whatever, she's not mad anymore about you helping me cheat...she's mad about...other things right now. She's also been trying to keep dad from doing anything crazy, which is a good thing because he is...". She swayed her arms widely around her face to describe him.

She was pretty accurate on that.

"Work stuff?".

"Something like that...", she drawled off, "But don't worry! She's probably got it...probably...".

"You've never really told me where your mom works, is she like a business woman or something?", Marco plopped onto the couch and rested his feet as star took a seat next to him, "Eh...yeah, something like that...sure...". Star didn't really have the best poker face out there, sometimes she was able to hide stuff, other times her lies were so blatant marco was annoyed beyond belief. You'd think Star could be super honest with her best friend but she had her secrets to keep still.

It was just weird because sometimes they were simple questions.

Was her mom apart of an illegal gang or something?

Actually did marco even want to know?

"Why is she so uptight with you anyway? I mean i know you're a troublemaker...but you always talk about it to me like she gives you little to no freedom at all...i'm surprised she didn't make you sign up for clubs or give you a earlier curfew if she's like that. Some really strict parents keep you for doing anything, but she seems nice enough to kinda let you do almost whatever you want. At least, from what i can tell...i mean, you get to hang out with me.".

"She's...well...she's just uptight...but not THAT uptight...it's...hard to explain actually.", she played with the bottom of her dress, "I wish i had your parents...they're always so friendly and open and don't make you do private lessons and all that junk. Plus you get to go almost anywhere you want and ughh...it's just not fair marco. I really get tired of her sometimes, she complains about everything, and tells me to do this and that and...ugh i'd rather live with you!".

"Honestly Star, maybe it does you well to have rules...keeps you grounded, otherwise you might be getting yourself into things even i can't stop you from doing.", He seemed amused but Star less so, even he had to complain about his parents sometimes...but he couldn't deny the fact to some degree he kinda appreciated them. As long as star's mom wasn't locking her away and keeping her from doing anything she wanted, star was probably exaggerating.

He'd met Moon Butterfly after all, she was strict indeed, but pleasant.

"Ugh...you don't get it Marco!"., she groaned so loud in annoyance she might as well wake up the whole neighborhood.

"C'mon Star, it's ok, things'll work out...who knows, maybe you and your mom will come to an understanding soon...", Star didn't seem so sure but it was Star after all, Marco patted her shoulder as he stood up, motioning upstairs, "Let's get started studying, maybe we can play some video games after if you want...ok?". This livened star up a bit, but only for the later and not the former, the girl racing up the stairs before Marco even could reach them.

The study session actually mostly seemed to go alright when marco could get star to stay still at least.

Though Star did seem to glance at Marco whenever he stopped to text Tom, which seemed to happen literally every minute, making star surprisingly the less distracted studier for once. She'd never seen Marco like this before, so distracted and so..happy about it? Marco was laughing and smirking and talking to himself as he sent Tom stuff and Star rolled her eyes. "Gee Marco, are you sure tom isn't the one you have a major crush on instead of Jackie?", she was joking of course but Marco suddenly got flustered, shoving his phone into his pocket.

"W-what?".

"You kinda look...well...".

Marco suddenly became more flustered, "What? NO! We're just talking, he sent me some funny stuff...". He pulled out his phone again, avoiding star's gaze as she went back to kinda reading, she huffed but didn't press the boy any further.

Game night was always a blast, though Marco seemed to beat star at almost every game that she couldn't make up rules for. Though during the event he kinda wished tom was with them, and he had a feeling star knew he was thinking that as well. To Marco though, asking tom to come over when Star was over was like telling star he didn't think she was as fun to be around alone anymore and he needed someone else to spice their hangs out up these days.

And he didn't want star thinking that.

Though as he won another match, Star groaned into the carpet, laying on her front with her controller lazily in her hands.

She was clearly sick of being beaten at this point, and marco was sure she'd probably drop out to watch movies instead at this rate.

"Ugh, marcooooo...stop being so good!", But marco simply laughed it off, "C'mon Star, i'm not good, you're just out of practice...outta spend more time working on your gaming skills, when you're not studying of course.". Star looked up, her face squished against the floor like a sad puppy, "I bet you couldn't beat Tom...". Her face was moody still, and that was probably meant to snap back at how much she was tired of losing against marco but it put marco off guard.

Tom? Was she thinking about tom? Marco had been thinking about him as soon as he left through their door earlier that day, he hadn't expected star to be thinking about him as well. Well, he did assume she might possibly like the boy didn't he? Of course in that case she'd be thinking about him.

So why was he shocked?

She sent him a challenging glare and Marco simply raised a bushy eyebrow and tried to ignore her face, "Tom? Well, I mean, he tells me he's great with games but i highly doubt it...".

"Well if you're so good then, invite him over and show me!".

Star...wanting TOM over?

Was star still broken?

"Wait...right now?'.

"Yeah tough guy, invite him right now, we'll see whose the best then!", Star must've been desperate to beat marco out if she was inviting tom over, the guy she supossibly hated. Then again, marco rationalized, if she liked him of course she'd ant him around. So it wasn't that weird right? And Marco had wanted tom to come back over to since he had been thinking about him ever since he left right? Star eyed marco up and down, "C'mon, invite him over, otherwise you'll text him the entire time instead and at least with him here you might focus more.".

Marco awkwardly took out his phone one more, sending Tom a text as Star smirked at him mischievously. Of course he could beat Tom at video games, was she crazy? Tom played a fair few of games but he never seemed to be an expert or anything.

At least, as far as Marco could tell.

And before Marco could even bat an eye, Tom had entered the room, only a few minutes after sending out the text. He looked thrilled in fact, though he had clearly ran over and through marco's door without so much as knocking. Though granted at this point, he might as well enter whenever he wanted, janna and star already did that. Even for once Star kinda seemed excited to have him there, even if it was just for petty reasons like wanting to watch him fight marco.

"I hear you wanted me to game?"

"How...what...?".

"Don't worry, my mom thought your family was so cool, they said it was ok if i stayed for dinner, so what we playing?"

"Super Speedster 3, Star's a bit of a sore loser...", He was teasing of course, but it was true. Though despite Star's pouts and eye rolling, she seemed to be more then happy to see marco go against Tom, Tom himself taking her controller. "Sweet, i love racing games...I never really had a lot of people to race against though so i was always racing against the computer...so this'll be kinda nice...but...don't expect me to go easy on you diaz...because i won't.".

"Oh, you're the one who should be worried...lucitor.".

These two were birds of the same feather, just a bunch of nerds.

Marco couldn't hide how happy he was to see tom again, as if they had been apart for years instead of hours, and tom seemed quite similar. His focus more on marco then star and teasing him as he took up the controller and jabbed on about anything, marco following. Most of it was about tips to help the other, but some of it was goofy jokes and what else they could come up with. The two playing the game and star watching right next to them as they laughed together.

Though Star found herself paying more attention to them in the game despite her wanting to watch Tom defeat Marco, which...was exactly what was happening with Tom being in the lead with marco close behind. Marco was quickly getting mad about meeting his match, but Tom seemed to find it funny, teasing and butting marco with his elbow. Marco and Tom seemed to get along really well, they seemed genuinely comfortable around each other naturally and Star couldn't help but feel...happy.

Marco was rarely this happy, even if he was pretty mad right now at having his butt handed to him.

Though Marco wasn't paying too much attention to Star right now as Tom finished before him, effectively beating his long streak of wins after so long. Tom laughing, then Star laughing, and Marco, despite all his frustration, seeing his two friends...getting along well. Star wasn't being weird to Tom, and Tom was actually comfortable around her, granted, it was because they were both laughing at Marco, but marco couldn't help but choke out a laugh too.

"Fine fine...he beat me...guess there is someone out there who can beat the master...", Tom bumped him playfully, egging him on, "C'mon...let's do another round...maybe we can swap with star every game so we all get to play? Don't wanna leave anyone out right?". Tom was way too nice considering how Star had been to him before this point, but Star took him up on his proposition, marco watching as they faced off, then he and star again, then back to him and tom.

Star booing at the screen when marco passed tom, playfully of course.

Tom cheering on marco when he got past star.

And Star looking between the boys as they teased each other over and over.

It was almost like...normal, as if there never had been any weird conflict at all.

They had subs that night, munching them down together, laughing and smiling. Tom and Star actually kinda talking to each other, nicely, about school and other things. Marco felt so much relief that he never knew he needed so badly. His best friends...were now becoming friends for real, they were talking and smiling and laughing. When he thought about it, while looking at them, they looked like a pretty good couple. Maybe the sorta date with jackie might work out better then he thought.

Maybe if tom could work with star, he really could work with jackie.

Maybe.

Though as star and tom parted from his house that night, he felt a little sad, tom promising to come over tomorrow as well.

And marco watched him go inside his home, till tomorrow.

And the thought of that alone provided him nice dreams.

#star vs the forces of evil #svtfoe #svstfoe #tom the demon #tom lucitor #tomco #marco diaz #marco #star butterfly #my art #fanfiction #fanfic

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