#i spoke about her last night BUT i decided she’s gonna be something called a valravn | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

charlesswife · 1 year ago

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Una Noche En Monaco v

unem masterlist

5 Dias De Prueba (5-day trial)

pairing: charles leclerc x latina! reader

summary: after a one night stand between you and Charles, he continues on with his formula one career. until two months later, you come back claiming to be pregnant with his child.

word count: 7.6k - not proofread.

April 2023

"Do you wanna come to the next race? I can get you tickets, you can be my guest."

His words replayed in my head like a broken record. Why would I be interested into going to the race in the first place?

As I opened the door of my apartment I was greeted by the smell of something sweet.

I checked the time on my watch. 9:45 pm.

"Isn't it late to be baking Naughty Brownies?" I called from the entrance. I heard a small "Oh no" from Mateo and a "Busted" from Steph.

I heard Mateo's footsteps around the kitchen, "Tia you have to hide me."

"Okay, okay."

As I entered the kitchen, I saw one of the floor cabinets a little open. Steph had a smile on her face.

"Why is Mati awake?" I asked her. I heard a small gasp coming from the cabinet.

"Awake? He's not awake. He's in his bed with Percy." Steph answered, holding her laugh. Just as she said that Percy walked into the kitchen wagging his tail. I petted his face and he licked my hand, then he walked to the slightly open cabinet and stuck his head inside.

Mateo tried to push him away with his tiny hands. "Go away, you're gonna get me caught." He said in a serious tone, the Rottweiler started to lick him as well. In the end, the cabinet door opened, leaving Mateo in full display.

"Oh, Mati. I didn't know that was your new bed. Should've told me before I bought you that big bed you have." I said as I brought the brownie to my lips. Steph loves having slutty brownies before bed, but ever since Mateo was born, we had to change the name to naughty brownies.

He stayed quiet for a second, his green eyes started to gloss. "Am I in trouble?"

He is so cute, I wanted to laugh for a second. "No, mi amor. Come out so you can have a piece and go to bed."

When my mom was alive, she used to say 'When in doubt, leave your destiny in the hands of a coin, flip it and carry on' and while usually I would do it, sometimes I wish she was here to tell me what to do.

Heads - I go to the GP

Tails - I stay

I was never good at flipping coins. All the time I flip it and let it drop to the floor. So that is what I did. I didn’t dare to look down, at least not until the coin stopped circling around the floor.

I picked up the coin. This is my destiny and so be it.

The next day I decided to meet up with Charles, to tell him my answer.

I expect our meeting to be short and easy, so I told him to meet me at a parking lot. It sounds very sketchy now that I think about it.

I saw his car once I got into the parking, I tried to open the door but it was locked - which made sense - I knocked on his window and when he finally saw me he unlocked the door and I got in.

Europeans kiss both cheeks to say hi, and in my culture, we do it just once. But I am not in my country and I do not want to say hi to Charles, let alone kiss me. So when his body approached mine to greet me with kisses I stopped him. His body was close enough that I smelled his perfume. It smelled like a drug... very addicting to the point I wanted t smell more.

"Sorry," he murmured. "It's a habit." he tried to explain.

"Yeah, whatever." I responded. "This is what's going to happen. We are not co-parenting. Mateo is my son, so you don't get a say here. If you really say that you are ready to be a man and be responsible and be a father, that's fine, but you have to prove it. I will decide when is the right time to tell my son you're his father," I saw his Adam's apple go up a bit as if he was nervous.

"His name is Mateo?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"With one T?" My heart stopped for a second. The last time we spoke, he told me he saw a kid in the car, but he never said he met Mateo or even spoke with him to the point he knows his name is with one t.

"How did you know-?"

"Is it really?" his voice was higher this time. "I met him. At the bookstore. And I- I- I felt this connection the moment I saw him, and I asked his name and he said 'Mateo with one T'" His smile is so wide that I wondered for a second if his cheeks hurt.

I stared at him. I don't know if I should curse him out, or simply get out of the car and forget this meeting ever happen, because how dare he say he felt a 'connection'. He's full of shit. "Don't ever say that again. Especially not in front of me. You don't have a connection, you don't know him. I don't know which god or angel is on your side to the point that you found us and you even talked to him. I'm nice enough to actually give you a second chance, but I have my limits, so you better be careful with the things you say."

I took my phone out and opened the Calendar app. "Today is the 19th and most likely you have to be in Baku on the 25th. So you have five days you can spend with Mateo, with me present, of course. If you want to spend time with him, that is."

"Yes! Sorry, yes. Of course." He nodded. "Is it possible to have a dinner with my family? I want my family to know you and Mateo. They don't... they don't really know about any of this,"

"Your family doesn't know about us?" Us meaning Mateo and me, not Charles and I. He shaked his head. "I wouldn't be too worried about your family. If I were you, I would be more concerned about how the public would react to this. The truth will come out sooner or later, and God knows what they are going to say."

His face was blank. He knew I was right, or maybe he was thinking that I would release the information to the public. "I'll protect him. No matter what."

I wanted to say a sarcastic comment but I didn't want to. At least just for today. I saw the way his eyes became a bit red when I told him he doesn't have a connection with Mateo.

He cleared his throat a bit and then he looked me in the eyes. Oh, his big green eyes. "I just want to thank you, for giving me a chance. I will prove to you that I am worthy of you and Mateo." Why is he talking this way?

I texted him the address of my apartment, once it got sent I said, "That's my address, be there at 9:30"

Thursday 20th - Charles' POV

Am I early? Will she be mad that I am early? I stand in front of her door, debating whether I should knock or come back in thirty minutes. Just as I was about to leave the door open.

"Okay, Mati, see you later!" The woman said as she stepped out, she turned around and faced me. "Oh," she looked at her watch and said, "shouldn't you be here in thirty minutes?"

"Yeah, um I wasn't- um I was going to come back in a bit," I said.

"There's no point, you are already here so I might as well let you in. Just go inside and wait, and whatever you do, don't open the curtains." She opened the door again and pushed me inside.

The inside of her apartment was nice, but it makes me wonder how she can afford the place if she only works at a bookstore. I got into the kitchen first, it has an open area that leads to the living room. The tv was on showing a cartoon of what it looked to be a blue cat. On the kitchen counter, I saw what looked to be a tiramisu. I tried to be strong but I am weak when it comes to a good tiramisu.

I quickly found what I needed, a knife, a spoon, and a plate. I don't think Y/n would notice if it just take one tiny little piece. I got ready to cut and I heard someone say.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I looked up and saw him. Mateo. He was beautiful. He made his way toward one of the couches shaped like an L and sat there. "My mami is very protective over her tirmisu and only lets me eat the tirmisu," he said as he mispronounced the name of the dessert, he then looked at me. "You're the guy from the store."

"You remember me?" I asked hopefully.

"I remember you are the guy from the store," he said like it was the most obvious thing.

"Do you remember my name?"

He was quiet for a second. "No, should I?"

His comment did make me sad for a second but then he let out the biggest gap and came running towards me, he put his arms up. "Lift me up,"

My heart is beating so fast, I lifted him up and secured him in my arms. Up close I could see the freckles on his nose, he looks a lot like me. He looked around the kitchen and then he pointed to the microwave. "Take me there. Go, go." Once I did what he asked, he opened the door of the microwave, and inside was a plate of brownies. He took two pieces out and closed the door. "Okay, put me down. Down" He started to squirm in my arms. Once I put him down on the floor, he looked at the brownies in his hands and gave me the smallest piece. "Thank you for the help" He then ran back to the couch to sit down. In front of him was a coffee table, there was paper and crayons all over it.

"Where's your mommy?" I asked him.

"Probably with Percy," he said, without pulling his eyes away from the TV. Who's Percy?

"Do you wanna see my drawing? My mami says I'm the next Picasso," he left the brownie on one side of the table and got one of the papers. I walked to the couch and saw the paper. It was a big house, 4 figure sticks and a small black figure with four legs. "This is Mami," he pointed at the tall figure stick, "This is my tia Steph," he pointed at the second tall figure stick, probably the woman that let me in, "This is me and my brother," he pointed at the two small figure sticks. Brother? He has a brother? "And this is my dog, and this is my new house, but they are building it right now so we live here."

"This is really good Mateo," I complimented him, but my thought are on the brother he mentioned.

"I know, you can have it. I'll sign it for you. Mami says I have to sign all my art so people know I made it," he explained as he grabbed the black crayon.

"Your mom is a smart woman,"

"How do you know mami?" he asked. "If you are the bad man that wants to take me away from mami I won't let you have the drawing. I don't like bad people that want to hurt mami."

"I'm not bad, I promise. I'm a nice person."

"Okay!" He wrote his name on the paper and then grabbed his brownie. "Are you my papi?" he looked at me.

"What?" my eyes widen.

"Yes. Are you my papi? If you're not bad, and you know my mom, then are you my daddy?"

How is this four-year-old so smart and how do I even respond to that? Before I could say anything, someone interrupted me. "Mati! Come here so I can put sunscreen on your pretty face." He got off the couch and went running into the hallway.

I grabbed the paper and stared at it. Did she have another child with someone else after me?

Y/n's POV

Mateo came running into the bathroom and the first thing he did was rub his face against Percy and give him kisses. "No, Mateo no beses al perro, mi amor. Ahora te tengo que lavar la cara otra vez." (No, Mateo, don't kiss the god, my love. Now I have to wash your face again.)

"Percy es tan tierno que solo le quiero dar besitos, mami" (Percy is so cute that I only want to give him kisses)

"Well you are cute too and you don't see me giving you kisses all do time," I said as I washed his face.

"You do give me kisses Mommy." he laughed.

"Alright, that's enough. I'm going to put sunscreen on you." I put sunscreen on my three fingers. "Where do we put sunscreen?"

"On the faceeeee" he said. "On the neeeeeck, y en las orejaaaas" (in the ears) I laughed at the way he explained it. Once I was done putting on the sunscreen, we both walked out of the bathroom and into the living room.

I started to open the curtains.

"Mami this man tried to eat your tirmisu" Mateo said. I turned around and saw Charles sitting on my couch with a brownie on his lips, just frozen, like when Mateo gets caught doing something he shouldn't.

As he was chewing, he said, "I um- I was, Wow these brownies are good. I didn't eat your tiramisu."

"So you eat my brownies instead?" I asked.

"NO no, no. Mateo gave me one."

That wasn't surprising. "Who is he?" Mateo asked.

"He is a friend," I said. "He is going away soon so he's going to hang out with us for some days. Do you like that?"

"Okay! Then he has to meet Percy!" he ran off to the hallway again. I looked at Charles.

He looked like he wanted to tell me a lot of stuff, and ask me a bunch of questions.

"How long have you been here?" I asked.

"Um, maybe like 10 minutes? Your friend let me in and then Mateo got me the brownie and this drawing," he showed me the paper. It was all of us, the house, Steph and I, my two babies, and my dog. "You look really pretty, by the way. Your boyfriend must be very lucky," Boyfriend? "I thought you only had Mateo, you didn't mention having a second child," he murmured the last part as he ate the last piece of the brownie. He thinks...

Before I could answer, Mateo came running back, "Look! This is my little dog, Percy!" Little is an understatement since Percy is a four-year-old Rottweiler. When the dog came into the living room, Charles got up and backed away.

"Mateo, I don't think Charles likes Percy." I told him.

"Why not?" he looked at Charles while his lips quivered.

"No, no. I love Percy! Percy is a good boy!" I know he wouldn't dare to pet the dog.

"Mati, grab your bag, we have to go." As he walked back to his room, Charles said.

"Did you name your dog Percy as in Perceval?"

"Don't flatter yourself, I named him after a book character."

At the end of the day, Mateo was tired. Reasonable. He was very entertained by all of the stuff the museum had to offer. But one moment kept replaying in my head.

My phone went off, remaining me to reapply sunscreen on Mateo, as I was applying some on his face I saw Charles, and how his face was a bit red.

"Do you not wear sunscreen?" I asked him.

He shrugged, "Only when I'm on the beach," he responded.

I gasped, and for a moment my mother self kicked in, "Charles, your face is red. Jesus, come here," Once he got close to me, I put the sunscreen on three of his fingers so he could apply it himself. He rubbed the sunscreen on his hands and started to rub it on his face.

"Acaso eres un animal?" (Are you an animal?) I told him as I stopped him from doing more damage to his skin. "You can't rub your face like that," I explained as I spread the sunscreen on his face, "You put on your face, on your neck y en las orejas," (and the ears) I murmured. Once I was done, I realized what I did and how close we were to each other.

“Is he going to meet Jules?” Mateo came out of nowhere.

We visit Jules every week, I was planning to visit him once the day was over with Charles.

“Who’s Jules?” Charles asked.

“He’s my brother!”

I looked at Charles for a second. He has no idea he’s one step closer to the truth, at least a part of it.

Friday 21st

I had everything ready for the visit to Jules. I prepared some sandwiches and fruit to eat. The favorite snacks for Mateo and Percy.

I loaded everything into the car, Mateo was in his baby seat with the window rolled down and I was waiting outside the car for Charles to appear. For being a Formula One driver, he is very late right now.

“Well, I guess he’s not going to come. Maybe next time.” I told my son and his face deflated, I, on the other hand, am very happy, but that didn’t last long because Mateo pointed and something behind me.

“He’s here!” I turned around and saw Charles with a visible line of sweat on his forehead.

“Sorry, I’m late,” he said.

“Don’t make it a habit,” I responded. I opened the passenger seat and said, “Get in.” He approached the door and I placed my hand on his chest to stop him. “Wasn’t talking to you,” I smirked, he looked down and saw Percy get into the seat. “You go in the back,”

He didn’t say anything and simply did what I said.

The drive wasn’t bad, Charles got to find out more stuff about Mateo. I, on the other hand, became more nervous the more we got closer to our destination.

Once we got to our destination, confusion was obvious on Charles’ face.

“Why are we-”

“To see Jules,” I responded as I got out of the car, Charles following suit.

I went to the back of the car and open the truck, I gave Charles the picnic basket. I opened the back seat door and took Mateo out of the car seat and set him down. I opened the passenger seat and got Percy out of the car. With my left hand, I was holding Mateo’s hand and with my right hand, I had the dog’s leash. I locked the car and we began walking.

Charles hasn’t said anything yet, maybe he’s confused or maybe he’s just trying to process. After walking for an eternity, even though it was like seven minutes, Mateo let go of my hand and ran to our spot. I took Percy out of the leash and he went to be next to Mateo.

As I was walking I turned around and saw Charles stuck to the floor.

“Are you coming?” I asked, “I need the blanket that’s on the basket so we can sit down,” I continued walking.

Charles’ POV

Jules Alexander Y/L/N

6th November 2018

Loved Son and Brother.

Ahora eres una estrella mas en el cielo (now you are one more star in the sky)

Y/n didn’t have a boyfriend or a son with someone else. She had twins and she lost one. I had twins and I lost one. I didn’t know it was possible for my heart to break even more.

I left her alone during this horrible time.

“Look, Jules! We brought a friend. His name is Sharls,” Mateo said excitedly to the tombstone. “We got you floweeeers, and we have shanweches to eat,” he explained. Y/n was busy setting up the blanket and taking everything out of the basket. I didn’t dare to speak, if I did I would start crying. How much has this woman handled?

“Mi principe, porque no vas tu y Percy a jugar un ratito while Charles and I talk for a moment, okay?” (My prince, why don’t you and Percy go play for a bit) Y/n said. The kid nodded and ran with Percy somewhere a bit far but still close enough so we can see them.

I sat down next to her, still not able to speak. “Jules was the second one to come out,” she said. “There were some complications when I gave birth to him. He passed away thirty minutes after being born. He was only alive for thirty minutes and I wasn’t even able to hold him. Originally Mateo was supposed to be Mateo Agustin, but then Jules died so I changed his name to Mateo Alexander Jules. Alexander Agustin Y/L/N was my father,” She explained.

“And Jules?” I dared to ask, my voice breaking.

“I may not know much about you, or your family, but I know about Jules Bianchi,” she said. “I got Percy two months later. Percy was born on the same day. I thought it was a sign,”

“What about your family?” I asked her.

She laughed humorlessly, “This is my family. Steph, my son, and my dog. My parents died in a car accident, then I came to Monaco to start again. Getting knocked up wasn’t part of the plan, especially when the father can die the same way my parents did. I wasn’t expecting you to be an asshole either,”

With tears in my eyes, I said, “I am so sorry. I-”

“Yeah, me too”

Y/N’s POV

After he calmed down, I called Mateo back so we can eat. Everything was great until Charles asked me a question.

“Do you guys want to go on my boat tomorrow? Spend the day at sea?” I stopped eating and Mateo gasped loudly.

“Can we, mami?!”

One thing about me is that I am utterly terrified of the ocean. “No,” I said as I continued eating.

“Mami, please, please. I’ll be good, I promise,”

“I’m not going to be able to go with you baby,” I said.

“Why not?” he asked.

I looked at Charles, who also had concern in his eyes. “Well, mommy has this fear of the ocean, and she doesn’t feel well, so she has to stay,” I tried to explain to him.

I looked at Charles, who also had concern in his eyes. “Well, Mommy has this fear of the ocean, and she doesn’t feel well, so she has to stay,” I tried to explain to him. I could tell Charles wanted to say something but he didn’t dare. “If Charles promises to take great great GREAT care of you, then you can go with him,”

“Sharls! Take care of me so I can go!” Mateo yelled excitedly.

“Yes! Okay! Yes, I promise,” he assured me.

On the way back to the car, I pulled Charles aside and told him. “I am trusting you with my life. Don’t fuck this up.”

“I won’t. I promise,”

“Was I stupid to trust Charles into taking care of Mateo?” I asked Steph.

“No, girl. You did the right thing. He’s going to be responsable of Mateo sooner or later,” I didn’t want to admit that she was right.

I looked at the list I made for Charles so he can take care of Mateo. There’s only three things to follow.

i - mateo will complain about the weather no matter what

ii - he doesn’t like sodas but loves orange and cherry juices, loves chicken but hates seafood.

iii - don’t forget to reapply his sunscreen, don’t loose the bottle.

“Am I missing anything else?” I asked. Steph took the note and read it.

“Why don’t you just send it on a text? What if he looses the paper?” She asked.

“If he doesn’t loose the paper then he’s not going to loose my child,” I responded.

“Fair enough. I think you got it all cover. That’s pretty much it - I mean, I thought the whole point was for him to get to know Mateo on his own. Why are you making him a list?” Why am I making him a list?

I crumbled the paper into a ball and thew it at her. “I have to get Mati ready to bath. I’ll be back,” I got up from the chair.

“Wait! I forgot to tell you, a cute guy passed by the bookstore, asking about you,” she wiggled her eyebrows up and down, “His name is Arthuuuuur," I know who she was talking about. "I gave him your phone number. I told him you are free tomorrow so you guys can go on a date,” she giggled.

I rolled my eyes and left the living room and went to the bathroom to get the water running. “Mateo,” I yelled, “time to take a shower,” I approached his room, once I opened the door, I saw him playing with his toys, “Come on, little guy. Gotta get you nice and clean for tomorrow,” I waited for him to get up and grabbed his hand.

Mateo is not the best singer, he’s just a kid, but he likes to sing in the shower. Once I was done with his shower, I wrapped him in a towel and carry him to his room, while I was getting his pijama ready, he started to jump on his bed.

“Mami, I have a question,” he said.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Is Sharls my daddy?” I stopped for a second and looked at him.

“Why do you ask that, love?”

“Well, he looks like me,” I laughed at his explanation.

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhmm”

“So just because he looks like you, you think he’s your daddy?”

“Well…” he stopped jumping and his gaze fell on the floor. It looked as if the hamster in his brain was turning the wheel. “Where is my daddy?”

I sighed. Do I lie? Do I tell the truth? Am I ready for my kid to know the reality of what happen?

I texted Charles a little but after my shower.

To CL: He knows.

I heard a pin instantly. I thought it was Charles texting back but instead it was an unknown number, my eyes widen once reading the message.

From +377 3847502839: hey, this is Arthur. i hope this isn’t weird, i asked for your number to one of the girls from the store. i heard you’re free tomorrow and i want to invite you to some coffee.

From +377 3847501839: if that’s okay with you of course.

I added his phone on my contacts and replied “Not weird at all. I’d like to have coffee with you” I smiled a bit.

From Arthur Cute Guy: great! see you tomorrow then ;)

To say Mateo was excited was an underestimate, he was thrilled to spend the day with Charles. Once he got home, Mateo jumped into his arms and I think I saw his eyes tear up a bit.

“Well,” I cleared my throat. Charles put Mateo on the floor, to pay attention to me. “I have his bag ready with towel and clothes,” I passed him his bad, which he was quick to put on his shoulder. “Have fun, and please, please don’t forget to put sunscreen on him every two hours. It’s in the front pocket of the bag. He can only use that sunscreen so for the love of god don’t lose it,”

“I won’t.” he said.

“Okay,” I let a long breath out, “Well, have fun,”

Mateo was tugging Charles by the arm, “Come on Sharls we have so much to talk!” I closed the door behind then and ran to my bedroom to get ready for my date.

“Thank you for meeting me here,” Arthur greeted me with two kisses. “I haven’t been able to get you off my mind,”

“That’s very bold of you to say,” I giggled. I looked at the menu, “Have you been to this Cafe?”

“A few times, they have good pastries,” he said.

“Do they have a good tiramisu?” I asked as I looked at him, I feel like I have seen him before, like if I met him before our first encounter. He reminds me of someone, but who?

“It’s good, but it’s not the best,” he told me, “I heard this popular restaurant L’Incantato,” I perked up at the name, “has the best tiramisu.”

Curiosity got the best of me, “Have you tried it?”

He made a disappointed face, “I wish. You would think that just because there’s three restaurants in Monaco that there would be any availability in any of them but no, it’s always packed. I can never get a reservation. I wanted to take my mom for her birthday last year but couldn’t get a seat, unfortunately.”

I know the restaurant is always busy, and I felt a bit sad to hear he couldn’t take his mother to eat there. He’s very sweet. “Well, next time you go there. Tell them I sent you,” I winked at him.

“What, why?” he asked.

“You thought I would just own a bookstore? I also own all three L’Incatato restaurants,” I smiled, his eyes got so big I was wondering if they would come out of the sockets.

“No way!” he laughed, “What are the odds?” I shrugged. “What else do I need to know about you?” he smiled.

“Let’s get coffee first,” I said.

Charles’ POV

Everything was quiet.

All I could hear was the sound of the waves.

I felt at piece.

The piece was interrupted by the alarm going off from my phone. I turned it off and looked at Mateo, “Sunscreen time,” I said. He got up from his chair and walked to me. I looked around me but I couldn’t find the sunscreen anywhere. Where did I put it? “I can’t find the sunscreen,”

“Oh-oh,” he said.

“I think I have another sunscreen around, wait here,” I got up from my chair and looked into one of the compartments of the yacht until I found one sunscreen, I went back to Mateo and opened the cap.

“I don’t use that sunscreen,”

“I can’t find your sunscreen so we have to use this one,” I explained. I put some on my fingers and applied it into his face, gently.

“It smells funny,” he giggled. I did as well.

As I blended the sunscreen into his face I said, “What do you think your maman is doing?”

“What’s maman?” he asked.

I laughed a bit, “your mom,”

“Oh!” he shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably on her date.” I stopped for a second. “Hey, why did you stop?”

“Your mom is on a date?” I asked.

“Mmhm,” he nodded. “I heard Tia Steph talking about it. My mom sounded very excited,”

Y/n is on a date? “And do you know who he is?” he nodded. “Who is he?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged.

I smiled for a bit but I was so confused. “What- but you just-”

“My face feels funny,” he scratched his cheek, “its itchy and burning,” my smile started to fade.

His face was becoming very red. I have to call Y/n

Y/N’s POV

“So let’s see if I understand,” Arthur said. “You own a bookstore,” he counted with his finger and I nodded, “You own one of the most successful restaurants in Monaco,”

“And Italy,” I added

“And Italy!” he said, adding a finger to his count. “You are a bestseller author,” I nodded. “Your parents were also authors and they were like the Stephen King of murder mystery books,”

“Mhmm,”

“Wow,” he let out, “Simply wow. You amaze me.” I laughed. “No no, truly. You are incredible. You are too perfect,”

“Oh no! I am far from perfect. I also have a son,” I said slowly. “His name is Mateo. He likes to said Mateo with one T after the daycare wrote it with two T’s” I laughed a bit. “He’s very special to me.” Arthur had an intense look on his face, like paying attention to all the words I am saying. As if whatever I was saying matter to him. “You would like him, he’s very smart for his age.

“He sounds amazing, just like you,” he smiled.

“Here,” I pulled up my phone. “Let me show you a picture,” just as I was about to show him one of the newest picture I took of him, eating the naughty brownies, I got an incoming call from Charles. “Sorry, I have to take this call,” I apologized.

“No, no. Go ahead,”

I thanked him and answered the phone, “Hello Cha-”

“Y/N something is Mateo on his face,”

“What? What’s going on?”

“I don't know! His face is all red and he says it’s itching. He’s crying and I don’t know what to do, please” In the background I could hear Mateo crying. My heart broken a little, I knew what was happening.

“Wash his face and keep him under the sade if possible, bring him to me now. This play date is over,” I hung up the phone and looked at Arthur, there was concern in his face.

“Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea for my kid to spend time with his father, and now he got an allergic reaction, I’m sorry to cut this short, but I have to get going,” he felt bad having to leave like that.

“Don’t apologize, I understand. I might not know the entire situation but from what you just said, it sounds like the father of your kid is a bad father,” he said.

“Thank you for understanding,” I didn’t deny what he said because I don’t really know how Charles is as a father.

“Please let me know how your kid is doing and if you need to talk, I’m just one phonecall away,” we said our goodbyes and I rushed to my car to get to my apartment. Once I got there, I got the aloe vera out of the freezer and got the aquaphor ready. Once I cut and slided the aloe vera, I put it was in the freezer.

A little over an hour, Charles got home with Mateo in his arms, who was still crying, and the backpack I gave him on his shoulders.

Once he saw me he yelled, “Mamiiiii” he extended his arms towards me.

“Ven aqui, mi amor, (come here, my love)” I carried him in my arms to the kitchen and sat him on the kitchen counter, I took out the aloe vera from the fridge and said, “This is going to make you feel better, okay?” he nodded as he scratched his eye with his fist, I pulled his hand out immediately. “You can’t do that Mateo. Youre gonna make it worse.” I put the aloe vera all over his face.

“Why would he do that?” he asked. “I thought you loved me,” he looked at something behind me. I turned around and saw Charles standing behind us, bewildered after what Mateo said. He was only wearing his swimsuit, but none of that really matter now. He had the most sad face I have every seen. “But you don’t love me, that’s why you left me! You are mean! You are a mean dad! I hate you and I don’t wanna see you again!” he yelled.

“Mateo, calm down, let’s get you in the shower. You need to rest.” I carried him in my arms again. Before I got out of the I turned to Charles and lipped a small ‘wait here’

I gave Mateo a quick bath under cold water, put his pijamas on and applied the aquaphor and aloe vera on his face, I brough one of the fans close to his face.

“Are you okay now?” I asked him.

His green eyes were red from crying. “Mami, am I going to be okay? Am i gonna die?”

“No, mi amor. You are just having a reaction, nothing bad. You’re going to be okay in a few day,” I reassure him. “Now I need you to sleep. I’ll be checking up on you.” he nodded and closed his eyes.

I got out of the room and saw Charles pacing back and forth. “He’s fine,” I said, my voice made him stop and look at me, “What happened to the sunscreen I gave you?”

“I lost it, so I put another instead.” He took out the sunscreen out of Mateo’s bag.

I took the sunscreen in my hands and examined the product. “You put a chemical sunscreen on his face,” I looked at him. “Mateo has extreme sensitive skin, he can’t use this type of sunscreen.”

His eyes widen after that, “Why didn’t you tell me that?! I should’ve known that!”

“Charles, I gave you one rule, just one. It was so simple. ‘Don’t lose the sunscreen’ that’s all.” I looked at the sunscreen again. “For fucks sake Charles, this sunscreen is expired too!” I threw the sunscreen at him, “Are you out of your mind? What is wrong with you?” I sighed. “Just… Go home,” I told him.

“I-”

“Go!” he looked at me in the eyes and I knew he regretted everything that happened today. He nodded and left the apartment.

I let myself drop on the couch, and fell asleep there. When I woke up, it was dark outside and Steph has just got home, I told hereverything that happened.

“Mati said a lot of bad stuff to him, I thought Charles was going to cry on the spot,” I told her.

“This kind of stuff could’ve happen to anyone, it’s nobody’s fault,” she said. Although I wanted to believe her I though that maybe I should’ve told him about Mateo’s situation. “I’m going to check on Mateo, you go to rest.”

I got up from the couch, and stretched a bit. “Thank you, Steph.” I gave her a tight-lipped smile and made my way to my room.

Monday’s are always difficult with Mateo. He never wants to get up, and just wants to keep sleeping.

“Mateo you are not going to school,” I said as I tried to drag him out of bed, “I just need to face your face and then you can go back to sleep!”

“I’m not going to school?” He got up and and started jumping on the bed, “Yes! Yes! That means I can hang out with Sharls more! Yes! Yes! Ye-” he stopped jumping and started at the wall. He gasped and covered his mouth with both of his hands, he turned to look at me. His eyes were less puffy and started to peel but his face was still red.

I got in front of him and pulled his hands away from his mouth. His lips started to quiver. He hugged me so fast and so tight I always fell back “Mami I was so mean to him. I told him I hate him but I don’t hate him, and now I’ll never see him again,” he was crying so hard on my neck. I pulled him away from me and dried his tears.

“Mateo I cannot have you crying right now, it’s not gonna be good for your face.” I pulled his hair out of his face, “Charles is busy today,” I lied, but I don’t think I’m ready to see him yet after yesterday, “But we can call him later on and you can talk to him and tell him you didn’t mean what you said, okay?” Mateo nodded, more calmed this time. “Okay, let’s go wash your face,”

I love spending my days with Mateo, when we are just hanging out in the couch and we cuddle and he falls asleep in my arms. It reminds me when he was a tiny baby.

We are cuddling on the big couch while watching Doraemon, a cartoon I saw while growing up. I heard Mateo murmur something I didn’t quite understand.

“What did you say baby?”

“I said you are my mommy and I love you so much,” he looked at me.

“Yes baby I know,” I giggled.

Mateo sat on the couch. “No mami, you have to say it baaack,”

“Say what back?” I laughed.

“You have to say that you love me too!” He pushed me a bit, he got on top of me and gave kisses.

“No Mateo, your face!” I laughed now. “Okay, okay. Fine I love you!” He stopped and smiled.

I was very tempted to text Charles and let him know about Mateo. I looked at the time, 6:32pm. I think that’s a good time to call him.

“Mateo do you wanna call Charles now?” I asked him. He looked down at his lap and then at me again. I could tell he was being shy now. “I’ll be there with you,” I told him, this time he nodded. I put my phone out and press the phone button, I looked for his name and press call, at the second ring he answered.

“Y/n?”

“Hey…”

“How’s Mateo? Is he okay?” I could clearly hear the concern in his voice.

“Mateo is fine, he’s getting better,” I looked at my son for a second, “He actually wants to talk to you, I’m going to put you on speaker, hold on.” I moved the phone out of my face and put the call on speaker, I moved the phone towards my son.

“Hi Sharls…” his voice was small.

“Hello Mateo, your maman says you are doing better,”

“Yes…”

At the other line, Charles let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to take good care of you. I never wanted to hurt you”

Mateo’s lip started to tremble, “I didn’t mean the stuff I said to you yesterday. I was very mean, I’m sorry,”

“I forgive you, Mati,”

“No, you can’t call me that, only mommy calls me that,” he was quick to say.

“Mateo!” I said.

“Okay, you can call me Mati,” Charles laughed through the phone.

“Y/n, can I talk to you?” I pulled the phone back and told Mateo to get the cream and aloe vera to apply it to his face again, after he left the living to get the stuff I took the phone out of speaker.

“Yes?”

“Is it okay to still have the dinner with my family tomorrow?” Tomorrow is the last day. The day next day Charles is leaving to go to the Baku GP.

“Yes, I thought that’s what we agreed on. How many are you guys?”

“Ehh… It’s me, my mum and my two brothers,” he said.

“Okay, you can be here around seven or eight,” I told him.

“Okay, then I’ll see you tomorrow, say goodnight to Mateo for me,”

“Alright, bye.” I hang up.

I got everything ready, I got catering from the restaurant. I have the table ready.

Steph came out with Mateo next to her, once she saw me, she stopped walking and covered Mateo’s ears.

“Girl, you look so hot,” I was wearing a black satin dress and low shoes.

“Really? I think it’s too much, I have to go change.” Just as I took one step, I heard a knock on the door.

“No can do, ma’am. You have guests outside.” She let go of Mateo and pushed me towards the door. “Now be a nice hostess and open the door,” after she said that, she made her way into the kitchen.

I took a deep breath, fixed my dress a bit, and then opened the door, but this wasn’t exactly who I expected to see on the other side.

“Pascale?”

“Y/n?” she asked.

“Maman?” Charles asked.

“Maman?!” I asked.

“Y/n?” Charles asked again.

“Charles, you’re…” Pascale started. She looked at me, and then at Charles. She knows the truth about everything. I feel my eyes burning. What the actual fuck is going on? Can this get any worse? A little far back, I could hear the voice of two guys speaking French.

“Y/n, you know my mom?” Charles asked. I think I’m going to puke.

Before I could answer, the two guys got behind Charles, still talking in within themselves. Is that…?

“Arthur?!” The blond guy turned his face so fast. I was wrong, it can and it did get worse. I felt my whole body start to shake. I want to run far far away from this dinner, I want to floor to open a hole and swallow me whole.

“Y/N?” Seeing Arthur next to Charles, I could see the resemblance. The dimples, the smile. His face went pale and his eyes looked at me and then his brother. What are the odds? This can’t be right.

Everyone was in some sort of shock, except for the other guy. He was just confused. He pushed Arthur behind and got in between Pascale and Charles. “I’m Lorenzo, very nice to meet,” He greeted me with two kisses on the cheek.

“Yeah…” I managed to say. “Same…”

What the fuck do I do now?

Author's Note - Please please read.

AHHHHHHHH I hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter. This is the longest chapter I have written so far. This chapter has been so intense for me to write because of how long it is. It has taken me two and a half weeks to write. I would really appreciate to know what you guys thought of the chapter.

I love writing, I love the idea of Una Noche En Monaco a lot, and I really wish I could update more frequent. You guys are so lovely with the messages you sent me. Your comments, your praises and your support on this story is what makes me want to continue to write, truly. I mean the absolute world to me and I want to thank you guys for that. You guys are the best!

I have so many ideas for new stories of Charles that I wish I could be able to tell you. Like the royal!Charles x low class!reader, royal!Charles x royal! reader, Charles x Ferrari driver! reader, and two more that I can't even say.

If you guys let me vent for a bit, these past few weeks have been a bit of a struggle for me because I am not having that much work at my main job because we work with school and if there's no school, then there's no money, and my second job doesn't have events available to work. So I'm kinda jobless which is really really bad because I have tons of bills to pay and Miami is freaking expensive. All of this is freaking me out a bit and I just can't wait for school to start again so I can have work 😭😭

On better news, I have 736 followers! That is a lot! Like if I had one dollar for each follower I have, I would have 736 dollars?! That's a lot! I can't belie the amount of love you guys have given UNEM, you guys are the goat and I am sending a big kiss to each one of you! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

I'm also thinking about creating a discord group so I could let you guys know about future projects, let you know whenever I update and all that jazz. The reason behind it is that tagging can be messy and Tumblr doesn't let me tag more than 50 people, and some tag don't even work? But I know the people are there because I see their likes and comments. So it's confusing. So pls let me know what you think about the discord.

Also I saw my notes app the other day and remember the bulletpoint draft for UNEM and this whole series was going to be COMPLETELY different from what is it lmaoo, should I show it to you guys? 👀

AND TO ALL THE GIRLIES THAT WRITE ABOUT SEBASTIAN VETTEL, TOTO WOLFF AND FERNANDO ALONSO I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND PLS UPDATE MORE BC THAT IS MY SOURCE OF LIFE RN SPECIALLY RBR!SEBASTIAN FICS AHHHH

TAGLIST IS CLOSED.

@mac-daddy-210 @infinite-wanders @rbrsavage @itsyogurlkel @bbygrlllllll @nerdreader @imnotcryingyouare1 @killerangel88 @obx-mylove-things-blog @triorion @daniellarogers @insssanemind @bosinclairsgf @rb-danny @shyshva @booksobsess @ogfangirl @ravenqueen27 @masonspulisic @yunnie-f1 @simxican @ushygushybaby @graceverstappen11 @maximoff-xmen @severenswife @ferraribabe @pjofics @harrysdimple05 @mloyer @teti-menchon0604 @imagineadream @tinydancerjj @reidsworld @scentedskydreamer @christianpulisic10 @formulas-bitch @topguncultleader @hc-dutch @moonclaine @miureiz @tall-tanned-tattoo @madisontaxarn @bisexualbith @diasnohibng187 @im-just-here-toread @tyskills @rafaaoli @heavengirls111 @lighttsoutlewis @leclerc13 @c4ssi4-luv @livsans @ynbutbetter @marigoldgasly @vita-di-moda @sbrn0905 @yesshewrites1 @AmsOffTrack @fandomxs1 @ludmisorella @japanesekel @leclercsbae @padfootsiriusorionblackthethird @celestialams @dreamcarsound @bhiees @empathypostsf1 @marauderlover22 @zendayabelova @lord_leclerc @itsmesofia @sebbybucky12 @notleclerc @dicaprio-leo @starkeyellow @spngi @karina-v20 @mskeisha69 @prrttyposts @vex-et-soleil @dessxoxsworld @thesurielscheesecake @btwimmel @67-angelofthelordme-67 @buckleyverse @mickslover @formula1-bichyslut16 @allgaslynobrakess @Rossy1080 @staris23 @CelestialCharles @glitterf1 @f1-futurewag-16-3-4-63 @buckystwilight @Alionova @btwimmel @thebluegoddess

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paiges-1vur · 4 months ago

Note

can you write for hopkins p x reader!! also love ur stories babe 💗

hold on, we’re going home… as always, enjoy loves <3

paige bueckers. the girl from the small town in minnesota. the uconn women’s basketball commit. ya, you “went to the same school as her.” at least thats what people knew about the two of you. paige wasnt openly gay, but wasn’t necessarily denying any allegations. you were both in similar situations, and were both… girl kissers. you had met in ap biology, junior year. ever since then you guys had become friends, but not necessarily close friends.

you really found out that paige was gay the night you got drunk for the first time. you were hanging out with one of your close friends kaylie. the two of you were just having fun at her house because her parents were gone for the weekend. towards the end of the night, you had found yourself abandoned in her room, while she hooked up with her boyfriend of the time in her hot tub. while trying to walk down to the kitchen to grab water, you fell and fucked up your knee bad. you panicked at the gushing blood, and subconsciously called paige, the first person you could think of. “hey paigey poo! im having so much fun, but can you pick me up…”

two things were sure. one, that she picked up the damn phone in one ring. and two, you were in her car less than 15 minutes later, on the way to her house. you had the hiccups, and the car was silent most of the way home. you decided to break the silence. “hey…paige” you slurred, pausing to hiccup. “are you mad at me.. because im drunk and because i called you.. to come get me?” you managed to ask.

her jaw tightened, her eyes set on the road. “what happened, y/n…” she said plainly. it was a moment before she spoke again, “and.. no. im not mad” her eyes flickered over to you for a second before shifting back to the road again. you were sat criss cross apple sauce in the seat next to her with your hands placed in your lap. “well… me and kaylie were having sooo much fun,” you notice her tongue move against her cheek as you say this, but keep speaking anyway. “but then this stupid guy came over and started…i dont know but kaylie seemed reallyyy busy.” paige thought carefully before she answered. she looked to your knee, “i will take care of your knee when we get home, so dont worry about that,” she locks eyes with you as she speaks “the guy didnt… bring a friend?”

you drunkenly ruin the moment and light heartedly punch paige in the arm, snorting before confessing, “oh god no! i dont know.. its confusing, this year i realized i think im actually into-” you look over to a smirking paige. “into what?” she asks looking at you like your about to be her last meal. you swallow and immediately quiet down. “i-i forgot. are we almost there?” you try to shift the conversation. she laughs, as she pulls into her driveway. talk about perfect timing. paige swiftly got out of the car, putting her lanyard with her keys in the pocket of her sweats. she made her way to your side of the car, opening the door. “im gonna pick you up, i dont want you to fall trying to walk and hurt yourself even more. “ you swallowed. you werent big by any means, and if anything were on the smaller side, but something about someone picking you up always made you feel uneasy. “no.. paige i can just walk, you cant hold me” you try to push her arms away but soon you find yourself being hauled bridal style through paiges front door. you were soon brought to her bedroom, and she placed you to sit gently on the edge of her bed.

“here,” she threw you an oversized tshirt that would reach to about your knees. no surprise, it was a uconn tshirt. “put this on, i dont know if you noticed but your hoodie is soaked, you must have spilled something on it without realizing.” you look down frowning at the stain. “thanks paigey,” you pull the hoodie off and put the tshirt on, paiges eyes fixed on your body the whole time. “mm smells, really good paige.. you smell so fucking good.” she grins walking towards the bed, rolling her eyes and putting a bandaid on your no longer bleeding knee. “thank you, y/n your too sweet” she says softly, looking you in the eyes. “uhm- its really hot in here… can i take off my sweats? i dont want to melt” you ask half nervously, half giggling. paige smiles down at you, placing her hands on the bed next to either side of you, standing between your legs. “ill help you ma, dont worry..” she says, moving to help you take them off. “just lift your hips for me baby” you quickly comply and she pulls them off, throwing them somewhere on the floor.

your paralyzed. trapped by paiges arms, her eyes devouring you. “you can get comfortable, lie down and ill go grab you water” she says finally getting up from between your legs and turning to the mini fridge in her room. you lie down and she tosses you a water. you quickly drink it, watching as she climbs into bed next to you. she leans against the headboard, one arm propped behind her head as she turns to look at you. “uconn looks so damn good on you, you know?” your voice is suddenly gone along with your ability to speak as paige presses you for answers. “about earlier, what are you into? just… want to get to know you better. its been a while since we have talked” she says smirking. she moves her hand to your thigh, slowly tracing up and down the length of it.

your so drunk at this point in time that you cant help but let out a small whine at the sudden touch of paiges cold, long fingers on your hot skin. “oh my.. paige..” her smirk only grows, her fingers traveling higher and higher up your thigh. “yes darling? keep talking dont be shy” she looks at you again, knowing shes about to get what she wants. “well somebody.. recently.. just made me realize, maybe im not into guys” you say slowly. paige takes her hand off your thigh. she looks down at your legs again before meeting your eyes. “dont be shy around me love, just know you can always call if you need help with anything.. okay?” she says lying down.

whatever this… moment is, you dont want it to end. a mix of pleasure and confusion floods your senses as paige grabs you by the waist, pulling you in. “we can talk about.. it, another time love. you need to rest” she whispers, placing a small kiss on your shoulder. you decide to take her advice, and adjust yourself against her body, leaning into her touch as you drift off to sleep in her arms…

muehehhehe lots and lots of tension, but a sweet ending. whats better than that? (pure smut. thats the answer.) i tried to take a break from just writing pure filth, so heres this shitty idea i wrote out at 1 am <3

also i loveeee hopkins p, so expect more fics!!!

#paige bueckers #paige buckets #uconn huskies #uconn women’s basketball #wbb #wcbb #uconn wcbb #uconn wbb #womens basketball #wbb x reader #wbb fanfiction #paige bueckers x reader #paige x reader #paige bueckers fic #uconn x reader #wlw

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daniswoso · 11 months ago

Text

Don’t Ever Say I didn’t Love You. Of Course I do.

Alessia Russo x Reader.

Warnings: Honestly idk what this is, more of a blurb or whatever you call them, emptying out my drafts bbs get ready 🙏🏼, arguments, swearing, poorly written ending, probably poor grammar.

Summary: Less doesn’t think you love her anymore.

*********

You and Alessia were in another one of your arguments.

It was the 4th one this week, you didn't know why at this point, you just knew your girlfriend was mad at you for something you hadn't even done. You think it has something to do with her makeup and you using the last bit of it or something like that.

"Alessia what has gotten into you?" You asked, your face crumbling slightly as tears well in your eyes. You didn't want to fight with your girlfriend, you loved her dearly and held her close to your heart. So why was it so difficult to get along with her without her blowing up recently?

You knew she had been stressed because of her recent move to Arsenal, but she had never taken her anger about football out on you before, just as you had never taken yours about football out on her.

"You don't love me anymore!" She shouts and for a moment, everything goes still. The clock stops ticking, the only sound in the room heard was your individual breaths. Heavy and laboured, as if you'd just ran 10 miles non stop each. Although, that's what fighting with each other usually felt like anyway.

"What? Less what are you on about?"

"You.. You don't love me anymore." Her voice is quiet, fearful.

"You're fucking delusional if you think that then." You scoff, and she rolls her eyes.

"Why do I even try, Y/N?"

"What makes you think I don't love you, Less?"

"You aren't spending time with me as much anymore!" She complains, and her face holds resemblance to that of a pouting toddler, you think.

"Lessi are you forgetting I have a full time very high stress job? The same job as you, might I add?” You glare at her, honestly offended she'd ever think you didn't love her anymore.

"No, no of course not, I just-" You cut her off with a scoff and disbelieving chuckle.

"Just what? Woke up last week and decided to make me feel like shit over every little fucking thing?!" You snap. You had reached your boiling point. Why was she not seeing that you loved her? Why couldn't she just see that if she had spoke about it with you it wouldn't be this way?

"I love you, Alessia. So don't you ever say I didn't love you, I still do. I always will, for fucks sakes!" You yell, completely flying off the rails.

She just looks at you, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Whatever. I'm gonna stay at Macca's." The blonde says, storming out of your shared apartment and heading to the Irish girl's.

You think about chasing after her but hear her Mercedes pulling out of the driveway as you glare warily at your trainers. It would've been useless chasing her now.

You sigh and begin to tidy everything up, going getting into the spare bed, which you seemed to be spending a lot of time in lately, so that way if Alessia actually came back this time she'd be able to have space in a bed by herself.

****

Later that night, you briefly register a dip in the bed and your girlfriends warm body pressing against your own, muttering soft apologies into your hair which you just respond to with a grumble.

When you wake up that morning to the sight of the blonde's head on your chest and her smaller frame wrapped up in your arms, you feel a small flicker of hope that everything will be alright.

Because as long as you had your girl you felt like you could do anything.

**********

A/N: enjoy!

#woso #football #futbol #footy #woso fanfics #woso imagine #writer is not english #futból #woso x reader #angst #alessia russo #alessia russo x reader #alessia russo x y/n #alessia russo x you #arguing #language #poorly written ending #emptying my drafts

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hockeyboysimagines · 1 year ago

Text

F*ck me like I’m famous

Warnings: phone sex, implied sex, alcohol, swearing, fluff, Vince being a sad boy.

Sorry this has taken so long. I struggled through the phone sex part, so if it sucks. Please be nice to me. Thanks to @cellythefloshie and @jostyriggslover96 for talking me through it.

Enjoy, let me know what you think🤍

J:How’s Canada?

V:Oh you know, Canada is Canadian.

J:Not having fun?

V:I am. But I miss you a little. Not a lot though.

She giggled a little, biting her lip, before she answered.

Vince had left for Canada the week after their official first date. They’d spent every night together until he went home, leaving Josie here in St. Louis. It had been pretty sad, and Josie realized how much she liked him now that he was gone. The days had drug on, and they’d been making it work on the phone, talking when they were able, and nightly FaceTime calls. It was pretty unfortunate though if she was being honest. The most pivotal time in a relationship where you really get to know someone was being done through a phone screen. It had been tough to start, but smooth sailing for the past week. She would be heading to Ontario on Saturday afternoon and staying till the following Sunday. She was excited to see him but also nervous.

J:You miss me, or you miss my lady parts? Cuz she misses you too.

V:Jesus Christ.

J:Your gonna need him when I get to Lindsey next week.

V:🤣🤣🤣no I think that’s you.

J:Oh yeah?

V:Oh yeah. You should start praying now so you can get used to being on your knees.

Josie choked on her water and her whole body shivered.

After having sex everyday for the last two weeks or so, going without it for two weeks sucked. They’d exchanged some flirty banter but this was escalating. The more time Josie spent with him, the more things she learned about herself. And this was a new thing.

J:I’ll get on that right after I get off of you.

V:Just come now. I’ll pay to change your plane ticket.

J:No can do. I still have to finish packing.

V:So what are you doing? Besides tormenting me.

J:Just organizing my underwear drawer for my trip. What’s your favorite color?

She followed it up immediately with-

J:Nevermind. I think I’ll just go without them for the week.

And then her phone buzzed and Vince’s face appeared on the screen.

She answered on the third ring, shaking with laughter.

“Hello?”

“Are you fucking kidding me???” He whispered angrily on the other end of the phone.

“Vince hi!” She said cheerily “What brings you to call me so late in the evening?”

“What brings-you know what.” He was quiet and let out a long breath. Josie felt almost bad.

Almost.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“No I am not. And it’s your fault.”

“Me?!” She giggled “What did I do?”

“You know what you did.” He mumbled.

She could just imagine him sitting hunched over, arms crossed, pouting so she decided to help him out a little. She bit her lip and took a deep breath.

“You know.” She said softly “I’m not wearing any underwear.”

He was very quiet on the end of the phone but she could hear some movement before he spoke “Really?”

“Mhmmmmmmm.” She wasn’t actually wearing any underwear, just a large T-shirt she’d acquired from his room over the course of the last two weeks. She let a hand trail up her leg “I’m thinking about you.”

“What about me?”

“About how much I miss you. How I can’t wait to see you…how I can’t wait for you to fuck me.” She felt a redness come to her cheeks. Vince brought out a whole new side to her she didn’t even know existed and she was appalled at herself right now. She had never even thought about having phone sex before and yet here she was.

It may have also had something to do with the four glasses of wine she’d consumed but if anything, this conversation was sobering her up at an alarming rate.

He coughed on the other end “And how would you like me to do that?”

“Uhm how about everywhere? How many rooms are in your house?”

“Nine.” He answered a little too quickly “And a pool.”

“A pool? Now we’re talking.” She said lowly with a small giggle.

“FaceTime me.” he said softly “I wanna see you.”

“Uh uh. This is more fun. Are you thinking about me?”

Her voice was sweet on the other end of the phone and she had him so keyed up he was thankful he was alone “I’m always thinking about you.” He responded. It was true. He woke up with her on his mind and went to bed with her on his mind. But she was clouding other parts of his body now besides his brain.

“Do you miss me?” She asked.

“Yes.”

“How much? Cuz I miss you a whole lot.” Josie let her hand slide between her legs and let out a little gasp “She misses you too. She’s been so lonely since you’ve been gone, with no one to take care of her.”

Vince chuckled nervously on the other end of the phone “And what is she going to do about that?”

Josie rubbed her fingers over herself and squirmed a little “She’s so wet. I have no choice but to take care of her myself.”

She heard the distinct sound of a belt unbuckling and Vince adjusting himself in whatever he was sitting in and he cleared his throat “Tell me about it.” He sounded almost a little nervous and she wondered for a second if this was a first for him too, but now wasn’t the time to ask. She felt some confidence exuding now because for once she felt like they were on an even playing field in terms of sexual experience. Most often she felt like he had the upper hand, but today things felt even.

“When I get there next week she’s going to need all your attention.”

She heard his breath hitch on the other end of the phone “You know she’s gonna have it.” He murmured.

“I hope so. Because she’s been so empty, with no one to take care of her.” Her fingers felt good as the moved inside of her and while this whole thing was totally hot, it would have been better if he was here. But this was the best she was going to get.

“Are you touching yourself thinking of me?” She asked sweetly.

“Mhm. I wish it was you though.” His breath was heavy on the other end of the phone and it made Josie hot just thinking about it “Fuck.” He swore on the other end. His voice was ragged like his breathing and Josie too had reached her limit.

“Are you going to cum for me?” She whispered, fingers moving faster inside of her. She definitely was, but she was holding out until he did as well, just like when they had the real thing.

“Yes I-Jesus fuck.” He he ground out from the other end of the phone.

Josie closed her eyes, head falling back “Vince I-“ but the words died as they came out of her mouth. It wasn’t a mind blowing orgasm like she’d become accustomed to, but it was enough to get the job done. It did however bring her down to earth when she realized if things didn’t work with Vince, she might not find another person she had that connection with. But that thought went out the window when she heard him breathing heavily on the other end of the phone.

He was quiet for a few moments before he cleared his throat “Did you-uh-“

“Yes. Did you?” She waited with baited breath for a second before he answered.

“Yeah.” Then he laughed a little “First time for everything I guess.”

She breathed a long sigh of relief and then laughed a little herself “Glad I could pop your phone sex cherry.”

“Can we FaceTime now. I wanna see your face.”

She but her lip “Sure.”

The phone started to ring and Josie took a deep breath before she answered. Vince was a little flushed and disheveled on the other side of it, but he smiled when she answered. She looked down at her lap shyly before she looked back up at him.

“You.” He said brushing a strand of hair from his forehead “Are a very bad girl.”

“Only for you.” She winked and rolled to her side, propping the phone up on her nightstand so she could fold laundry and talk with him at the same time.

“So are you all packed?” He asked, eyes peering at her through the screen. She got lost in them for a second, although the camera didn’t do them justice, and then nodded.

“Half packed.” She turned the phone to show him her open suitcase “It’ll be here before you know it.”

“Yeah.” He said frowning a little with a small sigh.

“I’ll see you in a week okay?” She smiled reassuringly at him through the screen and he nodded.

“Yeah. I’ll pick you up from the airport?” He seemed troubled, eyebrows furrowed.

She nodded and gave him a tight smile, settling into her bed “Just wish you could come earlier is all.”

He actually missed her. Not just the sex part, if that was all it was he wouldn’t be flying her out to Canada for a week knowing his mom would be around. He could find someone at home for sex.

“Cheer up lover. It’s only 5 days. Then you have me for a whole week. That’s a lot of time for activities.” She wiggled her eyebrows and he laughed.

“Yeah you’re right. Next week is going to be exhausting. In more ways than one.”

She giggled and smiled at him “Anything for Lord Stanley. And you too of course.”

They chatted for a few more minutes, as she reminded him of her flight times before they said good night and hung up the phone.

He sighed and set his phone down on the table and leaned back in his seat, arms folded. Josie had turned him inside out and he had no idea how she’d even done it. He’d never really been opposed to have a girlfriend, but he’d also never really wanted one either.

And amidst all that here he was, flying a girl across the country and FaceTiming her goodnight.

Which is why he found himself sitting on his mom’s sofa a short while later.

“So mom. There’s something I wanna talk to you about.”

She froze in her seat across from him “Oh boy. I don’t like where this is heading.” She set down her cup and turned to him eyebrows raised.

“No it’s nothing bad. Just something…good I guess. Well it is good I just-“

“Vince.” She said smiling “What’s going on?”

“So next week on my day with the cup, I’m gonna have a friend from St.Louis fly in and she-“

“SHE?!” His mom said eyes lighting up “She! A girl?”

He rolled his eyes “Yes mom a girl. Anyways she-“

“A girlfriend or a ‘girlfriend’?” She asked air quoting.

“A gir-.” He frowned “Actually to be honest I have no idea. A girl…friend.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what that means, but tell me about her. What’s her name? What’s she like? How did you meet?”

He was definitely going to have to think something up for that last one because he couldn’t tell him mom that he’d taken her home an hour after he met her and then spent every night with her since then. She would yell at him for not being a gentleman but he also didn’t want that to impact the way she saw Josie either. He knew she was great, and he wanted her to think the same.

He couldn’t tell that to his mom.

“Her name is Josie. She’s great, I think you’ll really like her. And I met her out one day.”

She knew he was lying but she didn’t call him on it. He’d never asked but he was sure his mom had seen the photo of them that ended up online, and if she hadn’t he wasn’t going to start admitting to things now. Though he was an adult, technically, he went out of his way to keep his extra curricular activities private from everyone, but especially his mom. He suspected she knew about a lot of it, but it definitely wasn’t something they talked about.

“That’s it? That’s all you’re giving me?”

“I’ll let her tell you the rest. I don’t want to give away everything before she gets here.”

“Well you must really like her if you’re bringing her all the way here. This is a big week for you.”

He shrugged but she shook her head “No no. Don’t shrug at me. You don’t have to admit it, but I know that you wouldn’t fly her here if you didn’t like her…a lot.” She added at the end “But it’s your business. Either way. Looking forward to meeting her.”

***********

Josie usually slept flights away, but she was too amped to sleep. In just a few short hours she’d be seeing the guy she’d not known just over a months ago, but now she couldn’t imagine not knowing.

It was a little scary if she was being honest. Not Vince himself but everything that came with him. The recognition, the sport, the being a citizen of a whole other country.

Which was actually the scariest part to her.

What if Canadian Vince didn’t like her as much as St. Louis Vince did. What if when she got there he realized he’d rather have a girl from back home celebrating with him.

Was there a girl from back home?

She felt silly but the longer she sat on the plane the more she realized she was stepping into a place she’d never been, with people she didn’t know, to celebrate a trophy for a sport she’d never watched.

Given the opportunity she would have parachuted out of the plane but she didn’t think the pilot would be too understanding about her nerves. Though if he knew who she was flying out to see, he might.

The plane was fairly empty, and she had no seat mates on either side, which left her to anxiously bounce her knee without disturbing anyone.

There was too much cloud cover for her to really see anything. Canada would be a complete surprise and for a few minutes her excitement overrode her anxiety.

That was until the plane hit the runway and she felt like she was going to puke. The flight attendant glanced at her and did a double take, holding out a bag.

“Ma’am your green. Are you gonna throw up?” She leaned back a little bit.

“What? No I’m okay. Just…I’m okay.”

“Right…well maybe you should take this anyway.” She pushed the bag forward again and Josie took it.

“Have a good time!” The attendant called “Don’t throw up!” She said pointing at her.

Josie laughed and exited the plane, locating the baggage claim and grabbing her suitcase, when she felt her phone ding.

V: Let me know when your at the doors. I’m parked outside

She started typing to respond as she exited the doors and got a face full of sunlight, blinding her from seeing two feet in front of her.

J:I’m outside. Marco!

“Polo.” She heard from behind her.

She turned and standing some feet away, was Vince leaning against a black BMW, smiling at her. He was just as beautiful as she remembered, and as he had been the first time she’d ever seen him. His smiled widened as she made her way to him. It seemed like it took ages to reach him, her heart beating just a little bit faster with each step. As she came within a foot of him, she dropped her suitcase and he pulled her into a very hot, wet, long kiss right there in the airport parking lot. She wasn’t sure what to expect if she was being honest. In St. Louis everyone had already seen them making out on the news, but this was his home field and she wasn’t sure if he wanted to be kissing her so openly in public.

When he pulled away she was looking at him surprised.

“What?”

“Nothing, just didn’t know if you wanted people to see us making out in the airport parking lot.”

He chuckled and grabbed her stuff “I’m a Stanley cup champion I can do what I want.” He said opening the trunk and putting her bag inside. She felt a little lurch in her stomach as he slid past her to open the passenger door, hand sliding across her lower abdomen as he guided her into it and then shut the door. He’d had his hands on every part of her body and a little touch on the wait was doing her in. She took a deep breath trying to will away the redness that came to her face as he made his way around the car and slid in. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was. But then he turned and smiled at her and she remembered they’d already done a plethora of sexual things in various places and she relaxed a little bit.

“Ready?” He asked brightly, starting the car and turning to her.

“I think so. Unless you’re sick of me already.”

“Sick of you? Never.” He backed out of his spot and left the parking area of the airport. As he drove she saw the buildings start to fade away little by little and they were replaced by some of the most beautiful scenery she’d ever seen.

“So this is Canada?” He glanced over to find Josie peering out of the window smiling a little “The view sure beats down town St. Louis.”

He smiled a little bit and shrugged “Yeah maybe. But Canada doesn’t have you so I guess that makes it even.”

Josie rolled her eyes and blushed “That was so cheesy.”

“I couldn’t help it. It’s true though.” She looked so good after not seeing her for a week. She always looked good, but he realized now how much he actually liked her. And he was pretty sure she felt the same considering that she’d flown all this way to see him for only a week.

“On a scale of 1 to 10 how likely am I to see a Moose?” She asked still leaned forward.

“Probably pretty likely, but I should warn you to not try and pet them. Not the friendliest. And actually just don’t pet any of the wild animals you come across. There’s not many friendly things running around the forests in Canada.”

“I guess I can only find friendly things from Canada on Ice then.”

“Ha ha.” He said with a smile and watched her, watch the outside.

“It’s beautiful here.” she commented glancing at him “I have no clue where I am, but it’s beautiful nonetheless.” The trees were so thick Josie couldn’t even see through them as they made their way down the road. She hadn’t seen a car since they left the airport.

“It is.” He was quiet for a minute before he spoke again “So….is it okay if I kill you?”

Josie turned slowly to look at him for a full 10 seconds before she burst out laughing “Sure. Just make sure I still look good for the open casket if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Okay deal.” He reached a hand over to rest it on her leg “It’s really nice to have you here.”

“It’s nice to be here. I like getting to see where you come from.” She sounded genuine, and she smiled at him, resting her hand on top of his “Thanks for bringing me on my first Canadian adventure.”

“Hopefully with any luck it won’t be your last. Just stay away from the Moose.”

**********

Josie could see now that Vince was just as popular here as he was in Missouri as she followed him along through the place there meeting his friends and family. She hadn’t even had a chance to unpack her stuff, which was still in his trunk, but she was excited to meet them and get it over with. He didn’t know it, and she wouldn’t tell him but her nerves were a live wire.

He made her nervous that first night but that was nothing compared to this.

“Come here.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her forward behind him through the crowd.

“Mom. This is Josie, Josie this is my mom.” Vince’s mom was smiling at her and waved away her outstretched hand and hugged her instead “It’s nice to meet you, I wish I could say I’ve heard so much about you but Vince only just told me you were coming yesterday and won’t give me any details.” She smiled cheekily at him and then looked back at her.

Josie looked at him for guidance. She wasn’t about to tell his mom that they’d met in a bar and he’d taken her home and had sex half the night.

“We met out one night after the cup.” He said smiling at her “Schwartzy spilled a drink on her.”

“Mr. Stanley Cup Champion over here swooped in like Batman and saved the day.” She gave him a nudge “My hero.”

“I do what I can.” He said with a shrug, but smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist.

The rest of the day went great. She was a bit all around. His friends and family kept pulling him aside to tell him how great she was, which he knew of course. He watched her as she interacted with friends of his, when he felt his mom at his shoulder.

“She’s lovely.” His mom said as she looked at Josie talking with them, laughing like she’d known them for years “And so gorgeous.”

Vince nodded “She is right?”

“How did you meet her again?”

Vince bit his lip and looked at his mom who continued “Because I vaguely recall someone sending me a photo of you kissing some girl that wound up on the news. That would happen to be her would it?”

“Uhm.” He glanced at Josie and then his mom and gave her his best smile, one he usually used to get himself out of trouble “That’s actually from when I met her.”

His smiled faded a little when his mom looked at him flatly. That smile never worked with her “Uh huh. Well maybe next time just think about who you’re kissing after you win a major trophy and remember, the internet is forever.” Then she smiled “You seem happy.”

He nodded “I am. She’s great, and I really like being around her.”

“I would hope so. You flew her all the way out here. You don’t fly someone you don’t like into another country.”

He shrugged “I do. But…I don’t know just seeing what happens I guess.”

“Hmmmm.” She pursed her lips and smiled glancing at him.

“Knock it off.” He said bumping his mom’s shoulder.

“I’m just saying. You seem different with her is all. None of my business.” She pinched his side and wandered away giving him a long pointed look as she did. He squeezed through people saying hello as he did, and found her sliding her glass to the bartender.

“You’re popular.” He said into her ear, one hand reaching forward to grip hers. She smiled at him and felt redness come to her cheeks, both from the wine and from him holding her hand in front of his family.

“Just like back home. I’m sorry you’re so lame and no one wants to talk with you.” She made a pouty lip at him and squeezed his hand. He rolled his eyes, smile widening.

She looked so good in Canada, in a bar with his family and friends, her white dress bright against her tan skin.

“Let’s get out of here. You have two weeks worth of phone sex and dirty texting to make good on.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. They said their goodbyes and much to her delight, he never let go of her hand, and they made their way into his car, driving mostly in silence, and then into his house. It was dark and late, and the sounds of the night could be heard from everywhere as he unlocked his front door and she stepped past him and inside. She heard him shut the door and lock it and a ripple of excitement started to creep through her, sending an electric current into every nerve in her body.

“So.” He said from behind her, causing her to turn. He was half illuminated, half in shadow as he dropped her bag by the door “Which room do you wanna start in?”

She grinned and took a step back “Catch me and find out.”

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chloe-skywalker · 1 year ago

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Bad Brother - Scott Mccall

Scott x fem!reader sister

Warnings: none

Word count: 582

Requested:TW imagine the reader is Scott sister and you always have your drawing book sketch book and the pack take a look at it and Scott sees ur depressing art work and forbidden love work and realises he hasn't been he best brother ever. @cokecola4211

Authors Note: Thanks for liking the Mal one so much that you requested this again but with Teen Wolf

Masterlist

Teen Wolf Masterlist

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

“Shoot! Y/n/n were gonna be late! Come on.” Maila shouted after seeing the time on Stiles' watch. She jumped up grabbing her bag and y/n’s wrist, pulling her along with her to the class they were gonna be late for.

“Wait-” Stiles called after them but they were already to far away to hear him. “Maila’s sure in a rush. Y/n forgot her sketchbook.”

“Shit. She’s gonna freak. I’ll make sure she gets it.” Scott picks it up. He could tell that a lot of the pages had been used up just by looking at the sides. Throughout the day he hadn’t been able to find his sister to give it back to her, but his will also broke when he couldn’t take it anymore and peaked. But what he found made him keep looking and the more he looked the more concerned he got. The more he realized he hadn't been a good brother.

Later that day after school once Y/n came home she entered their home and sat down in the kitchen where her mom was getting ready to leave for work.

“What's wrong, sweetheart?” Melissa asked upon looking at her daughter and seeing her mood.

“I lost my sketch book at school.” Y/n whined as she rested her head on her folded arms. Not at all happy that anyone could just look in it.

“I’m sure you’ll find it at school tomorrow. Go to the Office tomorrow and see if they found it. “ Melissa suggested hoping that it would help. Y/n was very attached to it so she was sure her daughter was very stressed.

“Yeah.” Y/n grunted that's all she could do.

“I’ll see you and your brother tomorrow.” she told her as she walked over kissing Y/n on the head before leaving to start her long night shift.

“Bye mom.” Y/n could out as her mom shut the door.

With that Y/n decided to grab a snack and headed up stairs to her room. She was alone in there for a while doing homework before Scott came knocking on her bedroom door leaning against the door jam.

“Hey.” he said once, getting her attention. “Found this today. You left it at lunch.”

Y/n looked up and noticed he was holding her missing sketch book. “Thanks. I was worried someone took it.” She replied as she entered her room and handed it to her.

There was a moment of silence before Scott spoke. Trying to figure out what exactly he wanted to say. “Y/n.”

“Hmmm” Y/n hummed not looking up at him.

“I know we’ve been busy the last couple years with all the supernatural stuff-”

“You looked in it didn’t you.” Y/n cut him off, holding her sketchbook tightly to her chest.

“Yeah.” Scott nodded, admitting shamefully. “Y/n, you can talk to me. About anything and everything, at any time. You know that right?”

Y/n shrugged. “We’ve just been so busy and you’ve been dealing with Alpha stuff-”

Scott shook her head as he moved to sit on Y/n’s bed next to her. “I’ve been a terrible brother and I’m sorry. Can we promise we’ll talk more when somethings bothering us?”

Y/n smiled, it was weak but it was enough to encourage Scott. So he pulled her into him, hugging her. Something they hadn’t done in a long time it seemed.

“Yeah, I think I can do that.”

Taglist: @padawancat97

#scott mccall #scott mccall imagine #scott mccall imagines #x reader #imagine #imagines #teen wolf #y/n #scott mccall x reader #scott mccall x sister reader #stiles stilinski #teen wolf imagines #teen wolf imagine

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mealodyd · 5 months ago

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The Summer of Love

Paring: Hyung line x Gn!Reader

Genre: Smut, fluff and i don't really know at this point (For the whole series)

Summary: For as long as you can remember you and you best friends went to a beach house ever summer. But this summer was different. You really didn't know what you were getting yourself into.

Authors note: This is my first story and first time writing so I might be a bit bad, but if you could get me some advice, I would love it. (I'm desperate) Also as I was reading this over again, I noticed that this is somewhat referenced from the show The summer I turned pretty but it will change very soon.

| Part one Part two

Finally, it was the time of the year that you have been waiting for SUMMER. You had just got out of sophomore year of college, and you couldn't be happier. Around 4 days ago your mother told you that she had plans so it meant that you had to go alone on your trip to the beach house, but you weren't mad about it.

You had been waiting for this moment since last summer ended. All you could think about was how your mom wasn't going to be there and that honestly made you feel better because who would want their mom telling them what to do on summer vacation?

5 hours later

You were all packed and ready to leave when you suddenly hear a honk outside. You didn't do anything because you didn't know if it was for you or not, so you just went back on your phone. That's when you get a call from one of your best friends Heeseung.

"Hello? "Is all you said because you were confused. "Hey y/n/n were outside right now" heeseung said excitedly "Ohh. That was you guys" you said awkwardly " alright let me get my stuff I'll be right down" you said as you hung up.

It didn't take you to long to get your stuff downstairs and into the car but when you went to the passenger seat which you knew was empty you were shocked. There was heeseung the one you were just on call with looking a lot better than he did last year. Since you all went to different school you only saw the 4 boys during the summer. You had locked in the back seat to see the rest of the boy on their phones, and they looked better than they did last year to "uhh-"

"Y/n are you gonna get in?"Heeseung asked you with a smirk. "Ohh yes duh sorry" you said with you head down as you get in the car.

"Y/n!" Somone screamed behind you which made you jump. You looked back to see the three-boy looking at you smiling. "Hey guys!" You said and they all said Hey. And just like that you guys made you way onto the road and to the beach house.

During the ride music was playing but you stayed quiet because it was late at night, and you were tired. Heeseung had noticed that and put his hand on your knee. You didn't think anything of it because he usually did that when you were tired which was weird at first, but you honestly got used to it as the time passed. That was until you felt his hand go even higher than usual. All you did was gasp and look over at his smirking face, but he didn't say anything and just stayed like that.

3 hours later

You were asleep by the time you got there and so were to boys in the back but heeseung woke everyone up. After getting your luggage from the car you went into the house you have been waiting for all year long. You immediately went into your bedroom.

As you were setting up your bed sheets Jay has suddenly yelled to everyone to come at dinner which was strange but decided to go downstairs anyway.

You made it down stair to the boys already eating at the dining table. You got yourself a plate of food and walked to your normal set that you always sat in for dinner. It felt weird with your mom not her. But you push that feeling away when jake had started to say something.

"Y/n you wanna stop by the beach after this?" Jake asked you, but before you could say anything jay spoke up.

"Jake there's a bonfire tonight and I don't want her going." Jay said looking at Jake and then looking at you " she's too young for that kind of stuff."

"I'm literally 2 years younger that you jay." You said" and you can't control where I go anyway"

"Just because your mom isn't here doesn't mean you can do whatever you want" jay told you.

"You know what jay, this is bullshit" you said angrily "I'm going to bed." You said as you took off leaving you full plate of food on the table.

Everyone was staring at you as you left.

"Dude just because her mom isn't here doesn't mean she can't go with us. "Jake said sad that they weren't able to go the beach.

Upstairs

You were on your phone after you had slammed your door shut. All you wanted to do was go to the stupid bonfire but nooo jay didn't allow you to because "you were too young". You were going to the party even if jay said no.

You have gotten off of your bed and went to your closet. You looked and found something that you think would be suitable for the bonfire. You were wearing a blue mini dress with small lace details.

You knew it was revealing but it's not like you cared.

You grabbed your phone and went out your bedroom door. The boys had already left except for heeseung because he didn't want to the party, but you didn't know that because you were in your room the whole time after barely eating your dinner.

You made your way to the stairs when you see heeseung coming out of his room in his pajamas.

You didn't know what to do as heeseung looked at you.

"Where are you going dressed like that?"heeseung asked you after a moment of silence.

"Why does it matter to you? "You asked. You didn't want to admit that you were trying to go to the boy's bonfire by yourself after jay had said no.

"Don't tell me you're trying to sneak out to go to the bonfire."

How did he know?

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"What else who you be trying to sneak out for its no like you have a boyfriend to go to also not like you really have any friends here either."

"You don't know that."

"Y/n everyone knows it ok." He said. "How about you get dressed into pajamas and come chill with me in my room. Yeah?" He suggested.

"Alright fine. "You said as you went to go get dressed

You knocked on Heeseungs door and to your surprise it opened right away. You look up to see him smiling down at you and letting you in. You found it kind of funny that you knew he was standing at the door waiting for you.

You walked in and jumped onto his bed. He turned on the projector in his room and you eventually picked out a movie to watch. He plays the movie and comes to lay down next to you. You both cuddled up into the blanket and started watching the movie. You really wanted to watch fear street 1994 because it was one of your favorite move series.

You don't even know how longs it's been since you came into Heeseungs room, but you ended up falling asleep during the second fear street and Heeseung had to wake you up because the boy had come home from the bonfire, and he wanted to get up anyway. You did end up going downstairs to greet the boys only for Jay to give you a weird look. You really didn't know why you gave you that look but you just acted like it didn't really happen and went back upstairs to your room.

You woke up to the smell of pancakes coming from downstairs and you already knew that Jay was cooking breakfast for everyone. You got up to go to the bathroom and then went downstairs to the kitchen and sat down on the stool

"Is breakfast almost done?" You asked because you were starving after not eating anything last night. "Yeah, its almost done." Jay said without looking at you " Of and can you wake up the boys and tell them that its almost ready?" Jay asked you but you really didn't want to, but you still got up anyway because you didn't want the boys too starve. " Yeah sure."

You got up from the stool and went back upstairs to Sunghoon's door. You knocked and went in and saw him sleeping. You woke him up easily because it wasn't very hard to wake him up, you told him that breakfast was almost done and went to Jakes door and did the same thing but this time it was a little harder to wake him up because he was the deepest sleeper out of all of us. Last but not least was Heeseungs room. You knocked and went inside to see him sleeping.

You didn't even know how long you were staring at him until you noticed him looking back at you because him door opening caused him to wake from his slumber. "You good y/n?" Heeseung asked looking at you to see any signs of you being weird. You snapped out of you starting" Oh! Yeah, I'm fine just wanted to tell you that breakfast was almost done!" You were so embarrassed by what you just did that you sprinted out of the room and went back downstairs.

Everyone was sitting at the table waiting for the two of you and that's when you sat down. You were waiting for Heeseung to come down because you mom always taught you guys to wait for everyone to be at the table to start eating because it was more polite.

Heeseung sat down after taking a little to much time to even come downstairs. As soon as he sat down Jake went for the food. Everyone was eating when Jay had said something. "Since none of our parents are here yet i think we should throw a party tonight." Just hearing that made you excited because your mom whenever she was here never let you go on party because you were her little girl.

"I'm not mad at the idea but what about y/n?" Sunghoon soon said after. "What do you what about me I'm aloud to go to the party its litterly in the house I'm living in for the summer." You were honestly confused on why Sunghoon said that in the first place. "Well I don't really know if your mom would like that." was that really all Sunghoon was going to say? "First of all, my mom's not here and impretty sure you're not going to be telling any of the parents anyway." You were pretty angry at the fact that Sunghoon still thought of you that way even after you've grown up.

"Come on guys she is right we Arnt dumb enough to tell the parents anyway so what's the point of not letting her go to the party it's not like there's anywhere else for her to go." Heeseung was actually standing up for you.

"Your right" Jay said "But if I find out she does something that could end up getting her hurt then Shes not allowed to be at the party anymore."

"So, I can go now?" You asked, "Yes but remember what I just said." Jay answered\

You were so excited for you first party of the summer.

#jake smut #sunghoon smut #jay smut #enhypen hard hours #enhypen smut #enhypen #heeseung hard hours #heeseung hard thoughts #enha #heeseung smut #jake enhypen smut #jake enhypen #lee heeseung #enhypen heeseung

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knockoffheart · 5 months ago

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newest member of the seven (2/6)

summary: a one on one with maeve, gaining homelander’s approval, you’re killing it!

warnings: it’s a “The Boys” fanfic… blood, gore, swearing, nudity, etc. Intended for 18+ ONLY, this chapter contains no smut. ALSO i write for myself and am low key new to writing so lower all expectations. <3

before you read: this story is written in second person, she/her pronouns are used, reader has female genitalia and identifies as female. the character is never referred to by name , but is a supe called “Replicate”, she has power-copying abilities.

“Sorry for what? That I’m possibly spending my last night alive crying on the kitchen floor?” You sigh, leaning into her palm.

“Maybe sorry that my super strength ruined your fridge and that pretty painting you have hanging up?” Maeve gave a weary smile.

You let out a laugh, “Now I’ll have to drink warm beer and stare at vandalism when I try to go to sleep.” The two of you stare at each other for a moment, it looks like she wants to say something, but she never spoke. You decided to instead.

“Why would he want to kill me? What did I even do?”.

“He’s… possessive. Insecure.” she shuffles uncomfortably. Though normally quite straightforward, she couldn’t get herself to tell you the truth. He can tell you have a crush on me. She feels a warm, tingling realization in herself and quickly pulls her hand away from your cheek. Pull yourself together, you’re gonna get her killed.

“Is this why everybody but Starlight has been a fucking asshole to me?” you blurt.

“ I wish the answer was yes,” she grabs two of the beer bottles that had fallen to the floor. She opens them and hands one to you. “I thought if I ignored you, you’d quit. You’d go back to whatever city you came from and I’d never have to see you again”. You stare at her and make a face.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” You take a swig of your beer.

“I wasn’t finished—I didn’t want you getting hurt, or.. killed. I thought if I ignored you, so would Homelander. And he did, up until now. He’s jealous of how quickly America has fallen for you, how everyone has…”. Her eyes meet yours, “Look, when we were recruiting you I could tell just how good you were… strong, smart, charismatic, beautiful-” she stops herself, faces forward, and finishes the rest of her beer. Her face tickled red with blush. “I didn’t want him to destroy that. Destroy you.”

“What about the others?” you scoot closer to her and rest your head on her bare shoulder. You could smell her perfume, some luxury brand’s vanilla scent you guessed. You lean in closer and sip your drink. She rests her head on top of yours and sighs.

“I told Deep if he touched you… I’d kill him. And A-Train.. he is just an asshole.” The two of you shared a laugh. You finished your beer and she set it aside for you. Your pinky grazed her hand before you finally got the courage to hold it. Your hand was barely touching hers, scared of your newfound strength. She smiled somberly and squeezed your hand. You turned to face her and reached to hold both of her hands, staring at her head on.

“Do you think he’s really going to kill me?”.

“I don’t know. That’s why you need to leave. Tonight. Please.” she brought your hands to her mouth, you could feel her breath blowing across your fingers. She pressed a small kiss into your hand, and began to stand and leave. You were left on your knees, staring up at her.

“Please.” was the last thing she said before she disappeared into the elevator. You remained on the floor, finally letting your tears free. Choking back sobs you rose, slightly unstable and headed towards the shower.

You pampered yourself with all the products Vought had provided in your suite, taking extra care to remove all the glitter from the earlier interview. ‘I’m just their fucking circus animal.’ You scrub your face harder at the thought, then shut off the water, snapping the handle in the process. “Fuck off.” you muttered as you drop the hunk of metal onto the shower floor. You step out and grab a towel. The softness of it grounds you for a minute, but when you look into the mirror and meet your own eyes the image of the ad from before flashes in your mind. ‘You’re just a DOLL! A NEW TOY VOUGHT LOVES TO PLAY WITH!’ White hot rage floods your vision as your thoughts continued to race. When you came to, the mirror was shattered and shards covered the counter. You huffed and went to put on your nightwear.

Anger still boiling inside, you grab the TV remote and power it on. A re-run of a recent Homelander interview is playing.

“How about the newest member of the Seven, Replicate, I mean she’s been blowing up on social media everywhere! Tell me, what is it like working along side her?” the too-chummy interviewer asked.

“Well. I haven’t personally been on any missions with her but I’m sure she’ll be a great teammate when she has time in her schedule — I mean a new show takes a lot out of a person.” Homelander commented, his hands gripped tightly onto his thighs.

“Any spoilers you can hint to, Homelander Does she copy your powers? A-Trains? Noirs?!”

“Hah..” he was tense, “ I’d like to see her try.” He jokingly punched the reporters arm.

The interview continued but all you could hear was a ringing in your ears, your fist clenched and unclenched before you let out a guttural growl, screaming and soaring your fist through the wall. Over and over again, unrelenting, you only stop when there is nothing left to hit.

“Fuck you.” you spit, glaring back the the TV which was now playing an ad for The Deep’s newest audio book.

Try to fucking kill me, asshole. You shook the drywall off your fist and laid down in your bed, passing out from exhaustion at some point.

You wake up, gasping. The first hints of sunrise trickling in through your window. Your bedroom looks like the aftermath of a frat party, groaning you get ready for the meeting. You’re ready to face Homelander and whatever shit he was about to put you through, but your hand still trembles as you go to put on mascara. Recollecting the sensations, smells, and images from last night sent a wave of adrenaline throughout your body. Jesus… c’mon pull yourself together. You try to push the thoughts of Maeve to the back of your mind, promising yourself you’d revisit them later — if you survive.

You are the second member to arrive at the meeting table. The Deep is there, sat awkwardly in his chair. He stares you down. You take the seat farthest away from him and sit with your legs crossed, looking around at all the things you’ve only caught glances of. The Deep clears his throat and shuffles in his seat.

“So you finally got the green light? About time. I figured you were always too busy doing girl shit. Brushing your hair or whatever.” He huffs and rolls his eyes.

Stunning intellect. Smiling, you reply, “Homelander invited me last night, we had a great chat. I hope you finally start to see me as one of you. I feel lucky to be in a room with such talented heros.”

He titters, intrigued by your mentioning of Homelander and the not so subtle boost of his ego. He rises from his seat and starts to cross towards you.

“You know… I could always help you train sometime. Just the two of-“. He’s cut off by the sound of a throat clearing. You both turn towards the door, Maeve enters with her eyes staring daggers at the man next to you.

“Woah! Chill… Not touching her!” he raises his hands up defensively and sulks back to his seat. A-Train and Black Noir enter shortly after. She takes the seat next to you, and turns her harsh gaze to you.

“What the fuck are you doing?” She rasps.

“I-“

“Ahh - Replicate so glad to see you could make it. It’s about time you joined us, I mean you are one of the Seven after all.” Homelander’s voice booms through the meeting room.

Starlight enters in the middle of his speech. Your eyes meet briefly as she takes her seat. She instantly turns towards Maeve. She furrows her brows and subtly motions to you. Maeve gives no response and crosses her arms, eyes now watching Homelander’s every move.

You stand, “Thank you, Homelander. I’m truly honored to serve.” You place your hands over your heart and sit back down. Worm your way in. Worm your way in. If you could get him to believe you were truly submissive to him, you might get out of this unharmed.

“As you all know, someone has been supplying our enemies with Compound V. Temp V specifically, which is being made solely here in this tower. In our own Vought Tech labs.” He puts his arms behind his back and leans on the balls of his feet, “Which, sadly, means it’s most likely an inside job. I mean, how could someone betray me like that — us like that?” He shakes his head and scans across the table, eyes eventually meeting yours.

“Replicate, for your first mission, I want you to find this traitor and eliminate them. You’d be doing something none of the other members could accomplish. I know you won’t let me down.” He clasps his hands together and smiles, “Of course you’ll be granted access to any supe’s power you need to get your grubby little hands on, you’ve been granted access to the labs — go wild!” He tosses a flash drive to you. “Meeting dismissed.”

>back

>next

#nmots #queen maeve x oc #queen maeve x reader #queen maeve #wlw fic #wlw #starlight the boys #the boys fanfic #the boys

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grahamzcracker · 5 months ago

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💊— i’m only seventeen - i don’t know anything, but i know i miss you.

effy stonem x reader | w.c : 722 | CW : cheating, slight mention of drug use . | title from betty by taylor swift. (req status : open!)

✧〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎✧

Effy was pacing in her room, calling you nonstop. You had caught her cheating on you with Cook a few days ago and you're now ignoring her. You've been skipping school for the past few days just so you wouldn't have to see her or Cook, and you've mainly just spent the days rotting in your bed, only occasionally leaving to eat or use the restroom.

Effy ran her fingers through her hair, sighing out of frustration as the phone went to voicemail for what felt like the millionth time. She decided it was no use and put her phone up, before she finished getting ready and headed out to school.

She debated on just skipping the day, knowing her mum wouldn't even notice, but realized she didn't want to be stuck inside all day. She spent most of the day trying to avoid everyone, but it didn't work out so well. Cook was the one that was hard to avoid, with his constant talking, and he had approached her at the end of the day at her locker.

"What's your problem, princess? Gonna ignore me all day?" he asked with a grin.

"Fuck off, Cook." Effy said, slamming the locker shut and heading out the building. Cook tried to run after her but ended up losing her in a crowd of students.

Once Effy got home, she tried ringing you again a few times but it was no use. She headed downstairs and got a snack, then tried to settle down for the day.

A couple hours later, she called again and wasn't surprised when you didn't answer. She realized calling wasn't going to get her anywhere, so she changed into a comfier outift and headed out of her house, starting to walk to your house.

It was fairly dark by now, but not too late. Effy arrived at your house and took a moment to take in the sight, mentally preparing herself to talk to you. She crouched down and picked up a few rocks, starting to throw them at your window to get your attention.

After a few minutes, you opened your window, looking frustrated. Your hair looked like it hadn't been brushed in days and you just looked like a complete mess in general.

"What do you want, Eff?" you called out.

"Can I come in?" she asked, and you took a moment before caving in, giving her a nod and heading down to the front door to open it.

You guys sat down on your couch in awkward silence, before Effy spoke up.

"You look like shit." she said with a smirk.

"Oh, I wonder why." you muttered sarcastically.

"Right, yeah... Listen, I really am sorry."

You looked at her for a moment, unsure of what to say. "Bullshit... How can I believe you? You never care about who your actions hurt, all you ever want is fun! You can't even just be with someone, even if it's for a little bit. We- we were good together, I don't get why you had to go back to Cook for the millionth fucking time! I should've known something was up. You act different when you hang out with him, it's like he just brings out the worst in you... Just because I don't go out and party and get high or drunk every night doesn't mean I'm not good enough for you! We're great together, and you know it."

"Look— I get what you're saying, I do! Please hear me out. I fucked up, like really bad. I'm sorry I was so stupid, I realize now that I don't want Cook. I don't know what I was thinking, I shouldn't have done what I did. I think... I don't know, I think I just... couldn't handle the fact that I love you." she said, the last few words coming out in a softer tone.

Your gaze softened at the last words. Does Effy really love you?

"What? You love me?" your earlier frustration went away as you spoke and you couldn't fight the grin creeping up on your face.

"Do I really have to say it again?" she groaned.

"Yup."

"I love you, okay? I was stupid for not realizing it before."

"I love you too." you replied with a smile, pulling her in for a gentle kiss.

✧〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎✧

a/n : hope u enjoyed!!!!!

#skins uk #skins x reader #effy stonem #effy stonem x reader

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bichietozier-s · 2 months ago

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🕷️Catch You On The Web!!🕸️

An Itafushi spiderman socmed au ❤️

In which Yuuji Itadori, newly a sophomore in college who still has not a clue what he wants to do with his life, gets bitten by a radioactive spider and gains new abilities, stats and powers. He's coasting on his raw athletic ability, a full-ride scholarship handed to him despite his less-than-perfect grades, when he realizes he's got way more ahead of him than he'd ever imagined. Including, but not limited to, a newfound crush that also throws him for a loop.

you are reading: Prologue | Part 1 | Part 1.5 | Part 2

notes: Same notes apply from the last update! If you haven't read part 1, please jump over there first before continuing here! 🫶🏻

This part is really written-text heavy so be prepared for some reading 🥰

That night, Yuuji went to bed happy as a clam. He’d checked with Nobara to see if she thought he should see the on-campus doctor, and she didn’t seem too worried about things, so why should he? Then his best friend texted him and it… kind of made his worries wash away.

After the talk with Junpei about how his classes were going for him so far, and a far-away, future plan to see the next Human Earthworm movie together, he honestly forgot about the spider bite as he drifted off to sleep with his phone still sitting comfortably in his hand.

And yet, when he woke up, the nerves acted right back up, because his whole arm felt like it had been run over. He assumed that the soreness had to do with the bite, because what else would it be? But then again, what even really were the side effects of a bad spider bite???

Before he even left his room for his classes that day, he decided that he’d be seeing the campus doctor later on. She lived on the campus herself, and was on-call for when the students needed her. From what Yuuji had heard, she was friendly with one of the more well-known and higher-up professors at the school, and he fought for her to receive a higher salary since she was so passionate about helping the students complete their educations in good health.

As far as he was concerned, she was a cool lady, and he hadn’t even met her yet.

He was determined to get through his day as normal as he could manage, though. Nothing else felt off, which was why this whole ordeal was so confusing to him. His arm was abnormally sore, sure, but he didn’t feel nauseous or foggy at all like you’d think you would from something like a venomous bite.

Yuuji trudged through his classes that day, and once he finally walked out the doors of the last class at around 3 pm, he ran back to his room for a snack break, and then directly to the field for his practice that day. As soon as he got there, he was greeted by the upperclassman that he’d grown to love… in an odd sort of way.

“Yuuji! My brother! Hope you’re ready to get roughed up today, we’re doing some tackling exercises,” Aoi Todo, who was a college senior, spoke clearly and from his chest at all times. He approached Yuuji, clapping him roughly on the back and pulling him against his side. Yuuji smiled up at the taller man. He really did admire him, even though he was a little odd at times. Upon meeting, Todo had asked Yuuji what his type was in women, and apparently he liked the answer, because he nearly started bawling his eyes out. Ever since then, he’s called Yuuji his brother.

It wasn’t like it bothered Yuuji at all, he actually found it kind of funny. It was just odd.

“Hey, Todo!” Yuuji replied loudly. “Yeah, I’m ready! I have a sore arm, but, eh…” Yuuji lifted his sleeve to show Todo his arm where he’d been bitten the day prior. To be completely honest, he hadn’t ever really looked at the bite since he received it, he only knew that his arm hurt. “I think it’s ‘cause of this, but, I’m gonna go see the campus doctor after today’s practice. Figured, can’t miss out on a day of gains, right?” He beamed up at the man beside him, who looked at him with an odd expression of disgust and worry.

“Bro, are you sure? That’s a big mark…” He leaned in close to take a better look at it. “What is that, anyway?”

Yuuji peered over the side of his arm to look at the mark himself. Yeesh… It did look kinda gross. “Ah, it’s a spider bite. At least I’m pretty sure it is.” Yuuji let his sleeve fall back down and shrugged. “I dunno, I think I’ll be okay. I’m not feeling bad at all, my arm is just sore. You even said it yourself, “who ever said a little soreness killed you?”, right?” He threw his hands up in finger-gun formation as he walked toward the bleachers to set his things down.

“Ah, that,” Todo said quietly to himself. “I did say that, and it definitely still rings true! Alright, if you’re feeling it, then let’s do this! HELL YEAH!” Todo headed back toward the rest of the group that was already there, while Yuuji ran to catch up with him, pumping a fist into the air.

Yuuji let out a large sigh of nerves as he walked into the doctor’s office. Maybe Nobara was right after all, and he would be fine. She was stressing him out more than anything, though. I mean, the boy was dumb and she was being confusing!

“Ah, hi there,” said a woman from behind the desk in a calm voice. She had long, brown hair, and very tired looking eyes. But Yuuji felt comfortable around her already.

“Uh, hi,” he spoke quietly. “I uh, wanted to come in and see if you had the time to look at a bug bite for me?” He asked, unsure of whether or not this was a stupid idea. It sounded stupid coming out of his mouth.

As she opened her mouth to speak, Yuuji quickly spit out some more words, as if to offer a better explanation than just ‘bug bite’.

“Well, actually, it’s a spider bite. I feel like that might make it seem a little more urgent, or at least important, and not dumb. Oh, also, my name is Yuuji Itadori.” He put out his hand as an offer for her to shake it. Her eyebrows raised at his speed in not only talking, but also how quickly his hand was thrust at her.

“Yeah, I can definitely take a look at it,” she smiled warmly at the younger man, and shook his hand gently. “Here, Yuuji, you can follow me this way.” She opened a little gate-esque door between the counters for him to follow her into the back exam room. “My name’s Dr. Ieiri, but you can call me Shoko.” Yuuji walked through the little gate and the pair let it fall shut behind them.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Shoko,” Yuuji said, smiling. She nodded her head at him as they walked into the exam room together, replying in agreement with a simple, “you, too”.

“Alright, so where is this bite?” Shoko asked as she put on a new pair of gloves.

Yuuji dropped his things on the little table off to the side and lifted his sleeve once more, exposing his upper arm. “Here.”

“Oh.” Shoko muttered in quiet surprise. “Well, that certainly is a spider bite. Man…” She leaned in close, grabbing Yuuji’s arm and pulling at the skin around the bite. “Does this hurt at all?” She asked as she poked and prodded at the bite itself and the surrounding skin.

“No, if anything, the tiiiiniest bit, but really not much at all,” he spoke as he watched her examine his arm. “The only issue I’m having with it is that it made my whole arm sore. I woke up feeling like just that arm was run over by an 18-wheeler,” he said, bringing his attention now to one of the posters on the far wall.

“Huh,” she mumbled out, seemingly in thought. She stood up straight now, placing her hands on her hips. “How long ago did you get the bite?”

Yuuji looked up at the ceiling in thought as he dropped his sleeve down again. “Only yesterday. There was no sign to me that I needed to come here ‘till my arm felt like it was in one of those hydraulic press videos, so I’m sorry for not coming sooner. But I don’t feel sick at all, so I just wanted to be safe.”

Shoko ‘tsk’d’ at the boy’s words as he spoke. “Well, it looks a lot worse than it seems it is.” She turned to take her gloves off, dropping them into the trash can behind her. “I’m not going to run any tests, just because the soreness is a normal side effect from any kind of bite, although the way you’re describing it seems a little severe…” Her hand found her chin in thought for a moment, and Yuuji stood leaning against the exam table behind him, waiting patiently for her to continue.

“But, you said it yourself, you should be fine. I’m not going to give you anything for it, either, unless you feel like you need some ibuprofen.”

“I think I’ll be alright,” Yuuji said, offering a smile to the woman. “Thanks for taking a look at it, I was starting to really stress over it.”

Shoko pursed her lips in thought once more. “Of course, it’s what I’m here for. But, promise me that the next time something like this happens, you’ll come right away. I would hate for it to have been a lethal bite, and you die in your sleep thinking that it would be fine.” She spoke in a very flat and serious tone, about the same she’d been using the whole time they were together, but the way she said that freaked Yuuji out a little. This lady was cool, but she seemed… off. Who just says something like that?

Yuuji raised his eyebrows as he replied, “Oh, uh, yeah. Of course.”

The smile returned back to Shoko’s face as she clasped her hands in front of her. “Great. Thanks for stopping in, Yuuji. If it worsens at all, the bite itself, or any symptoms, please don’t hesitate to return. You can also call this office at any time, remember.”

Yuuji had picked his things up and began heading out of the exam room and toward the front office once more. “Right, sounds good to me.” As he reached for the front door, he turned back one last time and waved to the doctor. “Thanks again, Ms. Shoko! Have a good evening,” and he pushed his way out the door.

Her voice quietly bid him a farewell from behind as the door fell closed and he headed back to his dorm.

author's note:

YIPPEE part one complete!! i hope everyone's liking it so far! I have the next few parts already written but ill probably still post one a day or so unless i get really write-happy out of nowhere lmao 🙂‍↕️

jump to:

Prologue | Previous | Next

taglist:

@meme-ty7

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elli3luvs · 2 years ago

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monster mash

summary: meeting the prettiest girl you have ever seen in a shitty party city costume wasn't what you had in store for your night.

genre: fluff!

wc: 500

a/n: just a silly little thing i thought of haha i kinda want to see ellie in a dracula costume.... also!! i have really been struggling with smut requests recently like i've tried and they are falling really short so if you have requested smut it probably won't happen </33 i'm so so sorry i just don't want to disappoint! i hope you understand <3

the material rubbing against your arms was enough to make you wish you never came out to this party. you were having fun, and halloween parties were always your favorite, but the last-minute nature of your costume made you feel like a poor sport. it wasn't even a funny last-minute costume. it was a cheap pleather costume making you look like a mouse. the poorly drawn whiskers from your already drunk friend were just the icing on the cake.

real sexy.

you set your drink on the counter behind you while crossing your arms over your chest. looking out at all the drunk people dancing while 'monster mash' blared through the speakers for the 90th time was your favorite activity. you spotted your friend dina grinding against jesse. a grimace graced your face, knowing that in the morning you would have to hear all about that. jesse looks at you with an enthusiastic smile, mouthing, 'she's not mad at me anymore!' before he goes back to focusing on dina.

"i need to get drunker to be able to watch that," you mutter to yourself, twisting to grab your drink. your fingers just barely grasp the red cup before a random hand shoots out to your forearm effectively stopping you from picking up said drink.

it was a girl in a vampire costume, fake blood dribbling down her chin while two fake bite marks settled on her neck. you couldn't tell if being that pale was makeup or if that was just her normal face, "i wouldn't drink that." her eyes were wide and urgent looking while she spoke.

your eyebrows furrow at her frantic nature, "what? why not?"

she grabs the drink and throws the remaining liquid down the drain, "dick head over there put a packet of something in it." she nods her head toward a guy who looked the type. he was hunched in the corner of the room, staring you down.

you groan while rolling your eyes, "can't even have fun at a halloween party these days."

the vampire — you decided to call her — leaned against the counter next to you while she hands you a new drink. her eyes were piercing the nasty man who skittered away like a stupid rat.

the music got louder with the new song forcing her to lean closer to you, "men, am i right?"

you laughed at that, nodding your head, "can't do anything! thanks for saving me from that awful fate!"

she shrugs, "i couldn't just let you drink it," one of her friends calls her name, cutting your time with her short. you wish you were able to hear what her friend called her. maybe dina knew her name, "besides... you're a pretty girl. i was gonna come up to you anyway." she saunters off, joining her friend group with a broad grin.

maybe the mouse costume was really sexy after all.

#ellie williams imagine #ellie williams scenario #ellie williams x you #ellie williams x reader #ellie the last of us

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theetherealbloom · 2 years ago

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UNEVEN ODDS — CH. 3

Chapter Three: Light Carries On Endlessly Even After Death

Summary: The Reader is dragged into the Last of Us universe and has no choice but to watch the events unfold or will she be able to change what was already written?

Paring: Joel Miller x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Age-gap Romance, Violence, ANGST, tiny fluff, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Crying, Singing, Suggestive content, the pandemic, character death, Zombies, eventual SMUT, MY SCIENCE IS WONKY, probable plot holes, rusty writing

Word Count: 9.7k

A/N: This chapter is inspired by a mix of quotes and songs! Super unrelated, but it occurred to me, if I was in TLOU universe, I would not survive. I need my antidepressants and immediately would call it quits LMAO. (I know dark humor sorry :,) If you want to see my thought process (idk if you want to) I’ll put it at the end notes! Thank you for your comments, reblogs, and notes! I genuinely appreciate it and it means alot to me <3

Song: Make You Feel My Love by Adele

Previous Chapter -> Next Chapter | Series Masterlist

TLOU WORLD — 2023

TEN MILES WEST OF BOSTON – DUSK

You trek your way into the forest, you hear your footsteps squishing through the mud and dirt, and the pounding of your breath. The sun is beginning to set, dusk then brings you moonlight, a time to reflect on the day that has past and look forward to the day that will be refreshed by the glow of the sun. It is the time when the birds sing farewell till the stars call them to sleep under the wings. Each color intensifies in beautiful solemnity, uniting in the darkness.

No one spoke for the entirety of the hike, the silence carries your melancholy, yet it is a permanent friend of your subconsciousness. The deafness is only broken by ragged breaths and the beating of human hearts. Joel comes to a stop, his back facing you and Ellie as he speaks, “We’ll camp here for the night. I’ll take watch.”

You look to Ellie who merely shrugs, the two of you say nothing and begin to set up camp on the forest floor. You hear the rushing water of a river nearby and realize where you’ve ended up. Placing your backpack on the floor, you raise your arms and stretch to the sky, undoing the painful knots in your back and neck. You let out a sigh of relief and prepare for the inevitable. Joel calls out your name and you turn to face him, ready to take on the brunt of his pain and rage.

His eyebrows lower slightly, and the tone of his voice goes down a pitch, “You and I need to talk.” You take an uneasy breath and nod in agreement despite the sweat coating both palms. He takes a step closer to you and asks, “Did you know?” he raises his voice a little, “Did you know about Tess?” You look down in shame and whisper, “Yes.”

It takes everything he has to keep his control, jaw clenched and narrowed eyes, “Why?” he says. A question so simple, a three-letter word holding so much weight, and so much anger towards you. “Why didn’t you tell me?” You swallow and avoid responding, choosing silence over an argument. He scoffs and shakes his head, and you cross your arms across your chest. The more he fumed, the smaller you made herself.

You shift your weight from one foot to the other, and only look up to see his broad shoulders and back facing you, he mumbles with a quiet rage, “I’m gonna go check the area and make sure it’s safe and that there aren’t any infected nearby.”

“This ain’ gonna work if you keep hidin’ secrets from me Hummin’ bird.” He turns and walks away, disappearing into the woods. “Well, that was dramatic.” You turn to find Ellie sitting comfortably, back resting against the pine tree in a crisscross position, you open your mouth to ask if she was okay but decided against it. Instead, you nod, “Yeah. I’m, um, sorry about that.” Ellie only shrugs, “He must’ve loved her or something.” Your gaze softens as you whisper into the cool navy twilight, “Or something.”

YOUR ORIGINAL OBSERVABLE UNIVERSE — JANUARY 2023, NOON

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, FUNDAMENTAL QUANTUM PHYSICS LAB

The sleeves of your white lab coat itch your arms as you focused on typing up your report. The clacking sound of your keyboard could be heard from around the lab as you typed. You were invited to assist in a study focusing on quantum mechanics and theory. The lab wasn’t as busy today, most of them had decided to join the conference that was being held at Harvard, busy networking and connecting with possible investors or fellow researchers.

It was only you and Adam that was left in the lab, his excuse was he would rather put acid in his eyes than shake hands and give fake niceties. He’s nearby testing his new hypothesis, and decides to make conversation with you, “If we manage to prove this, then it is possible, somewhere in the many worlds, a pandemic happened earlier in a different universe.” You roll your eyes in amusement, “Yeah, I guess so.” You’re in thought for a moment before asking, “Do you think humanity won? Like, they overcame it?” He hums, “Maybe. Or maybe they lost.” You snort and throw a careless joke, “Everyone would blame our shitty government and us, the scientists. How ignorant must you be for it to happen twice?”

“Well, all disaster movies start with a scientist being ignored.” He says matter-of-factly, and you give no response, and you continue typing up your report. Silently hoping that if it were true, that humanity would still have hope, small but just enough to let the shine through, and believe that they haven’t lost yet. You look at the time and log out of your work computer, packing up your things, and asking Adam if he would like to join you for lunch he politely declines, so you bid him farewell as you head out the doors to step on the grey pavement of the campus and make your way to a nearby restaurant. It’s a beautiful day, you think to yourself, clear blue skies and a cool breeze that caresses your skin. You take notice of the blue butterfly fluttering its wings and flying right past you, you smile as it leaves an afterimage of change.

TLOU WORLD — 2023

TEN MILES WEST OF BOSTON — CIVIL TWILIGHT DAWN

You wake up with a deep inhale, your eyes struggle to open, and try to understand where you were. Tired from the dream, well, a memory that replayed like a cassette tape on a player that pressed rewind. You blink a couple of times before rubbing your eyes awake and retrace your steps in your mind as you recall what happened last night, only to remember giving Ellie your jacket and waiting up for Joel to come back from scouting the area for any signs of danger.

You sit up a little straighter and crack the aching parts of your neck, you look next to yourself and see Ellie lightly snoring up against a tree, still asleep. You look at the familiar jacket draped over your body that had kept you warm during the cold night. Joel must’ve placed it on top of you when he found you barely awake and functioning.

You can’t help but smile and feel your heart flutter at the thought of him taking care of you. You feel the muscles of your cheeks tighten as you try to hide away your smile and hoist yourself up quietly, not wanting to disturb Ellie’s slumber. Letting Joel’s jacket drape off of your shoulders, you use your hands to hold the collar, creating a cape that drapes behind you.

You head towards the sound of the stream, it burbles as it travels along its bed, bubbling over rocks and branches. It was a delicate duck-egg blue, like the delicate sweep of a painter's brush. It snuck and snuck its way past all impediments, even the river's stones. Twigs spun across its murmuring surface, small messengers from the mountain trees that had brought them there. The creek rushed across the riverbed's pebbles. It sounded like a starling flock's airy, silky spin.

In the background, the mountains stood silently, a sullen presence of sky-punching glory. Snow brooches adorned their lofty peaks, which were encircled in angel-white wreaths. A weeping torrent cascaded down the granite wall. It appeared to be a silk-blue slide pouring down the mountain. It looked to be bound in silver as it carried its burden of ice crystals. It emitted a distant thrumming sound, similar to the constant rumble of a drum roll. It glowed brightly as it fed the riverbed, the forest's lifeblood. It was a breathtaking sight.

Your gaze turns to fine Joel’s figure kneeling, hunched over, and quietly picking stones from the river’s edge. You watch from a distance as he silently stacks a pile of stones to create a cairn, a memorial for Tess. You make sure your footsteps can be heard as you approach him, but he gave no acknowledgment as you decide to sit atop a large rock. It takes a while before he looks at you, and finds you staring right through him with sorrowful eyes.

You let out a huff of air before speaking in a neutral tone, “I don’t mean to keep secrets from you. If I had come here a day before the pandemic, a day before your birthday, I would have done everything to make sure this never happened.” You paused for a moment then continued, “You asked me why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t tell you because I thought I could do it on my own. I’ve been doing this for my whole life, keeping the peace and fixing things by myself, and I got it right every time. And the one time I get it wrong it cost someone’s life.”

You feel your voice quiver as you spoke, eyes darting to look past him, afraid of the rage and grief he feels, “Someone you loved is gone. I’m sorry, Joel. But God, I know that will never be enough and no amount of apologies will bring her back. I had a chance and I fucked up. If I could… If I could press rewind and trade her life for mine I would if that would make it any better for you.”

“No.” Joel states and your eyebrows furrow in confusion, and slowly bring your eyes to look at him, “No?” And he shakes his head and picks up another rock as he says, “I accept your apology, but stop doin’ that.” You tilt your head quizzically, “Don’t do what?” He gruffly replies, “Minimize your life as if it doesn’t matter. As if it ain’t just as important.” She felt her breathing pause and peered intently at him before trying to argue, “But–” He shuts her down before she could go on, “Stop it, as you said, no amount of apologizin’ is gonna bring her back. She’s gone. I made a promise to her that I’m plannin’ on keepin’, you gonna help me or not?”

That throws you off balance, you expected him to lash out, maybe throwing a rock or two at you, not this. Slowly you nod, “Yes. Yes, I will.” Joel looks and searches for any form of malice or lies and finds none. He simply stretches his arm to you, the rock he previously took from the river’s edge, and holds it out to you like an olive branch. You slide off the rock you were sitting on and take the rock from his hand, crouching down and quietly placing it on top of the cairn.

You stare at the pile of rocks for a moment, quiet in thought, but then Joel says your name in a whisper that wouldn’t even fog the glass, you raise your eyes to look at him as he asks, “Was she, in your world, did she, um, already um…” And you already know what he’s wondering before he tries and say the words, so you save him the trouble of continuing, giving him a nod you reply solemnly, “Yes.”

“And when we get to Bill and Frank’s? What do you know about that?” He says, and you blink back your tears, flashbacks of that episode occur in your mind, remembering their love for each other and what would happen once we got there. You apologetically smile at him, “Out of respect for the both of them. It’s best to find out when you get there.”

His eyebrows arch inwards in concern, “Are they okay?” And you hesitate, thinking how to appropriately word this without lying, but then you remember, “Yes, they’re content.”

Joel’s eyes look back down at the cairn the decides to get up. You see him hold out his hand for you, and you take it to hoist yourself up. “Let’s go back and see if Ellie’s awake.” He states, then let’s go of your hand, making his way back to the kid. You stand there for a second, glancing at the pile of stones that represent her legacy, then back at Joel, you decide to walk forward toward your future beginning to unfold.

TEN MILES WEST OF BOSTON — DAY

The sound of birds chirping can be heard as you walk behind Joel, finding Ellie awake with her sitting upright with her knees pulled to her chest and your jacket still being used as a makeshift blanket. Joel goes through his pack to get a bark of food and Ellie breaks the silence to question you, “You want your jacket back?”

You nod and grab it from her as she holds it out to you, putting it on, you remove Joel’s brown jacket to place it on top of Ellie. Her face drops, “Seriously?” And you shrug to whisper, “You guys need to talk too.” You begin to pack up and wear your backpack.

Joel takes a bite from his food only to crumple the wrapper to throw it at Ellie as if she was some dog. You look at him in slight annoyance as Ellie rolls her eyes and takes picks it up from the ground to also take a bite of food. He makes himself busy as he adjusts the strap of his worn-out backpack, trying to ignore the kid, but Ellie is persistent, “I’ve never been in the woods.” She chews before continuing, “More bugs than I thought.” Joel doesn’t respond, disregarding her statement, and fidgets with the buckles and straps. Ellie huffs, her shoulders tense and her voice louder as says, “Look, I’ve been thinking about…”

Joel shoots straight up to swing his backpack over his shoulder, “I don’t want your sorries.” Your eyes swing over to Ellie as she retorts, “I wasn’t gonna say I’m sorry. I was gonna say I’ve been thinking about what happened. Nobody made you or Tess take me. Nobody made you go along with this plan.” Joel stands there as he listens to her go on, “You needed a truck battery or whatever and you made a choice.” Then her voice lowers an octave and slightly quivers, “So don’t blame me for something that isn’t my fault.”

Joel has his jaw clenched and you could see the vein in his neck preparing to burst, but all he does is give a silent nod at Ellie, then she looks away. Joel picks up his rifle and Ellie stands up to walk to him, backpack, and food, in one hand and Joel’s jacket in the other. She stretches out her arm for Joel to take it from her, a truce, as he gently grabs it and folds it. A small smile stretches across your face and you relax.

“How much longer?” Ellie asks him, and he responds calmly, “Five-hour hike.” The kid nods and states, “We can manage that.”

You take note of the trees arching and twisting from above you, the leaves creating patterns with their shadows, and not a single blade of grass out of place. It’s surprisingly quiet and almost peaceful as you follow Joel and Ellie across the wooden bridge, letting your mind wander, and quietly hum tunes that remind you of home. And when you no longer wanted to hum, you reflected on what happened on September 26, 2003. When it all fell apart on Joel’s birthday. The day seemed so normal, with clear blue skies and a celebration of life between a father and a daughter. You should have known, but now you learn, blue skies were a sight you never trusted again.

“You’ve gone this way a lot? No infected?” Ellie asks, seemingly exhausted from not talking for so long. “Not often, no,” Joel replies, steadily looking for any form of danger, “What are you looking for?” And you respond for him, “People.” Ellie hums in acknowledgment, “Are Bill and Frank nice?” Joel replies lightly, “Frank is.” Glad you’re behind the two, and maybe it’s the past that’s talking, but flashes of their love come back to you in a blur.

Ellie continues asking Joel the question, “Where’d you get that scar on your head?” You frown at that and remember exactly how he got it, he sighs at her. “What? Is it something lame? Like you fell down the stairs or something?” Ellie teasingly said, and his whiskey-deep voice gravelly replied, “I didn’t fall down any stairs.”

“I fell down the stairs a lot in high school. Every year for four years.” You mumble your input without any thought and Ellie looks over at you with concern, “How the fuck are you still alive.” And you frown slightly, “To be honest, I have no fucking clue either.” The kid turns back to Joel, “Okay, so what then?” Ellie asks and Joel vaguely replies, “Someone shot at me and missed.”

“See, that’s cool. Did you shoot back?” The young girl states and looks at Joel with so much wonder and amazement, Joel glances at her and then responds, “Yeah.” Ellie continues, “You get him?” He’s practically done with her asking so many questions but replies anyway, “No, I missed too. It happens more often than you think.”

“Because you suck at shooting or, like, in general?” You then bite back a laugh at Ellie’s comment, however, your eyes crinkle as you do. Vexed, Joel turns to look at Ellie, then away from her, “In general.” You snort at his response and this time he looks over his shoulder to look at you and you stare right back at him.

Ellie glances at Joel’s revolver gun in its holder and looks back up at Joel, “You know, seeing as it’s just the three of us, and she has a gun already, I was thinking I should pro–” Joel doesn’t hesitate with his response, “No.” Ellie only rolls her eyes at his response and keeps quiet for a bit.

The three of you step over a fallen electric pole and turn a corner, “Cumberland Farms.” Ellie reads out the sign as you pass by it, Joel hurries his pace a bit before saying to you both, “Hang back a minute. I gotta grab some stuff I stashed.”

“Stashed? Why do you have stuff stashed here?” Ellie asks still following Joel, irritated he says, “You ask a lot of goddamn questions.” She smirks, “Yes, I do.” Joel opens the door to the store, the sound of metal scraping against the floor as he does. “So, you gonna answer me or what?” Joel sighs and gives in, “We hide supplies on routes in case we find ourselves short on gear which I currently am because…”

“No way!” Ellie exclaims happily, and hurriedly makes her way to a Mortal Kombat machine, “You ever play this one?” You watch her mash buttons and mess with the joystick, while Joel lingers around, “I had a friend who knew everything about this game. There’s this one character named Mileena who takes off her mask and she has monster teeth and then she swallows you whole and barfs out your bones.” She sighs, “Oh man.” You look to Joel, entertained by him looking through a bunch of junk, Ellie turns to notice what you're looking at, “You forgot where you put your stuff.”

Joel shakes his head and denies, “No. I’m just zeroing in on it. It’s been a couple of years.” You lightly laugh, your shoulders slightly bouncing up and down as you do, “So, what? You’re using echolocation to look for it?” Joel only glances at you and sighs. Ellie smiles and says, “Okay, well, I’m gonna take a look around. See if there’s anything good.” Joel kicks something and replies, “Trust me, it’s all been picked over already.” Ellie hums thoughtfully, “Maybe, maybe not.” She makes her way to an open door and asks, “Is there anything bad in here?”

“Just you.” He retorts, and Ellie sighs, “Ah, getting funnier.”

Joel shoves something and it doesn’t budge, “Fuck.” You laugh again at his struggle, and he looks at you unimpressed, “Do you, by any chance know where it is?” You smirk, “Yep.” He raises his eyebrows at you, “Do you wanna, maybe, I dunno, help me?” You twist your mouth to the side, cross your arms across your chest, and look up, mockingly thinking, “Eventually.”

Joel sighs at you, one hand on his hip as he does, then he says your name in a low-pitched voice, and you smile innocently at him from across the store. “And why won’t you tell me where it is?” You shrug and playfully say, “I like seeing you struggle.”

Electricity fills the air and you feel the warmth on your face, his brown eyes have now turned a shade darker than usual, and you watch him breathe a little deeper. Your tongue darts out a little bit to wet your lower lip and feel your heart race wildly. He stands there confidently, you notice his salt and pepper hair, his beautiful tan skin, and how the lines under his eyes and forehead remind you of maps you wish to trace your fingers on as they stretch, and there are too many miles to count.

Wide-eyed in realization, you open your mouth, finding words to explain or excuse yourself but found none. Closing your gaping mouth, you quickly turn around to walk out of the store. Joel says your name, low and thick, you can feel the vibrations through your bones, it stops you in your tracks with your back facing him, “Where do you think your goin’? Turn around.”

You close your eyes for a second and try to quiet your beating heart, you follow his command, like a puppet on a string. “Where is it?” He asks as you feel his stare roam all over your body even from the large gap between you two, and you blink owlishly at him and out of breath, “Um, it’s at, um…” You clear your throat and try again, “It’s at the end of the aisle, underneath the newspapers.”

“Come over here and help me lift this shit.” And your feet move forward to the man who is now crouched down and waiting for you. You kneel next to him, and as you tilt your head to look at him, you are now inches apart and unknowingly even closer at heart. You shyly look down on the piece of wood hiding his stash, “You should um, probably open it.”

He says nothing in response and you watch as he pulls his knife out and slices through the wood to create a small gap to lift it off the ground. You help him move it to the side, fingertips brushing against each other, feather-light touches that ignite a fire within you. In the corner of your eye, you see him begin to dig through the supplies he had left behind. It then occurs to you that you haven’t heard from Ellie in a while, you look to Joel with a concerned look, “We haven’t heard Ellie in a while,” you whisper.

He nods and proceeds to call for her, “Ellie?” He receives no response and the worry expands in your belly. Joel gets up and so do you, this time you try to call for her, “Ellie.” Getting nothing as well. Joel pulls out his revolver and turns to you, “Wait here.” You nod and follow his request, he approaches the door, “Ellie?” and she walks out fine and unscathed, “Picked over, my ass.” She says holding up a box of tampons.

You let out a sigh of relief, even though you knew she would be fine, but the nagging voice in the back of your mind reminds you that things could change for the better or worse in any situation. Your being in this universe has an effect now, especially the fact you’re running around with the two main characters of this story. Whatever you say or choose not to say will have repercussions if you’re not careful. That’s something you learned the hard way.

Joel puts his gun away as Ellie shoves her find into her pack. He kneels down to put away the green toolbox and rifle under his stash, Ellie watches and asks, “What are you doing?” He responds, “There’s not much ammo out there for this thing. Makes it mostly useless.” You help him put the board back on and to no one’s surprise she tries to take advantage of the opportunity, “Well, if you’re just gonna leave it there…” Joel stands and you follow suit, he looks at Ellie sternly, “No.”

He turns to walk out of the store and Ellie follows after him, defeated. You watch the two go-ahead before glancing at the open door, knowing exactly what Ellie had found down there. Swallowing down your fear, you force yourself to keep going.

You continue to walk along the road, the clouds march on and the trees bow down to give their leaves, to offer you some shade along your journey. Walking by you see the wreckage of an airplane atop a hill, broken parts, and pieces scattered along the field. Ellie breathes out, “Holy shit.” The three of you stop walking to gaze at it fondly, “You fly in one of those?” The kid asks you and Joel, and he replies, “Few times, sure.”

Ellie is looking up at you, searching for your answer, and you give her a nod, “Yeah, a couple of times.” She brings her focus back to the wreckage and sighs, “So lucky.” Joel disagrees, “Didn’t feel like it at the time. Get shoved into a middle seat, pay 12 bucks for a sandwich.”

“Dude, you got to go up in the sky,” Ellie says, and you frown, simple things that got taken for granted, you knew all too well. “Yeah, well, so did they,” Joel says with dejection in his voice, then decides to keep moving. Something all he’s ever known. Ellie mutters, “Grim.”

“So everything came crashing down in one day?” Ellie questions and Joel nods, “Pretty much.” Ellie doesn’t settle for that and chooses to follow up with a, “How? I mean, no one was infected with cordyceps. Everybody’s fine eating in restaurants and flying in planes. And then, all at once? How did it even start? If you have to get bit to get infected, then who bit the first person?” She pauses, “Was it a monkey? I bet it was a monkey.”

You huff in amusement, “If it were a monkey, this wouldn’t have happened.” Joel looks at you then turns back to Ellie and replies, “It wasn’t a monkey. I thought you went to school?” Ellie frowns, “FEDRA school. They don’t teach us how their shitty government failed to prevent a pandemic.”

You flinch at her statement and think for a nanosecond, fuck. You hear your memories echo back to you. You snort and throw a careless joke, “Everyone would blame our shitty government and all the scientists. How ignorant must you be for it to happen twice?” Adam replies, “Well, all disaster movies start with a scientist being ignored.”

You painfully exhale and look to Ellie, parroting back the words you heard not long ago, “All disasters start with a scientist being ignored.” Joel and Ellie listen to you intently as you remember what had happened, and you continue on, “A scientist named Dr. Neuman sometime in the 1960s had feared this would happen. People laughed and brushed it off.”

You close your eyes and try and untangle the strings of memories and information about their world, “Your outbreak started in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 24, 2003. A flour and grain factory, on the west side of the city. The perfect substrate. A normal woman suddenly turned violent, attacked four of her coworkers, and bit three of them. They locked her in the bathroom and when the police arrived, she tried to attack them, and they shot her. The people she bit were taken for observation. You could imagine what happened a few hours later.”

You open your eyes to realize you had stopped walking and see Joel and Ellie analyzing the new information, you press on, “No one knows who bit her first, but there were fourteen coworkers missing. Possibly already spreading the virus. The cordyceps mutated because the world got warmer, and some of it go into the food supply. Flour was the case, and there were certain brands of food that were sold everywhere all across the country, and across the world. Bread, cereal… pancake mix.” You paused, unable to go on, so Joel picked it up from there and continued walking as he spoke, “If you eat enough of it, it’ll get you infected. So the tainted food all hits the store shelves around the same time Thursday. People bought it ate some Thursday night or Friday morning. Day goes on, they started to get sick. Afternoon, evening… they got worse. Then they started biting. Friday night, September 26, 2003. And by Monday, everything was gone.”

Ellie is quiet for a bit then nods, “It makes more sense than monkeys. Thanks.” Joel lifts a shoulder, “Sure,” while you only nod with the silence that you continue to carry. Joel raises his arm to stop you and Ellie, “What?” She asks him. He exhales, “We’ll cut across the woods here.” Ellie looks at him skeptically, “Isn’t the road easier?”

“Yeah, it’s just… There’s some stuff up there you shouldn’t see.” Joel says, the tone in his voice very fatherly. You look to Ellie expectantly, as she cheekily smiles at him and walks ahead, “Well, now I have to see.”

“I don’t want you to.” Joel comments disapprovingly, but Ellie marches on, and he grunts, “Serious. Ellie.” You follow after the two, and the young girl asks, “Can it hurt me?” Joel replies straightforwardly, “No.” She turns and walks backward as she talks to him, “You’re too honest man. Should’ve said ax murderer.” Ellie carries on walking normally, while you and Joel look at each other consciously, with full awareness.

You decide to take a risky leap, gently take his hand, and squeeze it reassuringly. His weary eyes are drawn to your linked hands, fingers interlaced like a beautiful zipper of prayer. Hands are the maps and compasses we use to navigate our lives. Some people read palms to predict the future but you read hands to predict the past. Every scar has a tale worth sharing. Each calloused palm and fractured knuckle represents a missed punch or years spent in a factory. Your eyes tell him, ‘It’s okay, let her know.’ And he seems to understand, giving you a short nod. Because, what is a girl if not a buzzing creature discovering what the world will take from her?

“Whatever it is, I think it’s gone,” Ellie yells out to you both, only to stop short moments after to look at the ditch below. Skeletons were jumbled together and littered the dirt. You and Joel reach Ellie, with hands still intertwined, she’s looking up at you both for an explanation. Joel emits a long, deep, audible breath expressing his sadness, “About a week after Outbreak Day, soldiers… went through the countryside and evacuated the small towns. Told you you were going to a QZ, and you were… if there was room.” He hesitates, “If there wasn’t…”

These people were wiped clean away, leaving only a wristwatch or a blanket. The only proof that they ever existed. Ellie feels out of sorts as she mutters, “These people weren’t sick?” Joel replies fixed and controlled, “No, probably not.” The girl nods while blinking away her melancholy and frustration she asks quietly, “Why kill them? Why not just leave them be?” You take a shaky inhale before responding, “Because dead people can’t get infected.”

Joel squeezes your hand in reassurance, and it grounds you from remembering what had happened that sunny day. How easy it was for the government and military to manipulate everyone into believing everything was under control. People that you trusted and elected for a hopeful cause only for them to betray you in the end. You tip your head up to Joel and he looks at your sparkling eyes, looking up at him searching for some kind of answer. But he gazes at you, with no answers, instead, is filled with promises. Because what is an adult if not a terrified being desperate to protect something you can't save?

AMHERST COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, LINCOLN, – NOON

You, Joel, and Ellie approach the electric fence gate surrounding the small town of Lincoln. The site is hauntingly beautiful, a white large house can be seen from a distance, while trees dance in the wind, you can picture this neighborhood having plenty of kids playing out on the street without a care in the world. As you approach the gate, there’s a number keypad attached to the side, he glances at you and Ellie, “Stay there.” He punches in the four-digit code and there is a high pitch ring, indicating that the passcode was correct, and the metal gate unlocks.

Joel opens the gate for Ellie to walk through first, and then you. He closes the gate behind him as he follows you both inside. The environment is suspenseful and suspiciously quiet, Joel places his hand on his revolver while noticing the wilting yellow flowers outside the house. He pushes down on the door handle, surprised that it was left unlocked, he removes his revolver from the holster and cautiously walks inside. Ellie mumbles, “What the fuck?” while Joel yells out, “Bill? Frank?” Your palms begin to sweat and you discreetly wipe them down on your pants, Joel turns to look at you and Ellie, “You stay there. You hear anything… you see anything yell.”

“What if they’re gone?” Ellie asks and Joel doesn’t respond, only looking at her before turning and opening the door to the kitchen. She sighs and proceeds to look around the house. A grand piano sits in the living room, and Ellie curiously presses on a bunch of keys to listen to the notes play. And then you spot it, head tilting, you carefully take the envelope and key that sat on top of the wooden table, and feel the sense of sorrow you knew followed you around like a shadow.

You look to Ellie who was staring at you expectantly and then hand her the letter. You didn’t need to read what you already knew. Your footsteps are heavy as you pull out a seat from the dining room table, and fold your arms atop the desk before bending your head down. Your muscles were aching and exhausted, while the pounding in your head decided to return for another round. Ellie pulls out the chair next to you and opens the letter, quietly reading it.

You hear Joel from down the hall, trying to knock and unlock the door of Bill and Frank’s room, but hear the front door shut from the wind. This causes him to jump and call out for you and Ellie. None of you decide to reply. He stalks down the hall and turns right to the dining room, to find you quiet and resting your head against the dining table with Ellie reading the letter.

“It’s from Bill.” The girl says, and Joel decides to holster his revolver again. She reads aloud, “‘To whomever, but probably Joel’. I figured I fell into ‘whomever.’” And then shrugs, “It came with this,” she pushes a key across the dusty table adjacent to her and he removes his backpack before tossing it to the floor. He grabs the key to inspect it and then states, “So they’re dead?” Ellie nods, “Mhm. You wanna…” Joel shakes his head no, “Go ahead. You do it.”

Ellie clears her throat before reading out loud the words you cried over for a good week, “August 29, 2023. If you find this, please do not come into the bedroom. We left a window open so the house wouldn’t smell but it will probably be a sight. I’m guessing you found this, Joel, because anyone else would’ve been electrocuted or blown up by one of my traps. Hehehehehehehehe.” She pauses in confusion but goes on, “Take anything you need. The bunker code is the same as the gate code but in reverse. Anyway, I never liked you but still, it’s like we’re friends, almost. And I respect you.”

You can already feel the flip in your stomach before you’ve even heard the part that would hit him the most, “So I’m gonna tell you something because you’re probably the only person who will understand. I used to hate the world, and I was happy when everyone died. But I was wrong because there was one person worth saving.”

And it all comes rushing back to you, the love story of Bill and Frank, a chance meeting that would have only happened during the end of the times. You quietly tried your best to sit up straight, but your posture is still drooping and sagging. Placing your elbows on the table, and folding your hands, interlocking your fingers, you closed your eyes and let your head rest against your hands. And when your eyes closed, your guards came down, tears freely flowed down your cheeks, mentally deadened, tired, and nauseous as you listened, “That’s what I did. I saved him. Then I protected him. That’s why men like you and me are here. We have a job to do and God help any motherfuckers who stand in our way. I leave you all of my weapons and equipment. Use them to keep…” Ellie stops abruptly, not wanting to continue.

Ellie purses her lips together in a line while Joel snatches the letter to read what she could not. To keep Tess safe. He swallows down his guilt and anger, “Stay here.” You open your puffy, bloodshot eyes as you hear him storm out of the house leaving the door open behind him. Feeling out of focus and indisposed, like a single loose thread that comes all undone. You curl one leg up to your chest and let your chin rest on top of it, and you can feel the snot dripping down your nose as you do. Bring the sleeve of your jacket, to wipe it off from your face, then use the palms of your hands to wipe the tears away.

But it proves useless as the tears continue to flow, Ellie silently moves to stand next to you and then gives an unexpected, but not unwelcomed, hug. You continue to cry harder, choking on every breath you take as you do, as you wrap your arms around Ellie’s waist and silently stroke your hair. Joel comes back to the house finding the sight of you broken and sobbing uncontrollably. Ellie only looks at him with saddened eyes, and a silent plea to help you.

You’re uncomfortably shattering into pieces, stitch by stitch it tears you apart, and a stained-glass variation of the truth leaves your brokenness on display. Joel walks behind you, unsure what to do or say, but he can feel the magnetic pull of wanting and needing to help you, quietly he asks you, “What do you need?”

He wouldn’t have heard it if it wasn’t incredibly silent if your voice hadn’t echoed off the walls, your voice hiccuping, so small and soft as you admit, “I don’t know…” But Joel does. Without question, Ellie gently lets go of you, to be replaced by Joel’s large arms wrapped around your shaking frame.

The seasons will eventually change, and you may choose to go into them shattered and busted, with stiff souls, wounded hearts, and raggedy spirits. But the tiny part of you will continue on because hope endures the agony of sadness; it does not require your protection or defense. For now, you will allow yourself to cry, sigh, and wish for things to be different in the comfort of the two people you’ve grown close with. Later, you will discover raw, wrung-out calm when you allow yourself to be human.

After a reprieve, you willed yourself to stop crying. You take a shaky inhale and be the first one to pull away from Joel. Sweaty, puffy, and slightly dehydrated, from the amount of crying you’ve managed to do in a small amount of time. You feel drowsy, exhausted, overwhelmed, and embarrassed. Rubbing your face with both hands, you heavily exhale and try to regroup yourself as you do.

Joel gently holds your wrist to reveal your face, he’s kneeling down in front of you, “You good?” Your eyes shift uncontrollably across his face, not able to focus on him properly but you nod anyway, you have to keep going, “Mhm, yes. I’m good now,” you said. He gives you a short nod and slowly pushes himself up to face Ellie who was quietly sitting down again, “Show me your arm.”

Ellie stands up and lifts her sleeve to reveal the bite on her arm already healing. Joel nods and says, “I just finished making a truck battery. It’s charging right now.” Ellie nods back, “Okay.” He continues on, “I have a brother out in Wyoming. He’s in some kind of trouble and I’m headin’ out there to find ‘em. He used to be a Firefly.” Ellie continues to silently nod, indicating that she was listening to him as he spoke, “And my guess is he knows where some of them are out there. Maybe they can get you to wherever this lab is.”

Ellie blinks, “All right. Listen about Tess…” But Joel shuts that down pretty quickly, he lifts his hand to stop her, “If I’m taking you with me, there’s some rules you gotta follow. Rule one, you don’t bring up Tess. Ever. Matter of fact, we can keep our histories to ourselves. Rule two, you don’t tell anyone about your… condition. They see that bite mark, they won’t think it through. They’ll just shoot you. Rule three, you do what I say when I say it.”

Joel looks at you pointedly, “Rule three applies to you too Hummin’ bird.” Your face scrunches up in annoyance and exclaim, “But I’m a grown adult!” Joel only lifts his eyebrows, “Do you know exactly what happens now from here on out? You ever lived in an apocalyptic world?” You move your eyes away from him and mumble defeatedly, “No, and just a few hunches and theories, I guess.” He harrumphs and looks at you and Ellie, “Are we clear?” He says. You both respond, “Yes.”Joel’s eyes narrow and says without smiling, “Repeat it.”

“What you say goes,” Ellie says and he looks to you for the same statement, “What you say goes, Cowboy.” He lets out a huff and shifts his weight to his other foot, “Okay,” he mumbles. The kid questions aloud, “So what now?” And Joel decides it’s time to start preparing, “We grab what we can.”

Loud footsteps are heard as the three of you descend the metal stairs, Joel flicks on a switch and the lights flicker open. The sound of the 80s playlist playing can be heard filling the room. Joel goes to pause it while Ellie takes a good walk around the bunker, and looks at the wall of guns, “Holy shit. This guy was a genius.” You laugh lightly at her comment, walk over to Joel’s side to look at the playlist and security cameras, saying “Well, under normal circumstances, this would be seen as paranoid.”

Ellie snorts in amusement and acknowledgment, she turns to Joel and asks, “Why was the music on?” Joel places his hands on the table and replies contemplatively, “If he doesn’t reset the countdown every few weeks, this playlist would run over the radio.” Ellie makes her way to the side of the monitor, she peeks at it and states, “‘80s.” He glances from behind him, not wanting to dwell on it any longer, and tells the kid, “Grab some cans from over there. Nothin’ dented or swollen.” She lingers a bit by the wall of guns on display and points at it saying, “Dude.” Only to be replied with Joel’s firm, “No.” Ellie exasperated, “There’s a wall of them.” He gives her one hard look and Ellie pinches her lips into a thin line, walking away to start grabbing the canned food.

Joel’s gaze turns to you, while you tilt your head to the side to look up at him, and you feel a question forming on the tip of your tongue, the way you hold your breath as you wonder if it’s even worth bringing up, you and him inches away from touching, lingering and wanting you to say something. Instead, you pull away from his malt-musing mountain gaze, away from the comfort of his warmth and inviting pull. Afraid of what this could mean, or the possibility you might wake up and find yourself alone again. To only find his ghost wandering in your kitchen, haunting you if this all turns out to be nothing.

“I’m gonna go, um, help Ellie.” You say pointing behind you with your thumb, and then stumble your way around the bunker to look for the young girl. He watches you leave his side, and if he could have one wish it would be to have more time. He’d like to stop the clock and make time stand still because this is just how he always wants to feel. To hear the way she stumbles when she answers, and just for a little bit, secretly, he forgets about his cynicism because he can't wait to see what happens next.

You three end up going through everything in Bill and Frank’s home. On the upper floor, you and Ellie look around the bedroom as Joel opens the door to a closet, pulls on the pull cord switch of the light, and grabs a box of women’s clothes in Ellie’s size and yours. You and her open the box and happily dig through the pile of clothes that had been left behind. Eventually, you settle on a basic white tee, a pair of cargo pants, new white socks, and a lovely maroon leather jacket.

All three of you decide to check on the battery, Joel turns the knob of the charger and grunts, “Needs another hour.” Ellie checks the faucet by the sink and turns it to the right and happy squeals, “They have hot water! I’m taking a shower.” She then looks to Joel who was busy sorting through the clutter, “And then you’re both showering. Because seriously…” And before walking away she makes a sound to signal you both that you reeked of sweat and more stench imaginable. She walks away to go back inside the house and leaves you both alone together.

Not knowing what to do or say, you give yourself a hug, arms folding in front of your middle, eyes darting to everything but him. Joel watches the way you shift around the bunker. He does not know what you are thinking, how you prefer your tea, if you take sugar in your coffee, or whether you like walking in the rain. He takes notice of the way you keep going just like he does, when you laugh it sounds like a melody he’s all too familiar with but there’s a different hidden note between each breath you take.

You are impossible. Impossible is admitting you came from a different universe, it’s also attempting to connect in this world, trying to hang on to others while everything around you is exploding. And yet you’re standing there in front of him, real and full of light. He does not want to believe it, he worries in his mind that he will destroy each and every part of you, engrossing darkness and bitterness he has accumulated for the past twenty years. Beginning on the day the world fell apart, when it took Sarah away from him. And the weight of the world was placed on his shoulders.

You begin to hum to yourself as you take a walk around the bunker and appreciate the lengths Bill went through to keep him and Frank safe. Joel finally gives in to the tug of war in his mind and asks, “What song were you hummin’ on the hike here, Birdie? I didn’t recognize the melody this time.” His question pulls your attention away from the wall of guns and you incline your head toward him, “Oh? Uh, just a song from my world, I guess…” He looks at you expectantly and you take it as a cue to continue, “It’s a song by Adele.” You said as you scrunched your nose a bit. A look of puzzlement crossed his face, “Who’s Adele?” he says. You slowly blink at him, “Damn, your world ended too soon and robbed you of Adele.”

The conversation continues on, it goes from books to favorite drinks, and bit by bit you’re beginning to piece together the man in front of you. It astounds you, how he kept going even when the world took away the people he loved. And later you hear Ellie yelling from the house, telling you both she’s done, you look to Joel and he tells you to use the shower first. You smile at him and give him a small thanks as you head up the stairs. The small talk you both had left him floating and hates that his mind continues to think about worse-case scenarios and look for emergency exits just in case. But is it courage or faith that he shows up every day? And maybe one day he won’t be afraid.

After the nice steaming hot shower, and changing into your new-ish clothes, you yell Joel’s name to tell him it’s his turn. He proceeds to go into the bathroom and you go downstairs to see Ellie messing with the piano keys, you gently tap her shoulder and she looks up at you with adorable eyes full of wonder, “Scoot over.” The kid moves and you sit down on the piano bench next to her, you mumble, “I’m surprised it’s still tuned after all these years.” Ellie’s ears perk up, “You know how to play?” and you tilt your head to the left, “Just enough to impress friends now and then.” She smiles, “Can you show me? Please?”

Your mouth pinches in thought, wondering which song you could play, “Hrm, I guess I could. But you might not recognize this piece of music since it was never released here.” She nods excitedly, “It’s no big deal. I need to hear you sing since you keep humming all the time.” You roll your eyes at that, “Okay, okay.”

You ready yourself, comfortably slouched, and your head down. Your fingers glide over the keys and you begin to sway as you play the starting notes of Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’. “When the rain is blowing in your face. And the whole world is on your case. I could offer you a warm embrace. To make you feel my love,” You sang softly as your fingers continued to dance over the ivory keys, your spirit became virtually an allure with each small sway of your head and body. Joel silently walks down the stairs, enchanted and allured by your melodious voice. He leans on the frame of the foyer, slicked back salt and pepper hair, and currently has the softest eyes for you.

“The storms are raging on the rollin' sea. And on the highway of regret. The winds of change are blowing wild and free… You ain't seen nothing like me yet.” You sang and the buildup as it developed into a slow roll that shattered into the souls of everyone who listened like a tremendous tsunami. Joel and Ellie were entranced by the enticing music emanating from your voice, resulting in a tranquil silence. The lyrics soared and swelled from the depths of your spirit as if everyone in that room could sense your hope and affection. Your love became their love, and the audience and singer became one.

“I could make you happy, make your dreams come true… Nothing that I wouldn't do. Go to the ends of the earth for you, to make you feel my love. To make you feel my love.” You vocalized and slowly stopped playing on the ivory keys, letting out a sigh of relief you turn to Ellie who is in awe of your talent and skill. “Damn, I wish we could bring this with us.” She says and you throw your head back in laughter, your shoulder moving as you catch your breath, “Joel would break his back carrying this thing.”

“You callin’ me old, sweetheart?” Joel says smugly, you and Ellie swiftly turn to look behind you, to find him relaxed, happy, and all cleaned up. You can feel your body begin to burn in embarrassment and attraction to the pet name he called you. Including the fact, he’s pulling off the wet look pretty damn fucking well. Ellie saves you from having to explain yourself and comments on his appearance, “Well, don’t you look pretty.”

That brings him back to reality and begins to become grumpy old Joel once more, “Shut up.” He mutters and then tosses her a stick of deodorant which she catches. The kid looks at it and comments, “Nice,” then proceeds to get up from the bench with you following after the both of them.

You make your way to the blue Chevy S-10, Ellie goes to the front passenger seat but Joel clicks his tongue, “Go sit in the back, Ellie.” She groans and as she was about to walk to the back of the Chevy you shake your head, “It’s okay, you can take it for the meantime, I suspect you haven’t been in a car before.” And Ellie is practically vibrating with joy as she hops inside the car, Joel looks at you from the rearview mirror and you give a thumbs up while Ellie continues to explore parts of the car, “It’s like a spaceship,” she says and you hide a laugh while Joel mumbles, “It’s like a piece of shit Chevy S-10 but it’ll get us there.” And after a moment he adds, “I think.”

Joel begins to put on his seatbelt and he tells Ellie to do the same, but she only gives him a perplexed look, which he then shows her and she clicks it in place while smiling, “So cool.”

He turns the key and the engine rives to life, Ellie opens the glove compartment and finds a cassette tape, he glances at her, “Would you leave it?” Ellie gives him a cheeky grin to slide it into the radio. “Put it back. Ellie.” Joel states in a serious tone. Linda Ronstadt’s ‘Long Long Time’ begins to play, the first ever song you hummed a couple of days ago. You look out the window to the left, Joel and Ellie converse as you tune out the rest of the world, only listening to the music. You hear the buzzing of the gate open and Joel drives into the open road, and the lovely voice of Linda Ronstadt reminds you that love will transcend into every universe, and the thought of that lulls you to gently close your eyes and let yourself fall asleep.

Previous Chapter -> Next Chapter

End Notes: (Idk do people read this? Btw this is lengthy since lol almost 10k words o-o)

Yes, Type 9 is The Runner-away-er of Conflict… hecking I had this whole argument planned out at first, all the yelling and fighting between the reader and Joel and nearly going through with that concept, but in the end decided against it. Because to me, it felt too soon. It wouldn’t progress the story forward, it would have just taken twenty steps back lmao. Joel is the type to keep going, to keep moving cuz he has to. So him reminiscing would be out of character and the reader getting mad and confronting him wOULD ALSO BE OUT OF CHARACTER LMAO

Anyways, as you read, I ended up giving them a moment to mourn and talk it out, because I felt like you needed to hear those words too. Do not throw away your life just to make someone happy. That’s destructive.

I tried my best to write about grief this chapter, and had to rewatch Episode 3 to put myself through the torture again hooray! Towards the end, you can see my writing become somewhat poetic(?) but honest. I didn’t want to extremely exaggerate it but just enough to hopefully make u cry a bit. If you did cry pls tell me, it tells me that I wrote okay enough for you to cry)

But I also wanted it to give you some hope and to remind you that you are a light in many people's lives I promise.

Furthermore, I lowkey procrastinated on this chapter, I was hoping it would be out by Wednesday but the new Hogwarts Legacy game has me in a chokehold so I 1000% got distracted!

OFF TO EPISODE 4 I GOOOO I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING UR COMMENTS MWA ILY <3

-Grace

TAGLIST:

@memento-mora @elijahssuit @tartiflvtte @lillylilly2 @kyuupidwrites @amethystwonder11 @syd-vixious @themysticmonstercturtles @kidkrow666 @soulofapatrick @ponyboys-sunsets @superflymaterial @chaotic-imposter @vainbimbo @eva-stark @loki-an-idiot @littleshadow17 @undermoonlightwalk @afternoon-evening @notmysunnydale @slurmp69 @gyllord @aerangi @mac5323 @friskynotebook @romans-roys @earth-to-lottie @chaotic-imposter @kodzuvk @hawkins-2000 @reallysparklychaos @trust-dreamcatcher @darkened-writer @memeorydotcom @welcomebackfelicia @rainbowpitofdoom @omg-its-typical-aesthetics-fan @marvelsimpcz @dorck26 @evienorville @munsons-queen @little-miss-bi @mxltifxnd0m

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ssinnerplazahotel · 4 months ago

Text

╭──────────.★..─╮

*Chapter Ten*

╰─..★.──────────╯

WC: 8k

Warning: 18+, age gap, smut, fluff, toxic elvis, manipulation, drug use, it’s the 50s/60s, painful-difficult-devastating-life-changing-extraordinary love

Pairing: elvis x black reader

Disclaimer: full of inaccuracies, inaccurate timeline, inaccurate depictions of Graceland, historically inaccurate themes and items

Masterlist: Prologue, Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Graceland hadn’t changed—not upon first glance anyway. There were several unfamiliar faces but amongst the bunch there was Dawn and Cynthia. No longer serving at the pleasure of The Presley’s but there to welcome you back to town after your brief MIA stint.

You hugged Dawn enthusiastically. She was thrilled to see you and Joel—you had talked several times but nothing compared to seeing her in person.

“How’d this happen?” She asked, referring to you and Joel as you sat next to her at the dining table.

“It just happened.”

“I followed her around until she agreed to marry me. She refuses to tell anybody that story.”

“Well look what the cat done dragged in.” Sonny appeared suddenly—Jerry and Red trailing along. “Just as ugly as the day he left.”

Joel stood to greet them before re-introducing you. “My lady.”

“My lady, I hate to steal your gentleman, but we have unfinished business to attend,” Red said, throwing an arm over Joel’s shoulder.

He started to say he couldn’t but you reassured him that it was fine.

“I’ll come check on you, I promise,” He said as they dragged him away.

You sighed after he was gone. “They’ve been up all night. I don’t know how they manage.”

“They manage.” Dawn chuckled. “So, how have things been? How’s Atlanta?”

“Busy,” You responded.

Dawn hummed, glancing past you for a moment before speaking again in a lower voice. “Why’d you come back?”

“Elvis invited us.”

“Things seem to be going well, you and Joel seem happy.”

“We are happy.”

“You don’t think being back here will stir things up? I mean knowing what we all know…”

You knew exactly what Dawn was saying. You hated that she was choosing to be the voice of reason instead of being happy to see you.

“Joel begged me to come, I didn’t want to. I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

“I am. But I don't want Joel to get hurt.”

“What about me?”

Cynthia appeared again, this time with Andrea. You froze for a moment but recovered quickly and forced a smile.

“Well well well." She grinned—she was as radiant as the last time you saw her. "Look who finally decided to show her face in these parts again."

"Andrea.” You stood to hug her.

"Mhm," She hummed, hugging you back. "I don’t appreciate you skipping town and never calling me again. You get too busy in the city and forget all about us?”

“No, I just…I was going through a lot,” You said. “I’m sorry.”

“I might be able to forgive you.” She took a seat at the dining table. “What’s this I hear about you marrying a white man? What’s the point if you’re only gonna be married in 19 states?”

“Drea,” Cynthia complained.

“Joel from Hawaii, right?”

“You remember him?” You asked.

“Yeah, he’s cute.” She took your hand and examined your ring. “Did you guys run away together or something?”

“No,” You laughed. “We ran into each at a restaurant.”

“Wow. If you bothered to call me at all I’d know these things.”

You started to apologize again but you were interrupted by Elvis’ voice as he approached the table.

“How are my girls doin?” He asked, walking past you to Dawn. He kissed her cheek and then Cynthia’s before leaning on the back of an empty chair. “Andrea.”

“Elvis,” She said—looking off with a bored expression.

“It’s been a long time,” He said, he seemed to enjoy the fact that she despised him.

“Sorry I didn’t come sooner,” She started. “I was waiting for a good hair day.”

He laughed shortly before his eyes found yours. You averted your eyes. He spoke again, addressing the table. “If y’all need anything you can let Nancy know, she don’t mind. And don’t let the guys bother you, they’re outta their minds.”

Cynthia and Dawn laughed, agreeing that they were indeed crazy. When he finally walked away his hand rested on your shoulder as he passed, sending a jolt down your spine. When you looked up Dawn’s eyes were on you—so were Cynthia’s. You felt like a spectacle.

“Somebody outta take him down a notch,” Andrea said with an annoyed eye roll.

“What’s he ever done to you?” Cynthia laughed. “Keep on blocking your blessings like that.”

“Oh, mama.”

“Don’t ‘oh mama’ me.”

You smiled as they bickered—they hadn’t changed.

Andrea snagged you from the table and the two of you walked around outside. You spent most of the afternoon catching up before she had to eventually take Cynthia home.

“I wish you could stay,” You said, hugging her. “They’ll probably be out all night.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Andrea said. “But I have an appointment tomorrow morning. Divorce court starts early.”

“I’m so sorry, Drea.”

“It’s for the best. We didn’t want to wait until we hated each other to get it over with.”

“I’m glad you’re in a good place about it.”

“Anyway, I have some errands to run.”

“I understand.” You smiled. “I promise I’ll call. Even if it’s every once in a while.”

“You better,” She said. “I mean it. I want to know what’s going on with you. And don’t forget to send me an invite to the wedding.”

Dawn left with Cynthia and Andrea. She didn’t bring up your brief conversation from earlier but you could tell by her expression that she still felt the same. She had no faith in you. You figured if you could go on avoiding him like you had been, the weekend would go by seamlessly.

You guys were put in the spare room upstairs—your old room. It felt like some kind of inside joke when Jerry helped Joel carry your things up.

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere, just downstairs.”

You forced a smiled in an attempt to hide your disappointment. “You’re gonna be out late, then?”

“No, probably not.” You wondered why he lied. “What?”

You noticed that you’d let your smile drop a bit. “Nothing.”

Joel gave you a look and stepped forward to wrap his arms around your waist. “Let me have it.”

“It’s just that…I’ll hardly see you this weekend and we’re going straight to Virginia afterwards so you’ll be wrapped up with work~”

“Oh, about that,” He started suddenly. “I talked to Bibby and he needs me to head down earlier than I expected.”

“Really?”

“I tried to get out of it, but you know how he is. He said he would let me leave early if I came ahead of time so I’m gonna head down in the morning and get it out the way before the weekend’s over.”

“When are we leaving?”

“I was gonna go tonight and meet you back here Saturday. I figured you could go spend some time with Dawn, she seemed happy when I told her you’d be over tomorrow.”

“You aren’t going to ask me how I feel about any of this?”

“I thought you’d be happy.”

All you wanted was to tell him to call everything off and take you home—but you didn’t want to ruin his time. You could get through the rest of the night, then you’d be able to escape to Dawn’s house.

“Hello?”

“Birdie?”

You froze when you heard his voice coming through the receiver. Your first instinct was to slam the phone back on the hook. You stared at it until it rang again, startling you when it did. You hesitated before picking it up again.

“Joel’s not here,” You said, moving to hang the phone up again.

“Don’t hang up,” Elvis said quickly.

“He already left.”

“I-I didn’t call to talk to Joel, honey, I called to talk to you.”

“You can’t…” You closed your eyes for a second and sighed. “I shouldn’t be talking to you while he’s not here.”

“Should I call when he gets back?”

“No.”

You heard him laugh on the other line, prompting you to roll your eyes. “You shouldn’t call at all. There’s no reason for you to talk to me.”

“Oh, well, I beg to differ.” He chuckled. “I think we have a lot to talk about, actually.”

“We don’t. I’m engaged.”

“I’m not trying to come between you and Joel.”

“Then what do you want?”

“You.”

You shook your head, falling silent as you tried to quiet the storm you had brewing inside.

“I want to talk to you,” He continued. “Is that alright?”

“No, it’s not.”

“I think you want to talk to me too, birdie.” His voice dropped and was suddenly drained of any humor. “It’s been a long time.”

“It hasn’t been long enough,” You said. “I don’t want to talk to you. I never want to see you again, Elvis. If you can’t understand that~”

“I do understand.”

“Then why won’t you leave me alone?” You asked, frustrated tears threatening to form in your eyes. “I’m happy. I love Joel and I love the life we’re building together.”

“Who are you trying to convince?” He interrupted. “I never said you didn’t.”

“You’re disrupting everything.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do.”

You laid back against your pillow with the phone to your ear. “Just tell me what you want.”

“I want to see you.”

“No.”

Silence settled between the two of you for a moment before he spoke again.

“You don’t have to,” He said. “I want you to, that’s all.”

“I can’t,” You whispered.

“Why?”

“Joel…”

He hummed on the other line, you couldn’t decipher his tone. “Well…I-If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“I’m not going to.”

“You don’t have to. I’m glad you came down this weekend anyway. Dawn really misses having you here.”

“Why are you trying to make me feel guilty?”

“I’m not, honey.”

There was another beat of silence before the line went dead.

You held the receiver to your ear even after he was gone, listening to the mechanic hum of the dial tone. You checked the clock on the dresser.

Joel would be halfway to his conference by now. He’d get to his hotel and call you by eight like he promised. He’d ask you what you were doing and you’d reassure him you were okay—even though there was nothing he could do if you weren’t. Then he’d talk to you for over an hour, hoping that the lengthy phone call would appease you while he was away. He’d promise to call every chance he got—he always did—before ending the call saying: “I love you, I’ll be thinking of your sweet voice all night.”

To which you would laugh and respond: “I love you too.”

You’d blow him a kiss through the receiver and say goodnight. It was the same routine every time he went away. You knew in your mind that going to see Elvis was a bad idea. You knew the effect he’d have on you—he knew it too.

You hung up the phone and sat up to grab your case of cigarettes from the dresser. You opened the case only to find it empty.

You felt the weight of your decision before you’d even made it. A crushing weight in your chest that only nicotine could combat. It was overwhelmingly unlike you. Despite the guilt already consuming you, you knew your mind was made up before you could talk yourself out of it. There were too many feelings swirling around inside of you, old and new.

You had hoped that, maybe, you could put that part of yourself to rest once and for all by going to see him that night.

You fidgeted anxiously, smoothing down the skirt of your dress as you waited in the deserted hallway. You knocked but grew anxious after waiting a minute or two and raised your hand to knock again. You hesitated before knocking in the same gentle pattern that you had used so many years ago. The door opened almost immediately and you were met with Elvis’ familiar eyes.

“Birdie,” He muttered with what looked like a genuinely shocked expression.

“E,” You said back. Your heart hammered rapidly against your ribcage as you stared back at him. “You weren’t going to leave me standing in the hallway were you?”

“I-I didn’t know it was you.” He chuckled, still shocked by your presence. “Come in.”

You stepped inside the room and watched him close the door. It was silent aside from the tv blaring loudly. The room was dim, lived in but tidy—just like you remembered.

“I didn’t think you’d show.” He walked past you to turn the tv off.

You stood still, fidgeting with the skirt of your dress. For a moment you felt disconnected from yourself and reality. When you looked back at the door you wanted to leave. You shouldn’t have been there.

“Don’t just stand there.”

You met Elvis’ eyes, shaking your head as you tried to process your emotions.

He met you where you stood and slipped his hand into yours. “I wanna talk to you, honey. That’s all.”

He led you over to the bed and kept a decent amount of space between you as you sat down.

“You’re quiet,” He said, shifting to face you. “That’s one thing you never were.”

“You called me here.” You pointed out. “You wanted to talk. So talk.”

“How can I? You’re ice cold.” He smiled as he spoke. “How d’you like Atlanta?”

“It’s alright. We like it.”

“You and Joel?”

“Yes.”

Elvis nodded, his expression growing amused.

“What?” You asked, instantly annoyed.

“Nothing, nothing. You seem different,” He said it as if he knew something you didn’t. He always made you feel like he understood you better than you understood yourself.

“I am different.”

“I can tell.” He looked away. Was he upset by the change he saw in you?

“Tell me what it is you needed to tell me.” You waited for him to respond. “E?”

His smile had faded and his expression was thoughtful now. “I should’ve gone after you.”

You remembered standing in the hall waiting for him the night you left. You remembered the inkling of fragile hope inside of you fizzling into nothing the longer you stood there—waiting for him.

“I shouldn’t have let you go.”

“It wouldn’t have changed anything.”

“If I had gone after you, you wouldn’t have stayed?”

“You know I would’ve stayed. I loved you.”

“I loved you too.”

You scoffed lowly, turning your head.

“What was that?” He asked.

“What was what?” You responded.

“That sound you made. You don’t believe me?”

“No, Elvis. I never believed you when you said that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“I think you want it to be the truth. But really you only ever said it to make me happy. Not because you meant it.”

“Why can’t you accept the fact that I cared about you?” He asked, narrowing his eyes. “I still care about you.”

“I don’t believe that,” You said. “I think you got what you wanted from me while we were together and that was it.”

“That’s what you want to think, birdie.” He looked upset but he didn’t sound angry. “You tell yourself that because you want to hate me. Because it’s the only thing that makes sense to you~”

“Don’t tell me what I want to think,” You said. “You used me, you know you did.”

“I never used you. I came to you because…” He fell silent, choosing his words carefully.

“Just come out and say it,” You insisted.

“You made me feel good. When I was with you, it was just us. Me and you. No acts, no games. You didn’t expect anything from me, and I didn’t have to worry about you taking advantage. When I talked to you, it felt like you actually gave a shit and I needed that. So if you call that using you, then hell, I guess I fucking used you. That doesn’t change the fact that you were important to me.”

You looked up as you warded off tears. You didn’t want to cry, you’d cried too many nights over him.

“You can hate me.” You tried to pull your hand away but he grabbed it anyway. “You can blame me for everything that went wrong, I don’t care. But don’t tell me I never loved you.”

“Don’t~” You started when he took your face between his hands, trying to avoid his touch.

“I’ve thought about you everyday since you left.” His eyes were intense—desperate and all too familiar. “I ask Dawn about you every time I talk to her~”

“Elvis~”

“You’re always on my mind, birdie. Always.”

Tears welled in your eyes despite your best efforts. You stared into Elvis’ sapphire eyes and shivered with nostalgia.

“There’s no future for us,” You whispered. “It’s not our story, E. You know that.”

“I’m not asking for the future,” He responded. “I’m asking for tonight. One more night.”

He closed the space between you in a tender kiss and the taste of his lips brought on a flood of memories. Memories that flashed in short, sweet successions.

Memories of long nights of laughter and love making. Memories of lust and sadness, passion and rage. You felt his arms around you when he held you the night your mother died. You felt the golden chain resting weightlessly against your collarbone as he secured it around your neck. You felt his lips against your skin as he kissed every inch of your body, praising your very existence. You felt the sparks of being in love for the first time, and the excitement that came with the feeling.

You pulled away from the kiss, alarmed at the sudden influx of emotions. You stood and walked away, rushing to the door in a desperate attempt to escape the version of yourself that you supposedly weren’t anymore.

“Birdie,” Elvis called after you, standing to stop you. “Baby, please, don’t~”

“I have to go.” The door was pushed shut before you could open it more than an inch.

“Don’t leave,” He said as he held it shut. “Please…”

You looked up at him with tears in your eyes. “I love him. He makes me happy, Elvis, he treats me well. He’s a good person, a-and…god, he adores you~”

“We’re not talkin about him.” He put his other hand against the door, caging you between his arms. “This has nothing to do with him.”

“I’m going to be his wife,” You argued.

“You aren’t tonight,” Elvis said. “Tonight we can…we can be who we were. We can feel the things we felt. And tomorrow, we’ll go back to being who we are.”

“Who are we?”

“Right now, we’re who we were.”

“Who were we?”

“We were in love. Weren’t we?”

Elvis slipped his arms around your waist, pulling you against him. You met his eyes and, for a moment, there was nothing. You looked at him and you felt like no time had passed. Like it hadn't been nearly a year between the time you saw him last and now. Your heart hammered wantonly against your rib cage and your body begged for him. There was a rush of excitement coursing through you that you hadn’t experienced since the day you left Memphis. It was exhilarating and it made you feel weightless.

“Why are you doing this to me?” You whispered.

“I need to feel the way you make me feel,” He confessed. “Just tell me you love me. You don’t have to mean it.”

“I love you…you know I mean it. But I can’t do this.”

“I think you need this as much as I do, you’re just afraid to let go.” His voice was low and tempting. “Don’t fight it, birdie.”

He hesitated before he kissed you again, his lips moving slowly against yours as you wrapped your arms around his neck. Nothing else mattered as he lifted you and carried you to bed.

All you wanted was to be close to him, to feel the desperation behind his touch. You knew you’d hate yourself for it, but you gave in to him completely—unbridled and unrestrained.

You undressed in a hurry, you couldn’t tell if it was an eagerness to be close to him or something else. You straddled him, wearing only your underwear as his hands roamed your body. His touch was familiar, and his lips tasted of nostalgia. You broke the kiss and gazed down at him. You wanted to know what he was thinking. You wanted to know if he was feeling everything you were feeling.

You felt like crying, suddenly overwhelmed. Despite him being right in front of you, you needed to know you weren’t alone.

“It’s okay,” He whispered when he noticed your tearsq. “I got you.”

He kissed you more gently than he did before, but you didn’t want him to. You didn’t want him to be gentle.

He kissed your neck, continuing to trail kisses down your chest and stomach before slipping his fingers under the thin band of your underwear. You breathed shallowly—stripped of your final piece of dignity. He ran a cold finger through your arousal and left a kiss between your legs. You tensed as you anticipated his touch. He wrapped both arms around your thighs and soon you were tensing with pleasure. Once upon a time he’d have you falling apart on his tongue with very little effort and in no time at all. You weren’t that girl anymore—you needed more. You let him have his fun before you rushing him along.

“Easy,” He complained, trying to slow you down.

“Do it now,” You persisted, ignoring his expression as you sat up and took the condom from his hand. If he was going to protest he stopped short when you pushed him back and straddled him, looking down at him beneath you. You leaned forward to kiss him but pulled away after a moment to tear the condom open. He swore under his breath, his hips canting at the stimulation as you rolled it on. You wasted no time letting him enter you.

“Goddamnit, birdie~”

“Don’t talk.”

He tried to meet your eyes but you refused. This wasn’t about him, it was about fulfilling something within yourself—you just didn’t know what it was.

He forced you still, lifting his hips to thrust slowly inside of you. You cried as the pleasure grew more intense. You felt yourself surrendering what little control you had of the situation—you didn’t want to. But the more that knot in the pit of your stomach tightened the less grounded you became.

“Slow,” He instructed in a whisper, freeing you to move on your own. You followed his instructions, meeting his deep thrust until you were trembling. Your fingers twitched around his neck and he nodded—you gave in and tightened your grip just enough.

He encouraged you to continue, his voice straining slightly as he met your thrusts.

You admitted defeat and leaned forward until your chest was pressed against his—letting him take control. He hugged you close, leaving you powerless as he thrusted deeply. He watched your expression the whole time, watching you fall apart.

It was all too much—his touch, his smell, the way his eyes bore so deeply into your soul that you felt connect by something greater than yourself.

It was an intense disaster that left you feeling breathless and completely spent.

You stared at the ceiling afterward, neither of you saying a word. The heat of the moment was gone and you were left with the cold, dreadful weight of reality.

“Don’t get lost, birdie,” Elvis said after a while. You turned your head to find his eyes on yours.

You shifted onto your side, facing him. “I don’t know why you call me that.”

“Birdie?”

“Yes.”

He smiled softly, reaching out and stroking your cheek. “Because you’re delicate, like a baby bird.”

“You think I’m weak.”

“No. I think you’re sensitive and emotional. But I don’t think you’re weak.”

“Sensitive and emotional,” You repeated incredulously, a smile forming on your face.

“It’s not a bad thing,” Elvis chuckled. “It’s what I love about you.”

Your smile faltered. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s the truth~”

“Please don’t say that.”

You sighed, closing your eyes as guilt started to form in your gut. You shouldn’t have been there, you shouldn’t have let things go as far as they did. But it was too late. The act had already been done and you would have to face the consequences.

You sat up, holding the duvet over yourself as you gathered your discarded clothes. “U-Uhm, can I use the bathroom?”

Elvis silently nodded in the direction of the bathroom.

You stood and scurried inside before closing and locking the door. You sighed, leaning back against the door. You tried not to let your mind wonder as you forced yourself to clean up and get dressed. When you left the bathroom you found Elvis dressed in a robe with his arms crossed.

“I want you to stay here.” You couldn’t make out his tone.

“I can’t.” You sat down on the end of the bed to put your shoes on.

“Why not?” He continued when you didn’t answer. “Running off won’t fix anything. Damage is done, you might as well stay.”

“I’m not running.”

“Yes you are.”

You scoffed and stood. “Don’t start, E.”

“I’m not starting anything.” He kept his arms crossed as he walked towards you. “I’m telling you like it is.”

“What do you want me to do, spend the night?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You got what you wanted, didn’t you?”

“Did you? What the hell were you expecting?” He asked, narrowing his eyes and stopping in front of you. “You’re a hypocrite.”

You looked up at him, your gaze unwavering. “I’m here because you called me. I don’t know, I guess I hoped you’d be different. But you haven’t changed at all.”

“It has to be exhausting making your problems everyone else’s,” He said with a patronizing laugh. “It’s everyone’s fault but yours, all the time.”

“No, this was my fault. I expect too much from you, I always have.”

“You’re forcing a fight because you regret what just happened.”

You shook your head, looking away. Elvis stepped closer and took your chin in his hand.

“I know you, birdie,” He said. “I know what’s going on inside that pretty little head of yours.”

“Then you know why I have to leave.” Your voice sounded feeble to your own ears.

“I know why you want to leave.” He nodded. “But I promise that leaving won’t make that thing you’re feeling go away.”

You were silent.

“Stay with me t’night,” He insisted. “T’morrow you can pretend this never happened.”

“I’ll never be able to pretend this never happened.” You sighed sitting back down on the bed.

He sat down next to you and put his arm around you.

“I’ve tried so hard to forget you,” You continued. “I can’t count how many nights I’ve stayed awake crying over you. Even after all this time, I can’t help but…You shouldn’t have this hold on me. I’ve finally gotten to a place in my life where you aren’t the first thing I think about in the morning and you show up and take that all away~”

He cut you off. “You don’t think I’ve had sleepless nights? I’ve worried about you every night since you left. I didn’t know where you were, if you’d gotten hurt. I couldn’t sleep until Dawn told me you were safe. And even then, knowing you were okay didn’t make it hurt any less. I loved you.”

“I have a life now.”

“Okay, how’s that going for you?”

“You don’t get to judge me.”

“If you feel judged, that’s on you. You came here because there’s a part of you that isn’t happy. If you were, you wouldn’t’ve jeopardized what you have with~”

“I am happy,” You stressed. “I’ve learned to love someone other than you. I have, and I do~”

“But?” He waited for you to continue.

You sighed in frustration. “Do you have to make me feel insane all the time?”

“I’m just tryna get you to face the truth.”

“I know the truth.”

“Okay.”

You closed your eyes and suddenly you felt him kiss your cheek.

“Stay,” He whispered against your skin.

“He’ll call to check on me,” You stressed. “I can’t.”

“He won’t.” If his words were meant to comfort you they had the opposite effect. He reached down to remove your shoes. After they were off he proceeded to strip you of your dress as well, leaving you only in your underwear.

You shivered as the two of you moved to lay on top of the unmade bed. You laid with your back against his chest, his arms wrapped securely around you. You laid in silence until you inevitably started to give in to your exhaustion. You fought to stay awake, to hold on to the moment for just a little while longer.

But soon, you fell asleep in Elvis’ arms…for the last time.

You woke the next morning to find a plain white envelope resting on the pillow beside your head. You lifted the envelope to read the name scribbled across the front.

Birdie.

You sat up slowly, searching the room with your eyes. You were alone. You opened the envelope to find a familiar necklace—holding two rings and a diamond-studded lark charm. You immediately folded the envelope shut and rushed to get dressed. You wanted to be out of the room in case he returned.

You needed to get out as fast as possible. You heard Elvis’ voice from the night before telling you that you couldn’t outrun the guilt you felt—but that didn’t stop you from trying. As you left the room, you left the envelope where it was. You didn’t want it, and leaving it made you feel better. When you walked out of the room you ran into Jerry, who had seemingly been waiting outside the door.

“Oh, hey,” He said, pushing off of the wall.

“J-Jerry,” You stammered, embarrassed.

“He asked me to make sure you made it back.” He interrupted.

“Oh…it’s just right there~”

“I gave him my word.” He interrupted again.

You nodded awkwardly. “Okay then.”

Jerry nodded his head in return. “After you.”

You turned and started walking back to your room. There was an awkward silence as he watched you cross the hall.

“Thanks,” You said when you got there.

“I’ll be around when you leave for Dawn’s. Just give me a shout when you go.” He turned to walk away without another word.

“J-Jerry,” You said before he left. “I’m sorry~”

“Don’t~”

“I know Joel’s your cousin a-and you shouldn’t have to be dragged into this~”

“Don’t apologize,” He said. “Not to me anyway.”

“I’m going to tell him.”

“You should.”

You shifted awkwardly. “I-I don’t want you to think~”

“I don’t think anything,” He said. “It’s a shame, of course but Joel…he’s just a kid.”

You were confused by his response. “Is that what you think?”

He shifted. “I wouldn’t have told E where he worked if I didn’t think he’d get over losing you.”

“What’s that mean? Was this some kind of set up?”

“No…this was always gonna happen.”

You were in shock as he walked away, he seemed completely unapologetic about his role in this entire situation. You felt like an idiot.

You cut the trip short for yourself and called Dawn to let her know. She was sad for you go and made you promise to call. You drove home in silence, the sound of your engine ticking the only thing filling the empty space. You heard Joel’s voice in the back of your mind scolding you for not driving the car enough and causing the tick. He’d pretend to be angry for a moment, then he’d smile and tell you he’d fix it. But only if you promised to “reward his generosity”.

Tears formed in your eyes but you forced them away. You tried to hold them in but ultimately failed when you walked into your house.

You were officially back to reality.

Tears blurred your vision as you showered, cleansing yourself of Elvis’ touch once and for all. You had a knot in the pit of your stomach, it hurt.

You crawled into bed and stayed there for the remainder of the day—well into the night. You didn’t move to eat or even to use the bathroom. You felt detached from yourself and everything else.

Seeing Elvis again, being with him…it made you realize that, maybe, everything you thought you outran had been with you all this time.

The ghost of him and your love had been haunting you since the day you left. It clung to you and showed itself in ways that went unnoticed. It showed itself in the way you loved Joel. It showed itself in the way you waited for your relationship to crash and burn—ignited by the fire you started, the fire you fed.

The ghost of your love for him showed itself in the way you second guess yourself. It showed itself in the way you never thought you knew what was best. Although you had grown to trust yourself more, there was still an infinitesimal part of you that you had every right not to trust. That part of you that was still infected.

You were haunted by him in everything you did. He saw that the moment he laid eyes on you again. He knew that if he called, you’d come.

A lifetime of observation could not aid you in explaining the things you’d do for Elvis Presley. He made you weak, being able to admit that didn’t make you hate it any less.

When the phone rang that night you let it go on ringing. You couldn’t force yourself out of bed in time to catch it anyway. You imagined it was Joel calling, shocked to hear that you’d left Memphis. You cried until you fell asleep. Startling awake from nightmares that you couldn’t remember the details of when you woke.

It was a miserable night filled with shame, regret, and fear.

“There you are.”

“You’re early.”

Joel smiled as you met him at the door, dropping his bags before engulfing you in a hug.

You laughed and returned the embrace. “I didn’t expect you until later. I would’ve gotten dressed.”

After spending the last day and a half lying in bed you had only just started getting ready..

“You look perfect.” Joel pulled away from the hug enough to look down at you. “I missed you.”

“You’re only saying that.” You adjusted his collar, avoiding his eyes. “Seems like Bibby kept you busy this weekend.”

“Not too busy to think of you.” He cupped your chin in his hand, tilting your head and kissing you.

You kissed him back, but something felt…off. You felt off.

“What’s wrong?” You hadn’t even noticed that he’d broken the kiss.

“Nothing.” You forced a smile. “I missed you too.”

You stood up on your toes and kissed him again before pulling away to grab one of his bags.

“Don’t worry, sugar, I’ll get it.”

“I got it.” You chuckled, picking up the smallest bag.

He grabbed his suitcase, watching you with an amused expression. “Don’t hurt yourself, now.”

You laughed, walking ahead of him into the bedroom. Before you could take the bag to the closet Joel was already wrapping his arm around your waist. He pulled you towards the bed, making you drop the carryall in the process.

You complained as he plopped down on the bed with you in his arms, your robe nearly coming undone. “Don’t do that.”

“Something I ain’t seen before under there?” He teased, laying on his side facing you.

“You surprised me, that’s all.”

“How was the trip back?”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry I left.”

“You couldn’t help it.”

He propped himself up on his elbow. “What’d you get up to while I was gone?”

You hesitated for a moment. “…Nothing.”

His eyebrows drew together. “You didn’t make book club on Sunday?”

“No.”

“Did you go to dinner with Sinclair and Marc?”

“No.”

He looked disappointed. “Well…why not?”

You shrugged. “When I drove back the car was making that ticking sound again.”

“I don’t like when you’re alone while I’m gone.”

“I was fine, Jo, honestly.”

“I know, still I don’t like picturing you by yourself all weekend.” He sighed. “It makes me feel bad.”

“Don’t feel bad,” You said. “I can take care of myself.”

His eyes were focused past you, his lips pursed.

“Baby,” You said, making him meet your eyes. “I promise.”

“I worry about you.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, putting his arm over your waist. “It’s okay.”

“The car is ticking, though.” You reiterated.

“It’s your fault for not driving it,” He said, a trace of a smile on his face. “You’re killing the engine.”

You smiled without effort for a moment.

“If you ain’t gonna drive it, I might as well let it go to shit,” He said, making you laugh. “I’m serious. Or sell it, one.”

“I take it out as often as I can,” You said. “You’ll fix it for me, won’t you?”

“Only if I’m generously compensated for my labor.”

“How will I ever repay you?”

“I have a few ideas.”

“…At least wash the airport off first.”

Joel laughed, kissing your cheek before going to shower. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” You promised as he disappeared into the bathroom. Your smile faded slowly as that feeling returned, that guilty feeling. You had hoped it would go away when Joel got home. You’d hoped that if you tried, you could move on and forget the whole thing ever happened. But his presence seemed to have the opposite effect.

The feeling was growing more intense.

No matter how hard you tried to ignore it, it was still there. It made everything feel different, even as you made love that afternoon. If Joel noticed that something was off he didn’t say anything. He held you like he usually did and made you laugh as he told you about his trip. You couldn’t keep up as he jumped from story to story, your mind was too preoccupied by the secret driving a wedge between the two of you. As you listened to him, you wondered if he noticed.

“I told him I’d deal with it tomorrow.” You tuned back in to what he was saying. “I’m technically supposed to be off for three days after traveling jobs but he’s up a creek with this one.”

“You’re always there for him,” You said. “He’s lucky to have you.”

“I guess.”

“No, he really is.”

He laughed a little, kissing your bare shoulder. “I love you.”

You don’t deserve him.

You closed your eyes. “I love you too.”

“Let’s go out tonight,” He suggested.

“I was going to cook.”

“I want to take you out.”

“Do you think I’ll go insane if I don’t leave the house?” You asked, looking over your shoulder.

“No.” He smiled. “You should get out anyway.”

“I guess I’ll get ready.”

“Ten minutes.” He tightened his grip on you. “I don’t wanna let you go.”

“Five minutes.”

“Fifteen.”

“That’s not how negotiations work~”

“Fine, I guess twenty will just have to do.”

You laughed as he threw his leg over yours for good measure. “Is this why you’re Bibby’s top sales negotiator?”

“Yeah, I just hold folks down until they give in,” He said. “It’s working, isn’t it?”

“It’s working,” You chuckled, laying your head down. You’re a liar and a cheat. You don’t deserve him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He kissed your shoulder again. “I love love you.”

“Love love, huh?”

“Love love love, even.”

“That’s just overkill.”

He laughed. “There’s no such thing when it comes to you.”

You don’t deserve~

“I love love love you too.”

You had to tell him. You knew that was the only way to put an end to the guilt threatening to consume you.

You couldn’t eat, you couldn’t sleep, you were anxious all the time. Keeping a secret of that magnitude wasn’t an option—it was killing you.

Things had been going so well. Convention season was over, Joel was home more often and you were happy. As happy as you could manage to be. You tried to find a moment to break the news, but there was no such thing as a good time in this situation.

Joel had been working all morning when you decided to bite the bullet. You figured it would be the best since he didn’t have work for a couple days. Not that having time off would make it any easier on him. You were grasping for any reason to either put off or justify telling him. There was no right time or place.

You were pacing in the kitchen when he got home, a worried look on your face.

“Hey,” He said, meeting you.

“How was your day?”

“It was a day.” He sighed tiredly, kissing your cheek. “Bibby’s secretary—his cousin Marcy, you know her—she got something mixed up with the books. He doesn’t think they’ll break even unless we get a few more cars off the lot before the end of the month. He wants me to come back today and help him. He said he’d call but I think I’ll just go.”

You deflated before you could think not to.

“Is that okay?” Joel asked. “I don’t have to, I was just tryna help if I could~”

“N-No, it’s fine.”

“What’s wrong?”

You shook your head. “Nothing, it can wait.”

“Can it?” He asked. “You look upset.”

“I’m not.” You lied. “It’s fine.”

“Tell me.” You stepped back when he reached out for you. “Baby, what is it?”

“I’m sorry,” You said, leaning against the counter behind you. “I-I’ll tell you later.”

“I want you to tell me now.” He insisted. His expression grew more concerned when he saw the tears forming in your eyes.

“I’m sorry,” You repeated. “I’m so sorry, Joel.”

“Why are you crying?” He asked, stepping forward and putting his hands on your shoulders.

You met his worried eyes. “I-I…I had an affair.”

He didn’t hear you at first and he ducked his head when you looked away, trying to meet your eyes. “You what?”

“I had an affair,” You stated more clearly.

He looked confused when you looked up. “…With who?”

You swallowed harshly, you didn’t want to say it, but you forced it out. “E-Elvis~”

The phone rang, startling you. Joel was frozen for a moment before he pulled away from you to answer.

“H-Hello?” He turned his back to you. “Bibby, I…yeah, I-I know, I can be there if you just give me half an hour…Just~ yeah….yeah. For fuck’s sake, Bibby, okay.”

He slammed the phone back on the hook, standing there without moving.

“Joel~”

“Don’t…don’t say anything to me.” He walked away, towards the bedroom.

You followed him with a string of futile apologies leaving your lips. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me~”

“Elvis Presley.” He stopped suddenly and faced you. “You had an affair…with Elvis fucking Presley?”

“I can explain~”

“Who are you?” He looked angry, but hurt shone through his expression more clearly.

“It’s me, Joel.” You reached out for him but he avoided your touch. “I’m me.”

“Have I not done right by you?” He asked, stepping away from you. “Have I not done everything I could~”

“You have~”

“When?”

You fell silent, frozen. You felt like cowering under his gaze.

“When?” He demanded.

“When you were in Virginia with Bibby.”

“As soon as I left?”

“N-No~”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t say you don’t know!” You startled in surprise at his sudden change of tone. “People don’t do this kinda shit for no reason.”

“I-I d-don’t know,” You stammered.

“Yeah, okay.” He walked away. “You don’t know? Alright, fine.”

Joel had never yelled at you in all the time that you’d known him. Even when you argued he’d never raise his voice.

You did this.

This was your fault.

You snapped out of your shock and followed him to the bedroom. You found him in the closet pulling his clothes off the rack by the hangers. “Please don’t leave.”

He scoffed, throwing the clothes onto the bed before dragging his suitcase out of the closet.

“Please,” You cried. “I’m s-sorry, I-I’ll~ I can explain.”

He zipped his clothes into the suitcase haphazardly. “I don’t want to hear anything from you. I don’t even want to see you right now.”

“It was a mistake. I regretted it as soon as it happened.”

“But it happened.” He stopped for a second. “It fucking happened.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not okay.” He lifted the suitcase off the bed.

“Don’t go,” You continued to plead as you followed him out of the room.

“I have to.” He stopped at the front door and looked at you. “I have to go because I told Bibby I’d be there, and when I make a commitment, I honor that commitment.”

“I know~”

“It doesn’t matter what you say,” He said, the anger behind his voice already fizzling out and turning into hurt. “I love you, I trusted you, and you…It’s always been him, hasn’t it? Since the day you left Memphis.”

“No~”

“You left because of him.” He sounded so sure. “This whole time, I’ve had this feeling—since we met in that restaurant. This feeling that you were hiding something~

“No~”

“~I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t care, because I loved you. And I thought you loved me~”

“I do love you,” You insisted.

“But you love him too…don’t you?”

The tears you wanted to cry finally formed in your eyes. “I love you, Joel. I only want you.”

Joel nodded, balling his lips as tears threatened to form in his eyes. “I just don’t believe you.”

Your stomach dropped when he turned to leave. The thing you had feared the most was happening and it was your fault.

He was leaving you.

You spoke through a broken sob. “I-I know I messed up a-and it’s my fault. I hate myself for h-hurting you, Joel, I just~ I-I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

The room was silent for a moment aside from your sniffling. You felt Joel move towards you and you stepped away. Of course he’d comfort you, even now when you least deserved it. He took your wrists and pulled your hands from your face. You kept your head down as he took your face in his hands and thumbed away the tears.

Everything was caving in on you and you had no one to blame but yourself. Things were going so well. You were happy, you were in love, and you ruined it.

You ruin everything.

Joel shocked you by tilting your head back and kissing you. You gripped the front of his shirt, tasting your own tears on his lips.

He stopped suddenly and met your eyes—tear stained and full of shame and regret. He pulled away as if he’d come to his senses all of a sudden. Without so much as another, he turned around and picked up his abandoned suitcase—leaving you there alone and completely shattered.

#elvis presley #elvis smut #elvis x you #elvis imagine #austin butler #elvis fluff #elvis presely smut #black reader #elvis x black reader #the bikeriders #50s elvis #austin elvis imagine #austin!elvis x reader #60s elvis #interracial love #elvis #elvis x reader #elvis x y/n

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yall-batman-fanfic · 1 month ago

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A Promise Across Time | Bruce Wayne/Batman x Magician!Reader ft. Justice League Dark (Part 2/3)

Synopsis: Trapped in time, Bruce slowly regains his memories and leaves traces in history as he is constantly pushed through different timelines leaving traces for Vivian to find.

Vivian refuses to accept what has happened. She has gone through books and books of witchcraft that she was locked up and long forgotten to find him, and watching her go down this spiral were the rest of their family – Dick, Jason who came home as soon as he heard the news, Tim, Damian, Cassandra, Barbara, and Stephanie. All who have been trying to help her grieve but the woman was inconsolable.

At one point, Dick tried to pull her away from the books and keep her away from going to the realm of the dead to find Bruce and she told him, “What’s the point of all this power if I can’t bring back the person I love? If I had this power when they took you – each of you – from me,” she turned to her sons who she had witnessed die and return, “I would have done the same. I would have gone through hell just to get you back.”

And she has. She has gone for Jason; she went to hell to find him only to come back when she was forced to come back.

But they knew Bruce wouldn’t want her to go through that spiral again, so Jason pulled her away from the books and trapped her in an embrace, he didn’t let her go even when she fought. She didn’t use magic though, she never used her magic against them, so she fell into his arms and sobbed.

Vivian fell asleep in his arms then, tired and sad. Jason brought her to bed and stayed at her side the entire night. Alfred came with his dinner and a blanket to use, but just as Jason finished eating, Dick called for him to meet.

“Alfred and Ace would watch her,” Dick said to Jason just as the dog walked in the room and snuggled beside Vivian. “We all need to talk.”

They went to the Batcave where the others were already waiting.

“What’s this about, Dick?” Jason asked.

It was Tim who spoke. “Crimerate has gone up since last week. And it’s been three weeks since Bruce’s death. Gotham’s syndicates have now noticed Batman’s absence.”

“And? We haven’t stopped our patrols,” said Jason.

“Gotham needs Batman, Todd,” Damian said, coldly. “The Robins alone cannot keep the scums in line. They need something to fear.”

“Then be scary.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“The hell it’s not? If Gotham needs Batman then be Batman.”

“That’s why we called everyone here – Cass, Barbara, Steph, Duke, Kate. To decide.”

Jason scoffed. “You all act like it’s not obvious. Do you really think Bruce would ever give me the cowl?! Should I give you a refresher on the history of my relationship with our father?”

“Jason,” Dick tried to stop him.

“There’s no question about it — everyone knows, Dick! You just don’t want it. It’s Dick. The first Robin. The first son. It has always been Dick.”

“That’s not –”

“I don’t care who the fuck you want to wear that cowl. I have my own thing going on. And I don’t give a shit about it now either. If you haven’t noticed but Ma needs us right now and we’re here talking about who is gonna be Batman.”

“Gotham needs Batman, Jason,” Barbara tried to reason with him.

“Tell him that,” Jason pointed at Dick. “I’m going up stairs.”

“Jason, wait! We’re not done… talking…” Barbara sighed. “Cass, where are you going?”

Cass looked at them and said, “Mom.” and went up after Jason.

Tim sighed loudly. “Despite the emotionally driven point, Jason is right, Dick.”

Dick’s frown deepened as he looked at the uniform on the mantle. “The burden of a legacy unwanted,” he muttered.

“What did you say?” Duke asked.

He shook his head, “Something Vivian once told me. If I’m going to do this, I want to make it clear that I’m doing it for Vivian and for Gotham, not Bruce.”

Kate chuckled cynically, “As long as you’re fighting for something. If this meeting is done, we have work to do. Before Bruce died we have been training to work more as a unit than as individual fighters. For the past few months your coordination with one another has improved. With the new dynamics – with Dick now being Batman, Jason not in the field tonight – we’ll need to rearrange our tactics.”

“What about Cass?” Duke asked.

“She’ll come down when we call for her. It’s your call now, Batman,” Kate turned to Dick.

Dick turned to the monitor and saw the numerous security footage that showed the crimes around Gotham. “Suit up, we’ll head out once everyone’s ready. Spoiler, get Orphan.”

“You sure that we don’t need Jason tonight?” Tim asked.

“Does it sound like he’ll be listening to a word we say tonight?”

“I guess you’re right about that…”

~*~

The Bat Family managed to keep the crime rate from going up for the next few weeks with their rigorous work, nightly patrols, and cases they closed by bringing more and more criminals to GCPD and some to Arkham Asylum. Eventually, Jason rejoined them and took on patrols. While all of that happened, Vivian was forced to return to work. She forced herself to come back as her family needed her now more than ever and because lawyers were now banging on their family home asking her to sign on papers.

After they made a story about Bruce’s going missing due to some accident while flying his jet, lawyers have come to their home with documents for Vivian to sign as his wife, and according to his Will his inheritor of all estates, and it will be up to her to decide how to distribute their assets to their children. But she has refused to see them for the past weeks, still grieving.

Alfred and Lucius have been keeping them at bay for her but it won’t be long until she can no longer put them off. But she kept reminding them that Bruce is not yet declared dead so they should back off.

Returning to work, Vivian received many condolences from her colleagues and students. Classes were not the same, and she has been a wreck. She would hide in the bathroom to hide and try to control the heartache whenever she would think about him or whenever she would find her wedding band and engagement ring.

And who knew her return would bring her to a discovery that brought chills down her spine.

It was during the long hours she spent on campus. Vivian stayed longer than she should at campus that day to grade some papers she neglected, and was just now catching up with the latest papers her students wrote. One in particular had her do a double take as she read about the symbol of the Batman that was worshiped by a tribe of Neanderthals, and was later worshiped still in the 17th century by pilgrims.

“Is this a joke?” Vivian muttered as she furiously read the paper. If it was a joke it wasn’t funny.

She was about to toss the paper into the pile until she saw a quote in the paper that had her from doing so. It was an excerpt from a man named Bruce in 17th century Gotham, and he wrote in a diary about the legacy of the Batman throughout the ages:

One moment does not define a person's life. It's the journey they made, the memories they leave with those who mourn their passing. And to have someone to mourn you means you have lived life as it is meant to be.

Vivian jumped from her seat upon reading it. She said those words on their first date. He jokingly accused her about reading it from a book but she didn’t. Those were her words, and she remembered Bruce writing it down in his journal.

It can’t be.

Grabbing the paper, not caring if she crumpled it in her hands, Vivian marched to the library, startling the student assistant behind the circulation desk that time.

“Professor Pryor?” The student called for her, confused.

Vivian approached him. “I… I need access to this journal,” she showed him the citation of the quote. “Please. It’s important.”

“Right this way, Professor.” The student brought her to the very back of the library and to the machine where they kept their digitized archives of sensitive materials that can no longer be contaminated by human touch. After finding the right folder, the student gave the seat to her. “Just click that to head to the next page.”

“Thank you. I’ll be alright now, thanks.”

“No problem, Professor.”

Once the student assistant was gone, Vivian checked the quote’s citation on the paper and looked for the page mentioned. She scrolled through the numerous pages and journals, finding the author’s penmanship to be even more familiar as time passed. Then there were sketches of a bat symbol, and then of a woman with red hair, then a locket. Her locket. Then she found the page. The two page spread that had the portrait of the woman with red hair.

It was her portrait.

And beside it was the journal entry.

… I remember more as her face becomes clearer. This time, I remember a beach. She wore an emerald dress. And spoke with deep meaning about life and legacy. My Vivian, I swore to never leave your side to save you the pain of grief because I know grief all too well. I have broken that oath but I have been studying the legacy of the Bat that has been haunting me for years, giving me glimpses of time from centuries passed.

All giving me answers to return. I have spent too long here, but if I were to disappear from here again and be pulled to another world. Follow the footprints I leave.

If you cannot then know that I have lived a life of happiness with you and our children.

Let not my passing define your existence. Remember the joy and live.

“Bruce,” she whispered as she read the entry. With shaky hands, Vivian reached for her phone and took a photo of the page then called the first person she could think of. It took two rings before the answered.

“Mama Bird, are you alright?”

“No – yes – I don't know,” Vivian was near to tears as she looked at the clipping again. “I-I need you to come here to campus.”

“A little busy here.”

“Dick, please… I know I haven’t been the here, that I left you to do this on your own. Please, I need you right now, and it will be the last. I promise, kiddo. I'll… open a portal for you, just come here. But just you for now. No. You and Tim.”

“Okay,” Dick said. “I'll have to get to Red Robin first. I'll give you a call when you can open a portal for us.”

“Okay. Thank you, son.”

Ending the call, Vivian waited, and while she did, she read through the journals. Taking notes on her phone on specific dates, locations, and going through different clippings that could help her not sound like an insane person.”

The call came, and using her magic, she looked for Dick and Tim and opened a portal for them. Batman and Red Robin passed through the portal with ease, both looking like they had a long night.

“What is it?” Dick asked.

“I know it might sound crazy but please keep an open mind,” Vivian handed him the paper she was grading. “This was written by a student of mine, I need you to skim through it. Both of you.”

They did, and the further they read the more their brows furrowed until Tim couldn't hold it in anymore, “is that – is — are they referring to some prehistoric Batman or something?”

Vivian nodded. “There, that quote.”

“One moment does not define a person's life. It's the journey they made, the memories they leave with those who mourn their passing. And to have someone to mourn you means you have lived life as it is meant to be,” Dick read.

“I said that to him – to Bruce,” Vivian whispered. “And look at these,” she gave Dick and Tim the seat to the Digitized records.

“The penmanship,” said Dick.

“And the choice of words,” Tim added.

“Not to mention the repeated drawings of Vivian and the Bat-symbol… and,” he froze when he saw a familiar phrase Vivian told him. “The burden of a legacy unwanted.”

When the two boys froze at the sight of it, Vivian spoke. “I know that I seem insane. And I don't blame you both if you think that I am. I haven't been the same since Superman and Wonder Woman gave the news, and I am so sorry for leaving you both with the burden to keep this family whole and for keeping Gotham from destroying itself. And I understand that you will never forgive me but I am telling you… it's him. It's Bruce. And I think this is his way to reach out to us from wherever he is.”

“When is more fitting,” Tim said. “Because he doesn't seem to leave Gotham at all. He's just going through different times.”

“If this is the case we need to tell the Justice League,” Dick got up.

“You don't think I'm crazy?” Vivian whispered.

Dick and Tim turned to her with raised brows.

“Of course not,” said Dick.

“Viv, we've seen aliens, died and came back to life, have seen gods and the list of goes on. Time traveling is probably the least problematic one on the list right now. Or at least the most sensible one for his disappearance.”

“Besides, we kind of believe if he did die, he would be haunting the Manor and keep any prowling suitors away from you. I mean, come on, a widowed billionaire? Who doesn't want that?” Dick joked. When he saw tears fell from her eyes, Dick pulled Vivian to his embrace and held her. “It's okay, Vivian. You have seen so much death in a lifetime. We all know how you and Bruce mean to each other, and we know how his loss affected you so much.”

“I'm so sorry, Dick,” Vivian cried. “I left you to pick everyone up. I was so selfish – I wasn’t the only one grieving him.”

“It's okay, Vivian,” Tim smiled sadly. “Hey, we're gonna get him back. You can stop crying now.”

“To have all the power of life,” Dick said. “We know how frustrating it must be for you to have all of that but can't save the people you love. And I don't want you to think that I won't be here when you need me. I'll always be here for you, Mom. Always.”

Vivian held her eldest boy and thanked him for everything he's done.

~*~

When Dick informed the Justice League about where they found Bruce, they immediately had Vivian brought to the Watchtower to consult in the matter, along with the research she and Tim and the others have created to track down Bruce's whereabouts through time. Arriving in the meeting room wearing the red coat she's been donning whenever she would be called to consult for the JLA, Vivian placed their research onto the monitor where a long timeline showed with photos of journals, paintings, and clippings that showed symbols of the Batman, portraits of Bruce, and portraits he drew of her.

The news came to Superman and Wonder Woman, and the other Leaguers as a shock. If that was the case then they should have stayed there and found a way to look for Bruce. Instead it took them months to find him and it was all because of a coincidence when Vivian was working on her students’ papers.

“Now that we found him, the question now is how do we get him back?” Superman asked. “Flash?”

Flash frowned. “I can't say for certain if I can bring him back here. And if I do, based on those journals, Bruce's consciousness is also aligned with that timeline. I don't know what will happen to him if we bring him back my way.”

“If science can't bring him back, then it's time we do it with magic,” Vivian summoned the seals and cast the incantation. A portal opened and stepping out was John Constantine.

“Save me back there from losing, Vee,” John said as he came through, dusting his coat and smoking a cigarette. As soon as he saw Vivian and the state of her his smug smile fell and he brought her to an embrace. “I heard what happened. I'm sorry, love.”

“We found him, John,” Vivian told him. “We found Bruce.”

John turned to her boys and said, “I told you to keep her away from black cats, and water, and live wires!”

“We did. And she found him not in that way,” said Dick who was in his Nightwing uniform. “Batman is stuck in another time.”

“Say that again?” John went to the table where a hologram of the journals and the timeline were and studied their research. “So, Darkseid sent the Bats back in time and he's been thrown around it like a fucking ragdoll. Nice work, by the way?” He turned to Vivian. “How sure are you that this is him?”

Vivian swiped to the left and the monitor showed the timeline moving until she stopped it at the journal entry she found in the library. “I said that to him on our first date.”

“The portrait was already proof but I guess the quote as well, and the fact there are hundreds of Bat symbols around. And based on this, he has no memory of who he is.”

“Yes,” Vivian answered. “But he's regaining his memories, John. Everyday he writes and it's like he's telling us that he remembers.”

“He's sending signs. He knows that one day his bookish-wife would come across these in the future and find him. Smart. But I'm not so sure if you notice but there is a problem. Bats is speaking like a fucking character in Shakespeare's play.”

“He’s speaking like a 17th century pilgrim,” said Tim. “Because he is in 17th century at the first settlement of Gotham.”

“Same thing.”

“It's not,” Vivian and Tim muttered.

“Why do you think the Bats is talking like Romeo, o Romeo?”

“We think his consciousness is also trapped in that certain period,” said the Green Lantern.

“We still don't know how this has happened,” said Wonder Woman, pertaining to Bruce's lost consciousness.

“Right. If science cannot answer, then that's where magic comes in, right?” John said. “Considering the facts that have now, we can't just drag his Shakespearean arse back here. What we need is to cleanse whatever he has inside that's pulling him through those timelines and is keeping his memories in shambles before we drag him back to the present.”

“When you say drag him,” Dick began.

“If he puts up a fight, Viv and I can just knock him out, do the magic and literally drag his arse through the portal. Easy.”

“Hold on, the way you're saying it,” Superman massaged the bridge of his nose. “Are you saying you two will go back in time to get Batman?’

“Only logical plan now.”

“Nothing is logical about this – what if you get stuck in there? We don't have a backup plan for that.”

“Call Zee, she'll know what to do.”

“Why not just have one of you go there?” Flash asked. “And the other one keeps the portal open.”

John pointed to Vivian. “She's out of practice. I don't have the cleansing fire-magic of the cosmos. She has the cleansing fire-magic of the cosmos. I'll be there to teach her so she doesn't cook husband. Any questions?”

“I'll go with you,” Damian spoke. “For protection.”

“No, you're staying here with the others,” Vivian told him. “Gotham needs you. All of you while Batman is missing.”

“And who is going to protect you while you're there?”

John looked at them with an incredulous look. “What, you think I'm just for show? Mind you, I don't have the no killing rule pulling my conscience. She's safer with me than with your sticks and yo-yos.”

The Robins didn't appreciate the comment but for Red Hood who shrugged and asked, “What do you need and when do you leave?”

“I'll just need the Eye of Chronos.”

“Whose eye?” Tim asked, quite concerned.

“Technically it is an eye, but it's no longer attached to said god. So, no mutilation will be made, and calm down boy scout,” he told Superman. Turning to Vivian, John held her by her shoulder and asked, “Are you ready for this, Vee?”

“I want Bruce back, John. If this is the way then yeah, I'm ready,” said Vivian.

“Great, let's go!” John opened the portal. “Lucky for you, I just won the Eye of Chronos in my last poker game with some demons from Hell. I'll get the Eye now, wait for me here.” Outside the Watchtower, Vivian saw the House of Mysteries floating about, and John disappeared from where he stood.

Turning to her sons, Vivian brought Damian to an embrace first then held Tim's hand. “I'll be back before you know it, and I'm bringing back Bruce with me,” she said to them.

“We know,” Dick smiled and brought her to an embrace. “We'll take care of Gotham while you're out there playing Doctor Who.”

Vivian laughed. It was the first time she laughed since Superman and Wonder Woman gave her the news about Bruce's supposed death. Getting on her toes, Vivian placed a kiss on Dick's cheek and said, “Thank you, kiddo. Thank you so much.”

“There is nothing to thank me for, Viv.”

Releasing Dick, Vivian turned to Jason. The tall young man removed his helmet and placed it on the table before approaching her with his head bowed down.

“Thank you, for being with me, my boy,” she whispered.

Jason pulled her to an embrace and said, “You'll be okay. You battled demons, dealing with Pilgrims will be easy.”

“I need to blend in, Jason. Or else they'll burn me at the stake or drown me or worse, flay me alive.”

“You can always give them hell,” Jason chuckled. “Be safe, Ma. And come back.”

“I will. And please, don't fight with Dick. I need you – all of you – to fight together and to have each other's back.”

“I will,” Jason released her just as John stepped out of the portal. “I promise.”

“Good,” Vivian smiled. Taking one good look at her boys once again, Vivian went to John who called for her, saying, “Chop chop, goodbyes are said. I promise to bring back Mummy and Daddy before bedtime.”

The Robins did not appreciate that at all.

“Alright,” John held out the Eye of Chronos. “First of all, we make sure that Batman doesn't jump again –”

“Uh, guys,” Tim called. “The system detected another artifact that's related to Batman and Bruce. This time, it's in the early 18th century. 1717. This time he's still in Gotham and is a… pirate-Batman.”

“Let me see!” Jason, Dick and Damian fought to get a closer look, both interested to see.

“Right, we need to make this quick. You need to keep him in that timeline, Viv. You know the spell.”

Nodding, Vivian summoned the seals of time, which unlike the usual magical seals she and John use that only appear at her hand, this extends back to her elbow which are dials for her to place the moon, sun, and stars to the right time to where they need. “Dick, the cowl!”

Dick tossed Batman's cowl and Vivian caught it with her hand with the magical seals.

“I dloh eeht ni emit!”

“That would do!” John took out the Eye of Chronos and started the incantation. “Non, Vee!”

“Into the light, I command thee.” Vivian summoned her Phoenix form, donning the sacred robes of the Phoenix which blended nicely with her red coat. Her hair glowed like flames, and the magical energy that exhumed from her body she directed to the sphere.

“Hold that time,” Constantine told her and finished the spell.

In a blink of an eye, Constantine and Vivian vanished, leaving only a scorch mark from where the Phoenix stood earlier.

~*~

Vivian felt like throwing up. Opening her eyes, she found herself on the ground with grass as tall that looked like we're so close to the skies. The skies. They were so blue and bright, and not covered in a layer of smog. The air too smelt cleaner with the soil and grass’ aroma dancing with it. Everything around her felt so alive –

“You done daydreaming down there?” John's face appeared before her with an irritated look.

“I wasn't – Yeah, I am,” Vivian got up and looked around. “Where are we?”

“Gotham. 1717. Do you know what's happening at this time?”

“Mostly pilgrim settlements. Some of the pirates from the Caribbean would be seen around these parts. Gotham’s maritime structure made it easy for them to dock to its shores, and with its, still, corrupt government, they get away with almost everything – from selling goods, getting work from aristocats ,” Vivian answered.

“Did I ever tell you how much I didn't miss the history lessons?”

“You asked.”

“So, Gotham is Nasau but in New Jersey,” Constantine lit his cigarette. “Good to know – oi!”

Vivian grabbed his cigarette and lighter and hid it in her pocket. “We need to blend in or else we'll be burned at the stake for witchcraft,” Vivian told him. “Also, we can't walk around wearing this.”

“I am not going to wear those ugly wigs!”

“Who said anything about wigs?” Vivian casted a spell, and immediately their clothes changed from their modern style to one that befits the era. While Costantine wore a similar one to his usual taste but altered to follow the fashion of the early 18th century, Vivian’s attire changed drastically from wearing pants, a blouse, and a coat, she wore a robe à l'anglaise, a gown with wide skirts and had a fitted back that is tailored closely to the body, an open front gown that reveals a petticoat that is coordinated with her maroon dress. The bodice was shaped with the corset, but unlike with earlier designs, this one had a chiffon layer styled as a collar to hide most of her chest area that was seen. Her hair too was styled to follow the era with it pulled up to a coiffure.

“I thought you were supposed to blend in? Not catch attention with those things,” he nodded to the direction of her chest.

“This is the fashion, John. Come on, let's get going. We need to find Bruce,” she conjured an umbrella and opened it over her head. It had the same color as her dress.

“You're enjoying this, aren't you?”

“Me? A historian who has studied this all her life walking through history and wearing its clothes? Not at all,” she remarked.

As they continued their walk through the hill, Vivian gave John some reminders of the early 18th century. Their ways, how they talk, how to act, and how not to get killed. And most importantly what story they'll make when someone asks who they were.

“I don't think Bats will be too happy with this story,” John muttered.

“This is the early 18th century, John,” Vivian reminded him. “Women are not allowed to leave without their chaperones, and if they are seen walking about with a man. That man better be her father, her brother, or, better yet, her husband.” She smiled at the person who greeted them as they walked into Miagani Island's town proper.

“Can’t I be a brother then?” John asked.

“No. Because I don't feel comfortable calling you my brother after our history together.”

John snorted. “Don't like the idea of sleeping with your ‘brother’ – yeah, that is weird.”

“See? Now come on,” Vivian took a breath. “I can feel he's close.”

“Mind telling me why I smell shit and ale in the air?”

Vivian sighed. “Miagani Island has the most bustling port of the three main islands of Gotham. It has more loose governance unlike in Founders Island or Bleake Island. The smaller islands are made to be fortresses by the Royal Navy. Old Gotham is where the governor has his mansion. Away from this shithole,” she had a concerned look when she saw a man shitting at the corner and out in the open.

“Civilized. Even before Gotham already has class. And where are the rich people? The Waynes?”

“The mainland. The outskirts of Gotham,” Vivian continued her lesson on the spot.

“Away from the stench.”

“Yes.”

They approached an inn where a drunk just got out or was thrown out. Entering the establishment, which John graciously opened the door for her, not wanting to be the first to see the pig stye of an establishment, Vivian looked around and focused more on the feeling of Bruce's presence that was slowly coming back to her. It brought a sense of relief as his ocean-line aura returned to her like the waves on a beach. Since the night of their first date, Vivian would always describe Bruce's aura that she feels as the waves on that beach they were at. Always there. Always coming back to her whenever he was away.

“Excuse me,” Vivian approached the innkeeper behind the counter of the bar. He only glanced at her with a nasty look. Vivian immediately grabbed John's arm and dragged him to her side and away from the card game he was watching. “My husband and I are looking for someone. A man by the name of Bruce. He is tall, black hair, and big built. We were told that he was staying here.”

“What's he to ye?” The inn keeper asked, his Irish accent thick.

“He's my…” Vivian glanced down at her finger where her rings were.

“My brother,” John spoke. “I know – blonde, right? He's one of Dad's bastards… or maybe I'm the bastard. Can never tell, the old man sees a hole , he just,” John shrugged. “Women kept coming to the door with new babies everyday.”

The innkeeper laughed. “Aye. But as you can see, there are a lot of gents here with that description, lassie. So ye better be specific.”

Taking the risk, Vivian pulled out her little journal and showed the man an image drawn with a ball-point pen. “How about this symbol?”

The innkeeper and those who were listening in flinched at the sight of it. The Bat symbol. This was the right question.

“The Black Pirate,” said the Innkeeper. “Yer brother is the Black Pirate?” He sneered at John.

Or maybe not?

The Innkeeper grabbed Vivian by her face and made her look at him. “Red hair, brown eyes, and the mark behind her ear.” Vivian's birthmark. “And the symbol of the Black Pirate. Yer the Red Witch. Yer both with the Black Pirate.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about,” Vivian grabbed the man's wrist and removed him from her.

“The Black Pirate has been terrorizing the shits at Miagani Port,” said the Innkeeper. “Destroying cargo, freeing cargo. And whenever he does, he asks each of them about a woman with red hair. They started calling her Red Woman. But we know witchcraft when we see it.”

“Uh, Viv?” John held her close as he saw the others taking out their swords and pistols.

“You summoned the Black Pirate to terrorize our way of living.”

Vivian glared at him. “Way of living? By paying pirates with their stolen goods and slavery? People aren't cargo. I hope the Black Pirate would burn all those ships and all those who have taken those people from their homes to be slaves in this fucking place.”

It was just mere words but in their eyes it was a curse. The Innkeeper took out his pistol and pointed it at Vivian.

“Take back the curse, Witch!” The innkeeper demanded.

“If I was a witch, do you really think that would kill me?” Vivian smirked.

“I said take it back!”

“Kill me before I do and you will be cursed for generations to come,” Vivian shrugged.

“Take her to council! They'll make her take the curse back!” One of the men called out.

“Fine!” The Innkeeper pointed at her shoulder, but just as he fired the man that has been drinking at the corner pushed his gun up to the ceiling. “You!” One look from the man and the Innkeeper gasped. “Black Pirate!”

It was fast. Whatever happened next felt like a blur, a familiar kind of blur as the man wearing the black, hooded, coat slammed the inn keeper's head to the counter, and instantly knocked out the rest of those who held a gun in their direction before Vivian or John could use their magic to do it. Which was a good idea considering their situation now.

“Thank you,” Vivian told the man.

“I told them,” the man spoke. His voice is all too familiar. “I was looking for a woman with red hair… not a Red Witch,” He finally turned to them but his hood prevented them from seeing his face. “I saw you at the clearing, both dressed in different clothes and then magically changed. I saw you walking the streets. I followed you to this inn. You never noticed.”

“That's close enough, mate,” John pressed a hand on the man's chest.

“John, wait,” Vivian told him and approached the man and removed his hood. Those blue eyes, that face. He was a little different with the beard but Vivian knew those eyes and that face anywhere. As if it were instinct, the man pressed his cheek on her palm and nuzzled to her touch. “Bruce,” she whispered.”Bruce…”

Bruce held her wrist in a tight grip.

“Bruce!” Vivian winced at his hold.

“So, you are a witch… and you have been plaguing my dreams. What do you want from me, witch?”

“Bruce!”

“Let go, Bats!” John grabbed his arm but Bruce easily threw him back to the pile of unconscious men in the bar. “Bloody hell… Vee, I think now is a good time to do your fire-cleansing magic of the cosmos.”

With her free hand, Vivian bound Bruce down to the ground, startling him, and had him kneel before her as she placed a thumb on his forehead and her palm on his chest. “I wanted to do this smoothly, but you left me with no choice, my love.”

Bruce's eyes widened as he heard what she called him, and echoes of the woman in his dreams came back. Her voice called his name, and whenever it was just them she would call him, “my love”. For a moment he remembered the name, “Vivian?”

“You remember?” Vivian released the incantation. “Bruce do you –”

The door was kicked down and pouring in were soldiers wearing red coats. “Witch!” They fired their pistols. Bruce was quick on his feet and tackled her down, but before he could get up again, the soldiers came and knocked him out by hitting him with a bayonet at the back of his head.

“Bruce, no!” Vivian cradled his injured head and tried to wake him but she fell to the ground as the bayonet also hit her.

~*~

Vivian woke the second time that day and found herself on the wet and dirty cell, and a rat running beside her. She jumped at the sight of the rat and moved away. She cursed herself, cursed the inn keeper, cursed the red coats, and cursed this fucking century for all the bad things it has. Especially the lack of hygiene.

This was a terrible looking cell, wet from probably the rain and… she hoped it was just rain, and the rancid smell was from the outside where she could hear a man singing while taking a piss. There were no bars in her cell either, just a wall and an iron door with a window. Did they think witches can't get through iron doors?

“You're finally awake,” the familiar voice spoke.

“Bruce,” she turned to the dark part of the cell and saw him. Bruce. He was sitting at the corner aiding his aching head and the trail of dried blood that came down. “You're hurt.”

He let out a cynical laugh. “So are you.”

“What do you…” She reached for where the pain was and felt the surge as she pressed. Blood. She was bleeding from where they hit her from the back of her head.

“You don't suppose you know any magic to fix that?” He said.

“I… I do, but I still think it would be better to see a doctor.”

“No doctor can help a witch and her companion,” he winced. He was bleeding profusely at the shoulder.

“Let me see,” she approached him, and he backed away. “Please, my love, let me help you.”

“You said you prefer a doctor.”

“Better that I heal that with magic with no medical license than let you die because of an infection. Most deaths in this century are because of infection and lack of hygiene. Please, Bruce… I don't want to lose you again.”

Maybe it was the tears in her eyes or maybe he found sense in her words because Bruce nodded and let Vivian approach him and remove his shirt to see the injury. She cleaned her hands first with magic, then conjured clean water from thin air to clean the wound.

“There's no exit wound,” she muttered.

“You sound like a doctor.”

“I learned all these things from you. From listening you work… this will hurt and you can't make a sound.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I need to pull the bullet out of your shoulder and mend the wound,” she checked herself for anything for him to bite on and all she found was her leather journal. She liked that journal. “Bite on this.”

“Your book?”

“Just do it, you stubborn man!” Vivian hissed. No words more, Bruce took the small journal and bit down. “Brace yourself,” she said and, “Tuo emoc.”

Bruce grunted as he felt the pain of something moving inside his shoulder. His hold on Vivian tightened but she did not falter, she focused on the bullet until –

“Got it!” Vivian let out a breath of relief as she held the bloody thing in her fingers. “Now the next part. You can remove that now,” she gestured to the journal as she sat before him and cleansed the wound with – as John calls it – fire cleansing magic of the cosmos – letting the flame dance on his flesh and inside. Bruce let out a moan of relief as he felt the familiar warmth of the magic and instinctively leaned down press forehead on Vivian's.

“Does it feel good?” She asked him.

He hummed in response. It was.

She smiled. “While I miss this and would like to hold you close, I need you to sit up so I can do this properly.”

“Right,” Bruce muttered and sat up.

Once she was finished with his shoulder, Vivian moved to his head where she saw the wound. Cursing the soldier who did it, which earned a, “You have a foul mouth for a woman,” from Bruce, which she remarked with a light slap at the top of his head, then went back to work. Once done, Vivian cleaned the blood off him with a turn piece of her peticoat soaked in clean water.

When she was to heal her own injury, Bruce called for her and brought her to where there was more light in their cell. The only light souce they had which was from the small window above.

“Let me help,” he told her as he held her hair away from tthe unjury and rinsed the rag with clean water she conjured to wipe the blood from around the wound and down her neck. When it was time to mend it, he stood by her side as she used her magic, and he saw as the wound slowly closed as a trail of a small embers left a thin scar. He wasn't sure why but Bruce had an urge to lean down and kiss her there. And he did.

“Bruce?” The sound of her voice pulled him from his intrusive thoughts and from her.

“Apologies, I was not myself…” Bruce muttered as he retreated back into the darkness.

Vivian smiled sadly. “You know, you would always kiss me whenever you could. Especially here,” she touched the back of her neck.

“That man you were with, he's not your husband, isn't he?”

“No — god, no!” Vivian laughed. “I would never marry Constantine.”

“But you both…” his voice laced with bitterness.

Vivian caught his tone and approached him. “For a time. Then I left home and I met you.”

“You keep talking as if we are married, as if I know you.”

“You do and because we are married. We had two weddings. One was more private where it was just us with Alfred to officiate. Dick was there with Clark and Diana as witnesses. A private wedding without the masks… then we had another one, one for everyone to celebrate. A much grander one. But I like our little wedding more. It was intimate.”

“Alfred, Dick, Clark, Diana,” Bruce said. “I would get fragments when you said those names, just like whenever I would hear your voice at night… If we are married in this world of yours –”

“Our world, Bruce. At our time.”

“-- Then how did I – how can I not remember any of them? How can I not remember you?”

Vivian frowned. “You were killed. Shot by Darkseid's Omega Beam. We thought it killed you but it just sent you here. I don't know why but it did. And it did this to you. John thinks there's something that Darkseid placed in you to make you do this. If you let me, I can help you remember. I can remove it and you will remember everything. Do you want to remember?”

Bruce got up from the slab he sat on and approached her. “Will it make you happy if I do?”

“Bruce, this isn't about me. It's you –”

“Will it?”

“Why does it matter to you if it does?”

He reached up and caressed her cheek. “Because when you frown like this it worries me. It breaks my heart. I don’t know how or why but I do not want to see this face frown.”

Tears fell from her eyes and she pressed her cheek to his palm. “Yes… yes, it will make me happy to have you back. To have my husband back,” she whispered.

“I'm a lucky man then to have married someone who is willing to go and find me. Even if it means leaving from whence you came from.”

“I will always look for you. Even in death. I will look for you and I will find you.”

“I want to feel what it is you feel now.” He sat on the slab. “Help me remember.”

“I can't… not without John. I might burn you…”

Bruce held her hands and placed them on his temples. “I believe in you, Vivian.”

“Okay,” she whispered and pressed a kiss on his forehead. “Into the light, I command thee.” Her red hair burned bright red, her clothes changed to the sacred robes of the Phoenix, and her magical energy exhumed from her body bringing warmth into their cold cell. Bruce fell silent as he came before the sight of a goddess.

“Hold still,” Vivian said and began the incantation. She spoke in words of Latin and a dead language that Bruce cannot comprehend, but he could feel her magic inside him, passing through his veins, spreading across his body. He could feel her. As her magic came to his brainstem, he felt something be removed. Like a cloud that's been hovering that was slowly lifting and all his memories came back. He remembered all their names, all the adventures, the family he's built, the happiness and the sadness, the anger, the pain, the tragedy of losing his parents, and then the light she brought to his dark hole. The smile and laugh that would brighten his day and vowed to never see frowns. The gaze he hoped would see. The hair he liked to feel between his fingers.

He remembers Vivian. His Vivian. His wife.

As the spell stopped, Bruce pushed her aside and ran to the corner where he vomited something. It was black and alive. Horrified by the sight of it, Vivian put the thing into animated suspension and lifted if off the ground.

“What is this?” She asked.

“A Parasite from Apokalypse. Darkseid placed it in me…” Bruce spoke in his own voice in his own speech pattern. And with familiarity. “Every time I am pushed in time it gets power, building Omega Energy.”

“Bruce?”

Bruce approached her, and cupped her face. “I'm back, Vivian.”

A cry left her lips as she felt him again. She felt him whole, as if his ocean-like aura came back and she could feel the waves of him touching the sand. “I can feel you again,” she whispered.

“I really want to kiss you right now, but I did just vomit out an alien parasite.”

Vivian laughed. “I know… but this will do for now,” she brought him to an embrace. Bruce wrapped her in his arms and buried his face to her neck and just held tight.

“I'm here, my love.”

#batman #batman x reader #bruce wayne #dc fanfic #fanfic #dc universe #dc batman #batman fanfiction #justice league dark #john constantine

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