#i think somewhere in my brain the recognition that i can be loved is missing.
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autism-corner · 2 months ago
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erm
#that last post is not good for mee#im already sobbing and then the voices go 'why don't you think youre allowed to be loved?'#love is such an interesting thing as someone aromantic and autistic imo. (thats what im 'blaming' it on at least)#i think somewhere in my brain the recognition that i can be loved is missing.#sillyposting#TECHNICALLY. i know my parents love me. in principle.#but i cant say that. i love them back. that doesnt FEEL right to me. so the only conclusion i can determine is that i dont.#its the same with the one partner ive ever had.#they were the closest ive ever been to a person in every single way.#they told me they loved me and. i couldnt say it back. i still cant say it.#if i cant comfortably say i love the closest person ive ever had is it possible for me at all?#is there something inherently wrong about me? something i cant change?#because i do APPRECIATE the people im supposed to love. i truly have deep feelings for them.#but they will possibly never reach love. and that isn't something i can change or do anything about.#which in turn results into me not being comfortable when someone makes clear they love me#if i cant reciprocate their feelings am i even worthy of them at all?#can you love something that cant love you back? i know that answer is 'yes'.#but is it right to put your love into something that can't return it? are you not putting a burden on both you and it?#isn't it easier to let it go? to leave? this thing will never do the same as you when there is plenty around that is better than it.#this thing has created a burden on itself when loved. feels guilty about it not returning feelings. feels uncomfortable at any expression.#doesnt that mean love is unkind to it? that love hurts? that it'd be better off without love at all?#is it possible to desire love when receiving it is my worst nightmare?#.#anyway shoutout to me realizing i cant imagine a future where im loved. while pissing.#o7#its literally past 10pm i should NOT be listing to whatever the voices say =w=b will that stop me? nahh#“guy isnt depressed enough” okayyyy#its literally fine tho were chillingg#<3#also very important distinction to me: none of this is limited to romantic love. familial love sucks too!!
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dansemacabre · 4 months ago
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are you stuck trying to decode the book of bill but you don’t want the keys handed to you? i was in your shoes literally three days ago! i failed and looked up codes on reddit (because a good grade in book of bill is a normal thing to want and a possible thing to get) but now you don’t have to!! here are some BOOK OF BILL CODEBREAKING HINTS designed to kindly shove you in the right direction!
my credentials are: one summer cryptography class i took in high school, autism, weirdly good pattern recognition (probably because of the autism), and a desperate need to make things make sense. sorry in advance if any of this seems patronizing. hints below the page break!!
general tips:
- A and I will become your bestest friends. like 99 times out of 100 any single letter is a or i. try those out first
- the apostrophe will also become your bestest friend- especially x’x, which will almost always be i’m (except there’s one place in the book where it is not. don’t make my mistakes.)
- themysteryofgravityfalls.com is SO so helpful. for non-symbolic ciphers u can lowkey put in codes and button mash caesar and atbash. godsend. devilsend? idk someone sent it and it’s wonderful
- call every phone number, visit every website. they bought those domains for a reason! i think!
- any list of numbers 1-26 is a1z26. like that’s simply a truth
cipher specific hints now !!!
RUNES (characters taken from norse runes)
- there is a key for this one in the book! maybe u spotted it right away but i did not lol, so look for an instance of 26 rune-y characters!
- the rune code on the inside cover is a graffiti joke- translates to a common thing people write on walls or carve into books made out of brain matter ig
THERAPESE (found in the last few pages during bills court-ordered therapy)
- bill’s picture is labeled in this section, so those characters translate directly to “bill cipher” ! once you have those, you can apply them to other instances of the code and go from there
- the rest of the names of the… things around him on the inpatients page are puns, titles, and/or weird words. they might look wrong until you have Every Character- trust ur key! use the rest of the instances of this code to find the missing letters first, make sense of it and laugh at the clever little joke later
BROSCODE (only two instances, found in journal 3 lost pages)
- the name is a hint by itself- this is stanley and stanford related! both stans use it once somewhere in the book!
NEWBILL (the most common symbolic cipher in the book)
- if you have journal three, the characters are VERY similar to a code there- not the same though, so don’t try and use that key. but like journal three, this code will (almost) always be bill speaking.
- ok lowkey i think the best way to explain this is just to give you one answer. i cracked this by randomly guessing that the small writing by the galaxy drawing on the journal three page “a voice form the past” translates to “forget the past”. go from there my loves
- that being said. everything else from journal three uses the same characters, but a different code. haven’t cracked it yet. looking for advice tee bee haych. i’ll edit this once i find it out
- also: dipper uses this code in his section. that’s pretty helpful to get most of the rest of the characters!
now some page specific hints!:
silly straw page. Oh god
- damn that themysteryofgravityfallsdotcom sure is helpful! Anyway,
- the numbers code is Weird. but the number don’t equal letters. notice the spaces between number groups- pair the groups, try and add a dash somewhere within the first group and a colon somewhere within the second group. you’ll have to use your resources a little
- if that made zero sense: “uhvrxufhv” phdqv brxu idyrulwh ghhsob ohjdo wy vkrz ylhzlqj zhevlwh. ru brxu kxox dffrxqw
- sorry for the vagueness but i really don’t want to spoil this one- i got it spoiled but i think figuring it out on your own would be really rewarding and worth your Time
messages on your tv
- there are strange boxes on the bottom of the page. gonna be so honest don’t know how they mean anything at all to anyone but allegedly it’s a code! i’ll look into it. idk man
okay. i think that’s all i’ve got? please comment if u have questions for me or other folks on here or suggestions on how to sound less like a fucking nerd talking abt this shit. idk i love that people are set on cracking this book asap but i hope this helps ppl who prefer The Thrill Of The Chase and also like to feel smart and important and so very talented
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nataliasquote · 9 months ago
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Ghost Of You | n romanoff
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Summary: learning to move on after Natasha’s sacrifice is the hardest thing in the world
Warnings: mentions of grief, loss, Natasha’s death
wc: 3.2k
note: this is an old fic I wrote ages ago, but I used to love it. I’ve given you enough fluff now anyway… also inspired by the song ‘Ghost of You’ by 5SOS.
- ⧗ -
Four months.
It'd been four months since she died.
Four months without Natasha.
And Y/n keep telling everyone she was fine, but there was a part of her that kept saying that her Natasha wasn’t really gone.
And it's the irrational part of her brain.
But she missed that redhead more than anyone knew.
Words couldn’t begin explain how much she missed her.
It was painful. It felt as though the world had come crashing down, plunging everything into total darkness. And when there was light, colour ceased to exist. Because what was a life without a purpose or reason to live?
Her sun. Gone.
Her home. Gone
Nothing left except harsh reminders of what could have been. There was no future anymore. Y/n spent her days in the past, tangled in memories that were wearing with age. A distorted version of her reality that became harder to grasp with every day that slipped by. The memories were slipping through her fingers, no matter how hard she tried.
Yelena was left to pick up the pieces her sister had left behind. A crumbled widow, her whole life a subject of loss, yet somehow she remained an iron fortress throughout it all. Y/n was family, something Yelena didn’t have much of, or knew much about, but she would be damned if anything happened to her now. She wasn’t sure she could handle another loss.
Y/n had taken residence in her spare room, the barren walls now burdened with grief. It settled across the floor like an unsettling blanket, smothering all who dared to step foot over the threshold.
But Yelena soldiered on. It was down to her to pull Y/n out of the pits she had crawled into in her mind, and today no different. The door creaked from lack of use, the room’s darkness only broken up by the light spilling around the old curtains. A body lay curled up in bed, but the blonde knew she was not asleep.
Against her instincts, Yelena made sure her boots were loud on the exposed floorboards, alerting the jumpy woman of her presence. She crouched slowly, a hand reaching out to land on Y/n’s knee softly.
"You ok?" She asked, receiving no movement or change of expression. Y/n’s eyes were heavy, but not with lack of sleep. This tiredness extended further than that; a tiredness of life. “Y/n, it’s me.”
A mumble came as a reply, which Yelena took as a positive. Some days received absolutely no recognition, so a sound or nod was progress.
“Any idea of what you want to do today?” She probed again, moving over to the curtains to draw them back slightly. Y/n winced at the light, another good sign. The outside air was cool and a welcome refreshment as the Russian pushed the rusty window open a fraction.
“Bed and sleep,” came the reply. A possible plan, yes, but not exactly what Yelena was thinking.
“How about we go somewhere today?” Y/n didn’t look convinced. “Natasha would want you to, you know that.”
“Don’t say her name!” Y/n cried, her voice breaking from lack of use and raw emotion. She refused to mention Natasha anymore, too afraid of what was lying just below the surface if she did.
But something had switched in Yelena overnight, and she turned around quickly. “She was my sister. I have every right to say her name Y/n.” That was clearly the wrong thing to say, but what did she know? Yelena had barely been out of the Red Room for two years. Social cues weren’t a strong suit. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just know she wouldn’t want you moping around grieving her like this. She would want you to go out and live your life. See the world.”
"How can I see the world when she was my world." Y/n whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks and soaking into her pillow. "I loved her but never got to show her properly. There is so much more I could have done for her. If I'd just had more time." Yelena crouched down and helped her sit up, offering a tissue to clean herself up a bit.
"I have a suggestion for you. I was talking to Wanda yesterday and we think it might be a good idea if you go back there."
Y/n looked up at her with red and puffy eyes. “Back where?”
“Back home, Y/n. The apartment that you and Natasha shared. You’ve still got lots of your stuff there and I’m sure there’s some things of hers you want.”
Y/n had stopped listening at the word ‘home’. Home wasn’t a place, it never had been. It was a feeling. A person. Y/n would never be able to go home anymore. An empty apartment ridden with memories wasn’t somewhere she wanted to be. Not without Natasha to breathe life into those four walls. Without her it was just dark. Lifeless.
Just like how she felt right now.
Yet her response was surprising. An “ok” tumbled past her lips before she could even register what she was saying, taking both her and Yelena by surprise. She leaned against the wall and pulled her knees up to her chest, staring at a dark spot on the duvet cover.
“Ok? I’ll be there the whole time, don’t worry. How about I give you some time to get ready and I’ll meet you out by the truck?” Y/n nodded, her eyes not moving, and Yelena took that as her cue to leave.
A shower felt like too much work, so Y/n dragged her hair into a ponytail and let it hang limply, too exhausted to try and do anything with it. The yellowing light in the bathroom only emphasised her dark circles and she eyed her make up bag that sat balanced on the edge of the sink.
Concealer barely helped, as did mascara, but Y/n tried all the same, almost willing herself to look better. If Natasha saw her in this state she would have crumbled, but she wasn’t there so Y/n couldn’t find it within her to care.
Placing her mascara back in the bag, her fingertips brushed over a familiar tube. She pulled it out and stared at it carefully, the writing old and faded on the packaging. But there was no mistaking Natasha’s favourite red lipstick. She refused to use any other shade and it always looked so vibrant against her pale skin. But looking at it now, it just looked so dull.
Y/n pressed her lips to it gently and slipped it into her pocket, where it nestled alongside a folded photograph and a promise ring.
Natasha’s promise ring. The one she used to wear alongside her wedding ring. The wedding ring that matched the one currently strung around her neck, too obnoxious to stay on her finger now.
Their key to everlasting happiness.
But what good was a key on its own? Useless without its matching component, a harsh reminder of what could have been but never will be.
Yelena was sat in the back seat of the truck with Fanny, giving the Akita belly rubs which he clearly loved. She looked up at Y/n and smiled, climbing through to settle into the drivers seat. “Fanny doesn’t know the meaning of stay yet, so I’ll bring him along. But he won’t come inside.”
Y/n nodded, and placed her elbow on the window edge, her cheek falling into her palm. The gentle hum of the engine combined with the smoothness of the road pulled her back into her head, memories swirling around but never fully making themselves known. Y/n was in the muddy middle ground, somewhere between numbness and a breakdown.
After an hour the car came to a stop. She knew this parking lot. Knew which space Nat always kept her bike in. She was always so particular.
Holding the key tightly in her fist, Y/n ascended the metal stairs, ignoring the way the rough edges of the key dug into her skin and left an imprint. She knew how to wiggle it into the lock just enough to get it to turn, muscle memory taking over.
As she opened the door, the living room was dark. A light layer of dust covered all the surfaces from the lack of use, and small slits of lights peaked through the closed curtains. There were books piled on the table and a couple of old beer bottles stranded on the floor. Y/n looked around in a daze, completely absorbed by the change of atmosphere. This place used to be so full of life. But now it was dull and barren.
Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes glanced to the floor. By the door, like they'd just been taken off, was Nat's pair of old converse. They were once black, but now sported a dark grey colour, having been worn so often. She wore them everywhere when she wasn't working.
Y/n bent down and picked them up, looping the laces over her fingers so she could easily carry them with her. The kitchen door was open, so she carried on walking, almost in a trance. Yelena hadn’t entered yet, wanting to give her some privacy in her old home.
The kitchen was brighter as the blinds were open, and everything was just as they had left it. A pile of clean dishes on the rack, just waiting to be put away. Nat's collection of weird keychains that she collected from every place she visited. A pile of hair ties and bobby pins that always disappeared. But most importantly, the fridge.
It was used more like their main photo album. Photos covered the silver metal, miscellaneous magnets holding photos of the couple onto it. There was a picture of Nat kissing Y/n on the beach, the first date we ever went on as an official couple. Even in the one captured moment, you could see how tender Natasha was, cupping Y/n’a face with her rough palms like she was a priceless jewel. Looking at it, she could still feel her touch.
There were a few candid ones from their trip to Europe and even some from their wedding day. But the one in the middle made her heart ache.
Nat laying on a picnic blanket in the park, her hair pulled back in a half up messy braid. She was lying on her stomach with a book open out in front of her, legs bent up behind her with those damn converse on her feet. She had the biggest smile on her face and she was laughing into the camera. Y/n remembered that day so vividly and she started to cry. She could never feel that way again, so happy, so relaxed.
"Damn it!” She yelled, slamming her hand onto the counter and taking a shaky breath in.
"Y/N?" a voice questioned, breaking her out of her mini outburst. Y/n quickly turned around to find the source of the voice, which was coming from the door way. The shoes fell out of her hand as she layed eyes upon the woman stood in the doorway.
Red hair was the first thing Y/n noticed.
Arms wide. A big smile on her face.
Not wasting any time, she ran into her open arms and felt herself being picked up, bodies spinning around like they always used to do. Both women were both giggling and smiling at each other, tears running down their faces.
"Oh my god you're actually here! I thought you left me" Y/n cried, grabbing onto Natasha’s face and planting kisses everywhere. Her nose, cheeks, jaw, everywhere she had missed being able to feel beneath her fingertips suddenly felt so real and she could sense the weight being lifted off her chest. It just felt right.
"I would never leave you baby." Natasha said, before their lips met in a bruising kiss.
"I knew you wouldn't. I knew you'd come back for me!" Y/n couldn’t help but laugh against her lips, the worry and sadness leaving her body, making her lighter. There were truly no words to describe it, but feeling Natasha’s lips on hers and her green eyes bringing so much warmth and safety into her body, Y/n never wanted to leave again.
Music started playing softly and Nat looked at the girl in her arms. "Can I have this dance, my beautiful wife?" She wrapped her arms around Y/n’s waist, who placed hers loosely around her neck as they started to sway. She didn't know where the music was coming from, but she didn't care. All thst was in her brain was the fact that she was here with Natasha. Finally.
They danced to the music, waltzing around the kitchen, eyes fixated on each other. Y/n felt as giddy as she did when they shared their first kiss, her hands feeling the way Natasha’s hair was so soft as it brushed her fingertips. The way her hands felt on her body gave Y/n a sense of relief and she sighed, resting her head on Natasha’s shoulder. She leaned her head on top of her wife’s and wrapped her arms tighter around her waist, still swaying to the beat. They fit together so perfectly, like a key in a lock.
"I've missed this." Y/n muttered into Natasha’s neck who hummed in agreement.
"Me too" she husked. God, that voice. She’d missed that too.
As the song picked up, Nat released Y/n from her arms and spun her around, twirling her around the floor like a ballerina. The redhead scooped her up in her arms and spun around, their laughter filling the once empty room. Y/n was taller than Natasha when Nat picked her up, so she gazed down at her and grinned, the same look adorning both of their faces. Love. Admiration. Relief.
As Natasha slowly lowered Y/n to the ground, they met each other with another kiss. The song slowly faded away in the background and they gradually stopped moving, but stayed in each other's arms.
"I see you found my converse?" Natasha pointed out, and Y/n turned around to see where she was looking.
"Oh yeah. I picked them up because I didn't know you were here." She couldn’t help but blush.
Natasha bent down and picked them up, handing them back over with a soft look in her eyes. "You keep them. They look better on you anyway." She said, flashing her signature smile.
"Are you sure?" Y/n asked, her brows creasing in the middle. “These were your favourite shoes!"
"I can always get some more if I need them."
Y/n looped the laces around her fingers once more and pulled Nat into another hug, just breathing in her scent. There was no perfume to distract her, just purely Natasha. Tears started rolling down her cheeks as the familiar scent she knew and loved filled her nose. The smell of home.
They finally pulled away and Natasha took a couple of steps back, leaning on the door frame as she had done previously.
"You know I love you Y/N. I always have and I always will. Don't you ever forget that." She said, folding her arms and smiling at the woman in front of her.
"I love you too,” Y/n whispered and Natasha blew her a kiss.
"Y/n?" Another voice called from behind her. It was Yelena this time, the blonde having waited for long enough outside. She placed a hand on Y/n’s shoulder and followed her gaze to where Natasha had been stood.
"I love you" Y/n muttered again, tears streaming down her face.
"Y/n who are you talking to?" Yelena asked, worry lacing her words.
"Nat. She's right there." She said, pointing to Natasha in the doorway.
"What? Detka, Nat's not here. What are you talking about?" Yelena asked. Y/n turned around to face her and then looked back to where Natasha was standing.
Or where she was standing. Except now that spot was empty.
She wasn’t there.
"She was there! She was just there! No!" The girl was in distress, shouting and crying as she ran around, checking everywhere in the apartment.
"Y/n what's going on?" Yelena asked hesitantly, her concerned increasing by the second. What had she missed?
“She’s gone! Nat left! She left me again! No, she promised she wouldn’t leave me again.” She was a sobbing mess, collapsing to her knees in the middle of the apartment, no longer caring about the dust that thickly coated the floor. Yelena rushed to her side and knelt down, pulling her into a hug. She rocked the sobbing girl gently, tightening her grip as she felt Y/n clutch at her shirt to ground herself. She was muttering frantically, incoherent sentences flowing into each other.
"Y/n, Nat's gone. She isn't coming back." It was harsh, but Yelena had to say it. The truth stung.
"She was just here." Y/n whimpered. "We danced together. I felt her. She was real!"
"Oh Y/n. That wasn’t real."
"It was real to me!" She pressed her head back into Yelena’s shoulder and continued to cry, laboured breaths dragging themselves through her constricted lungs, clawing at her insides and almost begging to break through her chest.
And the whole time those stupid converse were in her hand.
She never let them go.
They were the last thing Y/n ever got from her.
The only thing close enough to serve as a final reminder.
Of Nat.
Her Nat.
Natasha Romanoff.
Daughter. Sister. Avenger.
Wife.
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lilac-amethyst-skies · 1 year ago
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Hello !! I didn't know if your request were open so feel free to ignore this. The scenario is quite specific, I hope you don't mind.
Can I ask headcanons for Ludwig and Arthur (separately)? They had an s/o in the past who was incredibly important as a member of some type of royalty (it could be when they were teens or the time you prefer), and both had a forbidden love type of romance. Years passed since the reader died just to casually find them reincarnated in just a simply janitor or any common job around the building.
I imagine them trying to convince their s/o desperately, saying she had a past life as an important member of society and hoping they'll bring the memories back, but the reader doesn't believe them? Or just laughs innocently because she doesn't understand a single thing.
Sorry if this is weird, if it works better as a drabble you can do it. I just wanted to free my mind from this though, thank you! Have a great day💕
Germany, England X Reader Lover from a Past Life
Germany; Ludwig’s day was nothing short of an intense whirlwind of meetings, demands, and far too many expectations. As such, his mind followed his fast-paced day, thoughts seemingly running thousands of miles a minute. Though, if there was anything that Ludwig was good at, it was working under pressure. He worked seamlessly throughout his day and the people around him were truly none-the-wiser.
But now the end of the day was here, and Ludwig was ready to go home.
His bag was packed with the necessary papers, anything he might need at a convenient moment’s notice, and now he was making a brisk walk toward the exit of the building.
And Ludwig was nearly there when he collided with something—or rather, someone.
Much to his dismay, Ludwig realized that his desire to get out of the workplace had blinded him of other surroundings. Guilt flooded him as he dared to look at the woman who had been knocked down onto the floor. Her head was hung a bit low, and her stunned silence only made him feel worse.
Apologies tumbled from his mouth, embarrassment hot on his tongue. Ludwig reached for her and gently found her at her feet.
The moment she lifted her head to a reasonable height, he froze. She was speaking, but he couldn’t hear a single word she said. She sounded polite, kind, apologetic—even though he was the one that surely ran into her.
But none of that mattered now that Ludwig could see what she looked like.
The truth of what he was seeing was an undeniable truth. A face that he hadn’t seen in centuries time. And as steady and sure as Ludwig came to be, this was more than enough to break his inner calm. Memories of the past writhed within the confines of his mind, and how was it that he was feeling his heart shatter all over again? Had he so soon forgotten his love until now? Surely not, but to see her now and here in the flesh all over again—Ludwig thought he was going to be sick.
Heavy pressure weighed against his chest and the tension in his jaw would start a headache if he allowed it to go on any longer.
These following scene of events only lasted a few seconds, but to Ludwig everything moved horrendously slow. His body felt odd and agitatedly hot, but he knew the longer he sat frozen the more awkward this would be. Without thinking or trying to pull apart what she had said previously, Ludwig spoke the first thing that came out of his mouth—even though he knew how much her answer would hurt.
“Do I know you from somewhere?”
There was a hopeful glint at the end of his sentence, but Ludwig knew the truth whether he wanted to believe it or not. And as such, she very politely made a face of thought, wracking her brain in an effort to pull some pieces together that she may have missed.
Surprisingly, after some thought, a look of immediate recognition lit up her face.
“Oh! You know I think I may have seen you from somewhere!” Ludwig’s body was suddenly filled with something akin to electricity. His eyes grew brightly warm and he could barely control the tremor in his hands. Regardless, Ludwig did his best to keep his voice steady.
“Really?”
He couldn’t believe it. Could she really remember? Could this really be her from so long ago—
“Yes! I took the new receptionist position here and I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I think I remember seeing you when I first arrived! We haven’t officially met, but I’m sure we’ve crossed paths before.”
Ludwig’s heart immediately sank like a cinderblock smashing rock bottom to the ocean floor. Yes, now, he was sure. His heart was breaking again.
“R-right—right. I’m sure that’s it,” Ludwig did what he does best, and shoved it down in the moment, “It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you settle in well.”
His robotic kindness earned a smile from her, which did make him feel a little better.
“Thank you, it was great meeting you. See you around! Oh, and sorry again for not looking where I was going…”
“No, no it’s fine. I should have been paying better attention.”
At that, she cordially laughed a bit and went on her way and so did he.
Ludwig realized having her working in the same building as him would prove to be one of the greatest challenges of his life.
England; Arthur hadn’t hesitated to show as a guest speaker for a lecture at the local university. He valued education and the moment he saw (mostly) eager-faced youth in the lecture hall, he was filled with a sense of purpose again. He understood that in a way, he was a living, breathing piece of history to his nation, and there was no better way to learn about the past than speaking with someone who was actually there.
Though of course, this feeling of excitement that set his mind and body alight was kept on the inside. On the outside, he was pristinely stoic and dare he say—intellectual. He had to keep face and not appear too eager because that was best left for the university-aged students in front him. Or at least, that’s what he was telling himself.
Arthur had gone above and beyond. He created a clever presentation matched with opportunities for students to interact, and brought an entire bag of artifacts and other pieces of the past.
He also made the age-old joke that he too, along with these items, probably belonged in a museum somewhere and not in his house.
The class laughed and it further spurred him on.
Needless to say, it went smoothly and sooner than later Arthur was packing his bag of things at the front of the classroom. He stayed behind a bit for any extra questions, but eventually all of the students filtered out. The professor had offered to walk him out, but Arthur politely declined.
Arthur got a bit lost in the set of manuscripts he had brought for the class, deciding to look through them a little longer. As such, he was left alone.
A few more minutes passed when Arthur heard one of the chairs from the very back of the room move against the floor. On instinct Arthur looked up to find a young woman promptly cleaning desks and chairs.
She must be a janitor for the university, Arthur reasoned.
She must not have noticed him quite yet. Either that, or she had no interest in making note of his presence.
He didn’t care about this all too much and planned to continue on with what he was doing—until she moved just a bit closer.
The moment her face came into view, his heartbeat thrummed heavily in his ears. Arthur was immediately out of breath, shakily setting the manuscripts down. All of his nerves and senses suddenly felt stripped bare, and he felt aghast and entirely uncomfortable. He feared the thoughts spilling haphazardly in his brain were about to waterfall out of his mouth, onto the floor in the space between them.
Arthur could only blame the presentation that he just gave—that it placed him in the headspace of a past life that everyone else had left behind except him. As was the curse of every Nation, they were always left behind while the world continued onward.
And so, he spoke without thinking. Arthur spoke in a desperation that he’d buried years ago that only now had its chance to see the light of present day.
“___.”
Her name came out first in a whisper—he hadn’t spoken that name in so long. It felt dangerously sweet on his tongue and he couldn’t believe he’d ever have the chance to say it again.
“___!” Arthur spoke a little louder this time, but still couldn’t bring himself to move from his spot, but words continued to spill.
“I—I can’t believe…that it’s you! I would have never thought I’d find you again or—or here like this. But that doesn’t matter! All that matters is that you’re here with me, love,” finally Arthur moved from behind the desk toward her, and she must have noticed because now because her head snapped toward Arthur in surprise.
They were looking at each other now, and Arthur thought he could cry.
“ ___, do you remember? Do you remember me? I’m sure you do, you have to. I—"
It was now that he noticed the pair of wireless headphones in her ears. Had she even heard a single word he just said?
She scrambled to pull one of the earbuds out.
“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t even realize anyone else was in here! You actually gave me quite a scare,” she put her hand over her chest to emphasize her fright.
Arthur could only stand silent as reality and reason took over his previous fantasy.
“I’m so sorry, sir, were you trying to talk to me? My music was turned up so loud I couldn’t hear a thing.”
Finally, Arthur snapped out of it, but only enough as to not be considered rude.
“No, it’s quite alright. I—” Arthur thought for a moment, “…I was letting you know that I would be leaving.”
As expected, she politely told him to take his time. And so, Arthur collected the rest of his things and left, entirely not ready to unpack all of the feelings and memories now stirring inside of him.
|||
a/n: ok real talk, I saw this ask in my inbox and I was SO excited about writing for this!!!! Thank you for the awesome ask; it was a blast to write! <3
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quietwingsinthesky · 6 months ago
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anyway. Waterloo ft. Even
The Master is singing. Even thinks they might kill him for that.
“Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war!”
He moves across their TARDIS, frenetic energy vibrating beneath his skin, and though Even steps back, he grabs their arm and pulls them into a dance. A stumble, on their part, dragged along into a spinning, bouncing rhythm that makes them dizzy.
“Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore,” voice warbling low, simpering smile.
The Master leans too close. Even stomps on his foot. Without missing a beat, he shoves them away into the console hard enough to bruise their back.
——
The radio buzzes to life as Even messes with the dials. Out of the corner of their eye, the Master… She turns before a mirror, observing her new body.
She smells wrong. Even buries their nose in the crook of their elbow.
The first notes have barely played, upbeat my, my, before the Master scoffs.
“Find something more my style.”
“You like that song.”
“New ears,” she insists.
“It’s my radio,” Even argues back.
“Our TARDIS, our radio. Play me something sweet, dear.”
Frustrated, Even fiddles away.
-you’re so pretty, can’t you understand-
“That’s more like it!” Even sighs loudly.
——
“Doctor?” Bill calls into the TARDIS.
“Not here,” Even answers from the floor. They look very comfortable there. The TARDIS is playing music. Bill didn’t know it could do that. “He’s bad with time.”
“Never late to lectures, though,” Bill says.
“Good at talking at people,” Even concedes. “You can wait here.”
Bill isn’t going to lay on the ground when there’s chairs.
-I feel like I win when I lose.
“Is that ABBA?” she laughs.
Even nods.
“Sorry, guess I didn’t think that was your style.”
“It’s familiar,” Even sighs. “Should be trying new music.”
“You’re looking for recs?”
——
“I tried to hold you back,” Noble hums beneath their breath, “but you were stronger.”
Something clicks in Bill’s brain, recognition sharp enough to hurt, something she should know, something obvious.
“Is that ABBA?” she demands.
Noble looks at her, frowning. “I don’t know. I just heard it somewhere.”
It’s there on the tip of her tongue. Bill knows. She knows. Noble is staring at her, head tilted. They aren’t right. In their voice, in the song- Bill should be able to connect it.
Why can’t she. Why can’t she.
Razor coughs to get her attention. Bill’s distracted. Bill forgets.
——
“Waterloo,” Even’s lips are cracked, dry, and bleeding, their voice is a thready whisper, and still, they stumble along, “wouldn’t escape if you wanted to.” The clank of metal punctures through their singing. They’re exhausted, their head feels like it’s boiling, and they’re starving.
They’ve learned that Cybermen, when made out of living men and not dead ones, keep the flesh inside alive. Fresh.
“Waterloo, knowing I’m late to see it through.” They drag the Cyberman’s limp form along. One more. So many to go.
They wonder if they’ll die first.
They inhale, start coughing.
No. That’d be too easy.
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umgatochamadopercyval · 2 years ago
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In her arms
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For my friend @luciadiosa! Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy it :D. Sorry for any mistakes, English's not my first language.
Cutler Becket/F!Reader
TW: Alcohol drinking
If one more of these repugnant old lords even dignify themselves to look in my way this evening, I will most certainly break some propriety laws
At least that was what she told herself, fully committed to follow the threats should the opportunity arise. The young woman really hoped it would not come to this, given that they were all guests there, and if she hinted in sublet enough ways the guests would think twice before approaching her, or her father at the end, and that was enough.
Of all days, that day was supposed to the happiest one for her. It was her birthday, and not just any birthday, her twenty second birthday, meaning that she was old enough by now to face the responsibilities of life, according to her parents. Or in simpler words: Marriage, having kids and stop having fantasies of travel by the sea.  
It wasn’t like she was in favorable position for complaining, most of her friends were already married and birthing kids at eighteenth. Jane Backet was already engaged to a wealthy French aristocrat by the time she died at illness hand at sixteen and a half.
At the thought, the grief started making way in her hearth, the painful reminder trying to force hot, wet tears past her eyelids. Having to distract her mind, she started observing the elegantly dressed man and women mingling at her family home ballroom. Some were close family friends and others were members of high society that needed to be invited to this sort of events for good relations. In a corner near the South doors was her family, as always.
This time however a particular group was catching her eye. If you didn’t know better, it would look like any other male guest in the party. Old and young they waltzed, drank, and ate, dressed in fine suits and shinning shoes. The key was the way they tended to comeback regularly near her or her father. These men were desperate for her hand, and probably her family fortune as well. But since her father is also so desperate for her to be wedded, let these predators hung around and torment him some more.
It's almost as if they can read my thoughts…
"Good evening, Miss [surname]. Would the lovely lady like to dance?" One of the older men, a gray haired, forty something disgraced count, dressed in clothes from older social seasons, approached her from nowhere, and placed a kiss on her gloved hand.
"Thank you for your proposition, Count Bennet. But I'm not exactly doing well at the moment. I actually am heading to the kitchen to fetch some tea"
"I must escort you then" He pressed "What exactly are you feeling?"
Breathe Y/N. Use your brain
It's not that she was afraid of marriage, but her heart belonged to another, another that was living her dream of traveling through the fearsome blue oceans. And going somewhere private with him was likely to lead to a vantage point to the man in front of her.
"It's nothing, just a light headache, and a bit of nausea. I just need a cup of tea and good rest"
"You would not happen to be with child, would you Miss?"
Red flooded her vision. She would not take such offense from these pigs. In a swift motion, the palm of her hand collided with his face, and she felt something cracking, under the heavy blow of her hand.
And then she fled the room.
The skirts of her dress slowed the young woman's pace, but her resolve didn't shake. She needed to calm her nerves down, go back there and take her future in her hands.
Taking in her surroundings, she noticed she was on her father's study. The recognition came through the wax sealing equipment, and expensive alcohol bottles stored in the silver tray. At the center a dark mahogany desk with an imposing dark red velvet chair. Behind it, a painting containing her family.
"Happy birthday darling" His smooth, imperious voice fulfilled the room, but there was a sweetness in it that she knew was rare, and the pet name even rarer
"Cutler!"
The Becket family and hers were really close, the patriarchs having studied together in their youths, and forming a close friendship. As a result she spent more of her own childhood there than at home, forming a deep bond of sisterhood with the youngest daughter.
“I’m happy to have found you Y/N. I was looking for a moment to talk to you, but these vultures wouldn’t leave” 
“So you were witness to my disaster of a polite decline?”
“Not one of your best moments I must say” he poured himself some rum on one of the crystal cups, and took a sip 
“Look at you, all businesses like. You are admiral now as I heard Father saying” she poured some rum for herself earning a look from him, but no commentary. 
“Lord Cutler Beckett, of The East India Trade Company” 
Light silence followed after as always. They were not close friends, him being a decade her senior, and dedicating most of his life to his ambitions from an early age. Although after Jane’s death they exchanged some letters. Suddenly his demeanor changed, as if he remembered something of importance. His spine straightened and his eyes darkened, and the coldness with which he took her hand in his shocked her. 
“I will be forward with you. Ever since your debut in society your father wrote me asking for a proposal and to join our families in matrimony. But I refused, having my personal goals. Now I reached a position where most of my goals are fulfilled. I have a title, respect from the navy, and fear from the pirates. There isn’t anything holding me back from proposing, but I want to hear from you” 
They had reached one of the drawing rooms and sat on an intimate sofa. His rum kept untouched. In a swift motion she downed hers down, the burning sensation on her throat numbed the swirl of feelings in her hearth.
Ever since she was eighteen she started harboring feelings for him. At the start was something purely physical, but after their exchange of letters regarding his travels, that slowly formed into a friendship, and after, romantic feelings at her side. It was the way he listened to her talk about her dreams, even if he didn’t understand them, that captured her heart.
Ever since she was eighteen she started harboring feelings for him. At the start was something purely physical, but after their exchange of letters regarding his travels, that slowly formed into a friendship, and after, romantic feelings at her side. It was the way he listened to her talk about her dreams, even if he didn’t understand them, that captured her heart.
“I…” 
Yes! I would love to be your wife!
“You don’t have to answer at the moment. But, I think being the wife of a naval officer, would bring you closer to the sea, and the travels you seem to want... You are also very beatiful and I would not mind creating a life by your side” He ended his speech looking deep into her eyes.
And she could only blink while the next moments unfolded in front of her eyes. 
In a swift motion he stood from the sofa, and with tree steps walked until his front faced her. Smoothly he bent his knee, sliding his leg on the floor. His hand gently picked hers, and from nowhere he produced a stunning diamond ring, its gold band fitting perfectly on her finger.
Emotion blinded her senses, and before she could rationalize, she was gripping his head in her hands and kissing him. After a few moments she could feel him returning it. 
“I imagine this marks your awnser?” 
“Yes. This marks it”
What the future held, she didn’t know, but at the moment she could not bring herself to care at all. As long she had him in her arms. 
Hope you like it, it's been some time since I wrote something and I wanted to give my best <3
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Storytime: Believing in Santa, or "I bet you were a delight"
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Yesterday on a lunch outing with 5 work colleagues, 3 of whom are parents of kids under 10, plus myself and another young-ish woman who are childless but have enough dealings with sprogs... the conversation turns to Christmas and belief in things like Father Christmas/ Santa, the Tooth Fairy and whatnot.
After general sharing of stories including the parents talking about when their kid stopped believing, or had it told to them by an older kid, I shared my story of having a debate in primary school (y5 or y6, so age 9 or 10) about whether Father Christmas was real.
I had read the Hogfather by Terry Pratchett by that age and shared his solution to the conundrum: that many of these beings can be described as an anthropomorphic personification, and the more belief people have in it, the more real it becomes.
I really like this notion: it gives strength to magic, superstition, beliefs and faith alike. This is how religions rise and fall, how supernatural phenomena won't occur around skeptics and how some things are just ingrained into our collective psyche, because somewhere in our subconscious there is a grain of memory or residual belief about it. It waxes and wanes with the power of collective thought and storytelling, and for those that have time for it, it is as real as you make it.
I didn't say any of that following paragraph, just said the first bit about using it in a primary school debate and it being from Terry Pratchett and the Hogfather; to which the other young woman retorted, "Oh, I bet you were a delight".
I don't know whether I'm meant to be offended. At the time I laughed, and the conversation moved on.
But honestly, I worry that it was meant in a mean way and that kind of upsets me. I have always treasured being able to circumvent the breaking of the illusion and the loss of innocence. I love the fact that reading, an activity always pleasing to grownups, had given me that gift of knowledge and terminology for something I wanted to understand.
Sir Pratchett's influence on the nerdy, the neurodivergent and the not-very-cool is profound and far reaching even after his death. Of course, he was a bestselling author and millions of people have read his works, so I assume neurotypical people have also read his books!
I don't know if I should be sad that this person who called me sarcastically, "a delight", just never got the memo about the wholesome quirky cool that is Pratchett's worldview.
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Maybe I am taking offence where none was intended - I guess having a 9 year old use big words could be annoying to adults, but I think it's a good thing. I really wish I could read half as voraciously as I did when I was a child. I miss getting lost in fantasy worlds of literature and by gosh I miss Terry Pratchett. It's it just nostalgia? Maybe. But also if I lose this shit, I probably lose even more of my identity and continue down the slope of depression and anxiety that began around that age. I keep getting told I look so young (I'm 31) and I know that ADHDers do grow up slower than their neurotypical peers. It takes longer for our brains to develop. The ADHD / Autistic brain doesn't "prune" neural pathways and the overlap can contribute to positive and negative elements of cognitive differences. E.g. improved pattern recognition vs sensory overload. I would cite the studies I have looked at, but I can't be bothered digging through my browsing history.
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This is one of those times where I overthink the interaction and realise I'm possibly at fault for being "too much", or reflect on a childhood memory and have it reframed as another example of me being neurodivergent and not fitting in. But at that point in time, age 9 or 10, the other kids on my debate team seemed fine with me sharing my point and explaining it, as a means to an end in completing the class debate. I thought I was welcomed.
It's only with this comment, I find myself wondering how much of my past conduct was actually too much or too weird or too different for other people.
Ironically, this lunch came after we had an hour long presentation from the EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) team at work... where they specifically outlined how feeling "othered" can negatively affect behaviour.
Cool. Cool Cool Cool.
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quietwings-fics · 4 months ago
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and how could I ever refuse
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Fandom: Doctor Who Ship: Gen (Master/Missy & OC, Bill & OC) Additional Tags: Drabble Sequence, Songfic, References to ABBA, Minor Violence, Implied/Referenced Cannibalism, Singing, 5 Times Wordcount: 500 Part 24 of 11089/Even Fics Summary:
There's a certain song the Master knows.
The Master is singing. Even thinks they might kill him for that.
“Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war!”
He moves across their TARDIS, frenetic energy vibrating beneath his skin, and though Even steps back, he grabs their arm and pulls them into a dance. A stumble, on their part, dragged along into a spinning, bouncing rhythm that makes them dizzy.
“Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore,” voice warbling low, simpering smile.
The Master leans too close. Even stomps on his foot. Without missing a beat, he shoves them away into the console hard enough to bruise their back.
----
The radio buzzes to life as Even messes with the dials. Out of the corner of their eye, the Master… She turns before a mirror, observing her new body.
She smells wrong. Even buries their nose in the crook of their elbow.
The first notes have barely played, upbeat my, my, before the Master scoffs.
“Find something more my style.”
“You like that song.”
“New ears,” she insists.
“It’s my radio,” Even argues back.
“Our TARDIS, our radio. Play me something sweet, dear.”
Frustrated, Even fiddles away.
-you’re so pretty, can’t you understand-
“That’s more like it!” Even sighs loudly.
----
“Doctor?” Bill calls into the TARDIS.
“Not here,” Even answers from the floor. They look very comfortable there. The TARDIS is playing music. Bill didn’t know it could do that. “He’s bad with time.”
“Never late to lectures, though,” Bill says.
“Good at talking at people,” Even concedes. “You can wait here.”
Bill isn’t going to lay on the ground when there’s chairs.
-I feel like I win when I lose.
“Is that ABBA?” she laughs.
Even nods.
“Sorry, guess I didn’t think that was your style.”
“It’s familiar,” Even sighs. “Should be trying new music.”
“You’re looking for recs?”
----
“I tried to hold you back,” Noble hums beneath their breath, “but you were stronger.”
Something clicks in Bill’s brain, recognition sharp enough to hurt, something she should know, something obvious.
“Is that ABBA?” she demands.
Noble looks at her, frowning. “I don’t know. I just heard it somewhere.”
It’s there on the tip of her tongue. Bill knows. She knows. Noble is staring at her, head tilted. They aren’t right. In their voice, in the song- Bill should be able to connect it.
Why can’t she. Why can’t she.
Razor coughs to get her attention. Bill’s distracted. Bill forgets.
----
“Waterloo,” Even’s lips are cracked, dry, and bleeding, their voice is a thready whisper, and still, they stumble along, “wouldn’t escape if you wanted to.” The clank of metal punctures through their singing. They’re exhausted, their head feels like it’s boiling, and they’re starving.
They’ve learned that Cybermen, when made out of living men and not dead ones, keep the flesh inside alive. Fresh.
“Waterloo, knowing I’m late to see it through.” They drag the Cyberman’s limp form along. One more. So many to go.
They wonder if they’ll die first.
They inhale, start coughing.
No. That’d be too easy.
(Enjoyed it? Any interaction is welcomed. You can even support me on Ko-Fi <3)
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7.12.24 Friday
8:05 am
Still,have windblow...
Fakers people are somewhere out there... Not my ideal life here... Uncle Jun is strange but he is only helping me here on foodish... I hate it when everything is just instant!
It is ohkay to eat instant food if we can order in fast food? Or any food shop restaurant like an online delivery from Jollibee,Mc Donulds, Wendys or Max Restaurant or Pizza food or from American Navy. Gets?
Instant food from Carinderia'z sometimes are oldish food from yesterday... Plus, it is good to have stock in the ref.
I need some toiletries and for cleaning materials...I wanna leave Cavite...
I'm thinking of money.... I hate it when someone is trapping me and well-planned "for so long"...
9:07 am
Harvey is cleaning the garage, sweeping coz Uncle DD and Aunt Karen are here now at this very moment... Entering the garage now,angels...
Hmmm....Hmmm... Big mystery....
I didn't ask a money assistance from Uncle DD and Aunt Karen coz Uncle DD is always saying that "help me, I don't have any extra money or I don't have money".... The meralco bill was being shouldered by them but Uncle Jun said it was borrowed but Aunt Teresa is paying them...
9:28 am
I just asked 1 sachet of coffee from Harvey coz Crysette won't give me, she is rolling her eyes up whenever I asked a coffee...
12:07 noon
Uncle Jun brought a pata ( thigh & legs of a pig ) it was given to him by someone.... He said this is I think still ohkay to eat...
Uncle DD's gang gave a nilagang beef this lunchie..
Not my ideal life... I feel fat,old and ugly... I'm fading angels... I need a lift... I need back-up from Ash, Garret and my reality cousin-white...
I wanna get a breast-implants, it is just on my list things to do...But I don't know... I wanna leave Cavite... My priority is my nose perfection... Coz my face faded just for nothing... It is sagging already...
I can't accept the fact angels that it's been 17 years and they are just waiting for my face to sag without any progress or any positive recognition of my youth...
Still, I don't have money and job hoping it is for real...
12:35 noon
Whew! This is cool...
I'm so gay.... Hazel for her... Or Beige...
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1 pm
Shit! It is Beverly Hills 90210!
Funny I was liking it since I was 10 with my friend in Manila in Arthur's Compund named Aikee but something happened...
I should be Kelly here,the blonde girl...
youtube
1:56 pm
Still,have windblow...
I wanna leave Cavite... I feel so frustrated... Crazy this Miss Fermin, yeah! Yeah! English is fun!
Later will go live Miss Fermin! I'm gonna go live in Tagged later Eagle-Beagles!
I need money... I need a job and I got a j.o. already ( job offer ) Disney account hoping to work in an actual Disneyland..
I need to look for money and I need to pay my loans...
3:09 pm
This crazy bullshit Brady's bunch?
If only Filipinos knew this....It is somehow "incest"...
youtube
3:34 pm
Is there Marcia out there?
Hi, my name is Phyllis... It is an american name.
youtube
4:01 pm
The brilliant brain nerves are all interesting, angels...
Taboo--Incest!
Marcia & Greg!!!
I don't know... I just wanna leave Cavite and have some life,buy starbucks everyday...I feel self-pity angels! Money and Vanities and My Cute Stuff!!!
youtube
4:04 pm
I can't get progress and I feel fat,old and ugly and I'm so broke...
I truly like my cousin-white, Garret is my inspiration... Ash is my trophy saviour...
4:25 pm
Still,have windblow...
I just love the rhythm and cute words....... hmm...
I feel irritated, I can't give my virginity on someone that I don't like but I can sing for 10k...
My cousin-white & Garret can be my morning star! Ash is my trophy on the move...
youtube
4:59 am
Some kind of Vanilla-tannish--Garretish...
Loving my cousin-white,my vanilla baby.
Ashes...
youtube
6:29 pm
Uncle DD is having a split personality... He is suddenly changing and I'm not sure if Uncle DD is aware of himself...
Coz I'm aware of myself and I'm aware of my emotions...
9:32 pm
Still,have windblow...
Thinking of money, glad I already have a j.o. ( job offer ). But still thinking of money... I have to pay Credit Peso,Tala, Moca2x and my Lazadah loan... I badly need this job...
Hoping I can get my cousin-white back, I don't know... Or Garretish... I don't know...
If Ashes will be here, then she will be here with me... That's a funny fate... She needs to be with me if in-case...
I know I will always love my cousin-white.
9:47 pm
My brother ( RV ) next to me... RV still had his teeth braces that time...
I was broken hearted that time, I think so ...
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Wanted friends high school friends-- Mheng, Netski and Karen.
Our 3rd year high school prom night in Immaculate Conception Academy.
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It was my house in Quezon City... I have a tomboy cousin as well... They visited me there, way, way back...
Aela and Maco were there as well...
I was broken-hearted... I was in medicine school then I stopped...
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My 15th Birthday wanted friends Brien, Ronnie and Jason...
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Roshena wearing a jumper and black sleeveles. Algina was there, Lilybeth, Niece of maam Fabriquer...
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Roshena on her jumper... Jerome on his stripe...
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With Bessing...
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10:35 pm
Still, have windblow...
I will shower and go live in Tagged???
Hmm... I asked Crysette if they already feed Neko and she said Neko was fed by Uncle DD... But awhile ago, I checked I didn't see any bowl of Neko, outside... Not sure if Uncle DD really fed Neko... But I gave her food on the ice cream container...
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teddy06writes · 3 years ago
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You Didn't Need Us Then, We Don't Need You Now
Requested by this anon: "Okay I thought of this idea during Fundy's stream. Quackity and reader were engaged to Karl and Sapnap, but they left because of Karl losing his memory and Sapnap paying more attention to him. Quackity and reader then created Las Navadas to try and cope with everything that's happened to them. They created a little wedding area where they planned to get married with Sap and Karl. Flash forward to a year or two later, Karl and Sap stumble across Las Navadas and their two former fiancees. And they see everything they've done, including the little wedding area. which is perfectly designed as to how they wanted their wedding together. That's is as far as I got to the imagine in my head. If you could make a fic out of it that would be cool. If not at least you have this cute imagine in your head! 😊"
{Okay, so- so man feels, so many ideas. I haven't seen all of the Los Nevadas streams yet because I've got a lot of school stuff going on, but, I think I have a pretty good idea of what's going on. [also Slime from The Ground my beloved]}
Quackity x reader; Past: Sapnap x Karl x Quackity x reader
trigger warnings: maybe some swearing, slight descriptions of a panic attack, slight drinking
premise: After L'manburg was destroyed, two of your fiancées seemed to disappear. With just Sapnap left, you had been scared, but he assured you that the right thing to do was split up to try and find Quackity and Karl. And, well, you found Quackity, but when He found Karl.... something else had taken over, and suddenly Kinoko Kingdom was more important than finding you and quackity again. But thats fine. You and Quackity had been together in the begining, so what did you need from the other two? Las Nevadas could fill the void they left,,, and it did, until they happened to come knocking, right as you were finally moving on.
{Also, parental unit for everyone in Las Nevadas, I love it, brain is going brr so hard}
{also also, purpled is the forgotten eldest child of the server and no the ufo does not get blown up}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's gone, (y/n) it's all gone," You said with disbelief, staring over the barren, ashy place that had once been L'manburg and El Rapids, "We couldn't stop him."
Sapnap took in a shaky breath, wrapping an arm around your shoulders, "We were never could have. Even if the supplies weren't destroyed."
The remaining people had already cleared out, but you had only now come to see the damage, having been forced away from the battle by your fiancées.
"I could have helped." You fell to your knees, still staring at the wreckage.
Sapnap could only sigh at the broken look on your face. You had lost the only home you'd ever known, but what had he lost? Well, for one thing, Karl.
Karl was still no where to be found, and now it seemed that Quackity had disappeared.
He fiddled with the purple band that circled one of his fingers, "Look- we- we need to find Quackity and Karl. Q looked pretty bad the last time I saw him, and Karl-"
Resolutely you nodded, dragging yourself to stand, "Karl is Karl. He'll be happy that his statue missed being blown up. I think its Q we should be worried about. This place- El Rapids- that was everything to him."
"Well- how about you go find Quackity, and I go find Karl. We're bound to find them eventually if we split up." He offered.
You studied the look on his face, "You're covering for him. What's going on?"
Sapnap only shook his head.
Crossing your arms you turned toward the hill, and what was left of the prime path, "Quackity has the deed to some land. North of Spawn. Meet us there once you kind K, alright?"
"Okay." He said softly, leaning over to press a soft kiss on your cheek.
"Be safe." You advised, already starting away.
~~
It didn't take you very long to track down your Fiancé, in all the time you'd known him (much longer than you'd known the others), he hadn't changed too much.
So, when you made your way through the twisted paths near Pogtopia, he was up on the ridge, sitting on the rock that had for so long, doubled as a bench.
"It's good to see you're safe." You hugged your arms to your body, trying to keep your voice from shaking.
As soon as you were sitting next to him, he was leaning on you, "He destroyed everything- all that work- El Rapids-"
"I know." You wrapped your arms around him, finally letting your own tears fall, "I know."
"What are we gonna do? I just wanted a place for us- I just- I wanted to make a place for us- all we asked for was recognition- and now the only place that saw was recognizing us is gone."
It had taken a while for Quackity to stop talking about everything that had been destroyed. Even then he kept asking, "But- Just wanted to make a place for you guys, how are we gonna do that now?"
"We can still make a place," You assured him, even as you yourself were unsure, "We'll make our own little country. So far out where no one will be able to blow it up."
He seemed to take to the idea quickly, and that night, as the two of you sat together in the camp that had been made within the caverns of Pogtopia, he talked feverently of the country you two would make.
He talked of buildings, of businesses, and of wedding venues. The plans he made up that night, they were almost enough to make you forget about what had happened to your home.
"What about that land north of spawn?" You suggested, letting your head rest back on his shoulder.
Quackity thought about it for a moment, "I mean- its just some desert, but I think we could make it work."
"Good, I told Sap to meet us there once he found Karl."
He nodded, "We'll head up there, and start getting everything ready, and then when they're ready they can come up."
~~ This was how three months came to pass, with the busyness of planning the new city, the beginning of construction, the meetings with Sam to plan for the new economic system that the new country would spread through the lands.
Yet you still felt off. It had been that long and Karl and Sapnap had never returned, something must have gone horribly, horribly wrong. It nagged at you, constantly, Drove you sick with anxiety somedays.
"(y/n)."
You looked up from the designs for the next casino you had been going over, "Sam! I didn't know you were visiting today! What can I do for you?"
"Uhhh, I wasn't planning on it, you better come out here- it's Quackity, we had been discussing- some things. I don't know what happened but when he passed back through-" The creeper hybrid trailed off.
You quickly stood, rushing passed him and through the hall to the courtyard where Sam had left him, gasping for breath and tugging at his hair.
In an instant you were kneeling beside him, "Breath baby, breath."
"They- he- George- Kinoko- Sap- left- on purpose-" He blubbered.
"Hey, Q," You took his hands as gently as you could, "look at me. Breath, breath with me. Come on, breath."
Slowly, he began to calm down, and by the time Sam was long gone he slowly began to explain what happened.
"I was heading back from talking with Sam, I saw George outside the prison. He kept talking about something- about- Kinoko Kingdom..." He sighed.
"Kinoko- what?" You asked, confused.
He let his head drop into his hands, "Karl and Sapnap.... started another country- called Kinoko Kingdom... they didn't even wait for us."
You felt your heart drop, if you hadn't been holding his hands yours would've been shaking, "What-"
Quackity could only nod shakily as he pulled you into his arms.
"I told him to come back here- I told- why didn't they-" You muttered absently.
The only noise in the courtyard was from the fountains, and the small sniffles from the two of you.
You were still in a state of semi-shock and sadness when you felt his arms tighten around you.
"We don't need them anyway. Las Nevada's can prosper without them."
~~ "Purpled? You want to get him in on this?" Quackity frowned.
You shrugged, "He's a mercenary, he could be of some help around here."
Your fiancé studied your face for a moment, "No, that's not it. Why do you really want him here?"
"Look, he's-" You sighed, "The kids been through a lot. He doesn't really have anything anymore, he needs somewhere, someone at least. We owe that too him at least."
After a moment, he nodded, "I haven't spoken to him since I paid him for his help with that egg mess. He- didn't seem to like me being around."
"I'll try to find him, he'd talk to me, I'm sure of it." You stood up from your seat at the table.
"You're going now?" He asked, following you across to the coat room.
You nodded, tugging on your boots, "If I want to make it through to the Greater SMP before it gets dark. I'll see if Eret will let me stay the night, then I'll head out again."
"Be careful." Quackity advised once you were ready.
You pecked at his lips, "I always am."
The journey to the Greater SMP went quickly, and after a nights stay in Eret's castle, you had made your way to the UFO, disappointed to find it seemingly abandoned.
"How the hell am I supposed to find him if the one place he ever seems to be is empty." You muttered, glancing around the base of the UFO.
You shrugged off your knapsack, dropping it to the side, followed by the sword that had been at your hip, and then you began to climb.
Even the inside of the UFO was completely empty, devoid of any chests, crafting tables, or furnaces.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
You jumped, turning to find Purpled, in full netherite, sword gripped tight in his hand.
"I- We've been looking for you." You fumbled for an explanation, holding up your hands in a sort of surrender.
He scoffed, "I already did a job for you people, I'm busy now."
"Not for a job Purpled!" You couldn't help but exclaim, "Some people actually try to find you for more than just that."
"Then what do you want?" He snapped.
"Did Q tell you about Nevadas?"
Purpled frowned, "Yeah, he mentioned it."
"Well, I think you should join. Come in on the project."
"Why the hell would I do that?"
You sighed, "Look, Purpled, you- everyone here, in this smp, they don't care, they don't bother to know you. You- you don't really have a place here-"
"You think I don't know that?" Purpled's grip on his sword tightened.
"So, If you come with us, join Las Nevadas, you can have a place- have people who care. You need people, Purpled."
"I don't Need anyone." He insisted.
You sighed, "Someday your going to have to see that that's not true. Please consider joining Las Nevadas, no one here cares, but we do."
"That's not true," He said bitterly, "You just need me to do another god damned job."
With a shake of your head you turned, preparing for the climb back down, "Purpled, this smp isn't kind to children, but I think it's been the most unfair to you. Out here your being forgotten, but you might not be if you join us."
~~
At the base of the UFO you were surprised to find a strange, slimly looking boy digging through your bag.
"Hey!" You yelled, "Don't touch that! It's not yours!"
He looked up and froze, realizing he'd been caught.
You snatched your things away from him, quickly unsheathing your sword, "Who are you?"
"Uhhhh, I'm a meat person- same as you!" He offered.
"You- you're- uh-" You sputtered for a moment confused, "Why were you touching my things?"
"Uhhhhh, Dap me up!" He said avoiding the question.
You stared at him for a moment, "I don't have time for this."
As you started back toward the prime path you heard him call, "Nice to meet you (y/n) from Las Nevadas!"
"How do you know my name?" You demanded, whirling around.
"Oh, I know a lot of things." He laughed, "I see lots 'a stuff."
You frowned, "Uh huh. I'm gonna- walk away now."
~~ A week had passed, and there was still no signs of Purpled, nor Fundy or Foolish, (both of whom Quackity had gone to speak to whilst you were away), coming to Las Nevadas.
You were sure that Purpled would come around eventually, but had no faith that anyone else would join Las Nevadas, until you had heard a strange noise in the night.
It had been a cross between a clang and a yell, and then almost like something being dragged.
You had been going over some of the contracts you had been preparing for if anyone ever did show up when you'd heard it, and your fiancé seem to be gone from his own office, and your bedroom even, so quickly you armed yourself with your sword before hurrying out after the noise.
The streets of Las Nevadas were still partially lit by street lamps as you hurried along, it didn't take you long to find your fiancé, just outside of city limits, pacing In front of a strange looking hole.
"What the hell are you doing?" You hissed.
"Hey! It's (y/n) from Las Nevadas!"
You jumped at the voice, turning to see that no, the hole wasn't green, that the same slime boy from before was sitting in it.
"You! What are you doing here?!" You exclaimed.
"Quackity from Las Nevadas put me in this hole!" He said cheerfully.
Quackity grabbed your shoulder, turning you away from Slime and the hole, "You know him?"
"He was trying to look through my stuff after I talked to Purpled," You explained, glancing back over at the hole, "Said he sees just about everything, uhh, as far as I can tell, he's like the hybrids- but- weirder."
"Nope! I'm just a totally goopless guy! I'm bones and stuff!" He called from the hole.
"Oh god we have crazy people here." Quackity muttered scrubbing a hand over his face.
You moved to crouch next to the hole, "What- uh- What are you doing here buddy?"
"Oh I'm just oozing around. Dap me up!"
Confused, you complied, nervously laughing as he grinned at the handshake.
"I found him spying in the restaurant." Quackity sighed.
"What's spying?" The boy in the hole asked, "I just listen."
"Yeah well tell me exactly what you heard or I'll ill you right now!" Quackity threatened, pulling out his sword.
He hummed, "Well, I saw you, and I saw (y/n) from Las Nevadas. And there was a green guy, and a purple guy. I know of a Red guy, dead guy but he's not dead anymore-"
Your breath hitched, "Dead guy?"
"Yeah, looked real ashy- maybe even ...sooty?..." He confirmed.
Quackity glanced back at you, "And he's not dead anymore?"
"No. He's weird now. Got gray hair instead of grey skin. Used to run a country- got blown up though."
"How much have you seen man?" You asked, incredulous.
He shrugged, "I mean, I move slow but I've seen a lot. Lately a lot of conversations about taking advantage of the ever so fragile human psyche through gambling."
"Holy shit." you muttered.
Quackity glared up into the night sky, almost looking for an answer.
Shifting closer too look at the boy you frowned, "What's all that green stuff?"
"Oh- those are just- my totally normal- human parts! I'm a person!" He grinned.
You sighed, "Uhh, look, what's your name? Like how I'm (y/n) from Las Nevadas, who are you?"
"Oh, I'm goop from the ground!" He smiled for a moment before realizing his mistake, "I mean- I'm a meat person!"
Quackity still seemed to be praying to the sky, not paying any attention.
"Goop from the ground," You muttered, slowly connecting the dots, "Well, uhh, goop, how bout I give you a regular person name?"
"A person name? Oh boy!" He laughed.
You thought for a moment longer, "How about- Charlie?"
Charlie grinned, somehow even wider than before, "Woah! I have a real human name! Like any other regular human meat person!"
"Yep, you do." You chuckled.
"And, to be clear, I definitely am one of those, and not a piece of goop, that's slowly come to the surface, hiding as a person!"
As you continued to talk with Charlie, Quackity seemed to come to a realization, "He's like an accidental spy!"
And, when you helped him out of the hole Quackity was quick to say, "Well, this- this- was- was uh a formal greeting! Yeah that's what we call them!"
"Wow!" Charlie mused.
The walk back to Las Nevadas was quiet, until Charlie turned to you, "(y/n) from Las Nevadas, if I'm Charlie- where- where?"
You smiled, "Do you want to be Charlie from Las Nevadas?"
~~
By the end of the same week, after having gotten Charlie fully on board, and slight agreement from Foolish, word finally came from Purpled.
You'd been working on the next phase of the whole Nevadas Project when Charlie rushed in, "(y/n) from Las Nevadas! There's someone here!"
You frowned, "Who?"
"Purpled from UFO!" He practically yelled.
Standing, you tucked your papers away, "That's perfect Charlie, thank you. Do you want to come with to help show him around?"
He nodded, following you out of your office.
Outside, you found Purpled, along with his dog, looking up at the casino in awe.
"Purpled! You came!" You called cheerfully.
The boy turned, a strange expression you couldn't read on his face, "What? No 'I told you so'? No 'I knew you'd come around eventually'?"
You shrugged, "I'm just glad you finally came."
He sighed, "It's not like they needed me anywhere else."
You put a hand on his shoulder, "That's alright, We need you here."
"They- I went to tell Ponk I was leaving," Purpled sounded too broken, too tired, "He said he was too busy to talk to me."
Before you could say anything, he continued, "I had a house, near L'Manhole. I- I uh blew it up, to see what would happen," His shoulders began to shake, ever so slightly, as he finished in a whisper, "No one even noticed."
In one quick move you wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him into a hug, "It's okay Kid, it'll be okay now."
That was how your fiancé found you, standing outside the main casino, a teen all but sobbing into your shirt, Charlie looking on confused.
~~
And so, the time passed, Las Nevadas grew, and you and your new little family did along with it.
Quackity found it funny, really, your ability to bring people onto your side be connecting with them emotionally, and as he put it, all but adopting them.
Charlie still took up a room in the apartments you and Quackity staid in above the offices. Purpled would come over when things around the country weren't so busy, and you'd talk for hours, Foolish joining in some of the time.
Fundy, on his first night in the city, had broken down to you, the same as Purpled, but you'd helped him put himself together. Though Tommy, Tubbo and Ranboo didn't have official places in Las Nevadas, it seemed a chunk of their time was spent there.
Yep, that was your new strange family. You, Your fiancé and the kids but not really young enough to still be kids you accidently adopted.
Now, you reflected on this quietly, from the top of the needle.
"You okay?" Quackity asked softly, looking over at you.
You chuckled softly, "Can you believe that it's been two years?"
"No, can you?"
You shook your head, "You know, I've been thinking. A long time ago, you told me we were better off with out Karl and Sapnap."
He watched silently, as you pulled the other two rings that you had kept, holding them up by the chain they were strung on.
"Maybe- you were right- and maybe it's finally time to get married. Just us. We didn't need them to get here, we won't need them for anything else."
A small smile slipped onto Quackity's lips, "Would you marry me?"
"You already know the answer to that." You chuckled.
"So it's a yes?"
"Obviously." You scoffed.
"When should we have the ceremony then?" He asked.
"Right now," You mused, "We opened that wedding hall for a reason, right? We could get married proper, right now. It's already decorated the way Tubbo originally planed."
He laughed, "Let's do it tomorrow that way we have time to get like, notices out and shit."
You smiled, "Of course."
The sun had begun to set during this discussion, and you looked out over the peaceful landscape with a soft sigh, yes, this, this was home.
And even as you heard Charlie tripping and crashing his way up the stairs, the thought still filled your head.
"Quackity and (y/n) from Las Nevadas!" He exclaimed, "Purpled from Las Nevadas found some people by the border!"
In an instant, both you and Quackity were standing, "What were they doing?"
"Looking around, real weird like. Fundy From Las Nevadas said they might be here to attack us! I hope they aren't."
You followed Quackity past him and back down from the tower, drawing your sword as Charlie called out where he had left Purpled and the mystery people.
What you found was not what you expected.
Purpled stood, sword drawn and pointed at the men you least expected to see now.
Karl looked scared, tucked back behind Sapnap who was moving to draw his own sword.
Not another move!" You barked, moving to stand in line with Purpled.
Karl's face light up upon seeing you, "(y/n)! Quackity! I missed you!"
"Did you?" Quackity spit.
"Sapnap drop your sword." You commanded, not paying attention to the strange look on their faces, no one, and I mean no, pulled a sword on your family.
He frowned, "Wh- (y/n) don't be like that. I get it- but- why..."
"What are your intentions? Why have you come here?" You asked.
"We wanted to find you!" Karl said, "We missed you (y/n)."
"Uhh, that's (y/n) from Las Nevadas to you." Charlie said.
Quackity sighed, grabbing Charlie by the collar and pulling him back, "Sorry- he's been learning sass and sarcasm lately."
"Still, what are you doing here?" You pushed.
"We wanted to find you! You've been gone so long, we thought we'd go looking." Sapnap explained.
"We've been gone?" You scoffed, "You were the ones who disappeared."
Karl moved forward, grabbing your left hand, and Quackity's right, "We just wanted to come back, to finally get married."
You pulled away, slowly sheathing your sword, "You can't be serious?"
"What do you mean?" Karl asked, the smile just beginning to drip off his face.
"You fucking left us- We were just trying to make a place for the four of us to be safe and you left us! And now you want back? Out of the blue?" Your voice steadily grew louder, "You cannot show up here after abandoning us like that!"
Quackity gently took your hand, murmuring, "(y/n)..."
"No. They don't get to do this!" You turned to him, watching his face change upon seeing the mix of anger and sadness in your eyes.
"W- We'll talk about this tomorrow, away from the kids," He asserted, for once not earning any protest about age from Purpled or Fundy, "Charlie, you think you can take these guys on a tour of the place?"
He nodded eagerly, "This way this way!"
As Sapnap, Karl, Purpled and FUndy began to trudge after him, Quackity turned to you, "(y/n)?"
You just shook your head, pulling your hand out of his and starting away.
~~ Purpled had followed the tour party quietly, taking a page from Charlie's book and watching, observing everything.
He had seen the pain in your face at the suggestion of marriage, and the anger in Quackity's just upon seeing them.
So, he followed the men warily, watching the way Karl exclaimed about how he had built an Effile tower just like the one in the city in Manberg, and the way that Sapnap mentioned fondly how the décor at the wedding hall matched the ones you two had always spoken about.
Hearing it nearly drove him mad. Did they not realize that it had all been for them? That dreams of them arriving were the only thing that had ruled Your and Quackity's minds?
When Charlie had directed the group, which by now included some of the other tourists, past one of the bars, he stopped.
Inside, Quackity was slumped at the bar, a bottle of whiskey in hand.
"Drinking away your problems won't solve them." Purpled sighed, pulling the bottle away from him.
"We were doing so good without them. You know that Purp. But here they are, back and ready to fuck things up again. That's how it's always been." He muttered.
The boy shook his head, "They don't realize how destructive they are? Do they?"
"Never have." He sighed.
"Lets get you back home."
Quackity allowed himself to be manhandled into standing, and then led out of the bar, back toward the offices, and toward the apartment.
"(y/n) will figure it out. They always do." Purpled assured him, pulling open the apartment door and ushering him in.
"But they shouldn't have too," He sighed, running a hand through his hair, not bothered by the way his beanie fell to the floor, "They've dealt with so much without help. Yet they're always the ones to help us."
~~
Once he had wrangled Quackity into the bedroom, Purpled headed back out, finding Fundy at the base of the Needle, "They up there?"
"Yeah," The hybrid sighed, "Quackity?"
"Got drunk. He's- painfully coherent though." He winced.
Fundy ran a hand through his hair, "It's hard to believe one of the nicest people around is the one to fuck them up like this."
"Makes perfect sense to me," Purpled said as they began to make their way toward the stairs, "My first night here- I was having a hard time, because- the whole server acted like I didn't exist. (y/n) told me about how Sapnap and Karl had abandoned them."
"Did it seem this bad though?" Fundy asked.
"No- but that was before they turned up again talking about marriage."
By now they had reached the top of the tower, and Purpled could see where you sat by the ledge, feet dangling over. Quietly, they both sat down on either side of you.
"How's Q?" You asked quietly after a moment.
"Drunk, but back at your apartment, well supplied with water." Purpled reported.
You nodded, "And K and- Karl and Sapnap?"
"Waaay to blissfully ignorant." Fundy said.
Quiet held you three in silence for a moment, until at last Purpled sighed, asking, almost bitterly, "So- are you gonna marry them? You were going to once."
"Even if I did it wouldn't change anything here." You mumbled.
"Sapnap was talking about how cool it would be to come back and visit from Kinoko after the honeymoon." Fundy admitted.
Before you could say anything Purpled drew one of his knees to his chest, "I- don't- it feels like they'd be taking you away from us- I like it the way it is. Things are nice, and they're just fucking it up."
Fundy nodded, "As much as I hate to say it, he's right. If you people all get married nothing will be the same. I kind of liked having parental figures, I don't want them messing that up."
"They won't." You promised softly.
By god, if you hadn't already made up your mind, their words would've swayed you.
~~ After a while, you stood, "Let's go home."
They followed you tiredly, Charlie joining the mini procession at one intersection, telling you that Sapnap and Karl had gone to get a hotel room.
At the apartment, Quackity was sitting on the couch, already seeming more sober than Purpled had told you. When you sat next to him, his arms were quick to wrap around you, holding you like a lifeline.
Charlie took his place on the other side of the couch, Purpled curled up in the armchair, and Fundy dug around until he found one of the old projectors he'd left there, queuing up a movie.
"Hey, just like on Nightmare's days!" Charlie laughed, referring to the infamous 16th, where, just about every month it seemed you, Fundy, Quackity and sometime Purpled would have nightmares of the Manburg Pogtopia war, and everyone would congregate in the living room to watch one of Fundy's movies.
"Sure as hell feels like one." Quackity muttered.
And so you watched the movie, though your thoughts drifted, thinking of how you would deal with your reappearing ex-fiancés.
As you thought, you created a mini script in your head. Exactly what you would say came you.
"You didn't need us then, and we don't need you now."
Yes, you thought, leaning more into Quackity's side, thats what you'd say, after you talked about your new family.
(and the next day, you did just that)
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katelynthecrazy · 3 years ago
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Altered Altars
       Being a hero was a difficult job.
       There were nights you couldn't remember, nights you didn't want to. Times when the pressure made you crack and the walls so carefully crafted around your lives break. Lives you couldn't save, villains you didn't want to, friends who didn't make it.
       It took a toll on you. Chewed you up and spat you out a shell of your former self. Because the job just took and took and took and only seemed to give hollow recognition and cold cash in compensation. Families were liabilities, unnecessary added stress--and that was with only one hero in the equation. Two? Unthinkable.
       But Kirishima didn't know where he'd be without Bakugo and the rest of his friends--though namely Bakugo. Yeah, the guy who used to hide his weights under his bed so he wouldn't stress-press at two a.m., Bakugo. The man who once kicked him out of the dorms on a Tuesday night because he'd accidentally just ruined forty-eight ounces of steak, Bakugo. The guy who once drove three hours across Japan because of an accidental auto-correct (on Kirishima's end) that had him overly concerned and Kirishima had fallen asleep before he could see the blonde's texts so instead woke up to the Explosion Hero trying to knock down his apartment door.
       So yeah. He didn't know where he'd be without Bakugo.
       But he figured that it probably wouldn't be in a goddamn church losing his fucking mind because where the shit is Katsuki?!
       "Dude, chill out," Kaminari soothed on his left, trying desperately not to lose it himself. "He's probably just running a little late."
       "Right," Kirishima shot back, "because that's perfectly normal, isn't it?! Being late to your own goddamn wedding?!"
       "Dude," this time it was Sero trying to calm him down. "We're in a church, please calm down."
       "Calm down? You think I can calm down?!" Kirishima squeaked. He reached up to run his hand frantically through his hair and Denki gently grabbed his wrist to stop him. "I'll calm down when somebody finds my fiance and lets me kick his ass! Like at this point I'd be okay if he called from like fucking Idaho or something and just said 'Hey, I'm fine but I'm not coming,' because I'm beginning to worry I'm about to get a call from the police with bad news!"
       "Don't say shit like that, man," Sero reasoned. "Look, Mitsuki and Midoriya are both trying their hardest to find him, he's probably okay. Maybe he just got into a fight with his tie, you know how he hates that thing."
       "He'd set it on fire and call it a day," Kirishima argued. "No tie is going to stop him from going somewhere he wants to go. It's been over an hour."
       His mind had already methodically gone through every worst-case scenario it could think of and decided his reaction should he be presented with that ultimatum. And amid it all, he had to keep it together. In every corner of the room, a broad media camera stared back at him. If his brain didn't conjure up the ugliest, most vile things imaginable, the anchors and reporters with their big blocky microphones certainly did.
       This... this was bad. No one could reach Katsuki--his groom was missing on the most important day of their lives and no one had any clue where he was.
       What was he gonna do? What if he had to go home alone tonight and found the apartment barren and void of any trace of his fiance? What about the agency they were going to open together, all the things they were going to do. Kiri's bucket list was a mile long, but all those things included Kat and wouldn't be the same.
       Another half an hour ticked by slowly, Kirishima's heart breaking with every second. The wedding guests were muttering to each other, casting looks of pity towards the altar where Kirishima stood amongst his bridal party trying desperately to cheer him up.
       Five more minutes.
       Ten more minutes.
       Fifteen. Fifteen was the breaking point. Fifteen minutes made two hours and twenty seven minutes of standing at the altar waiting for the love of his life.
       And there at the breaking point, the doors bust open in classic explosive fashion, and there was Katsuki. Katsuki Bakugo, suit in tatters, coated in soot, his cheek bleeding and half the remains of a gauntlet hanging from his arm. Kirishima's jaw dropped, and Mitsuki stood like she couldn't decided to scold him or ask what had happened.
       "Apparently," Katsuki growled, surprisingly calm as he stomped down the aisle towards Kirishima, "The line 'can you behave tonight, I'm getting married' will not get villains to go away, so I'm sorry I'm late, love, but I've got Himiko Toga shoved in my trunk, Flabby-Hand's got my cell phone, and half the league is hunting me down--probably because of the Todoroki theories Icyhot keeps sending me."
       Eijiro made a noise that sounded strangled and stressed and pulled Katsuki into an embrace the moment he was within reach. It took a second, but crushing Katsuki against his chest let him release all the built up anxiety threatening to spill over. "God, Kats I was so worried, don't scare me like that, holy fuck."
       "I know, 'M sorry, Ei," he promised. "But I'm here now, so let's get our asses married so we can leave all these shit villains behind and get the fuck on our honeymoon."
       Eijiro laughed against his hair as Iida coughed to remind them that they weren't supposed to kiss until the end of the ceremony. Somehow, that had been the exact thing he needed to hear. "You saved me again, Kat."
       "Shut up. I'm the one who got into a car chase with Marble Mask and Turtle Man and made you worry, don't give me your praise."
       They pulled apart and moved to some semblance of the places they were supposed to be on the altar. "You sound like you've had an interesting night."
       "It's about to get a whole lot better."
~End~
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a-mended-pact · 3 years ago
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Let the Right One In
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A/N: So this is for @boldlyvoid 's challenge. I had so much fun writing this. Even though I'm still super anxious about posting my stories. It's been a pleasure and an honor getting to know you Em. Congratulations on reaching 2k! 🖤
Warning: Mentions of insecurities. Maeve Donovan. Faking a death.
Word count: 2,082
It was midday when I heard knocking on the front door. I was half tempted not to answer. Spencer was away on a case and neither him nor I were expecting anyone. Anyone that would come over at all was away on the case with him or states over. So who could be coming over unannounced? I clumsily headed towards the door. My fuzzy socks are making it difficult to stay balanced on the hardwood floor. A knock came again. It was gentler this time. 
I looked through the peephole and saw a small woman looking around nervously leaning from foot to foot. “Who is it?” I wondered if I could at least get a name. 
“I’m here to see Doctor Spencer Reid. I got his address from Aaron Hotchner.”
  My face blanched at the sound of Hotch’s name. It had been quite some time since anyone had mentioned him. After he went into protective custody with Jack even though the reaper was dead he still chose to stay away. Contact with him was rare and slim. I quickly opened the door and watched her jump back slightly. 
“Who are you?” she asked. She looked around the same age as him. She is actually quite beautiful. I wonder how Spencer knows her? 
“ I’m Y/n Reid.” She tilted her head to the side as she studied me.
 “I didn’t realize Spencer had a sister.” She finally met my gaze and smiled.
 “Is he here or do I need to come back at another time?” A small laugh escaped me 
“No, I am not his sister. I am his wife.” I crossed my arms over my chest and locked my foot in place behind the door keeping it only slightly ajar not letting her see into our home. 
Her face shifted to one of slight surprise. “Oh well I better just go then.” She went to turn away. When a thought crossed my mind.
 “Wait, I can call him if you’d like and let him know you are looking for him. What’s your name?” I was wondering whether this was a good idea or not to even call him but i had already offered and i am already in far too deep to turn back now. 
She stopped not turning to face me again. “My name is Maeve. Maeve Donovan.” 
Maeve. Why did I know that name? Why is my brain going off with alarm bells? But why do I know that name? I watched as she vanished from the hallway down the flight of stairs never turning back around to look at me. 
I slammed the door shut as I racked my brain on if I should mention this to Spencer at all. Especially while he is away on a case. Maybe I should wait until he gets home. He should be home later tonight. At least if the weather was alright over in New Hampshire. He had left me a message earlier this morning to let me know the case was solved and it had started snowing there but their flight wouldn’t be ready till a little later. 
He should be home in about an hour now. I will wait. I’ll definitely wait.
 
~
When Spencer walked through the door he looked sluggish and about ready to just collapse. The exhaustion clearly got to him from not getting enough sleep while he was away. He took off his satchel and his suit jacket. He began undoing his tie as he walked his way into our bedroom. Not even making eye contact with me. 
He came back out moments later in nothing but his flannel sweatpants. “Sorry I know I should have said hello to you. I just felt like I was suffocating in my clothes today.” As he spoke he made his way to the couch where I sat at one end.
 Once he sat down he leaned down and put his head in my lap. I gently started running my fingers through his hair while scratching his head. 
“That feels really nice.” His voice was soft and he let out a quiet sigh as he relaxed into the couch and my lap.
 If I wasn’t petting his head I was gently caressing his back with my fingertips. I know I needed to tell him. I was just so nervous. I knew somewhere deep down this would be stressful to him. The day already has worn him out so completely. It was like he needed my touch to recharge himself. I began biting my lip as my hand stopped on his lower back. 
“Hey, Spence, A woman came by to see you today. She said she got your address from Aaron.” He made a humming noise to let me know that he heard me. “Her name was Maeve Donovan.” I felt his back muscles tense at the sound of her name. He sat up immediately. 
“Wh- what did you say?” He looked at me as if I had just grown an extra head or as if I had just spoken another language.  “Mae-” He cut me off. “No, I heard what you said. I don’t need you to repeat yourself. It’s not possible she was at the door. She is dead. She’s been dead for years.” 
He pushed himself up off the couch, the muscles in his arms flexing more than usual. He was more tense than I have seen him in a long time. The last time I saw him this upset or stressed was when he first came back from prison. We were just dating back then.
“I am going to go call Hotch.” he moved quickly to grab his phone when he finally reached it. It began to ring. He looked at it for a couple of seconds before he answered.
“Hello?” His eyes widened slightly. I watched as he clenched his jaw and tears brimmed his eyes. 
“M-m-maeve?” He leaned himself back against the wall. His breathing became irregular as he slid himself down the cold panel. At the same time I saw a couple of tears leave his eyes.
I sucked in a breath and sighed. Was this going to be the end of us? Now that all the stories Spencer told me of her came back once he said that she was dead.
She was his first love after all. It would only make sense right?
====Spencer’s Pov=====
My vision was blurred beyond recognition. I could hear my blood pumping in my ears as the sound of her voice drifted in and out. This isn’t real. It’s not possible. I watched her die. I saw her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. I mourned her. It’s been years. Nearly a decade.
“Spencer? Can you hear me?” I felt my tears stream down my face, nodding as if she could see me. 
“Yeah, Yeah I can hear you.” My voice cracked as I answered her. 
“Just like old times huh? It’s so nice to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.” My breath hitched at her words. 
I felt my heart hammer in my chest. I glanced up to see if I could find my wife. She was watching me with concern but otherwise she hadn’t moved not yet. All the guards Y/n had torn down throughout the years started building themselves up higher and higher. 
"H-how are you alive? I watched you die." The horrible memories of that fatal day still haunted me. What am I supposed to do now?
Do I still have feelings for her? Is it wrong if I do? I don't know how to handle this. What should I do?
"That's why I came to see you earlier.  It was an idea that I came up with at the last minute.  So I faked my death." Her voice was calmer than my breathing.  I felt the walls Barricading around me to keep me safe. I was suffocating.
I wasn't sure I had heard her right. I could feel my ears ringing as the blood in me ran cold.
"You faked your death and made me believe for a decade that the first person I ever loved died a brutal death because you wanted a new life?" My tone was harsher than I anticipated.
I felt my wife's hands run through my hair in a comforting manner as she lowered herself to the floor with me.
I glanced at Y/n as tears streamed down my face. The memories of Maeve and my feelings for her wreaking havoc on my heart.
"Darling, I think you should hang up. For now anyway." She whispered it as her hand lowered to the back of my neck giving me a gentle message. 
My back stiffened. I was so caught up in my own nightmare I hadn't realized that this is probably a living one for her.
"Spencer. I can expla-" I cut off the call before she could even finish her sentence.  Y/n was right.
"You have a lot you need to process and I'm sure you didn't want to say anything you would regret. I'm sorry if I've overstepped." She looked a little nervous as if I was gonna snap at her the way I had Maeve 
I gently grabbed the hand that was touching me and brought it up to my lips placing a kiss on it.
"Nonsense. You are my wife. You were right. I should have hung up. I just. I don't know how to explain what I was feeling." I could feel my breathing begin to slow slightly as I tried to match her breathing to get mine back to normal.
It was like my world paused for a moment and began to spiral faster than I could catch my balance. I felt air fill my lungs when I heard her voice but yet I was left gasping for oxygen. 
The very thought of Maeve brought back so many things I thought I had dealt with prior to now.  I leaned my head against my wife's shoulder as I just let the tears fall.
I felt awful having her comfort me over another woman. Yet I couldn't bring myself to completely care. She was the one offering me comfort.  
She held me in her arms. Whispering to me that things will be okay. That we'd figure things out.
I truly didn't deserve her. She loves me so unconditionally it's unnerving. That's when my phone went off again.
It was the same number Maeve had called me from.
I glanced at my wife. Who just watched me. That's when I fully knew and decided something that had been bothering me for over the past hour or so.
I let my phone continue to ring as I cupped her face. 
"You...you make me feel special and good and all these things that I still don't have the words for yet— good things… things I never thought I deserved to feel.” I pulled her in closer letting our lips caress one another.
"I love you Spencer.  You don't need to say all of this right now. I know you are still-" She tilted her head to the side as if she were trying to figure me out.  "Cluttered and that's okay."
I kissed her harder than I've ever kissed anyone before.
"I’m not in love with her, I’m in love with you”
I have no real idea on if she needed this reassurance all I knew is that I did. I wanted her to know out loud what she meant to me. I couldn't imagine a better partner. A better lover or a better best friend than her.
 I wasn't going to have her doubt everything about us. Not for anything.
I stayed close to her as my phone kept repeatedly going off until eventually it stopped. I was still figuring things out. 
Knowing that Maeve was alive before I met Y/n would have changed my life completely but now? I didn't want anything to change.  For once I was happy. I had someone in my life who put me first. Who cared about me. Who wasn't afraid to hurt my feelings as long as it kept me safe. She loved me for me and all the mess in between who I have yet to become.
She saw me for me. I wasn't Doctor Spencer Reid.  I wasn't a federal agent or a professor to her. I was just Spencer.  The man for some ungodly reason she chose to love. 
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krispytidalwavesheep · 4 years ago
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Hopes and Dreams II
First of all: HOW AMAZING ARE YOU PEOPLE?! You gave me so much serotonin. All the reblogs with added tags, all the comments and favs and all the new followers, you are amazing. I will add a taglist for future chapters, so if you wanna get tagged, hit me up, and you will be added to that list. Seriously, I love you guys. ***
“Will you be able to walk?” Alcina asked and you just shrugged and motioned for her to lead the way. You walked in companionable silence for a while, which gave her the chance to take a longer look at you. You were pretty tall, even though you were still rather small compared to Alcina. She was pretty sure that you were taller than Heisenberg though, and that made her feel odd. You held yourself with a confidence she wouldn’t have expected after everything that happened in the last few minutes, reminding her again that you were not unfamiliar with the supernatural. It unnerved her to no end, and she found herself wanting to solve the mystery that surrounded you. Where did you come from? Exactly what is it what you were doing here? Would you turn into a threat or into an ally? Alcina wasn’t stupid, far from it. She knew that Mother Miranda’s hold on the Lords was slipping, Heisenberg’s silent plotting was proof enough. Did Mother Miranda know that you were here? Alcina sure didn’t, and the other Lords didn’t mention a stranger roaming the village and the surrounding woods. Although Heisenberg mentioned that an unusual amount of Lycans had disappeared. 
Her eyes roamed your figure again. Your hair was kept in a neat undercut, colored in a hideous blue that still looked good on you. You were clad in a black Hoodie and equally black Cargo pants, as if the cold didn’t bother you at all. It was the middle of the winter and yet you strolled through the cold as if it was springtime. Which made her wonder if you were really just a mere human. Everything she experienced with you implied that you weren’t ordinary and that intrigued Alcina greatly.
“You could just ask me about myself, you know?” you said and smiled up at her knowingly. Alcina flustered and wiped some non-existent lint from her long dress. So, you were aware that she was watching you.
“We usually don’t see strangers in these parts, especially ones who seem to know more than they should. Which raises the question why exactly you are here?”
“Considering that we just met, my lady, it wouldn’t be wise to reveal my whole tragic backstory. And further considering that I don’t know if I’ll see the light of day ever again if I were to enter your castle, forgive me if I won’t trust you with my motives yet. All you need to know for know is, that I am a traveler and have been for my whole life. I search for artifacts, among other things, that my benefactor can sell for good money. He took me in when I was just a child and took great care in training me. He is the closest thing I have to a father figure, although most people think me insane for the trust, I have in him. And as for why I am in Romania, I don’t really know to be honest, or wasn’t when I first got here. It was a gut feeling telling me to come here, and I find that I can trust those feelings, whenever they arise.” You said and stretched.
“I won’t keep you locked in the castle if you don’t give me a reason to mistrust you. There is a reason why no one come to these parts, so I am very wary of strangers. I have daughters to protect after all.” Alcina said, musing about what you said. If you were a traveler looking for artifacts, it would explain why you look at the supernatural as if it was a normal occurrence.
“You will have to see for yourself then, but I can assure you, that I am not here to hurt you or your daughters. My last mission… Didn’t go well and I originally came here recharge a bit, if you know what I mean. Again, forgive me if I am being too careful, but I have more enemies than I have friends, and I really like living.” You said carefully and Alcina kept staring at you. You didn’t seem dangerous to her, how could you, looking like you did, but she was still wary. She felt the sudden urge to protect you from whatever enemies you were talking about, but you were strangers. That realization hurt her more than it should, but with your past lives, it was so different. She always knew who was in front of her, whenever she met you, but this time around was just so complicated.
She felt drawn to you, even with your boyish looks you were still immensely attractive to her, and the way your blood sang to her made you all the more alluring. More than ever before if she was honest. But that is the problem, you were still familiar to her, but not as much as before and it scared her. You still had the potential to destroy her, even if you didn’t know about that.
***
You could practically smell the curiosity rolling of Lady Dimitrescu. She was wary of you and yet there was something in her eyes that you couldn’t quite place, even though it made your heart soar to new heights. She was as much a mystery to you as you were to her, and you felt so drawn to her. Like a moth to the flame. You briefly wondered if it had something to do with her nature. She seemed like a careful person, but considering from what you heard in the village, you totally got that. Which is why her next question caught you quite a bit off-guard: “Do you actually have a place to stay or are you just roaming around the forest, picking fights with Lycans?”
“Are you offering, my lady?” you said, wearing a Cheshire grin and wiggling your eyebrows. The blush that colored the Lady’s cheeks was worth every punishment you could possibly get from that comment. You still valued your life though, so you said: “I don’t mean you any harm. I just enjoy some friendly banter and it has been ages since I felt comfortable enough to do so. To answer your question, no, I don’t really have a place to stay. I’m helping someone with their housework every now and then though, so as a thanks they let me sleep on their couch whenever possible.”
“What kind of housework?”
“Nothing much, some cooking and general repairs.” You shrug and the smile she gave you was positively sinful when she asked, “What else are you able to do with your hands?”
It was your turn to blush and blushing you did; you even felt the tips of your ears go warm and it didn’t help at all that Lady Dimitrescu started chuckling. Still, you weren’t one to miss an opportunity so you said “Well that’s for you to find out, my lady” with a smaller voice you would have liked. How had one woman such a power over you?
“Hmmm, maybe I will, my dear,” she said and winked, making your brain short circuit. You stumbled in your steps and her hand steadying you didn`t help one bit. Sparks shot through your arm when she touched you and you felt something niggling at the back of your mind. No one ever had such an effect on you, no matter how stunningly beautiful they were. Suddenly, shivers ran down your spine, and not the good ones, so you took a protective stand in front of Lady Dimitrescu and said “Careful. Someone is watching.”
And just as you spoke the words, a shadow descended upon you and your instinct started to kick in. Your knife was out in seconds, a voice in your head urging you to protect your Lady. So, when the shadow descended upon you, you had it pinned down, snarling furiously. You felt your fangs elongating and your sense grew ever sharper. Well, seems like the cat was out of the bag now.
“Let go of me!” the girl you had pinned to the ground snarled, but her attempts to flee were futile. 
“Give me one good reason to not kill you on the spot. How long have you been stalking us?” You snarl, feeling your blood start to boil.
“Let go of her, dear. She had no ill intentions.” Lady Dimitrescu said, and against all odds, you calmed. Huh. That had never happened before.
“Is this a new plaything, mother?” the girl asked, and you started snarling again, but a hand at the back of your neck made you freeze.
“Don’t be rude, Daniela. She is our guest, and she needs some medical attention. So be nice.” Lady Dimitrescu said and the girl, Daniela started pouting and muttering something under her breath. You were still on edge, bare containing the snarl that wanted to leave your throat. The hand around your neck tightened in warning and another shiver ran down your spine. One of the good ones.
“So, I was right about you. You are not entirely human.” Lady Dimitrescu purred, and you had the sudden urge to bolt and hide away. You noticed how much she must have hold back until now, the danger rolling of on her in waves was something you never once encountered.
“I told you that something happened to me. If you promise not to harm me, I will tell you what happened. But I can promise you that I am no danger to you or anyone else, if not properly provoked.” You said and dusted of your knees. She let go of you and turned to Daniela, conversing with her in Romanian. Daniela looked at you with sudden intrigue and a nasty smile. She practically screamed trouble, and you weren’t sure if you could handle it.
“Come now, it isn’t far anymore. Daniela will alert the castle of our arrival, to avoid any nasty surprises.” Lady Dimitrescu said and led you away. And sure enough, a few minutes later you reached the castle gate, three figures awaiting you. One you recognized as Daniela, so the other two must be her sisters. One of them looked at you with mild interest, while the other one looked at you with a spark of recognition in her eyes. Had you met before on one of your travels? You were pretty sure that wasn’t the case, but let it slide anyway, since you had bigger problems right now.
“Bela, would you please prepare the sitting room in the west wing? I will need some antiseptic and bandages, warm water would be wonderful too. When you are finished with that, prepare the guest room next to mine. We will talk later.”
The one who seemed to recognize you from somewhere left in a flurry of… bugs? What the fuck? 
“Cassandra, Daniela, please prepare a light super. I will talk to you two later two. Just bring the food into the sitting room when you are finished, yes?” The order was given gently and in another flurry of bugs, you were alone again.
“You can explain yourself when I am cleaning and dressing your wounds. Come now.” She said and led you into the castle. You were still processing the abilities of her daughter, so you followed her silently into the dimly lit entryway. *** Taglist: @imdreamingblo
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brekkerism · 4 years ago
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Strange Addiction(Spencer Reid One-Shot)
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A/n: So, this is my fic for the lovely @andiebeaword in the swap fics event that my lovely @imagining-in-the-margins hosted, and it was a blast writing it. Pom also was my beta, as always, and also the sweet @definitelynotkatesblog. This was super fun to write, and I hope y’all like it!!
Couple: Spencer Reid/Reader
Word count: 2.8k
Rating: 18+
Content warning: hinted age gap, smut, cunnilingus, professor!Spencer, angst, misunderstandings and fluff. I think that’s all.
******
I don’t know much about addiction, but if I had to guess, I thought it would feel something like this.
When his hair falls in his face, and his hands are so warm they manage to stop me from shaking.
When his lips taste like coffee and the way he insists on sleeping over, even if we both know he’ll never hold me until the morning.
Craving something that is slowly killing you, refusing to give it up.
It’s an addiction. It has to be.
Or maybe I’ve gone mad. ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ ’ I could hear it in his voice, telling me that “actually the quote was never linked to Einstein formally, but-“
I had to stop it. I had to stop myself, and put an end to it. It’s been weeks since we saw each other, it’s the perfect time to end-
Ding.
“I miss you. Can we see each other today?”
A few words on a text.
That’s all it took.
Well. It’s supposed to be bad to stop cold turkey right?
******
He spilled coffee on me the first time we met. It was on one of the campus coffee stands and I was already having a shitty day. I would have been furious if I had the strength for it.
“FUCK!” Burning. Hot coffee burning it’s way down my chest.
“Are you okay?” The stranger that had spilled his unnecessarily hot cup of coffee in me said.
“Dude?! It’s fucking hot!” I tried to pull my dress away from my body, to try and stop the burning in some way.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I just saw this bird and it reminded me of someone and I got distracted and-“
“Please get me some napkins.” I cut him off promptly.
He did, and tried to help me clean up before realizing it was all over my breasts, and it really wouldn’t help his situation to touch me there.
“Again I’m so sorry. Uhm, whats your name? I can pay for your dress or if you’re hurt I can take you to the infirmary.”
“My name is girl you burned the tits of.” I snapped. “And I’m fine, don’t worry that much.” I finally looked up at him, with his suit, his fluffy hair and the scruff. Cute. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Dr. Spencer Reid.” A professor then? Hot, older, professor. Wait, didn’t I hear something about this?
“Well doctor, you can just buy me a coffee and some pastries and, we’ll be even. Then you can go on your merry way and forget about the totally embarrassing afternoon that you spilled coffee all over a girl.” And maybe you can be so sorry that you slide me your number or something. A girl can hope.
I could have forgotten the whole thing. But he was himself: totally apologetic and cute, so tall and handsome, and his eyes-
I accepted his apology, and the coffee he bought me to make up for it, and we parted ways.
And if I went to my dorm and immediately tried to find out who he really was, it wasn’t completely weird right?
And yeah, maybe I sneaked into one of his classes, just to see what all the gossip and fuss was about (like I didn’t already know) but it didn’t start because of that.
******
It started way later at a bar. It’s not like I sought him out, maybe I had been going out a lil more than I used to in hopes that maybe, just maybe...
And then it happened. He was there, sitting at the corner of the bar sipping from his glass. Freshly out of class and all alone. The fucking universe. A chance to talk to him.
He was up from his seat, going for a refill at the bar when I rose from my seat before I even had time to come up with a plan or say goodbye to my friends, making a beeline to his direction.
Maybe it was the universe conspiring against us, or for us, because before I could tap him on the shoulder to get his attention, someone bumped into me sending me with force so that I would collide directly into him.
I luckily grabbed onto his suit jacket, stabilizing myself before I could do something stupid like fall to the floor and make a spectacle of myself.
He turned towards me, finally looking at who shoved him forward, and the recognition on his face was like relief washing over me.
“So, are you just gonna stare at me or will you buy me another apology-drink?” I tried my best to be charming and pretty, to keep his attention on me.
“Well this time I didn’t spill on you, so I don’t think I owe you one.” His smile. Fuck. He had a great smile.
“Okay. I’ll buy you one then.” I called over the bartender, getting him his scotch refill and something for me. Before he had the chance to do anything, I was taking the drinks back to his table. We wordlessly sat down and drank from our glasses.
“Should I ask why you went to one of my classes?”
Oh. oh. He saw that.
“Should I ask why you didn’t kick me out?”
“I asked first.”
“And I still don’t want to answer.” I pretended to inspect my shoes, racking my brain for ways to keep him here, talking to me. “Why are you drinking tonight?”
“You know, you ask a lot of questions for someone who won’t answer any of mine.”
“It’s part of my charm. So, what’s the reason?”
“What?” He did this cute thing with his nose, kinda scrunching it up, and he never stopped licking his damn lips, and maybe it was the alcohol in my system but I wanted to see how he tasted.
“There’s not that many reasons to be drinking alone at a sad college bar. You either have a problem with booze, can’t get a date, are drowning your sorrows, or trying to forget something.”
“Why don’t you try to guess?”
“Hm.” I leaned back on my seat to study him, using it as an excuse to look him head to toe. ”You’re both too put together and uncomfortable enough in this setting to have a problem. You’re too hot and have like, a billion college girls trying to get in your pants, so it’s not the date thing. You don’t look melancholic enough to be drowning your sorrows, especially with that choice of drink. So, who are you trying to forget, then?”
“Can’t a man just want to get a drink?” He chuckled.
“But that option would be no fun.” I could feel myself pouting and my cheeks getting warmer. Maybe it was the alcohol catching up to me.
“Well, it’s suiting, since I’m no fun.”
“That’s a lie. I’m talking to you and I’m having a blast” it was a joke on his part, but the way he said it sounded upset. Truthful. I wanted to make it go away.
“Kinda sad if this is your definition of a blast.” It sounded like a joke, but the way he said it... he sounded upset. I wanted to make it go away.
“Maybe it’s just because you’re hot. Who knows.”
“That's the second time you called me that.” He said it suspiciously, like he doubted that I really thought that.
“Can’t help it if it’s true.” I’m ridiculously attracted to you, I thought. Can you please realize that soon?
“What about you. What are you doing here?”
“Same reason as you.” Lies. Little liar. I’m here because I have been waiting and hoping to see you again, somewhere, anywhere.
“To drink cheap scotch?”
“To forget.” I’m so fucked up. I’m lying to the guy for what? So he can relate? That’s so stupid.
“Who is he?”
“Who is she?”
“She’s... A friend.” Oh. So there was a she. Shit. But that meant... was he looking for a rebound? A shoulder to cry on?
“Some guy I met at college.” You.
“Wow, an answer from you.”
“Wild, right? Next you’ll ask me my name and I’ll actually give it to you.”
“Your name isn’t actually ‘girl you burned the tits of’? Shocking.”
“No, I could only hope to be named something as elegant as that.” He laughed at that. If I could bottle up the sound, I would. Hell, I wanted it as my new ringtone. “C’mon, that’s what you laugh at?”
The night kept moving, and I learned little things, like that he worked for the FBI, his socks were mismatched, he didn’t blush at my dirty jokes after a while, and he was exceptionally bad at taking shots, but exceptionally good at magic tricks. It was nice. It was more than nice. It caused my face to flush and made my knees go weak.
“You should tell me your name now.” The seriousness in his voice made something inside me tremble, and warmth rose up deep in my guts.
“W-why?”
“Because I won’t fuck you if I don’t know your name.” Finally. Fucking finally.
He was giving me a out. If I wanted, I could just say ‘no, thanks.’ and walk away.
Jokes on him if he thought I would give up that easy.
“(Y/n). My name is (y/n).” He took a shuddering breath in, lowered his hands down to my upper thigh and squeezed.
“Go to the second to last stall in the bathroom and wait.” There was no room in his voice for questioning. I did it anyways.
“Here?”
“Here.” He confirmed with a firm nod, his eyes never leaving mine.
We were both too desperate for it.
And it happened. In the second to last stall of a dirty bathroom, with him fucking me against the door and whispering dirty things in my ear. It was perfect, it was fucking heaven. It made me crave.
It happened again in my dorm room. Again and again. And then in his apartment. In his empty office. In my car. In his car. Not as frequently as I like, with his job at the FBI and teaching, but more than it should be for what we had. We weren’t in a relationship. We were just fuck buddies. And yeah, maybe he also gave me his time with the sex, with the sweet words, the occasional lunches and the not-dates to his favorite bookstore, but it didn’t mean anything. Six months in, and he didn’t seem any more over the mysterious girl he had loved for decades.
He was just using me to get over the woman he truly loved. The young college girl who he thought was also in love with someone else was the easiest choice. The least messy.
But it was messy. Because there was nobody else. There was just him. He was the one I was in love with.
I was trying to get over Spencer Reid, by sleeping with Spencer Reid.
Funny, right?
******
I didn’t have to knock twice at his door.
He hugged me as soon as he opened it. I melted into him, like I always did. He smelled like coffee and home to me.
“Rough day?” I asked.
“Rough week. Rough month.” Yeah, I think I know the feeling.
“Can I help?”
“Always. You always help.” He said softly.
Stop saying things like that. Stop making me feel like this.
“Come here little girl.” He led us to his bedroom, sitting on the bed and guiding me to his lap. It felt safe. Felt loving. “You’re always so pretty for me. So good. You don’t even know how much I.... how much I want you.”
He took my dress off with ease, kissing a wet trail from my face, to my neck, to my tits. I wanted his hands everywhere, I wanted him to touch me, to make me forget why I ever considered stopping this.
“You’re gonna be good for me right? You’ll be a perfect girl?” Always. Just for you.
“Yes.”
“That’s my girl.”
His girl. I was his. I will always be his.
He just wasn’t mine.
I swallowed back the tears and tried to push down the lump in my throat. He needed me and I wanted to please him, to be good, to show him how much I loved him with this.
He always knew how to work my body, and this moment was no exception. Always knew how to make me go crazy with a swipe of his tongue on my pussy, a finger curling inside me, a thumb circling my clit. Sometimes I thought he was the only one that knew me at all. I was probably right.
The orgasm built and built and built, and I couldn’t do anything but hold on to his hair and smother him between my thighs while I rode it out. He was perfect. It was perfect.
I wanted it forever.
Tears. Pooling on the corners of my eyes, rolling down, no matter how hard I tried to blink them away.
It was killing me.
I loved him. Three little words. I love you. I love you I love you I love you I love you-
“I love you.” It felt natural rolling off my tongue. It felt okay. The world would still spin if he knew I love him. I might not have him anymore, but it would be okay.
“W-what did you just say?” He rose from his place between my legs, the frown on his forehead and his shaking hands making me just as nervous as he was.
“I love you. I’m in love with you. I’m sorry.”
“You’re... Why are you sorry?” That was the part he was worried about?
“Because I didn’t mean to. I know you can’t love me back. I’m sorry.” I retreated from him, bracing myself as tight as I could. Maybe I could use his shock to my advantage; dress quickly and leave. There wouldn’t be any awkwardness or tears or rejection-
He was kissing me. He was kissing me, coaxing my mouth open with his tongue, holding on to me like I would disappear if he didn’t ground me to him.
“We’re so stupid. I’m so, so stupid.” He was saying the words in between kisses, like he couldn’t take the time to pull away from me and actually talk.
What was happening?
“How can you not know? I thought you knew, I thought that was the whole reason-“ more kisses now, all over my face and my mouth.
“Spencer, what are you talking about?”
“Listen to me. I love you. I’m in love with you. I have been for a while now.” He was holding my face in his hands.
I must have gotten into a car accident on the way to his apartment. I was dead, or dreaming, or hallucinating.
He loved me?
He loved me.
“I thought the reason you were pulling away from me is because you knew, because I’m a shitty liar when it comes to you, and I don’t know how to hide how desperately in love with you I am.” He continued to ramble and I almost couldn’t keep up. I felt like I was inside a dream. “I was so sure you still loved the guy from your school, and I didn’t want to risk losing you, losing us, so I didn’t tell you. I’m so dumb.”
“But... but what about her? The woman you love? Your friend?”
“She’s just that: a friend. I think because we never had a shot at having a romantic relationship, I idealized it for so long. I thought that it was love. But I met you. I got to know you. I got to love you. This is love. Whatever I felt for her doesn’t come close.“
Blissful. I felt blissful. I felt like the universe gave me everything I wanted all at once.
“I love you. I’ve loved you since I met you.” I get to say it. I get to say it, I get to love him, and have him.
I needed him. Now. I needed to make love to him, needed to be his.
We kissed for too long, slow and sweet and perfect. When he drove himself inside my body, he looked into my eyes and told me how good I was for him, how much he loved me. When I came, it was with his name on my lips. It was everything. It was impossible for someone to be so right for me. He was everything.
We laid next to each other, too needy to not be touching every moment possible. My legs tangled between his, my hand in his.
Everything was out in the open, and we were together.
Except…
“Spence…”
“Yeah?”
“Remember the guy at college that I liked? The one I was trying to get over?”
“Yes” his tone was tentative, like he halfway expected me to take back all that was said between us.
“He... kinda doesn’t exist. Well, he also kinda does, but I think it might be you.” He was silent, and for a moment I thought he fell asleep and didn’t hear me.
“…Honestly, I shouldn’t be surprised” there wasn’t any anger in his tone whatsoever, and the last of my worries was gone.
“Still love me?”
“Always, pretty girl.”
And I guess that was more than okay.
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lyntonier · 3 years ago
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A train to Paris
Carmen Sandiego x Gray Calloway
Summary: Carmen is taking a break away from her work — helping out at the Orphanage and fighting crime — and decides to take a trip back to Paris, a location she quite enjoyed. During her journey she meets a familiar face she believed she would not see again.
A/N: This is set after season 4.
"So Carms, I hear you are off to Paris for the week huh?"
I smile into the phone, listening to Ivy's comment.
"You heard correct. Well, assuming nothing goes wrong, that is".
I had gotten a break from working at the Orphanage with my Madre, so I decided to take myself on a little trip. We had finally met about eleven months ago, and I had been helping around as much as I possibly could without a break. Well, I tell a lie, I had a couple days free from working with Madre, though I used those days to check for any crime around. I guess some habits die hard huh, this was meant to be my new start but I can't seem to leave fighting crime behind. It was my choice to work so much at the Orphanage though.
Madre had had enough and told me to take a week away and go someplace, so where better than Paris? The beauty of the city when the sun goes down and the lights come on again, the food, the art and architecture, the history, it's simply something I cannot forget. It's truly a once in a lifetime thing.
"Wow, I'm so jealous! I wish I could be there with you, it would be so much fun- Zack stop! Leave Julia alone. No- She probably does NOT appreciate that, so quit it... Yes, you, who else?!.......... Sorry Carms, it's Zach trying to flirt with Julia again".
Giggling at Ivy's scolding to her brother, I make a mental note to tease him about that when I next see him. He kept flirting with the poor woman, to which she would politely laugh and make an excuse to leave.
"No worries Ivy, it's alright. I must admit though, I do feel sorry for Julia in some respects".
"I know right! Gosh, he's so oblivious sometimes. I love him anyway though, no matter how much of a douche brain he is".
"It would be nice to be able to meet up with all of you again, it's been a while since I saw all of you properly. You'll have to let me know when you two both have some time off and I'll get hold of Shadowsan and Player, then we can all have a nice catch-up".
I hear Ivy sigh wistfully into the phone, light laughter leaving her lips.
"Honestly Carms, that seems like such a good idea right about now. I'm so tired with work, I got called out five times within the past two days, three of which were last night. I've not had a nice snooze in for ages and I could do with one right about now, haha."
"You do sound quite tired. When do you get off shift?"
"Uuuh, hold on....... Forty-five minutes, then I can go home".
"Well, you should treat yourself to a warm bubble bath and a long rest".
"I think I'll take that one and do just that. Ah- I've got to shoot, Cheif is calling for me. I'll call you tomorrow and we can talk more, yeah?"
"Yes, wouldn't miss it for the world. Tell the others I said hello for me? And I'll work on arranging a girls trip between you and me to somewhere, just let me know where you fancy going".
"Oh you're a star Carm, I'll be looking forward to that then. I'll decide tonight and let you know tomorrow, and I'll pass on your 'hellos' to the others. Talk soon Carm".
I smile into the phone, mildly disappointed that our conversation had to end so soon.
"Talk soon Ivy".
With that, I hear the beep of an ended call as Ivy hangs up the line. A sudden wave of exhaustion washes over me as I move my phone down to my lap, checking the time. It was 1:15 in the morning. Raising my eyebrows, I nod at my phone, surprised at how late it was. I should probably try to get some sleep as I'll be arriving at my stop in about seven hours from now and I would much prefer to not be falling asleep at every given moment.
Setting my phone down next to myself, I grab a blanket out of my carry bag and drape it over my lap, removing my jumper and folding it into four before placing it onto the seat to my left. Reaching up above myself, I pull a cord that turned off the lights in my little train booth, engulfing myself in darkness. The only form of light that I had at this stage was the gentle light from the moon, it would be full soon. Laying down, I place my head onto my jumper and pull my blanket up higher, closing my eyes and relaxing my body.
Right as I began to doze off, I felt a strange feeling of wariness make itself known in my gut, enticing me to sit up and evaluate my surroundings. Within a couple of seconds of having my eyes open, I heard a light tapping on my booth door. Someone was there. Averting my eyes to the glass section of the door, I keep my body motionless as I trace the figure with my eyes and their every possible movement.
If I stayed still then they would not see me and assume I was sleeping and most likely leave.
*tap, tap, tap*
"Excuse me, uh, I know you are awake.. can I come in? My booth has no heating and it's really cold out here".
Or maybe not.
Cautiously eyeing the door, I slowly raise myself from the seats and brace my hand into a fist, ready to fight off a possible threat. Standing tall, I cautiously step my way over to the door before grasping the cool metal handle with one hand and undoing a lock with the other. Twisting the handle, I edge the door open bit by bit.
"Hello... Um.. yes you may".
It was a man, not that much taller than me, and Australian. Or perhaps Kiwi. I couldn't see many of his facial features, other than the fact that he had a man bun and a couple bags with him. I wracked my brain for any vocal recognitions, however, nothing matched.
Standing aside, I made room for the strange man to come inside.
"Cheers mate, sorry 'bout how odd this is. I went to the train staff to ask about the heating and they told me that the booth I chose was meant to be closed, though the person on duty of closing it off didn't get around to it, hence me choosing the unlucky booth. They told me I would have to ask to share booths with somebody else seen as though all others are booked, and I saw your light go out, so I came here. Sorry and cheers again".
The man laughed, rubbing what I assumed was the back of his neck. His explanation seemed pretty truthful and his reasoning honest.
"That's no problem, sorry that you got a faulty booth, that must've sucked".
"Hah, tell me 'bout it" He joked.
Smiling, I close the door and return to my seat, watching as he put his bags in the overhead luggage area, leaving out a blanket of his own. Smart man.
"So, what's your name mate?"
"Carmen. And you?"
I see him whip his head around, before shaking it and laughing lightly.
"I had a friend called Carmen, though I've not seen her in a long time. My name is Grah-Grayson. Grayson".
I raise my eyebrow at his stutter, smirking lightly.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Grah-Grayson" I tease.
"Haha, as to you Carmen".
With that, we both fell silent, just basking in the pleasant atmosphere of the booth with the same idea of sleep on our minds.
Slipping back into my 'bed', I pull my blankets back over myself and close my eyes, listening carefully at everything around me. I hear some stuffing around, something dropping on the floor, followed by a second something, more shuffling, then a satisfied sigh. Peering over my shoulder, I see the outline of a body laying on the seat across from mine.
"Did you just take your shoes off?"
"Hm? Ah yeah mate, can't sleep with shoes on, that's just crazy".
Grah-Grayson laughs at his own statement, finding humour in my question.
I feel my lips draw into a thin line as I shuffle my feet around awkwardly, my shoes very much still on.
Am I crazy?
"G'd'night mate, thanks again for letting me in on such short notice".
"No, no, that's fine. Goodnight".
It felt strange saying goodnight to a stranger, though I had most definitely done stranger.
I feel my eyes shoot open rather rapidly, my heart pounding against my ribcage as I scramble to sit upright, taking in my surroundings eagerly before eyeing the strange man in the booth with me. I check the room once again for anything out of the ordinary, before removing the blanket from my body and standing, striding my way over the door and yanking it open silently and slipping out, closing it behind myself. I needed some fresh air.
Making my way to the end of the train, I open a door that leads to a small balcony attached to the carriage. Immediately the wind hits me, blowing my hair to the side.
Sucking in a deep breath of air, I relax my shoulders and close my eyes. I had a nightmare — rather a memory — that Coach Brunt had broken into my booth and tied me up, much like before, and decided that enough was enough and planned to end things then and there.
A pretty sad nightmare, huh.
I enjoy the breeze a little longer before turning around and opening the door, walking back into the train carriage and back to my booth. Opening the door, I am surprised to see Grah-Grayson awake and sat upright, watching out of the window at the scenery. It was early for him to be awake, it was about five in the morning and the sun had begun rising, casting a gentle glow in the booth.
"Ah, mate, there you are, are you alr-......."
The words leave his mouth as he stares at me in surprise, horror, happiness, sadness and recognition... a mix of everything. Exactly what I was feeling.
Tears fill my eyes as I gaze at the male before me. It couldn't be...
"G-Gray?"
"Black sheep..?."
Grah-Grayson stands up, tears in his own eyes as he stares at me intently.
Stepping forward, I feel my arms raising slightly and before I knew it I was lunging for him, sobs wreaking through my lips as tears flowed heavily from my eyes. Engulfing him in my arms, I feel him do the same with just as much ferocity. I hear sobs come from him too, his chest rising and falling quickly and sharply with each gasp of air.
Before anything could be said, I feel anger suddenly wash over me, leading me to remove my arms from around him and shove him away harshly, placing some distance between us.
A confused whimper leaves his mouth, clearly unintentionally, but before he could say anything I let months worth of hurt, confusion, upset and anger form into words and flow out freely.
"Gray where were you?! W-What did you mean 'don't tell her' that you woke up!! Do you know how long I waited for you to wake up in the hospital, unable to see you or hear from you, not knowing that you had long gone?! Do you- Do you know how long I WAITED fOR YOU? Three months Gray- three months that you were gone and I was waiting for you to wake up so that we could start over, so that I could know you were okay!" The words kept flowing out, no matter how much I tried to stop them. Although I didn't try. I couldn't bring myself to try. I started pacing back and forth as I rambled, making sure the emphasis on certain words came out.
"Carmen, let me explain, I-"
I cut him off, anger still clouding my better judgement.
"NO Gray, you don't get to explain until you hear me!! I searched EVERYWHERE for days, weeks, months for you, thinking that something had happened to you, only to be told by Chief that you had requested to not have your condition or whereabouts revealed to me! Why Gray, why..? If you were angry or upset at me and didn't want to see me, you could have just told me instead of making me worry like that! I spent so many nights awake trying to find out where you were with the help of Player, but nothing!! NOTHING!"
I heave out everything that has been resting on my shoulders, the feeling of relief evident on my shoulders as a weight had been lifted.
"Carmen I was never upset at you, more of I was upset at myself. It was my fault that you had been captured and lured in, I knew what was happening and I could have prevented it, but I didn't. I blamed myself for you being brainwashed and hurt, and for myself being hurt. I was such an idiot and I didn't want to do something that could hurt you again-"
"And yet you did.." I remark with a whisper, adverting my eyes as I crossed my arms over my chest, hugging myself and sniffling as I did so.
"I know and I'm sorry... I didn't want to interfere with your life, not after everything that had happened. VILE was caught and disbanded, you had information on your mother, everything was over and you had a fresh start ahead of you and I didn't want to get in the way of that. So, I changed my identity and lived away from the public eye, hidden away where you could not find me. It wasn't just a fresh start for you, it was one for me too... I asked for you to not be told of my departure, even though Cheif strongly suggested against it, the same with that Julia lady. I told them it was my only request, and they allowed it eventually. I now realise that wasn't a good idea and that it hurt you much more than I believed it could or would... I am so sorry Carmen.. I really am so, incredibly sorry.. I can't blame you if you are angry at me, I gue-"
"Of course I'm angry at you!! I finally realised after all of that time that I was in love with you, and I was prepared to tell you, only to find that you were gone! Those three months left in the dark were pure heaven compared to the.. the shitty, crappy, horrible feelings once I found out you were gone!"
I watch as Gray's eyes widen in surprise, as he stutters his next sentence, his face flushed from tears, much like my own.
"C-Carmen.. you- what did you just.. what did you just say?"
"That I realised after all of this time that I was in love with you, so very incredibly in love with you, and that I was prepared to tell you!" I growl.
We both stand there in silence, the cool feeling of my tears drying up on my face present. Sudden realisation dawns upon me at what I had just boldly announced. Smacking my hand over my mouth, I gasp, my eyes widening as the realisation finally sets in completely.
Nothing is said between us as we just stare one another in the eyes, waiting for the other to speak.
"Gray, I-"
I cut myself short as Gray abruptly strides towards me confidently, raising his hands to cup my cheeks as I step back, unsure of what was happening. Staring down into my eyes, Gray smiles gently.
"You always were a cheeky one, sneaking your way into my heart the way you did".
My stomach fills with butterflies at that, a small smile making its way onto my face, accompanied by little giggles. Soon enough, I was laughing uncontrollably into Gray's chest, him onto my shoulder.
The laughter died down soon after, we were just left with warm smiles on our faces.
Moving his hand across my face, his thumb stroking my cheek and his other hand caressed the back of my neck, he looks down at my lips before looking into my eyes.
"May I?"
That one sentence had my stomach doing flips as though I were a schoolgirl who just confessed her undying love to her crush and received the same feelings back, though I guess in some respects I was that schoolgirl, just a little older.
"You may".
With that, Gray leans down, pressing his lips gently against mine and pulling away. I did not feel those fireworks that people would describe a true-loves kiss as, rather I felt complete, safe, happy, joyous, excited, calm, at peace and so many more pleasant things, much better than those so described fireworks.
Leaning in for a second kiss, I met Gray halfway with just as much passion, more ferocity this time, however. Soon though, we had to depart for air, a gentle blush growing over both of our cheeks.
"Carmen, I-"
"Excuse me, are you two alright in there? I could faintly hear you arguing from next door".
Looking behind me, there was an older woman stood in the doorway, a concerned look on her face.
"Yes, we are alright madame, thank you for your concern. Sorry for the noise, everything is sorted now" I explain, turning to face the woman.
"Very well then, there is no need to apologise my dear, as long as you are both okay. Oh, and sorry for interrupting your moment"
The lady giggles cheekily, before making her way back to her booth while rambling on about young love, or something along the lines.
"We should probably close the door, no?"
"Yes, we should. You, mister, have a lot to explain to me, especially what you have been up to since we last saw one another".
I smile as I leave Grays embrace, walking to the door and closing it.
"As do you. We have a while till we reach my destination, so shall we?"
"Hmm... I say sleep and then explain at a later time, on a date perhaps?"
"Friday, 8PM at Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole?" Grey wiggles his eyebrows, a smile on his face as he does so.
Laughter bubbles in my throat as I sniffle, wiping away any tear streams on my face as I nod my head eagerly.
"Call it a date".
A/N: This is my first ever oneshot/story piece that I've done on here and I honestly do not know how good it is, or how bad it is. All I can hope is that it's decent. It was inspired by @wizardsoffthecoast who had mentioned something about this, so here we are. I hope you enjoy it!
(I do apologise for any spelling mistakes!)
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youngbeezer · 4 years ago
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Do you Believe in Happily Ever After? | Joel Farabee
A/N: Hello again! I got such a great response to my first fic I posted which literally made me so happy, so thank you so much to anyone who gave me the time of their day to read my fic. Here is a new fic for mr. joel farabee!! This one is a little longer and I tried my best, feedback always appreciated, but I hope you enjoy :)
Warnings: Few curse words, overall just fluff
Word Count: 2160
Tagging a few people again so this doesn’t flop,,,
@ollywahlygator @joshsandersons @joelsfarabees @fratboyzegras @sorokns @butgilinsky @ricohenrique
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I haven’t been to too many weddings in my life. I attended one for my uncle when I was around 10 years old but I don’t remember much from it. My mother also got remarried around 3 years ago, but up until this year, weddings weren’t a natural occurrence in my life. 
This past year though.. I’ve attended two weddings, got an invitation in the mail today for another one, a close friend of mine just recently got engaged (so that invitation will be coming sometime in the near future), and one of my best friends’ wedding is tomorrow. Now I feel like everywhere I look, I am surrounded by love. 
Now I’m not saying that is a bad thing, but when every one of your friends are either having kids, getting married, or in serious relationships, it starts to feel a little discouraging. Is there something wrong with me? Am I the reason why I’m still single?-- No, I refuse to think like that! I could get a boyfriend if I wanted to. Maybe my friends are right though… Maybe I’m not putting myself out there enough. 
Anyway, one of my best friends, Karly, is getting married to her long-time boyfriend Travis tomorrow. I’ve met Travis, or as everyone seems to call him ‘TK’, a handful of times and I know he plays for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team-- which is cool I guess, but other than that I don’t know much about his personal life or who he hangs out with. 
Karly and I met running into each other at a cafe once. Yeah, yeah I know it sounds like one of those cliche romantic meetings, where two people bump into each other and immediately fall in love. I mean we did hit it off almost immediately and from there we became like two peas in a pod-- just not in the way you think. I’ve always wondered though, if maybe I ran into a handsome man at a coffee shop or walking down the street, would I be having my happily ever after right now?
I snap out of my thoughts when an incoming call from- speak of the devil, the bribe to be. Before I can even say my greetings, Karly jumps right into business;
“Ok! So since you weren’t able to come to the dress rehearsal or rehearsal dinner. I’ll give you the rundown on what you need to do.”
Oh yeah, did I mention that I am one of the bridesmaids? Sadly, I was not able to attend the functions before the wedding due to not being able to get time off from work. But, Karly was super cool with it, which brings us to the reason for this call.
“Ok so basically, your dress and everything is already in the bridal suite, so everything will be ready for you when you get here tomorrow. You’ll be walking down the aisle third with one of Travis’ buddies Joel-- he plays on the team with Trav and he’s such a sweet guy he’ll definitely help you out if you need anything.. You know now that I think about it you guys would be such a cute couple-”
“Uh Karly? I don’t think now's the time to play matchmaker, when we should be preparing for your big day tomorrow.” I cut her off. 
“Alright, alright. But I will be coming back to that thought. Ok so anyway--”
After that I kind of zone out from trying to keep up with whatever Karly is spitting at me right now. While still on the phone, I pull out my laptop and search for the name ‘Joel’ with ‘Philadelphia Flyers’ next to it in search of this man who is said to be walking me down the aisle. Right away the name ‘Joel Farabee’ pops up with a wikipedia and multiple photos. Hm this guy is kinda cute. Just as I go to click view more images, Karly’s words register back in my brain;
“Ok y/n, did you get that?”
“Hm.. oh yeah! Got it. What time should I be there tomorrow?” I ask, praying that she didn’t already mention that and realize I wasn’t paying attention. 
“8 AM sharp,” she responds all giddy. 
I suddenly remember that my best friend is actually getting married tomorrow. Feeling giddy as well I reply, “Sounds good. I am so happy for you Karly and I can’t wait to see how beautiful you look tomorrow!” 
Karly does a little shriek in response and reiterates her excitement as well. We then say our goodbyes and I wish her a great last night as an unmarried woman before hanging up. I got back to what I was working on before the call and all my jumbled thoughts entered my brain, totally forgetting about a certain someone named ‘Joel’ as I exited the browser. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next morning I arrive at 8:17 AM at the wedding venue and as soon as I exit the Uber, I start booking it to the bridal suite. When Karly says to be somewhere at 8 AM sharp, you be there at 8 AM sharp, and I’m not particularly fond of facing her wrath today, especially on her wedding day when stress levels are through the roof. 
There’s just one problem though… Since I wasn’t able to attend the rehearsal, I have no idea where I am going. 
Trying to recall the directions Karly told me on the phone last night (when I wasn’t paying attention), I take a sharp turn around a corner looking the opposite direction and suddenly collide with a dead end. Wait- no that’s not a dead end, it’s a person. 
Immediately going to spit out an apology, I stop dead in my tracks when I make eye contact with the handsome man I bumped into. 
“Oh shit! I am so sorry. Are you alright?” I see his lips moving, which are very nice to look at by the way, but my mind doesn’t register his words as I stare dumbfoundedly at this handsome stranger. Who, now that I think about it, looks a little familiar. 
When I still don’t answer, the familiar stranger clears his throat before giving me a once over of my whole body, which does little to bring me out of my trance. If anything I now start to feel my whole face flush from noticing him obviously checking me out. 
His face then seems to light up in recognition before asking, “Wait, are you y/n?”
When he notices my look of confusion on how he knows my name he continues, “I’m Joel, Joel Farabee.” Scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, I notice a slight blush coating his cheeks before he adds, “We’re paired to walk down the aisle together… Um, also I think Karly is looking for you. She was kind of freaking out a little.”
With that last sentence my whole body comes back to life realizing that I am late and Karly is going to kill me. Hurriedly I exclaim “Oh my gosh! I am so late and I have no idea where the hell I’m going.” I frantically search around for any directions to point me to the bridal suite.
Joel kindly puts his hand on my shoulder, which immediately ignites a fire on the skin he is touching, before he reassures “Hey, you’re good. Just take your first right down this hall and then it will be at the end of the corridor, you can’t miss it. Seriously. She hung up streamers and balloons everywhere with a poster on the door that says ‘Bridal Suite. NO BOYS ALLOWED’.” 
Letting out a soft snort I gently thank Joel before rushing in the direction he pointed me to. Before turning right, I sneak a quick glance over my shoulder to find Joel already glancing my way. My heart does a little flutter when we make eye contact and he gives me a little lopsided grin before going on his way. 
What just happened… 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As soon as I walk through the doors of the suite, I am immediately ambushed by the bride to be on why I was late, until she notices the deep blush covering my cheeks, which then prompts another ambush on what made me blush. 
I change the topic as quickly as I can and direct our attention on getting ready for the ceremony. Karly looks absolutely beautiful in her white gown and her hair all dolled up. She doesn’t even seem remotely nervous for today as well. Most weddings I have been to, the bride is always going batshit crazy making sure everything is perfect or worrying that her soon to be husband might back out. That just shows how happy and comfortable Karly and Travis are in their relationship. God, I wonder what it must feel like to have that kind of love that is so solid and healthy. Suddenly my mind starts drifting to what it would be like to have that type of relationship with Joel. 
Oh who am I kidding? I just met the guy. Sure, when his hand touched my shoulder my whole body felt like it was on fire. And yeah, maybe when he gave me that little lopsided grin it gave my entire stomach butterflies. Oh jeez. Today is gonna be a long day… 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ok now I feel like my whole body is going to explode. He is looking at me like I’m now the bride and he is the groom. And suddenly, I’m wishing that were the case. We are getting closer and closer to walking down the aisle together, and every step we take towards one another my stomach does a little flip. 
When we finally reach each other, he offers his arm for me to take as he speaks, “Wow… Uh yeah wow, you look gorgeous.”
Blushing, I respond with a quiet “Thank you.” 
“Guess I was the lucky one eh? In case I end up tripping and making a fool of myself, no one will even be paying attention because all eyes will be on you.” There’s that little lopsided grin of his again. 
“Well aren’t you a sweet talker.” I responded. 
He just gives me a subtle wink before we ascend through the doors and down the aisle where Travis is waiting for the big moment. He gives us both a little smirk before we part ways like he knows something we both don’t. 
Eventually Karly walks down the aisle looking like an absolute princess. The officiator says his whole ordeal, Karly and TK both say their vows to one another, there are lots of tears, and Joel and I can’t seem to keep our eyes off of each other. 
After the ceremony, we all head in the direction of the reception hall where the real fun begins. Don’t get me wrong, the wedding was spectacular, the way everyone expected it to be. Now as music filled the air with a giddy sort of elation, the newlyweds looking beautiful and so happy while dancing, friends and relatives chatting between one another about this and that; I can’t help but feel a little bittersweet about it. I want this. I want that giddy elation to be surrounded around me, I want to wear that beautiful white gown, I want the guy to be looking at me like I just hung the moon while we had our first dance. Where’s my happily ever after--
“You know you never properly introduced yourself?” 
Startled, I spun around to find the source. Joel. 
I give him a sweet smile before returning my gaze back to the happy couple and responding, “Y/n y/l/n.” 
He follows my gaze and lets out a little sigh before expressing “They’re perfect for each other, aren’t they?” 
“Yeah, they really are.” Before I can get another word in Joel blurts;
“Do you wanna dance? Like,” He stumbles a little with his words, “like with me?”
Letting out a soft giggle, I happily reply, “I would love to.” 
Seemingly relieved, Joel takes my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor as soon as a slow song comes on. He puts his hands respectively on my waist while I put mine around his neck inching him closer to my body. We dance with each other for a while, even after the song is over and a fast high tempo song blasts through the speakers. It’s like we are lost in each other, just savoring this ‘moment’ together. 
Eventually after the fourth song comes on and we are still dancing, Joel pulls away just a little to look me in the eye before softly whispering “Do you believe in happily ever afters?” 
Seeing that look in his eyes again, the one where it seems like he is looking at me like I just hung the moon? I answer in that same soft whisper, “Yeah… yeah I think I do.”
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